QUEEN ANNES LACE PLACE

Steampunk Necklace Swap/Exchange

2010-06-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

This necklace was done for an exchange swap. We were to make a steampunk necklace using a metal tin. I used a lip gloss, or moo tin for mine. The necklace part is done with delicas in a smoke silver, some clear dynamyte beads and some ivory shell beads. On the outside of the tin (which slides down to show the inside) I used a couple of watch faces, a long vintage aged key, some abalone buttons, a handmade lampwork bead in green and brown, and a couple of random jewelry accents.

Inside I added a pendelum and minature bottle of sand for my themed piece "Sands of Time and a Pendelum Swings".

I am working on another one which just "fell together". I need to work on the inside and then design the necklace portion. I love designing and making pins, necklace and bracelets.

Paint Blobs

2010-05-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

I am going to be working on a "Junque (mixed media) Book" in the month of June so I have been thinking of different ideas to incorporate into the book that will be fun, colorful, and different.

When I finished working on a landscape painting I designed I took a picture of my paint palette full of blobs of paint and mix areas...then went on to a computer program I use and "blobbed" them even more to see how compatable my colors were.

It turned out so neat that I am going to size the photo down, print it and use it as a page in my "Junque Book". Can't get much junkier that a dirty palette, yet artistically , abstractly pretty when finished.

I thought others would like to see the before and after photo.

Vintage Window

2010-05-24T01:13:00.000-07:00

I am not sure just where this window falls into the scheme of things in the mixed media artistic world but I just refer to it as trash to treasure. I found the
vintage window in one of our antique consignment stores and it was just the color I needed ... chippy and ready to use. The hand crocheted piece I hunted for and found on Ebay. It's original use was on the back of a vintage couch to protect the upholstery as heads lay to rest on it but makes a perfect little curtain topper. I purchased a short curtain rod which I attached to the window and this hangs in my spare bedroom over the bed....kinda' acting like a headboard which the bed doesn't have. There are no windows in the room so this acts as a faux window accent.

I love taking things that are something and using in a totally different context.....

Celtic Pale Blue Sea Glass Bracelet

2010-05-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight I worked on a Celtic sea glass bracelet for myself. I love sea glass as it reminds me of family vacations at Geneva on the Lake, Ohio back in the 50's and early 60's. My sister and I loved to walk the beach looking for sea shells and the many different colors of sea glass which washed up on shore.

This sea glass is handmade lampwork which was etched with a special solution and is a very pale blue. I used Tierra Cast culinary grade pewter which has been coated in sterling silver spacer beads, as well as one of their dainty small toggle clasps. Hanging from the celtic focal piece; which I purchased on Etsy, I have hung another piece of sea glass and a small key.

I need to get the lampworker to make me a set in lavender/purple....that would be so striking and beautiful....

ASIAN CARD OF THE MONTH

2010-05-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

Our exchange/swap title for our Card of the Month was Asian. It was a fun one and I really enjoyed using a mixture of items ... I am trying to get away from painting but it is hard to do so as long as I incorporate other items, I still feel I am going out of the box for me, my normal comfort zone, and trying some new things. Gold cording, jewelry charms, an old bone vintage earring, dragonfly stamp and of course the paper.

How Orange

2010-05-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

I love flowers and taking photos of flowers. I purchased these to go into a rusted rooster yard planter and gee they look nice. Reminds me of acrylic color: Cadium Orange. I know that somewhere along the line I will have to paint these flowers..

Enjoy.

Steampunk

2010-05-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

I love creating steampunk jewelry. I haven't had the time yet to try something steampunk in paper media but I am sure, in time, this will occur.

The term was first introduced in 1987. It combines romance and technology and romantic with no fussiness.

Copper and brass are most generally the metals of choice. Remember there is the use of ink, paints, and mediums to provide the desired "look" of these metals using paper and other non metal items.

In mixed media you will see a touch of humor with the mixture of romance, technology, time and the Victorian era elements.

Use vintage photos, lace, book pages, ribbon, postage stamps, and maps. Recycled leather, nuts, bolts, and vintage drawer hardware. Monacles, militrary or religious metals, hinges, machine parts, tiny latches, glass, watch parts, skeleton keys, filigree items, beads, chain, etc.

When using colors stick to blacks, grays, purples and reds.

Nearly all of my pieces go to my sisters' store in Pennsylvania.where they seem to sell well, especially the filigree antique typewriter letter rings.

GO CREATE STEAMPUNK............

