Using Markers For Backgrounds

Good morning!  Hope you are having a great day.

My friend, Shelly, asked about using Marvy markers in different ways.  So, I sat down and tried some different things, and following are the results of my "experimentation".

I had some black and white patterened paper, so I decided to color it with my markers.  I like this idea...you can use a specific color palette to match your artwork.  I also tried spritzing it with water, which blends the colors if you'd like to blend. This also looks awesome using alcohol markers, which you can blend.

The next piece was fun to do.  I scribbled with my markers on a piece of acetate, then spritzed with water and then put white cardstock down.  I used a lot of colors, just to see the effect, which I like. 

The following card uses the rest of the piece of cardstock for a background for the card.  I liked this technique, too.

I think it would make a fun background for embossing folders, subway art, or graffiti or celebrations.

The next piece was made by heat embossing regular white cardstock with swirls, using white or clear embossing powder. Then I again scribbled on acetate, spritzed with water, and lay the cardstock in it to absorb the water.  Then just wipe the embossed area with a tissue or paper towel to remove any color from the embossing.

The following piece was done the same way, only I used glossy cardstock. To remove the embossing, you could iron the piece after coloring, kind of like faux batik.  Just make sure you use plenty of plain paper over the image to absorb the melted embossing.

The next piece also uses glossy cardstock, but I used versamark to stamp the swirl, then let it dry. I did not heat emboss it.  But again, I scribbled on acetate, then spritzed with water and put the cardstock in it.

I know there are a ton of techniques out there to use your Marvy/Tombow markers with, but it was fun doing these experiments.  If you have other techniques using markers, please leave a message in the comment section so I can try them out.

Have a crafty day...

Techniques Revisited - Part 5 (Shaving Cream)

Good morning!

One of my favorite techniques uses shaving cream.

It's very easy to do and can make your paper smell yummy!

I use a disposable dish for this.

• I squirt a layer of shaving cream into the dish. You need a dish large enough to put your paper in without bending it. 
• Then I put a few drops of re-inkers on top of the shaving cream and swirl it around a bit.  Don't swirl too much or the colors will get muddy.  In the above example I used a gray, a coral and a gold.  
• Lay your cardstock face down onto the shaving cream.  Pull it up and you can either wipe away or shaving cream concoction or you can put another piece of cardstock face down on the first.  At any rate, pull them apart and remove the shaving cream.  I use a spatula for this.  
• You can add re-inkers and do more, but eventually the shaving cream will get too muddy to use.  At that time, you can dispose of it and use other colors.

Then I stamped the swirls and bird on the paper and cut it out.  


Hope you have enjoyed this stroll down memory lane.  Let me know what other techniques you would like to see, or other things in your stash that you haven't used in awhile.


Have a colorful day...

Techniques Revisited - Part 4 (Spirelli)

Good morning!

Today I want to share a lovely pendant/ornament I received with you.  It's the Spirelli technique. Makes you think of a spirograph doesn't it?

My friend Carol sent me this lovely piece:

This technique works well with any scalloped shape (and is a good way to use up some of those fibers in your stash).  

• I start with a piece of double sided tape on the back of my shape.  
• I lay the end piece of the thread onto the tape and bring up through one of the indentions.  
• Then take the thread down one of the scallops indentions. The look of the finished piece will change, depending on the spacing of your threads.  You can make a tight pattern with a lot of inner space (for stamping), or you can make a smaller pattern (or even no spacing at all if you put your thread straight across).
• Bring your thread back up in the next indention and continue with an over/under pattern until you are completely back around the piece.  
• The above piece goes through every indention twice to make the pattern.

My friend used a metallic thread and used a metal button for the center.

Other uses for those fibers you've been saving:

• Use instead of ribbon when wrapping presents.
• Use to make animal fur for stamped images
• Hair on your stamped people
• Use to make borders on your scrapbook pages (or cards)
• Use them to "hang" charms or embellishments
• Use them for "fence" wire.

Come on, let's add to this list...Just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite use for fibers are. Then pull them out and use them.

Put some color in your day.

Techniques Revisited - Part 3 (Bingo Markers)

Good morning!

Today, I want to show you how to use bingo markers to make a background.

I basically did this like the fossil stone technique.  

• I dabbed the bingo markers on the inside of a page protector.  
• Then I spritzed with a little water and smooshed it together to blend the colors.  
• Then I opened the page protector and put two pieces of glossy cardstock (backs together) inside and closed the page protector.  
• I smooshed it with my fingers and pulled the page protector open and removed the cardstock. 
• I let dry (it will lighten a bit), and cut into the background shape. 

 I love the look of this.  Fossil stone is one of my favorite techniques.  


For those of you who don't know what bingo markers are, they are the liquid dabbers you buy at the store to mark your bingo numbers.  The other technique using them on this blog is called Bingo Blast.  You can search for that.

Have a colorful day...

Techniques Revisited - Part 2 (Holeless Marbles)

Good morning!  Today we will use those little holeless marbles you have in your stash.

I used the holeless marbles on the tree.  If you click the picture, you will get a better look. I colored the tree and cut it out, then I used double-sided red-liner tape on the tree.  I removed the liner, then poured the clear holeless marbles on the tree.  I used a brayer to make sure they were adhered securely.

Easy peasy!

Hope you have a colorful day.

Techniques Revisited - Part 1 (Lace)

We have been having a discussion on the Stamptalk Yahoo Group about old techniques and using up our stash, so I decided to do a few old techniques.

Today's post uses lace and glitter.

The background behind the woman is made with a lace background.  Remember that?  The technique is simple but stunning.

• I bought some half sheet labels, which give you two backgrounds per sheet. Just peel the liner off and lay down your piece of lace.  Make sure the lace is adhered really well.  
• Pour your first color of glitter on the sheet. I usually lay a piece of copy paper over it at this point and brayer it to make sure the glitter adheres really well. Put that color of glitter back in the jar. 
• Pull the lace off and put your 2nd color of glitter down.  Again put the copy paper over it and brayer. Put the 2nd color of glitter back in your jar.  
• Your background is now ready.  If you die cut a circle, square, oval, etc., you will be able to use the negative space, too. And you can use the lace over and over.

Here are some examples of glitter backgrounds made using this technique and different kinds of lace. 

Hope you have fun with your supplies and this technique.

Stippled Envelopes

As promised, here are some stippled envelopes.

I used a lot of different colors on this envelope. I added pieces of sticky notes to the address areas to keep them white.  I used a light hand so that if I want to add some stamped images (collage style), they will still be visible.

I love the colors on this envelope.  I stippled the envelope first, then stamped the leaves.  The stippled background made them easier to blend when I used my markers to color them in.  Makes for a very festive fall envelope.  You can add bits of glitter to the leaves for some sparkle if you wish, but I kind of like them plain.

Hope you have enjoyed seeing my stippling efforts.  Add some color to your day...