SCACD Eclectic Sea Rubber Stamp Release

Today SCACD celebrates a newly released exclusive rubber stamp set Eclectic Sea (9 rubber stamps all together). The Eclectic Sea is a twist of sorts in how something land bound might be seen in the ocean; for example a Sunflower that is now a Coral Sea Flower and vice a versa. So check out the collection as these are really unique and elegant. SCACD Artist Carmen Medlin and Susana collaborated on the images and we are so happy to be showcasing them to you now.

This collection is now available for purchase in the USA. Please click here for the Eclectic Sea collection. For our interested international friends, please email Susana directly.

I was assigned the amazing Humminghorse rubber stamp to work with. Ocean themes have never been something that I would gravitate towards, but I am so glad I was sent this eclectic sea rubber stamp. I have created a mini mixed-media wall art and had a lot of fun getting out of my comfort zone. Thank you Susana!

My first step was the coloring of Humminghorsewith Copics. I wanted to also mention that there is a very similar digital image, Hoverfly, that is available in the SCACD online store.

Before I start with my process photos I wanted to give you a list of my supplies used in my Eclectic Humminghorse mini wall art.

Supplies:

6”x6” canvas

SCACD’s Humminghorse rubber stamp

Copics

White Prismacolor pencil

Silver gel pen

DecoArt’s Media Matt Medium

DecoArt’s Media Modeling Paste

DecoArt’s Media Patina Green Antiquing Cream

DecoArt’s Media Carbon Black

DecoArt’s Media White Simmer Mister

DecoArt’s Media Turquoise Shimmer Mister

DecoArt’s Media Yellow Shimmer Mister

DecoArt’s Media Liquid Glass

DecoArt’s Champagne Glamour Dust Paint

DecoArt’s Copper Kettle Metallic Lustre

Memory Box Oceana Corner Die

Memory Box Steampunk Corner Die

Memory Box Swimming Seahorses Die

Carmen Medlin Mini Kelp Forest Stencil

Black tissue paper

Other:  metal gears, sea shells, shell sequins, mica flakes

The photo above is showing the black tissue paper adhered to the canvas with matt medium. I did wrinkle the tissue before adhering it to the canvas. I added a layer of matt medium on top of the tissue paper. After that was dry I used the kelp forest stencil and modeling past for more dimension. After that was dry I brushed on another layer of matt medium.

 This next photo is the next step for the background. With the last layer of matt medium I used the patina green antiquing cream over the entire canvas. Then a baby wipe was used to remove most of the background green except for the kelp. After that was dry I added more patina green to the kelp only, let that dry, and added the shine with liquid glass. This added more dimension.

Now it’s time for all the fun embellishments that I have picked out. The Oceana Corner die and Steampunk Corner die were cut on brown cardstock twice. I glued each design together. When they were dry, I changed the color with the Copper Kettle Metallic Lustre. I added two coats of the lustre and they were shinning copper.

The above photos are the finished piece. I wanted to mention that after adding all the dies and embellishments I used the mister acrylic paints. The finished piece was rather bright, especially all the copper and yellow, so the patina green antiquing cream came to the rescue.

I hope you enjoyed my journey making this Humminghorse piece come to life. For you next stop please head to Dianne’s blog. If you are lost head back to the SCACD Store blog.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ's Design Artz

Friends of SCACD

RSD December Progressive Challenge Part 2

Welcome to December and to Part 2 of our Rick St. Dennis’s Sparkle and Glitter Progressive Challenge. I hope that you took part in our November Part 1. If you did you should have received your “free” image to take part in our Part 2. You still have a chance to enter this last part by purchasing the digital image “Christmas Party Hat” from Rick’s Etsy store.

I will be making a project with this lovely lady within the next week, but I wanted to show you my Copic coloring. Rick’s images are so much fun and very easy to color. He creates his images with light source shading as part of that image. I am very fond of his “Hat” series. His hair styles are magnificent and his facial expressions just call for you to color (his images not him, LOL).

This is “Christmas Party Hat” colored with Copics.

 Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, R20;

Hair: E21, 23, 25, 29;

Leaves and Bow: YG91, 93, 95, 97, 99;

Roses: R01, 02, 05, 08, 89, W6

Fur and Feathers: C00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, YG91;

Hat: W000, 1, 2, 3, 6, R01;

Background: W00, 0, 1, 2.

I hope you do join us for our December Progressive Challenge Part 2. This is a beautiful image to create a project. I would like to invite you to our Facebook group, Rick St. Dennis Fans and Friends. We have a bi-weekly art contest that has been lots of fun for the members. Our blog, “Airless Chambers,” is participating in Smeared and Smudges 12 Days of Creepmas. Come join us and have some fun.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

RSD Elite Designer

Pumpkin Sprite at Sweet Pea Stamps

We have  Variation’s Week at Sweet Pea Stamps featuring Mitzi Sato-Wiuff’s Pumpkin Sprite rubber stamp. Mitzi’s sprites are some of my favorites among her rubber stamps in the Sweet Pea Stamps shop.

