12 Ways to Use Distress Inks

Distress Inks, by Tim Holtz are some of my favorite inks to use. They are water-based dye inks that have incredible color stability. Unlike other inks, Distress Inks react to water. It means that water doesn't break down the color. Water also allows the ink to move on the paper. They are perfect for traditional ink techniques but their unique qualities open a new set of possibilities.

Here's how to use Distress Ink 12 different ways:

1. Aging
The grungy shade of the ink is perfect for aging and distressing paper. This look is great for grunge, vintage and shabby-chic projects. Simply apply ink to the edges and some of the surfaces of a paper using a sponge or a blending tool. You can also wrinkle or tare the paper for a stronger effect.

Aged edges

2. Stamping
We usually use ink for stamping and distress inks are no different. Distress inks stamp well on porous surfaces and can be used with all kinds of stamps however the image stamped is slightly less sharp that other inks. A look which is great for a grungy, vintage, shabby chic projects. You can add simple stamping techniques, such as spritzing the inked stamp before stamping to get a watercolor look.

Stamped words

3. Blending
Distress Inks are perfect for ink blending. Because this is a water based ink it stays wet longer and that allows the colors to mix. Pick up ink using a sponge or a foam blending tool. Working in circular motions, apply ink to the surface, blending the inks as you go. Layering two or three ink colors together provides endless color variations and a beautiful graduations of tone.

4. Stenciling
Distress inks are perfect for stenciling because of the option to blend and layer them. Layer a stencil on your paper and apply Distress Ink with the same technique as ink blending. You can repeat the same pattern with different colors to create a gradual effect or a colorful background.

Stenciled bricks on the house

5. Reverse stenciling
Reverse or direct stenciling is applying the ink to the stencil instead of on the paper and then attach the stencil, ink down to the paper, creating a "negative" pattern of colored background and white shapes. To use this simple technique, apply distress ink to the stencil and mist with water. Turn over the stencil and attach to the paper. You’ll get a watercolor pattern that is the reverse image of the stencil.

6. Water Resist
Since distress inks react with water you can create really pretty effects by combining the two. Water moves the ink around the surface, and by adding drops of water to an inked background, you will get beautiful water washed areas.

Embossing resist and blending

7. Emboss Resist
As a water based ink, distress ink to not attach to a non porous surface like embossing powder. Emboss your paper with white or transparent embossing powder and then apply distress ink to the entire paper surface. Wipe the ink with a paper towel or a baby wipe from the raised embossed pattern.

8. Ink transfer 
Ink transferring is applying ink to a non-porous surface, blending the ink with water and then transferring it to the project. Apply distress ink on your acrylic block, mist with water and then stamp on a paper, water color paper is best. The effect you'll get is of blending colors is like a water color background..

9. Direct to paper
Direct-to-paper inking is so simple that you might not even want to call it a technique! You simply apply the ink from the pad directly onto the paper. After the ink is on the paper you can activate it with a water mister or a baby wipe. This will allow you to blend it, smudge the edges, create dripage and more.

10. Use as Watercolor
To watercolor with Distress Inks use a brush. To access the ink in the ink pad, simply stamp your non stick surface and pick up the paint with a wet brush. You will get a light paint like watercolor. You can also use the re-inkers for that technique.

Green distress ink water color

11. Photo tinting
Distress Inks have been formulated to tint photos — both originals on glossy or matte photo paper and copies made with ink jet, toner or laser copiers. Pick up color with a brush, sponge or cotton swap and lightly apply the ink over the photo.

12 Wrinkled Distress
This technique is a combination of DTP stamping and misting. Crumple up a piece of paper or cardstock and then swipe the ink pad directly on the paper. Spritz the paper and activate the distress ink. You'll get an amazing affect of colored veins and dripage on an aged looking paper. If you want to straighten the paper you can iron it with a craft iron.

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Organize Your Photos in 2016!

In the digital age we don't think twice before taking a photo so we end up with too many photos in our computer. The worse thing is that we just dump them there if we have the time but mostly they're on our phones. I don't know about you but I need my photos to be in an album if I want to look at them or enjoy them. Looking through them on the computer is just not the same...
So I decided enough is enough! I'm going to organize all my photos and start creating albums. Some digital and some traditional.

