Masculine Mixed Media Card by Tonya Gibbs

 

I've been sharing a lot of pretty cards lately, and today thought it would be fun to share with you a masculine card.  Lately I've abandoned my art journal for pieces of 4.25 x 5.5 inch sheets of mixed media paper.  I try out new mediums, play with techniques, and then recycle these panels into card backgrounds.  I find that mixed media techniques make masculine cards come together much easier!  And you could always keep the card 1 layer and display your art rather than lots of layers.

 

Here are the steps I took to create the background

 

 

1. Apply modeling paste to your card with stencil of choice (I used Heidi Swapps Honeycomb)
2. Use A Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Pitt Pen to apply color around the image. 
3. Use your finger to smooth out the ink.
4. Select a texture Stamp (I used Marion Smith Designs' Texture Stamp)  Apply ink to the stamp with a contrasting PITT Pen 

 

5. Apply archival ink around the image to give a distressed look. NOTE: you can use distress inks, but if you add water, they will react with that water.  Archival ink is permanent when dry.) 
6. Spray a wet medium onto a pallet.  I used Lindy's Stamp Gang Moon Shadow Mist in Gossamer Gold  
7. Stamp a round object into the ink and apply it to your card
8. You will see a water ring just like it were left from coffee or tea. 

To finish off the background I added pieces of tissue tape with matt medium.   I added the panel to a piece of black cardstock and created this card for my nephew's birthday.

 

 

 

He loves photography, so I took advantage of using up some scraps to create this photo layers.   The Camera and Polaroid Frame were a Spellbinder's Die.  I then added the Tim Holtz Film Strip Ribbon, and Marion Smith's Washi Tape from her Romance Novel Prima line.   Happy Birthday stamp was from Studio G.  My nephew was turning 13 so I added a few school aged elements like notebook paper, music tape, geometrical shapes, tag and paper clip.  

 

Don't forget about the Sketch Challenge through out the month.  You can get details here!

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

 

 

Hello Card Tutorial by Tonya Gibbs

 

Happy Friday my crafty peeps,  I hope you have an exciting weekend planned. Last summer the Teresa Collins Memorabilia line was one of the hottest selling Artsy Addicts kits. I still had a few pieces left over, and wanted to finish off the kit.

 

  First I came up with a design, and decided to share my sketch with you guys...

 

 

My challenge was to have 95% of the card come from the kit and the other 5% from the scrap pile.  NOTHING NEW WAS USED TO MAKE THIS CARD.

 

 

 

Here is a process video of me making the card..

 

 

 

This design is super clean and simple, and will easily transfer to some other collections that I own.  

 

DESTASH TIP:  If  you have a lot of left overs from kits, make a stack of cards using the same sketch design. Then wrap them up and give to a friend as a gift.   I usually place a pop square on the back of a stack of sentiments. This way my friend can choose the appropriate sentiment when she is ready to mail the card.  I recommend keeping the designs flat (no bulky flowers) since the friend will most likely mail the cards.  My friends love gift sets like this, and it is a great way to de-stash a kit!   Another option is to give them to your church to mail for outreach!

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

Resources:

• Ranger Ink - Embossing Powder - Super Fine Detail - Clear
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads - Embossing Ink Clear
• Teresa Collins - Memorabilia Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Quatrefoil
• Teresa Collins - Memorabilia Collection - 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• Teresa Collins - Memorabilia Collection - 12 x 12 Die Cut Paper
• Teresa Collins - Memorabilia Collection - Enamel Dots
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Alterations Collection - Movers and Shapers Die - Vintage Telephone and Typewriter Set
• Baker's Twine
• Cardstock

Featured Artist Pepi Valderrama

 

My name is Pepi and I love mixed media art. I started drawing when I was in high school, but I stopped in Uni. Then I took it again while living in Japan. Since living in Japan my style and the color palette I usually use has changed considerably. I got lots of influences from the Japanese culture as well from northern European countries. I also write, create decks and amigurumi (crochetted puppets). I guess that one of the reasons to become crafty has been the will to create cute things. In Japan I was in contact with very talented people who created really cute stuff (drawings, puppets, great art, etc). Since my hands cannot really be still, it was just a matter of discovering which was my favorite medium. And I found it, mixed media. I can mix anything and everything! And it makes me feel free and complete. I just love it!

My blog & store:
blog: http://depepi.com

store: http://store.depepi.com
tv channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/depepitv/videos (here I upload a video with a whimsy each week)

I like to create whimsies: little funny dolls with big eyes and tiny bodies. This time I created a white bunny whimsy Alice. One of my favorite tales is Alice in Wonderland. I have created a Lenormand deck just for Alice, and today I decided to turn her into a funny white bunny. One of the symbols for March are bunnies! And since they also welcome Spring, I thought it would be awesome if we followed a cute white bunny. Are you up for it?
 