I had a lot of fun doing my first Halloween themed card for this year. Pumpkin Sprite was colored with Copics and some added bling was added with Spica glitter pens. Next step was to trim her with a circle die, add black ink around the circle, and mount her on a circle die cut in orange cardstock. This orange die cut has black ink around the outer edge also.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, and R20

Pumpkin body: E08, 29, 31, and YR04

Treat bucket and flower hat: YR20, 21, 23, 24, 27

Leaves and stem: G40, 82, 94, 99

Cat: C1, 5, 7, 9, and black Copic liner

Cats eyes and inside of bucket: YG21m 25

Background: W00, 0, 1, 2, 3

I had a lot of fun with my various dies too. I cut out all the elements and before I detached them from the die I added black ink to the embossed areas. For the bats eyes I decided on some Liquid Pearls. Last embellishment is the pumpkin brad in the upper left corner. After all was done, I decided that Pumpkin Sprite is trying to decide if she wants to go on with her Trick or Treat evening!  ;o)

My complete recipe for Pumpkin Sprite:

• Digi: Pumpkin Sprite rubber stamp by Mitzi
• Cardstock: SU in Basic Black and Marigold Morning
• Designer Paper: Gina K’s Spooktacular You!
• Ink: Black Licorice
• Liquid Pearls: Daffodil
• Brad: Teresa Collins Haunted Hallows
• Dies: Spllebinder’s Celebrations Pierced Circles, Witche’s Brew, Graveyard Scenes and Shapes, Nested Bats

Pumpkin Sprite would like to join in the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge – Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter – Punches and Dies

I wanted to remind you all that we have a monthly challenge at One Sweet Challenge. There are fantastic prizes for your entry. Over at our Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook group, we have a bi-weekly art contest. That prize is one digi stamp from the Sweet Pea Stamps store. You must use a Sweet Pea image, the theme is always “Anything Goes,” and you can enter as many times as you want. Each entry MUST be a new project. How easy is that? For all the upcoming events and sales visit our Sweet Pea Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you visit every day for more Sweet Pea inspiration.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Sweet Pea Designer

Heather Valentin’s Petals at Sweet Pea Stamps

I have a little Sweet Pea Stamps inspiration piece for you today featuring Lacy Sunshine's Heather Valentin’s Petals. Isn’t she a little charmer? A card featuring Petals would be perfect for a little flower girl. I know that she would appreciate the cuteness. Petals can be found as a digital image or as a rubber stamp, whichever you prefer, at Sweet Peas.

I am in love with Heather’s art work. Did you know that the Heather’s images on Sweet Pea Stamps are designed exclusively for Sweet Peas? I think that is pretty cool!

Petals was first colored with Copics and then trimmed with a die. I then layered her on three layers of purple and light purple cardstock. Before layering I did add some Smooch Illuminate ink to the embossed edges.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, and R20

Hair and Basket: E25, 29, 31, 50

Eyes and Leaves: G40, 43, 46, 29

Pinafore and some flowers: V000, 01, 04, 06, 09

Other flowers: RV34, 52, 69

Dress: V000, RV34, 52, and C0, 2, 4

Dress sleeves: C4, 6, 8

Background: W00, 0, 01, 2, 4, and RV52

Other elements for my Petals project:

• Cardstock: Fun Stamper’s Journey’s Pretty Pansy and Pretty Amethyst
• Designer Paper: Heartfelt Creations
• Dies: Spellbinder’s Matting Basics A, and Memory Box Fabulous Phlox
• Paints: Viva Décor 3D Rose Metallic Stamp Paint
• Inks: Dusty Concord Distress Ink and Smooch
• Pearls: Light purple from KC Company
• Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon

Petals would like to be entered in the following challenges:

Everybody-Art-Challenge – Favorite Stamp

Crafty Boots Challenge – Flowers

Love to Create – Anything Goes 

I wanted to remind you all of our Sweet Pea monthly challenge at One Sweet Challenge. There are fantastic prizes there. Over at our Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook group, we have a bi-weekly art contest. That prize is one digi stamp from the Sweet Pea Stamps store. You must use a Sweet Pea image, the theme is always “Anything Goes,” and you can enter as many times as you want. Each entry MUST be a new project. How easy is that? For all the upcoming events and sales visit our Sweet Pea Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Sweet Pea Designer

Molly’s Gone Fishin’

Happy Thursday to everyone out in cyber space. This little post is going to be doing double duty. I am representing Sweet Pea Stamps and Lacy Sunshine.  I have a very special project for you today creating with Heather Valentine’s, owner, artist, and illustrator for Lacy Sunshine, Molly Gone Fishin’ digital image. Heather has a line of red rubber stamps and digital images exclusively through Sweet Pea Stamps, and only through Sweet Pea.

