Technique| transfer onto sticky-back canvas

One technique I have never been a fan of is the transfer. You get an image (could be patterned paper maybe, a book page, something printed on laser/photocopy machine…) and instead of just using it, you stick it into something else then WAIT for it to dry. Then you use water to rub away all paper leaving a faded mirror image – aka image transfer.

It takes time. It doesn’t always work. I can never figure out why I’d not just use the direct image.

that is, until I took a class from Claudine Hellmuth! For the first time EVER I had successful transfers and she taught us a way to do it instantly too. This is my favorite of the methods because I don’t have to wait. I can just GO! Here are the steps [adapted from RangerU curriculum]:

Supplies:

 Steps:

1. Cut a piece of sticky-back canvas + paper to same size

2. Remove paper backing from sticky back canvas, take patterned paper and press printed side to sticky side of sticky back canvas (note: if double sided paper use the side you WANT down).

3. Burnish the paper. [rub it in a lot of directions, firmly. You're sticking the image here!]

4. Spray the paper with water (saturate!) – or use a small tub/bucket and do this in it. Whatever you do: don’t dump paper pulp down a sink!!! It will clog and be a hot mess. Rub until the paper is gone. use pads of your fingers, the paper will ball up and roll away.

5. Use a little gloss multi medium over the surface- rub it in (like you were applying lotion to skin). This will get rid of any remaining bits of paper particles and seal it up.

NOTE: You will see that I used 2 different papers in the photos below. I’m working on a few things here in the studio, and I took some pics of the process with my book paper, some with my scrapbook paper.

Now what? Well you could use it onto a project as you would any bit of paper! Perhaps you would like to die cut it as I have -

I really like that I can have patterned paper on canvas texture. YES, I could also just print a digital paper pattern onto my canvas. Similar result just less faded. Where are my crown accented flowers headed? Well I’m working on that, and I’ll be back to share the results very soon!

 

Ranger U 2012 Graduate!

That’s me – now a part of the most recent class of Ranger U graduates!! It is an education program for store owners, teachers, and more – one that you have to apply for months in advance (and then cross fingers) and that is filled with an incredible mix of people. From local store owners to designers, buyers for major retail chains to instructors – everyone is unique and it is very much an international affair! We were given LOADS of information and instruction – which of course I’m now welcome + encouraged to share. If interested, you can find out more about the program here.

It was a phenomenal event put on by all of the wonderful people of Ranger. From the Ranger employees who kept things running so smoothly to Mario who was busy working and keeping us all well fed to the instructors and more. Incredible.

I went in not too sure what it’d be learning exactly, or how it would work precisely. It was NONSTOP create. learn. ask questions. eat. learn more. go. go. go. Most importantly, it was incredibly positive.

I couldn’t help having a donut each morning (we don’t have Dunkin’ donuts here, nor do I eat donuts at home EVER!) You’ll see some of my donuts in the video below. I thought sharing a video would be the best way to share the photos I took of the event. I didn’t take NEARLY as many as I thought, nor did I catch everyone I wanted to. I even forgot to take a photo with Tim!

Here’s a video of my photos…

[link to youtube]

Some random Ranger U notes:

> Walking over to Ranger U from the hotel, I never knew who was going to pick me up! Some days it was Mr. Tim Holtz himself. Or Mario, or Alain (owner of Ranger) – seriously awesome how hard these guys worked!

> the Men in Black donuts (seen in video and above) with secret chocolate filling were fabulous.

> Everyone picks the seats in the back! I didn’t want to be the girl who ran up and sat in the front… but that’s the seat nobody seemed to want and so I finally took it. I consider it a score! It was great.

> I had a great time getting to know people I’d never met before. I spent most of the weekend with people I’d never been in the same room with, very few whom I even knew of prior to this event.

> Taking a class from Dyan Reaveley is all I hoped it would be. The woman is known for her bright color – and her personality matches that. She’s such an inspiration – I’m glad to know her a bit better now.

> Alcohol Ink use is about commitment. I haven’t been aggressive enough. I will explain later.

> Claudine Hellmuth is adorable + I love her products and have a few new tricks for them now. yay!

> Walking around THE Ranger facility and seeing where all my favorite beloved products are made… serious crafty wonka-land. We got to pluck a stickles bottle right off the line, and as we were ending our tour got to do the same with the NEW distress ink set. Oh my… that was a moment. Of course I wanted to grab the distress ink stickers (lid labels) and slap them on myself. I had to hold my own hands to prevent myself from touching everything. Also hard to resist not fondling product on warehouse shelves and running around like a giddy kid. I’m proud of my self control.

