Monday, March 3, 2014

Rainy Day Experimentation

Rain, rain, rain.
Perfectly describes what our weekend consisted of here on the Central Coast.  It is of course, what every Californian has been praying for since we have been experiencing a drought for quite some time.  We figured we should make the best of it by staying indoors and experimenting with new techniques and tools. As you can see from the picture below, things got a little messy!
maddie using the new spritzer tool

The girls start off by looking through Tim's new book for a technique they would like to try.
 
They found one....Monoprinting.  Which is simply, a single impression of an image made from a reprintable block (like carved wood or an etched metal plate).  In our case, we are using Layering stencils. Monoprinting, just like the name implies, refers to the fact that no print can ever be reproduced exactly, which seemed quite intriguing to them.  After reading the instructions in the book, they dove right in to experimenting with the technique. 
I will say, they started with very light colors.
 Which is nice for a subtle background surface.
 
From there, they quickly moved on to Mowed lawn, Mustard Seed, and Seedless Preserves.  Look at the result using the Woodgrain Stencil.  Loved this combination of Distress Inks (the new minis are perfect for pouncing on the stencil surface).
Britney used Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, and Mustard Seed for her next test run.  I will say, when Britney choose the Stripes stencil I was unsure of how this would turn out.  I haven't used this stencil as much as others, like Lattice or Dot Fade, but she wanted to test out the pattern.
 


 She was right...a-maz-ing!!  The colors worked so well together and transferred to the manila surface quite beautifully.
After a short discussion, we decided the stripes of color looked like rain pouring down.  It was an easy choice to add an Umbrella Man die cut over the stenciled background.  The stenciled numbers are from my favorite SA Merchantile stamp set.
 
I had to try the Lattice Stencil...this stencil should be in every stash of "go to" products.  I just works every single time I use it.




I cut off the top of the tag, added a stamp from the Random Quotes Stamp set and used the Spritzer tool and Distress Marker-Walnut Ink to add the splatter.
Here is the resulting card made from the #8 manila tag.  I added a Jute string and a Monocle with a Remnant Rub phrase and Mirrored star.  Don't you love the colors?
I have one last tag to share.  Britney used the Doily stencil with Seedless Preserves and Peacock Feathers.  When she printed the tag, she thought it was a complete fail because the pattern of the stencil is so fine it did not transfer like she thought it would.  After drying it with the heat tool, she threw it across the table to her sister, to put in the trash can.  Maddie looked at the tag and said, "it may not have come out like you were expecting, but it would make a great background".  She threw the tag back across the table so Britney could take a second look.  That was all the encouragement she needed to finish the tag.
I suggested the Eiffel Tower stamp from the Paris Memoir set, which she stamped in Black Archival ink.  She also added the Paris labels from the same set using Seedless Preserves and used the new Spritzer tool to add a fine mist of Broken China.  Love that detail.
She colored some Crinkle Ribbon to match and there is it.
One of our favorites of the day...that almost ended up in the trash can!
 
Just in case you are in need of a refresher...I'm have a signed copy of Tim's new book,
 A Compendium of Curiosities - Volume III
I not only have it, but I am giving it away!  Just leave me a comment and I will post the winner on Wednesday, March 5th.

now carry on,
paula


102 comments:

  1. I LOVE your experiments Paula!! that doily stencil is a lovely looking one too! I'm going to have to monoprint with the lattice it turned out so beautifully!!

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  2. Wow...great job girls...Tim will be recruiting to his team alongside Mum xxx

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  3. Love the technique with the mini stamp pads! What a perfect way to spend a rainy day!

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  4. Beautiful tags! My fav is the one that started as a "fail"! Isn't it great to have kids in the craft room? My favorite crafty times are when my daughters join me.

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  5. Wow these tags are gorgeous !!! I have to try it myself !!
    Best regards Berdien

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  6. Great way to use those stencils! Thank you for the opportunity to win Tim's Book!!! Loving these rainy days -no guilt no gardening days for me to be inside and craft!

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  7. Wow! Great inspiration, maybe I will invite my kids in my craft-corner... but it's a bit scary ;)

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  8. Beautiful tags! And I love that the girls were encouraging each other. What a wonderful way to spend a rainy day!!

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  9. LOVE how the tags turned out...the color, the way the monoprint worked...so cool!! Off to give this technique a try. Thanks for the post with all the yummy pictures...so inspiring. And...thanks for the opportunity to possibly give Tim's new CCIII a caring and grateful home!!!

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  10. Paula, love the lattice stencil. It looks from your pictures that you are inking the stencil first, then spritz with water, turn stencil over and print. You did not go into the details, is that because the details are in the book?
    If so, would love to win, sign me up,

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    1. yep, the exact reason. You got it though...just follow those steps and use plenty of water. Happy crafting!
      paula

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  11. Beautiful tags, ladies! I am going to have to give monoprinting a try! If you pick my name, please pay it forward as I already have a signed copy of CofCIII.

