STAMPIN' UP GRUNGE AND WASHI TAPE!!

Yes, I'm still alive and functioning!!  Even though I have been debating with myself this last month as to whether it would be easier to move to a new home or to continue cleaning 30 years of "stuff."  Yes, I do clean on a regular basis, but for some reason I got it in my head to obliterate every piece of dirt and dust in my house before my grand-daughter's Open House in 8 days. Now that I am down to crunch time, I realize that is not going to happen (and as my husband keeps reminding me -- who cares???).  I keep telling him that "I care," but he just doesn't get it.  I just keep telling myself that Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary Convention is right after Open House and I can go knowing that if the plane goes down, I won't be too embarrassed because my house will be clean (cleaner?).  Why are women like that?? (E.g., like my mom always said, "Make sure you have clean underwear on in case you have an accident."  I'm sure not many men think of this.)

I did squeeze in a couple of hours this week to make 50 Convention swap cards and a couple more album pages for my grand-daughter:

I am so in love with Stampin' Up's new Washi Tape!!  After making 50 swap cards with the new Gingham Garden Washi Tape, I still had over half a roll of each left over (talk about economical!!).  Plus it is so forgivable if you have to reposition.  I used the Simply Sketched Stamp Set, water coloring with the Melon Mambo and Old Olive Classic Inks, using the Aqua Painter.

Yep, this page is not for everybody -- but it works for the person I made it for, and was so much fun to put these pages together.  I love the new "grunge" style of art (hard to believe when everybody knows I love Vintage and Shabby Chic).  But to me it is basically the same, just different stamp sets and backgrounds.  It's all about texture, layering, and lots of color!!  The texture shows up better if you enlarge these picture by right-clicking and selecting "open in new page."

How did I do it?  I applied Gesso on Stampin' Up's Basic Black card stock, let it dry if you choose (I didn't on the page above and got a completely different look with the ink), apply ink refill, let I dry, add designer paper, then stamp away!!  You can't see it in the pictures, but there is lots of texture.

Here are the 2 pages together.  Notice the difference on how the ink refill bled out on right page when the Gesso was still wet.  I used the following stamp sets for these pages:  Off the Grid, Gorgeous Grunge, and Clockworks.  Accessories included the new Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon, Basics Glimmer Brads (Black), and Modern Medley Designer Series Paper.

I am truly interested in your comments on my "grunge art" and constructive criticism on how I can improve.  I haven't seen any samples on blogs yet using our new grunge stamps so your thoughts would be very welcomed.

Until next time,
Sandi

"You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble."  -- Psalm 59:16