> I wrote 30 pages worth of possible sketches, ideas, and more on my flight home. Ideas to share with all of you.

My final note is that I’ve concluded that I need a Tim Holtz app (like Siri, but SO much better) on my phone. After 3 solid days of creating with Mr. Holtz right over my shoulder, I missed him tremendously yesterday! Not just his great personality – but his deep understanding of the products + techniques of Ranger products. I kept having questions yesterday as I tried some things here in real life… and I kept looking up to ask only to remember I’m HOME NOW. No Tim in the room. Darn! I’ve worked out my own answers of course, but Ranger U was an experience that I won’t forget.

80+ techniques and possibilities and very dirty hands and a full brain later… wow. Thank you to everyone who helped make it an incredible event – and a shout out to the bloggers I met (and have blog addys for)!

Kaz, Kate, Neil, Charlie, and Chelle were all in class with me and are totally awesome. I know other Ranger U-ers have blogs but I don’t have the addys! I need to look into finding them. Ok, so other Ranger U related blogs to check out – Dyan, Tim, Claudine, and Ranger. In fact right now featured on the Ranger site there’s a video [youtube link] to Distress Markers with Tim that is a lesson he taught us in class.

I will share about my NYC day, some of my other notes, and of course you can expect some MAJOR technique explorations and teachings from me for many months (years?) to come.

It’s good to be home – and it’s time to figure out how to put what I learned into use with what I do…

canvas | featuring Tim Holtz products

This is the final project I have to share from the things I created for Tim Holtz (seen at CHA). It was an idea that I’d had in my mind for quite a while, to do something with one of Tim’s canvases…

The great news is that it worked! The 12×12 burlap panel worked great – as it was a nice background already done for me I just added some paint, ink, paper, metal bits… and played!

Some distress stickles, embossing, some stenciling with die cuts…

I created this in one sitting. Because I was able to just use some paint and inks to do a bit of background (vs starting from scratch) it made this possible in a number of hours – vs the usual which is days.

In fact- I’m going to teach a class based off of the ideas I used here (students will have freedom to create ANY look/scene they choose) and teach it at Stamper’s Corner in Elk Grove on the 19th. Assuming I get the thumbs up from students – I may bring it to other stores and/or repeat it.

Here’s some insider info: I’m currently working on another one (with different product and look) that I will share next month during camp scrap.


image links to supplies used:

layout | traveler featuring Tim Holtz product

This layout was originally seen at CHA, and features a lot of fantastic Tim Holtz products…

I knew when I first got the Tim Holtz Destinations paper pad that I wanted to cut out this “traveler” sign and use it in some way. I ended up layering all kinds of little stickers under it, and adding glossy accents to the sign to help it pop. There is also a generous misting of Biscotti perfect pearls mist going on too. It really sparkles in person.

If you couldn’t tell – I had a LOT of fun adding bits & pieces and layering things on this one.

The hearts are actually a scrap of paper left over after I die cut hearts… love using up scraps! That camera die is one I don’t have (I was sent the camera die cut out…) but I am thinking I need to get it asap! LOVE it.

mixing old  + new, re-coloring stuff, neutrals + bright colors… overall a totally “may” page. Good times.


links to supplies used:

images link to simon says stamp – a favorite on-line store for Tim Holtz goodies

Mondays in May at SSS blog:

It’s the month of… May! As a part of “my” month, I’m doing a special series over at simonsaysstamp.com ‘s blog- “Mondays in May with May”!

I’m excited my friends at Simon invited me to play + share some favorite lines.

I hope you like the Monday inspiration!

Today the first post went up on the SSS blog – and I’m talking about my love of Amy Tangerine’s Sketchbook line and I have two all new projects to share as well.


You can find the sketchbook line, and all kinds of great goodies in their shop - and as always they’ve got great shipping rates and they’re quick.

 

Happy Scrapbook Day | layout featuring Tim Holtz

What better way to celebrate International Scrapbook day, than with Tim Holtz and the whole Ranger Ink crew?! I can’t think of anything that would be a bigger dream for most crafters – so I’m excited to be in New Jersey and at Ranger HQ learning all kinds of fabulous ideas right now!

In my absense, I’m leaving you with a special layout – one that I created for Tim Holtz featuring his new products (as seen at CHA). Enjoy!

This page is actually a pretty simple one. Lot of gold dabber paint (love the stuff!) some layered stickers, and some staples and of course I put to good use that paper for my journaling (it is all a part of the background paper)

I hope you have some crafty play time today – and whether you’re off at a family function, having a good time doing something crafty, or just playing along from home that you enjoy this Scrapbook holiday!!


image links to supplies used: