Spray Inks on a budget---I shall call them Champion Sprays

I have to have some spray inks, but I just had a new air conditioner installed so I have NO extra money.  I googled and googled and watched youtube videos to see how to make them.  I found some good ones, but I am changing it a bit to suit MY style.

First I went to Wal-Mart and bought those mini squirt bottles in the travel section.  I bought different colored ones because I indeed to make the glimmer inside match the bottle color.

I filled each bottle 2/3 of the way full with regular lukewarm water H2O.  I then took this paint by Folk Art (Metallic Pearl White).  I squirted a bit in the bottle and it covered the bottom.

Then I took a different acrylic color and squirted it in the bottle. (Yellow got Canary Yellow by Apple Barrel---Red got Folk Art Naphthol Crimson----Blue was pool blue by Folk Art---Green used Hunter Green by Apple Barrel and Purple consisted of plain purple by craft smart).  I squirted some of this on top of the metallic pearl, closed up the bottle and shook it up.

Then I read online that someone added ModPodge to theirs for the archival quality. I did not see how that could hurt even using the things that I used so I added a bit to each bottle and shook it once again.

Time for the test!!!!!!

My very own blending device

I love Tim Holtz...love love, but have to decide do I want the inks or the tools?  Duh, it's the inks.  However, I need the tools too.  I had to try and make the tools so that I can have more inks.

Today I have watched many youtube videos on making your own and thought about how I could do this.  I went to  Michael's to peruse the aisles to see how I could achieve this.

I found blocks for .99.   I was going to try and make mine multi-sided.  Why?  Because my space is limited and I need space savers. I felt like I could get 4 different ink colors on each cube.  We shall see.

I took foam taped and attached to all the areas that I will use for my stamping surface.

I cut felt to fit each side and BAM!!!  I have my very own version of the Tim Hotlz blending tool.

Because I don't intend on removing the felt for a long time, I labeled the cube with the stamp colors.  I like this idea...I do like Tim's better.  The handle feels so nice in your hand, but when you have to choose supplies over tools...well to me supplies always wins.  

Update:  I am still using these little blocks in 2020.   I still love them.  They have held up beautifully and still very functional.  Tim no longer makes the rectangle tool, he likes the circle tool.  With the release of the new ink, Speckled Egg, I have had to buy my first circle tool, as I am out of rectangle sponges.  I love the size of the circle tool, I have yet to test it, but as I stated before, I love the feel of the handle in your hands so I am sure I will love it.  I am very glad I made my own tools back in 2011 because it enabled me to get all the inks.

The Story of love and the $5 cupcake\

The Story of Love:
A layout dedicated to my cousin and his lovely bride.  A wedding that was inspiring, a wedding that united a young couple strong in their faith and enamored with each other.  A ceremony that showed how to love each other while giving the glory to God.  I was blessed to attend this wedding.

Uses:
Banner stamp from Autumn Leaves--doodle tabbed
Thread from DMC
paper flowers by prima
pink flowers Brides by Michael's
Card stock is all scrap bin finds
The story of Love stamps  and dotted line stamp by Technique Tuesday Everyday life by Ali Edwards
Heart stamp by Close to my heart--coffee stain
inks:  red stampabilities black by memento
Pen by Martha Stewart crafts

The second layout is the $5 cupcake...very simple because I want those cupcakes to be the stars because they cost so much!!!!!!

Mojo Monday 199

I missed last week because we were in St Louis, but I had this great little scheme all picked out.  I decided to use my inspiration colors and stamp sets on this weeks sketch. Actually it worked because I wanted it to be a baseball layout for pictures that I took at the game the other night.

The stamps are Close to my heart baseball
I used red pigment ink by stampabilities and black by memento
Card stock is Red Devil by Bazzil
The blue card stock, white cardstock and tan stock are from my bin.
Grey felt found in the closet and I cut it into scallops and added buttons from some old Disney shirts
Large white flower was made by me

Paper flower (this one is messy)

This flower was not my creation.  Someone taught me how to do it.  Instructions are my own because I don't measure, I just free cut.

I start with drawing generic flower shapes onto the paper that I am going to use.  Then I cut them out.  As you can see, when I cut I usually take free reign and cut outside my lines or simply redo the whole thing.  That is why usually I just free cut. You will need flower shapes in varying sizes.  I used 3, large, medium and small.

Cut the middle out of the flower shapes.....and spritz with water.

While wet, curl the edges.

Cut out a heart, and a half of a heart, these will make up the center.

Ink your center if desired.  I ink everything!!!!!!!

 Ink all the edges of the layers and stack on top of each other.  Largest to smallest with the curved sides pointing down.

Roll the heart shape to resemble the center of a rose and put the 1/2 heart shape with it and roll it.  You may have to play with this to get it like you want it and don't be afraid to spritz as needed.  Set aside for a few minutes.

 Pick up your layers of flowers and insert the rolled middle that you made and place into the center of your layers.  If the paper is still wet, this is a great time to move it about in the shape that you desire.

Flower tutorial

I have decided that I am a flower making machine. I have shared some of my flowers with you...but today I discovered (after a couple of attempts) a new better and way prettier flower.  Actually TWO...one is super simple, the other a little harder but not much.

the two types of flowers

This on the outside of the swirl, I drew scallops (these will be your petals)...use a marker that matches so it won't show. I did black for instructional purposes.

Cut out the swirl.

Start rolling the flower from the outside of the swirl in.

My finished rose...I love it!!!

Back of the flower with the stitch and two more completed roses.

Flower #2:

I cut a very ugly rectangle of felt

folded it over on itself and stitched up the side.

I have a snake looking thing....

I grab the thread and start to gather the rectangle and now it makes a circle.

I moved the inside of the flower through the middle and underneath.  I stitched it in place.

A button found it's way to the center and I have a very simple tiny "who knows" what type of flower it could be.  Very cute on a card or page though.

Forever and ever

Well, my parents anniversary is coming up (as I write this---as you read it, it is past). I decided a long time ago that I wanted to do something special for them. How many people do you know that make it 40 years? How many make it 40 years and still like each other, much less love each other?

Yes, to celebrate is no brainier. The thing is how to do it, how to make it special, how to make it not cost a fortune?

That is where I sit this day. I am trying to find someplace that is not too expensive, better yet free. I am trying to plan things that are "easyish" to make/do (this is a time problem).

My first step was to decide what I wanted. A meal at a restaurant or reception? The reception was my answer. A meal or reception food? reception food....Wait!!! Reception food. I want to have a wedding type of thing. I want them to proclaim their love for everyone. Being from poorish sort of families they never had a "proper" wedding. I want to give them that. If not a preacher ceremony, a re-dedication ceremony. With a proper reception.

The first stop was coloring (for me because I want to make the stuff).  I found a pad of paper at Hobby Lobby that very much fit my mothers' style.  Very country styled patterns, with blues, maroons, yellows, greens, and browns.  I think it was a delight.

 

The next part was to make the stuff. I got lucky and had a Cricut cartridge that made boxes.  I used 2 Cricut mats and about 70 sheets of cardstock, but I got all the favor boxes, all the centerpieces, and 2 journal type books done.  

I started work in January.  Yes, it takes quite some time to do all this.  I worked on it every Saturday until June 18, when it all was put together into the reception.

Now the reception was a bit of perfectness.  We had people attend that they had no idea about.  My dad did make me crazy the last week or so panicking about who was invited and who was not, but this is a time when he needs to learn TRUST.  It was lovely.  If you were invited and did not come, why then you missed out.

I think it turned out to be a great time.  Their song redeclaring their love for one another was just about the sweetest thing ever.