Beth's Blog

This year for Mother’s Day gifts I decided to try something new, I’m calling them Inchie and a Half Boards. The squares are all 1 1/2 inches.

I started out by collecting photos – seemed to be the hardest part!  But, with a bit of persistance, I managed to get a photo of everyone, then cropped them into squares, changed them to black and white, and had them printed.  I then added quotes and embellishments as well as a title.  These are all on a canvas board.  To add another dimension to the picture I had some squares on thick chipboard and some on the canvas.

And I repeated the process for my mother-in-law:

Both mums LOVED them, which is really what it is about.

I did my final Creative Chemistry techniques today.

First one was using Perfect Pearls, I own Pearl-Ex so I used that whivh seemed to work in a similar manner except for the fixative part (I kept getting sparkly fingers!).

1. Pefect Distress Mist               2. Perfect Distress         3. Perfect Splatter Distress

The last techique was using Ditress Stickles, which is coming with the markets, so I used my Kindy Glitz for the top coat which gives a different effect but will be a good comparison.

The last thing I did for my class was a cover tag with the name of the class on it – for this I did a Stains background with blending tool after I dried it off, and then a Spritz’n'Flick before gluing n the class title.

Continued with my Creative Chemistry class today.  I decided to try out the Markers techniques with my Tombow markers, then I will be able to compare them with the Distress Markers when they arrive.  There are a few differences from what I can tell, but it was good to try out what I’d seen, and also the Tombows are also able to blend a little so I didn’t worry about messing them up.

1 & 2. Blending Markers                              3. Stamping with Markers

The other technique that I did today was Paints – both acrylic paint and crackle paint.

1. Acrylic Paint Resist      2. Crackle Paint Resist      3. Shattered Stains

I also decided that my book of notes and instructions needed a cover:

Last of the techniques tomorrow…

I’ve spent a busy day in my studio, starting on making Easter tags (just waiting for my bunny die to turn up tomorrow – hopefully).  Made ATCs and Inchies for a swap, and then carried on with my Creative Chemistry Class.

First technique was Distress Stain – I fell even more in love with them!

1. Stained Kraft Resist           2. Stamping with Stains         3. Marbled Stains

I have left the Distress Markers session until I get mine.

And the last technique for today was Embossing.

1. Nostalgic Batik Technique      2. Rusted Enamel      3. Distress Powder Resist

Back to work tomorrow, so less time in my studio until next weekend.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been participating in my first Online Class, it is Creative Chemistry with Tim Holtz on www.onlinecardclasses.com.  This class includes Discussion Videos, Techniques Videos, downloadable instructions and ability to ask questions.  One of the great things about this class is the freedom to do each session when I have time, to fit it in around work and other things.

The first technique session was about Distress Inks:

1. Blended Distress     2. Brushless Watercolour     3. Wrinkle-free Distress

The second technique session was on Archival Ink and Alcohol Inks:

1. Alcohol Inks Agate            2. Archival Resist           3. Reflections Stamping

And the last techniques sessions I’ve done so far is Reinkers

1. Watercolouring with Reinkers      2. Layered Misting        3. Custom Stamp Pad

Looking forward to continuing with the class.

Over the past three months I’ve had de Quervain’s tenosynovitis on my right wrist, making my thumb and wrist sore so I haven’t been able to do a lot – not sewing, paper crafts, cooking or work.  And finally this week I’m coming right and I can start to sew again!

My first project has been to personalise my new gum boots.  I haven’t owned gum boots for a long time, but getting caught in the snow in Hanmer Springs and having a new vege garden built for me (see my Kitchen blog for more info), I decided I needed some new gum boots.  And of course, being me, I had to add my own twist to them. 

After buying purple gum boots I glued some beautiful purple and turquoise fabric around the rim of the boots, I sewed some very easy flowers – two for each boot.  I glued and sewed these onto the boots.

The finishing touch was to tie a turquoise bow and attach to the back of the boot.

I’ve been working on my SENZ pins over the past week.  They are little books with tags in pockets.

I’ve made the little books:

And I’ve got the things to put in them:

Now just to assemble them…

Just a preview of the classes I’ll be teaching at SENZ at the end of June.

The first class, on Friday afternoon, will be Tag Art Techniques.  Great fun class using Distress Stains, Viva Paint, Glimmer Mist, embossing, Distress Inks, kraft resist paper, and so much more.

The second class on Saturday afternoon is Movers & Shapers Mini Album using Gabrielle BoBunny – I love this pretty paper, and I’m so in to butterflies at the moment!  This little book has windows, uses acetate, and is a great gift for yourself or someone else.

So come and join me in one or both classes, check out the SENZ website for bookings.

The final part of my tag book are these three tags:

                Tag 7                                       Tag 8

         Tag 9                     Tag 10

I love these Distress Stains – such a versatile and easy product.

Check out my next post for previews of the classes I will be teaching at SENZ.

Part 2 of my little tag book (which I will have at SENZ) are these three tags:

        Tag 4                      Tag 5                     Tag 6