Mail Art Madness

Happy Mail Art Madness...

Oops, I mean Monday.... 

(or do I? I just started Keto on Thursday, so I'm definitely feeling some madness cutting my favorite food group ...carbs <3)

Stamps Used:

Girl Making Face

Cunningly Disguised

Punchinella/Sequin waste

Numbers Set

Cross Marks Background

Chevron Banner

Color Wheel Lines

I started by stamping "Girl making face" and "Cunningly disguised". I then drew an address block, and a signpost to hold the quote.  With the base started I then masked off the main images.

Using a combination of Distress inks in: Speckled Egg and Tumbled Glass (both oxide and originals). I then added a layer of ink over everything , and began adding background detail stamps.

To add depth I stamped my cross marks in black archival ink. 

The banner was stamped in "Spiced Marmalade" Distress Oxide ink

With the same ink I used for the banner I stamped the color wheel lines, then removed my masks.

I just love the reveal after all that inky madness...

To finish I colored my focal images, then found a matching postage stamp to tie everything together. 

I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial and bit of sassy mail art!!!

Designated Riot Area

Hello Again Crafty Friends!

Today, I will be sharing one of my favorite things...

Mail Art!!!

Stamps Used:
Banksy bolt cutter Rat
Banksy designated riot area
Born to be wild
Jagged chain link fence

I started by stamping the rat with bolt cutter on and A2 envelope in archival ink -Jet black.

I masked the rat off, then stamped my chain link fence in archival ink- watering can. 

Next, I used a ruler to draw my grounding line, then stamped my designated riot area stamp. 

(archival- Jet black)

I used distress ink in hickory smoke to shade the fenced area.  I also used hickory smoke distress ink sprays to add some grunge/distressed flicks.  

I used alcohol markers in red to color my base. 

I also added my born to be wild stamp for added detail. 

To finish everything off, I used distress oxide ink in black soot to edge everything. 

I also added a few finishing flicks of dylusions black ink.

I hope you enjoy this bit of Banksy goodness.

Nervous Breakdown Mail Art Monday

Hello crafty friends!

It's Monday!
And, do you know what that means?
 Mail art of course! One of my favorite days of the week!!

Today I want to share an extra special piece with you is so fitting with how my last week has gone! I hope you all get a kick out of this and we'll up and matching card.

Stamps Used:

Stitching

Dictionary page

Worn clock face

Tiny line of chevrons

Angry man

I just don't

Other products:

A2 card and envelope

Distress ink- candied apple, wild honey

Archival ink- jet black

Zig clean color markers 

Distress stain- black soot

I started by stamping my angry man on both the card base and the envelope base. As well, as on a separate piece of paper to create a mask.

I used post-it notes to create my address box, which also double as a mask for this area.

Next, I partially stamped the warn clock face on the top left corner of my envelope to give some depth. Or extra added depth I then used the dictionary page for more partial stamping all over.

With all my base stamping completed, I started to lay down my ink background. I used Wild Honey distress ink to cover the entire background layer.

With my inking done I felt they needed a little bit more texture and detail oh, so I used the tiny chevrons to add extra depth in the top left since eventually there will be a postage stamp on the top right.



After the background layer was where I wanted it, I used a Tim Holtz layering stencil to add candied apple distress ink for some texture. I also use the same color to Inca round the edges of the envelope.

I removed all of the masks, and decided to add my stitching to the sides of my address box. When I was satisfied with how everything looked I used my Zig clean color markers to color my main image.

I used the same colors to color the image on the card as well. To finish everything off I stamped my quote on my card oh, and added a few flicks of distress stain to my envelope.

To give extra flair, and top everything off...I added a basketball postage stamp. 

Which is perfectly fitting, since March is called "March Madness" for basketball season. 

This guy definitely looks like he has some Madness going on.

Thank you For joining me today!
Hope this inspires you!

Bright Ideas

Hello crafty friends!

I hope you are all doing well. Today I want to share and inky tag...
(this is one of the larger 3 x 6.25 in manila tags)

Stamps Used:
scribble circle
writing chevron
Large light bulb
row of numbers

Other Products:
Distress oxide ink- Fossilized Amber, Salty Ocean
manila tag (6.25 x 3)
Archival ink- Jet black
white Gelly roll pen
black ink pen
glass craft mat

I started by adding blue (salty ocean distress oxide) and yellow (fossilized amber distress oxide) ink on my glass work mat, then blotting it up with my tag. 

