Suzz's Planetary Paint & Paste Inspiration

Hi!  Suzz here!  I was inspired by the paints and paste challenge to create a fun mixed media page for a special birthday boy turning 4 who loves planets! 

The background started with stenciling stars randomly using distress texture grit paste. Then a splatter of watered down white acrylic paint was applied randomly over the surface.  After the paint dried the next step was to spritz a variety of sprays over the surface.  Water was applied to blend the sprays and allow pooling of colors around the stars.   

After the background was complete, the planets were cut out using various die cuts.  I did some research on the various sizes of the planets and colors inspired form some online images.

The planets were all painted with various distress paints with a base coat of color and then different patterns were applied with coordinating colors. 

I then applied the planets on the background and mixed in a few different sentiments to inspire the birthday boy! 

Happy inking! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Ranger Distress Stain Sprays: Uncharted Mariner, Villainous Potion, Mowed Lawn
  
• Ranger Distress  Spritzes: Fossilized Amber, Uncharted Mariner, Spiced Marmalade
  
• Ranger Distress Paints - Retired Paint Kit #4,  Retired Paint Kit #3, Retired Paint Kit #2, Retired Paint Kit #1
  
• Dylusions Paint - Cherry Pie, Tree Bark
  
• Ranger Texture Paste - Crypt

Suzz's Permanently Perfect

Hi!  Suzz here. I hardly ever do perfect... Part of the reason I love the vintage grunge style of crafting is that I don't have to worry about that extra smudge. :)  I love archival inks and the variety of colors along with the ability to not smudge anything and dry quickly!  

The beauty of the archival ink is the ability to use other mediums which you can blend and spray without losing the sharpness of the inked image. I also love the various colors which can be paired with watercolors to change the way the image looks.  I decided to use the same image and ink it up with three different archival inks and color the image with the same watercolor to show  how the outline ink can change your art and how it appears. 

I started with three scraps of paper that I cut into a tag shape.  I then stamped the flower with three different archival inks.  

For my next step I used a pink watercolor pencil and a water brush to add shading to the flowers. 

I loved the effect of all three flowers and how they looked different just because of the ink used on the outline stamp.  The watercolor pencil was the same for all three and yet each flower looks like they have a different shade of pink and green.  

I also used the archival ink to ink up the edges of the tag all around just create a nice crisp line.

Then I took each flower and created a different background  using a mix of distress inks, distress ink sprays, and archival inks to add texture and interest. 

On this first tag I stamped the flower on a scrap paper and cut the flower head out and laid it over my tag's flower.  I then stamped the field label using black archival ink in an alternating pattern.  I then used post it notes to mask off the rectangles to sponge in distress oxide ink in the alternating rectangles. 

I finished with a stamped sentiment which was cut and applied at different angles.  

For the next tag I used a new stencil with the same distress ink to add a little visual effect in the background of the tag. 

I could have used the mask but because I was randomly applying the distress ink, I just sponged around the flower.  

I also used a watercolor pencil (black) to add a hint of shading around my flower to make it pop from the paper.  I used a water brush to soften the shading of the black watercolor and was able to do this because the archival ink will not respond to the water brush. 

I added a hint of distress spray inks to the background and use the same effect on another piece of card-stock to stamp my sentiment and apply. 

For my final tag I wanted to use the archival ink to add the pattern to the background of the tag.

I stamped the pattern using the same archival ink.  The pattern started to take away the focus on the flowers so I smeared watered down white acrylic paint to soften the effect of the archival ink.  

I added shading again with the black watercolor pencil around the outlines of the flowers to make them really stand out.  I finished with a splatter of distress oxide stain spray spritzed onto my craft mat and picked up randomly onto my tag. 

I hope this inspired you to try out your various archival inks in a fun way.  I wanted to share with you the first thing I did when I received the new archival inks.

I always smear a solid section of the ink pad onto a scrap piece of card-stock.  (you also can use labels which already are ready to stick on your ink pad container)

Then I cut strips and tape them to the ends of my ink pads.  Because I have a wonderful ink rack my husband created for me that stores all my archival inks that looks like this: 

It makes it really easy to pick out my ink pads whether they are in the rack or stacked up on my craft desk. 

Suzz

Products:

• Ranger Archival Ink Aubergine
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Ranger Archival Ink Wine Celler
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Abstract Floral
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencil - Black Soot 
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stencil - Deco Floral
  
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Curiosity Shop
  
• Ranger Distress Oxide - Peeled Paint
• Ranger Distress Oxide Stain Spray - Peeled Paint
• Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Love Notes
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Mr. Rabbit
  

Suzz's Neutral Flowers

Hi! Suzz here!  I am loving the challenge this time to  highlight flowers!   Spring is here and the flowers are just starting to bloom by me.   I decided to combine the flowers with another challenge of using my new watercolor pencils from Tim in Scorched Timber, Jet Black and Picket Fence.  My goal was to use the neutral colors on the flowers and only use other colors around the flowers.

I love the Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Floral Trims flowers.  They let you color using various mediums with the beautifully drawn outlined flowers. 

For my first card I cut out a circular image that I stamped using a gray distress oxide ink. I was hoping to highlight the image using watercolor pencils and shading and having the stamped image blend in for a colorless outline.

Next  I used the scorched timber to add a touch of color around the petals of the flower and the green watercolor pencil in the leaves.  I then used a water brush to soften the edges of coloring. I came back with a yellow watercolor pencil to add a touch of yellow to the center of the flowers.  I used the water brush to blend that and soften the edges.

When I was done coloring, I decided to come back with the black watercolor pencil and add the lines again to the image to really make it pop.  I also shaded around the outside edges of the images with a hint of gray and blended with the water brush. 

To make the colors more intense, I sponged the entire surface with Versamark ink and then covered it with clear embossing powder. I heat set the embossing powder. Sometimes this process will  take two coats to get a glossy finish. 

The image was then mounted on several circles before placing it on a black card stock base and adding the coordinating butterfly and stamped sentiment. 

For my next experiment, I stamped the floral image with black archival ink on white card stock.

I shaded and blended with a water brush inside the flowers using the black watercolor pencil. I added a bit more shading with the brown watercolor pencil.  Blending each time with the water brush.  I came back and added a  heavier shading of black around the inside of the image.  

For the leaves I used the green watercolor pencils and colored around the inside and blended with the water brush.  

Next I decided to bring in pink around the outside of the flowers and a golden brown around the leaves.  I colored on the outside of the lines and then used a water brush to soften the edges and blend the color out. 

I finished the image with a black card stock base and a stamped sentiment. 

I really wanted to use the white watercolor pencil and I tried a few different ideas and this was the one that worked most successfully.  I started with stamping the image using Versamark and clear embossing powder to create an outline of the image on black card stock.

After that I took the white watercolor pencil and shaded and blended the white inside the flower.  This made the white disappear into the black card stock.  I came back and colored again with more pressure and further out to add more shading.  I didn't use the water brush as I wanted the white to pop off the black background in my second round of coloring.

To make the flowers really pop from the background I came back with a white gel pen and outlined the image to make is move and stand out.

Then the sentiment was stamped with Versamark watermark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I mounted the image on white and then a black card base. 

Not your typical spring flowers but I had fun exploring the use of white, black and browns with the flowers. 

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Floral Trims
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Tiny Text
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz  Love Notes
  
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencils Black Soot & Picket Fence 
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencil - Scorched Timber 
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencil Set #1 
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Ranger White Embossing Powder
• Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black 
• Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - Hickory Smoke
  
• Black Cardstock

Suzz's Finish It Project!

Hi!  Suzz here!  I don't know about you but I have many leftovers (as I like to call them) cluttering up my craft desk, drawer and a few other places.  I start something and lack a finishing focal point, image, or inspiration!  The Finish It challenge was a great inspiration for me to finish off one of my many leftovers!

My starting point for the Finish It challenge was to use one of these beautiful shimmery backgrounds with mica stain sprays blending the colors to create a gorgeous mix of colors.

