GRACIAS (Friday sketch)

Hi, again, everyone!
I really enjoyed, but so tired to cleanse my messy hands! Finally I finished one more card today for Hero Arts 'sketch2' challenge and also for 2Peas, 'Thinking Inking class' week 9. It's Sunday morning here! :(

This is the card, 'GRACIAS'.

Started to think rotating HA Shari's Friday sketch 90 degree. -Her sketches of PDF can be downladed from the URL below:
http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/files/2009/08/sharis-blog-week-sketches.pdf -
'Cause I got some imaginations from Jennifer's card window panel which she showed us at Thinking Inking class part 2 of week 9 video at 2Peas.
And used the method from 'Dry Embossed Alcohol Inked Background'.

This is a closeup photo.

Sanding was really fun! Love the result looks like burnished metal! I would spend alcohol inks a lot from now on.

stamp used:
HA Clear Design Thank You Sayings / CL341
HA Clear Design Feather Grass / CL282

other supplies:
Bazzill Basics CS, Ranger Glossy Paper, Acetate
Tsukineko Brilliance / Moonlight White
Tsukineko StazOn / Timber Brown,Olive Green
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Gold, Silver, Pearl, Lettuce, Aqua, Stream, Eggplant
HA Teal gems, paper flower, ribbon, CB embossing folder

Thanks for looking! :)
Have a beautiful weekend!

Friends (Wednesday sketch)

Hi, everyone!
A couple of days, I had lots of things to do. Finally today (it's midnight here. LOL.) I took my time for creating and I finished a card for Hero Arts 'sketch2' challenge.

This is the card, 'Friends'.

I always think I've been not good at making the circle shaped card. I know I can't make it to posess the good balance. So this card design is almost taking on Shari's Wednesday sketch and her demonstration video. Wanted to find out and get a bit of its tips.
Used the methods of 'Dry embossed Alcohol ink background' from 'Thinking Inking class' week 9 - part2 video.
I wanted try this method! It's the narrow strip that is..., 'cos I began to make a small pieces. (The bigger one was made partly, but I yet to finish it. Will I able to finish it in today???)
The layered paper flower colorings are..., the one is sprayed Perfect Pearls with water, and the other is colored with alcohol ink.
This circle shaped card's diameter is about 3.5" (9cm).

stamp used:
HA SE: Creative Trees / LL230
HA Clear Design Friends / CL351

other supplies:
Bazzill Basics CS, Ranger Glossy Paper, Basic Grey PP
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
Ranger Distress Ink / Fired Brick, Vinage Photo
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Silver, Pearl, Lettuce, Aqua, Salmon
Ranger Distress Stickles / Frayed Burlap
Zing embossing Powder / Apricot
Paper flowers, Braid, thread, button, Quickutz 4" dies, CB embossing folder

Thanks for looking! :)
Have a beautiful weekend!

Merry & Bright

Hi, everyone!
Yesterday was a very hot day!
BUT, I rapidly shifted to the wintry design. Is the reason this is the one after I made autumnal card last time? No, no. Haha.
To tell the truth, there's a fantastic challenge 'Winter Wonderland' at Caardvarks sponsored by Hero Arts.

So I made a card for Caardvarks 'Winter Wonderland' challenge.
This is the card, 'Merry & Bright'.

I didn't have the new snowman stamp yet, so this is one of my favorite of last year's.
And this card is also to take on HA Shari's Tuesday sketch. So I'm gonna submit this to Hero Arts.
And one more taking on ..., oh my!
I made this background to use the 'pigment ink resist' technique of Thinking Inking class part 1 of week 9 at 2Peas. I was so interested in this method while watching the video. I haven't ever known pigment inks can use for resisting. So I tried.

This is a closeup photo.

I use VersaCraft white pigment ink with distress inks for resist. The coloring for the big snowman is Liquid Pearls with distress inks and water, and Snow Cap acrylic paint dabber for the sentiment.

stamp used:
HA Design Blocks Big Holiday Words / S5076
HA Clear Design Let It Snow / CL233
Lizzie Anne Designs stamp

other supplies:
Bazzill Basics & American Crafts CS
Tsukineko StazOn / Jet Black, Timber Brown
Ranger Distress Ink / Antique Linen, Broken China, Weathered Wood
Ranger Liquid Pearl / Gold, Baby Blue, Ruby Red
Ranger Stickles / Flosted lace, Acrylic Dabber / Snow Cap
HA Shadow Ink / Soft Pool
Judikins / Diamond Glaze
HA snow shaped felt and metal, Clear gem, Ribbon, thread

Thanks for looking! :)

You inspire me (Shari's Monday sketch)

Hello, there!
This week, Hero Arts artist, Shari Carroll is showing us her beautiful works.
Yestreday, she gave us 4 marvelous sketches to work with for this week.
The PDF file can be downladed from the URL below:
http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/files/2009/08/sharis-blog-week-sketches.pdf.

