Monday, January 15, 2018

Staying In = Staying Creative

 What crazy weather!!! Last Friday it reached 65 F and despite a full day of rain I still managed to sit under cover and take in that wonderful warm air a bit. And then, Saturday I awoke to heavy gusting winds and a temp of 11 F-WHAT???? And it's been cold since so I'm getting lots of play time in in my art room.

 Trying to stay ahead making simple pages in my calendar journal, like this one:
                                       
 Napkin and printed online freebie sentiment. Sharing my drink with the gang over at T Stands For Tuesday.

 I got a new craft toy over the holidays and I must share it with you because I absolutely LOVE it!!
There's so much talk about the Misti stamping tool and I've seen it demoed but honestly did not want to pay the crazy high price for it. Well, Tim Holtz came out with his stamping platform (much more reasonably priced!) and after researching it online I bought one with a 50% off coupon from Joann.com. For someone like me that does a lot of stamping and card making, sometimes making sets of them, this is such a time saver. And the precision stamping results  are fab-even for those layering stamp sets! Here are a few pics of the platform and how I have used it to  make 25 (so far) card backgrounds for this coming year's Christmas cards:):)

           My note card on the plate. I made tabs from washi tape on the disc magnets for easy removal.

 The card back was masked with post it notes to protect it from getting inked as I was using a large stamp.

         Stamp is in place and inked -ready to close the lid and stamp.

 This stamp is called Christmas Sweater Background and from Simon Says Stamp. Love this pattern!


                                                      Voila!

Speaking of Simon Says, this card is for the Simon Wednesday Challenge (patterned paper):


  Made my own background using Altenew halftone stencil. Other products: white notecard, cardstock; Altenew Layered Cupcake stamp and die set; Archival inks- Buttercup, Turquoise, Black; Staz - On ink-Spiced Chai; Marvy Ochre ink; Stickles glitter glue. (Yes, I used the stamping platform to make 6 cupcakes:)

 For the Simon Monday Challenge (Birds of a Feather) and Tag Tuesday (anything goes):


 Products: Stamps- Wall Art Set (Wow!) from Simon Says Stamp, Bokeh Dots set (Ellen Hutson), Bird Tags set (Invoke arts); various Distress inks; white gesso; red marker; Tim Holtz Chit Chat stickers; manila tag; feather.

 Also did a bit of abstract painting, photoshop play, and a journal page:


      Dots of colors on page then scraped down with an old credit card.


                                                      Hue change in PSE

                       
                                            Hue change and watercolor effect


                                           Hue change and glowing edges effect

 I had pretty much paint left from the scraping down so I put it on another page:

YUK!! So I covered it up:


 I love how the magazine page of buildings blended right into the painted background! Joining  Art Journal Journey (theme is New Year, New Adventures), and Paint Party Friday.

 Wishing you a fabulous, creative week! Looking forward to stopping by to see what you've been up to lately.

" Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks."     Mark Rothko

48 comments:

  1. Gosh, Linda. Your weather was so much warmer than ours. We haven't been above freezing until yesterday when it was 37 F. Tonight they are predicting -11 F for a low, but the snow has moved out of the area. I'll be glad when spring arrives.

    I've heard of those stamping tools. Getting one at half off is fabulous. I'm glad you shared how it works, and so glad you have already put it to work for you.

    I adored your abstract art. It is awesome and I loved how you adjusted the color, too. Of course, I really, really liked the piece you created for Erika's theme at Art Journal Journey. I was thrilled you shared it with us.

    Of course, once again you put my calendar to shame. That napkin is to die for, and it is so beautiful. I really LOVED that it worked so well for T, too. Thanks for sharing your art, your tag, your new toy, and your T inspired calendar page with us for T this nearly Tuesday.

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  2. Wow, you have been busy, and made lots of seriously good art. Thanks for linking the gorgeous tag to us at Tag Tuesday, much appreciated. Hope it soon warms up for you. Have fun playing with your stamping gear, sounds great. Hope it soon warms up for you! Hugs, Valerie

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  3. Linda you continue to amaze me with your beautiful art work....

