Watch me Live - Monday, Sept. 3, 2012

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I am thrilled to announce that I have partnered with Flamingo Scraps to bring you live Ustream classes the first Monday of the month at 8:30 p.m. EST. I have  been a designer for Flamingo Scraps for the past 2 years and contributes to our blog weekly. So many of you have expressed interest in me teaching on Ustream, and this marriage seems like the natural next step in our creative journey.

Our first class will be Monday, September 3, at 8:30 p.m. EST.  I will create this lovely  Mixed Media layout, sharing tips and techniques with style and smiles!!!!

 

Future classes will include pre-ordered kits in limited supplies. Additional information will be available soon.

All classes start at 8:30 pm EST

Save the dates:
Sept. 3, 2012
October 1, 2012
November 5, 2012
December 3, 2012

To access the class please visit: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gibbst

Please join Tonya Gibbs and Flamingo Scraps  on Monday, Sept 3, at 8:30pmEST! Take a break from cleaning up after your Labor Day cookout, grab your fave beverage, and tune in to the fun!!! We look forward to seeing you there!

We HOPE we will be recording, so the show will be available later!

A big pink birdie told us there might be some giveaways!!!!


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Averie Kay - Mixed Media

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It is so much fun watching my pages evolve as the trends change.  My latest obsession is mixed media, and I love incorporating it into my scrapbook projects. While I've been doing this for a few years, I love how my technique has evolved. I just can't get enough of the stencils, molding paste, India inks, and gesso. I mean really -  this takes dirty to an entirely new level. 

In today's share - I wanted to showcase this layout that I created of my Niece Averie. The picture was taken last year during an impromptu photo shoot.  She just propped up and I snapped. Tell me she isn't a natural!

This piece is mounted on a piece of Donna Salzar's Corrugated Card board that was distressed and painted with white gesso.  Then a sheet of Prima Madeline Parkway paper was used for the backdrop. I ripped it, tore it, and distressed it with the new Prima Distress tool. Then to add texture, I glued down all the scraps laying on my desk which included pieces of a doily, hymnal pages, linen strips, and I also included a few strips of Masking tape. I tried not to glue the edges of these elements down so that I could "fluff " them up for texture.   Then I used the stencil and molding paste to add even more texture.  Once the molding paste dried (over night), I then gave the entire background a coat of gesso to make all the elements become cohesive.  To define certain areas of the background I sprinkled a few drops around the canvas of the Iced Spruce Distress reinker.  Then spritzed it with water to dilute it and make it drip.  I love how the background is soft yet course with texture.

I then began to work with my floral spray and layered elements. All the metal pieces were different colors and I found this distracting.  So I grabbed my Snow Cap alcohol ink, and began recoloring them.  This helped them blend into the background, I then dry brushed a bit of the Prima Worn Jean Chalk over the top to give them a little more pop.  The burgundy roses in the Tendrils Grape vine were a bit too bright, so I dry brushed some gesso over them.  I love how this technique made them look shabby like they were part of the wall when it was painted.

I tucked a tag in behind the picture so that I could write Ms. Averie a message.  I think that journaling becomes distracting when I use these as canvases on my wall. However, I feel that journaling is important so I try to hide it somewhere on the layout or place it on the back.  To make the tag blend better with the layout - I distressed it with the Iced Spruce, and Antique Linen. Then I tied off a shabby torn piece of seam binding that I had died with the Ice Spruce.  This made it more elegant, and called attention to the fact that it needed to be pulled out.

Who would have thought that you could take all those grungy supplies and create something this beautiful?

Thanks you all for stopping in today.

