/* */ Beulah Bee: May 2015

May 28, 2015

Thanks


For Simon's Monday blog challenge, where this week's theme is thanks, I thought I'd share a design I've used on many occasions. It's quick to put together (especially when I need more than one) and eliminates any excuse for putting off a thank-you that's due.

I stamped (and embossed) the PaperArtsy bottles (tinted with Distress inks), an assortment of tiny flowers (tinted with colored pencils) and the sentiment. The stems and the border were made with a fine line permanent marker. That's it--done! No cutting or pasting either, since I stamped directly onto the card front.

I really like the details in the bottle stamp and it's fun to try and mimic the old glass effect. I use this stamp quite often. Did I mention I collect old bottles? Perhaps that has something to do with it. ☺

May 20, 2015

XYZ


When I was a kid, I remember my parents used to say XYZ when I'd walk into the room during a conversation not suitable for young ears. And then there was that other reason for saying XYZ during a particular state of undress. Needless to say, this caused a bit of confusion on my part whenever I heard this expression. Anyway ...

I've created this tag for Simon's Monday blog challenge using paper from Kaisercraft called Basecoat and Idea-ology's Destination Paper Stash.

I cut-out the stencil areas and placed a stamped and tinted piece of tissue paper behind them.

A white Sakura gelly roll pen was used to make the dots.

This child reminded me of a Teletubbie and I was tempted to paste a square over his/her belly. ☺

The challenge was a lot of fun, I don't think I'd ever make something like this otherwise and what a great excuse for just being silly!

May 13, 2015

Gingham


I'm not always open to whatever comes next except, maybe, when it comes to crafting. I'm the type that likes to make lists and always have a plan. But since surprises and happy (?) accidents are part of making art, I am learning to embrace them.

The photo I used is a Found Relative and since Fido seems to be anticipating something, Tim's Small Talk sticker seemed appropriate here.

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Mostly, this was an experiment with my Simon Says Stamp stencil called Gingham which I used in several layers to create a background with Distress inks.

After altering and pasting on the photo, I created a border with the stencil and texture paste that I tinted with black gesso.

The butterfly (left over from another project) has a layer of clear crackle and provides a touch of sparkle.

I'm linking to the Monday blog challenge at SSS where this week's theme features Simon brand products.

May 11, 2015

Destination


Inspiration can come from anywhere and, sometimes, it's only after I make something that I realize what the probable source of my creativity was.

This tag is most likely the result of my recent binge-watching of an HBO series which aired some years ago and focuses on human mortality and the lives of those who deal with it on a daily basis.



I used gesso with Tim's Scribbles stencil to create a background that was tinted with Distress inks.

My muse picked the three images: a gravestone, banner and woman, which I printed in smaller scale then cut-out and collaged.

Some tissue paper and scrapbook paper bits were added for balance and the tag edges were roughed-up and inked.

The TV series features a lot of dream sequences which must explain why I chose to use this particular sentiment from Tim's Remant Rubs.




I'll close this post by sharing a link to this Ted Talk on inspiration and creativity from Elizabeth Gilbert which I discovered via Seth Apter's blog, The Altered Page.

It seems appropriate to share it with this tag and I believe you may enjoy it and find it as useful as I did.

May 08, 2015

Dotty




dot·ty  (dŏt′ē)

adj. dot·ti·er, dot·ti·est

Mentally unbalanced; crazy.

Amusingly eccentric or unconventional.

Ridiculous or absurd: a dotty scheme.

Having a feeble or unsteady gait; shaky.

Obsessively infatuated or enamored.








The Monday blog challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp is the color coral and that's where my "dottiness" all began.

I found some paper in my stash that I used for the background and then a vintage photo and butterfly that paired well together. Embracing the pattern of her dress, I embellished the tag with washi tape and black and white gelly roll pens.

Her full name is Dorothea, but everyone calls her Dot.

May 04, 2015

Devil or Angel?


My entry for Tim's May tag features a snapshot from the Idea-ology Photobooth strips along with pieces from the vellum Expedition ephemera pack, a metal number brad and the School House stencil.

I thought I'd share a few tidbits regarding my distress techniques rather than provide a step-out since Tim's got that covered.

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I distressed the photo by peeling off the back so it would be thin enough to scrunch then flattened it out, pasted the backing back on and inked the edges.

A liberal amount of water was used with red brick and iced spruce to tint the texture paste and background. Naturally, the tag warped a bit so I flattened it out with some heavy books overnight.

There's adhesive-backed metallic mesh behind the photo and I used text rub-on's for the question marks. I also wanted the hole reinforcement on the tag to show so I cut my background papers around it.


I used a typewriter for the text on the shield. To insert it into the machine, I used washi tape to temporarily fix it to a larger piece of paper.

I distressed the shield with sand paper and tinted the edges with colored pencils.

I removed the tabs from the number brad then flattened it out with a rubber mallet. I darkened the numbers a bit with a fine permanent marker.


To tone down the color of the arrow which was originally a very bright orange-red, I used a colored pencil in a complementary color, blue-green (which is opposite orange on the color wheel).

This is a good trick to become familiar with when going for a distressed look because adding a color's complement is a proven way to tone down the original hue by reducing it's intensity.

To paste the arrow, I marked off where it would be then scraped away the stenciled letters underneath so it would lay flat on the background.


Well, I think that's everything and once again, I enjoyed the challenge of this month's tag.  Tim sure did pull out all the stops this month and I hope you are inspired to create something too!