Then Mr. Rabbit hopped into the house and I felt inspired to tag him!  I took one of the pieces created from the backgrounds of shimmery sprays and cut it down to a tag size. 

I then stamped Mr. Rabbit using an archival ink and while it was still wet applied black embossing powder to make him really pop and hop on the background.  

Then I decided I wanted to outline and highlight him with a white gel pen.  This helped make him stand out on that strong orange background. 

I wanted to add a little whimsy to the image and decided he needed a fun bow tie and some jewelry on his floppy ear.  

I also added polka dots with some white embossing powder using Versamark randomly stamped around the background.  

To finish it off a few black gems for his buttons and a smattering of them around the background.  Hopefully the Finish It challenge has you pulling out your leftovers and finishing them off!

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Mr. Rabbit
• Versamark Ink 
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Ranger Embossing Powder: White Detail
• Stampers Anonymous Tiny Text 
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Halloween Set #3
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Halloween Set #1
• Ranger Mica Stain Sprays Holiday Set #6 
• Jump Rings

Suzz's Hats off to Men

Howdy! Suzz here.   I started from a fun Idea-Ology Photomatic image to inspire my masculine card. 

Look at that face!  It is so inspiring and fun.  I created layers of grungy goodness to frame out Mr. Scowl face. 

 

The card base is from a kraft cardstock which was sponged with the lovely new Scorched Timber and sprinkled with the speckled egg distress oxide and water spots. 

The next layer is created with texture paste over a stencil which was spritzed using a mix of the scorched timber and speckled egg distress oxide.  A little water helped blend the two together.

Then a scrap of a backdrop paper sponged with a touch of the scorched timber layered  under the framed photo.

A few touches with the stamped sentiment and the numbers on the photo finished off the effect.  The embellishments of twine, die cut branch and buttons were added to create movement. 

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Layering Stencil- Measured
• Ranger Inks Tim Holtz - Scorched Timber Distress Ink, Scorched Timber Distress Stain Spray
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Photomatic 
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Backdrops Volume 4
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Tiny Clips
  
• Stampers Anonymous - Correspondence
  
• Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz Speckled Egg Distress Oxide 
• Ranger Ink Archival - Jet Black 
• Ranger Ink - Texture Paste Opaque

Steampunk Lovebirds with Suzz

Hi!  Suzz here!   I was inspired by the lovebirds!  They went a little steampunk on me but I think they really shine on the front of the card!

I decided to stamp up my die cuts to add a pop of texture to the surface.  I created a flock of birds before I realized what was happening. :)  It was great inspiration for my card.

I cut the birds from inky backgrounds and using the Idea-ology Tim Holtz Backdrops.  I spritzed the backgrounds using the same colors I used on the card.  They were a mix of Seasonal Distress Mica Stains along with a distress oxide. 

The backgrounds were created by first applying a layer of opaque crackle texture paste over the flourish stencil. This was done on the backdrops paper and white cardstock.

 

While the crackle paste was wet the sprays were sprayed multiple times along with water to help mix the colors and thin out in areas the density of the color.  Then a heat gun was used to dry out the crackle paste.  There was a mix of some areas crackling and others not because of the wetness when applied. 

After that the background was cut for the card from one of the pieces.  Then the birds were stamped using black archival ink with the various images on some inky remnants.  The birds and feather were covered in versamark ink and then a layer of clear embossing powder heated up.  This made the colors more vibrant and added another pop to the color on the cut out images. 

Happy inking! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Sizzix Tim Holtz The Vault - Lovebirds 
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz Backdrops 4 
• Ranger Texture Paste Opaque Crackle
• Ranger Tim Holtz Halloween Mica Stain Set 1
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Spray - Mermaid Lagoon
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Flourish Stencil
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Eccentric
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Correspondence
  
• Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black

Suzz's Frosty Pane

Hi!  Suzz here!  The theme being cold outside is so true for me!  We are sitting at -31 degrees with the windchill. Perfect time to sit inside and craft a bit!   I was inspired by frosted windows that had such beautiful crystalized designs.  I wondered if I could emulate that with the Frosted Crystal Embossing Medium from Tim Holtz/Ranger. I think the flourish stencil paired with the frosted crystal gave me a similar effect!