Tonya A. Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com


Resources:

• Prima: Distress Tool, Madeline: Parkway Paper, Chalk: Worn Jeans, Millinery Collection Oatmeal, Flowered Tendrils Grape, Marion Smith Trinkets: Metal Flowers #4, Metal Flower #3, Shabby Chic Metal Treasures: Hitches (Birdcage)
• Pink Paislee: Butterfly Charm
• Ranger: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments (bird), Adirondack Alcohol Ink: Snow Cap, Distress Reinkers: Iced Spruce, Distress Ink: Antique Linen, #5 Shipping Tag (manila)
• Zutter: Donna Salzar Corrugated Card Board.
• Golden: White Acrylic Gesso, Molding Paste, Gel Medium Matt
• Crafter's Workshop: Brick Stencil 6x6
• Misc. Lace, Hymnal Pages, Doily, Burlap, Seam Binding (ivory), linen cloth, Masking tape,
• Silhouette Cameo
• Font: Alexie Cooperplate

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Forever In My Heart

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Saturday I received word that my friend Liz had passed away after a long battle with Leukemia. She was a follower of mine on YouTube and we had chatted a lot online. I had spent quite a bit of time getting to know her through the last few years. Liz  was one of those people that despite her problems, she was always positive and fun. She had an infectious spirit about her, that was a testimony of her faith.

My way of dealing with emotional things is through Art. I love to create as I talk to God and meditate on my feelings. I find that it helps me to focus my energies and clear my head. I feel like God is guiding the creativity, instead of myself.

Brittany, my daughter, saw that I was emotional, and she joined in to help me create this piece as a tribute to Liz. It was so nice to have her finger paint with me.

Prima Build A Swirl Stamps, Ranger: Distress Ink - Picked Raspberry, Claudine Helmeth Matt Medium, Paint, Molding Paste, Hymnal, Sizzix Wings die Cut, Faber Castell PITT artist pens in light Cobalt Turquoise, and Black, Windser Newton Irrodescent Medium.

Liz will forever be in my heart, and written around the heart are some thoughts I had of Liz and the way she lived her life.  The clouds are made with molding paste, and the wings were cut from a sizzix die from hymnal pages I used "Beyond the Sunset" and "Sweet By and By", Then blended them into the canvas with irredescent medium.

Do you create when you are feeling emotional?  I felt at peace when this was finished, and Liz got her "Momma Tonya Original."

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

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Stashed Treausers 2

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Last week I shared with you a layout that I was making. The layout is going to be used as a collaborate book with a group of other friends.   My theme was to use something that I had never used before or scraps. 

Today I wanted to share with you the other side to the layout.

Everything on this side was a scrap. The paper in the background was scraps from the other side, and was quilted together to form the base. A Strip of Prima Almanac paper was used to form a pocket in the middle of the page.  The Inspire label was a remnant from the April Journal from Marion, and the Pocket was also one of the left over pieces from one of Marion's Journals.  The two flowers were cut from scraps of book pages, and the trim and lace were all less than 3 inch pieces that were in my stash.

I love using my scraps, and look how beautiful this all turned out.  I hear people say all the time, I toss my scraps.  Well I don't when I'm between projects I pull those scraps out and I make cards, layouts, journal pages.  

I love how the small pieces of trim on the right side mimic the piano keys on the left.  Funny thing was I didn't realize I had done that until the photographs were taken.

Don't forget about the challenge that ends Sept. 1  -  See previous post for details.

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya

http://www.psychomomscrpabooks.blogspot.com

 

RESOURCES:   

1. Prima:   Reflections Paper - Shalamar, Almanac Paper. Black sequin fiber
2. Graphic 45:  Stamped Girl - Ladies Diary
3. Ranger:  Distress Markers (colored the girl with them).
4. Marion Smith Designs:  Envelope and  Journal Card
5. Tonya Gibbs Designs:  Inspire Label
6. EK Success Scallop Circle Punch
7. Tonic Studios: Lacy Scallop Border Punch
8. Misc. Pearl Trim, Lace, Twine, Buttons, Doily, Black Cardstock.

