Texture-ific!

Last week I mentioned my explorations in texture. When I get a writing assignment, I tend to immerse myself in that process or technique. The more I play, the more I love whatever it is I’m doing! (Yes, I am THAT fickle!) Writing about texture for the October issue of Crafts ‘n things magazine was no exception. I got to play with embossing folders, specialty papers and letterpress. I am one lucky gal.

This week I will show you some of my playtime, er, I mean, work time results. (And be sure to pick up the October issue of Crafts ‘n things!)

First up are some tags and an ATC made using embossing folders.

This ATC (unfinished) uses Core’dinations paper (love the built-in texture already on this paper; then when you emboss and sand you get the white core for more definition.) The embossing folder is from Tim Holtz Alterations, French Connection (for Sizzix) and is designed specifically for the smaller scale of an ATC. But wouldn’t it make a pretty additon to the corner of a card?

Same paper (but in tag form) with the addition of the beautiful Elegant Bouquet embossing folder from Stampin’ Up!. I love this folder because the pattern is just in the corner, leaving you plenty of stampable space.

And here is that same folder, but on white. Yum.

Stay tuned for more texture!

Mixed Media Frame

Are you tired yet of my mixed media natterings?

Here are more projects I made while researching techniques for my mixed media article in Crafts ‘n things:

This wooden photo frame was covered with gesso and blue acrylic paint. I painted it first with white gesso, then mixed a dab of blue paint into my gesso and sponged that on for added depth (letting some of the white show through). When dry, I used a stencil (Crafter’s Workshop) and an ink pad for the text fragments.  The birds and butterflies were stamped on tissue paper, tinted with colored pencils, cut out, then glued to the frame (with Mod Podge). The lace fragment was adhered with Zip Dry glue.

(Side note: The photo of the orchid was taken in color, but when it came time to print the photo, my printer ran out of yellow and blue, so it printed in grey tones. I decided I liked it!)

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are great ways to play and learn about various techniques and media. Here are some I made using the techniques found in “Artist Trading Card Workshop” by Bernie Berlin. I loved this book because of the various techniques. The cards were made during an on-line workshop with the Yahoo group Artists of the Roundtable.

Close-ups of two other ATCs done with inks, acrylic paints, etc.

Thanks for indulging me!