Reinventing Monday.....

Happy Pseudo Monday!!  You know it's going to feel like one all day, right?  So, let's just call it Moneusday and get on with it!!  Thank you for popping by for my weekly I Brake For Stamps share! 

I stamped all day yesterday!  It was heaven!  I couldn't help but spend some time reflecting on the fact that yesterday was Memorial Day and what that means.  I've read a lot of comments from veterans about it not being a holiday and how they cringe at the sound of "Happy" Memorial Day!  I get it.  And, there really isn't a "happy" about it.  However, there is, in my heart, a deep and abiding reverence for all that is, was and will be given by members of our Armed Services.  So, like my verse says, my thoughts and prayers were with the vets and their families......

I started with.....Bisters!  Suprise!  I just can't stop.  There's something so very arty about using a medium that is difficult to duplicate.  Not that I've actually tried to obtain the same result twice, but I just know, from my experience with Bisters, that it would be difficult.  This background was achieved in layers.  I find that it is easiest to maintain the color saturation if you stop and dry between applications.

I added a few berry sprigs from this beautiful sheet called, Birds.  That fat little birdie (I have no idea what kind of varmit that is, but I'm sure one of you knows!) is also from the same sheet.  I have a weird hate/love relationship with birds.  In real life, they completely freak me out.  However, I am inexplicably drawn to bird images....what is that about?

My verse can be purchased separately or as part of Inspiration Sheet Plate #5.  When you stop by the I Brake For Stamps Store, be sure to say a warm hello to sweet, Ms. Della.  You can use my savings code, SAVE10JANE, too!

Make it a great one and don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

Birds & Bister

Happy Day, Friends!  I had a mild interruption yesterday and never had a chance to share my I Brake For Stamps project so......welcome to my day after Monday IBFS share!  I'm so glad you stopped by!

I recently received this beautiful sheet from Sweet Ms. Della, Birds, Sheet 141A.  It's a bit of a conundrum for me.  It's a beautiful sheet---the bird images are so beautiful...I feel drawn to them, but I must admit, in real life.....I'm a little creeped out by birds.  There!  I said it!  I blame Alfred Hitchcock and a house I lived in years ago.

The house had a huge living room--one wall was ceiling to floor windows.  The birds loved to dive bomb that window as if they could join right in on our fun.  To this day, I have an abnormal reaction to low flying birds and, especially, to dead little bodies laying about my yard.  Again, I blame Hitchcock, but......enough of that!

My project for today started wtih bisters.  Again, an experiment.....I wondered how/what bisters and a gelli plate would look like.  Truthfully, it was less than wow and I could have achieved the same result by loading everything onto my craft sheet vs gelli plate.  But, y'know......I had to try. 

After creating the background, I added a variety of stylized card stock using an eclectic assortment of stamps from I Brake For Stamps, some doilies and sequins--I love those things!  I have a bunch of background stamps that are just wonderful to have around--like staples in my pantry of stamping!  One such set is Textures.  You just never know when you are going to want to add some extra texture to a project.  The set contains great variety and they work great for mixed media canvas art, also! 

Additionally, I used Number Background.  It added the vintage effect I was looking for.  Right under the greenish card stock, you can also see that I used a beautiful lace image from one of my all time favorites, Lace Borders! This set is also a huge staple in my arsenal!  So many beautiful images!

Finally, from the brand new sheet, Birds, Sheet 141A, this beautiful image of birds and blooms!  This is a great sheet and I'm excited to experiment and create with it! Don't forget to use my savings code when you shop the IBFS store!  SAVE10JANE.

Have a fantastic and creative day!  Don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

Too Much Wonderful!

Happy Monday!!!  The sun shines, the temperatures are warming.....these good things are wonderful!!

Thank you for stopping by for my I Brake For Stamps Monday share!  Today, bister meets distress ink and BOOM!  I love how this project turned out!  Do you ever make something and are just in love with it??

I can easily admit that this is a complete CASE!  I'm a pinterest addict, I admit it. I frequently see things that inspire me or make me WOW!  Sometimes, I pin them other times, I store it in my noodle.  When I saw the original card, I thought three things: 1) I have that die! 2) Bister would create a fabulous version and 3) I'm gonna CASE that! 

For this project, I used specialty paper such as the Stampinback Paper found in the IBFS store.  I cut the die twice.  Once from the specialty paper and once from coordinating cardstock.  My background includes yellow bister---which I notice takes on a much more earthy tone when overwatered ;)  I've also used Barn Door distress ink that I watered down and dropped onto the surface with a pipette. You'll see lighter pinkish splots (it's a word!)--these were larger droplets of color that I blotted with a towel to create a more subtle coloring.

Working with the yellow bister on the die cut, I sprinkled the powder randomly on different leaves and then spritz with water.  After allowing the piece to dry, I added the distress inks direct to the paper.  I did not spritz with water because I wanted the two inks to remain separate and vibrant.

To finish things off, I added Wonderful in black ink so it pops right off the page!  When  you shop IBFS, please say a warm hello to sweet Ms. Della!  Let her know I sent you and save a little $ with my coupon code  SAVE10JANE!

Have a great day and don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane