Memory Tin Vignettes

There's no way around it. I'm in love and the mere thought awakens the senses. It's a simple pleasure, and one that is completely legal. I'm referring, of course, to caffeine. Tea and coffee. Either will do as long as it's strong. These three tins, featured on pages 88 - 89 of the February 2009 issue of Crafts 'n Things, celebrate that affection. What's more, they were so much fun to create.
I painted the tins with Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers and used Adirondack® Dye Ink Pads and Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink Pads for stamping and coloring the images. The yummy patterned papers are all from my friend Judi Hodgkin's Scrapperdashery Poetry Range. It was a special treat to incorporate stamps by fellow Tennessean Suzanne Melvin in two of the tins. (Her Afternoon Tea plate (Oxford Impressions) contains additional images in this fun theme.) Bits of broken jewelry, beads, lace, and real coffee beans complete these mini scenes.

Afternoon Tea Stamps (Oxford Impressions)

Paris Cafe Stamps: Smoochie Poochie and Post Card (Stampabilities); Street Café (Paper Candy); Romantic Swirl (B Line Designs); Manuscript Background and Old Script (Hero Arts)

Coffee & Friends Stamps: Cup (Art Impressions); Java/Coffee and Friends (Dawn Houser for Inkadinkado); COFFEE (Afternoon Tea from Oxford Impressions); Coffee Defined (Stampington)

Melting Pot® Valentines

Who hasn’t heard of the edgy English stamp company Paper Artsy. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been almost five years since I first met Leandra Franich at CHA. The next year she would return as an exhibitor, and the stamping world has not been the same since.
Leandra was also a fellow “graduate” of Ranger University. In a weekend that was a whir of tips and techniques, I was fascinated with Leandra’s work and her use of Ranger products.
You may be wondering about the connection between Paper Artsy and the title of this post. When I began to consider projects for the February 2009 issue of Crafts ‘n Things, I wanted to create sophisticated non-traditional Valentines. Leandra’s Penny Plates came to mind and the results are below. No lace or frills here, but I think my Valentine will definitely “think happy thoughts” when he sees this!

I’m sure that my dear one will be also be interested in the “Bank of True Love.” Hugs and kisses are bound to result from the X’s and O’s on this card! (Stamps: Love Collage - Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous page 146); Harlequin Diamonds - Postmodern Design) Check the February issue, pages 68 – 69, for detailed instructions for both these cards.

The cards below also use the Melting Pot®, Melt Art™ UTEE Brightz™ Fuchsia, and Melt Art™ UTEE Flex™. You’ll find complete directions for them at Crafts ‘n Things as well as tips for using your Melting Pot®. (If you have not joined the Crafts 'n Things community, you'll find access to bonus projects and lots of "free stuff" by simply providing your email address. Sign up and get ready for hours of exploration!)

Stamp (Hero Arts): Fancy Love

Stamps (Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous): True Friendship, Scribble Heart

Better Backgrounds: Texture Plates

It’s a game that I’ve always enjoyed playing, and you may too. When you look at tools, do you brainstorm about ways to use them - other than the intended purpose?
Whether it is a matter of stretching your dollars or simply challenging yourself to think “outside the box,” tools provide inspiration. While texture plates are designed to emboss paper, I’ve found it is even more fun to create backgrounds by stamping with them. Four recent creations are featured in my “Better Backgrounds” column on pages 92 – 93 of the February 2009 issue of Crafts ‘n Things. You may choose to complete your card with stamping, stickers, or transparency or decide to leave it unadorned. Whatever you decide, Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Color Wash™, Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper, and a texture plate are all you need for striking results!

Color Confusion (above): Texture plate (Sizzix) Wild Dashes

Birds of a Feather (above): Texture plate (Fiskars) Lace; Transparency (Prima) Paintables ERA

It’s a Bug’s Life (above): Texture plate (Cedar Canyon) Op Art; E-Z Rub-On (Royal & Langnickel) Creepy Crawly Bugs Glitter

Optical Illusion (above): Texture plate (Cedar Canyon) Op Art; Stamp (Stampabilities) Thanks
Be sure to check the April issue of Crafts ‘n Things to see my next “Better Backgrounds” column.

Everything You Need to Know about Ink

One of the things that I always looked forward to in The Rubber Stamper was the annual ink chart. I was pleasantly surprised when thumbing through the December 2008 issue to find that Crafts 'n Things has continued that wonderful tradition. Is your ink water resistant, acid free, or fade resistance? Can you emboss? Matte, glossy, vellum, acetate, shrink plastic, wood, metal, polymer clay, porous, non-porous, fabric, leather, plastic - can you stamp on it? What about clean up? Check out pages 92 - 97 for a chart that summarizes these details for all your favorite Ranger products. How much more convenient can it get!