PUNCH ART PUPS!

Punch Art Pups

Due to my ambiguous situation in life, I have been without my Service Dogs for five (5) weeks! Spike is thirteen (13) years old, eleven (11) pounds and has been doing this for me for 3 years. He will lay outside the shower and fetch someone even if I drop a bar of soap!

Mazie is my little girl. She is five (5) years old and eight (8) pounds. Both are chihuahuas. Perfect for someone in a wheelchair and easy to pick up for kisses!

Friday, May 3rd, I was reunited with my babies! I cannot tell you the joy we all felt at being together again!❤❤ This encouraged me to try Cindy's Sunday Challenge of Punch Art which she asked me to do a few weeks back. Punch Art is simply making animals or objects out of shapes made with your punches. Now, I do not have a huge selection of punches but Cindy has a drawer FULL! So I sat in her craft room with her one sunny, chilly Sunday afternoon.

Supplies:

-Stampin' Up Build A Bloom punch

-Fiskars Ovals Template

-EK Success 2 1/2" Circle Punch

-Darice 1" Circle Punch

-EK Success 1/2" Circle Punch
-embossing folder of your choice
-Vellum
-liquid glue (I used Glitter Glue)
-assorted paper scraps from your stash!

Designing

I have to admit, I did not design these pups. It was overwhelming to look at all of Cindy's Punches and trying to put them together to make something. It was like creating your own puzzle. The best I could do was a snowman! Geesh!

Cindy helped me along by going to Pinterest! If you have never looked at this website, you are missing out on some of the best inspiration in the world! Sometimes clicking on an image will take you to a blog with directions. Sometimes clicking on an image will take you to the vendor's blog and shop where they sell the item or the supplies to make it, most often at Etsy.com.

There were several items that I wanted to try but creating the Punch PUPS jumped out at me since I missed mine so. I drew out the design and figured out sizes and placement before I started gluing. I used liquid glue since the pieces were not straight and uniform in size. I chose Glitter Glue because a little goes a long way. It grasps the paper and dries quickly. 

4 oz. Glitter Glue with Precision Tip and pin

Punchin' & Piecing

Using the vellum, I ran a scrap in an embossing folder through my Big Shot. I punched two large scalloped petals from it. I used paper with a Hounds Tooth design and placed the vellum over them. 

Embossing folder, vellum, and Houndstooth paper

A plain similar hue of blue was used to punch a 2 1/2" circle for the head. Three more large petals were punched from a striped scrap for the cheeks and lower lip. 

Petal punched pieces

Since we didn't have an oval punch, we used the oval template to create the ovals for the mouth. 

Fiskars Oval Template

The medium petal was punched twice from light blue and the small petal was punched twice with white for the eyes.

Stampin' Up Build a Flower Punch
used for eyes and cheeks

Two 1/2" black circles were punched for pupils and a 1" circle of black paper was punched for the nose.

All pieces were edged with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide using a make-up sponge.

Once I laid them all out, I glued them in place.

What should we call him?

 I thought he looked lonely, so I worked on a friend, adjusting sizes and position of pieces. I still used the vellum overlay on the ears and edged the pieces with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide. 

I didn't have the right size circle punches
so I cheated and used dies from my stash.

Now he has a friend!

What should we call her?'

Finishing Touches

I placed each one on a 4.25"x 5.5" top folding card front. I had a difficult time deciding whether to make this a Mother's Day card and a Father's Day card or just birthday cards. I had so many fun 'dog' pun phrases!

The cards I made for the Punch Art Cindy's Challenge!

I hope you'll consider pulling out your punches. Punch out a few pieces, try trimming them up and play with them. Show me your creations on my Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriEllenDesigns

Check out some of my other creations on Pinterest:

www.pinterest.com/loriellendesigns

and my Etsy Shop!
www.etsy.com/shop/LoriEllenDesigns 

I'm glad Cindy challenged me and I got to spend an afternoon with her too! Let's see what she challenges me with this Sunday.

Artistically and Lovingly Yours,

Below are some of the items that I used to make the cards. Clicking on the picture will take you a suggested shop. I am NOT affiliated with any shops so I get no profit from suggesting these sights.

Clearly Besotted Playful Pooches

1" Circle Punch

1/2" Circle Punch

Assorted Vellum

Fiskars Oval Template

Stampin Up Build A Bloom Punch-ebay

ALCOHOL MARKER BACKGROUNDS

Alcohol Marker Backgrounds

Hello, my friends! Happy Easter to all! 

"This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

Easter Bunny with gifts for you!

I apologize for the absence of inspiration to you all! Life has dealt me some curves but the positive end of it is, I have left the situation behind. I have been a victim of Domestic Violence. While some will not approve of my candor, I speak loud and clear to others that you do have a voice and you can be SAFE! I hope to someday be in a place where I can volunteer the knowledge of my situation towards helping others. That is one reason I decided to mention it in my blog. I endeavor to stay positive! 

Now onto the fun!