Organizing your printed photos is a completely different story that we'll address in another blog post. I thought I'd start from my digital photos, because there SO many of them.

Here's how I do it...

1. Gather all the photos in one place. Download the photos from all your phones, ipads etc to one folder. Move all the photos from your computer to that same folder. I have three drives on my computer and they all had photos in them... Name the folder: Family Photos.

2. Open a folder for each year. I went as far as the first photo and created a folder for each year, all inside the Family Photos folder.

3. Start grouping photos to events, people, trips etc. Go through the photos and create a folder for each "subject. For example: Jack's 8th birthday, day at the beach, riding a horse, visiting grandma...

4. Purge. Since we take photos almost without thinking we have many photos which are very similar, or not as good. You really don't need to keep all of them. Pick the beautiful photos that together tell the entire story.

5. Move. Once you have folders for all the "subjects" ready move them to the relevant year folder.

6. Repeat this process with all the new photos you'll take and you'll have an organized family's photos library!

7. I even have a folder for the photos that I have already pit in an album. This folder is also organized in yearly folders. After I create a page or a mini album for a certain event I take the folder and move it to DONE folder.

This is my system and it works for me. You might want to do it differently. Maybe organized the photos in theme folders like birthdays, vacations, holidays and in each folder organize the photos in yearly folders. The important thing is to find a system and organize your photos because otherwise you'll be drowning in photos if you don't!

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How to Step Out of Your Creative Comfort Zone?

"Never despise small beginnings, and don't belittle your own accomplishments. Remember them and use them as inspiration as you go on to the next thing. When you venture outside your comfort zone, wherever the starting point may be, it's kind of a big deal." ~ Chris Guillebeau

You've seen inspirational quotes that encourage you to get out and do something  new, something you wouldn't normally do. But getting out of your routine just takes so much work. There's actually a scientific explanation to why it's so hard to break out of your comfort zone, and why it's good for you when you do it.

Our comfort zone is a behavioral space where our activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk. It provides a state of mental security. We benefit in obvious ways: regular happiness, low anxiety, and reduced stress. Our comfort zone is neither a good or bad thing. It's a natural state that most people trend towards. Leaving it means increased risk and anxiety, which can have positive and negative results. Don't think your comfort zone is something that's holding you back. We all need that place where we're least anxious and stressed so we can process the benefits we get when we leave it.

What do you really get when you're willing to step outside of your comfort zone?

* You'll be more productive: comfort kills productivity because without the sense of unease that comes from having deadlines and expectations, we tend to do the minimum required to get by. We lose the drive and ambition to do more and learn new things.

* You'll have an easier time dealing with new things. By taking risks in a controlled fashion and challenging yourself to things you normally wouldn't do, you can experience some of the uncertainty in a controlled, manageable environment, which will help you try new things.

* You'll find it easier to push your boundaries in the future. Once you start stepping out of your comfort zone, it gets easier over time.

So how do we do it?

Here are some ways to break out or expand your comfort zone without going too far:

* Do things differently: if you art journal with a pen try a marker, or if you create scrapbook pages with one photo try two or three. Make small changes that will be different but not outside your comfort zone.

* Do it in small steps: Don't start an entire 12x12 full scrapbook if you only did three 6x6 pages and don't buy 30 sprays if you haven't tried spraying even once. First identify your fear, what is the thing you want to try but afraid to and then face it step by step.

Break that something new into small bits. For example instead of creating a mixed media art journal page, start by stenciling on a piece of scrap paper. Practice it a few times and when you get comfortable with that add another step like using spray and/ or paint. Each time you feel comfortable with a step add another this way you'll stretch your comfort zone and before you know it art journaling will be inside the "zone" and not outside.

* Connect with people that inspire you. Join a group on FB or a class to get confidence and share
your journey with people like you.

From a personal point of view I can say breaking or stretching my comfort zone was not easy. When I started mixed media for example I had no idea what to do or how. I started looking at what other artists do, what supplies they use and what techniques and I started experimenting. I tried a different technique or material every time until I was comfortable enough to start creating full mixed media projects. And when I was comfortable with that I started sharing my projects.

Have you ever stepped outside of your comfort zone? Share in the comments how...

