Wonky Flower Stencil

Wow! What a busy day, but I have to post my recent design. I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget, it's available in my Etsy shop. This is "Wonky Flowers". I hope to post some projects with my original designs soon!

Fondly, Tami

Sticked Circles Stencil

Hello, Peeps. The response to my stencils on my Etsy shop has been overwhelming. I'm so excited that people like my designs and want to craft with them. Please share your pics with me, and feel free to follow me on Pinterest. 

Here's a new stencil that I created back in April or so, and I'm listing it in my shop. This is also one of my faves. I love geometric shapes, and this can be used on the Gelli Plate (gotta LOVE that plate!), tags, journals, scrapbook layouts, etc. Enjoy!

Fondly, Tami

Original Stencils for Mixed Media, Gelli Plate Printing, Tags, Etc.

I'm so excited to be finally offering some of my originally designed stencils in my Etsy shop. There will be many more to come, but here's a taste...

These numbers are "Pottery Barn inspired". In case you haven't noticed, I really like numbers and letters. I threaten HubbyDoc that if he stands still long enough, he'll have a number slapped on his forehead.

These are my loves. I adore keys, and these are my original designs. Remember the key table? These are  individual stencils or masks, which are fun because you can put them exactly where you want them, like arranging them on your Gelli Plate in combination with other stencils, or using them as masks on tags. These range from 7.5" tall to 2.5". 

This is my 7x9" stencil. It is intricately cut with my trusty Black Cat Cougar. You won't find this anywhere else, peeps.  

And, here's a 6.5x7" key stencil. I think this is my favorite.

So, feel free to visit my Etsy shop. When you purchase a stencil, convo me and let me know you read my blog, and I'm likely to throw in and extra little goodie for your crafting adventures.

Thanks again for visiting my blog. I'm blessed to have people who are interested in what I do.

Fondly, Tami

Shabby Chic Junk Journal

So, I've been having a great time making items for my Etsy shop. I LOVE creating things, but what makes them even more special is creating them for other people, whether they're used as gifts or retail items. Here's my latest:

I'm a true fan of white on white-ish. This made me smile.

The heart medallion is melted UTEE, the flower is stamped, and the key is rubbed with white gesso. Gotta love gesso.

The elderly woman is an old picture (transferred onto the page) of my great great grandma, Ma Kelly, who lived to be 103 yrs. old. Little did she know she'd end up on Etsy.

I used a wide variety of techniques in this shabby chic book. Way, way too much fun.

It was made from a vintage Do-It-Yourself encyclopedia.

I fashioned a tag with a pocket.

The book included clips, crinkle ribbon, hand-painted papers, glitter, modeling paste, glass bead gel, stamped images, etc., etc., etc. It was hard to know when to stop.

Lots of texture.

Vintage buttons.

Pearl pens, corrogated cardboard.

Clips

Altered chipboard elements

Printed canvas and hand-painted papers

Stamped images, embossing powders, rhinestones, vintage measuring tape

Twine, distress paint

Distress glitter

More embossing, crinkle ribbon, and my signature Howsewears key image

Printed canvas back

I hope you enjoyed the "tour" of my book. 

Fondly,Tami

New Technique for Mixed Media

Hey, Froggers. I'm on a roll. I've been working on some things for my Etsy shop and I'm having loads of fun.
So, I think I came up with a new technique. Perhaps it has been done before, but since I didn't know about it, I'll pretend it was my idea.
I pulled out some Antique Linen crackle paint, which I bought at a yard sale. I have no idea how old it was when I bought it, and I discovered today that it was very dry and very pasty. Getting ready to throw it out, I realized that as a mixed media artist, one should ALWAYS question items that are going in the trash can. I mean, really? Some of my more exciting embellishments or texture plates have almost ended in the trash can. For instance, this:

Most people would see this as trash, but as you mixed media artists know, this is a *Valuable* fruit tray. And actually, it makes a great pattern for a Gelli print.
So, I scraped off some paste from my brush.

 Then I tapped it onto a chipboard key. I really wanted texture, so I tapped instead of spread. It's just how I do things.

Then I use some blending foam and tapped some Vintage Photo Distress Ink on top after it dried.

A little spritzing with water ensued, and then a little rubbing with a slightly damp cloth.

There you go, Peeps. Instant stucco. Loving the texture.

It's going into a shabby junk journal that will soon be listed in my Etsy shop.
Thanks for reading!
Fondly, Taim

Etsy shop

Hey, Froggers. I'm working on my new Etsy shop. I will have a variety of handmade items, and perhaps some vintage items if I can part with them!
Years ago, my Grandma gave me some "old magazines". I looked at them and gasped. They were old Life magazines from the 1930's and 1940's. Since they had been in her barn for several years, they were rather dusty, and some of the covers were slightly tattered, but all in all, they were in good shape. I love the ads and articles, many about being frugal, since after all, it was wartime. Since the magazine pages were still in good shape, but the actual magazines were somewhat falling apart, I decided to upcycle them, and this is what I made.

I made coasters from ceramic tiles. I really try to capture the excellent images and vintage quality from these old pages. I have a set in my living room, and they're always a topic of conversation. Of course, no two are alike, which makes them really unique.

Here's the second set of four.

They are now available in my Etsy shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/Howsewears
Stay tuned for more goodies!
Fondly, Tami

More Gelli Plate® Fun

Hey, Froggers! I've had a little bit of time to play lately, and I mean a little. My back problems keep me from sitting for an extended period of time, so I'm eeking in what I can. I've had loads of fun designing more stencils, and hopefully in the near future, I'll be selling them on Etsy.

This is my key stencil that I just cut out on a manila folder. I love the way it turned out. These keys are my original designs, and when I created them, it was the first time I felt like an "artist".
And, this stencil design (made of durable stencil plastic and not manila folders!) is available in my Etsy shop here.

Here's the first print. Again, I used a manila folder from a stack that I was going to throw out, until I realized that that would be a big mistake!

When I used the stencil on the Gelli Plate for the first time, it stuck a little too much to the plate, so after I took it off, I covered it with clear gesso. I haven't used it since, so I'll let you know how the next printing fares.

Here's the second print. I had covered the original black on the plate with white paint, and this is what I got. I think I put on a little too much white paint, but that's the fun of Gelli printing. You just don't really know what you're going to get.

And here's the last print, or "ghost print". As usual, this is my favorite print.

And, here are some stencils I plan on playing with in the future.

Stay tuned! Fondly, Tami