SunSpirit Studio’s Blog

With all the blogs out there you could spend hours blog surfing- reading, being inspired, laughing, crying, etc. and Learning. There is so much out there to learn and try. I recently stumbled across a couple of great tutorials and put them to use.

The first one was paper flowers and for the life of me I can’t find the tutorial for it. The instructions were with newspaper, I used magazine pages. You were to take 6-10 pieces of newspaper (magazine pages, dictionary pages etc.). Cut out a free hand circle, the size you want your flower to be. THen cut slits into the flower for petals being careful not to cut all the way to the middle. Now seperate the pieces and place back in a pile. Staple the center and place in palm and scrunch up. Using your fingers, fluff the “petals” and scrunch and fluff. (I know my terminology is beyond technical). Use a glue dot or brad to adhere to paper project. These are so fun! My dd and I had a blast creating several. Depending on what you use too they can be so different. Again, I apologize for not finding the actual blog with a great tutorial on it… I will keep searching.

Here is my example:

I do have the website for the next tutorial though. This is a tutorial for making a very easy gift bag. You can dress this up or leave simple and elegant. I love using Sunspirit Studio charms for added accents on projects like these. I used the copper heart on this one.

Here is my example for this one and here is where you can find the tutorial: www.inkingaddict.blogspot.com

Have any great tutorial sites to share?

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Once in awhile coming up with a subject to write about is difficult. One wants to share information that most members reading this blog will learn how to do and will try it out. I knew that I wanted to write about creating an ATC this month but the problem is so much has been written about them. I had thought to create a glass ATC but realized that in order to really do the topic justice I needed glass paint so that idea was tossed. So what other aspect is new to ATCs? It hit me…Triptych ATC!!! Triptych and Diptych are new to creating an ATC and the idea is worth exploring.

Let’s start with the definition of “triptych”. According to Wikipedia the definition of “triptych” is as follows:
A triptych (pronounced “trip-tick” IPA: [ trip'tik] (or US: [ 't???p.d?k ]) from the Greek ???????? [ tri'ptu.xo ] tri- “three” + ptych? “fold”) is a work of art (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and folded. The middle panel is the larger one and is flanked by two smaller, but related, works. While the root of the word is the ancient Greek “triptychos”, the word arose into the medieval period from the name for an Ancient Roman writing tablet, which had two hinged panels flanking a central one. The form can also be used for pendant jewelry. The triptych form arises from early Christian art, and was the standard format for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. Its geographical range was from the eastern Byzantine churches throughout to the English Celtic church in the west. Renaissance painters and sculptors such as Hans Memling and Hieronymus Bosch used the form. Altarpieces in churches and cathedrals, both in Europe and elsewhere, since the Gothic period were often in triptych-form. One such cathedral with an altarpiece triptych is Llandaff Cathedral. The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium contains two examples by Rubens and Notre Dame de Paris is an example of the use of triptych in architecture. One can also see the form echoed by the structure of many ecclesiastical stained glass windows. The triptych form has since influenced contemporary painters and art photographers whose triptych don’t always hinge.
In today’s ATC world, if you literally use the original definition to create your triptych with hinges or use ribbons to “hinge” the outer two panels to the middle panel, the two outer panels should be smaller so that you can fold them over the middle panel to lay flat. To accomplish this you would basically halve one panel so that each panel on the side would be 1.25”X3.5” in size. Using more up-to-date terms in the ATC world, creating a “triptych” is three ATCs the size of 2.5”X3.5” with one theme and a continuous design to be swapped with another as one work of art. The ATCs can be joined but do not have to be folded. Basically with the ATC “triptych” definition and the size rule, 2.5”X3.5” the only other ATC rule is that only the sky is the limit!!!!

Here is an ATC “triptych” I created to that fits the definition of an ATC triptych. I do hope you will try creating on for yourself. Once again the rules are:

1. Each ATC must be 2.5”X3.5”.
2. To create a “triptych” it must include three ATC, design must be continuous, and there should only be one theme.
3. The sky is the limit!

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I love getting lost in some good crafty time. I especially love when it’s playtime and I don’t have any serious concept of what’s going to happen when I’m through. I am pleased to say I got some of that today!

