Monday, December 17, 2018

Bird in the Hand By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

This is one of those projects that came together without any planning. I had just received some new dies (arms and hearts from AccuCut, the metal blade dies that cut five sheets of cardstock like butter)) and I had two stamped Crazy Birds with feather tails left over after making the batch of ‘You Got This’ cards for my tutorial a couple of weeks ago. Bingo! That old saying about a bird in the hand came to mind and before I knew it, I’d made some 6” x11” wall ornaments. 

Some of the hearts called out for a word or two. The birds needed dimensional eyes. The hands just HAD to have glitzy rings and the arms needed fancy bracelets. 

Now all I need to do is decide whether I’m willing to fold them for mailing or if I’m going to spring for a long envelope and pay the extra postage…or I might end up hand-delivering this batch to local friends.

CLASS NOTES
Want to get in on the action? I’d be delighted to bring the arm and heart dies to The Queen’s Ink for a mini workshop if anyone is interested. Please leave a comment here or call the store and the first five people who want to meet me for an hour or two on a weekend later this winter will be included. 

Here’s the deal: No class fee. I’m donating my time. But each person who attends must spend at least $20 on anything you want from the store shelves (not necessarily paper or cardstock – you can bring your own!). Everybody will take turns using the dies – you can cut as many arms and hearts as you want during the time block.

I’ll also bring some of the stickers I used for the ‘jewelry’ to share.

Instructions:

1. Hand- or die-cut an 11” long arm with hand. Hand- or die-cut one or more hearts for each wall card. Tips: If using scrapbook paper, a design with a long vertical pattern is a great choice! If dies are unavailable, search for patterns online or trace your own hand and arm, scan and re-size the sketch on a computer and print it at 11” or whatever size you prefer! 

2. Use stickers and gems to create a ring and a bracelet. Options: Instead of stickers, stamp and color or stencil on jewelry motifs, or use lace or trim or other embellishments.

3. Add the heart(s), stamped bird or word(s). Use die cuts, create ransom note-style words, use alphabet stickers.

4. Pierce a small hole in the index finger, add metallic braid or twine for a hanging loop.





Supplies:
  • Crazy Birds stamps (Tim Holtz)
  • Arm and heart dies (See “CLASS NOTES”)
  • Paper glue
  • Stickers
  • Gems
  • Metallic cord or twine

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Magnet Board by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

This project is from my Scrapbooking.com Magazine archive, published years ago but worth another look because it’s such a great item to make as a holiday gift! Make a couple for yourself, while you’re at it. Magnet boards are perfect for any room in the house – useful in the kitchen, office, workshop, or on the door in the mud room…

In case you don’t want to duplicate the board precisely as shown, here are the ‘Design Strategies’ to make it your own:
  • Choose a stencil that includes multiple patterns or words.
  • Pick a palette of 4 or more paints suitable for metal.
  • Start with 3 of the paints and cover the metal with dappled color, applied in a random manner.
  • Move the stencil around and use 2 or more additional colors to add pattern/words till the board is filled.
  • Stencil a set of matching magnets.



In case you DO want to duplicate the board as shown, use the Story Time stencil by Seth Apter’s plus metal-suitable paint in 3 shades of green, plus light teal and purple.


Supplies:
  • Story Time stencil by Seth Apter 9 x 12 (StencilGirl Products)
  • Magnet board (Shown: MagPanel)
  • Metal paint in five or more colors
  • Paint brushes
  • Stencil brush
  • Magnets
  • Optional: Woven webbing for hanging loop

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

New class at The Queen's Ink! Laurel Burch Holidays, December 11, 2018, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join Nancy for a new Copic marker class featuring Laurel Burch holiday themed stamps sets from Stampendous. In this class, you will make two cards, with emphasis on basic Copic skills such as ink blending. There will also be a bonus card that you can make in class if time permits or take home to make at your convenience. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class. Seats are limited, so sign up today! CLASS FEE $25

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 
Register online or call the Queen’s Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that Nancy will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection.

Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen’s Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need.
  • RV06: Cerise
  • Y17: Golden Yellow
  • YR04: Chrome Orange
  • YR09:  Chinese Orange
  • YG03: Yellow Green
  • YG07: Acid Green
  • YG17: Grass Green
  • BG11: Moon White
  • BG13: Mint Green
  • B04: Tahitian Blue
  • B06: Peacock Blue
  • C8: Cool Gray No. 8
  • FV2: Fluorescent Dull Violet (can substitute B69 or B79)
OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring:
  • 3 ink blending tools and clean foam refills (such as Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tools / Foam Refills or Nuvo Blending Sponges)
  • Distress Oxides in Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass, and Twisted Citron (can substitute regular Distress Inks)
  • Liquid glue that dries clear (such as Ranger Multi Medium Matte)
  • Scissors suitable for fussy cutting
  • Foam adhesive squares
  • Tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape





Monday, December 3, 2018

You Got This! By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

Today’s tutorial combines Tim Holtz’s Crazy Birds with ‘You Got This’ from RubberMoon, a stamp that is always within reach on my work table.

Simple cards with an upbeat message are one of my favorites to make and send.

As you can see from the photo gallery, I left a narrow halo around the sentiment when I fussy cut around it and the birds have been hand cut, also leaving a narrow halo (I don’t yet have the matching die set). I snipped off the birds’ (stamped) tails so I could replace them with feathers pulled from a yard sale boa!

Solid color cardstock, patterned paper and pieces of washi tape round things out. For all cards, the birds stand on some kind of ‘ground’ – tape, a rectangle, torn paper. 

The cards vary in size and shape, ranging from A2 to 4.5” x 9”. The sample with only one bird is an ATC (2.5” x 3.5” Artist Trading Card), not a full-size card. It uses the same background as the card with three birds, giving you a sense of scale.

MORE OPTIONS
Spend a bit more time on your version of the cards –
Color the birds!
Add wiggle eyes.
Get out some stencils and paint and create unique backgrounds to mix and match and layer. 






Supplies:
  • You Got This! (RubberMoon)
  • Crazy Birds (Tim Holtz)
  • Black ink pad
  • Black feathers
  • Glue
  • Washi tape
  • Cardstock in assorted colors
  • Patterned papers
  • Stapler
  • Manila folder