(you can set this aside to dry or use a heat tool)

I originally planned to go with an Alice in wonder land theme

(but like many bright ideas, my brain changed its mind and said no... lets try something else. )

(I'm sharing this so you can see we all have these moments where things just don't come together like we plan)

So you can see I next stamped my scribble circle and my /// in black archival ink. 

When my brain changed gears, I chose to add more blue edging around my tag with a blending tool. Next I added more details my stamping the chevron and adding details with a white Gelly roll pen. 

Ok, to finish my piece off I used a separate piece of card stock and stamped my light bulb. 

(I used distress ink to color the card stock before stamping on it)

I used pop dots to adhere my light and to give it depth. 

I hope you have all enjoyed this fun "bright ideas" tag! 

Kicks and Cards

Hello Everyone!!

Today I want to share an easy and fun any occasion card.  

I don't normally create simple cards, but there are just some occasions that call for it. I love that this design lends itself to a variety of themes and ages.  You can easily create it in any color, and you could add any sentiment.  I love that it also works well for men and teens!  Men and teens can be difficult to create for at times.  

You card also simplify this design even more by not layering the pieces... or you can jazz it up with more embellishments!

Stamp Used: 

Star Sneaker

Thank you

Other Products:

Card-stock in black and white

Distress Oxide ink (Candied Apple)

Distress ink-Hickory Smoke (I could have left the edging off though)

Archival ink (Tuxedo Black)

Tim Holtz Layering stencil (THS003 "RAYS") 

pop-dots

Yellow marker

Wink of Stella (clear glitter)

I started by stamping my star sneaker on a separate piece of card-stock and set it aside to dry.  While that was drying I grabbed my card front (cut 1/4 in less than A4 size on each side), and added my rays stencil.  After I finished stenciling I went back and cut out my star sneaker stamp.  I decided It would pop a bit more if I matted it with a layer of black card stock, so I did. 

(This also allows it to match the card base which is matted on black as well)

After deciding I needed a tad more color, I chose to color in the star with a yellow marker, then added some clear Wink of Stella over that. 

The final step was to stamp my sentiment, and add pop-dots to adhere my card and start sneaker together. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

I hope you have found some inspiration for a fun and easy card!

Make it Manly...

Hello Everyone!

In light of fathers day coming up, I wanted to create something masculine. 

At first I thought I wanted to create a card, but then I decided something more fun would be an envelope for gift cards.

(You could of course use this base to create a card as well)

Stamps Used:

Clockface
Fabrique De Cravates Ad

Other Items Used:

Scrap book paper

Sizzix thinlet die- gift card bag (662687) 

Tim Holtz Layering stencil (THMS070)

Distress ink -gathered twigs

Archival Ink- tuxedo black

water pen
Tim Holtz Remnant rubs

I started by picking out the paper I wanted for my base.  I went with some Tim Holtz paper that had nice neutral colors and some general text.  (looks kind of like a vintage invoice).  Using my sizzix gift card holder die, and my big shot I cut my base out.

I used my distress ink around the edges before gluing everything together.  (you could probably skip this step. I ended up inking everything again at the end to deepen the color anyway).

After my piece was folded and glued, I stamped "Fabrique De Cravates Ad" in black ink. Then, I used my distress ink to watercolor some shading on the suit. 

 When I was satisfied with that I used the same distress ink to stamp my clock randomly on the front and back.

To finish this off I added some stenciling details. 

I added a remnant rub with "TIME" on it for added detail

I love how this came out, and it was so simple! 

(Now I need to decide what gift card I want to give him.... Tough decisions!)

Thank you for stopping by the blog today!

I hope this inspires you!

Easy Any Occasion Cards

Hello everyone!

Today I want to share 2 easy cards I created for Viva Las VegaStamps. These are fun and easy for any occasion. You can easily customize these to your exact occasion needs by just switching colors or a stamp or two.

STAMPS USED:
Color wheel lines
Solid color wheel
Scribble Circle
Row of Numbers
Death head Moth
Squiggly Star Collage

Other Products:
Distress ink and archival ink
A2 card bases in white
Cutter bee scissors for my fussy cutting
Stencil

I started with a plain white card base in A2 size. I used to distress ink to stamp the colored images, and any black details were stamped with black archival ink.

You could add pop-dots to add depth to your card, or you could do this card with lots of masking to keep everything as flat single layer card. I chose to do mine as a few flat layers. :)

(the star, the moth, and the yellow lined color wheel were my 3 layered pieces)

I hope you enjoy these cards! Thank you for visiting.