ATC Challenge: Queen of Sharpies:)

I’ve known about ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards) but had never made one or received one.  I have to admit, I didn’t think too much about them…mostly, because I always hesitate to call myself an artist.  I would consider myself a lover of art…of all things creative really…in all the forms one can create. Art, Music, Food, Photography….the written word.  As my kids have slowly “left the nest” I am finding more time to discover just what it is I love to create most.  I am enjoying the journey.  Because of an amazing group of artists I connect with, I have my first opportunity to participate in an ATC Swap. It is based on a theme to honor our fellow artist and teacher Joanne Sharpe:)

It’s a smaller more detailed version of the  Journal page from my last post.

The cards are small…2 1/2 X 3 1/2.

At first, I was worried about creating detail in something so small…

But once I got started, I loved doing it!

It’s hard to tell (in this shot) that the Crown and Heart are actually  3 Dimensional.  I used Glossy Accents by Inkssentials.

 

I’m a “Sharpie”

Joanne Sharpe is one talented lady!  She is out there inspiring others all over the world.

If you haven’t seen her work, you can check it out here: http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com

She has some wonderful online classes on Lettering, Coloring, and more!

Those of us who have taken her classes affectionately call ourselves : “Sharpie’s”

I’m a Sharpie

I’m a Sharpie

Mixed Media iphone Cover

Do you ever grow tired of your phone case?  Why not paint it?!!  I have painted the one I have 3 times now…instead of buying a new one:)

Start by prepping the case surface with a few coats of Gesso.

If you don’t have Gesso, use a left over indoor  primer. (We have cans of the stuff out in our garage)

Next, I used Matte Medium to adhere torn pieces of a vintage book.

(You can use Mod Podge if you have that on hand)

You can see around the “Apple” the paint that was there before, it was blue:)

I was never happy with the last “paint job”  The lettering didn’t turn out the way I wanted …it must have been the pens:)

After it’s good and dry (give it a few coats of the mod podge or matte medium) you can start drawing with permanent markers.  I used Copic (alcohol markers) but you could even use sharpies.

I outlined and “doodled” with a Faber Castell XS Black Multi liner. (available at Michaels, & Hobby Lobby) LOOK at how JUICY the Copic Markers are…the ink oozes out. “It’s the little things”

When you are finished coloring & doodling, take it outside (I use my garage, but my hubby gets a little testy when I forget to “cover” my spray area-Our garage is quite colorful.) and spray with an acrylic sealer.  I used a gloss, cause that’s what I had.

The Book I used was an old Children’s Bible Story Book…I love it.  I know that for some of you (my English Professor Son in law) that’s criminal…ripping pages out of a book!  But, I say it’s better to be read and enjoyed on my phone than sitting dusty on a shelf in an antique store!

Christmas in June : Stamped Washer Ornament

Last year I bought this great little Steel Stamping Set.  It wasn’t very expensive ( under $10) and it’s great for stamping words into inexpensive washers, blank metal charms, metal storage boxes and more! In this project I used them to stamp words onto washers (you buy them in a pack at your local hardware store…cheap!)

The ornament starts with a mini canvas (from Michael’s).  I wrapped it with Burlap Ribbon and used a staple gun to keep it in place.

I used an embossing pad to “ink” up my snowflake stamp and stamped the ribbon.  After pouring white embossing powder over the images, I set with a heat gun. (carefully, so I did not burn the ribbon.)

I used the Silver Crushed Glass Glitter in the center of the snowflake.

I wrapped and stapled the stamped ribbon to the canvas and then glued a cut piece of the burlap ribbon to the back to hide all the staples.

After stamping the letters into the washers, you then “color” with a black sharpie marker and quickly wipe of the excess.  The ink helps the letters to show up a little better.

I wrapped a bit of twine around the washers, and on the one that says “joy” I added a little piece of wire mesh I had in my “stash.”

Mixed Media Wood Block

I was looking for a fun way to use some of my “odds & ends.”  This piece starts with a simple wood block (purchased at Michaels) & Liquitex ceramic stucco texture gel mixed with white gesso. I layered burlap ribbon and inexpensive white Tulle. The outlines were done with an “Ink Black” Derwent Inktense Water color pencil.

