I used some of the techniques I've learned in my new online art workshops presented by Amanda Evanston. For cards I painted watercolor paper with abstract florals. After they dried (tick, tock, tick tock) I cut the paper to make designs for the front of our cards.
Showing posts with label quick cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quick cards. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2020
Pandemic Projects Anyone?
July was Christmas in July for me as I created more Christmas cards then I will ever need to send this year (even with the expanded list I have prepared).
Thursday, May 21, 2020
"Froggie Went a Courtin' "
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| Just a little hello by Norma Anne Chattin 2020 |
I have a hard time making things just alike. But this one may appear again, it's just too fun.
Stamp: Tutu Toad by Stampendous
Stamp: Artisan Textures by Stampin' Up
Stamp: Itty Bitty Greetings by Stampin' Up
Banner Punch: Stampin' Up
Techniques: Watercolor pencils, background stamping, Inked edges, and not visible but very cool: Image coated with mono liquid AQUA glue(tm) to stand out on card.
You can get the Stampin' Up products online and if you so desire, order them from my demonstrator page:
https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/default.aspx
*Side note: Anyone remember the song "Froggie Went a Courtin'" by Burl Ives? Sir Henry had never heard of it, but it's a fond memory from my childhood. Here's his version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ote_7U3NatM He plays a great guitar with it.
Kermit also dd a version...
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Stop me before I pin(terest) again
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| My Palm Tree Dreams card (shown with C-19 nails-frown), I was inspired to use this layout and ink-blended background by watching YouTube video from Zindorf Stamps: https://youtu.be/TWFVUFVesBQ |
1. I don't wish to take the time to carefully photograph items when I could be making more stuff.
2. There are so many incredible photographs of beautifully made items similar to what I am designing that already exist online.
I find and save my favorite designed and original art pieces on Pinterest(tm). Here's a link to my Pinterest hub: https://www.pinterest.com/nachattin/ There are very very few of my own designs there because I'd rather go make them and teach them as opposed to taking photographs...remember that part?
My You Tube channel also has some (OK, a ton) of videos categorized by topic into playlists. I think you can click here for my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRWZ5ZmQQC7wFHzZA-MnU0g?view_as=subscriber or you may just have to search Chattin and find it. Keep in mind, the treasure is not within the few videos I uploaded but in the playlists.
I contend that when we want to know more about a person or fall in love with someone or when someone has left our orbit, we can find insight into that person simply by following them on Pinterest or checking their saved videos on YouTube(tm). Yes, of course you could troll their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but that's so obvious. Look beyond what someone is posting of their own work, service, or product and peer closer into what they actually save--it's fun.
More recently created cards I designed:
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| Dogwood Shimmer |
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| Blue Palm |
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| Sunny Flamingos |
Monday, December 17, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Monday, December 10, 2018
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
Monday, December 3, 2018
Advent Art 2
Advent season 2018
I make my Christmas cards. I wish I could make little watercolor card fronts for all of them, but that's never happened. I love using stamps and die cuts to create fun cards.
I rarely make elaborate fancy cards. Simple is fun for me. Unlike many artists I admire, I just cannot bring myself to make sets of cards that are alike. The best I can do is go with similar.
Simple cards are easy, however, simple can be challenging too. There's the inevitable urge to add more...There's the choice of colors that is critical to bringing it all together. When you go simple, every element has to count.
Here's one of the Sizzix(tm) scribble tree dies with a print paper border. I enjoy using non-traditional Christmas colors.
Merry Christmas!
I make my Christmas cards. I wish I could make little watercolor card fronts for all of them, but that's never happened. I love using stamps and die cuts to create fun cards.
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| Scribble tree |
Simple cards are easy, however, simple can be challenging too. There's the inevitable urge to add more...There's the choice of colors that is critical to bringing it all together. When you go simple, every element has to count.
Here's one of the Sizzix(tm) scribble tree dies with a print paper border. I enjoy using non-traditional Christmas colors.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Glazing Discovery
Turns out that Tombow™ Mono Aqua liquid glue™ works well as
a glaze medium. While the end result is
not as thick as regular glazes, it has the same even glossy finish and texture.
The curing period for Tombow™ as a glaze is only about an hour.
Why glaze?
Glazing a focal point on your artwork is a beautiful thing. It’s shiny, what can I say?
When you glaze you are not only making an image shiny but you are raising the surface.
Critical factors
in glazing:
The glaze finish must not be sticky to the touch after
drying.
The glaze must not buckle the paper it is covering.
The glaze must be distributed evenly across the design.
Bubbles should never be present on the finished product.
