Grungy Monday Meets Gothic Arches

Hopefully, I'm not hearing any moaning and groaning that my take on this week's Grungy Monday challenge is a bit similar to last week's! I honestly can't get enough of these new Steampunk stamps from Tim Holtz. Plus, in my defense, the Gadget Gears die makes such a great foam stamp!

I had way too much fun playing around with different techniques, in addition to the 'Distress Ink With Studio Multi-Medium' challenge technique. One of my new favorite things is using Tim's Faux Rust technique on everything! Here, I used it on a frame that was cut from thick chipboard using the Tag and Bookplates die. It looks so cool!! I had actually made it awhile ago and then stashed it away to use later. When I opened my stash box, I spotted it and thought it would be perfect. I stamped the men from the new Steampunk stamp set from Tim Holtz and cut one out to use in the frame. I stamped the background from the same set onto a green piece from the Lost and Found paper collection, and mounted the man onto it and then secured it to the frame with Glossy Accents. I use a Versamark pen to apply ink to the cavity and then filled it with clear Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel. I heated it and repeated a few more times. Love this look!

I had a piece of cardboard lying around that I thought would add a nice bit of texture to my Gothic Arch. I did a random bit of Faux Rust here, too. This time I used Vintage Photo Distress Stain to add color. The metal piece was stamped with an Artistic Outpost stamp and then 'rusted' up a bit. I attached it using my Tiny Attacher (can't live without it!).

This is one of my favorite bits! I wanted to experiment with stamping on copper. I stamped the pointing finger from the Steampunk set using StazOn. I heat set it and then applied liver of sulphur - oh, that stuff stinks!! But, it blackens the copper beautifully and gives it a great vintage look. After it dried, I buffed it and was thrilled to see that the stamped image was still there.

Finally, I embellished the frame with an Idea-ology Philosophy Tag attached to a Hitch Fastener with Jump Rings. I also added Sprocket Gears to the upper part of the arch.

Be sure and pop over to both Linda's Grungy Monday and Gothic Arches blogs to take a gander at all the fantastic artwork!

Gothic Arches - Mona Lisa

When I saw that the Gothic Arches challenge was Mona Lisa, I was like - aha! I can totally cheat this week and use something that I made awhile back. ;-) This card was made for the Aug/Sept '09 issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter. It features a technique called Starch Smoosh. It's so pretty and shimmery in real life - hard to show in a scan! All the stamps used are from I Brake for Stamps/Time to Stamp. The purple paper is from Paper Temptress.

Gothic Arches - Beach Bathing Beauties

My friend Roxi and I have been working on a fabric collage class for our stamp club and I am completely obsessed with stitching anything I can get my hands on. Using lots of different fabrics and an image from Twisted Papers, I created my first fabric arch. It's a little crazy and messy, but I had fun experimenting!

Check out the other wonderful submissions here.

Gothic Arches - Steampunk

I was really excited to see the Gothic Arches challenge theme for today was Steampunk. I have been in love with this style since first hearing about it a couple years ago. From that time it seems it has become more and more mainstream and I'm seeing it everywhere now!

For my arch, I decided to go all out and make something substantial that I could load up with all the junk I've been collecting. First, I traced the template onto a scrap of 2 x 6 and cut it out with a jig saw. Then I stained it with various Distress inks and sealed it with Mod Podge. After that it was just a matter of digging through boxes and bins to find the right junk.

 

It's so hard to show the dimension in something like this in photos. The man is a photo stamp from The Family Man collection by Oxford Impressions. He seemed to have the perfect vintage look for the Steampunk era.

My favorite part of this is the alligator clip holding the optical lens. I have been dying for AGES to use the lens this way, but have just never had the right project for it. Oxford Impressions has a great selection of these found here. The quote is from Alluring Impressions. It's stamped on an aluminum circle that I found at Navel Jelly Studios.

Thanks to Martina for coming up with such an awesome theme! Make sure you check out the other fantastic artwork on the Gothic Arches Challenge blog.

Gothic Arches - Bathing Beauties

The By the Sea collection of rubber stamps from Oxford Impressions is perfect for today's Gothic Arches theme. This lady in particular is one of my favorites!

