A fun upcycle technique

Hi Everyone. 

After a couple beautiful days we are back to HOT and HUMID. I stay close to the air conditioner on days like this. And I craft.

This week's challenge inspiration at PaperCrafters Corner had me stumped. And then there's this:
***Be sure to include an office supply, or something office related, in your project if you want to be eligible to win this week’s challenge*** 
I think most  things papercrafters use office are related. Paper, tape, staples, pens, markers....  ;)

I didnt know what to do till I saw the flowers in the background. That's it! I'll do flowers. Except, I didnt want to. I remember a challenge Steph at PaperCrafters had about trying something new.  So, I used the colors and a fun technique to make my card.

Spectrum Noir DR5, CR10, GB5

And here's how it was made.

I took a piece of plastic packaging and used my Spectrum Noirs to color it. The darker, bolder colors work best.

The next step is to add rubbing alcohol.

You can drip it, splatter it, sponge it to create different effects.
When you get a design you like flip it over. This is the side you will stamp on using an ink like StazOn.
Attach it to your card using the same method that you would use for vellum....clear tape (it barely shows), washi, brads, eyelets, photo corners..

I had so much fun I made another one.

Spectrum Noir TB6, JG6, PL5

Since the colors are darker I couldn't see the Unity stamp very well. I flipped it over to the marker side and removed some of the color using the alcohol on a cotton ball. It works like an eraser.

On the third card I wanted to see if I could use stencils.
The test:

On the right the cotton ball was pretty wet. The left was done after the cotton ball dried a little. It works.
I picked out a stencil I wanted to use on my card

And made this.

Spectrum Noir PL5, JG6

I added the panel using clear photo corners and added the Unity stamp.
I see much more upcycle/marker play in my future.

Have a GREAT, creative week!

Challenges and butterflies

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all doing well. It's Hot, Humid, and Rainy here. How much longer till fall?

Because it's been hot I've been hanging out in the dining room.....near the air conditioner....making cards.

PaperCrafters Corner Magazine Monday challenge #156 has a great cover for inspiration.

There is so much here in this one cover. I picked the colors of the quilt on the bed.

I finally broke out the new to me Spellbinders butterflies. A gem and some washi (a previous PCC prize) plus a Unity stamp and the card was done.

Next up is a challenge from Art Impressions blog. It calls for glitter/ shimmer on the creation.

I had the worst time making this card. My StazOn wasn't cooperating. It kept bleeding when I colored the image with my Spectrum Noirs. After several tries I finally got it done. I used black stickles on the frame and the butterfly.

The next card is for Clearsnap if they let me use it.

The color inspiration is reds, golds, greens. I stamped a Unity butterfly in Clearsnap rasberry and gold. Then I stamped smaller butterflies in Stampin Up Always Artichoke. I don't have a dark green Colorbox :( I used Clearsnap gold smooch for the bodies.The butterflies were one stamp. Now they're 3. Have you ever cut a stamp apart?  The sentiment is also Unity.

The last card is for Susan K. Weckesser. She wants to see how we create a rainbow.

My daughter needed paint swatches for school so.....I used the scraps to punch a rainbow of butterflies. The quote is from Unity.

I didn't realize until I was almost finished that all the cards have butterflies.

 I'll be having a sad time this week. My daughter goes back to college on Wednesday.
At least I'll get more crafting time. Besides, it's her last year.