To create your own Whimsy Alice you need the following:

• Caran d'Ache Watersoluble Neocolors II. You can use the colors you like the most. I used skin color, salmon, orange, raspberry red, light blue, turquoise blue, and turquoise.
• Acrylics: snow white
• Faber Castell: black B pen.
• Scrapbooking paper
• White glue
• Stencils
• Dylusions Spray Ink: dirty martiny (green)
• Sakura Stamp
• Versa Magic, cloud white (chalk ink pad)
• Cretacolor monolith 9B pencil
• Pilot parallel pens: 2.4mm and 3.8mm
• Brushes of different sizes (0, 4, 6) to paint the different parts in the drawing.

You don't need to use exactly the same things that I used. You can change them for different art supplies that you love. I highly recommend you to use Pilot parallel pens for the writing. They are awesome and fun to use. (But, again, you don't really need to if you don't want to).

 

 Whimsies have big heads, big eyes, tiny fatty bodies and funny poses. You can create your whimsies with different attributes, but in general, features are exaggerated. They are meant to be fun and appealing for children. They awaken the inner child in adults, while make children giggle. They live in a dreamworld of colors and bizarre objects. This time, the target is to draw a bunny Alice in Dreamland.

 

Drawing whimsies also helps you to recover your inner child. If you create your art, or your crafty items while listening to cute or relaxing music, your artwork becomes astounding. Let your hand be guided by your heart when choosing the colors you like the most for your artwork. I tend to use bright colors more than darker ones. There are no mistakes, really. Whimsies are fun and easy to make. In the whimsy world everything is whimsical. Let yourself be guided and you'll find the mojo to create awesome art.

 

 

 

 

You can use the whimsies to create personalized postcards for your friends, or create wonderful little presents with paper. Awesome for birthdays and ATC swaps, or funny when found in your art journal. 

 

Thanks for stopping in today!

Pepi Valderrama

 

• Blog: http://depepi.com
• About me: http://about.me/depepi
• Books: http://www.amazon.com/author/depepi
• Twitter: @depepi

Featured Artist - Yvonne Blair

Hi everyone!

My name is Yvonne Blair and I am so excited to be a guest on the Artsy Addict blog! 

 

I have been scrapbooking "officially" since 1997 when I went to work in a store that had a huge scrapbooking, stamping and art department.  I was given a huge opportunity in the family owned store to run all those departments.  I instantly fell in love with this industry and have been hooked ever since.  I have been a buyer, manager, designer and teacher since 1998 and feel so blessed to be involved in this amazing community.  

 

In 2011, I attended Ranger University.  It was an amazing, life changing weekend.  I have also been on the Teresa Collins Design Team since 2011 and love every minute of it! 

 

I live in Florida with my husband of 20 years, my 18 year old daughter and our dog Roxie. 

 

My passion is definitely teaching and sharing the love of this craft.  I love to see others have light bulb moments.  Moments when they realize they can do this! 

 

I believe in embracing life, even the imperfections.  I am thrilled to be able to share some of my art with you.   

 

 

 

 

 

And here is a quick little video tutorial I did.  

 

I also wanted to share with you a little mini album that I recently created for Teresa Collins Designs.
 

 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share a little bit of my life! I hope to come back and share more later. Please click here to visit and subscribe to my blog.

 

Yvonne Blair

www.yblair.blogspot.com

Ranger Certified Educator
Design Team-Teresa Collins Designs



 

Featured Artist - Rita Barakat

I live right outside of Dallas, Texas. I am happily married and  am blessed to be a stay at home mom to five fabulous kids. Two are now adults and the younger ones are 11, 10, and 8. We are a busy bunch so there are always photo opportunities! 

I started scrapbooking ten years ago when we adopted our first child; I was hooked! I have always made crafts and mixed media art (before I knew it had a name), so scrapbooking was a natural transition for me. I love being a part of this industry and being creative on a regular basis. I have had my work published in a variety of magazines and have been honored to work with some really great manufacturers.

In addition to scrapbooking and mixed media art I have a passion for youth. I direct a youth choir and drama team.  My hubby and I are the youth pastors at our church. I also love to sing, I have been performing with song since I was in elementary school.  

Today I made a video of this project because I had so many step by step pictures to show you!

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed that!

You can find me and more of my work

blog  http://letsembellish.blogspot.com 

facebook https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1

pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/ritabarakat/boards/

instagram http://instagram.com/rbarakatmusic

you tube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/rbmusic1

Persimmon Layout - Grandson

Fall is probably my favorite season, we are coming off the hot days of summer, and the air starts to turn crisp and cool. The kids going back to school are full of excitement. Rich vibrant color pallets are everywhere. Even the sunrises have more drama.  All of these are great, but the best of all...it is FOOTBALL season! 