Gothic Arches - Chocolate

I haven't been participating in Gothic Arches lately - not sure why since it's one of my fave challenges! Today's theme is Chocolate and I was determined to get something made this time. When I found this little girl image, I decided to create something with a 40s feel to it. I absolutely love vintage trims and thought they were the perfect finishing touch.

Speaking of vintage trims.....I have loads. I would venture to guess that there will be some in your surprise package if your name is drawn for my blog candy! Leave a comment here if you haven't already. I have decided to wait until tomorrow morning to choose a name, so you still have time!

Gothic Arches - Inspired by the Rainbow

For today's Gothic Arches challenge we were to use two colors of the rainbow, two stamps, and an inspirational word. I have been dying to use this background for ages and lept at the chance to use it. I made it a month or so ago using the Two Toned Crunch technique from the Dec/Jan Technique Junkie newsletter. I paired it with stamps from I Brake for Stamps/Time to Stamp. I also used another Technique Junkie tech that will be in the upcoming newsletter. It's called Drywall Stitching and it is such a cool technique!!

If you aren't already a TJ subscriber - you need to check it out! Each issue is packed with ideas and artwork that will truly inspire you. I have dropped all of my stamping mag subscriptions, but I would be lost without Technique Junkies!

Wednesday Stamper - Openings

I was incredibly flattered when Belinda asked if she could use my ATC that I made for the Oxford Impressions swap as an inspiration piece for today's Wednesday Stamper. I absolutely love interactive art - from slider cards to pop-ups and everything in between. It takes something static and makes it more interesting.

Since I gave my muse the week off, I didn't participate in the Gothic Arches 'Grunge' challenge or the Created Byhand 'Love' challenge. I decided I'd try to incorporate both into my WS piece.

My background is made of pieces of aluminum I cut from cans and then ran through my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. Probably not the way most people use it! I think it looks really industrial. The heart, wings, hinges, and oval piece are all Grungeboard. The love stamp is from Oxford Impressions' My Story plate. This is definitely best viewed large.

I think my muse just needed a break. Now, if I could just get that Madonna song out of my mind. :-)

Gothic Arches - New Year

For the New Year challenge on Gothic Arches. Stamps are from Heidi Swapp (clock), Artistic Outpost, and Vicki Enkoff.

Believe Arch

I am really missing my Gothic Arch challenge - I'll be glad when we get back to them. I made another Faux Designer paper background (Technique Junkies)and it wasn't working with this stamp.....until I cut it into an arch shape! Lots of bits and pieces and plenty of Oxford Impressions stamps and I had myself a pretty little arch!

Wednesday Stamper - Open Theme

Merry Christmas!

This is my contribution for today's Wednesday Stamper. The stamps on my arch are all from Oxford Impression's Winter Snow collection. For a special treat, check out Suzanne's blog!

I wish you all peace a joy and lots and lots of presents under your tree!

Gothic Arches - Trees

Here is my arch for the trees challenge on Gothic Arches. I buy a lot of small silk flowers to use in my artwork. After I'd pulled them all off the stems one time, I noticed that the little plastic stem has a nice tree shape. I set them aside figuring the time would come one day when I could use them. After considering and discarding a few ideas using tree stamps, I remembered these! Covered in Martha Stewart's glitter, they become part of a lovely magical forest.

Again, can't stop using this little fairy stamp from Lost Coast. There is just something about her that I love. It's hard to see from the pic, but her wings are made of mica. I found this moss at the Pottery Barn outlet of all places - on clearance on top of clearance so I got it for next to nothing. I'm kicking myself for not buying all they had. The 'Joy' is made up of vintage anagram tiles.

Thanks for looking!

Gothic Arch - Snow

Since Thanksgiving threw me off for almost a whole week, I decided to combine as many challenges as I could in one piece! First, we have the Gothic Arches snow theme, next we have Theme Thursday which was Santa. Hmmmm...I guess that's just two. But, I also combined it with one of the new techniques from the latest Technique Junkies newsletter - Faux Designer Paper. All of these wonderful themes/techniques are combined with great stamps from Artistic Outpost and fabulous trim from RockCandy Studios. You need to hustle over to RockCandy - today is the last day of their Black Friday specials! They have the most fantastic European Dresden Foil, German Die Cuts, collage sheets, and one of a kind finds. You will be like a kid in a candy store!

