Compendium of Curiosities Volume II

Today was all about playtime.

So it is the second week of challenges from Linda at Studio L3. To participate in CC2C #2, and to be eligible to win Angie's Tim Holtz Messenger Bag, create your own work of art using the Faux Patina technique on page 58, and link it to Studio L3 Blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of her page. You're in the running as long as you honor these simple rules:

Follow the technique as it's written in A Compendium of Curiosities 2 on page 58 (adding your own special flair, of course!), and clearly state that the technique comes from Tim's book.

Include a link to Studio L3 in your blog post (or photo description if you're linking from an online photo-sharing site)

Out of respect to Tim, please don't post the technique instructions on your blog! Any entries that don't follow this rule will be unlinked.

if you need a book, Tim has them on his site. That said, I had a wonderful time creating elements from Tim's technique.

A variety of color trials

Using new Sizzix Embossing folders

Dragonfly on paperclay

Embossing powder on leaf

Love this technique

I hope you had a playtime this weekend.

Domino Effect My Way

This is a bracelet using alcohol inks on domino surfaces. The cool thing is if you don't decide you like it, clean it off with alcohol and start over. These are slippery surfaces so stamp with caution. I need to put a top coat on so it can take the wear n tear. The close ups show you how to string and embellish. Kind a fishy, yuck yuck. It helps if you have a drimmel hooked up in a drill press to make your holes. I think you can even buy these predrilled, but I take the cheap route and make my own.

Holiday Crafting

As usual, the holidays approach and I must get my crafting in order. I finished cards this weekend and put them in the mail. I then moved on to a bit of sparkle with glass pins and necklaces for presents. Take a look. I had a good time with the wire wrapping.

I think I had every tool out and glue everywhere. What fun!

Working on it

So when you are up at five, what do you do? I head to the craft room. I have several pieces in progress from this morning. I am enjoying working with my Sizzix, Vintaj and Ranger products. Want to see what I have been up to? Let me show you. The photos are of my work. There is a great video that was shot at CHA you might enjoy too.
Scrap Time – Vintaj metal techniques – CHA Winter 2011 from Mark Giles on Vimeo

Sizzix Embossed painted Vintaj blank

Flea Market Cold Connections

Jasper and VintaJ

Embossed Cold Connection Vintaj

On My Work Bench

I have been collecting some elements to craft with and want to use my new Vintaj metal components in some projects. Here we go. This is a shot of some stuff on my work table.

This is a bracelet from their beautiful brass. Next I want to try some blanks.

A Good Find

As promised, I went in search of supplies this afternoon. Found my paint dabber, but had a pleasant surprise in Hobby Lobby. I was looking to see if they carried the blanks from Vintaj and to my astonishment found not one but two embossing folders. I did a little dance in the isle and hurried to the checkout with my prize and a coupon. I went to three stores and was able to use a coupon in each. yippee.

I hope the picture is clear enough for you to see the texture I was able to get on these blanks using the Sizzix folders for Vintaj. I also found some of Tim's Idea-ology product line. what a great day.

Sending you love

Happy Valentines Day bloggers. I spent time yesterday with my grandchildren cooking, cleaning and beading. I must be thinking ahead to spring with the bead colors I am picking. The dagger bracelet is a spring green with pearls. The jasper necklace has soft pink accents. I didn't send out many valentines this year to friends because I felt the cards I made might make one of our veterans feel appreciated. A friend of mine had asked for cards for our service members and I knew you would all understand. Please accept the love and photo of cards above as my valentine to you. I owe you all chocolate.

I am glad we didn't get any more snow. The frost yesterday morning was beautiful. Truely a day the Lord had made. The winter wonderland took my breath away. It was one of those mornings when you want to take a long walk in the woods and hear the snow crunch under your foot. I am still waiting for spring, but the beauty almost makes up for the cold...almost.

Purple Fringe

I was trying out fringe on this bracelet. I keep on trying to learn new things. Sometimes it is harder than others for this ol' babe. No real pattern, just free and fun.

Dagger Bracelet

This pattern came from an article in Beadwork. It is an excellent magazine. I was looking for something to do for a gift and my friend Pam had been using some beautiful dagger beads that inspired me to make this.

Hugs and Kisses

This is a pattern I got from my friend, Cathy,

Watch

This is the first Beaded watch I made...basic black and white.