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Distress Markers - How to

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I have had a ball playing with my distress markers.  I decided to make a card for my niece's 7th birthday that is the first week of Sept.
I colored two images of the Ms. Anya Hats from - The Greeting Farm, and cut pieces of her out and popped them up on pop dots to giver her more depth.  She was colored with the Tim Holtz Distress Markers, then placed on a sheet of the Celebration's Paper from Webster's Pages.  

Webster's Pages Celebration 6x6, Trims, Roses, Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  Making Memories #7, Baker's Twine, Washi Tape, The Greeting Farm -  Ms. Anya Hats, and Inkadinkadoo - Birthday Stamp.

For a complete step by Step of me coloring Ms. Anya.  Please watch this video.

Here is a video of me making the card:

Thanks for stopping in today, Tonya

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Stashed Treasures

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I was involved in a conversation the other day in a group about buying supplies that are "MUST HAVES" that never get used.  Guilty as charged - I buy and I hoard.  But in the past few years I have issued myself a challenge to "USE" what I have and for every new item I must use something old -  either scraps or products in my stash doesn't matter - but something old for everything new.

So, after the conversation with the friend,  I decided to use what I had in my stash to create this 8x8 layout.  But I wanted to take it one step further and use a tool or stamp that I've never used that has been in my possession for at least a year or more.
NOTE: Part of my journaling is missing from the layout, because I'm mailing it to someone to add to a book, and I would like that to stay private.

So the Telephone is the thing I've had for years and never used it was a Sizzix Original Die that I bought on clearance for $2.00.  Had to HAVE IT - You hear me?   And have never ever used it.  I love how it looks with the Almanac paper from Prima. JUST Gorgeous.  I cut it from black chipboard then used UTEE to make it shiny.

Take a closer look at the handle to the phone  I fussy cute that element from the paper then fused it to the die cut with UTEE.  Love how it looks engraved.

You can really see all the layers in the close ups   I used papers from scraps, and papers from 6x6 pads that I've been hoarding.



My photo and journaling is hidden behind the telephone.  The phone is held closed with a magnet.

Do you have things in your stash that you "had to have" but have never used?   I challenge you to take those items out and use them on a project. 

 

Contest - Announcement:

Use something in your stash that you have had for a long time and have never used.  For everything new on the project there must be at least 1 thing that is old (It can be scraps, or hoarded product). But you are not allowed to BUY anything to create the project. 

Create a blog post or Video Response (on the video above).  Link to the blog post here or send me a PM on YouTube with the link to your post. In you post make sure you reference the following:

• This blog address, or the my YouTube Channel and the link to the video above.
• Make sure you show the item that has been in your stash for a while and never used, and highlight all the other older products. 
• Submit your project videos/blog post links  to me prior to Sept. 1 MIDNIGHT EST.
• A winner will be selected sometime that week - randomly from all submissions.

Thanks for stopping in today & good luck!

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

Resources: 

• Prima: Almanac Paper 6x6, Reflections Paper: Shalimar, Fairy Belle Paper, Almanac - die cuts, Flowers, Distress Tool.
• My Favorite Things:  Bracket Tab die
• Tim Holtz: Ideaology - Number Plaques
• Sizzix: Telephone #2 Original Die
• Ranger: UTEE
• Martha Stewart Leaf Punch
• Twine, Rhinestones
• Bazzil Black Card stock
• Sewing Machine
• Doilies
• Recollections Washi Tape Silhouette Lady





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Tim Holtz Distress Markers - Card

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I wanted to share with you today a card that I created with the Graphic 45 Ladies' Diary paper collection.  I LOVE the vintage look of this paper, and thought the stamped image would be beautiful colored with my Distress Markers by Tim Holtz.

These markers are a bit tricky to color with, but I think the image turned out beautiful.  I used the Ranger Stamping Paper for the base.  Then used Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet to color her dress.  To achieve the shading I just put a small amount of water on the paper before applying the ink.  Then I spread the ink with a water brush, and tapped the excess water away with a paper towel to keep the paper from buckling.  Here is a close up of the girl.

