Month: January 2012

This is a new regular feature here on my blog – each Monday I will select a favorite craft product and explain why it’s a favorite, what’s so great about it, and what I do with it here.

My most recent craft addiction is to Ranger paint dabbers. We didn’t get along or play nicely when they first came out, but now we get along famously and they’ve gone from tolerated to mama’s favorite in a very short period of time. As I work on my new Big Picture class I find myself reaching for these more and more, and I’ve added a few Jenni Bowlin colors in addition to my three Adarondack metallics. That’s right – I only have 6 of them. That’s not going to expand greatly just because I love them, I only have colors that I really love, and will use tons. Today I’ve chosen one color as my pick:

Jenni Bowlin for Ranger paint dabber in speckled egg

It has all the versatility of a dabber (foam applicator, no mess, no brush needed…) and the color is exactly perfect! I like to use it on metal (see above where I’m coloring a metal photo corner), on my layouts, to stamp with, and more. It is a beautiful sky color, a great base color to layer with other (darker or brighter) colors, and just all around fantastic.

Above is a peek at a mixed media canvas in project for Field Guide (new BPC class)! You can see it in the sky and stenciled into my ocean water too. (yes ocean, yeah this project is gonna be COOOL and have a 4-part video series stepping it all out…)

Anyhow! back to my pick of the week. In creating some projects I discovered that speckled egg dabber paint + broken china distress ink or stain makes an absolutely BEAUTIFUL color. Here’s a look at that on a tag. You can put the stain first or the paint. I usually dab a bit of each… layer and blend or leave them splotchy…

Then I stamped with it (using a fave background stamp) to show the color difference and just show you how pretty it can be. Oh! I so love this paint dabber. I’ve been using it so much, it simply had to be my pick of the week.

Supplies shown:

This week’s installment of New & Noteworthy is up at Scrapbook Update!

I’m talking about Basic Grey’s new line Kissing Booth – which I am totally besotted with. TOTALLY. Loving the colors and patterns so much. Check out my article (and new layout!) here.

Will you be attending CHA in a few weeks? (Craft & Hobby annual show) If so, here’s where you can find me promoting my book Scrapbook Workshop with F+W publishing :

Monday January 30th at 3pm Booth #1329 (Book Signing)

Tuesday January 31st at 11am Booth #868 (Book Signing + Demo/Make ‘n Take)

I hope to see you at the show! I will be walking the show floor (and yes, after I get home I’ll definitely be sharing photos.) and watching for the latest & greatest to feature here on my blog, as well as in my other projects at Big Picture and Scrapbook Update. Can’t wait!

Meeting new friends and seeing favorite crafty people is always a great part of the experience of CHA as well, if you’re going and you see me, please do say hello!

I already shared my “staples” suggestions that apply both in general and specifically to my upcoming class Field Guide. Now I’m back to share a “part 2”, things that I don’t think of as absolute basics/I can’t craft without it items but that I still think are 100% awesome and recommended for class (and again, in general).

Remember for class you do NOT need to buy anything. You can work within your stash, make substitutions, etc. That disclaimer given, let’s dive in! 

1. Embossing Powder. Whether you choose UTEE (thick) or regular, I recommend both Ranger and American Crafts, though there are a LOT of brands. I suggest clear, metallic shades, or neutrals. I use distress ink + clear when I want a “colored” embossed look. I use Versamark ink pad or distress ink pads NOT EMBOSSING INK when I do my stuff. I have nothing against the stuff- I just minimize cost + supplies where I can, and other things can multi-task instead of having such a specific ink pad taking up space. You WILL need a heat gun for this though. NOTE: glossy accents can so take place of clear embossing powder in most cases.

2. Distress Stickles. I may do a whole post on this stuff. I *LOVE* distress stickles. I struggle to NOT put it on every project. ANY glitter (or no glitter at all) is cool – it’s just a product I LURVE A WHOLE LOT.