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  12. What wonderful experiments!!!!!!!!!! Love them all and hope to try my hand at this later this afternoon. Would love (who wouldn't???) to win a copy of CCC#3..thank you!

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  13. Great results- the youngsters are so brave, unlike oldies like me who always fear we are doing it wrong. It is a bit rainy in Jo'burg tonight, too- we have ordered up a better weekend for you though! Travel safely.

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  14. What a perfect way to craft away a rainy day! The girls tags are beyond great! I love them all! A copy of that book would be really cool too! TFS!

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  15. My favorite is the lace doily/Eiffel tower tag--love it for spring!

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  16. Love each and every tag, esp. the Rainy Day! thanks for giving us a chance to win Tim's new book!

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  17. These girls are talented! I love what you have done with these stencils. Makes me want to play. Love all of the tags, and the card!

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  19. Wow! That's a lot of talent all in one house :-) I guess tim won't have to look far to find more helpers! Makes me want to play but I've got a whole month to go before I get back to my craft stash!!!

    Sally

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  20. Way to go, Britney! Lovely lesson learned... All the tags are great!

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  21. you guys have been busybusybusy and WOW what results, the paris tag is GORGEOUS!!! =)
    Thanks for the chance... =)

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  22. Thanks for sharing these tags. They are all gorgeous and I'm looking forward to trying out this technique!

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  23. All the tags are wonderful, but I DO love Britney's tag! And what a great technique, to ink the stencil and then print. I'd love to see all the new ideas in Tim's latest book.

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  24. Brilliant! Love the experimenting! All turned out great. Ooooo, would love to win the book as I haven't picked one up yet. Thanks!

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  25. Looks like lots of rainy day fun here! I love all of the colorful results. Thanks for the chance to win the newest book!

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  26. The background on those tags is GORGEOUS! I especially love the striped one. The colors are so beautiful and to look at it, I never would have figured out how you made those lines with all of the blended colors. Definitely makes me want to run out and buy some of the stencils and inks!

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  27. Such a fun new way to play with my stencils. Love to see your girls working with you, my lads enjoy the new toys, too ;)

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  28. Great ideas! Can't wait to see the new book! I am also wanting a set of the new minis... they look so handy!

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  29. Wow you really had fun, I hadn't thought of using stencils like that. New inspiration, thank you! Jan x

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  30. Those stencils are on my must have list, now I must try that fun technique. Thanks for sharing!

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  31. love how these came out, will have to try this

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  32. Lovely tags and great to see success come out of what was thought to be a failure!

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  33. Simply beautiful tags and cards! Looking forward to your upcoming classes......from a fan of many years. Thank you!

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  34. LOVE the stripey background with the umbrella man!!!! And I would LOVE to win a copy of this book...Timmy is SO inspiring! ;)

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  35. What beautiful tags. I love it when the kids get involved for a little crafty time. :)

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  36. Looks to me like y'all had a Lucky Day--rain and crafty girl time :) Thanks for sharing the ideas. I especially like how the striped background turned out!

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  37. It's always good to have a play-day, some great results there

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  38. So cool, can't wait to try. I'm so jealous you have girls to play with. Have a great trip to South Africa, my son is serving there on his mission and he loves it.

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  39. Awesome sharing...thanks Paula!
    hugs,
    Margie Rowles

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  40. I remember the days of playing with my kids in the craft room - turning them loose and being amazed at what they created!!
    I just got in some new stencils and can't wait to try this!
    Would love to win Tim's book!

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  41. How fun! My daughter and I craft together all the time. It's so interesting seeing what I do through the eyes of a four year old. My mum and I still craft together. I am so glad I am passing my love of crafting down to my daughter. I looks like you guys had an awesome day creating.

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  42. so sweet to see the girls encourage each other and enjoying themselves. my tradition with our nephews is to do a craft project at thanksgiving. they look forward to it and i do too!!! maria d

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  43. Great lesson to give things a second look. Turned out great! Thanks for the chance to win Tim's new book.

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  44. I don't experiment with techniques much, but this post has so inspired me! Thank you for that, and for the chance to win the book.

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  45. Must try this technique! My favorite is Purple Paris! I promise if I win BookI III, I will buy Book I & Book II! signed-Missing the Central Coast

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  46. Fun! The girls did a great job, so maybe there is hope for me!

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  47. Looks like so much fun for a rainy day. The girls are very creative! Even though my "baby" will be 30 soon, I still love creating with her :)

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  48. Oh Paula you are so generous, so sad I am not coming to Autumn Escape, Taupo NZ this year. Will miss doing your fab classes

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  49. The tags all look great! I'm loving the layering stencils, and hoping to get all the new ones soon.