Andrea, our fearless leader and owner of SunSpirit Studio/Beads-n-Stuff, is visiting with me. We have been having a great time all week — shopping, doing bits of crafting (See my design team project for this month, an artist trading pin, on the gallery), working and just enjoying hanging out (and drinking delicious adult beverages, of course!).

Today I showed Andrea and my husband, Tim, some of the stuff I learned in a Stephanie Lee plaster class last fall. We used ordinary plaster gauze (like they use to make casts) and plaster of paris over floral styrofoam base structures. It was especially fun because I had no real idea of what I’d make until we finally assembled the tools and got into it. Eventually, my three pieces will become a sparkly Christmas Tree, a gnome home and a found object-encrusted crucifix. What they’ll look like when they are completed? I have no idea. But I am well on my way!

Playing without a planned outcome frees you to experiment, to test your theories (”What if I….” is a great thing I’ve started saying to myself when I try new things) on how products might perform together or when used in unusual ways. If I am not dead set on an amazing finished piece, I am less uptight about the process. And the process is what it’s all about, isn’t it?

I’ll post here as these pieces progress and show you how they’re coming along! Stay tuned!

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Recently I have been scrapping my middle child who often has some great phrases and questions. He always, I do mean always, has something to say and often times it has me giggling. Either that or pulling out my hair - b/c as I mentioned his mouth is always moving. I do want my children to know that I do listen to them though and are truly interested in what they are saying. That is why I escape to creating when they finish. So my own thoughts are even my blank mind can just “let go.”

I have been using Sun Spirit Studio’s wood tags lately though. SInce the stars are no longer available these are fast becoming my new favorite and a staple in a lot of my work. On the following Lo I used a tag as a journal spot. I did spray it with hairspray before I adhered it to the lo, I know it isn’ scrap safe but it isn’t touching the picture so it should be good for quite a few decades. These tags are great to decorate simply, stamp on, leave as is for texture etc…

So now quit reading and go and get yourself some and show us what you can do with them!

TFL!      

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Most stampers have a drawer full of glues, tapes, and other assorted adhesives for their paper crafts. If you are like me you buy because it was a “new and improved” adhesive or you heard “rave reviews” about it being the perfect adhesive for a project or technique. Unfortunately the adhesives only get used once or twice once it is discovered not to be the perfect adhesive. I don’t like to admit this but I keep buying them hoping I will find a cheaper or better way of adhering paper. My frustration in not finding the right adhesive led me to do some searching on the internet. Below is information I gathered about adhesives that will help you buy the correct adhesive for your project.

Always choose an adhesive that is appropriate for the surface you adhering. Non porous surfaces are surfaces such as glass, metal, plastic and glossy paper. These surfaces are shiny and slick and do not absorb moisture. Semi porous surface are coated paper, rubber, fun foams, and wood. These surfaces will absorb some moisture slowly and unevenly. Porous surfaces are paper, cardboard, plaster, and unsized fabric. These surfaces will absorb moisture quickly and evenly.

There are many types of glues. They include paste, white glue, tacky glue, rubber cement, instant, and clear glues. Most of the glues sold today are water based, acrylic based, or solvent based. Solvent based adhesives are very strong, have a noticeable smell, flammable and permanent. Acrylic based adhesives contain acrylic polymers, are flexible, and dry clear. Water based glues are popular stamping and scrapping staples. They are not very strong, clean up with water when wet, and cannot be used on heavy projects.

Here is a list of the most common adhesives used:

Mucilage is made from potato starch, gum Arabic or fish scales. It is used on paper because it gives a weak, quick drying bond that can become brittle and discolored over time. It is sensitive to moisture and temperature and the bond isn’t long lasting.

Paste is what is used in school. It is made from plant starches or fibers or methyl cellulose. Paste has high water content and is affected by extreme temperatures. It can be used on most papers, making paper mache and as a binder. It should only be applied to paper that can tolerate high water content.

Rubber cement is made from latex harvested from rubber trees. It is solvent based, flammable, and very flexible. It will not wrinkle paper and is easy to remove. It can’t be used on wood or other structural projects

White glue is versatile and use extensively in arts and crafts. It forms a medium bond, cannot hold heavy objects, or be used outdoors. White glues vary in flexibility, most have a high water content, dry clear, and can be cleaned up with water when wet.