For my cute little Molly (Do you think she is playing hooky?) I colored her with Copics and trimmed the colored image. I then layered her with two colors of cardstock.

Copics used:

Skin:

E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, & R20

Hair, stump, & pole:

E25, 29, 31, 50

Grass, pants, & eyes:

YG61, 63, 67, & G29

Shirt & bows:

Y11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 32

Fish:

B12, 14, 16, 18, and

YR21, 24, 27

Water:

B12, 16, 18

Background;

W00, 0, 1, 2, and

B12, Y18

To complete my piece I trimmed the designer paper and layered that with two colors of cardstock. Before attaching this to the card base I added thin grosgrain ribbon for the two corners. I added several Cheery Lynn dies for the flowers and the butterfly. After attaching these to my card I added some Liquid Pearls to the centers and the body of the butterfly.

My complete recipe:

• Molly Gone Fishin’ digital image
• Copics (see list above)
• Stampin’ Up! cardstock in Pacific Point and Crushed Curry
• Designer paper from Gina K. Designs Shabby Spring collection
• Cherry Lynn dies: Embellishment #1 and Exotic Butterfly Small #1
• Spellbinder’s dies: A2 Matting Basics A and B
• Spellbinder’s Layor Creater Basics ( I used this tool for the perfect placement of my image and cardstocks.)
• Liquid Pearls: Cantaloupe and Royal Blue
• Ribbon: Blue Grosgrain from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Molly would love to be entered into the following challenges:

Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes

Crafty Little Fairies: Summer Fun

Moving Along with the Times: Color Challenge

I would love to invite you to our Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook Group. We have a bi-weekly art contest using Sweet Pea’s images. Check out our monthly One Sweet Challenge. July’s theme is red, white, and blue.

Want some more fun? I want to invite you to our Lacy Sunshine Facebook group. Heather has lots of little contests that go on all the time. We also have a Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog. This is a progressive challenge, so I know you will want to check that out.

Thanks for stopping by.  If you have any questions, please contact me

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Sweet Pea Stamps Designer

Lacy Sunshine Creative Team

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

Another late post for me. One of these days I am going to feel normal, but I am getting better. I know that I am fighting depression because I have been coloring and creating at a sporadic rate and not my usual every day routine. Bummer! O

We have an amazing new challenge at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog. I know that you are going to love this one. Our theme is “Sprite Delight.” See I told ya! I know that the world is in love with Mitzi’s sprites, and I know that a lot of you already have a growing collection of her digital sprites.

Why not add one more and join our “Sprite Delight” challenge. Mitzi has given you that one more for your collection. Check out the blog. Now you have no reason for not entering our challenge. You can create anything you want, but your project must have a fairy or sprite and it must be hand colored. If you use an Aurora Wings Sprite you may enter up to THREE times, but those of you choosing from another company must limit your entry to ONE. Please remember your image must be rubber or digital and MUST be hand colored. Onward to my project!

For my projects I decided to create with Mitzi’s Whimsical Dahlia Sprite. Isn’t she a cutie? Dahlia Sprite was colored with Copics and then mounted on several pieces of cardstock. I got a little carried away with my Copic’s YRs. I wanted more yellow, but I guess I was feeling a little heavy handed that day.

Copics used:
Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, R20
Leaves: G40, 82, 85, 99
Dahlia: E07, Y15, YR00, 02, 09
Background: Woo, 0, 1, 2, &15, YR00

I had some fun with my new flower dies and stamps. This was the first time I used them so I still need a little practice. The links are listed below.

My final recipe:

CS: SU in Early Espresso & Marigold Morning

DP: Gina K. Designs Sun-Kissed Autumn

Flowers: Heartfelt Creations Ariana Blooms stamp set, and 

Spellbinder’s/Heartfelt Creations Ariana Blooms and Ariana Lace Dies

Bling: USArtQuest Prills and Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen

I have not entered any challenges in a while;

therefore I would like to enter my Dahlia Sprite in the following challenges:

Fan-Tastic Tuesday – Anything Goes, must be square or rectangle

Party Time Tuesdays – Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown – Handmade Flowers

2 Cute Ink Challenges – Anything Goes

I really appreciate all of you stopping by. If you need any further information you can contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Aurora Wings Designer

A Showcase at Aurora Wings

Hi to all. It’s been a while for me to even be online much. I had a two week holiday in Houston with my son and grandson while my beautiful daughter-in-law was in Europe. I had an amazing time. Unfortunately, the week after I got back I contracted bronchitis. This is not an infection good for anyone, but especially a person that is on oxygen 24/7. I am on the mend, but very slowly. After the injection of antibiotics and my daily doses of antibiotics I should be up and about in a week. Unfortunatly my cough could last 3-4 more weeks. So much fun, especially in the middle of night.

