Jason's Blog - ATC CONTEST

Let Me See Your ATC Contest

Design you very own ATC and drop it off at the store between May, 20th and June 30th. On Wednesday July 1st we will ask a non participating customer to draw 3 cards to announce the winners. The first ATC drawn will be granted first place prize, the second ATC drawn will be granted second place, and the last ATC drawn will be granted third prize. A photo of the 3 winning ATCs will be posted to the blog along with the name of the designer. For a better description of ATCs see yesterday's blog.

Rules:

ATC must Measure 2"x3.5"

Must have your info on back

Limit one entry per customer

Prizes:

First Place

The first place winner will receive A pack of Little Yellow Bicycle Clear Stamps from their baby Safari Collection, and 4 small packs of Jenni Bowlin Rub-Ons ($15.00 value).

Sceond Place

The second place winner will receive a box of 20 Petaloo Glitter Dahlia Flowers with rhinestone centers and 3 small packs of Jenni Bowlin Rub-Ons ($10.00 value).

Third Place

The third place winner will receive a coupon for a free Crop ($5.oo value).

Examples of some ATCs I made:

Jason's Blog - ATCs

Hi Ladies,
Thanks to everyone who came to the crop tonight. We have such a great group of croppers that try to always make time to attend the crops and we enjoy each and every one of them so much. They help each other out, speak freely, admire each others work, and have formed new friendships, which is what our little scrapbooking community is all about. All About Crafts is hosting another crop on the 22nd at 3pm til midnight. It cost $5, you can come and go as you please, eat what you want, bring what you want and all we ask is that you pre pay a day before the crop so we can get a count and set up another table if we need to.

Now lets talk about ATCs. Let me see your ATC. I admit, I didn't get it at first. I always thought that they were kinda cool but never took the time to make any. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's okay, I'll explain. ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. They are like business cards but hand made showing off a sample of your talent or just showing off a new stamp that you're in love with, it happends to all of us we'll do anything for a reason to use that new stamp. The ATC I'm showing below measures 2"x3.5" which is a standard business card size. I printed my info on a label attached it to the back of the card. You might want to start your ATC soon because I'm going to post the "Let Me See Your ATC Contest" info, rules, and PRIZES tomorrow. We're so excited to see your favorite tricks displayed on your very own ATC. Here is an ATC I threw together to show you what I'm talking about.

I stamped swirls on a white piece of cardstock 1/8th inch smaller than the sanded grey 2"x3.5" cardstock. I used onyx brilliance ink and embossed over it with clear for the swirls.

Using Versa Magic, I also stamped the bamboo on the white cardstock an immediately poured the clear embossing powder on it. Embossing powder does not stick to versa magic like it does brilliance, so you can expect less coverage and a distressed look and texture.

I sprayed the bottom half with brown glimmer mist. The embossing powder will act like a resist when the glimmer mist is applied so don't worry about spraying over it.

I sprayed the top half with blue. Notice the texture on the bamboo and the swirls. The solid smooth swirls were stamped with brilliance and the distressed looking bamboo was stamped with versa magic. I used the same clear embossing powder on both but achieved totally different using different types of inks.

I stamped the bamboo again with the same color versa magic to create a layered effect.

Next, I cut a 1/4" sliver from the card and discarded it and inked around the remaining 2 pieces.

Remember that sanded grey 2"x3.5" piece of cardstock? I lost it so I cut another, sanded it, and attached the card to it leaving a gap where the 1/4th" sliver was. Notice that i left about a half inch from the edge with no adhesive and curled the edges upward. This helps with the lacing. I used a needle and floss to do the decorative laces. Be careful when pushing the needle through the paper, It likes to rip if you go too fast.

I also stamped, clear embossed and glimmer misted a little birdy, cut him out and attached him.

Finished. That took about 10 minutes, but will leave a lasting impression.

I hope I inspired you today to make alittle something beautiful. I'm going to bed now, its after 3:ooam and I'm exhausted but had a wonderful day. Thanks for visiting.

Jason

Json's Blog - Graduation Page

Hello everybody,

I'm still waiting to hear about relocation, when we're finished with all the paperwork, I'll post the good news. Check out this page I made. It's for graduation for Magnolia or A&M. When I was finished with the page I cut some for my customers and this morning when Tammie came in I asked her for help making a boys version of the page because the one I made is a bit girly. Come check it out, she did a great job. I'll put them on the wall Saturday morning for $7.00 each. I have the 2009 diecut sheets we used for sale also. I made this diecut sheet on with the cricut design studio. The Grad embellishment was also cut using the design studio. I started with maroon background, a black 2009 diecut sheet cut in half, and white photo mats. When I laid everything out, something was missing so I decided to add another color hence the 10" grey square frame in the background. I needed it to center the focus and anchor the elements together. I went with grey because I didn't want to add a totally different color that didn't match the school colors so I went with a lighter shade of black which is grey. A lighter shade of the maroon is too pink and didn't go with the school colors. The owl in the corner was stamped with versamark and embossed with black powder. The flowers are dyed with alcohol ink, glimmer misted, and topped with domed rhinestones for the centers. I hope this page inspires you to scrapbook today, check out the other new precut pages below. Thanks for checking in today. Next time we will be talking about ATCs. Don't forget the Crop Saturday Night it starts at 3 ends at midnight.

