Rich and I spent a significant portion of today looking for a memory card that got misplaced.  I have a fairly good system for Rich and editing.  I use composition notebooks, with a small envelope glued inside the cover.  I write notes on each video, then put the memory card in the envelope and give him the book.  I have a rotation of four composition books, so he should always have one to work from.  Today when he went to put the scrap paper card video up, the memory card was no longer in its envelope.  I normally wouldn’t panic, but this card had videos that couldn’t be replaced.  It had one of my cousin Shelli, and our friend Linda crafting with me, an album I’m making for our friends’ new house, and the scrap card video.

I decided not to panic, but after an hour of looking, I decided I’d be better off taking a nap.  We eventually found the memory card, but the anxiety the whole missing card gave me, ruined my day.  I really wanted to do something crafty today, but just gave up instead.  Sometimes it’s better to nap and read rather than fret about a missing memory card.

I really wanted to use scrap paper, but didn’t remember to look for it, so went with a paper pad, called Latte Stack from DCWV from Joanns..It’s an older paper pack, that I’ve been trying to get rid of.
I watched a video by Tina Zinck and saw her make this card (or a very similar one.)   I made an “X” on a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of card stock, one inch from the sides. So the marks are 1″ from the left side and 1″  from the right side. I made the same marks at the top and bottom, then ran a pencil line and made an “X”. I used the X for a guideline as to where to lay my paper strips. The strips were 1/2″ wide by 6″ (the length of the paper pad.)   I used four different paper patterns. One paper pattern on the outside of the X on all four lines of the X that meet in the middle, then used another paper pattern, butted next to the first,  then another and another. I trimmed them from the underneath of the card stock as I got to the edges, and then used the pieces I trimmed off to continue the pattern. I glued my papers down with wet glue but you can use tear tape, tape runner, or glue sticks.
After the whole front was covered, I cut 1/8″ strips of gray paper from the same paper pad and glued them to about 1/2″ from the bottom and top, as well as 1/2″ from both sides. I took a diamond shaped layered set of dies and cut a smaller diamond for the sentiment, then the next larger size out of the same gray color used for the small strips.
I used cream color card stock from Recollections Heavy Weight card stock from Michaels and cut it to 5 1/2″ by 4 1/4″, actually 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ to make a 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ card front. I took the gray piece cut to 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″ (and cut the center out to be the diamond that layers under the sentiment. I added foam squares between the sentiment and the gray layer when adhering them to my card.  I stamped the sentiment with gray ink that I thought would match, but was a little bit too dark.
In cleaning the extra paper I’d cut, I used some spare strips to layer near the botom my envelope on the front and back.

https://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=BMCLpbCgExs

I’m really excited because I already got a notification from Ranger Ink saying they’ve already sent the inks I ordered.  I can’t tell you how excited I am to play with Wendy Vecchi’s new inks.  She made them look like blending was a breeze.  I have some ideas of some cards I’d like to make that will involve blending, and these should work perfectly for me.  Of course I didn’t need any more inks, but these just spoke to me.  I love trying new things, and can’t wait to play with these.

As for the other demonstrations I videotaped, I’m going to make a corresponding video so that you can watch me using the same techniques after the original video airs.  I might even combine each into one video, or, if time goes too long, will separate them.  I had to separate the Wendy Vecchi video because I didn’t get all of the inks I wanted, but I think I’ll be able to show the rest of the techniques at the same time as the demonstration at the stamp show.  I have so many videos that need to be uploaded and need Rich to jump on them.  He says he’ll upload one tomorrow…

Rich and I attended Adventures in Stamping, a stamp show in Akron, Ohio.  I was lucky enough to spend time one-on-one with Wendy Vecchi while she demonstrated her new Make Art Blendable Inks.  Of course I bought some of them (ones that were available), and will be showing them in an upcoming video. Below are the links to find Wendy’s inks and the other products we discussed.

Tim Holtz-Idea-ology Finials https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-idea-ology-vignette-finial-set-th93573.html

Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Inks
https://stampersanonymous.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=wendy+vecchi&x=0&y=0

Matt Minis  When you buy the matt mini, you should buy the coordinated stamp, so you can stamp on the matt mini, then color it. It adds great dimension to your project. https://stampersanonymous.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=mat+mini&x=0&y=0

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat    https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-glass-media-mat-1914e.html

All Wendy Vecchi products available through the Stampers Anonymous website–https://stampersanonymous.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=wendy+vecchi+

Detail Blending Tool   https://stampersanonymous.com/detail-blending-tool-ibt62172.html

 

 

Rich worked really hard on piecing together all of the different videos from the stamp show, and believe me, it wasn’t easy.  I wanted to make sure I showed the Wendy Vecchi video first, and was able to do so.  I’ll be doing my own take on her blendable inks in a few days.  It was a matter of getting all of the ink colors I wanted, especially the yellow color, which of course, was no longer available when I got there.  I talked to some women at the stamp show that had attended her classes, and unfortunately, I was not able to attend, as they were the day before I got there.  I considered myself really lucky to get one on one time with Wendy, and to be able to get her to allow me to video tape her.  I can’t wait to give her inks a try.

