BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: I'VE MOVED

I am so excited to share that I have moved to a new studio.  

My good friend and talented artist Jill Foster and I have created a new blog called STUDIO SESSIONS. 

After collaborating with Jill on many creative endeavors and having countless fits of happy laughter, what started out as a small idea has turned into an artful reality.

Please stop by and take a peek at the new STUDIO:  www.studiosessionsart.blogspot.com

Studio Sessions: Save The Date

Save the date for an all new week of Studio Sessions!  

Join me and Jill on Monday, February 24, when we reveal ??? as the feature for the week.

Studio Sessions: Memento Luxe Ink, 4 of 4

Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink
Additional Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Inspiration on their FACEBOOK PAGE

Memento Luxe inks are fabulous for both mixed media and wood projects.  In today's Studio Session, I converted a plain wood carton into a keepsake box.

First the sides of the box were covered with painter's tape and then Gesso was applied to the top.  A jumbo sponge dauber was used to randomly apply Memento Luxe: Cantaloupe, Rose Bud, Pistachio and Lilac Posies.

Using the same colors of Memento Luxe inks, a small budded branch (Penny Black - Tweet Tweet) was randomly stamped across the mottled background.  I started with the lightest color, Cantaloupe, then increased the darkness by moving to Rose Bud, then Pistachio and finally Lilac Posies.  Even though it is hard to see at first glance, it is a great way to build depth in a design.  The last stamping was done in Memento Luxe Wedding Dress.  

Here the blonde wood sides were colored/sponged with Peanut Brittle Memento Luxe.  Looks just like wood varnish.     

Copper Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz was lightly sprayed on top of the box.  It's perfect for adding a glint of sparkle.

Have you seen all the colorful projects Jill has been creating?  She has another Luxe-rious project today for our Friday finale.

If you are just stopping by, here is our "Luxe" week in review:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Thank you for visiting.

Happy stamping,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Tweet Tweet 30-156

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:

  Memento Luxe Inks:  Peanut Brittle, Rose Bud, Pistachio, Cantaloupe, Lilac Posies, Wedding Dress
  Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz (Copper)

  Jumbo Sponge Daubers

Other: Wood Box, Painter’s Tape

Studio Sessions: Memento Luxe Ink, 3 of 4

Welcome to another day of inky fun with me and Jill!

Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink
Additional Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Inspiration on their FACEBOOK PAGE

For Day 3, I am using the Memento Luxe inks to color die cuts. The pigment ink is easy to blend and allows you to build color depth quickly.

Several components of the tag were die cut in multiples so elements could be elevated.  Two tags (Penny Black - Tagged) and two butterflies (Penny Black - Flutters) were die cut from white cardstock.

The main tag was left as is and had a festive ribbon attached and was stamped with a sentiment (Penny Black - Gratitude) in Onyx Black Versafine which was heat embossed with clear powder.  The second tag was trimmed and the lower portion was distressed with Pear Tart Memento Luxe and stamped with dots (Penny Black - Pointille) in Pistachio Memento Luxe.  Jumbo sponge daubers were used as ink applicators.

Both butterflies were colored/sponged with Memento Luxe in Dandelion, Love Letter and Lilac Posies.

Before the dimensional butterfly was attached to the tag, it was sprayed with sparkle Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz. 

I don't want to ruin Jill's surprise, but a little birdie told me that she has another ATC to share today.  

See you tomorrow with our inky finale.
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Gratitude 30-105, Pointille 3860J

Penny Black Creative Dies:  Flutters 51-006, Tagged 51-007

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:

  Memento Luxe Inks:  Dandelion, Love Letter, Lilac Posies, Pear Tart, Pistachio

  Onyx Black VersaFine

  Psst Shimmer Spritz – Sparkle

  Clear Embossing Powder

  Jumbo Sponge Daubers

Studio Sessions: Memento Luxe Ink, 2 of 4

Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink
Additional Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Inspiration on their FACEBOOK PAGE

Memento Luxe Inks are wonderful for fabric designs.  The rich color provides a great impression and maintains the fine details of the stamped image.  I used the inks today to decorate pillowcases.

It was so much fun working on these and to see them transform from blank white canvases into custom one-of-a-kind linens.

Sweet Plum Memento Luxe was used to accentuate the bold, graphic design of these concentric circles (Penny Black - Wow).

A combination of Cantaloupe, Lilac Posies and Pear Tart Memento Luxe inks added graceful color to these wispy flowers (Penny Black - Fanciful).

TIP/HINT:  When stamping on fabrics, heat set the inks with an iron for permanency.

TIP/HINT:  A cotton swab is a great tool for removing ink from tight areas that have been over inked by a neighboring color.  After removing the ink, a miniature ink applicator can be created by using the tip of an InkBlusher moistened with the desired color from an inker.  This process was used for applying the green to fanciful flower stems.  