 

My son, Brighton, has played football since he was 7 years old. This year starts his second year at Varsity.  I'm going to miss those Friday night lights soon!  Every football game, my entire family rally at the game to cheer Brighton and his team mates to victory.  But the part that really just steals my heart is after the game, when everyone approaches the field. MY SON - always takes a moment to kiss and hug on his grandmothers!  ALWAYS without fail - in front of all of his friends.  Now trust me when I tell you that he does not smell like fresh linen or even roses, but it doesn't matter!  There is NOTHING better than a victorious SWEATY HUG.  I've never turned one down, and I never will!   

 

 

These moments happen fast and we often take them for granted. However, lately I've been reminded rather abruptly at how fast life moves, and those small moments can never be captured once missed. These women are the backbone of our families.  They are ALWAYS there and I mean ALWAYS! I love them both dearly, and to see that public display of affection from my child extended to his grandmothers - well I don't have to tell you about the tears that are rolling down my face, just typing this!  

 

 

 

The photo above is my Mother, Nama and the photo below is my Mother In-law, Nannie.  I have very few photos of these women less of my mother than Nannie, because she hates having her picture taken.   I uploaded these photos to Instagram and printed them from the gallery prints on Facebook.  So I decided to make them "insta" frames on my layout. 

 

 

 

 

For the layout, I wanted to use up the scraps of papers laying on my desk - reminants from last Monday's Ustream.  As you can see nothing on the layout is larger than 3x3. Most of these pieces many  would have tossed.   An interesting way to use up those tiny scraps is through your punches, die cuts, and electronic cutters.  Even the less than perfect punched pieces get used!  Layers are the perfect way to hide those imperfections, and when pooled together, the smaller pieces really make an impact.

 

 

 

 

Basic Grey's persimmon line really helps me capture the essence of fall! I love how the elements are bright colored and gender neutral.  I also love how Cosmo Cricket's new Glitter Adhesive sheets add a little sparkle without a mess!

 

I have recorded a process video showing step by step how this layout came together.

 

 

Thank you for stopping in today. I want to leave you with one bit of advice. Remember that you can never have too many photos-  Good lighting, raining day, doesn't matter - SNAP THE PHOTO!  You can never have too many, and 20 years ago we will look back at the fun surrounding that moment and not be so critical of the quality of the picture.

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

Resources:

• BasicGrey - Persimmon - 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• BasicGrey - Persimmon - Die Cut Cardstock and Transparency Pieces
• Cosmo Cricket - Glitter Adhesive Sheets - Crystal Lake
• American Crafts - Ribbon Value Pack - Jute - 24 Spools
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Visual Artistry CITY CENTRAL (Ticket)
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Seamless Experience (Stitch)
• Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Tiny Attacher
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
• EK Success - Paper Shapers - Slim Profile - Edger Punch - Zig Zag Chain
• EK Success - Paper Shapers - Nesting Punch - Scallop Circle 1 1-2"
• Fiskars - Limited Edition - Squeeze Punch - Large - Leaf it to Me, CLEARANCE
• Jenni Bowlin Studio - Feathers - Vellum
• Lindy's Stamp Gang - Starburst Color Shot - 2 Ounce Jar - Glory of the Seas Gold
• Faber-Castell - Mix and Match Collection - Gesso
• ColorBox - Surfacez - Multi-Surface Inkpads - Dolphin
• Sizzix - Originals Die - Jewelry - Die Cutting Template - Large - Hearts, Primitive 3
• Heidi Swapp - Stencil - Honeycomb 6x6
• My Favorite Things Stamps - Dizzy Doily Die
• Kraft Cardstock
• Hymnal Pages
• Buttons
• Pale Blue Cardstock
• Prima Marketing Inc.,  Chalk Ink - Farmer's Jeans
• Liquitex - Yellow Oxide Ink
 



 

 

 

Digital Printing 101

Hi everyone,  I wanted to start a series of blog posts that go into some details about digital projects.   Like it or not we are in a digital world. Between aps on our phones, electronic readers, and computer groups - it is totally unavoidable.  I don't think digital is going to replace paper completely in the next few years. However, by offering some tutorials and answering frequently asked questions, hopefully I can eliminate some of the anxiety associated with this evolution.  I know digital isn't for everyone - I get that - but hopefully you will keep an open mind and let me help you get your feet wet!

I'm often asked these two questions the most, so this seems like a great place to start!

"How do you print your digital files?" 
This really depends on what my final project is, below I have broken this question out into two answers. Let me exit geek talk for a minute and give you a few definitions. These are words I will reference often -

Digital - meaning the entire project was created in a graphics program and printed finished.
Hybrid -   meaning printing out the digital elements that are then mixed with traditional supplies.  