Mixed Media Wood Block

Mixed Media Wood Block

Mixed Media Wood Block

Mixed Media Wood Block

I love vintage buttons and collect them by the jar full!!

Mixed Media Wood Block

Kalamata Olive Hummus Tutorial

My 16 year old son LOVES Hummus.  He is quite the foodie, and calls himself a Hummus connoisseur.  I make several varieties and this one is his favorite to date:)

Here’s what you need

Kalamata Olive Hummus Tutorial

2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini paste
2 Garlic cloves
1/4-1/3 cup olive oil, plus more, for drizzling

1/2  cup kalamata olives, pitted

1 Tbs. Sriracha Sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste.

(Go a little easy on the salt, you will get some from the olives.)

Fresh pita, Naan, or crusty bread.

Place all the ingredients in a food processor except the olive oil.

Blend.

Slowly add the olive oil while food processor is on.

Kalamata Olive Humus Tutorial

Blend until smooth.

Kalamata Olive Humus Tutorial

Kalamata Olive Humus Tutorial

I like to spread this Hummus on warm crostini, topped with thinly sliced cucumber, tomato, a bit of fresh thyme (better to pull leaves off stem…left them on for the picture) and a light sprinkle of Rosemary Salt…mmm…

I love the color the olives add to the deliciousness.

SO EASY, RIGHT?!!  Hope you’ll try this easy recipe, so much better than store bought!

Kalamata Olive Humus Tutorial

Simple Mini Flower Vase Tutorial

Quick Storage Jar Repurpose

Quick Storage Jar Repurpose

A long while back, I purchased a set of these plastic storage jars at Hobby Lobby. (click on the photo above for the direct link)  I had one  that I wasn’t using for anything and decided to “play” with it today:)

To make this cute project you will need the following: Plastic Storage Jar, Small “geometry” stencil (found where most office supplies can be found), a few stamps,waterproof ink pad, and alcohol spray ink.

( you can make your own ink, see how here.)

I cut the tags down to fit the jar I was using.  Then I taped up the areas of the stencil I wasn’t  using with some washi tape I had on hand  (you can use masking tape)

Quick Storage Jar Repurpose

I sprayed the ink over the stencil onto the card and wiped the excess ink off the stencil with a baby wipe. ( I keep these on my work table at all times)  I took the wipe and “blotted” the color I had wiped onto it, on the tag.

Quick Storage Jar Repurpose

I added a bit of doodling with a thin black multi liner, then stamped each card

(I did all 4 sides of the jar) with a sentiment.

* Remember to use an ink that is waterproof ( I used StazOn) so that it doesn’t smear when you add Mod poge.

Quick Storage Jar Repurpose

To Finish the project, glue on a cute ribbon, and when all is dry, Mod Podge the decorated cards to the jar. (Ribbon and all)

The Mod Podge will protect the paper tag if it gets wet. I recommend applying several coats.

Simple Mini Flower Vase Tutorial

I think this would make an adorable centerpiece idea for individual luncheon/tea tables, or several in a row down the center of a long dining table!  You can coordinate the colors with the theme of your party or flowers that you choose.

Perfect for a special summer get together.

Vintage Clay Pot Caddy Repurpose

Vintage Clay Pot Carrier
Click on this pic to see original post at “Miss Mustard Seed”

Above is a nice pic of what my Carrier looked like before I did this…

Vintage Clay Pot Caddy Repurpose

Vintage Clay Pot Caddy Repurpose

I use my brushes every day and it makes me smile to pull them out of a favorite vintage find!

I had a hard time choosing just what to store in this fun piece…Bath room toiletries, kitchen utensils, Markers & Pens, Craft supplies, Small Flower vases with fresh flowers…Got any ideas??

Alcohol Markers & Re-purposed Make-up Jars

In an earlier post I wrote about a sample make-up bag “kit” my husband brought home for me from a recent trade show.  Thoughtful as it was, I didn’t have much use for the make-up, but I loved painting the bag with my paint pens.  Today, I cleaned out the jars and decided to give them some fun color with  Alcohol Markers.

Alcohol Markers (Spectrum Noir, Copic) can do more than color stamped images…  Not only are they beautifully vibrant and JUICY on paper but they can color other surfaces like metals, glass, and acrylic.

Alcohol Markers & Re-purposed Make Up Jars