今週は、ほとんど時間が取れそうに無いというのが事実なのですが、度々参加しているチャレンジ用に、ヒーローアーツ社のアーティストであるShari Carrollさんが、スケッチ（グリーティングカード用のパターン --- 雛形です---）を用意してくださっているので、時間の許す限り作ってみようかと思って、トライしてみました。
雛形は、上のURLからダウンロード出来ますので、興味をお持ちの方はダウンロードされていた方が良いと思います。オススメの貴重品！！！

So I decided to try some and going to join the 'sketches2' challenge.
This is my card, 'You inspire me'.

Made this card to take on her Monday sketch. I love her sketches!
My colors for this card were a little bit shift to autumn colors. The reason is ... I went to 2 department stores yesterday evening and received the Autumn - Winter clothes reserved them in this spring. (I'm really simple minded. Haha.)

The center circle coloring is used Perfect Pearls which I learned the methods at 2Peas Thinking Inking class by Jennifer Mcguire last week. And the background heat embossing is also from her class - mixing Perfect Pearls with clear embossing powder.

This is a closeup.

But I couldn't show you that I used perfect pearls, 'Green Patina' and 'Heirloom Gold' colors with clear embossing powder. I'm sorry! The center circle coloring is also used the same 2 powders.

stamp used:
HA Scallop Floulish / S5152
HA Design Blocks Modern Lines / S5218
HA Clear Design Friends / CL351
HA Clear Design Thank You Sayings / CL341 (Used a leaves stamp only)
Stampers Anonymous Background stamp

paper:Bazzill Basics CS, HA Kraft, Basic Grey PP

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko StazOn / Jet Black
Meories Dye Ink / White
Ranger Distress Ink / Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Embossing Ink
Ranger Perfect Pearl / Green Patina, Heirloom Gold
Ranger Embossin Powder / Clear
American Crafts Zing / Teal Metallic

Accessories:
Basic Grey button, Kaisecraft gems, Kreinik Braid, ribbon,
Prima paper flower, Quickutz Nesting dies

Thanks for looking! :)

2 works to use Perfect Pearls by Ranger

Hi, everyone!
Time flies! Today is Saturday!???? LOL. I finished 2 works today for the 2Peas education, Thinking Inking class week 8. Actually I began to create them at the begining of this week, but I couldn't go on to make my time for them.

こんばんは。このところ何だかバタバタ続きで、今週もなかなか時間が取れなかったのですが、ようやくカードとタグが完成しました。実は開始したのは、今週の始め・・・。本当にまとまった時間が取れず、細切れ作業の末・・・という感じです（笑）
今回カラーリングに使用したのは、RangerのPerfect Pearls というマイカパウダーですが、パール入りのチョークパウダーでも、--- いろいろなブランドがある為、製品にもよるとは思いますが --- ある程度似た事が出来ます。マイカパウダー入りと無しでは、輝き方が違う事と、マイカが入っている方が塗った箇所に厚みが出る感じでしょうか。

This is the card, 'You're in my thoughts'.

Made this card to use the technique from 'Thinking Inking Class Week 8', Part 1 and part 2 video by Jennifer McGuire. She showed us many techniques to use Perfect Pearls by Ranger. Truly beautiful works! Just love her works and techniques! If you don't see them yet, please visit the URLs!
This is a closeup photo.

stamp used: HA Design Blocks Dots and Flowers / S5213 HA Clear Design Friends / CL351 HA Clear Design L Artistic Borders / CL322
paper: Basic grey PP, SEI CS
Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black
Ranger Embossing Ink, Clear Embossing Powder+ Perfect Pearl
Ranger Distress inks / Broken China, Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick,　Scattered Straw
Ranger Pearfect Pearls / Perfect Pearl, Heirloom Gold, Green Patina, Blue Patina, Forever Red
Accessories: HA Accent Pearls, Prima paper flower, ribbon

And the next, I introduce you is 'the Asian image tag'.

I wanted to make the oriental image tag. So I chose these stamps by Hero Arts. stamp used: HA Clear Design Asian Frames / CL275 
paper: a tag and normal CS (leftover papers) 
Ink & embossing powder:Ranger Pearfect Pearls / Perfect Pearl, Heirloom Gold, Green Patina, Blue Patina, Forever Red, Copper,
Embossing clear powder,
Distress inks / Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint

*This tag actually has brighter colors. Sorry, this photo is not in good condition!
And I used part 1, 2 and part 3 techniques from 'Thinking Inking Class Week 8' video for this tag.

