Dyan Reaveley "Dylusions"

Where's Jimmye Sue?  Where's Janet?

Jimmye Sue and I had the honor of going to Wichita Falls' Scrapbook 'n' Such and attending art classes with the one and only Dyan Reaveley the end of July.  It was awe inspiring and we left there with a renewed appreciation in art and art journaling and life and living.  I had been following Dyan's videos and tutorials so I knew it would be grand.  I just had no idea how totally cool it would be.

Even after an eight hour class on Sunday and three classes the day before, Dyan took time to visit and autograph our journals.  Thanks Dyan for making it so worth the roadtrip.

As a matter of fact, Dyan's coming back to Texas in October and I've talked Jeanie into attending one of her classes with me at Stamp Antonio.

Halloween Words Cards

Here's a fun card I made using different techniques learned in the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101 class last year.

I stamped the Halloween words by applying distress ink directly to the stamp.  I stamped another by applying distress ink to my craft mat and misting with water.  I stamped the majority of them with a custom stamp pad using Cut-n-Felt with Distress Reinkers.  Then embossed the words in the texture fade that matched the words.  I blended distress ink around the edges.  I matted the card on coordinating cardstock and centered it on a black card.  The die tree and raven are from the Tim Holtz Sizzix collection.  Inside I used the same color cardstock and matted the signature panel.  I stamped the owl from the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Halloween Cutouts CMS139.  The sentiment is from Inky Antics' Halloween Witch set 11116MC.

Now.... who will get one?

Your friendship is like a gentle warm breeze.

Here are two more ceramic pieces Jillian and I made at Ceramic Lodge.

1) First step was to roll out Armadillo White Clay 1/4" thick
2) Then firmly stamp image into the clay - this takes lots of practice to get it just right, not too light, not to deep, etc.  I need more practice, but this was my first attempt to step outside of my comfort zone and try something different.
3) Trim around the image - for this sample the cut was freehand outlining the stamp of the stamp.  Other samples I used a tool like a cookie cutter to cut shapes.
4) The clay must dry for about a week before the first firing in the kiln.

Ceramic Lodge fired the clay and I returned to paint the bisque.

1) This time I used the writer pens filled with the Mayco glaze, I carefully painted the longhorn, windmill, cactus and ground.  I am not satisfied with the polka dotted longhorn, but I didn't know how to fix that without creating a bigger mess.  I talked Jillian into painting the inside of the words (she's had more practice and a much steadier hand).  Thanks Jill!

2) When finally satisfied, the pieces were left to be dipped in a clear coat and fired a second time.

3)  These were a bit too heavy for a magnet but work well on a small easel.

If you are a stamper and want to try something different just swing by the store.  The store is located at Chisholm Trail directly across from the post office just south of Sam Bass or visit them on facebook .  If you are a ceramic enthusiast and want to try Texas styled stamps in your works of art visit check out Texana Designs or check out their facebook pages.

I'll be posting other samples of my ceramic creations shortly (yes I have more) - Janet

Steppin' Out... Jam'n Boots

Here is another Texana Design Team card using Dylusions and some of the Texana Stamps.  I was going through my "mop tags" and was motivated to create this card.  The card was sprayed with cool colors of blue, green and yellow.  I stamped the large frame onto one of my blue mop pages and cut it out.  Next I had a tag with browns on it that looked perfect for the boots.  I couldn't fit both boots on the tag remnant so if you were to use your x-ray vision and look at the boot in the back, you would notice that it's walking out of the box and the toe is cut off.  I used foam tape to lift the top boot off of the card a bit.  Then I stamped the sentiment "Step Outside Your Box Today!".

It's hard for me to remember to try different things, but I'm learning.  Who would've thought that western boots would go with such vivid Dylusions sprays.  Yep, I'm steppin' out.

Here comes Halloween 2013

Here are some shaped Halloween cards I created using Texana Designs stamps and various cutting tools I have.

The witch's hat is cut with my cricut and a software program called Sure Cuts A Lot.  I found some antique black paper with stars on it in my vast collection.  I heat embossed the new Jam'n solid bat and cut it out and then heat embossed "Boo to you!' on the brim.  Inside I embossed the sentiment "I love your happy bat-itude!"

The large bat was cut with my Spellbinder's bat shaped die using the largest bat.  While it was still in the die I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist Chalkboard spray - charcoal.  It gave it a nice glimmer with a purple outline.  I heat embossed the sentiment "I love your happy bat-itude!" in black.  I should have used silver or something brighter so that it would show up.  If you look closely you can see it. 

On the inside, I stamped the sentiment upside down, so I had to use a smaller bat to fix my mistake.  I know, I know... you would not have known if I hadn't admitted it, but it just goes to prove I don't always get it right.  On the inside I did use the silver embossing powder and it shows up much better.  I used the sentiment "Have a fangtastic day!"

One of our design team members has a knack for clever sentiments.  It's great to work with such a talented design team.  If you don't know what I'm talking about check out the Texana Designs facebook page.

The moon was create by folding the yellow cardstock and die cutting a Spellbinder's circle leaving the fold uncut on one edge (the same way I cut the bat leaving the fold at the top of the wings uncut).  The medium sized bat die cut was glued on the card to cover the fold and allow the card to stand when opened.  I stamped "Have a fangtastic day!" on the moon and chalked the edges with an orange cats eye liquid chalk.  Inside I used one of my favorite stamps "Batty for You!"

Hope this gets your spooky selves in the mood for a delightful Halloween 2013.