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  50. Great experiments and the girls did such a fab job! Love this technique and will have to do more of it. Would, of course, love to win Tim's book too!

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  51. I'm sure Tim's book would be very inspirational. I would love to win it!

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  52. What an awesome way to use stencils! Great ideas. :)

    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  53. Experimental Masterpieces! Wow, love them all, especially the striped one and the Paris 'flop". See you on Sunday ;) xx

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  54. wonderful ideas. thanks for the chance to win that awesome book

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  55. Oh what fun! I love the Paris tag - good thing it didn't make it to the trash can. Thanks for sharing!

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  56. Every tag turned out beautifully! Makes me want to head upstairs and get messy!

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  57. Love the experimentation! I always learn something from your posts, so thanks, again. Would love to add the new book to my library!

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  58. Wow, you all make it look so easy! I forget the importance of just playing - thanks for the reminder!!

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  59. WOW! Great ideas and to think the Paris tag was almost trash, was a beautiful FINISH.

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  60. Great tags! I especially liked The Paris tag. I hadn't seen the stripes stencil used until now and I think I have to have it. Thanks to the girls for sharing and thanks to you for the chance to win the book.

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  61. I'm going to dig through my trash right now! Great lesson I needed to hear today. Loved the pictures today. Thanks.

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  62. I'm going to dig through my trash right now! Great lesson I needed to hear today. Loved the pictures today. Thanks.

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  63. WoW! Some fantastic results Paula! I love the printing with stencils on tags. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book :-)

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  64. I LOVE LOVE THE TECHNIQUE YOU USED ON THE TAGS!! AWESOME JOB:) THANKS FOR SHARING.....

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  65. Thank you for such a great tutorial! I can't wait to give this a try. Obviously your talent runs in the family!

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  66. There's nothing like getting painty and inky on a rainy (or snowy) day! What great tags your girls made with the monoprint technique! And good luck and have fun in South Africa with Tim! Can't wait to see the pics! XOXO-Shari

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  67. Wonderful! Such a great technique thanks for sharing your lovely creative afternoon x

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  68. I just love this tutorial on the monoprint technique and to think you almost threw the tag out! I love it! I also love the other tags and ideas you have given me.

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  69. What fabulous tags and a great tutorial. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful prize.

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  70. Oh please, please pick me!!! That looks like so much fun! I would just love to play with all the techniques in the book!

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  71. Wow! What fabulous inspiration! Didn't think I needed the mini ink pads, now I'm totally rethinking that decision. Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!
    Terrie Lightfoot

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  72. Love the tags you made! Makes me want to run into my studio and play with my new stencils I just received. Thanks for the chance to enter and win :)

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  74. Thank you for all of the fantastic ideas! I love Britney's Paris tag! I can't wait to try this technique!

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  75. Love this, I am so ready to try this myself. Thanks for sharing. ;-)

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  76. Oh my goodness , what fun and great ideas !!!!! I am inspired !!!!!! I can't wait to get the new goodies ,,,,,

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  77. The tags are gorgeous--especially the Paris one!! SO inspirational!!! Thanks for an opportunity to win Tim's book!

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  78. Wow, I love the Paris tag. Murphy's law. Every time I miss visiting your site for a few days, there is a give away that I miss :( Oh well.

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  79. omigosh, they're gorgeous! I'll have to pull out my stencils this weekend; thanx for the inspiration!

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  80. Paula...your play time makes me so happy. :) Thanks for sharing your experiments. They are awesome and what amazing results you've gotten. The tags are gorgeous. I can't wait to experiment with my new stuff, too. Thank you so much for all of your inspiration and sharing of ideas. <3 Candy

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  81. I would love to win this book. And have little girls to craft with.

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  82. Fab tags! Seedless reserves and peacock feathers...

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  83. Beautiful tags! It sounds like there were some wonderful life lessons that happened too

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  84. I'm off to try this right now!

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  85. Just great, I will try this, looks like fun. Love the soft and wonderful colors.

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  86. Great tutorial and the resulting tags were very refreshing. I confess I'm a Tim Holtz groupie. 😊

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  87. Fantastic, love this a lot. Thank you for new great ideas.

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  88. Fantastic tags! Such neat technique. Creative Blessings, Tracy x

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  89. Beautiful designs on the tags! The variations of the colors give depth to the finished products. What I love is the way the kids really went for it and came up with fantastic results!

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  90. These tags were pretty awesome!

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  91. So dab distress inks onto a stenci. Turn it over and press it into card stock/tag/etc. That's it? I like the effect a lot!

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  92. WOW, now, this really inspired me. Thank goodness someone reposted this on pinterest.

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  93. This is my first time to visit your blog and I particularly loved the last tag that Britany did. From disaster to awesome! That is creativity in action.

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  94. Thanks very much,
    It's so nice,

    XXX from Paris,

    http://scrapdeviolette.canalblog.com

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