    Love how you played with the abstract painting... and turned around the one you didn't like. I noticed how the buildings blended into the background... I love that!

    Hope you warm up soon :)

    Karen xxx


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  4. Wonderful art pages Linda. I love the first one with that fantastic napkin with the coffee pot.
    The words on your beautiful tag were lovely as well.
    Its great that you are making a start with backgrounds for Christmas already, you put me to shame, I won't be thinking of this for many months.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  5. Some lovely creations.
    The weather seems to be crazy everywhere at the moment doesn't it, hopefully it will calm down soon for everyone.
    Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge x

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  6. What a creative week you had Linda. I love the new blog header and all the art. You are good at abstract creating. And I liked seeing how the TH stamping platform works. Thanks for the mini lesson. I have seen the stamping platform but didn't know how it worked. I think you had a great score. Thanks for joining us at AJJ also. Happy T day. Hugs-Erika

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  7. Wonderful art and it looks like your going to have so much fun using your new stamping platform too! I had a look at the link you provided, thanks, and it looks a great way to achieve precision stamping and I love that you can use both paints and ink too 😁. You're going to have so much fun using it! Enjoy and Happy T Day! J 😊

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  8. good morning, I am loving everything you have created here. and that new tool looks very awesome to work with. I haven't been to a joanns store in a long time-it is over an hours drive from me-and I love those 50% off coupons-they are the best.
    same weather here too warmed up to the 60s a few days ago and last night wow it really crashed. we are minus 3 this morning with wind chills of minus 20 something froze on the well so hubs had to get out and unthaw it brrrr I hope this is the end of the bitter cold this season-but probably not lol
    stay warm and Happy T Day Kathy

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  9. Your weather sounds exactly like ours... this morning it was below 0° and I don't even want to know the windchill factor. Love your art today and sure a variety of mediums. I love having those play days ♥ Thanks for stopping by my blog and I'm sure you'll be seeing lots of "POURS" in the future as I am ADDICTED at the moment :)

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  10. you made the most of the time in the house! (aweful weather here, too...) wonderful results. i remember that bird tag stamp from invoke arts, you made a beautiful tag with it!
    and i looked up that misti tool (never heard of, i´m not up-to-date;)) - crazy Price! good you found a cheaper solution!
    happy t-day!

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  11. I have never heard of that tool, but as you stamp a lot I'm sure it will come in very handy.
    I am impressed with your abstract art. And then what you did digitally. Great.
    The tag is beautiful.
    Happy T-Day,
    Lisca

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  12. All very creative ~ favorite though is the first one ~ very clear and fresh lines and colors ~ stay warm ~ hope you don't get much snow ~

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ps. when I go to Google they don't have your most recent post ~ wonder long it takes to get it up???

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  13. An espresso maker! I'd love to be able to make decent espresso. I do like what you did with the "dots of color" and the effects you achieved.

    We have snow and a temperature of 14 degrees F! Brrrr. But a high predicted for Sunday of 60 lol.

    Happy T Tuesday

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  14. You are a busy girl and so many wonderful art here!
    I love your page with the napkin for T-Day and your tag on tag is a hit as well and that fantastic page for AJJ! A wowser!And your abstract art and digital playing with it is terrifc!
    Have fun with your new tool -- sounds like you really enjoy it!
    And super to start x-mas cards so soon.
    I eat oatmeal ( porridge ) nearly every morning as well - keeps me filled a long time. Happy T-Day. stay warm and THANKS A LOT for joining AJJ! oxo Susi

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  15. Love your calendar page! I received the TH stamping platform for Christmas from my brother and sister in law! She has one and knew I would like it - yes I do!!! Love the card, tag and backgrounds! I smiled at your covering the page you didn't like - it turned out fantastic! Happy T Day! Chrisx

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  16. My! You have been busy. So good when you can find a tool that really makes life easier and at a bargain, too. Gorgeous backgrounds. I really love that cityscape. Happy T Day

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  17. You have been busy! So many wonderful makes. I love how you use napkins. Somehow I never find ones that are so beautiful. Your backgrounds, card and tag are so fabulous.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  18. Sorry to be so late getting around, Linda. We've had terrible & intermittant internet for a couple of days - often less than 1 megabyte download!