In this photo, you can see the Prima Cabbage roses were also painted with the Tim Holtz Spun Sugar pen,  I put streaks of color onto the roses then used the water brush to spread the ink around.  This technique gave the flowers a variegated look.

 

Here is a video of me demonstrating how to use the Distress Markers to color this image.

Do you have the Distress Markers?  If so, how are you using them.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Tonya Gibbs

Resources:

• Graphic 45:   Ladies' Diary "Moment in Time" paper, Lady's Diary Stamp No. 6
• Prima: wooden clock, cabbage roses, mini roses
• Ranger: Tim Holtz Distress Markers:  Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet (Dress & Hat), Aged Mahogany (Hat), Tattered Rose (Skin), Pumice Stone (shadow), Scattered Straw (background)
• Gelly Roll - Crystal Star Glitter pen (hat), gold pen for buttons.
• lace
• black card stock

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Cards - Scraps

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I've been making cards with scraps again, and I know a few weeks back I shared a few projects I've made lately with the Fairy Belle and the Sunkiss papers from Prima.  Today I thought I would share with you the cards I made from the scraps.

I find that making cards with my scraps is so rewarding.  Since I participate in a lot of swaps I usually stuff one of these in the box before I mail it.    What do you do to control the scrap population?

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya

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Mixed Media Canvas - Dream

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I decided this week I wanted to walk away from Cut and Paste for a while and get my fingers totally dirty.  I love to create these canvases of the kids in my world and hang them through out my house.

This time though I reached for colors that I barely work with, green, peach, and yellow for the background.  After layers and layers of shimmer sprays, a little brushed corduroy around the edges, a little teal ink over the top,  some stucco, stamped script, masking tape, gesso, a little finger painting, a little drippage, the background was born.  Not much thinking just messy messy goodness. 

For the embellishments my focal point is the roses made from Aluminum cans. I have a video on these on my YouTube channel.   I used the Tim Holtz Tattered Rose and Tattered Pine cone to create them.  I rested them on top of a piece of sheer ribbon with sequin flowers.  Then for more texture I used the Prima Burlap Rose leaves, some were spritzed orange and gold to make them varied.   I added a Prima Cinderella Spray of Crystal flowers, and loved how the texture of the glass complimented the rustic metal.

To make the Prima birds blend a little better with the canvas I decided to alcohol ink them with black soot, patina rub-n-buff, and  then a gold paint on top of that. I did the same technique to the Prima birdcage (minus the Patina). I also patinaed a  metal butterfly and dragon fly charms from Pink Paislee.

I went through my Miscellaneous pile (the one that has a random element here and there left over from previous projects), and added the Prima Cabochon Roses, flower centers, and a random bead spray. I had put together the ornate plate with the ticket dream in it for a previous project and never used it.  Thought it complimented this one perfect so I threw it in. 

I love how all these random things came together.  There are so many textures in this piece that I can literally sit for hours and stare at it. When I walk by I can't help but reach out and touch it.

Thanks for stopping in today. 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

Resources:

8x10 Canvas

Glimmer Mist:   Perfect Peach, Meadow Green, Gold

Prima:  Cinderella Spray, Clock, Cabochon Roses, Sultan Flower Centers, Resin Birds, Metal Birdcage, Burlap leaves, Resin Corner, Chain

Pink Paislee: Dragonfly and Butterfly Charm
Tim Holtz:  Ornate Plate, Adage Ticket, Number Plate, Tattered Rose Die, Tattered Pine cone Die, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Ranger: Black Archival Ink Black Soot Alcohol Ink

Rub-N-Buff: Patina

Misc: Stucco, Gesso, Ribbon, Gold Sharpie, Script Stamp, Aluminum Cans

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Digi Layout - Brighton Gibbs

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I thought you guys might enjoy a glimpse into my Photoshop World today. This is a digital layout that created a few months ago of my son Brighton.  The photo was taken back in 2009 in front of  tin wall.

