Cats & Black Make-It/Take-It

I’m not much of a one for Halloween cards, but this is about as close as I get. I found some very neat bird tissue paper and just had to use it with my Cats Inchies. Kind of my weird, some may say warped, sense of humor. The tissue looks kind of orangey, if you have a good imagination, and the cats are black, of course. So, it’s Halloween with a twist. I hope you can join me for Make-It/Take-It at Stampin’ From the Heart, drop in from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, 11720 Washinton Place, L.A., 310-391-0466 for directions. Cost is $5 per card; materials supplied. You can make one or as many as you like while supplies last.

Advertisement

Diamond ATCs

For some reason I am attracted to anything in the shape of a diamond, including rubber stamps. These stamps inspired me to do a diamond Artist Trading Card. But before stamping, I dragged out the Gesso to lighten up the decorative background paper. I like the effect, because whatever is printed on the paper is there, but it’s not really There, if you know what I mean. Gesso is what artists use to prepare a surface for paint, and I mainly use it on paper that is porous and wants to absorb whatever color medium I am using. Anyway, it makes a nice surface for the diamond collage, which will be enhanced with birds. What a surprise!! I hope you can join me for ATC Night, from 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at Stampin’ From the Heart, 11720 Washington Place, L.A., 310-391-0466 for directions. Cost is $10 to make two cards. Materials supplied. Trading is optional, but if you wish to exchange cards please bring about 8-10 of your own design. What’s an ATC? See page on this blog for the details. Hope to see you there.

Shadow Ink Post Cards

This month I dug out my shadow inks (they were covered in dust, I have to admit) and used them in the background of my design. I love the effect when I over-stamp the shadow block with script. It’s a great way of giving dimension to an otherwise flat card. And I have been so eager to use my Inka Gold paste-ink-stuff, which comes in many wonderful colors, as a border on the main panel. This color medium is so unusual and lovely–it acts like a paste, but it dries instantly and shines like real gold (or other metallic). I just want to put it on everything. Luckily, the cat can run faster than me. I hope you can join me for  Post Card Night, from 6:30-8 p.m., Fri. Oct. 28, 2011, at Stampin’ From the Heart, 11720 Washington Place, L.A., 310-391-0466 for directions. Cost $10 to make two cards; all materials supplied. You might want to bring your own precision scissors. See you there.

Paris Side-by-Side ATCs

I make a lot of art from the many treasures I stash in the (overflowing) scrap basket  that permanently resides on my craft table. And the idea for this month’s Artist Trading Card is no exception. I believe the original was an unfinished postcard that I cut down to ATC size. And then I thought–diptych! That’s a piece of art that consists of two parts but works together as one. In this case, I took a few liberties and the left and right sides were created separately but still somehow go together, I think. Anyway, you can do it whichever way you like at ATC Night, 6:30-8 p.m., Thurs. Sept. 15, at Stampin’ From the Heart, 11720 Washington Place, L.A., 310-391-0466 for directions. Cost is $10 and you get to make two cards. Materials supplied by instructor, Jessica Hollowell. What’s an ATC? Click on the Page by that name on this blog to find out. If you want to go home with cards made by others, please bring around 8-10 cards of your own design to trade, including one for me and one for Karen’s book at the store. Trading is optional.

That’s the Ticket Post Cards

I pulled out my watercolor pencils recently and remembered how much fun they are to play with. But what to color? I also love those Invoke Arts tickets, with inspirational messages and lots of spaces for different colors.  Put those two things together with a piece of torn tissue paper and a deckle-edge scissors and I have a bright, cheery postcard that anyone would be pleased to receive in the mail. Better hurry, I just heard the Post Office is in danger of going under. Yikes! Anyway, before that happens, please join me at Postcard Night, on a new night this month only: 6:30-8 p.m., Fri. Sept. 30, 2011, at Stampin’ From the Heart, 11720 Washington Place, L.A., 310-391-0466 for directions. Cost is $10 and you get to make two cards. Materials supplied by instructor, Jessica Hollowell.  Hope to see you there.