Thanks for looking! :)
Have a beautiful weekend, everyone! =)

3 tags set

Hi, everyone!
I knew I didn't make enough time for creating this week, so I made these tags to use a method from the 2Peas education, and decided to submit this project both Hero Arts 'tag' challenge and Thinking Inking class week 7.

こんばんは。先週に引き続き今週もバタバタしていて、なかなか時間が取れなかったのですが、シンプルなタグを作ってみました。

This is the project, 'Three tags set'

Made to use the tissue paper tecnique on Sticky Back Canvas from the 2Peas,'Thinking Inking Class Week 7', Canvas Part 1 video.
After made the canvas part, I mounted it on the tag, already did the clear emboss resist to use Modern Lines Stamp with several distress inks and sprayed them perfect pearl mist.

This is a closeup photo.

stamp used:
HA AI: Three Designer Leaves / LP132
HA Design Blocks Modern Lines / S5218
HA Clear Design Everyday Sayings / CL342

paper:
Bazzil CS kraft, Ranger CH Sticky Back Canvas

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko StazOn / Timber Brown / Teal Blue
Memories Dye Ink / White
Ranger Archival Ink / Jet Black, Embossing Powder / Clear
Ranger Distress inks / Broken China, Faded Jeans, Tattered Rose,
                    Worn Lipsticks, Shabby Shutters, Pine needle, Antique linen
Ranger Pearfect Pearls / Pearfect Pearl
Ranger Stickles / Waterfall, Eucalyptus, Burgandy, Platinum, Distress Peeled Paint

Accessories: threads

Thanks for looking! :)

Thinking of you

Hi, everyone!
Thank you so much for your concern about our weather disaster. We are now in a respite from the heavy rain. And yesterday was..., it was so noisy that many helicopters - mass medias' included - flied, and the sirens of ambulances or police cars resounded all day long. ('Cos, there are heliports, firehouses, and police stations are all around here.) It's easy to have clear grasps of the conditions of stricken areas in urban districts, but so difficult in up‐country areas. The problem is how we find the peoples under disconnection and support them as soon as we can... I really appreciate all your kind words. Thank you.

 Well, I made a card to use the technique from the 2Peas 'Thinking Inking Class Week 6'. And this card is for senior people who lives alone. This is one of my volunteers to carry out the intention of my deceased mother. I make 5 cards (or postcards) quarterly to hand them to the representative of the welfare section of our city hall. (I don't know who receives mine. The receiver's names and addresses are witten by the city hall staffs to protect the personal information.)

This is the card, 'Thinking of you'

I used the background fabric technique from 2Peas 'Thinking Inking class Week 6', part 3 video - distress stickles on fabric. The fabric I used is printed linen lawn, this is originally little bit distressed. 'Cos, this fabric is made to have the Durham Quilt look - Durham, England in Victorian Age.
And the butterfly coloring are Liquid Pearls, Acrylic Paint Dabbers and Perfect pearl with water as water colors.
* I don't have Dimensional Pearls yet, I tried to use several Liquid Pearls and acrylic paints with water this time. But the result was a little bit matte, so I added the mica powder, the Perfect Pearls by Ranger.
Love to do a few experiments and play. *grin*

This is a closeup photo.

  I used coiled wire of Salzburg Gebinde (Austrian craft) for butterfly's antennae.

stamp used:
HA Heart Winged Butterfly / F5158 HA Clear design Friends / CL351
paper: American Crafts CS
Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
Ranger Distress Embossing Powder / Vintage Photo
Ranger Liquid Pearls/ White Opal, Gold, Petal Pink, Baby blue
Ranger Acrylic Dabber / Willow, Stream
Ranger Pearfect Pearls / Pearfect Pearls
Ranger Stickles / Diamond, Distress Frayed Burlap, Antique linen, Scattered Straw
Accessories:
HA heart shape pearl, threads, printed linen lawn fabric (Lucien Durham Quilt Collection), coiled wire

Thanks for looking! :)

Adorable (baby card)

Hi, everyone!
Made this baby card for one of my co-workers living in US, I'm gonna packed it with a gift and send him in next Monday. I'm always complaining about the post offices are closed in weekends. We can post only envelopes and postcards to mailboxes...

Well, this is the card, 'Adorable (baby card)'

I used the techniques that Jennifer McGuire showed us at the the 2Peas video this week. - from Part 1 (Basics), and using perfect pearls as water colors from Part 2 -
* Actually, she mainly uses the Dimensional Pearls by Ranger, those are water-based. But I yet to have them, so I used several Liquid Pearls, these are also water-based.