Jason's Blog - New Product

Waz up everyone, I took yesterday off to lay around and do nothing so I didn't get to tell you happy mother's day. I worked on a cool card yesterday (when I was laying around doing nothing) and when I was posting the instructions, I erased it and couldn't get the 15 photos and all that typing back on the screen. Yes I said 15 photos of one card. I guess that little remove formatting button is not reversible. Not sure what remove formatting even means but I clicked it to find out. Well I found out that if used improperly, it will erase everything. Teaches me to use the trial and error method with computers. I'll try again to post the instructions for that card soon. If you don't follow my blog, you might want to start because I'm going to start posting printable coupons soon.

We still don't know what is happening with the possible relocation but I'm positive that what ever happens will be for the better. I will post as soon as I get some answers, so keep checking in. If we do have to relocate, I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with bigger and better things and owe it all to you, our wonderful customers who make it all possible. With a group of caring and loving people like you supporting us, everything is possible. Thank you all so very much for giving us the opportunity grow. We really enjoy spending time with you all and we couldn't ask for a better group of people to spend time with. I would also like to send out a warm welcome and thank you to our new possible partner who I'm sure, will bring great things to All About Crafts. I know that you will all love her and make her feel welcome into your big All About Crafts Family. Most of you already know her and we will introduce you to her as soon as everything is finalized and the party is planned.

*NEW PRODUCTS*
We got some new sports papers in today and we refilled our core'dinations cardstock racks. The sports papers are textured to feel like the ball used for that sport. If you like diecut papers, we got these cool CI diecut sports pages that say stuff like batter up at the top and are framed at the bottom (see below). We also got a beach collection from CI. I haven't used it for beach layouts because it is one of those collections that can be used for anything and Galveston beach is not so photogenic if you know what I mean (brown water). I'm not knocking Galveston, I'm just saying that colors in this collection would work better with blue or turquoise water as shown below. We also added allot of 5/$1.00 paper to the floor which is great to keep the kids busy while you use the good stuff.

I took this layout from Christine Adolf's Blog to show you this new beach paper.




















Well thanks for taking time to look, I have to start working on the Stamped card class now. Its on the 30th. I have allot of new tricks to teach and am going to try to keep it within the scheduled time frame, but you know me, I always try to stuff too much into one class. I just want to make sure everybody gets their moneys' worth. So, if you want to learn how to stamp and a little more you might want to sign up for this one.
Jason

Jason's Blog - Quick Glimmer Tag

Hey Ladies, want to make a cool tag in 4 easy steps. Stamp, Emboss, spray, and flip. We'll get back to that in a second. I want to talk about the kids scrapbook program this summer. They are going to make a real 8x8 post bound scrapbook that they can show their kids someday. I chose 8x8 because I have some money saving techniques to encourage parents support their kids new hobby and it is easier for children to keep up with an 8x8 scrapbook. I'm going to teach them the importance of acid free, how to measure for photo mats, Journaling basics, Inking, distressing, stamping, using adhesives and so on. We're going to practice by making cards and embellishments before I let them actually make a page. It will be easier for them if they have their own tools and supplies, so I am putting together a kit they will take home with them after the program is over. The kit will include a paper trimmer, croner rounder, adhesives, ruler, pens, inks and so on. We havn't worked out a date yet but I'm thinking it will be a 4-5 day event. If you think you will be interested, goahead and start getting their pictures together. Now back to that 4 step tag. Check it out below.

Stamp) First I use Versamark to stamp on a plain manila tag.

Emboss) Then I sprinkled it with clear embossing powder and heated it with the heat tool.

Spray) I sprayed a plastic bag with Suede, Riptide, and Spring Mint Glimmer Mist making sure the colors are not too close together so they don't run together making a single muddy color.

Flip) I flipped my tag face down into the puddle of glimmer mist

Now we're done. Just let it dry or put it in the microwave for a few seconds.

Notice that the clear embossing acted as a resist, leaving a clean shinny stamped image.

If you missed the Tattered Angels Tutorial and want to play with glimmer mist, come by the store to make this tag. A friend of mine gave us some colors for you to try out and I have a few more demo bottles myself. We currently carry about 10 colors, a couple different glimmer screens, and some glimmer chips. Stop by and see us sometime.