Clear glues include glue sticks, photo, envelope glues, and basting glues. They are water based, non toxic synthetics designed for porous surfaces. They do not discolor or become brittle, maintain flexibility, and aren’t susceptible to humidity. If applied in a thin coat they will not wrinkle paper or show through the paper and are often used to bond vellum and glossy photo papers.

Tacky glues are thicker, stronger, and stickier than white glue. They dry clear and can be used on porous, semi porous, and non porous surfaces. They are not good for outdoor since sunlight, heat, and cold will weaken the glue. Tacky glues should be tested on paper before use because they vary in strength and viscosity. Tacky glues are use extensively in craft applications because of the versatility.

Acrylic based glues contain acrylic polymers, are flexible, and are not affected by the heat and humidity. They are resistant to ultraviolet rays, dry clear, and can be repositioned if necessary. They are water resistant but not water proof for outdoor use. Some acrylic glues may soak through paper, especially vellum or tissue.

Pressure sensitive adhesives include tape, film, dots, die cuts, and stickers, and laminating machines. These are often acid free, PH neutral, and can be used with photos, albums, scrapbooks, and other memory crafts.

Solvent glues are stronger and more permanent than other adhesives. They are flexible, waterproof, set and dry quickly, and difficult to remove once dry. These glues work well with hard to bond surfaces such as glass, metal, vinyl, and Plexiglass. Most are flammable, toxic and should be kept away from children.

Tips for applying glue:

ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Test first on a scrap piece of material to see if it will work well on the surface you will be bonding.

Work in a well ventilated area.

Protect skin when especially when working with solvent based glues to prevent allergic reactions.

Cover your work surface with wax paper, coated freezer paper, plain newsprint, plastic tablecloth, or old shower curtain.

Keep surface to be glued clean and dry before applying glue.

Use the correct applicator depending on the type of adhesive being used.

Less is more in most applications.

More than one type of glue may need to be used on a project if gluing different surfaces together.

Glues have a limited shelf life.

Clean up glue while it is still wet.

Allow glue enough time to dry.

Store glue away from sunlight and out of temperature extremes.

I created a poll on adhesives used for my Yahoo group and this is the results of all the responses received:
Liquid Adhesives: Tombow Mono, Zip Dry, Zig Glue, Scotch Quick Dry, Stampin Up Snail, Scotch Clear Glue, Zap-A-Gap, Makin Memories Ribbon and Metal Glue, Modge Podge, Ranger Glossy Accents, Diamond Glaze, Crafters Pick Ultimate Glue, and Liquid Glass.
Glue sticks and pastes: Duck Easy Stick, Scotch Purple Glue Stick, Tombow, and 2-n-1 Glue Stick..

Runners and dots: Tombow adhesive runner, Dot-n-Roller, Hermafix, Scotch ATG tape gun, Scotch permanent double sided tape, Xyron, Vellum tape, Zots, Gary Burlin, and Uhu.

There is a lot to be learned about glues and adhesives. I adapted this information from Beacon’s Adhesive site, “The Crafter’s Guide to Glue” by Pattie Donham and “The Crafter’s Guide to Glue” by Tammy Young. Our projects are very important to us and it is important to use the correct adhesive for the project you’re working on. Take some time to understand the adhesives you will be working with.

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I hadn’t heard of a button fairy until I signed up for a swap on Stamper’s Corner recently. It looked like an intriguing, fun little project, and the deadline was pretty far out (I figured that gave me plenty of time to procrastinate!), so I signed up. Last week, I worked on a little prototype for the swap and wanted to share it with you here.

Steps to make your own button fairy, like the one I did:

1. Cut out a face. Stamp wings, or a butterfly image, onto decorative paper (I used scrap messy paper that was shimmery from repeated Color Mists sprayings). Trim the images and glue down onto stiff paper or cardboard (like from a cereal box). Cut out the whole assembly and edge with a gold Krylon pen.

2. Cut a length of wire (maybe about 8-10 inches) and make a loop at the top by twisting the wire around itself. Thread a bead (in this case, I used a fake pearl from my stash of broken jewelry from my grandma’s house) onto the wire and push up to the loop, covering the twisty part.