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4 Steps to Create a Vision Board

This is that time of year that I'm setting goals for the year ahead. I know I should do it earlier but better late than never right? Anyway...I'm very good at setting goals but not so good at actually making them happen. So this year I decided to create a vision board. A vision board is a visual representation of whatever goals, ideas, inspiration you have and for me it's easier to see my goals visually rather than just written on paper. It’s hard to run and hide from your goals and ignore what you really want when there’s such a strong visual reminder staring you in the face!

Since a vision board is a personal thing I will not share mine (plus it's not ready yet) but I will share everything else you need to know about it!

Step 1: Set your goals
Your vision board can represent the dreams for your future life, or it may focus on just one area. Understand what you want to achieve and highlight the specifics. Be selective as you begin to craft your vision, avoiding clutter and chaos by moving forward with a sense of clarity.

Step 2: Collect your supplies

To create a vision board, first gather up a few supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

First decide where you will hang your vision board, and then get a board sized to fit that area. You can use a bulletin board, old frame, poster or any other surface you can cover and then hang on a wall.

Then comes the fun part...images of your vision, goals and dreams. With your goals and dreams in mind, look through magazines and catalogs, looking for pictures, photographs and even words, that visually describe your hearts’ desires. If you can’t find the words you’re looking for, create some using your computer or handwrite it on paper. You can also use things like bumper stickers, fabric swatches and business cards. Your visuals don’t have to be direct representations of your goals. As long as you know why an item is there and what it represents to you, it will work!

Step 3: Hang it up
Hang it somewhere you'll be able to see it daily so it'll be a reminder of your dreams and goals!

Step 4: Let it evolve over time

As you complete a goal, remove the image. You can put it on a victory board or scrapbook. As you find new goals or new images that represent existing goals and visions, add them to your vision board. If you use a pin-board for your vision board it'll be really easy to change, move and edit images as you’re inspired to do so.

Most of all, take time to look at your board as much as possible, and really envision yourself living the beautiful life displayed there! Feel good about where you’re heading and you’ll get there faster than you think.

Have you created your vision board? Share your experience in the comments.

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10 Tips for Using Hot Glue

First thing I want us all to agree on is that hot glue is great.  It can attach almost anything to almost anything else. Wood to metal to paper to cork. Hot glue is also better because it causes less damage than your average adhesive. And although it sometimes gives you burns I think it's worth it!

1. There are basically three types of hot glue guns out there: high, low and dual temp and they come in different sizes. Basically the important thing to know is that the higher the temp the stronger the attachment. So if you're working with large or heavier things better to use a high temp. I always use that just in case.

2. When shopping for hot glue sticks, make sure you are getting the right kind of sticks based on the type of glue gun you have, and be sure to get the right size!  Those miniature glue guns will not work with standard sized glue sticks and vice versa.

3. Before you start working let the glue gun warm up fully before attempting to use it. The hotter the glue is, the better the glue will work! If it's not hot enough the flow will not be good and you'll just get frustrated...

4. DO NOT hold the glue gun super far away from the object you are gluing. That will create long annoying strings, which are easy to remove, but why make more mess than you need to? The best way to use a hot glue gun is to put it right next to the object and use a small amount of glue. Then lay off the trigger, pull the tip sideways just a bit to "cap" the glue and pull away.

5. Oh...and don't forget... NEVER touch hot glue when it is HOT!  Just don’t!

6. Only squeeze half the glue out that you think you need. Less burns, less strings and more glue for more projects!

7. Evaluate your materials before starting to glue.  Use the right temperature and when in doubt, TEST!! For example If you’re using a glue gun on Styrofoam, be sure it’s a low-temp glue gun. You can use a high-temp gun, but it might melt a small portion of the foam.

8. Place a piece or scrap of tile under the glue gun to catch glue drips otherwise you might end up with little hills of dried glue on your craft mat and that's really annoying to clean.

9. When you finish your project: make sure you allow the glue to dry fully before moving the project. Hot glue dries quickly, but not THAT quickly.

10. I also use a hot glue gun to create texture on art projects. You can actually "draw" with it. I create lines and other shapes for example HERE and HERE.

Even if you're not convinced I think a hot glue gun is a useful tool a crafter or artist should have. You can but a small one that doesn't take too much space and one day you might just find yourself using it.

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Does Color Matter?