© 2012 Tonya A. Gibbs Photography - All rights are reserved.

This took hours in Photoshop, but I will try and break out a few of the steps for you.

1. When I go on photo shoots I'm always looking for things to photograph that have lots of texture, color, and patterns. Such as:  Rust, Concrete, walls, plants, wallpaper, grass, etc...Organizing these photos is KEY! I have an external hard drive that I store all of my photos on, I have all these fab textures stored in a folder titled "Stock Photos" and inside that folder by Texture, Pattern, Colors.   This helps me get a better idea at a glance. 
2. Always start your digi layouts in the 300 dpi resolution and the size of the final printed piece.  I knew I wanted mine to be printed on 8x10 so that I could easily store, share, frame  or even add to a scrapbook page later.
3. Then the creative process begins, I start with my bottom layer and add a textured image, then just start playing with brushes and blend modes  building layer after layer until I achieve the look I'm after.  

How long does it take for one of these to emerge? Well it is hard to say. Sometimes I limit myself to an hour or two and sometimes days. Just depends on where my mind is at the moment.  I know many of you have art journals that you test out techniques or color combos on. I use photos like this as  a "Digi" art journal.  When creating these pieces, I'm testing out new Photoshop techniques so that I stay on top of the latest trends.   It is an added bonus that I can print them out and share them with my family.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

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Oldies But Goodies - Tools From the Past

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With CHA right around the corner – I know there are going to be heart stopping products that will become must haves.  We will replace yesterday’s must haves with these latest and greatest products.  It is a vicious cycle.  We have a lot of money invested in these tools, and they are still very useful.  I found myself resurrecting a few of them this week, and thought I would share with you how I showed them some love.

1.     Eyelet setting hammer  -  Remember having to BANG BANG BANG your eyelets into your projects.  Then the Crop-a-dile, from We Are Memory Keepers, was released and the hammer was tossed to the side.  Recently, I pulled the little hammer out of hiding and used it to distress a wooden cigar box. 

2.    The Grommet Setter from Making Memories had my toes tingling.  I HAD TO HAVE IT! It was like the coolest thing with the ginormous flower grommets.  I recently pulled it out to set an Eyelet too big for my crop-a-dile.  Also - Now that I'm thinking about it, I may just use it again this week to add a few of those flowers to a canvas. SO FUN.

3.     Dekled Edge Scissors  - GASP – you say.  Well, if used properly, these scissors can be a lot of fun.  I wanted a really tattered edge on an envelope  and decided to use these scissors.  I’ve also used them to cut fun shapes for mixed media projects.

4.     The old old Sizzix Dies remember the ones with crazy frames – no one ever shows them love anymore.  However,  I’ve been going through my stash of dies lately and found some great oldies to include in my mixed media projects and journals.   Example:  This frame was so popular,  but I haven't used it since 2007.  I recently cut some packaging with it, then dry embossed it and used alchol inks to give it new life.

5.     Remember this guy? I never could get this to cut properly. I have hurrled that little tool into the air so many times out of frustration.  I recently used the cutting plates as a stencil to spray interesting patterns on a project in my art journal.    Take your distress applicator tool and use the sides of the stencils to make beautiful borders on your journal pages.

Do you have tools that you have put away and forgotten about?    I challenge you to pull them out and find a new use for them.

Next week I want to explore products of the past that are making their way into my current proejcts.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya

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Cottage Chic Mini

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Marion has done it again, her Cottage Chic mini is absolutely gorgeous. I finished mine this week. I wanted to keep mine simple because I want to have plenty of room to write all over the book, and decorate the pages as I fill it. 

In mine - I included a few pages from the Prim Rose mini that were printed on transparencies.  I love how the transparency looks against all of the notebook lines. 

