Hi friends! Today in stamp school I will answer some of your questions and show you some basics that we have not covered yet:
How to Re-ink an inkpad.
How to score cardstock before folding.
How to use a stamp positioner and how to make one with Legos!
4. How to draw a banner and sentiment.
Video! We will also color a sock monkey, yay!
Let me know if you have any questions you would like answered in stamp school, I can’t believe we have completed 8 weeks so far. I plan on branching out with now other supplies so you can see if they are something you want to add, like embossing powder, regular colored pencils and alcohol markers. I will also give options for the materials we have been using as well. Let me know if you have any suggestions! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! Many times when a painting seem “off” it is because there is a problem with value. Value refers to how dark or light the elements in your painting are. If you do not have your values correct and the right amount of contrast your paintings will not be as strong as they could be. The best way to learn values is to remove the color and work in black and white. Today I am going to show you how to do a basic ink-wash technique using black India ink and water.
Watch this video to see how I did this.
Video!
The supplies in this kit were from Smart Art, a monthly subscription box filled with gobs of art supplies, everything you need to get going in certain medium. Each box is a surprise and each month they treat you to full size, name brand products. The price is $49.95 a month (cheaper per month if you do 3 months) but for each kit I have seen there well over $50 value in each box and shipping is included in the price. Sorry, Smart Art only ships to the USA. I want to thank Smart Art for sponsoring this post, I think it would be fun to do a monthly Smart Art painting party with the contents of the box, what do you think? I have been sent other monthly art kit club boxes to review and declined them because I did not feel that they provided a real value in product or education to my viewers. That said, feel free to recreate today’s project with the supplies you already have at home!
One of the great things of living in the modern world is computers, if you want to try more ink wash paintings try printing a picture you like off the computer in greyscale, you will have the values worked out for you that way, compare it to the color version and you will begin to see the subtle changes in value. It will really help you grow as an artist. Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! I have been asked a lot about YouTube and how to go about starting a channel to share your art or crafts projects. I never think sharing is a bad thing and it has been such a rewarding experience for me. There are countless videos about the business of YouTube but not many from the perspective of an artist so today I will share my tips with you.
Video!
I hope that gave you some food for thought. I count my lucky stars everyday that I am a part of this amazing community of kind and creative people. How could i not want to tell others how to do it too? If you have any thoughts leave them in the comments, we can continue the conversation there:) Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! I just wanted to let you know my funky mood-attitude is officially over although I filmed this yesterday when I was in full whine mode 🙂 (I shoulda had a glass of wine LOL!) I want to thank everyone for all of the lovely comments on my YouTube and blog yesterday, you all mean the world to me, how can I get down about a negative comment when there is so much positive awesomeness from you guys in my life? 😀 Today we will paint this:
It was the most requested photo I took in my sister’s garden:
Don’t worry if you preferred a different photo, I have already filmed 2 more tutorials from the other photos, a colored pencil and an oil pastel, they will be up over the next few days. The video is long, I go in depth on the woodgrain and other elements of the painting. I hope you enjoy it and give it a try!
Video!
Sorry about any whining, well, you can say one thing, I truly talk to you like we are close friends! Have a great rest of your weekend and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! Is there something in the air the last couple of days? Is there some big Muse Convention stealing away my creativity? Full moon maybe? I love making bookmarks, I usually find them fun and carefree to make. Fun and carefree go right out the window when your laminator decides to eat them. The other title of this blog post was going to be “The Laminator Ate My Homework.” Mamma said there’d be days like this…well, not exactly like this but you get the point…
Video!
I hope you learned something or at least got a laugh:) If I ever felt the need to apologies for a video, this would be the one.
Laminator or contact paper or packing tape is desired
paper for backing the tag if you like
In case you were wondering I did call it a day after this video and I went upstairs and cleaned the fridge, then I went to the grocery store and filled the clean fridge. After all I can’t be a slacker housewife and a slacker artist all in the same day:) If you were in a creative funk I hope it has passed! Thankfully mine did, til next time happy crafting!
Hi Friends! All over Facebook I am seeing first day of school photos from my friends down south. Luckily up in Maine we do not go back to school until September but I am all ready with this cute homework supply caddy:
I wanted to make a portable box of supplies that was not too big, yet would have anything my kids needed for homework. These sturdy parts bin boxes from Papermart are just the ticket. My kids can take it to their favorite homework spot then slide it on a shelf when not in use. Watch the video to see how I did it.
Video!
Supplies: Bin box Washi Tape
Scrapbook paper (I used designs by Crate Paper)
Scissors
1″ punch
Directions:
1. Cut paper to fit the sides and ends of the box and adhere.
2. Assemble the box. Fold one of the dividers to make a divided compartment and leave 2 compartments open.
3. Add washi tape to the edges of the box.
4. Fill with back to school supplies and homework essentials!
Items I put in the box:
Ruler
Pencils
Markers
Highlighters
rubber bands
paper clips
glue and glue sticks
safety scissors
paper re-enforces (paper donuts LOL!)
white vinyl erasers\pencil sharpener
Make sure this box is accessible on a shelf so the kids can get to it whenever they need. This easy idea will save you and your kids headaches and stress when it comes to homework. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! Can you believe I am still coming up with projects using white cardstock and ink? I really think it is important to exhaust what you can do with your supplies when you start a new hobby (cuz they are pricey!) and I also think it is fun to go back to basics because us experienced stampers can remember the thrill of the first time we gave a handmade card. Today I am going to show you how to make this one layer card and envelope.