Supplies

The supplies are minimal. 

~Alcohol markers in any color you choose

  (Sharpies or anything similar works just as well!)

~Glossy paper or photo paper

  (like the glossy paper you get free with a printer)

~99% Isopropyl alcohol

  ($.99 stuff from Walmart works well!)

~empty spray bottle

  (the smaller the better)

~sandwich baggy

~plasic bag 

  (something plastic to protect your work surface)

~piece of paper towel 

~plastic gloves (optional)

Technique

Make sure you cover your workplace. I just tape a plastic grocery bag to my desk. I also wore plastic gloves, like nurses wear, so my fingers didn't stain.

Cut your glossy paper into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". You should be able to get 4(four) pieces out of an 

8 1/2"x 11" sheet of paper.

Place a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of paper, it can be copy paper, into a sandwich baggy. Close the baggy. This will be used as a template, a place to lay your paper and know where your colored marker is. 

Choose the colors of marker you would like to use. Start with just 2(two) until you feel comfortable with the technique. The colors should also complement each other. You will not want to create mud on your paper!

Using the paper in the baggy, color onto the baggy where the white paper shows through.  Color over the edge of the paper a little. It's alright to go across the edges of the different colors slightly. The coloring does not have to be in any special design. I just scribbled! If you do not color an area, it will stay white.

Scribble with alcohol markers onto baggy.
Use the white paper inside as a guide to color on.

Pour some Isopropyl alcohol into the spray bottle. Once you have colored the baggy, spray the alcohol onto it. I spray slowly until the area is glossy with dampness, almost runny. 

Puddle of the marker and
 plain alcohol sprayed onto the baggy

Take a piece of your glossy cardstock and lay the glossy side onto the wet marker. Use your fingers to gently rub the back of the paper so there are no air bubbles. It is going to seep onto the paper on the back a little so don't be alarmed.

Glossy side down onto marker/alcohol puddle

Pick up your paper by the corner and lay it onto the piece of paper towel. Isn't it beautiful! The colors mix and it creates an amazing background! You can cut it and use it in your die cutter. The paper you created would make a beautiful butterfly.

Beautiful pastel print!

Colored alcohol will dry fast on the paper.  You will be able to stamp on it. Use Stazon, an ink that will adhere to the glossy surface. Stazon will take a little while to dry. It is best not to use your heat gun to dry it, just let it air dry. 

Clean up between each color combination is easy! Just use a paper towel to wipe the baggy clean of leftover alcohol and ink.

Cleans easily with paper towel!

I do not have all of my supplies at my fingertips but I was able to create this simple card. 

For my card, I cut the frame to 4"x 5 1/4" before cutting out the inside. I measured and drew a line on the back of the background I created. I then cut on the line carefully with scissors. It was easier with the remaining inside piece, to trim it 1/4" all around using my trimmer. Make sure you cut it equally on each side. Do not just cut a 1/2" of one side. You will want the paper to look like it's continuing from the frame to the inside piece of paper.

I used Scotch foam tape, cut in half, down the middle, length-wise, to raise the frame and placed it onto my white card base. I used Stazon Jet Blak ink to stamp my sentiment on the trimmed paper. I taped the piece inside the center of the raised rectangle frame without raising it. 

Finished card front

Voila! This card front is finished! Using the right colors, perhaps this would make a great masculine card. Using the scraps from the trimming I did, I was able to decorate the inside of the card as well. 

Inside of card

I hope you will try this simple technique! It was a neat idea to try on a sunny day. 

Stop by my FaceBook page and feel free to post your alcohol marker creations!

www.facebook.com/LoriEllenDesigns

I would love it if you looked at some of my card creations at my Etsy Sight...

www.etsy.com/shop/LoriEllen Designs

Please share this blog with your friends! Happy Spring!

Artistically and 

Lovingly Yours,

Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

Copic Pastel alcohol markers

Isopropyl Alcohol

Glossy Photo Paper

Scotch Double-Sided Tape

 

WATERCOLOR IMPRINTS

Watercolor Imprints ~ Beautiful, Easy Backgrounds

This week's (the week of March 17-23, 2019) Cindy's Challenge was FUN! But let me back up. 

I don't know if any of you noticed, but I skipped Cindy's Challenge last week. I just couldn't seem to get the ideas out on paper! And for a paper crafter, that is a disaster! The ideas were just not coming together and when they did, I just couldn't seem to make it look as nice on the table as it did in my head. Is that what they call 'losing your mojo'? Cindy had picked Punch Art as a Challenge and I stuck my nose up at it. So she obliged and picked a second challenge which was Copic Contour Coloring! Let's just say I tried and moved forward.

Cindy's Challenge this week is Watercolor Imprinting! Here is the video I watched to learn this technique. Watercolor Imprints by Splitcoast Stampers. Clean your desk and put down a plastic cover because we are going to play!