I walked a lot yesterday and kind of feel like I got hit by a truck today.  I really hate whining, but I’m seriously hoping I feel better tomorrow.  Rich has a lot of videos to upload, and I’m hoping one goes up tonight…

Today, Rich and I went to “Adventures in Stamping” in Akron, Ohio.  It’s about two hours from us, and I really enjoy going to these stamp shows, as I learn a lot of different techniques and what new products are being launched.

I wanted to video tape several crafters who were demonstrating techniques.  I asked Rubbernecker Stamps if they would do a video, and they said yes, so we made a nice video with the owner, David Miller.  I spoke to David a year ago and he sent me a box of products.  I found some really interesting felt stamp paper that they sell, and bought a pack to try out.  During the videotaping, a woman asked me if I have a YouTube channel and said she recognized me, then several other ladies in her group said they’ve watched my channel too.  I was so impressed that people recognize me from my YouTube channel, and was blown away by it.

Then I went a booth sponsored by Impression Obsession, and they did a really great demonstration with large background stamps and gave me the image they created in the end.  I loved it and they did such a great job explaining their products and tools.  Then onto Close to My Heart, where they let me make my own card and video tape it.  And it was so much fun.

And lastly, and most importantly, I met Wendy Vecchi…..one of the people that works with Tim Holtz.  She’s created her own line of inks, that just rolled out on Monday, and I bought them and thought I’d work with them for a video or two, since they are so new.  I could watch Wendy create all day long, as she’s so creative and her projects are just lovely.  I think you’ll really enjoy watching how she makes her projects come to life.

It was a fun and exhausting day, but it was all worth it.  I have four videos to share with everyone and hope you will enjoy them, and their different takes on techniques…

I know we need to get a video up, but haven’t felt like pushing Rich to do so.  Tomorrow we’re going to a stamp show in Akron, Ohio, where I’m going to try to ask people to video tape them doing different techniques, and we’ll see how it goes.  I’m not sure what to expect, as people are great, but they’ll be busy, so we’ll wait and see how it goes.  I’ve seen Lindsay do this, but I’ve never tried it myself, and really want to make sure that people are OK with me doing it.  I’ll have to find a time when they aren’t super busy to to ask them.  Crossing my fingers that people will allow me to video them, since I don’t sell anything on my channel.  Sometimes just saying I’m doing this for the crafter with physical limitations will open doors for me.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

I made a video that was focused around scrap paper.  I don’t know what happened. but after the introduction, I didn’t mention scraps or scrap paper ever again.  I guess I’m wondering what the point of a video using scrap paper, when I never actually use scrap paper or talk about using it.

What a mess.

I forgot to give dimensions, and struggled throughout.  What was the point of that video?  At this point, I’m not really sure.  Jeepers Creepers, I think I’m losing my mind.  I can’t wait for all of you to see the video, because the card is cute, but the video is a mess.  I know you’ll all want to give the card a try, though..It’s pretty frisky.

I had another sleepless night, only this time thinking about mixed media.  Where do these ideas come from and why do they keep me awake?  I have no idea.  I will tell you this, though.  I decided to try some mixed media in a journal I made specifically for that purpose almost two years ago.  I wanted to give it a try.  If a page turns out great, I’ll rip it out and make a card out of it.  If it doesn’t, well, you know the rule, it’s only paper….so it’ll go into the trash.  Although if I’m using a book/journal, I won’t be able to rip it out very easily, so I guess it will just be one of those pages I do a flip through–you’ll still probably never see it.

As in all things Sandy, once I wrap my head around something, the next step is buying tools.  In this case, I thought I needed some Dylusion paints.  I really like the bold colors and wanted to use stencils and actually “play” for a change.  I know other crafters think card making is playing, but for me, it’s serious business (well, as serious as I can be.)  I try to make sure every card I make is for a purpose, and want each one to be good enough to be worthy of showing on a video.  That’s really not as much fun as it is stressful.  I’m still not at the stage where I feel comfortable in my crafty skin, so really work at it to ensure the cards I make are video worthy.  I’m hoping I’ll be able to let go, and not really think about the process, and just live in the moment when playing in the journals I have.  I guess we’ll wait to see if I can relax and just play, but for now, I’m waiting for the paints I ordered and we’ll go from there.  Cross your fingers for me, we could be in for a bumpy ride.