    I love my Tim Holtz stamping patform too, Linda. IMO, not only is the price better than the Mists, but the design and features are as well. I know you'll enjoy using it.

    You've shared a lot of lovely art today. I think the bird tag is my favorite. It's hard to choose ;-)

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  19. despite the weather and 'staying in' ~ you have stayed creative and produced wonderful work ~

    Happy Weekend coming to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  20. Wow, you got a lot made, Linda! Very nice journal pages, card and tag. And thank you for "demoing" the stamp platform. Got it right here but fighting a case of the scaredy cats to try it out. You have focused me. May just re-enact yours haha - hey, it'll work for me! Have a great weekend, xoxo

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  21. Have a great weekend and happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  22. Lovely work Linda and a neat new stamping tool!

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  23. Lovely pieces and I love a new art toy :) Happy PPF from Number 32 :D

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  24. Love your abstracts!!! Interesting tool description!!

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  25. The dots of colour scraped is really interesting. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful pieces today. Happy you dropped by my blog today
    Happy PPF

    much love...

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  26. Really love that first journal page! Lovely painting if you wanted to just frame it outright! Interesting seeing your process too.

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  27. Linda ~ your abstract painting is creative and colorful ~ great energy too!

    Happy Weekend,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  28. Wow, you got a lot done by staying in, maybe I should stay in more! lol Stay warm!

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  29. oh wow, I love the results you got from changing your backgrounds in Photoshop! And you're right: I was looking at that last picture and wondering what you did with the background. I didn't even notice it was collage at first. It indeed blends beautifully! Have a happy week too!

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  30. Linda, what a lot of wonderful, creative art! Beautiful collage!

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  31. Beautiful artwork, Linda. I really like that first painting, but they are so very creative. We've had some awful weather lately; heavy snow, high winds, ice and things don't look like they are getting any better soon. Roll on summer.

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  32. Linda such a meaty post! Wonderful stamping gadget and cupcake art! Fabulous tag and I love all your abstracts! The yuck one has so much dimention even though you didnt like it I actually saw characters in it! Fun how you covered it up though. Im always a fan of buildings! Thanks for sharing!

    Peace Giggles

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  33. Wow so much art this week. All lovely, you know my faves are the abstract. Also that new tool is awesome!!!! What a great gift.

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  34. Lovely art work. We are finally coming out of the deep freeze...lots of melt but a blizzard is in the forecast....JOY!

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  35. Lovey art - and the blog header is beautiful! It's been cold here too, but was warmer today. Hope you have a warmer week ahead!

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  36. What wonderful abstracts and your new tool looks like so much fun!

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  37. Wow, wow, wow! What a visual feast for the eyes! I loved this post and seeing so many different artistic visions. It's a testament to your versatility as an artist and I like how all of these pieces had a totally original feel. This made me smile and I always appreciate your comments and your support. It's an honor to have you participate in our Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges and I always look forward to seeing what you're up to!

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  38. wow, that was an interesting post. Never seen how those cards are done before. Thanks for sharing :)

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  39. Hi Linda! WOW! You have been busy creating lots of beautiful things! I love your work of art for your calendar! Nothing is better to me than my first cup of coffee in the morning! And your abstract art is simply fabulous - so creative! Oh, and I also LOVE your gorgeous tag, too! I hope all is well with you. We have been having crazy weather, too!!!

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  40. It is so nice to be able to use the weather as an excuse to stay in and do artwork! Which, by the way, you do beautifully.

    I live in Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Though it got down to 24 ONCE in October, our temps have been 39-68 degrees. I would SO love some snow and cold temps. However...I am also looking forward to spring. :D

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  41. That is a lot of creativity you have there!great going!
    love desisoul arts

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  42. Wonderful and creative. I like those tags very much!

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  43. Over here in Northern Germany I felt a sense of spring yesterday, when the sun was out and birds were singing, today is misty and grey again ;-)
    Beautiful art! I love the diversity of technique you use!
    Greetings from Ilona :-)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!