Anyway, some of the designers at Aurora Wings had the honor of creating projects with Mitzi’s beautiful Marie Antoinette. See what I mean when I say beautiful?

Marie Antoinette was colored with Copics and layered on several Stampin’ Up!’s cardstock in Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, and Rich Razelberry.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, and R20

Hair: E25, 28, 30, 31

Feathers: V15, R21, BG72, and Blender

Icing and Ribbon: BV00, 02, 04, 08

Parts of Dress, Chocker, and Roses:

R20, 21, 22, 24, 29, 89

Cupcake cups and Butterflies:

BG70, 72, 75, 78

Leaves: G40, 85, 94, 99

Beads, Ribbon, Broches, Lace, and Parts of Sleeves:

V01, 09, 12, 15, 17

Before I could complete my project I need to get my substrate ready for Marie. My canvas is an 8”x10” stretched canvas. I applied DecoArt’s White Acrylic Gesso. I applied a paper napkin with DecoArt’s Deco-page, and sealed with the same. After drying, I applied several stains using DecoArt’s Antiquing Medium mixed with Americana Acrylic Paints in Terra Coral and Sable Brown. DecorArt’s Antiquing Medium is wonderful. You mix 1:1 and it stays the same consistancy as acrylic paint. As with stains, I wipped down areas with a baby wipe. After all was dry I placed some of the Dimensional Effects sparingly, but I think I covered up the texture it made.

In this picture you can see the layers of paper napkins. Some of the word “Paris” is present.

With everything dry, I tried some splatters with DecoArt’s Glamour Dust Paint in Black Ice. When that was dry, I proceeded to paint the edges with Americana Deep Burgundy. I added some cotton tatting that I painted with the Glamour Dust Black Ice and added that to the edges. My canvas metal corners were also painted with the Glamour Dust Paint.

The canvas is ready for Marie, but I must find some bling. My bling is large piece of accent bling from Flying Unicorn that I cut down for the top, botton, and sides for Marie’s image.

The final piece. I hope you like her. She was a lot of fun to create with, as is all of Mitzi’s images.

I hope that you hop over to our Stamps by Aurora Wings Facebook group. There are continuous contest going on. We also have an Aurora Wings Challenge Blog. Please come for a visit and share your little pieces of art with Mitzi’s images.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Aurora Wings Designer

Challenge #4 at Aurora Wings

This month’s challenge at Aurora Wings is to try your hand at “No Lines Coloring,” (search "no lines coloring" for resources if you are unfamiliar with the technique) but if you find that more of a challenge than you're up to, you have the option of choosing a color scheme from our Color Bingo Card, either down, across or diagonally. We can't wait to see what you come up with
. 

Our prizes each month will include: (To be eligible to win any of the prizes listed below, you must have a COLORED digital image or rubber stamped image on your project.)

• 1 (one) Artist's Choice Award Winner to be selected from entries using Aurora Wings digis ($20 GC and Badge)
• 1 (one) Random Winner ($20 GC)
• Top 3 Winners to be chosen by the DT ($10 GC and Badge)

I love the “no lines” technique, but it is really something that I did not want to try this time around. I decided to select from our Color Bingo card. I chose the top row, black/yellow/blue. I also chose one of my favorite Aurora Wings digis, Chrysanthymum Festival. She has been in my pile to color for a while and I finally got her done.

Chrysanthemum Festival was colored with Copics. I completed the coloring with accents from a glitter pen. She was the trimmed and layered with Spellbinder’s 5”x7” Matting Basics B on Stampin’ Up!’s Pacific Point cardstock.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, & R20

Hair: C1, 3, 5, 7, 9, & Black 100

Mums and Butterflies:

B21, 24, 26, 29 &

Y15, 17, 18, 28

Background: W00, 0, 1, 2, Y15, & B21

I die cut Stampin’ Up!’s Crushed Curry cardstock with Spellbinder’s 5”x7” Mystical Embrace. This is a beautiful die. I know that I am going to get a lot of use out of it. My designer paper that backs this die is something that I received a while back as a gift therefore I have no idea who the company is. These two layers were then backed by Stampin’ Up!’s Basic Black cardstock and mounted on a 5”x7” card base in Pacific Point cardstock. The finishes touches are some yellow flat-backed pearls from KaiserKraft.

I am so glad you stopped by today. I wanted to remind you about our Clean and Simple Contest that is still going on through June 30th on our Facebook Group Page. I hope we see you little pieces of art in both places.

Thanks for your visit and if you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Aurora Wings Designer