You can also make custom ribbons to coordinate with your projects.  This white seam binding was altered in a matter of minutes.  Pistachio Memento Luxe converted the color and Olive Memento Luxe was used for the stamped design.

Join me as I head over to Jill's part of the Studio to see what she has created for Day 2.    

Inky Wishes,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Wow 40-112, Fanciful 40-100

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:

  Memento Luxe Inks: Cantaloupe, Lilac Posies, Pear Tart, Sweet Plum, Pistachio, Olive Grove

  Memento Luxe Inker:  Pear Tart

  InkBlushers

Other: White Pillowcases

Studio Sessions: Memento Luxe Ink, 1 of 4

This week Jill and I are are creating with Memento Luxe inks.

Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Memento Luxe Ink
Additional Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko Inspiration on their FACEBOOK PAGE

These pigment inks are currently available in 24 colors and are complementary to the Memento dye ink line.  The ink formulation allows you to use them on paper, fabric, wood and more.  Plus, they are permanent when heat set.

Today I am using the inks on glossy cardstock.

The blending capabilities of the Memento Luxe inks are terrific which makes it easy to create smooth marbled effects on glossy papers.  

To begin, an InkBlusher was used to apply Rose Bud Memento Luxe to a piece of glossy cardstock.  A dabbing and scrunching motion of the applicator yields a marbled effect.  The same process was used to apply Dandelion and Morocco Memento Luxe next.

TIP/HINT:  Depending how much you would like the application of colors to blend, you will want to experiment with adding inks while wet and/or drying between color additions.  You will find that you have many different ways to manipulate your colors.

You will notice there are some hair line crackles in the mottled background.  After the ink dried (I used a heat tool), a dry crumpled paper towel was softly wiped across the color.  This removed an ever-so-slightly bit of ink.

The background verbiage (Love Chapter) was stamped in a two-part process.  First with Lilac Posies Luxe Memento, then over stamped a second time with Jet Black StazOn.  Don't worry if they are not perfectly aligned.  A slight offset gives a wonderful "echo" effect and adds even more depth to the wording.

For the flowers (To You and Round & Round), I first applied the Danube Blue Memento Luxe to a piece of glossy cardstock with an InkBlusher then stamped the flowers with Jet Black StazOn.  In this instance, coloring first helped maintain the rich intensity of the stamped image.  Otherwise, in reverse order, the opaque ink would have muted the black detailing.  A heat tool helped quicken the drying process so the flowers could be handled for trimming without being smudged.

Finishing touches were a tag (Tagged) die cut from glossy cardstock inked with Pear Tart Memento Luxe and a sparkly button.  

Tip/Hint:  To add a little bling to plain buttons, pounce them with VersaMark Watermark ink, sprinkle with sparkle embossing powder and heat set. 

For another infusion of color, don't miss what Jill has created!  

Colorfully,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Love Chapter 30-163, To You 30-067, Round and Round 30-112

Penny Black Creative Dies:  Tagged 51-007

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:

  Memento Lux Inks: Dandelion, Morocco, Rose Bud, Lilac Posies, Pear Tart, Danube Blue

  Jet Black StazOn

  VersaMark Watermark Ink

  Sparkle Embossing Powder

  InkBlushers

  Memento Markers: Bahama Blue

 Other: Clear Embossing Stamp Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Blending Stump

Studio Sessions: Memento Luxe Ink - Introduction

Welcome to another series of Studio Sessions.

This week we will be featuring Memento Luxe Inks.

The colorful fun starts tomorrow with the first of four projects!  

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 4 of 4

It has been an exciting week launching Studio Sessions with Jill. We are already working on the next series and can't wait to share the inky fun.  Before we close the week, one more card using PITT Pastel Pencils. 

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Today I am taking advantage of the rich opacity of PITT Pastel Pencils and using them on colored cardstock.

Poppies (Penny Black) were inked with a Stamper's Big Brush pen in black and stamped on grey cardstock.  PITT Pastel Pencils from the blue/green, red/yellow and neutrals collections were used to color and highlight the flowers.  The neutral PITT Pastel Pencils added subtle shading accents underneath the blooms and along the stems.

Tip/Hint:  If desired, a light fixative can be sprayed on the artwork to prevent smudging. 

The flowers were masked to protect them while Letter Background (Penny Black) inked with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in cold grey was stamped across the background.  Before removing the masks, gesso from Faber-Castell's Textural Accents Sampler was "flicked" onto the design. 

The artwork was adhered to a panel stamped with the sentiment (Penny Black) in black pigment ink.  The entire piece was then placed on the front of a card blank with dimensional foam tape.