Glazing Products
Many companies have great glaze mediums on the market. They
give a thick glossy finish and should dry for 24 hours. My favorite is Crystal Lacquer™.
Clear embossing powder also ads a lovely glaze to an image.
Embossing powder dries immediately, however, I find it tricky to get an even
coat on the first (or second) pass. Embossing is messy for me and requires
using products I don’t keep close by.
Glazing away
Impatience over drying time, frustration with evenness,
and practicing my “within reach doctrine” led me to the Tombow™ discovery about
glazing.
The projects above are holiday tags. Below is a stamped card feature using the same glaze:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Crazy Birds in the Studio
“You have to start somewhere.” Here’s the somewhere I’m
starting.
There have only been a couple of products that I “had to
have” in the last year. Crazy birds stamps by Tim Holtz was one of these. Here are some samples:
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| The sequins make the magic. |
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| There are dies to cut the birds that I did not buy but my friend Lynn did... |
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I wish more of the birds faced right
that would be more appealing on a
card.
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These designs are very simple. The birds are just so adorable that there is no need to put tons of effort into cards.
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Coordinating papers from a paper pad
by DCW make assembly easy.
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I stamped all of these in one sitting on white paper that had been colored with distress ink stains by Ranger via Tim Holtz. I cut some out and I left some right on the background.
Keep in mind, I prefer to make art than spend a ton of time taking photos of it--smile. Editing pictures distracts me for hours because after I crop then I want to adjust color and size and contrast and....
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Dictionary Pages everywhere
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| This design is adorable with the ballet skirt cut separately and slipped on the doll. Makes a pretty hanging ornament. |
Try those paper chain dolls or just a solo dancer for a design reminiscent of childhood treasures.
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| All three of the dancer cards were featured in a make-n-take at the FCC Crop & Stamp fundraiser. They can be assembled quickly |
Adapt and change patterns to work with the dictionary paper. I used one I found through Pinterest that was designed to hang. The pattern was large and the skirt had cuts like a snowflake.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Shaping up Nicely
All of these cards were drawn and cut from circles. We used recycled greeting cards and paper scraps.
The card blanks, including the printed file folder ones, were purchased on sale at major craft store and are manufactured by DCV. They are really handy for quick cards when affordable.
The card blanks, including the printed file folder ones, were purchased on sale at major craft store and are manufactured by DCV. They are really handy for quick cards when affordable.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Just Cuttin' Up
More designs from the Recycled Greeting creative session taught this summer:
Designer note: Use a black
pen to make borders around
the shapes and around the edges
of the card. Stamp or write
word greetings on the front
to balance design.
Designer note: Use a black
pen to make borders around
the shapes and around the edges
of the card. Stamp or write
word greetings on the front
to balance design.
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| Circles and leaves--simple easy fun. Reminds me of the amazing and talented Mary Engelbreit. |
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| Just one big bloom & handwritten sentiment. |
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| Just draw, cut, and paste. This design used print paper from scrapbooking scraps. |
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Let's give some art away
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| Wish Big with three candles. |
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| Wish Big sentiment printed from computer. Candle and flame cut from greeting cards. |
The sessions are held monthly (except November and December) at First Christian Church in West Palm Beach, FL. We meet on Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. Feel welcome to email me if you wish to attend or start a similar program in your area.
One of my favorite sessions featured recycling previously used greeting cards into new cards. We starting with free-hand drawing of shapes onto the cards, cut them out, and pieced the shapes together. We used a "guide sheet" of shapes to get us started and I've published that here along with a few samples. Stay tuned for more designs from this session.
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| Pattern/guide for freehand drawings |
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Loving "Pinispiration" on Pinterest
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| Yodie card for Cindy 2013 |
Pinterest has satisfied my need for saving and reviewing internet ideas. I can categorize items and there is a visual for every thing I mark. When my tastes change I can just create a new board.
Between Pinterest and RSS feeds to my Yahoo home page--I am all set.
The Yoda tribute design to the right is one of my favorites. I was inspired by a tee shirt that had been pinned by a sci-fi fan. It was the perfect impetus to use in creating a card for my "Star Wars" fan and friend, Cindy.
Follow my imagination and fun on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/nachattin/boards/
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Getting Patriotic all Summer
I love my country. No matter what your politics you have to admit that you were blessed to be born or naturalized as a citizen of this country.
As summer begins I think about two kinds of cards, decor, entertaining, etc. The first is patriotic and the second is "beachy fun."
Take a look at all these ideas for patriotic party crafts and recipes at JoAnn.com
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Patriotic rarely goes out of style--this card was
made in 2005 and I'd still send it today.
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