So I decided to send this for joining the 2Peas 'Thinking Inking Class Week 6', and also for joining the Hero Arts 'monochromatic' challenge this week (July 20th - 26th).

And yesterday I found that the Carrdvarks challenge this time is 'baby or bridal shower card or altered item'. Also want to join it.
And one more!, I submitted this card to the July planning by a community member. Oh my! One card for four challenges!?!? LOL.

This is a closeup photo.

 The hood of baby buggy (carriage) consists of 3 layers.

stamp used:
HA Clear design Adorable Baby Girl / CL265
HA Clear design Artistic Borders / CL322

paper: Bazzill Basics & American Crafts CS

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder / Blush
Ranger Liquid Pearls/ White Opal, Gold, Silver, Petal Pink, Rubby Red
Ranger Stickles / Frosted Lace

Accessories:
HA buttons, gemstones, thread, ribbon, silk torchon lace, Quickutz Nesting dies

Thanks for looking! :)

Inspire (notebook)

Hello, there! Sorry for the late post. I was out, 'cause yesterday (July 20th) was national holiday in Japan.
I made a notebook cover on Sunday for joining the 2Peas' Thinking Inking Class Week 5 by Jennifer McGuire, and for the Hero Arts 'website' challenge(July 13th - 19th).

こんばんは。日本の皆様 - 特にお友達- は呆れているかと思いますが・・・。家事や仕事も忙しいのですが、遊んでいます、夜中に・・・（笑）。米国とは、かなりの時差がある事と、日常のするべき事が終わると午後11時をまわってしまうのですねぇ・・。
つい先日参加した２つのチャレンジですが、学ぶ事が多いと思いましたので、直ぐ下にダイレクトURLを記載しました。興味をお持ちの方は是非アクセスしてみてくださいね♪

The both had awesome entries! Check them up? I sure think there are a lot of things to learn.
Here are the direct links:
2Peas  Thinking Inking Class Week 5
HA  website challenge

Well, this is my notebook, 'Inspire'

I was so inspired from the card at the HA Techniques Article section:
Many Enhance your projects with a bit of flair! by Shari Carroll .
I've been adoring the design at the bottom most.

So I tried to make like that image to use a piece of Tim Holtz fragment using Rubs-on resisting technique that I learned from Jennifer's Thinking Inking class week5 part 3 at 2Peas.
After my image was finished, I decided to make it for my notebook cover.

This is a closeup photo around a oval fragment.

  I used the rub-ons resist technique - I used Basic Grey Periphery rub-on - in part 2 video, and tapping ink applicator on a purple color HA button and colored on paper flowers in part 3.
And I also colored a ribbon with silver and pearl alcohol inks. This was my first attempt to resisit by rub-on. It was so much fun!

stamp used:
HA SE: Artistic Windows / S5041 (The manuscript stamp on a paper flower.)
HA Clear design Friends / CL351
     (I use only the word 'inspire' from the sentiment 'You inspire me')

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, Basic Grey & DCWV glossy pp

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Gold, Copper, Pearl, Silver, Stonewash, Slate, Denim,
                              Lettuce
Ranger Distress Ink / Antique Linen

Accessories:
HA button, Basic Grey rub-ons, ribbon, thread, Prima paper flower, Quickutz chipboard, Spellbinders Nestability die

Thanks for looking! :)

Just because... - Alcohol ink card

Hello, there!
What I did at first when I came back from biz trip yesterday evening was..., trying to make a card to use the alcohol inks? Haha. No, no! First, I visited Frickr pool where I join. And, oh yes, made a card for joining the 2Peas' Thinking Inking Class Week 5 by Jennifer McGuire, and for the Hero Arts 'website' challenge this week (July 13th - 19th).

This is the card, 'Just because...'

I didn't use the Design Block Butterfly stamp well. But I love this stamp image. So I've been thinking try it again. I remember the appropriate sample card made by Jennifer McGuire at the HA website.
I was so inspired from the card at the Card Gallery section: Many Thanks by Jennifer. (I've been loving this Sunflower Blossom stamp. This sample page has been in my favorites.)

This is a closeup photo around the butterfly.

  I used the method of tapping alcohol ink applicator to make bubbly look (on paper) in part 1 video. On acetate and a clear button in part 2. And, on accent pearls and a paper flower in part 3.

  Tapped the several alcohol inks on DCWV glossy PP. (This time, I didn't use white glossy paper by Ranger for this card.)
The alcohol ink of copper and pearl color for the accent pearls, copper for a button.
Gold, wild plum, and stream for a paper flower. Those added to have them such a rich impression, I think.)