Gothic Arch Challenge - Buttons

This week's theme at Gothic Arches is 'Buttons'. Perfect theme for me! I am a hoarder of vintage buttons. I buy up every tin I come across at estate sales or thrift stores. I'm sure there is a limit to how many a person can have - but I sure haven't found it yet!

For my base I used a piece of chipboard that I cut from a cereal box. I've been pulling apart and saving all the heavy cardboard packaging that I would usually throw away. It is perfect as a base for ATC's, etc. Sometimes it's pretty too! In this case, I liked the look of it so much I decided not to cover it, except for the bit of French text in the corner. After I glued that on I ran the arch through my Cuttlebug and highlighted the raised areas with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. I way dying to use my new Sally stamp from Inka Stamps. I think she's adorable! Her wings are Grungeboard covered with more vintage paper. The bottom is trimmed with some vintage rickrack and buttons. The quote is from Time to Stamp/I Brake for Stamps.

Gothic Arch Challenge - Vintage Children

For this week's Gothic Arch Challenge. Little girl is from Lisa's Altered Art.

Gothic Arch Challenge - Wee Witches

I must say - love the theme this week! I've definitely done my fair share of wee witches this Halloween. I thought I'd try a different color combination for something new. Still loving the wrinkle free distress tech - this time I used Peeled Paint, Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans, and Black Soot Distress inks. Stamps are all from Artistic Outpost, collage images are from Lisa's Altered Art.

Gothic Arch Challenge - Paper Patchwork

The theme for this week's Gothic Arch Challenge is Paper Patchwork. This was one of those pieces I had to work and rework a lot! My first thought was to try the Misty Mawn technique from an article a friend sent me a couple months ago. I followed the instructions and it came out so BAD (I am instruction-challenged I think)!! Definitely not as cool as I'd imagined. So, out came the gesso, sandpaper, and a bunch of stamps! I think, in the end, it all came together and was a fun experiment - what more could I ask for? The background stamps are from the new grunge sheet by I Brake for Stamps. Very cool stamps! The Mona and quote are both from the Winged Whimsy plate from Time to Stamp/I Brake for Stamps.

Gothic Arch Challenge - Turquoise

This week's Gothic Arch theme is turquoise - what a nice change for me! I have been a little heavy handed with the Marmalade Distress ink (!) so it was fun to make something in a completely different color palette. I used the Gesso Batik technique from the latest Technique Junkie newsletter for my background. The background stamp is one of my faves from Time to Stamp/I Brake for Stamps and the girl is from Oxford Impressions.

Gothic Arch - Trick or Treat!

Finally! A post! I have had so much going on that I haven't had any fun time lately. I was so happy to have a free day to play with my new Oxford Impressions stamps - Trick or Treat. I love this sheet so much! I didn't have a chance to do the Gothic Arch Challenge last week, but was determined to get one done this week. There is no theme so (surprise!) I decided to make mine a Halloween arch. This little girl is one of my favorite stamps - she makes such a sweet little witch! She's from the Heritage plate by OI. For the background I sponged/dtp'd a castoff manila folder with various Distress inks.

Gothic Arch Challenge - Time

The minute I saw the theme for the Gothic Arch challenge I knew exactly what I would make! I'm still obsessing over Halloween - I love the colors, the images, everything about it. For this piece I glued various papers to my cardstock base and inked with Distress and Adirondack inks. I believe there was some heavy duty sanding done somewhere in the process....I didn't like how dark the text was. I stamped the background with my all-time favorite stamp from Oxford Impressions' April in Paris sheet. The clock face is a scan of one from my personal junk collection. I love how well the woman (again from the OI Paris sheet) stamped! She is such a gorgeous image. To finish it all off I trimmed the edges with black French Border from RockCandy Studios.

Here is the clock image if you'd like to use it in your art.