Printing Digital Layouts: Digital layouts are those that are created from start to finish in your graphics editor software, like the layout below. I typically create these in a 240 dpi - 300dpi (resolution) to the largest dimensions that I plan to print. Example if my target is 8x10  then when I start my Photoshop document I begin with an 8x10 at 300 resolution.  The layout below was created 12x12 so when printed on 8x10 photo paper it will have a output of 8x8. Once printed, they can be placed in a traditional album. Another option is to upload the spreads to a service like Shutterfly.com and print them into photobooks. Photobooks make AWESOME Christmas gifts! (I will share a video on my youtube in a few days of a couple of photobooks that I've done in the past).

Here is an example of a digital layout that I created of my daughter Brittany Gibbs. I used the Scarlet collection from MarionSmithDesigns.com.  When I have 20 of these made up - off to Shutterfly they go for binding!

To create this paper I used the Scarlet collection by MarionSmithDesigns.com and Photoshop CS6.

 

 

Printing for Hybrid:  Printing for hybrid layouts I usually do on my home printer. I currently have 2 printers  HP4500 deskjet, and a HP Laserjet CP1525. Neither printers are very fancy. Sometimes I like the look of the Inkjet and sometimes I want the perminent printing of a laserjet just depends on the project. Another option - I know that many prefer to take their digital files to an office copy center and print them there.  This is an excellent alternative since they usually have the latest and greatest equipment and the resolution is better than anything you have at home.  The biggest expense obviously is the ink for home printing. 

Here is a short video explaining the "printing" process.  

Since Hybrid is  "printed" here is a sample of a hybrid project that I recently shared in a previous post.

 

"What type of Paper do you use to print your digital files?"

This is always a fun question - because it really depends on your final project. If you are printing this out on your home system, then explore with papers & stocks that you have around the house. I would say that 90% of mine are printed on Georgia Pacific 110lb cardstock.  If I'm making mini albums I print on all types of things like Grunge Paper, Canvas, cardstock, and fabric. You may want to print interior pages on 65lb cardstock to cut down on the bulk.  It really doesn't matter, just make sure that your printer is capable of handling the material.  Here are some suggested Materials for inkjet printers (but please check with your manufactor for settings and limitations): 

• 110lb Cardstock - this is a super thick stock that is great for layouts, ephemera and minibooks.
• Canvas Paper  - this will give you an interesting texture that looks like a painting.
• Transparencies -  LOVE this idea for filler for my mini books
• Standard copy paper - (if you are making mini books, planners, you may want this lighter paper for signatures.
• Fabric like Muslin
• Ribbon (oh this is really fun!)

I guess one of the reasons I really like the digital papers for hybrid projects is that it isn't my only copy of the pattern if I mess it up - I just print it again. Another is  I love the flexibility to transfer my patterns to different mediums by simply printing.

Hopefully you have learned some things today, and I've answered some of your questions.   Next week we will go a little deeper into the benefits of digital work, and how you can slowly introduce some of the elements into your workflow. 

Thanks for stopping in,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Tattered Angels - Opal Paint System

Can you say - LOVE!  For all you shabby chic lovers out there this system is going to be a fav. This is the Tattered Angels Naturally Aged Paint System Precious Stone - Opal.   It is so pretty and soft. Sheer elegance!

 

 

Each kit consists of 4 1oz bottles of a medium from the Tattered Angel's family.  I have had several people ask about larger bottles. Yes, you can buy these in the standard bottles individually if you have a larger project in mind.

 

Here is a close up of the marbled background.

 

I love how soft and delicate it turned out for the backdrop for this card.

 

here is a process video on how to use the system.

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

Butterfly Paper Clip - tutorial

I thought I would bring you a touch of spring today with this tutorial on how I created these cute butterfly paper clips.  They are perfect pocket buddies in your mini albums, add a magnet to trap notes on your fridge, or remove the clip and add a pin as a charm holder.  

 

 

Wood pieces are so popular in scrapbooking and paper crafting right now. You can really find all shapes and styles and they are so fun to docorate.  Mine were created with the following supplies, but please experiment with different products when making your own.

• Recollections - Wood Butterfly
• Tattered Angels: 
• Glimmer Mist  - Jack O'Lantern
• Glimmer Mist  - Taffy
• Plain Jane - Rosey
• Glimmer Glam - Stiletto
• Glimmer Glam - Twinkle Toes
• Ranger:
• Glossy Accents
• Distress Crackle Paint - Rock Candy
• Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Caramel
• Archival Ink - Coffee
• Office Supplies:
• Large Metal Paper Clip
• Sharpie - Gold & Black
• Stampabilities - Faded Text Background Stamp
 

Here is a step by step video tutorial on how these were made. 

 

 

If you make these cute butterflies, please be sure to tag me on facebook, or youtube. I would love to see them.

 

Thanks for stoppig in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com/