Mini challenge at ABAC

Good afternoon

I saw that Anything But a Card had a mini challenge up today and I couldn't wait to play along.  Today's challenge is using 2 or more stencils.  I, however, do not own any stencils.  Weird actually since I seem to have everything else.  I guess I take that back I do own a couple brass stencils, but really have never used them.  I decided today was the day, since I'm trying to branch out a bit again.

I wondered what would happen if I incorporated my stencil and my Amazing Casting Resin.  You do know how I love to experiment.  So off to the races we go...

I spread out some of my resin onto baker's paper.  I do not own one of those fancy Teflon sheets, but this works just as well.  

Now, normally this resin sets up within 5 to 10 minutes, but when you 

spread it out like this it takes a bit longer.  Therefore, I was able to 

prepare my brass stencil with petroleum jelly (vaseline).  I coated both

sides of the stencil because I had no idea what would happen  

you can tell when your resin starts setting up, because it starts to turn milky.  

When I saw it do that I laid my stencil directly into the resin and pushed it in. 

Once the resin had set for a bit I pulled my stencil up and some of it came up with the stencil,

but overall I am pretty happy with the outcome. 

Here is my resin piece.  

See how pliable it still is? 

I just trimmed off around that main piece with my scissors.  

Before the resin really has time to set up, scissors work fabulously. 

Then using some alcohol inks, I started working on painting my piece.

Alcohol inks take very well to the resin.

I love the look of this...very antique like.

Now, this challenge calls for 2 or more stencils,

but like I said, I don't own any "normal" stencils.

I decided to create my own for some etching.

I cut this flourish out with my cricut on some vinyl scrap. 

and attached it to my bottle.

it really doesn't have to be perfect as long as you get the pieces

stuck down that matter the most and be careful that you get it all stuck down.

Sometimes the etching cream will "seep" into tiny crevices.

and now for some etching.  I haven't used my etching cream in forever

and wasn't sure it was still good before even starting this project. 

Paint your etching cream fairly thick onto your vinyl and let it sit for about 10 minutes 

I usually scrape the rest right back into my bottle.  I'm frugal like that

and then run it under warm water and pull your vinyl off.  Now, you won't

be able to reuse that particular piece of vinyl. 

but the etching is wonderful.  I guess my etching cream was still good!

I applied some E6000 to my resin piece and centered it under

the flourish etching.

Then I "taped" it down with some bingo tape (like painters tape) to keep it in place. 

and now I have a mini wine bottle turned into a beautiful vase.

I glued some pink ribbon around the top of the bottle and attached a brad.

Adding some pink flowers completes it.

I absolutely love how this turned out. 

Now I may not have use traditional stencils for this project,

but sometimes you just have to come up with your own when 

you don't have the right stuff.
Experimenting is good!

I hope you've enjoyed my little project today and I can't wait 

to see what the next challenge will be over at ABAC.

As always, have a great day and God Bless.

Time Heals ... and question answered

Good morning,


Today I have a quick card to share with you.  I've been having a great amount of loss lately with friends and friend's friends.  It's amazing how one day you can be here and the next, your gone.  Remember to take time and tell your family, friends and everyone else you can think of how much you love them.  When you find yourself thinking of someone you haven't talked to in a while, pick up the phone and give a quick call.  Make sure you say "goodbye" as you run out the door and tell them how much you enjoy their company.  It's only takes a second out of your day, for tomorrow they just might not be here....

The sentiment is from Kandrewdesigns.com from her

Sympathetic Saying stamp set.

I pop dotted it to the same color background.

I made the stick pins and love how they turned out.

The ribbon had stitching in the center of it, but when

I attached it to the card it was too yellow...I then used

my red bic marker and colored every other stitch.

A friend of mine recently gave me a bunch of brass

stencils.  I researched and found a way to use them 

with my cuddlebug.  I had to play around with 

come different sandwhiched ideas, but I love the

way it turned out.  Then I also used a bit of

metallic rub ons to highlight the embossing a bit.

The other day I showed you my reorganizing of my craft room and I got a lot of positive comments on it, but I also got asked how I store my scraps???  I am so sorry that I forgot to touch upon that.  This is where I keep them:

The bins next to my cutting station are my scraps,

very handy after I've cut something.

This works well for me.  I've kept them

mostly within one color but I did combine

yellows w oranges and black w silver and gray

I do keep pattern and solid together also.

So far I have had no problem in doing that.

In fact, when I am in the scrap hunt mood its

nice to have pattern and solid together to 

coordinate right then and there together.

Hope this has helped to clarify some things.

Thanks for coming over today and I hope to see you back real soon.