INTRODUCING: The Compendium of Curiosities Technique Challenge Series!

If you’re a Tim Holtz fan like I am, the publication of his newest book, A Compendium of Curiosities, was the coolest thing since the invention of Distress Ink! Besides being an absolute treasure trove of information about Tim’s products, the Compendium also offers thirty-five excellent tutorials that demonstrate how to use those products in the most wonderful, gorgeous, grungiest ways imaginable! What's not to love?!

So, I decided to challenge myself— and everyone else who'd like to play along!— to complete every tutorial in Tim's book! Here's how it will work: Each Monday, beginning June 14, a randomly-chosen technique from among the 35 in the Compendium will be posted on this blog. During that week, all participants will create a work of art using the designated technique. There will be a link feed at the end of the blog post where you can add a thumbnail of your creation and link it to your own blog or photo album. That way, we can all admire each other's work. I can't wait to see all the unique interpretations we come up with!

Please be aware, I will NOT be giving the actual instructions when I post a challenge. All participants will need to have their own copy of the Compendium. That's only fair to Tim. Besides, it's a fabulous book and you'll love having it! You can order it directly from the man himself by following this link:

Purchase A Compendium of Curiosities

I'm announcing this Challenge Series two weeks ahead of time so everyone has the opportunity to get the book and mail order any of Tim's products that they can't find locally. There's a list of some of my favorite and most trusted online vendors below.

I'll post a reminder next week, and once the Challenge series begins I'll move this info to its own page for easy reference. 

I so hope you'll join me!

Gather up your Distress Inks, your blending tools, your Grungeboard and Stickles, and get ready to have a whole lot of fun! Please check out the FAQ below, and if you have any questions I haven't answered, just post them in the comments form and I'll respond there. 

Thanks, everyone!

Hugs,

Linda

Questions that Might Be Frequently Asked

Hey, Linda, is Tim cool with you doing this?!

He is! I asked Tim for his permission and he said it was a “Great idea!”

Will you be posting Challenges in the order that the tutorials appear in the book?

Oh, heck no! Where’s the suspense in that?

Any chance of winning a prize?

Sure! While I can't afford to give a prize every week, there will, from time to time, be a treat sent to to one of the participants. To keep this fair, I'll use the Random Number Generator to choose the winners. Be aware, too, that after all 35 challenges have been completed, there will be a big, mack daddy prize awarded, chosen at random from every single entry since the beginning of the series. The bonus of doing it this way is, the more challenges you enter, the better your chances of winning something! Please be sure I have a way to contact you, because you’ll never know when I might decide to do a drawing. ;-)

Do I have to do every challenge?

Not at all. Do as few or as many as you like. This is all about having fun!

Will Tim be involved in this?

Tim hasn't made any commitment to this Challenge Series, so please don't be disappointed if he doesn't make an appearance. He's always more than welcome, but as we all know, he's one of the busiest guys on the planet! 

Where can I get Tim's stuff?

Here are a few of my favorite online sources, listed alphabetically. I've ordered from all these companies, and they're fabulous. 

Blue Moon Scrapbooking

Croppinsville

Eclectic Paperie

Nona Designs

Simon Says Stamp
Stampers Anonymous

There are lots of other excellent vendors out there. I've just listed those that I've had great personal experience with. 

Anything else I need to know?

I guess just the usual fine print: I'm hosting this Challenge Series because I'm a huge fan of Tim, his techniques and his products. I'm not affiliated with him or any vendor.

Grungeboard Faux Leather Journal: Addendum!!!

One of my favorite things about being on the Gingersnap Creations Design Team is having the opportunity to create a tutorial every now and then. Yesterday, I posted instructions on how to make a Grungeboard  "Faux Leather" Journal (that's it, over there on the left). It's a fun and really easy project, and the book you end up with is pretty darn cool! 

(Click here and you'll be magically transported to the tutorial.)

As I neared the end of writing the tutorial, I felt like it was in danger of becoming a little too lengthy— and the book was complete, anyway— so I saved the optional, finishing touch for today. Now, I'm going to show you how to create a grungeboard clasp to hold your journal closed. It looks rad, and, oh yeah, it's easy, too. 