Watercolor Imprinting

The only materials needed are watercolor paper, spray bottle of water, any water-reactive inks or paints and the rest is fun! I chose to work with my Distress Oxides. I had watched all seven weeks of Kristina Werner's Distress Oxide Ink Blending Color Combinations and thought I would pull my color combinations from her videos. Watch the first one by clicking on the picture below and then it should list the other six videos.

Kristina Werner combos week #1

I used the 'Direct To Paper' method to apply the ink to the watercolor paper. I swiped the mid-tone color first, Peacock Feathers.

Mid-tone color: Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide

TIP: I suggest wearing plastic gloves. I had so much fun getting inky though...and believe me, you WILL!

I applied the lightest hue next, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide.

Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide was the final color applied directly to the paper.

Ink applied.

Taking a spray bottle of clear water, I liberally sprayed the paper panel until the colors began to blend.

TIP: When a fair amount of water is applied to watercolor paper, it likes to curl. I heard if you sprayed the back once, it will encourage your paper to lay flat. (Make sure you are saturating your paper in a place where you will not be moving it again!)

I chose Hero Arts Swirl stencil for this piece. Once the card was soaked, water still sitting puddled on the paper, I placed the stencil atop, centering the colors with the design. I was excited to see how it would turn out!

Panel with Distress Oxides,
 Swirl stencil and a spray bottle with water

Made sure stencil made contact, no air pockets

I placed my acrylic blocks around it to make sure it would not bow while drying. The hardest part of the whole technique came next. I HAD TO WAIT for it to dry. So, I did this later in the day and let them sit overnight.

TIP: Actually, this one I dried with a heat gun after a couple hours. I wanted to see how it was going to look! I started by heat drying it flat with the stencil still on it. Then I slowly removed the stencil and finished drying it. (I have a heat-resistant surface on my desk.) Because I tried it this way, the panel curled and bowed in the middle.

The next morning was exciting as I did the reveal on all the panels I had created!!

Using the Watercolor Imprints in cards!

Distress Oxides Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick and Festive Berries and the Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Floral were used on this watercolor panel.

Floral Layering stencil

This particular panel used Distress Oxides Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans, and Cracked Pistachio with a random dragonfly stencil I found in my stash. I cut the center of a piece of white cardstock with a My Favorite Things Inside/Out Stitched Rectangle die to create a frame. I raised it with some foam tape and left the background flat against the card base. I stamped, embossed and raised the sentiment strip which came from the Altenew Under the Cherry Blossom Tree Stamp Set!

dragonfly stencil

TIP: Because Distress Oxides have pigment ink in them, they are slower to dry. This creates an opportunity to use clear embossing powder upon a stamped sentiment that matches your project! Above, I used the three colors on the stamp 'with love' so it would match the imprinted panel! Embossing your sentiment jazzes up the card!

And here is the sample I created just for this blog! I used the My Favorite Things Mermaizing Stamp Set!

Swirls of water imprint!

There are a couple of panels that I haven't used yet for cards...

l-r: Butterfly Stencil, Swirl stencil

The left-hand panel was inked with Distress Oxides Dried Marigold, Ripe Persimmon and then Aged Mahogany and a Butterfly Stencil from Clear Scraps was added. The panel on the right was inked with Distress Oxides Chipped Sapphire, Pine Needles, and Twisted Citron and the Swirl stencil from Hero Arts was used.

Watch for more imprinted card backgrounds!

The next evening I covered my desk with another plastic garbage bag and sprayed some more inky watercolor panels and this time I used background stamps for the imprints!

I hope you find time this weekend to play in the ink! Just about any stencil would work for this technique. Post a photo of your work on my Facebook Page below!

Lori Ellen Designs Facebook Page

I am excited to announce that my Etsy shop is up and running, LoriEllenDesigns! I'm still new in the world of Etsy but it is an adventure that I am embracing! Most of the cards that I show in my blog, as well as others I haven't written about, are displayed there. Take a look and let me know your thoughts!

I belong to several Facebook groups as I'm sure many of you are. I do participate in Card Swaps and have posted a few of the Swap Cards in my blog and on Facebook. If there is a technique or design question that you have or would just like to know where I purchased something, please, drop me a line. My email is loriellendesigns@gmail.com. Or you can PM me on Facebook or leave comments below a photo or in my blog. 

I sincerely THANK YOU for all the kind words of my artwork. But nothing makes me happier than when a fellow crafter creates with me! It is YOU that inspires me!

Artistically and Lovingly Yours,

loriellendesigns@gmail.com

https://loriellendesigns.blogspot.com

www.etsy.com/shop/LoriEllenDesigns

www.facebook.com/LoriEllenDesigns

Below I have a list of some of the items I used in making this card. I added some of my favorite tools also. Clicking on the picture will take you to more information.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SHOPS so I am not selling items. Feel free to comment or contact me with any questions!

My Favorite Things Mermaizing Stamp Set

Hero Arts Swirl Stencil

Inside/Out Rectangle Dies

Tim Holtz Layering Floral Stencil

Under the Cherry Blossom Tree Stamp Set