This is another closeup around a paper flower colored with alcohol inks.

This was my first attempt to color a paper flower with alcohol inks.
I enjoyed these creating process so much!

stamp used:
HA Design Block Butterfly / S5041
HA Clear design Everyday Sayings / CL342

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, DCWV glossy pp
WorldWin Translucent vellum / peridot

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black, StazOn / Timber Brown
Ranger Alcohol Ink / Gold, Copper, Pearl, Stream, Stonewash, Lettuce,
          Caramel, Wild Plum

Accessories:
HA small gemstones, Clear button, Accent pearls, thread

Thanks for looking! :)

Hi! - Vacation image frame

Hello, there!
We have typical summer days in Japan. I want to move where the climate is mild!! Haha. How about in your country?

Yesterday evening, finally..., oh yes, FINALLY I got some imagination and started to create. I've just finished a clear frame (a page for my art journal) for Jennifer McGuire's 'Thinking Inking Class Week 4' at the 2Peas and for the Hero Arts 'Vacation' challenge this week (July 6th - 12th).
Oh my..., now is the time, 'Happy Monday morning!' here!

暑い日々になりましたね。既に夏バテ状態なのは、私だけでしょうか？(笑) 酷暑にならない事をひたすら祈りつつ・・・の毎日です。
さて、今週は殆どイマジネーション無しの私でしたが、昨夜、ちょっとイマジネーションが湧き、2ピースで行なわれているMs.ジェニファー・マクガイアーの'Thinking Inking Class' (直訳すると「色付けを考える」ですが　Rangerの製品を使った各種の彩色方法のクラスが開催されていて、そちらで様々な方法が紹介されています）と、ヒーローアーツのウィークリーチャレンジ（今週のテーマはバケーション）用に、クリアフレームを作りました。
これは、今年の4月に春イメージの物を作っていたのですが、その時、「四季の鳥と木」のアートジャーナルを作る!＋四半期に1点作り、1年で出来上がり～♪と、自分自身の企画を立てていたのです。今回はその夏バージョン！

This is my project, 'Hi! - Vacation image frame'

This frame is for my humble art journal 'Birds and Trees - 4 Seasons'. I made a spring image clear frame in this April, and decided to make it quarterly. So, I made a summer image frame this time.

This is a closeup photo.

I took the method of Enhancing Crackle paint with acrylic paint dabbers in part 1 of the class. (The Week 4 - part 1 video is here.)
  Stamped the palm tree stamp 3 times on the grungeboard. The one is literally for a palm tree, and two for the flowers.
  I colored with alcohol inks after painting with paint dabbers, because I don't have enough colors to express my image. Several alcohol inks compensate for lack, I think.
  And, I also use the technique of making Faux Textured Metal from the video Week 3 - part 1 for my mini grungeboard frame at the bottom right on the photo. When I saw the video, I was so surprised and glad to know this technique. The bubbles of the paint dabbers made wonderful texture by using the heat gun! So I wanted to try it!

私が使用した方法は、The Week 4 - part 1 と、Week 3 - part 1です。
ご参考のため、4つのURLを下記に記載します。（言語は英語です）
Week 3 - part 1, Week 3 - part 2
Week 4 - part 1, Week 4 - part 2
The Week 1と2は、一応見たのですが、今の時点でURLが解らないので、時間の空いた時に探して掲載しますネ。

*These techniques to use the crackle paints and the acrylic dabbers by Ranger can be seen at 'Thinking Inking Class' at the 2Peas. Another methods are also introduced there.
* For the reference, The Week 3 - part 2 video is here, and the week 4 - part 2 video is here.

stamp used:
HA Design Blocks Clouds / S5215
HA Design Blocks Modern Lines / S5218
HA Clear design Birds and Branches/ CL337
HA Clear design Mix and Match Elements / CL266

paper:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock, Basic Grey / Urban Prairie, Watercolor paper
Tim Holtz Ideaology / Grungeboard sheet, Grungeboard Mini

Ink & embossing powder:
Tsukineko VersaFine / Onyx Black
HA Shadow Ink / Soft Pool
Ranger Distress Ink/ Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Ranger Acrylic Paint / Gold, Silver, Copper, Stream, Salmon, Snow Cap,
          Cloudy Blue
Alcohol Ink / Butter Scotch, lettuce, Cranberry, Wild Plum
Ranger Distress Crackle Paint / Pine Needles, Fired Brick, Antique Linen
Ranger Stickeles / Waterfall
Crayon color pancils, Pigment Markers

Accessories:
HA gemstones, button, MS butterfly punch, thread

Thanks for stoppng by! :)