Jason's Blog - Rub-On Pigments and Transfers

Today we're playing with Rub-On Transfers and Metallic Rub-On Pigments. Metallic Rub-On Pigments are creamy and come in a package of 6 colors. They look like those watercolor paints we used as kids and work best when applied using your finger in a circular motion.

I was having trouble getting a good picture of this tag it looks better in person. The reflection of the shinny effect from the metallic rub-ons make it look bent but it is actually perfectly flat.

This Tag started out as a scrap of black cardstock and a left over rub-on transfer of a bird on a limb. Using the Basic grey Rub-On Roller, I applied my birdy rub-on to the center of the cardstock.

Then I applied gold metallic rub-on pigment over the center of the tag with my finger, making the shape of an oval.

After that I outlined the gold oval with a thick line of silver. I wiped off my finger and blended the two colors together moving my finger in a circular motion. Add a little more gold to the center and blend again. Next I used the red tone on the left, right and a thin line on the top and bottom then blended it into the silver but not the gold.

Now for the magic. Use a paper towel in a circular motion to buff the metallic rub-on pigment off of the rub-on transfer. Because rub-on transfers are waxy, the oily metallic rub-on pigment will not stick to it. The rub-on transfer acts as a resist in this case. I did spray the tag with iridescent gold glimmer mist because I love it and can't help myself. I have a habit of inking everything so I also lightly inked the edges with my onyx brilliance pad but it wasn't really necessary to ink an already black piece of paper. Well that's it, quick easy and beautiful.

Here is another piece I made using this technique but with a much larger rub-on transfer.

I hope you enjoyed this one it's simple but unique. Thanks for visiting come by to see this in person. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Jason's Blog - Glimmer Mist

Hey everyone, Thanks for visiting my new blog. I have some new tricks up my sleeve that you might enjoy. Have you ever heard of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist? It is a pearlescent water based spray that will change your life, and it will change the color and add a shimmer to flowers, patterned papers, card stock, chipboard, wood, ribbon, tear bears, fabric, and anything else that can absorb water.I have used it on plastic and buttons, but on plastic and buttons you have to dry it completely and seal it with something like clear embossing, glossy accents, or Crystal lacquer. If you are using an absorbent material such as paper or fabric, you can dry it with a heat tool, but I like to use the microwave for 5-15 seconds because it flattens the paper perfectly smooth and dry almost every time. Polyester, likes to shrink and melt violently in the microwave so don't nook your shinny polyester ribbon and flowers. Lets go over some step by steps shall we.

Today we're making this Mother's Day card.

We will use Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (suede, riptide, passion red), Core'dinations Color Core Cardstock, 2 stamps, Brilliance Dew Drop Onyx Black ink pad, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder, corner rounder, Sanding block, K & Company Craft Glue, Kaisercraft white paper flower, and large Kaisercraft rhinestone.

We will start with a piece of Core'dinations Color Core Card stock cut to 10"x4" and 2"x2". I folded the 10"x4" in half, rounded the corners and sanded the edges on both pieces for added interest.

Now I spray. Holding the bottle about 12" above my paper. I press the nozzle down quickly and move my arm is a fast sweeping motion across the paper. Don't worry about using too much, the mist is very fine so it seems like you are using allot but you're not. That little bottle goes a long way.

Before

After

I achieved this effect by first using the Suede color. I misted the entire piece. Then I used Riptide which is blue and aimed for the folded edge and the bottom right corner then I nooked it for 10 seconds or so until the paper was flt again. Notice that for this card I didn't dry the first color before applying the second color. I did this because when both colors are wet they run together making cool drips that remind me of the veins in marble.

I cut a flourish using the Home Decore Cricut Cartridge, placed it on the bottom of the card. Holding the bottle 8" away and using a fast sweeping motion, I misted the bottom card over the flourish with passion red. Next I removed the flourish and nooked the card flat and dry. Notice the impression left by the flourish.

Digging through the stamp bin, I found this beautiful never used stamp just waiting for it's day. I inked it with a Brilliance black onyx Dew Drop because it is a pigment hybrid which will set on top of the background I created rather than soaking in like a dye ink. Plus, with Brilliance Dew Drops I can pour clear embossing powder on the Brilliance Ink, and heat it with a heat tool for a totally different effect.

Remember that 2"x2" square? Well I rounded the corners, sanded and inked the edges, then sprayed it first with suede, the corners with riptide, and the bottom with passion red. Dried it in the microwave, then stamped and clear embossed the scallop frame. I also changed the color of the white Kaisercraft flower to a glimmery passion red and glued a rhinestone to the center.

Now I glue everything together.

Hope you enjoyed this little project. Stop by to say hi we enjoy your company. All About Crafts is going through some changes (good changes) so keep in contact. If we do not have your email address, or if you have stopped getting our emails, please send us an email at allaboutcrafts@att.net we would love to hear from you.