What you'll need:

• Your completed journal from yesterday's tutorial at Gingersnap Creations.
• A Grungeboard hinge. I used a piece from the Grungeboard Elements pre-cut set.You could also cut your own, using the new Alterations Hardware Findings die cut set. 
• A craft knife
• Three metal brads
• Distress Ink Pads in Rusty Hinge and Black Soot
• Ink Blending Tool
• Alcohol Ink Mixative in Copper 
• Idea-ology Hitch Fastener

Here's the lowdown:

Depending on which Grungeboard hinge you use, the hole that the hitch fastener needs to fit through might have to be enlarged a little. Here, you can see that I cut around the original hole to make it larger. I used my craft knife for this, and created a "diamond" shape. 

You can use whatever colors of ink you like for your hinge. I wanted mine to have a beat-up metal feel, so I began by covering the entire piece, front and back, with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink.  

 Next, I smudged some Black Soot ink around the edges for dimension.

 To finish, I dabbed on a little Copper Alcohol Ink Mixative for the metallic shine. 

Here's the completed Clasp:

Putting it all together:

Measure half the height of the front of your journal and mark a spot about a half-inch inside the outer edge with your pencil. Punch a small hole there.  That's where your hitch fastener will go. 

Flip your journal over. Attach the back end of the clasp by punching three little holes and inserting small metal brads to hold it in place. Be sure the clasp is centered so it lines up with the hitch fastener in front. 

Here's the completed clasp...

And here's the finished journal:

Dreamy!

Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you enjoyed the project, and I'd truly love to see what you create!

.

Special Added Bonus Announcement!

Last week, I hinted that there was something cool and Tim Holtz-related coming up soon. The wait is almost over. All will be revealed tomorrow...

Drunken Stampers Go Back In Time!

Take me away...I don't mind...But you'd better promise me I'll be back in time...

Yes, I'm quoting Huey Lewis and the News. See, that particular song from Back to the Future was playing in my head the entire time I was working on this card for the "Time and Vintage" Challenge at Drunken Stampers. My raised-on-radio brain always seems to call up a semi-appropriate tune for whatever theme I'm working on, and then it's stuck in my mind for days. I call this phenomenon "The Inner Jukebox of Artiness." Or, maybe I'm just nuts. Anyone? 

I loved doing this challenge for several reasons. First, I got to use some of the fab paper from the new Tim Holtz Lost and Found stack (truly, some of the coolest designs, ever!). Second, I dusted off one of my old, beloved Acey Deucy stamps, "The Sybil," and put her to good use. And third, it was the maiden voyage of my shiny new Zutter Distrezz-it-All! Hooray for paper-chewing mechanical gadgets! Holy cow, this thing ROCKS! And, it makes that satisfying, power tool sound while it's decimating the edges of your paper. We live in wondrous times. 

I'm betting we get some mind-blowing submissions for this challenge, and Peggy, Spike and I are all looking forward to seeing what you create! The Time and Vintage Challenge is open through Friday, June 4, at Drunken Stampers. Come party with us!!!

The 411:

• Stamps: "Sybil" from Acey Deucy; Various clock stamps I've collected over the years.
• Background Paper and Big Clock Face: Tim Holtz Lost and Found Collection.
• Colorations: Walnut Stain and Victorian Velvet Distress Inks; Black Archival Ink; Colorsoft Pencils.
• Embellishment: a scrap of old lace. 
• Thanks to the incredibly nice people at Blue Moon Scrapbooking for shipping my Distrezz-It-All with lightning speed!

Reason to Stamp: May 30 is Hug Your Cat Day!

Thought I'd give everyone a couple days notice, just in case you were unaware, that May 30 is, in fact, Hug Your Cat Day. 

(Actually, I wouldn't have known, either, had it not been one of our Reasons to Stamp for May at Gingersnap Creations.)

Now, this is a holiday I can totally get behind! In fact, I was so enthusiastic that I more or less forced poor Scott to pose (crouched over precariously on one foot) so I could turn him into a digi stamp. Oddly, Grey Kitty was not so accommodating, so I had to lie in wait with my camera until she trotted past on her way to the food bowl. The two images were combined via the magic of Photoshop, where they were manipulated into the finished digi you see on the card. 

(Incidentally, this is the actual scenario you could expect if you tried to hug Grey Kitty, and she also would be emitting a borderline hysterical squeak. Drama queen.) 