To create a frosted pane: 

1. Start with a heat resistant acetate sheet. 
2. Sponge over the stencil with Versamark ink. To get your pattern onto the acetate. 
3. Sprinkle with the Frosted Crystal. 
4. Heat up the embossing powder until the crystal shows.  (Don't overheat as eventually the crystal will melt and you will just have a clear embossed image) 

The frame on the cardstock was created with the same process. 

1.  Lay the stencil over the front of the card. 
2. Sponge on the Versamark ink. 
3. Repeat pattern until front of the card is covered with inky pattern. 
4. Sprinkle with Frosted Crystal. Shake off excess. 
5. Heat up the embossing powder. 
6. Smear gold wax over surface to create highlights.

Then cut out the inside of the card base and use for the additional layering on top.  I also used a bit of the excess from the middle to die cut the bird to place on the front of the card. 

I loved the effect of the Frosted Crystal and decided to try the same process on white cardstock. 

The tag was created by: 

1. Sponge versamark ink through the stencil onto the white cardstock. 
2. Repeat until surface area is covered. 
3. Sprinkle Crystal Frost Embossing powder over surface.  Shake off excess. 
4. Heat until the frosty effect occurs. 
5. Spray with a mix of distress oxide and micas stain sprays. 
6. Spritz with water to lighten the effect and dab with paper towels to take off excess ink.

 The next panel was made with translucent embossing paste.

To create the snowy effect: 

1. Lay stencil over heat resistant acetate. 
2. Use spatula with translucent embossing paste and apply to acetate. 
3. Repeat until covered with snowflakes. 
4. Sprinkle Frosted Crystal Embossing medium over surface and tap off excess. 
5. Some will cling to the acetate.  (I used a fine tip brush to brush off the excess) 
6. Heat emboss the snowflakes and the embossing paste.  The embossing paste will puff up which gives it an additional layer of texture. 
7. I wanted a full frosty panel so I took one more step of inking up the complete reverse side with Versamark and applying the Frosted Crystal Embossing Medium over the entire surface and then heated it up. 

This panel looked like a frosted pane of glass and was very cool!  

Keep warm! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Ranger Tim Holtz Frosted Crystal Embossing Medium
• Ranger Texture Paste Translucent
• Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Snowflake
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Flourish 
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Ranger Tim Holtz Halloween Mica Stain Spray Set #1
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide - Mermaid Lagoon
• Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Love Birds
  

Suzz's 2023 Favorite

Hi,  Suzz here!  I am sharing my favorite from 2023!  I loved the Floral Trims from Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz and did a series of tags with it earlier this year but wanted to bring it back out and play with it one more time! 

This is a multi-layered card using the floral trims stamps.  First the stamp was stamped on white cardstock with black ink.

The background was sponged with black dye ink around the images.  Then splatter the background with white paint.  

Stamp the flowers again on tissue paper and white cardstock using black archival ink.

Color the images with watercolor pencils and blend with a water brush on both the white cardstock and tissue paper.  Heat set the colors on the images.

Cover the entire  colored image with versamark watermark ink.  Apply clear embossing powder over the tissue paper and  heat emboss until the embossing powder completely melts.

 

Cut out the flowers as a complete image from the white cardstock and apply to the black sponged inky background.  Cut out the flower petals and leaves from the transparent colored image to apply over the images on the card base.

This will give the card a layered 3 dimensional effect. 

 Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Floral Trims 
• Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black
• Versamark Watermark Ink 
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Ranger Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencils
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Kraft Black Paper
• Dina Wakely White Acrylic Paint 
• Ranger Distress Ink  Soot Black 
• Tim Holtz Detail Scissors

Suzz's Holiday Homecoming!

Hi!  Suzz here. I was inspired by wreaths that my mother and I made years ago for holiday craft shows. It was fun picking out different flowers, garland, and embellishments to decorate the wreathes.  