3. Then, place your wings/face assembly face down onto your work surface and place the wire down over it so that the bead rests at the top of your face. Use scotch tape to secure the wire to the back of your wings/face. (See the photo to the left to see the back; click for a larger version.) I will finish this back with a page from an old book, but I wanted to show you what the back looks like.

4. Take your largest button and thread onto the wire, bringing the wire through one hole of the button, starting from the back of the button. Then thread it through a second hole on the button, from front to back. Continue this way with 3 or 4 more buttons until your “tail” looks the way you want it to.

5. To finish off the “tail,” I added another pearl bead.

Cute! Fun! The photo is one of me when I was a baby. The butterfly stamp is from Autumn Leaves. The buttons are from grandma’s stash and from a batch of buttons I found in an antique store.

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I thought I would walk you through my “creative process ” of creating my altered canvases. Bare with me as I am not a very good teacher as there really is no rhyme or reason to my madness I call art. :) 

Step 1: gather all possible background supplies and then some…  I start with a blank canvas. Sometimes I will just use alcohol inks with the blending solution to create a background. I choose 3 colors or so and work them intogether, often times using a more distinct color to create a shape, ex. star, heart, branch with leaves etc. Other times, I paint acrylic paints on the background and add the inks as it dries, or after it dries. I like the tattered angels glitter spray also to add an effect. My motto is the more the merrier. I keep adding, blotting, blending until I get an effect I like or think I can do something with. I also, make more than one at a time because more than likely, only 2-3 of the 5-7 I did are ones I can “see” a future for. The others I keep and redo or wait until I get a brain fart for a new creation.

Step 2: after your background is dry, decide what it is to become… at least what you will try to let it become, you can’t make it :) If you have a quote you would like to use, decide where you would like to lay it on the canvas, any tissue to rip up and modge podge on the background. I also add my stickles at this time if I am creating a shape such as a star. I also add alot at the end after I have everything attached, I love my stickles!

Step 3: Next I take out my fabrics, floss, fibers, buttons etc anything goes, literally. I even have used cardboard - ripped, painted and so on to add. Cheap and artsy!

 I also have drawings/templates to use to tarce onto fabic for my birds, fish and anything else I may think of. Don’t forget about your stamps either! They make great additions to these collage pieces.

step 4: Layer it all together until pleasing to your eye and start attaching. I use modge podge for my tissue and fabric, E600 for my charms etc. I sew on buttons and beads. Basically whatever you have on hand. I often print out quotes on my computer on cardstock and modge podge those on too. Be careful, however, not to rub the modge podge over your printer ink to much or it will smear. Alpha stamps and Staz on ink work great also.

Step5: I paint around my canvas, the side edges to give it a finished look. Add more stickles, stitching, dry brush paint etc if I think it needs it. More often than not I need to stop myself from doing more because I am a “more is better” type artist and often do the “one more thing” and feel like I ruined it. Use your scrapbook stash, chipboard letters spray painted, and my favorites, Andrea’s copper at www.SunSpiritStudio.com . She has some fabulous new copper charms I can’t wait to get my hands on!

One main thing: cover up your work surface and yourself when working with alcohol inks. They do stain. Come to my house and you will probably be able to tell every surface I have crafted on. (I am trying to get new countertops ! ;) )

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Friday the 18th we had a ribbon cutting and party for the merger of Beads-N-Stuff and SunSpirit Studio. We now offer a lot more craft supplies and hope to have more stamps and beads in the near future. If you need something just give me a call at 520-432-2400!

Here are a couple of photos from the party.

Susan, Me (Andrea) and Clark - the president of the Chamber of Commerce

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The other day I was pursuing blogs as I do everyday when I came across one discussing “Design Focus: Rule of Thirds”. When I saw this I had no idea what on earth she was talking about. So I read further and learned some new information that I thought I would pass on. It is wonderful to know that after 8 years of stamping I am still able to learn something new and to know that I am not a know it all.

Design Focus: Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds comes from photography and is a fantastic concept that is applicable to stamping, painting, etc. To incorporate the Rule of Third into your artwork, in your mind’s eye divide your card into a 3X3 grid and place your image where the lines intercept.