From there, it was simply a matter of printing it, coloring it with Copics and layering it onto various scraps of paper. A little ribbon for contrast, and bada bing, it's a card!

If you're wanting for inspiration, do check out the brand new, June 2010 edition of Reasons to Stamp over at Gingersnaps. I can almost guarantee you'll see at least a couple of ideas that will fire up your mojo. 

I'm off to hug my feline friends...

>^..^<

Gingers Go Burgundy!

We're hosting a color challenge at Gingersnap Creations, and it's one of my favorite combos ever: Burgundy, Black and Cream!

I'm still holding out hope that someday, somehow, that mythic season known as "spring" will come to southwestern Idaho (as opposed to blasting from 58 degrees straight into the high 90s overnight like it did last year), so I invoked the Great Bunny of Springtime for this card (actually, it's an older Hero Arts stamp, but it's the thought that counts, right?). If nothing else, I hope she'll be a talisman against another freak snowstorm like we had last weekend.

Okay, I'm finished griping about meteorological issues (stupid snow!), and am going to console myself by admiring the other Gingersnap Design Team members' art for this challenge. I get to work alongside some insanely talented people, and I hope you'll check out their submissions and, while you're at it, strut your own stuff! You have all the way until June 22 to rock the burgundy!


Details, Details...

• Central image was stamped onto cream cardstock and colored with Copics R37 and R39.
• Stamp is from Hero Arts.
• Mounted on a distressed piece of grasscloth, then onto a piece of torn black cardstock. 
• Black paper was embellished with Black Soot Stickles.
• Background Paper is "Gooseberry" from the Basic Grey Indian Summer collection.
• Little black dots were made with the new Ranger Enamel Accents.
• Flowers are Prima, tinted with Copic markers.
• Entire piece was edged with Black Soot Distress Embossing Powder.

Drunken Stampers Distress the Chipboard!

Hey, did someone say "Distressed?" Oh, yeah, baby! This week's Drunken Stampers Challenge is to create a piece of art that incorporates distressed chipboard. And I say, "Bring it ON!"

As you guys know, I love distressing things.

I went three-dimensional with this little chipboard box, and used the "Shabby Chic" embossing powder resist technique from Tim Holtz's fabulous book, A Compendium of Curiosities, to create the background on the box. You have this book, right? It's my go-to for all things distressed, grunge, cool, awesome... you know, Tim-like.

I use stamps from the Bitty Grunge set all the time, and you'll see two of 'em here: the concentric circles on the box top, and the dots on the side. The lacy design on the bottom is from the Purely Random set (come to think of it, I use that one a lot, too). The resist wash is Adirondack paint in Pool and Mountain Rose, and I dabbed on some Distress Stickles, too.

The little bird is also chipboard, cut using the Alterations Caged Bird set. She got her texture from Distress Embossing Powder, sprinkled on in little pinches so the various colors more or less ended up where I wanted them. (I have GOT to use that stuff more often— I absolutely love the texture it gives.) 

Oh, sweet distress, you've my favorite technique of all!

Now, it's your turn! Grab some chipboard and your distressing tools of choice, and go nuts! Then, link up your finished masterpiece at the Drunken Stampers Challenge Blog so we can all say "Ooh!" and "Ahh!" 

Oh! And if you're a Tim Holtz fan, stay tuned. There's a super cool announcement coming soon....

Hugs,

Linda

Quote Us On This: The New Gingersnaps Challenge!

In keeping with our month-long theme of "Read," the brand new Random Redhead Challenge at Gingersnap Creations is to use a Quote in your artwork. I think I may have pushed it a little by including an entire poem for my inspiration, but I'm figuring Lord Byron must have read this aloud at some point in his too-short life. Besides, it's my favorite poem. I'm sorry it's so hard to read in the photo! Here's the text:

She walks in beauty, like the night  

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;  

And all that 's best of dark and bright  

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:  

Thus mellow'd to that tender light         

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,  

Had half impair'd the nameless grace  

Which waves in every raven tress,  

Or softly lightens o'er her face;  

Where thoughts serenely sweet express  

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.  

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,  

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,  

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,  

But tell of days in goodness spent,  

A mind at peace with all below,  

A heart whose love is innocent!