Dylusions Armadillos

Texana Designs Stamps:
Armadillo, large
Armadillo, mini, Solid Texas Shape, Star Trio
Barbwire Frame
Sentiments:  Howdy and
If you don't like… it should change
Distress Paint for edge of card - Vintage Photo
Stickles for eye - Cinnamon
Brown Embossing Powder
Idea-ology Tissue Wrap
Dylusions Spray Ink - Chocolate, Turquoise
Dylusions Stencil - Stars
Texana Design Team
08/15/2013

I haven't told you yet how much I've enjoyed working with the Dylusions Ink Sprays and stencils.  That's because I've been too busy playing to post.  Here are four sample cards I created for Texana Designs as part of the design team.

I created the background in various layers to give it depth and interest.  I began with an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of watercolor paper and sprayed the background with Dylusions turquoise and chocolate sprays.  I misted again with more water to make the colors blend.  In the Dyan Reaveley method, I blotted with a second sheet of paper so that I didn't waste any of that beautiful color, then blotted both dry with a kitchen roll.  I set it aside to dry and came back the next day.

Or the day after... the beauty of this is that you can work on it in stages.  I cut the sheet into four A2 size sections before adding more layers.

I followed Dyan's technique called ghosting and used the Dylusion 9" x 11" star stencil.  By placing the stencil over the A2 card and misting with water I was able to lift some of the color to create the light stars.

Next I picked Archival Inks (because they are waterproof) and several of my Texana small stamps to create random background stamps.  I used the star trio with the sepia ink and put about three images on each A2.  Some were second generation stamps so that it was very light but this adds depth and interest.  Then I picked up the newly re-released Jam'n solid Texas shape and the Aquamarine ink.  I also stamped the mini armadillo in the same color.  After finishing the cards I realized that I wanted a simple "Howdy!" so I stamped that with the same color.

Another confession... I am a collector of all things crafty.  In my vast collection was the tissue paper designed by Tim Holtz.  I had not used it before, so I decided to try it.  Using a permanent black ink, I stamped the Jam'n Barbed Wire Frame four times.  I tore out a couple of them and cut out a couple of them.  Both techniques work equally well.  I used Glue'n'Seal matte to adhere it to the A2 card.  On the sample above you can see where I kinda scrunched it up and let it dry.  It really gives some great texture to the card.  On the sample below I cut inside the barbed wire and glued it on the card where I had stamped the image again.

I stamped and embossed the images and sentiments on tan cardstock and embossed with brown embossing powder.  One of the tan armadillos did not show up well on the brown (see above) so I colored him with my turquoise Dylusions in a water brush.  I added shadow to the others with the brown water brush.  I added a touch of Stickles for his eye and let that dry overnight.

The sentiment I tried in various ways.  It's great as it is in two long lines and it's easy to cut the words apart and place them on the card.  The choice is yours!

The edges of the A2 cards were painted with Distress Paint - Vintage Photo.  The images never seem to do the cards justice but I hope you've had fun following my creation.

Ceramic Pelican Magnets

Ceramic magnets made at Ceramic Lodge in Round Rock using Texana Designs stamps

Let me begin by thanking my beautiful daughter, Jillian, for all of her help.  She has loved ceramics since elementary school.  She has worked the past four years in a local ceramic store and never ceases to amaze me with her talent and skill.

Below is how I remember the details of my creations.  I think I got all of the product names and techniques correct.  If not, I'll update my post.

1) First step was to roll out Armadillo White Clay 1/4" thick
2) Then firmly stamp image into the clay - this takes lots of practice to get it just right, not too light, not to deep, etc.  I need more practice, but this was my first attempt to step outside of my comfort zone and try something different.
3) Trim around the image - for this sample the cut was freehand outlining the stamp of the stamp.  Other samples I used a tool like a cookie cutter to cut shapes.
4) The clay must dry for about a week before the first firing in the kiln.

Ceramic Lodge fired the clay and I returned to paint the bisque.

The gray image was painted with Mayco glazes.

1) First I applied gray paint and then wiped most of it off leaving the deepest part of the pelican filled with gray paint.

2) Then using the writer pens filled with the same underglaze, I carefully tried to paint the beak, feet, water and sand.

3) When satisfied, it was left to be dipped in a clear coat and fired a second time.

4) Wait another week and then see the results... Lots of room for improvement, but satisfied with my first attempt.


Then I had two more pelican shapes to decide what to do with so I tried something different.

The sample on the left with the light blue sky was painted with distress paints - broken china, salty ocean, vintage photo, the beak and feet were mixed spiced marmalade and mustard seed.  The detail and outlines were a mix of black soot and picket fence.  Because the distress paint is reactive with water when applied, I was able to apply and blend the paints with a small paint brush until satisfied. 

The sample on the right with the dark blue sky was painted with watered down Viva Deco Inka Gold and a paint brush.  I added some details and shading of distress paint and a paint brush. 

The last two samples will not be fired again.  They are finished as bisque.  A heavy magnet is glued to the back and they are ready to display!.  I sure hope I don't have to pick a favorite because I like them all.  I'm not sure that I have the same passion for ceramics that my lovely daughter does, but it was great fun trying something new.  Jillian and the staff at Ceramic Lodge are extremely helpful and patient.  If you are a stamper and want to try something different just swing by the store.  The store is located at Chisholm Trail directly across from the post office just south of Sam Bass or visit them on facebook .  If you are a ceramic enthusiast and want to try Texas styled stamps in your works of art visit check out Texana Designs or check out their facebook pages.

I'll be posting other samples of my ceramic creations shortly - Janet