Consider horizontal thirds:

And vertical thirds:

And, most interestingly, where they intersect:

Here are some sites that discuss the “Rule of Thirds”:

http://painting.about.com/library/blpaint/blcompositionclass2.htm

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprinciples/l/aa_balance4.htm

http://www.blackboardarts.com/photography/articles/ruleofthirds/index.php

http://www.apogeephoto.com/jan2002/altengarten.shtml

http://photodoto.com/rule-of-thirds/

http://joshuaclanton.com/blog/2008/01/18/one-third-to-rule-them-all-applying-the-rule-of-thirds-to-web-design/

These are only a few of the many available.

This card is made using the concept of “Rule of Thirds”. When looking at the card visualize how the card is laid out in thirds and where it intersects. This concept can be applied to any card made.

Light Blue Bling Cardstock (Bazzill)

“Haze” – Obscure Pattern Paper (Basic Grey)

White Cardstock

Leaf Rubber Stamp

Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk Ink (Clearsnap)

Aquamarine Flatback Crystals (Swarovski)

Scor-It Board

12” Large Base Guillotine Paper Cutter (Tonic Studios)

Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive (Beacon Adhesives)

FE-240 7.1 Mega Pixel Digital Camera (Olympus)

Cut light blue cardstock to the size of 5½” X8½”, score it and fold in half. Cut Haze pattern paper to the size of 4”X5¼” and adhere to card. Cut an additional light blue cardstock to the size 5½”X2” and Haze pattern paper to the size of 5¼”X1¾”, adhere the pattern paper to the light blue cardstock and adhere to card. Stamp leaf image in Chestnut Roan ink onto white cardstock, trim, and sponge Chestnut Roan ink to distress image. Layer leaf image onto light blue cardstock and brown cardstock and adhere to card. Embellish card with Swarovski Crystals.

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It’s springtime (sort of) and all I can think about (besides daisies and whimsical bird stamps) is a good road trip. No, I will not wait till summer, thankyouverymuch. I have one road trip in the works and so does Andrea, so I made this wee book for her.

I’m a big fan of using what I have around the studio, but sometimes I don’t really want to do a lot of cutting and measuring, so I used pre-cut 4×5 pages and covers from Zutter, made for the Bind-it-All. This way, I knew everything would line up nicely and the project would go quickly!

I covered the front and back covers with Basic Gray Phoebe Collection…the little green birds are on the outside and pink cardstock on the inside. I attached that cardstock using the Dot-n-Roller because it’s a dry adhesive and I wanted to be sure I could move forward without a lot of drying time. (Drying time really saps my creative spirit!!) To make sure I had good adhesion, I made a few lines with the roller in the middle of the cover and then I ran the roller around the four sides. Laying the cover, adhesive-side down, on the back of the cardstock, I used a brayer to make sure I had good contact. I then took my scissors and trimmed around the cover! To smooth the edges, I filed them using the big flat file from the Basic Gray File Set.

Once my covers were finished, I punched them with the Bind-It-All to be sure I had proper placement when embellishing the front cover. When I adhered the cover to the cardstock, I made sure that I did it in a spot where I’d have a focal point on the front cover. You can see the two birds talking to each other. I then placed Swarovski Flatback Crystals - 4mm round - Montana Sapphire [E133 Montana] on the eyes of the two birds, using Diamond Glaze. I also filled in their wings with the Diamond Glaze to add more interest/dimension to the cover.

On a separate scrap of watercolor paper, I stamped the DoodleFactory Speech Bubble using an India Ink pad. A question mark sticker was added and Mini Glue Dots held trimmed Magnetic Poetry words down on the bubble. I then used Diamond Glaze to give the bubble some shine and dimension. I let the cover and the bubble dry overnight (it was bedtime anyway!).

When the cover was dry, I edged the covers, inside and out, with coordinating dye ink (Stampin Up Mellow Moss on the outside and Rose Red on the inside). I then cut a few 4×4 pieces of watercolor paper, thinking that Andrea might bring her watercolors on the road trip and might like to have paper that can stand up to wet media. I punched all of the inside pages and interspersed the watercolor paper with the Zutter pages.

Then, it was time to bind the book! I used a bigger spiral size than I needed to allow room for adding dimensional ephemera. After binding, I used some pink-ish and green fibers to tie to the top spiral and tied on a Copper oval bead charm [E129] as well for a little extra oomph!

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