"Color is a power which directly influences the soul" Wassily Kandinsky

What are the colors you're using say? Do colors have meaning? The answer is YES. When we create the colors we use say something about our project and about us (unless we're making a project with fixed colors like a Christmas card). It's not that we need to choose the colors we want to say something, but I think finding out why we love certain colors more than others can help us learn something not only about ourselves but about art.

Colors are generally divided into three categories: Cool colors, Warm colors and Neutral colors.

Cool Colors
Cool colors tend to have a calming effect on the viewer but used alone can give an impersonal feel. So it's best to add a warm or neutral color to balance it.

Warm Colors
Warm colors have an exciting effect. To balance the strong bright effect choose a color from the other groups so not to have an over stimulating effect.

Neutral Colors
Neutral colors mix well with all colors and can also be used alone in backgrounds. They can tone down bright and strong colors when used with other colors. These colors are not on the color wheel because they are basically not colors. Colors are basically light frequency. a color is the frequency our eyes see. White is when all colors are blended together and black is the absence of light. Other colors like brown and gray or tan are a mix or dilution of a color with black or white (brown and tan) or a mix of black and white (gray).

If you think of how many colors exist and how many pieces of art and projects we can create your mind will spin. I'm fascinated by color. I see how my favorite colors changed through the years, I see how they change every day in the clothes I wear. I see the transformation in my art through the changing of colors and the way I use them. Colors can be a tool to create but also a tool to rethink your art, experiment and try new things!

Have fun creating!

How to Age Paper - 6 easy technique to make paper look old

If you want to give a pristine white paper a browned, unevenly-colored aged appearance and parchment-like texture you need to use an aging technique. I love using my own aged paper for my vintage and steampunk projects. It's also very cost effective because you only need a few ingredients to create this effect instead of buying lots of expensive paper.

There are a few techniques to age paper:

Coffee

I'm not a coffee drinker but this aroma filled powder can be much more than just a bevarage, it can be used to age paper and give it a brown antique look.There are two ways to acheive this effect:

Painting with coffee

Dipping in coffee

Tea

Tea staining will give you a lighter color and more suttle result than coffee. You can use the tea bag itself to stain the paper directly or dip the paper in the tea. You can dry the stained paper in the oven or in a sunny place.

Tea Staining

Spray and Ink

Use a blender and a combination of distress inks like wallnut and vintage photo and ink your paper to achieve an aged look. Another technique is to spray the paper with spray ink.

Spraying

Paint

To achieve an aged effect with paint you would need a few shades of brown and to work in stages.

Layers of paint

Here's a really cool technique with shoe polish.

So many fun techniques to try. I hope you'll try at least one, because the effectis worth it! Do you have other techniques or ideas to distressor age papers? Share in the comments!

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5 Ways to Maximizw Space in your Craft Room

We all have too much supplies and not enough space for it. It doesn't matter if you have a craft room, a corner in the house or just a closet. These tips will help you get more space for all the supplies you need to store.

1. Stack
I have a thing about boxes.Most boxes have lids on the top which means you can put anything on top of them because youneed to open them up right? WRONG! Stack your boxes. Put one on top of the other. In a perfect world you would put the boxes one next to the other but in real life we have to make compromises. Use coordinating boxes in size and in pattern or color soit will look nice as well as being practical. And if you need something from the bottom box just move the boxes on top, alittle exsercise for the hands.

2. Adjustable Shelves
I baught shelf units in IKEA so I can adjust the space between the shelves according to the space I need. Unlike on a pre built shelf unit I don't waste space when things are smaller and I can fit tall stuff as well as more shelves.

3. Use the walls
If we all had huge craft rooms we could fill the walls with our creations but unfortunately that is not the case. If there is no room in drawers, shelves or cabinets move to the walls. I found some great ideas in the kitchen section in IKEA (again...I know it's affordable) that I could hang on the wall. It's a great solution for supplies that can be stored in containers and don't take a lot of room.

4. Under the Table
There is a huge space thatis usually missed...the space under the table. Your legs onlyneed somuch room to move...so why not utilize this space for storage. I have some large boxes with all kinds of supplies, as wellas my Etsy shop packing materials and allthe stuff I sell at the store. It's all carefully wrapped and organized.

5. Remove Packages
Packages can be complicating things. They're not flexible and usually much bigger than the product they hold inside. I took all the supplies out of their packages and put them in little containers I arranged in a drawer. If the manufacturer or product name is important add a little note on the bottom of the container.