Each of my signatures has 3 sheets. The first sheet is the cover provided in the download, with the journal lines (also provided) printed on the back.  The second is a double sided page of lines I used the ones from the kit, and I also used the filler page from the Prim Rose book with the roses on it for the back. For the third page,  I printed the cover pages a second time. Once the book was bound, I formed interesting pockets from this page by cutting slits in the pages, before gluing them together.

This is one of my favorite pockets.   I had printed my covers on canvas, but didn't like the look after they were printed.  So I decided to use the printed canvas as a pocket liner.  I really love how this mistake turned out to be fab.  It gives a great texture to the book.

Here is a video walk through of my mini.



Want More Inspiration?

Marion shows how she made her covers on Ustream - Click here to watch

Marion - did a Video on YouTube for another method for binding. Click here to watch Marion's Video.

Oh one more thing before you go... Did you hear "Marion & Garett are giving away a color laser printer. Details can be found in her YouTube video linked above.

Can't wait to see your versions of this mini. Please make sure you tag me in Artsy Addicts if you create one.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs http://www.psychomoms.com

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Sunshine - Layout

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Kenny has always called Brittany his Sunshine.  When I saw the Sunkiss paper line I knew it would be perfect for a layout of Brittany.

This layout has a lot of mixed media techniques. 

First I distressed the Corrugated Chipboard with Paint, and Crackle Medium. Then I dry brushed over that with the Wild Honey distress stain.

I distressed the sunkiss paper around the edges, and layers lots of prima flowers around the layout.

Brittany's graduation photos were perfect since we took them in my garden. 

Notice the flowers match the flowers in the paper.  To do this, I used Prima's Elina Daisy Flowers, then Vivian Eliza Mini daisies.  I sprayed the Vivian Elizas with a Goldenrod colored shimmer spray, and painted the center with a chocolate shimmer spray.  They made the perfect match for this layout.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

Resources:

• Prima: Eline Daisies, Rose Trim, Sunkiss Paper, Button Vine - Nature's Garden, Vivian Eliza Daisies, Sunkiss Chipboard, Park Bench Shabby Chic Resin, Bird House Shabby Chic Resin, Mask - Brick, 
• Ranger:  Wild Honey Distress Stain, Crackle Medium, Picket Fence Distress Stain, Baby Blue Paint. 
• Sizzix:  Tim Holtz Envelope die
• Buttons
• Jute Twine
• Zutter: Corrugated Chipboard
• Golden: Texture Medium,
• Glimmer Mists:  Tattered Leather, and Sunflower
• Lace.

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Once Upon A Spring Time - Cigar Box

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I guess you could say I've been on a Fairy kick lately.  Graphic 45's Once Upon A Springtime is one of my all time favorite paper collections.   I have been wanting to alter a cigar box with it for a long time now.   This past weekend I finally had the chance.

Graphic 45: Once Upon A Spring Time: Pixie Post and Once Upon A Spring Time, Ranger: Claudine Hellmuth Matt Multi-Medium and Forest Moss Distress Stain, Prima: Rose buds, Mini Roses and Trellus Roses; Tattered Angels:  Gold Glimmer Mist, Mist Fits Glimmer Chalks; Floral Vine; Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen.

The base of the box was painted with the Ranger Forest Moss Stain then I sprayed Gold Glimmer Mist on top so that it has a nice shine to it.  I cut out the book and Fairies from the paper collection and flanked it with some Roses from Prima. Then I fussy Cut Fairies and birds from the paper collection and nestled them into the floral spray.

I love the way this box turned out, and I hope that my friend likes it too.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya

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Fairy Belle - Canvas

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Please meet my beautiful niece, Emily. She is the newest addition to the Gibbs clan, born on June 15. She had her first photoshoot with Aunt Tonya last week, and now to drive everyone crazy with project after project.