My wreath of joy started from a collection of poinsettias cut from white cardstock.  I started by cutting many different shapes to play with in different mediums and ended up with poinsettias on white cardstock because of how I wanted the colors to saturate and stand out.

Next up was making the beautiful colors on the flowers and branches.  The flower pieces were all sponged with a red dye ink.  After that they smaller pieces received a distressing with a brown dye ink and the larger flowers were sponged around the edges with the brown dye ink.  

The branches were sponged with versamark and embossed with a shimmery silver.  (I am still glittering in random spots on my face and hair!)  

I next cut out a circle to hold onto my wreath from cardboard.

I sponged the front of the circle to match the flowers in case any of the cardboard peeked through the flowers. 

Then I heat set the flowers before attaching the layers as the distress ink can remain damp and cause the tape to not stick properly.  I attached the layers to the flowers petals.  Then the flowers were alternated on the frame of the wreath using tape for the bottom flower and pop dots to create depth on the alternating flowers.

After all the flowers were placed on the wreath the various branches were tucked into the wreath around the edges using tape and glue dots.  Then a lovely little sentiment was placed on the banner on the front with a few extra twigs. 

The centers of the flowers were a mixture of embellishments.  

Have a happy holiday! 

Suzz

Products: 

• Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Festive Bouquet
• Ranger Distress Ink Lumberjack Plaid 
• Ranger Distress Oxide Vintage Photo  
• Versamark Watermark Ink 
• Ranger Embossing Powder Silver  
  

Suzz Deck the Halls!

Hi Suzz here!  It is time to get festive and I am in the midst of gathering gifts and wrapping them!  I was sorting through my Tim Holtz Idea-Ology and I found the mini clipboard.  What better way to get organized on my gift planning and tags for presents than having a clipboard to hold my tags and list of gifts! 

I knew I wanted to use some of the beautiful backdrop paper to cover the clipboard surfaces. 

 Steps for the clipboard:

1.  Pick out papers to cover the clipboard.
2. Remove the clip from the clipboard
3. Trace the clip board on the papers including the holes for the screws for the clip. 
4. Cut out the papers and punch holes for the screws. 
5. Stamp the images onto the paper.  (I traced where the clip was going to be to help determine placement of sentiment and peppermint stick) 
6. Heat set the images before going onto the next step. 
7. Ink up a background stamp with versamark. Stamp randomly over the open areas of the background. 
8. Sprinkle stamped areas with clear embossing powder. 
9. Brush off any embossing powder on your Santa, Sentiment, Peppermint Stick. 
10. Heat set the background image. 
11. Attach the papers to the front and back. 
12. Paint around the outside of the edges with white acrylic paint. 
13. Smear some of the paint on the embossed background to pick up the pattern of the stamped image. 
    
14. Highlight Santa with white gel pen. 
15. Put the clip back on the board and accessorize with charms and ribbon. 

To go with the cute clipboard I wanted to start creating a variety of gift tags for various presents.  I used the scraps of backdrop paper and some of my test run images of santa.

I stamped the Santa image to try out the colors on different backdrop papers and just cut them out into a tag shape.

I accented with mummy cloth ribbon dyed to coordinate using the Mica Stain Sprays.

I also found some of the ephemera and bells to add to the tags and pulled sentiments from various Stampers Anonymous holiday sets.

Now I have a lovely organized set of tags and a list of gifts!  There are some great deals happening in the store!  Go check them out!  Also you have to look at all the beautiful vignettes the team created highlighting the Tim Holtz Idea-Ology!

Suzz

Products: 

• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Jolly Holiday
• Stampers Anonymous - Darling Christmas 
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz - Mini Clipboard  
• Idea-Ology Tim Holtz - Backdrops Volume #4
• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Tiny Bells 
• Ranger Distress Paint - Picket Fence  
• Ranger Distress Ink - Vintage Photo 
• Ranger Distress Mica Stain Sprays Holiday Set #3 
• Versamark Watermark Ink
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder 
• Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black 
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Tapestry