Making it my own ...

Creative Chemistry 103 was an intensive technique course,

crammed with information, tips, advice, ideas ...

During the first week, Tim Holtz released video tutorials each day,

leaving us some time during the second week to review & play.

Below are my favourite techniques, one from each day,
but before I begin,

you may be wondering about the title of this blog post ...
well apart from one tag,
I had to adjust & adapt the technique to fit the supplies I had,
thus
"Making it my own ...".

Day 1 - Distress Micro Glaze Resist

I used Micro Glaze for the first time to create this background.
I'm intrigued to see what else this glaze will do.

I was suppose to use Distress Spray Stains,
but I don't own any,
so I squished some Distress Ink on my craft sheet
& spritzed with water to make it more fluid.

This was an easy way to create interesting backgrounds
& I can see myself using this method in my art journal.

Distress Micro Glaze Resist Technique

I used the following:-

Manila Tag #8

Tim Holtz Stencil - Dot Fade

Tim Holtz Stencil - Flourish

Tim Holtz Stencil - Bubble

Tim Holtz Stencil - Typo

Distress Stain - picket fence (decantered into a Mini Mister)

Distress Ink - broken china

Distress Ink - weathered wood

Distress Ink - mustard seed

Distress Ink - picket fence

Day 2 - Paint Lifting 

We were suppose to use Distress Paints for this technique,
but I don't own any.

I usually use kitchen towel to lift paint,
which gives me more control over the result.

The wet wipe that I used was far too wet,
which lead to some crinkling when I lifted the stencil off,
so although this was unintentional,
it added another level of interest.

Paint Lifting Technique

I used the following:-

Manila Tag #8

Tim Holtz Stencil - Flourish

Tim Holtz Stencil - Bubble

Tim Holtz Stencil - Typo
Own Stencils (Vintage Market/Pebbles)

Distress Stain - picket fence in a Mini Mister
various acrylic paints

Day 3 - Texture Paste Resist

So what do you do when you don't own any Transparent Gloss Texture Paste?

Try Glossy Accents instead.

I squeezed some Glossy Accents on to my craft sheet
& used a palette knife to spread it over & through the stencil.

Quick rinse under the cold tap with some liquid soap
& the stencil was clean.

I like the texture & shine that this technique gives to the cardstock,
without totally obscuring the detail underneath,
so I will probably use this method again.

Transparent Gloss Texture Paste Resist Technique

I used the following:-

Tim Holtz Patterned Cardstock
(distressables - Circus)
Glossy Accents
Tim Holtz Stencil - Flourish

Distress Ink - picket fence

Day 4 - Distress Crayon Gesso Fresco 

I adore Faber-Castell Gelatos,
but now I also love Distress Crayons.

They were easy to blend on the white gesso base,
but definitely hard to rub over a non-treated surface.

Love the intense pigments.

They are a friendly medium & will definitely be used in my art journal.

Distress Crayons Gesso Fresco Technique

I used the following:-

Manila Tag #8
Distress Crayons - Set 1
(picked raspberry/spiced marmalade/mustard seed/
twisted citron/peacock feathers/mermaid lagoon)

Dylusions Stencil - Honeycombe

Tim Holtz Stencil - Bubble

Tim Holtz Stencil - Typo

Day 5 - Alcohol Ink Splattered Floral

I always find that the vibrant colours of the alcohol inks
seem to fade quite quickly as the ink begins to seep into the substrate,
even on glossy cardstock.

I don't own any Alcohol Yupo paper,
so my work around for this technique was
coating a manila tag with white gesso
& allowing it to dry thoroughly overnight.

Alcohol Ink Splattered Floral Technique

I used the following:-

Manila Tag #8
white gesso
Alcohol Inks
Blending Solution

As this was my last tag,
I spent more time on it than the others,
doodling with my Blending Pen.

It was fun, but alcohol inks are not for me.

Summary

I enjoyed Creative Chemistry 103 as much as the others,
but as with the rest of Summer of Creative Chemistry,
what I enjoyed most were the live chats.

A lot of the techniques Tim used incorporated stencils
& although I have starting making my own,
I got bored quickly using the few professional ones that I own.

I may have to invest in some of Tim's Mini Stencil sets,
to add interest & variety to my art,
as they can be used in so many different ways ...
see I'm justifying my future expenditure already!