Spokane Stampers this weds! 5:30pm

Don't forget your Journals and inchies! We will be doing Laminate Transfers so if you have a favorite magazine pic or fancy giftwrap you like, bring it.

Article from the past FAUX HANDMADE PAPER

Here is an old article I wrote for Altered Art Magazine. This is great fun for a hot summer day



Playing with paint and paper
Having lived in areas of the country where I had limited access to fabulous paper to purchase I began to experiment with paints and household papers like paper towels, brown paper bags, tissue paper and yes even toilet paper. By using a variety of paints and mediums you can create incredible looking papers for all your altered projects
My first preference for creating a faux handmade paper is plain old paper towel. Lay paper towel on a craft sheet so that it is easy to pull off when dry.
Start by painting on a thin layer of gesso. While the gesso is still wet add in any acrylic paint for a bit of base color. Allow this to dry well. Once dry, paint on a high gloss metallic glaze. ( Glazes dry more slowly than regular acrylics) Before the glaze dries take a dry rubberstamp apply it to the surface of the wet paint and pull off. Dry off the stamp between applications to the paper. This technique will give a rough textured design to the paper towel.
On cut up brown paper bags or kraft paper try this...
Crumpled the paper throughly then lay out flat on a craft sheet. Ironing the paper at this point will make it even softer and more pliable. Using a stiff bristle brush apply thin layers of acrylic paints in different colors over the surface while the paint is wet mix small amounts of Pearlex into the paint. Blend in with the brush. For a soft finish with no shine apply Micro Glaze over the whole piece. For a high gloss finish apply Diamond Glaze
Try playing with all your paints, glazes and powders more often, feel free to mix things together. All acrylics paints, glazes and mediums can be mixed with a wide range of other water solubale products you have like Pearl Ex , dye reinkers or water color paints

NEW CLASSES posted on my schedule!

Check it out. New classes through the summer and into the fall. Check out the ONGOING list for quick, cheap and (for those who find it hard to commit)Non Sign up sessions, JUST show up! I have an ALL NEW Mixed MEdia 2-day workshop in JULY with new techniques and mediums to focus on.
Altered Books and Visual Journals at Creative Element July 18th for only $40 10-4pm

I will be heading to Cincinnati for STAMPAWAY USA in August.
AND for those of you just dying to come out to Spokane our ART/Stamp Show here in September The Great Art Adventure info will be coming out in the next week or so stay tuned!

Studio Play tonight! 5:30pm

DT Spokane Art Supply tonight come join us if you are in town . Our project is Glass bead Gel and Absorbent Ground White.
Thanks to all my Inchie Folks last night I hope you all enjoyed it and I know you made loads of Inchies.

THIS Week Inchies in CDA and Studio Play Downtown

Lots happening this week..... as always.
Tuesday Night $20
First there is still a bit of room in the Inchies class at Creative Element in CDA. If you would like to join in give us a call at the store today! 208-667-0813. If you have not done Inchies they are very QUICK and Easy fun!
Wednsday Night
Studio Play at the SAS on Monroe (downtown Spokane) 5:30pm $10
Join me for some fast mixed media fun with Glass Bead Gel and Acrylic Ground. You don't need to bring a thing just yourself to try out two mediums!

Idaho today

Lots of Rain last night, thunder and lightning too, its been a while since we had a big storm like that so I know if I can get out to dig a bit this afternoon everything will be soft and easy to work. It seems like spring is really here now everything is turning vivid green and the grass needs mowing already.Daffodils and tulips are up and most of my perennials are sprouting nicely even the delphiniums look great!
It looks like I lost some of my Japanese maples but I am hopeful that the broken stems may rise again.
On the work side of things this week end is Cardmakers Blast( DT) next Tuesday in CDA my Inchies Class and Next Wednesday at the DT store is Studio Play. I have gobs of prep work to do and not much time left.Yikes.
Next Month I will be briefly in the LA area at the Judikins Warehouse for 2 classes more on that later!
Hope you are all having a lovely Spring/summer wherever you are!

classic mosaic at the blast

More cards for Cardmakers Blast

Here is another card we will be doing this weekend! This is the chalk resist technique using colorbox chalk and mucho layering. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

CARDMAKERS blast this coming Sat May 9th

This Sat Ten different cards ten different techniques! don't miss it I will be posting a couple of cards each day this week that we will be doing!