(Okay, so maybe I just swooned a little.)

This spread is from one of the first altered books I ever worked on. It was originally a book of love poetry, and I actually cut this passage out and inked around the edges instead of trying to paint around it and risk screwing up the entire thing (trust me: I would have!).

Now, this challenge doesn't require you to do altered book pages (although, feel free!), in fact, the only "rule" is the inclusion of a quote. Keep in mind, though, that sentiments like "Happy Birthday!" or "Get Well Soon!" don't really count. It should be a quote that can be directly attributed to someone specific. I have a feeling we're going to get some of the coolest, most amazing submissions EVER for this challenge, and I can't wait to see what you do! Work your magic, and link it up at the friendly Gingersnap Creations Challenge Blog. 'K??

Hugs,
Linda

The Low-Down:

• The background is a light layer of metallic silver ink overlayed with deep blue ink, then overlayed again with Pearl-Ex Duo Red/Blue mixed with Perfect Paper Gloss Adhesive.
• The lady was cut from a magazine (must have been a lingerie ad, I'm thinking), and her wings are real feathers that were stuck down with double-sided tape.
• The moon and the portrait of Lord Byron were downloaded from the internet and printed on photo-quality ink jet paper.
• The stars are Perfect FX in Champagne. 

Rockabilly-ing the Stampotique Template Challenge!

For some reason, I've had The Stray Cats version of "Blue Suede Shoes" playing in my head for like five days straight now. Not that I'm complaining, since I'm a huge Brian Setzer fan, but I have no idea why I've become fixated on this particular tune. Like any crafter, though, I'll take inspiration wherever I can get it, and since I was looking for a fun way to participate in the new Stampotique Use-a-Template Challenge,  I  figured I might as well rockabilly it! 

Yes, "rockabilly" is officially a verb now! 

Okay, maybe not.

Anyway, I downloaded this cute little box template from the Stampington site, and went to work with four of my favorite Stampotique designs:

Sheer

Glimmering Hope

Moth Fab

and, of course...

Kitty!

At this point, feel free to chime in with "But don't you...step on my Blue Suede Shoes!"

The box is made from my go-to paper, Strathmore Windpower Bristol, and the images were stamped with Black Tuxedo Memento Ink and colored with Copic markers. A little bling was added with various shades of Distress Stickles and a gold Krylon pen. As you can tell, I hand-wrote the song lyrics, so they're all tilt-y and unevenly spaced. 

So, now I have a little Stampotique box, and I'm thinking that from now on, I'll just use whatever song happens to be running through my head and turn it into an art project. 

Then again, recalling my Metallica phase of a few years ago, maybe that's not such a good idea, after all...

Hugs,

Linda

Drunken Stampers Raid the Leftovers!

We're cleaning up our studios at Drunken Stampers, meaning it's time to:

That's right, it's the challenge we've all been waiting for: A chance to take all those unfinished pieces, leftover backgrounds and parts you couldn't make work and put them to good use!

In all honesty, I could probably make about two thousand cards with all the scraps I've got shoved into The Drawer of Shame, but this one will have to do for now. I've incorporated leftover pieces of two different card backgrounds, along with my first experimental (and not successful) use of the Alterations Scrollwork die (I'm a slow learner) and an image from an old greeting card. Easy, and oh, so gratifying to actually do something to lighten the ever-growing pile!

You have a box of leftovers, too, right? Awesome! Grab a handful and join us in the Drunken Stampers Cantina. Okay, so we don't have cabana boys serving frozen cocktails (we're working on it), but it's still a Fun Time!


The Deets:

• Base is deep blue Bazzill cardstock
• Fancy edge is gray cardstock, cut with the Tim Holtz On the Edge Scrollwork die and blinged with Gold Adirondack Paint and several colors of Distress Stickles.
• Next layer up is black glossy cardstock streaked with Luna Lights paint.
• Umbrella Man (I love him!) and Birds on a Wire stamps are both by Tim Holtz. These were stamped onto glossy white cardstock that was swirled with several shades of blue and grey Distress Ink, with a little gold Perfect Pearl powder. 
• Gold edging was done with a Krylon Pen.
• Text was ink-jetted onto gray cardstock and edged with blue-gray ink.
• Cat was cut from an old greeting card.