Bonus Tip
Purge Often - between you and me...I'm sure there are some supplies you don't need or want. So purge, donate, sell, give...less supplies need less room :)

Even small spaces can have plenty of room for all our supplies if only we organize them in a creative way. I hope you'll try some of these ideasor come up with some ideas of your own.

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How to Start an Art Journal

This is a question I get asked a lot. The answer is much simpler than you think. It doesn't take much to start an art journal except your will to do it. Everything else is an excuse...you don't need to know how to paint, draw or doodle. You don't have to use fancy materials or compare yourself with professional artists. Your art journal is your private retreat, your very own sanctuary, your special place where you take care of you.

How do I start my art journal?

A background is a great place to start. You can create a background with any medium you want or use any material. You can paint, doodle, use water colors or crayons. Glue pieces of paper or spray with stencils.

Some people are intimidated by the blank page but even more so from the background. Yes, it sounds strange but it's true because once it's done it's sometimes hard to know where to go from there. I suggest to use prompts. This is a great way to get an artistic direction of where to go.

Writing

Quotes: Quotes are a great way to express what you’re feeling, but without the work of coming up with just the right words.  quotes are universal on one side but very personal on the other because each person can read a different meaning for them.

Lists: create lists like things you're grateful for, things you love or hate, a bucket list...

Free Writing: Just add words or letters to express how you feel.

Shapes

Cutouts: Add cut shapes from scraps of paper, magazines or other paper memorabilia. Cut them with scissors or tare them.

Free shapes: Draw random shapes or patterns and color them, it's a really hot trend now.

Stamps/Stencils: layer shapes using different stamps and stencils.

Texture

Add texture with different mediums like modeling paste, crayons, tissue paper, gesso, acrylic paints etc.

Hungry for some more Art Journaling?

How do you creatively express yourself or let go? Have you tried art journaling before? Try it and let us know how it turns out!

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Crafter's Block - 10 ways to get over it!

Every crafter has a creative block sooner or later. It comes without a warning. One day you are full of ideas, creating beautiful projects and the next...BAM! nothing, just a white blank with no ideas. At first you struggle with it. You may go through all of your craft supplies, maybe try to force yourself to create something – doesn’t matter what, just anything to get that spark back. But that almost never works because you can’t force creativity – you just can’t no matter how hard you try. But fear not my crafty friends, there are easy ways to end crafter’s block.

Here are 10 ways to get over this obstacle and get your creativity back:

1. Leave it alone. It sounds counter productive and exactly the opposite of what you should do, but trust me it works. Try to something relaxing like a bath, a walk, a massage or even wash the dishes or do the laundry. This allows your mind to relax and not think directly about what you want. In a way you are distracting your mind so it relax enough to find its mojo back.

2. Pinterest. Visual inspiration is always a great tool for visual persons like us. Visit your favorite boards and check out the latest creations there. You never know what will catch your eyes.

3. Try something completely new. If you're a paper crafter try jewelry making and if you are a wood enthusiast try mixed media. When you open your mind to new artistic experiences you create new pathways in your brain and basically add more creative volume to it.

4. Join a challenge online. There are so many blogs and facebook groups that offer all kinds of challenges that can spark your creativity.

5. Go to the Craft Store. I could spend hours at Michael’s or Joann Fabrics. Take the time to go up and down each aisle just to see what other crafts are available. Buy a few new crafty bits while you’re there. Sometimes the smallest thing like a piece of ribbon or a bead can ignite a fire storm of creativity.

6. Challenge Yourself. Go through your craft supplies and select a handful of random items. Now make a project using only the items you’ve picked out. See how many different projects you can come up with using those supplies.

7. Use Quotes: I find quotes to be very inspiring. A few words always make me think in visual images and give me great ideas for projects, especially art journal pages.

8. Social media: join a swap, ask your friends to come up with ideas for small projects you can create, or check out DT projects from your favorite companies.

9. Cook something new. Cooking, baking and preparing food is creative. One creative path will take you to another path ans will open your mind.

10. Repeat a project you’ve already done. Make it better. Chances are you have supplies left over from a project you made ages ago. You may have even blogged about it. Do it again and make it better. (And take better photos!)

How do you keep that creative spark alive? Tell me what you do to get over crafter’s block.

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