3. STENCILS! I adore the 6″ crafters workshop ones. ADORE! They are such fun to use with mists, texture mediums, paint, and more. You can view a video I did about them here if you’re on the fence or want to know more about them. They make 12″ ones too which are great, I just find I don’t need HUGE pattern very often.

4. molding/modeling paste is straight up fun. Add texture, mix with color mediums, create patterns and dimension… it’s simple stuff and works great with templates too. In most cases multi-medium (rec’d in my previous post) could stand in for this – especially if mixed with heavy acrylic paint.

5. Claudine Hellmuth’s sticky back canvas. I use a few (3×5, 5×7, 8×10) canvases during class, but sticky back canvas is like canvas paper. You can print on it, tear it, cut it, die cut it… oh it’s awesome. AND it’s adhesive backed and ready to party on any card, layout, or other project. This is one of those “if you like the look of it, give it a try!” suggestions, I know I use and love mine!

6. Background stamp. Whether a larger or smaller pattern, shape or text, I love background stamps. Use on letter stickers, on background paper, with versamark for faint look, to add layer to a mixed media piece… oh I LOVE them.

7. Ranger Craft Mat. While you can just use slick plastic packaging or other surfaces when you want to ink, pool up distress ink, mist, and do other messy things, this mat has been so valuable to me over the years. It’s a great tool that you can use without fear of melting with your heat tool either.

8. Ranger metal foil sheets. I just love this foil! Use paint, alcohol ink, embossing powder, emboss it, stamp on it… just a cool surface.

9. Archival Ink in jet black. Staz-On is just as good, the point is that a juicy black ink pad that will stamp on/over most surfaces is a GREAT tool. Love mine. Use them often.

10. Grunge paper. Die cut it, layer it, and terrorize it all you want. It’s not going to care – and in fact it’s just a whole lot of fun.

I realize a lot of this list is Ranger Ink brand products. I don’t (nor have I ever) worked for Ranger, I just really love their stuff. It’s a base to so many of my creations, and truly a favorite.

I use (and love) so many more things both everyday and in class. This list, like the last one I shared, is designed to talk about items that you can use with other products, on your paper projects, give you some ideas, and that help extend and customize your stash. If you have questions about my suggestions, my stash, Field Guide, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me or leave a comment here.

Again, here’s the link to part 1 (aka ‘basics’) suggested supply post.

If you’re reading this I’m on a plane (or already back home) from our week-long Maui break. Yeah I snuck off without many people knowing (internet security and all that – didn’t want to broadcast “hey my house is empty!”) we were gone.

amazing. indescribable.

Well I mean, obviously in addition to my vacation journal (which I updated at least 1x a day) I plan on scrapbooking the HECK out of this trip. Oh wow… I think I want a photo book too of just the pretty pictures.

First, a LOT of CHA prep-work to be done. Focusing on my new (starting soon!) Big Picture class, and of course washing the sand out of all our clothes.

Hmm. I might need a vacation to scrapbook this vacation!

Oh but I can hardly wait to tell you more. Honestly? We picked the best hotel on the island. PERIOD. Westin Maui resort & spa + Costco Travel = incredible value + perfect spot. I left this resort a total of 4 times. THE. ENTIRE. TRIP. And never ever for more than a few hours.

*so well rested*

feeling re-charged.

Ate more fish this week than I do in a year… same goes for coconut, macadamia nuts, and pineapple. LOVED EVERY BITE.

not loving the pile of work that’s stacked up. BUT! I did keep up on email and all that so when I get home I don’t have to start from behind. AND if I recall the night before we left i was so keyed up about Maui that I cleaned my studio at least somewhat decently. so not too big a mess waiting.

The above photo? That was just “average view” around here.

*dies*

Can I fly back yet? Is it too soon?

*le sigh*

one more picture… I’ve already ordered (from hotel room) some of my pics…

That’s the girls, out on our lanai and showing off their fashion + our view. You can’t see it, but the ocean was visible too. HEAVEN.

Ok, enough gushing & sighing from me for one day. Hope this week is as magical as the last one has been!!!