Now That's Spicy! The New Gingersnaps Pencil Challenge.

Once at month at Gingersnap Creations, we have a "Spicy Supply" Challenge, and just saying that phrase makes me happy. As you might know from previous posts, I am a avowed Product Junkie. A supply challenge is a dream come true for me, because it so beautifully justifies my life path as a collector of stuff. Actually, let's say "connoisseur of stuff" instead. It just sounds better. Any other Connoisseurs reading this? Speak up and be proud! (Broke, perhaps, but proud.)

That said, I have to admit that I've had an issue with colored pencils since 4th Grade, when the class was making a wall mural on a big piece of kraft paper, and everything I colored looked absolutely wretched (actually, I think "Dog Doo" was the description used most by my classmates).  It's a wonder I didn't end up on Oprah, recounting in minute detail The Awful Day I Ruined the Poster. But every mistake is a learning opportunity, and now, thirty- (*cough*) six year later, my Design Team gig has offered the chance to redeem myself. Or, to screw it up all over again and make a sad, streaky, Oprah-here-I-come mess.

Which is why I chose to use watercolor pencils. You can scribble 'em on like a chimpanzee, but once you lightly brush a little water over the top, the colors blend ever so nicely that no one will ever know about your (okay, "my") pencil issue.

How do you feel about colored pencils? Excited? Terrified? Been There, Done That? Whatever your level of experience or trauma, join us at Gingersnap Creations and strut your stuff proudly! You have all the way until  June 8, and we can't wait to see what you come up with.

Hugs,
Linda

What's on that Card, Anyway?

• Background: Bazzill papers and a rose-patterned cocktail napkin.
• Stamps: Lady and Letter, both oldies by Lynne Perrella
• Pencils: Derwent Watercolor pencils, applied with a water brush
• Embellishments: Prima Flowers tinted with pink Copics, old lace, cheap gold anchor charm, and Tim Holtz Journaling Ticket, Salvage Sticker and a little photo from the Lost and Found Paper Stack.
• Phrase borrowed from The Clash, because they rocked!

Happy Mother Ocean Day!

One of my favorite things about the Gingersnap Creations Challenge Blog is a feature our Founding Femmes created called "Reasons to Stamp." There are so many holidays, kind-of holidays and opportunities to celebrate something on any given day of the year, and Reasons to Stamp ("RTS") offers up a list of them at the beginning of each month. If you're ever lacking in inspiration, or just want to stir up your creative juices, you'll find the magic juju right there! Turns out, May 8 is Mother Ocean Day, and I wouldn't have known if it weren't for RTS.

Once upon a time, I was really into studying archetypes and got the wild notion to create a collaged tarot deck, but after a while I sort of lost interest (and frankly, I just didn't want to work that hard!). This image would have been The Moon card, though, which is all about dreams and illusions. I'm glad I could re-purpose it into a greeting card for a good friend, and thought it fit the Mother Ocean Day theme pretty well, too.

If you get the chance, check out the Gingersnap Design Team's May Reasons to Stamp post. You'll get all kinds of cool ideas and see some fun art from my super-talented cohorts! Then, once you've been inspired, link up your creations so we can all enjoy them. too!


The Deets:
Digital collage by me, printed on photo paper and trimmed with decorative scissors. 
Background made by swirling metallic paints onto glossy paper. After that dried, it was stamped in black using the lace border image from Tim Holtz's Purely Random set. 
The paper flowers were tinted with shimmery Brilliance Inks. 

Drunken Stampers, Ebony and Ivory Edition

I love this week's challenge at Drunken Stampers! The theme is "Black and White," which means that no matter how awesome that little pop of scarlet might look in your piece, you must restrain yourself and stick to the classic two-tone-ality (not a real word) of this study in extremes. It's such a cool look, that stark contrast, and it's an interesting process, learning to tell your story without the use of color. At least, it was for me!

The stamp I used here is called "Willow Repose," and it's from the Lost Horizon line at Rubber Poet. Kind of makes you wonder what's going on in the scene, huh? I mean, where did this naked guy come from, and who is this lady watching over him?

Rubber Poet has all these wonderful, really unique fantasy and mythology-inspired images from a bunch of great artists, and now that I've finally gotten all my stamps organized, I've re-discovered several of their pieces and am utterly ensorcelled (that is a real word, and it may be my favorite word ever!).