And here is Jill's Friday finale.  

To see the previous three Studio Sessions you can scroll down after this post or click on the links provided below:

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

Have a fabulous weekend!

I will be back on Monday to kick off another special week-long event....
  
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Blooming Garden 30-155, Edge to Edge 30-164, Letter Background 1999L

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-002 (Gray)

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:

  Mix & Match PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)

  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133, Cold Grey 232)
  Textural Accents Sampler: Gesso

Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Blending Stump

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 3 of 4

Holiday cheer for today's Studio Session.

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Switching gears with my PITT Pastel Pencils and using them over inked images. 

The opaque chalk pastel allows for superb coverage and you can easily achieve multiple colors in a stamped image that has solid graphic areas.

It is good to start with an impression created with a non-smudging ink (i.e. dye or archival).  This wreath (Penny Black) was inked with a Stamper's Big Brush pen in light cobalt turquoise, which is a waterproof, India ink.

The leaves were accented PITT Pastel Pencils in green and yellow while the berries were darkened with red.  A shiny sheen was added to the berries with Glaze from Faber-Castell's Textural Accents Sampler.

Don't miss Jill's colorful post.

Have a great day.
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Merry & Happy 40-261

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:

  Mix & Match PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (Collections: blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)

  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133, Light Cobalt Turquoise 154)
  Textural Accents Sampler

Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad (sentiment), Clear Embossing Powder (sentiment), Blending Stump

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 2 of 4

Welcome to Day 2 of Studio Sessions featuring PITT Pastel Pencils.

The vibrant chalk pastels are available in three mix & match collections:  red/yellow, blue/green and neutrals.

 Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

PITT Pastel Pencils offer many possibilities for blending and highlighting.  By using short bending strokes, colors within small intricate areas can be intensified and delicate shadows can be achieved.  This worked extremely well for the small berries.

Holly Concert (Penny Black) inked with a black Stamper's Big Brush Pen was stamped on white cardstock.  PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow and neutral collections) were added to the image.  

Highlighting with the gray PITT Pastel Pencil softened the design and added a subtle glow.  Blending was done with my fingertip.  

Tip/Hint:  PITT Pastel Pencil markings can easily be erased which provide additional options for manipulating the color and intensity.

The Mix & Match qualities of Faber-Castell's products are fabulous for coordinating colors between different mediums.  As seen here, the red mat created by applying Stamper's Big Brush Pens in deep scarlet red and magenta to white cardstock coordinates fabulously with the pastel pencil medium.  This is also a savvy way to save on colored cardstock when just a small portion is exposed within the design.  In addition, the same Stamper's Big Brush Pens were used to alter the ribbon.

A few vertical dry embossed lines at the bottom of the card base lends a bit more "visual" weight to the design and anchors the matted artwork.

The pencils sharpen magnificently too.

Join me as I pop into Jill's section of the studio to see how she worked her magic today.

See you tomorrow with Part 3.

Thank you for visiting,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Holly Concert 4337K, Thinking of You 30-023

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:

  PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)

  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133)

Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad (for sentiment), Blending Stump

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 1 of 4

Welcome to the first collaborative post of Studio Sessions.  I am ecstatic to be sharing a virtual studio with my friend and colorful artist, Jill Foster, in a new series of artful adventures.    

During our Studio Sessions we will feature a product, technique or idea that will we both be using which will be highlighted during the collaboration.    

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

For my first studio session project with PITT Pastel Pencils, I colored this feathery friend.

To begin, Winter Perch (Penny Black) was inked with Faber-Castell's Stamper's Big Brush Pen in black and stamped on white cardstock.  Tip/Hint:  Un-embossed images are typically easier to color and blend.

PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow and neutral collections) were added in layers to create definition and depth.

The fussy cut image was layered with dimensional foam on a small piece of mat board cut from Faber-Castell's Mini Mixed Media Journal.  Letter Background (Penny Black) stamped in watermark ink and heat embossed with clear powder created a resist for the application of butterscotch Gelato which was blended with a moist towel.  Edged highlights were added with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in nougat.

I implemented several blending methods when working with the PITT Pastel Pencils.  In addition to using my fingertip and a soft cotton towel, I found a blending stump to be extremely helpful in working in small, intricate areas.  Also, PITT Pastel Pencil color applied with soft "flicking" motions worked well for controlling definition.  

There's more!  Now you can visit Jill to see how she used her PITT Pastel Pencils.

We will be back tomorrow with more inspiration from Studio Sessions.

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Winter Perch 4367H, Letter Background 1999L

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:

  PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)

  Mini Mixed Media Journal

  Gelatos (Butterscotch)

  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Nougat 178)

Other: Clear Embossing Stamp Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Blending Stump