Oh, Mexico!

There's that background again! This is the same "failed" alcohol/dye ink experiment that became the moon in my 'Tango' cards. Here, I toned it way down and made it look old fashioned with the editor on Photobucket.

Adding Lucia and a metallic border was almost anti-climactic to me, but I still like it.

Whipped Cream & Other Delights-Herb Alpert & the TJB

One of my favorite albums and cover art of all time.It seemed perfect on my Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink background.

I'd been holding back from posting this because I have a bunch or these out in a swap, but I'm sure everyone has received them by now. My parents had this record. I always wanted to be that girl!

Still More Tango!

Tonight Sue and I had the ultimate privelege of working together without a time constraint and zero interruptions! Absolutely amazing!




I made a few more Tango cards. Sue challenges me to cut paper images "perfectly". Well, look at the arm on the far right lady: I chiseled the poor dear!! This is gonna take some practice and new spex!

Mistakes - ya gotta love 'em.

Learning from my mistakes:

*sigh* I loved this background so much. It's absolutely LUSH. And it was the word 'lush' that led me to put Janis Joplin on the card.

Papers: I am just now getting the hang of using the right papers for the job. Look closely at Janis. The adhesive (I don't remember what I used. Probably Uhu stick)created streaks in the image. Live & learn.

Inks: Know what you are working with! The only mistake I made with the gold ink (floral area) was using it without knowing what it was. I won't take all the blame, though. The unopened tube said Tsukineko Dauber Duos, with no mention whatsoever of the medium contained therein. Never again.(Today, through a little Googling, I learned that these are indeed pigment inks. Why not print that info on the little tube rolling around the studio?)

I still love this project idea. Maybe one day I will rework it with the right stuff.

Revisiting "Tonight, We Tango"

I've received several requests for more info about the process on this card, so here goes:

It all began with a "failed" experiment when I stamped dye-based ink on top of an alcohol ink background:

I scanned it and uploaded it to my (free!) PhotoBucket account. There, I was able to play with the image a little bit. I put the image into a pre-fab astrounaut helmet, only because I like glass globes and this was as close as I could get to one on PhotoBucket.





From there, I cropped the image, eliminating the astronaut part as much as possible.




And though I did not use this in my ATC, I experimented a further by "bulging" the stamped image a little bit. I think it looks cool.

I then printed the image on Bristol (nothing special about my printer or inks -- remember, I am a Stark Raving Newbie!) and cut it out. I inked the edges PRIOR to adhesion (lesson learned).

Voila! I think I am re-inventing the moon!

Art Salon Blitz!

There is bliss in losing oneself in art!

Sue's fabulously brilliant hubby Dan (who graciously drilled out the chocolate beads I bought) is off traveling for work this week. That means more Art Salon time for me and Sue! We met yesterday and we plan to do it again on Tuesday night (my day off work, yay). My own fabulously brilliant hubby will be home with our children so that I can be free!

Now I think I understand why so many crafters stick wings and party hats on things!

I have been meaning to share this with you: I joined a swap on the Yahoo Group called artisttradingcards and I wound up receiving a card from Sue Harrison! How funny is that! Here is her entry and I love it!



When I was about four years old, I attached my own personal "message from God" to sightings of a white butterfly. I've told my children about it, and it makes them happy too. Often they come to me excitedly saying, "I saw the White Butterfly!"

Tonight, We Tango!

Here's one of the many things that came out of the Art Salon today!

Liquid Blue

My ATC entry in the Arty Girlz Challenge #45 "Blue"

This is an Adirondack alcohol ink background on pearlized glossy card stock.
Printed surfer silhouette - Ranger Glossy Accents
Edited on Photobucket's program