GM 09 - Shabby Chic - or Fun in the Wild West

Wow, Can anything top the beautiful artwork from last week? I have looked at the gallery almost every day to soak in all the gorgeous cards and tags. This week we are introduced to a fabulously new (to me) technique from the amazing TH himself. Check out the technique HERE, and for more greatness - peruse his BLOG. If you are still craving more - Linda, over at Studio L3 challenges us each and every week and you can see some of the most beautiful and creative art there is HERE. This week we were challenged with Shabby Chic. As soon as I read through all the steps, images of a southwest sunset came to mind. If you've ever seen one, you know what I'm talking about. All the trees and cactus turn to black and you see this amazing color blazing behind them. I am lucky enough to see this most evenings while relaxing on my back patio. I have experimented every which way I know how - but I can't seem to share the beautiful depth of colors with you. But you get the idea....

I used a scenic stamp from Ink Blocks, sentiment and posse are from Rubber City Rubberworks, and daubers are gold, red pepper, sunset orange, and sunshine yellow.

Tim Holtz watercolor technique

Lurking no more! I dipped my toes in the water trying a new challenge last week over at Sunday Stampers with Hels Sheridan. I had such fun, saw some more amazing art, and can't wait to do it again this week. The theme over there is Diamonds and Pearls. The ever so talented and amazing Linda at Studio L3 continues to challenge us with yet another fun, left on the shelf, technique by none other than Tim Holtz himself. We are transported back in time to a fun, easy watercolor technique. You can get the details 'here'. I really had fun with this one. I have always used this technique with flowers, so thought I would stretch my imagination a little and since we were traveling back in time - played around with Tim's jalopy and a tie-dye look. I used stream, bottle, lettuce and wild plum (my all time favorite colors) of adirondack inks by ranger. I stamped Mr. Jalopy twice, only spritzing with water the 2nd time to create a more muted image in the background. The stamps are from my TH collection, and the pearls and diamonds are from the 'stash'. I am a little addicted to those dreamy pearls and diamonds that come on the rolls at Michaels. If you haven't checked out the new Reflections line of embellishments - run on over now.

Sunday Stampers - camouflage

This is a new venture for me. I am new to the challenge scene, only participating in one with the lovely Linda at Studio L3. BUT - how can you help but notice the amazing Hels and her art each week. She is so inspiring, creative, with a great sense of humor. SO....I decided to give a go at her Sunday Stampers challenge - this week was Camouflage - using those great colors of green, gold, etc..... I used my favorite color washes - pesto, lettuce, and butterscotch for the background - and then spritzed it all over with a beautiful copper tattered angels glimmer mist. (which i'm sure you've read over and over again - does not show up in the photo :-( Then I ran the whole thing through a music texture fade by Cuttlebug and rubbed frayed burlap DI over the top. The paper is from an old music book of mine. The saying - which I must say is one of my absolute favorites is by Impression Obsession.

Grungy Monday 7 - Color BlockingDI

Ok, So does everyone love, love love the challenges that Linda offers us each week? I sure do! Not only does it get me off my duff and using my stuff...I am learning fun new techniques each week!! If you don't know what I'm talkin' about - check it out here. Tim Holtz is our 'man', and he's got all the techniques, tools, inks, and stamps! My entry this week uses the totally famous brolly man - which I FINALLY received from my pre-order. It was completely painful watching everyone using him, and me sitting in wait. SO...I hope you enjoy the entry. I used Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Broken China, Pumice Stone, and Scattered Straw DI. Brolly man was cut using paper from the Lost and Found Stack (which is on clearance at Michaels (but the way)). The saying is from TH. Enjoy

Grungy Monday 6 - Weathered Wood

Just under the wire here, but glad to get in on this weeks technique. The amazing Linda over at Studio L3 has continued the Duke of Distress challenges since we just couldn't get enough. This week's challenge was from the 12 Tags of Christmas 2007. I used Cloudy Blue Daubber, Wild Hone and Rusty Hinge Distress Inks. The stars are part of a new stamp set from Wendy Vecchi which I just love. This is graduation week and I had a few cards to make - I loved the sentiment.