I decided to create a canvas to hang in my  living room. There are a lot of mixed media techniques used on this canvas.  I wanted it to feel like a woodsy glen.   I used the Fairy Belle paper from Prima as my accent paper. 

The background has several layers of paint, glimmer mist, texture medium, and crackle medium.  I wanted this canvas to sparkle, but maintain a rustic feel. 

Then a cut out all the flowers from the paper collection to add as a base layer to the canvas. They wrap around the outer edge of the canvas. I added a spray of Prima Lilac Rosebuds (many of which I opened and painted the bulb gold, so that they would favor the magnolias in the paper collection.

 Suzanne shared with me some tiny purple Prima flowers that favor baby's breath. They were so delicate and spindly that I thought they made the perfect filler for the rose spray. Then  I sprinkled a few crystal flower spray around, and dusted the entire thing with golden fairy dust (a.k.a. glimmer mist).

I just love how Ms. Emily looks like she is nestled in a garden with Fairies.

I hope you have enjoyed this project. Thanks for stopping in today.

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April Journal - Marion Smith's Digital Downloads

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I finally found the time to finish working on my April Journal for Marion's Monthly challenge.  I used her April Digi Downloads that can be found at http://www.apieceofcraft.com.

I decided to Coptic stitch the journal and I love how primiative it made this book look.  I used some of Marion's vintage trinkets on the cover and distressed them with patina rub-n-buff  and Picket Fence Distress Ink  to pop a little color on the cover.   The Tim Holtz word plate says "Live in the Moment" which is perfect for a monthly journal.

It is so awesome to look back at each month and see all of the things that have gone on in my life.

here is a video page by page walk through of the journal:




Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Fairy Belle - Meet Emily

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Last week I shared with you my journal entries using my Sister In Law's maternity pictures. Well, Ms. Emily was due on July 11 and she decided on June 15 that she wanted to meet us all. 

Today - I am going to introduce you to the newest member of the Gibbs Clan -  Ms. Emily Jean Cunningham she arrived very healthy at 5lbs and 6oz and 17.5 inches long.  Our little Princess needed a layout fitting of royalty and Prima's Fairy Belle seemed to do the trick.

I took 2 sheets of the Fairy Belle 12x12 Paper -  Le Toulle is the top paper, and La Spa is the back paper.  Now this gets a bit tricky --on the La Spa paper I fussy cut around the top portion of the fairy at the top and used her as a pop out.   On the Le Toulle paper I cut out the center section, and used it as a frame over the La Spa.  Then added some dimensional tape between the two layers. Here are some close up pictures of those sections for a better idea.

Then I took the 6x6 paper and cut the fairies and flowers from it to use as layers around the photos.  I added a few of the Eline daisies from Prima and Pearl Centers. I used a Martha Stewart Punch with some Scrap Prima paper to make the daisy leaves for a little more layer.  Then sprinkled a little fairy dust with my Starlight - Clear Glitter Pin over all the stars and on the Eline flowers.  I know the sparkles don't show well in the photos but the layout has a subtle glimmer sprinkled here and there.

This is a Top view so you can see the dimensions. 

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

Resources:

• Prima:
• 12x12 Fairy Belle:  Le Toulle and La Spa
• 6x6 Fairy Belle Paper:  Firefly, Dream, Summer Dream
• Eline Small Daisies
• Flat back Pearls
• Scraps from the Annalee Paper Collection for the leaves.
• Martha Stewart Crafts
• Trio Butterfly Punch - used scraps from Fairy Belle paper.
• Branch Punch - scraps from Annalee Prima Paper Collection
•  Gelly Roll
• Black Pen (outlined punched butterflies)
• Starlight Pen (glitter accents on flowers and printed stars)
• Lace
• House of 3  - Digibrush  Precious Moments - Gratitude Brush Set

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Reinking - Ranger Distress Pads

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I have had a few people ask me in the past how to re-ink a stamp pad.  We all know that if you add too much you get a soupy mess.  If you don't add enough -  well - you know!