Uh oh, I feel a new order coming on. QUICK: Hide my credit card!!!

Too late.

Anyway, while I'm figuring out how to pay my VISA bill, how 'bout you join our party and bring on the black and white art?! We can't wait to see what you create. Link it up anytime between now and next Saturday, when another Drunken Stampers Challenge will magically appear.

Hugs,
Linda

Here's the 411:

• Central image is "Willow Repose" stamped on white cardstock and embossed with black detail embossing powder. 
• Next layer is a piece of white mulberry paper, torn to size.
• Behind that is a piece of black cardstock, covered with shimmery black net fabric. 
• Behind that is a piece of glossy white cardstock, stamped with Memento Black Tuxedo ink using one of the new Tim Holtz Bitty Grunge pieces. 
• Flower is cut from grungeboard using the Tim Holt Tattered Florals die and colored with Picket Fence Crackle Paint and Black Soot Distress Ink. The same shimmery black net fabric is layered between the petals. 

Crack That Book!

It's a new month, and time for a new Chestnut Theme Challenge at the Gingersnap Creations Blog! The topic du jour? Why, it's "READ!" May is Crack a Book Month, after all (who knew?) and we'd love it if you'd help us celebrate by creating art inspired by the topic of books. How fun is that? 

No, really, how fun IS that??

Super fun, I think! Talk about open-ended. You could, for instance, create a piece inspired by classic literature, or your favorite poem, or the most obnoxious textbook you suffered through in college. Or, you could use a book page for a card background. Or, just go all literal like I did and actually crack...  oops, I mean, crackle, a book. 

This is the cover of a book I altered beyond all recognition last fall. It was painted with Vintage Photo Distress Crackle Paint, and once that dried I rubbed Black Soot ink into the cracks. Then I sprayed it (quite liberally, from the looks of it) with black webbing spray. 

This actually is a murder mystery, so I tore out a page, "aged" it with some Old Paper DI and glued that to the cover. The Tim Holtz raven was stamped with black StazOn onto a thin piece of mica tile, cut out and glued down with Glossy Accents. I used Tim's Stencil Type with Black Soot ink to spell "Intrigue," and attached the keyhole and charm with brads. 

Huh. Looking at this now, I kind of feel like it would have been a better technique to use on an Edgar Allen Poe anthology. Oh, well...

Are you ready to, um, Read something into your art? (Oh, boo, even I know that was awful). Tell you what: Ignore my lousy puns and join us at Gingersnap Creations! You have all the way until May 30 to wow us with your artistic genius!

Hugs,

Linda

Before We Were Drunken Stampers...

...we were little girls with awesome moms.

I'm happy to say, I still have an awesome mom. Her name is Pat, and she's as lovely today as she was when this photo was taken 45 years ago. I, however, am far less blonde, and I don't have a cool red velvet dress anymore, either.  

With Mothers Day coming up, our Drunken Stampers challenge this week is extra appropriate: create a card with a picture of yourself when you were a wee one! 

Dig those cat-eye glasses!

My mom is amazing. She has more energy in her little finger than I can muster after a triple espresso. She loves furniture and shoes and shopping, and has the best sense of humor imaginable. She's always been there for me, no matter how stupid I was acting, and to this day we can laugh ourselves silly over the smallest things. So yes, she really is my best friend, and my hero.

I bet your mom is pretty cool, too! C'mon, you have GOT to play along with this challenge. We want to see your baby pictures! Link up your tribute to mom at the Drunken Stampers blog, and join us for what's sure to be the sweetest, most heart-warming challenge yet! Happy Mothers Day, all!

Hugs,
Linda


Le Menu:

• Papers from Basic Grey and Bazzill
• Silhouette die cut frame blinged with Worn Lipstick and Black Soot Distress Stickles
• Flowers are Prima Alchemy, decorated with Worn Lipstick Distress Stickles and attached with 7 Gypsies brads. 

P.S. To fully illustrate just how geeky I really am, I will admit that I just spent half an hour doing internet research on whether there should be an apostrophe in "Mothers Day," and if so, should it go before or after the "s" at the end. Turns out, nobody knows for sure!