I like designs like this because you get two cards from a piece of cardstock and since they are flat they do not require extra postage (It’s kind of embarrassing when you send a stack of thank you cards postage due, don’t ask me how I know…) I am using my Memento inks (any dye inks will work) and beautiful stamps from our sponsor ArtNeko. If you order from ArtNeko make sure you mention me (the frugal crafter) to get either 10% off any size order or free shipping over $50, they will give you the bigger discount, they are great that way:) Be sure to check out the sale pages, there are lots of good discounts! Now, please watch the video to learn how to make the card!
Video!
OK stampers, did you learn a thing or two? Will you try this? I hope so!
Supplies:
White cardstock
Ink Pads (memento or any dye based ink) Peacock stamp Dragonfly stamps Thank you stamp
Color Dusters (ink brush or use sponges)
glitter pen (Gelly roll stardust)
Envelope supplies:
Paper, a ruler and adhesive *Special thanks to my viewer Christine (from France now in Panama) for sharing this tip with me!
All instructions are in the video:)
A tip on color dusters, you can wash them with soap and water but they must dry before using with ink again if you want the soft look. I recommend getting one for each color family (one for greens, one for yellows, one for reds etc) so you do not need to wash them, in fact they work better as the ink builds up on them. You can use any long bristle stiff hog brush for this so if you have some kids paintbrushes lying around try them before buying these. They run about $1-$2 a piece. I think Joann Fabrics has them online too. I have even used stencil brushes for ink, video on that here, and it works very well. The point is try what you have before you buy!
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below! Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends. I am super excited to share today’s project with you, an inexpensive, custom, refillable planner! Did I mention is was cheap to make?
I even made the jump last night and moved everything over from my month at a glance calendar, I love having more room to write “to-dos” in the week at a glance book as well as having the monthly calendar pages for other projects and events coming up. Best of all I was able to put as many pockets and sections as I liked which was the problem I had with other planners, some things were redundant and it just looked like you were creating more work for yourself if you used it. I think a planner should make you more efficient, not less. But, there is room to get creative! Watch the video to see how I made it, you can whip one of these up in about an hour and I bet you have most of the supplies already!
Video!
Supplies:
Mini 3 ring binder (I used an Avery brand one that I picked up for $1 at Mardens but they will be $5-$7 at an office supply store)
Small week at a glance planner (Dollar Tree with the back to school stuff)
I made pockets to hold things like pens, my checkbook, receipts and project notes (I communicate with my clients via email mostly so I simply print out emails and put them in the pockets.) I had the habit of making notes and leaving them on my nightstand, in the car and at the computer. This binder is small enough to bring around with me and if all I need is the week-at-a-glace I can take it with me because it is removable. I could never get into using a calendar on my phone or computer, I need to write it down, even if I never look at it again if I write it I usually will remember it and the planner will ensure that I remember it BEFORE t is too late LOL!
I am not new to using a planner, I have used a month at glance for a couple of years, it was the only way to keep all of my freelance projects mapped out, I have slowly progressed from random notebooks and sticky notes to everything in one place and I like it! Now, if only I could get my house this organized. Baby steps 🙂 Let me know what you think and if you plan to give this planner a try. I only had to spend $2 to make this, the rest of the stuff was in my stash. I have been asked by a lot of people to make a DIY planner since the cute, popular, scrapbook company ones cost $50-$100. I hope you liked it! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
Hi friends! I got back from Boston late last night, The fresh Maine air has never smelled so sweet! Boston is a beautiful city and on a summer weekend everyone in the world seems to agree because they are all there too! We took the girl scouts to see the Boston Museum of Science and Aquarium, they were wonderful, but crowded, really, really crowded. We rode a subway for the first time, the girls got a kick over being able to stand as it moved (imagine the domino effect of 24 first time subway riders LOL!) and we took the Amtrak down which was my first time (I can remember) traveling on a train, it was nice. I dealt with my severe travel/crowd anxiety (I will be unreachable for about a week as I decompress in my bubble of solitude) and we all made it home safe and sound. I am a country mouse. Before I left I made this art journal page:
I needed some art therapy before embarking on this trip. If you want to see how it is made watch the video!
Video!
The stencils and stamps are by Patti Tolley Parrish, A wonderful mixed media artist I met during the #lovesummerart collaboration last month. You can find the stencils I used here and her stamps at her ETSY shop. Her designs were unlike any of the stencils I owned, I think they will be a nice addition to my collection. The nice thing about stamps and stencils is that you can’t use them up, some of my stencils are 20 years old and I still pull them out. I am so glad they are more popular than ever, The nice thing about art is that you can’t worry about anything when you are creating, try it, you will see! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