While I can't speak for all stamp pads (since it is specific to manufactorer standards), I can speak for the Ranger Distress Pads. 

I recently took a class with Tim Holtz and he gave a demonstration on the mystery of how much ink to use and technique for refilling your Distress Inks.

First it is important to understand the ink pads themselves. Dye based ink pads are made of felt that is compressed and then laminated with a fabric topper. The fabric keeps the felt together. The felt helps to "suspend" ink.  Think of a sponge you fill it with water and it appears dry until you press it and the water bubbles to the top.   This is exactly how the ink pads work. The ink is suspended in the pad until the stamp presses it and the ink floats to the top and is applied to the surface of your stamp.  With that said -  the Ink will not absorb into the pad without the pad being pressed.

Here are the simple steps:
Verify that you are using the correct ink for the right pad (you laugh that I say this, but my walnut ink lid was on my tea die pad and let's just say I now have 2 walnut pads).

Second the Ranger Reinker bottles are designed SO THAT THE DROPPER holds the perfect amount of ink needed to reink 1 pad.   Fill the dropper with ink and apply all over the top of the pad as demonstrated below...

Next -   Use an old gift card/credit card and scrape the ink into the pad.  You need to apply pressure, and move down the pad, then across the pad until all the ink is absorbed.  This may take a few minutes and seem hopeless at first! 

This is what your pad will look like when all the ink is absorbed.  Notice there are a few drops of ink around the lid? 

Simply wipe around the perimeter of the pad with a baby wipe or moist paper towel. Return the lid to the top.   Your ink pad is now re-inked.  Tim suggests heavy used pads be re-inked every six months to a year. 

One other helpful hint:

There is a myth that ink pads should be stored face down, so that the ink flows to the top of the pad rather than the bottom.  Since we learned at the beginning of this blog that the ink is suspended inside the pad - we know this myth to be false.  You may store your inks in any direction you like for the type of storage system you have.

Thanks for stopping in today - hope this helps!

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New Arrival - Smash Entry

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My Sister in Law is expecting her 3rd child, and Aunt Tonya is so excited.  Babies just have a way of making me all gooshie inside.  Ms. Emily will be niece number 8 for me.  I always joke around and say that I'm a grandmother "In Training".  My goal is to be  "Everything" to all of them.  I want them to beg to come see me.  You just can't spoil them too much.

I noticed a trend that is different from when I was having babies 16 years ago, and that is Pregnancy photos.  When I was pregnant with my kids - I never thought to do these photos, and I wish I had.  Kelly's friend Liberty Nobles photographed her pregnancy photos, and I wanted to make a simple little *Smash Spread.   I recently made Kelly a mini album to store these pictures using Prima's new Sunkiss line.  So I had all these scraps that needed to be used.

Except the flowers - everything on this page was a scrap.  The Rub On, on the left page was a scrap from Daisy Dee and has been in my stash for YEARS!  I took the scraps of the Sunkiss paper and pieced them together to create a lovely background.  Then the tiny little scraps I punched a bunch of butterflies to scatter all over the top of the page.   The New Arrival is an old title transparency that I've had for YEARS from Heidi Swapp. The flowers are Prima's small Eline flowers again - they have been around for a couple of years - and I added buttons in the centers of them.  I used an MFT die to cut small doilies from scrap white paper. Then I cut the doilies in half to border the pictures.  Emily is the new baby's name, and I used an old set of chipboard letters.

On this page, I kept with the same theme, but I used some scraps of lace for the picture border on here. 

I just love how these two pages turned out.  I really loved working with the Prima Sunkiss line, and the fact that they took these pictures in a field of yellow flowers - made it perfect.

Do you *Smash?  I find it rewarding to use my scraps and left over embellishments in my *Smash journals.  It feels so good to being able to purge so much at one time.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com 

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