Asian Art ATC's

2010-05-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

Since I will be having company on and off from next week until the end of August when I fly back to Penna. for 2 weeks I have to stay on top of my swap/exchanges. They have become an important part of my life.... These are for an Asian ATC swap. I received a Panda ATC from Mary S. about a year ago which I ended up matting and framing so decided to see if I could

do one as cute as the one I had rec'd....my own design. I also love bamboo, and added just a smidgin' of hologram glitter here and there to just add a bit of glitz.... Next I need to work on and finish an Asian card ...
weeks I have to stay on top of my swap/ex

Card of a Different Fold

2010-04-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Our card of the month swap was titled "A Different Fold" and "Think Flowers". I really enjoyed working with this one. I inserted some punched flowers and leaves on the inside, blank paper for my partner to write a note, and a raised plastic Hello button.

The Edges have been punched for a lacey edge.

I tied on a button and then tied on some mauve rayon thread to be wound around the card and button to close. Added some lampwork beads to the thread ends, and some swarovski flat crystals and the fold is
a trifold with both sides being different.

Encaustic Art Dominoe Necklace

2010-03-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to see if the encaustic waxes would work on my dominoes....oooeee they certainly did and this dominoe was my favorite so I decided to stop everything, go through my stash and find beads to make a necklace. I had handmade lampwork beads in brown and Czech glass beads which matched perfectly also so it came together just as I had imagined it when I lifted my tiny little iron and saw how "neat" the painting had turned out.

The colors in the piece are red, turquoise blue, purple, shades of brown and even a little grey. The photo doesn't do the painting justice. At the bottom right is what looks to be stairs with a person going up them. In the middle towards the bottom is a troll type monster, at the very bottom is some kind of a reptile, and I just love the upper right double "blue moon".... The entire piece appears to be the inside of a cave and truly a piece of "fantasy encaustic art". I named this piece "Troll Moon".

The dominoes are larger than normal and a cream colored resin. When I purchased them I drilled holes in some of them for jewelry focal pieces. The one I used for my necklace were drilled from right to left through the side. Others I drilled in the middle top from front to back and others are not drilled at all and I will paint these horizonally so that a bale can be attached, or maybe a pin. I also have jewelry dominoes which are petite so I am going to tape three of them together on the back side and make larger encaustic paintings for larger sized necklace focals.

I am REALLY enjoying the Encaustic waxes and can see that I will be adding additional colors to what I have as well as some of the metallics.

ENCAUSTIC PAINITNG

2010-03-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

These are my first two Encaustic paintings. It is strange that you have so little control over what happens when using this medium. There are different "moves" with the iron but you don't get to "know" what happens until you lift up your iron. DEFINATELY ADDICTING everyone and quite relaxing. I am excited over the first two that have evolved and I can see that the more color, the more they will blend and the more pleasing will be the finished piece. I just used the regular sized Encaustic iron with these 2 pieces and am looking forward to playing a little bit more. I am calling this one "Root Tunnels" and I think both pieces are what are referred to as "Fantasy Paintings".

One thing that is nice is that if you don't like it you just do it again; but too much reworking can create muddy

colors so there is a limit to be thought about.

ENCAUSTIC PAINTINGS

2010-03-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

This one is "Root Tunnels"

Shabby Chic Tag Using Paint Chips / Swap

2010-03-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

I really had a lot of fun with this swap. We were told to make a tag using paint chip(s) and the theme was to be Shabby Chic.

I used a large paint chip for my surface and glued two together for more stability. Next I painted the chip with acrylics the same color and applied a paper crackle medium followed by a white overcoat. The crackle worked great. The roses are torn pieces of napkins I took from 2 ply to one ply so the design was thinner. The grasses are also a paint chip from another brand of paint and the dots of color were done with Gallery Glass. Also added were 5 Swarovski Moonlight flat crystals, some small, plastic heart shaped buttons and some ribbons in pink and white.

The paint chips conveniently had a perforated area that popped right out with a little bit of pressure to allow a place to insert my ribbons.

This photo was taken in the light box that my son in law made me for my birthday last year.

ABOUT ME..........CLIPBOARD

2010-03-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

For a recent swap our theme was "all about me" clipboard. These were fun and I tried to do a bit of mixed media by painting, using clay, etc. I love snow, evergreen trees, hershey kisses, painting roses, pearls and the moon...so this is "about me".

Encaustic Art

2010-03-01T00:38:00.000-08:00

I have recently read, and have done a lot of web surfing on the art form called Encaustic Art which is painting with Wax....beeswax to which damar resin has been added. There are many tools along with bristle brushes which can be used in this art form, and it can also be rolled over into the mixed media end which I am really looking forward to.

All that is really needed to do this art form is a scribing tool, small travel iron, bristle brushes, electric griddle, some small metal bowls, parafin wax, and some colored waxes. If I decide this is something I want to continue I will begin purchasing the raw beeswax, color and resin and make my own waxes as these are quite expensive to purchase "done".

The wax painting is recommended on hard porous surfaces such as woods, paper, etc. rather than canvas which is flexible.

Encuastic art goes back thousands of years and the journey is going to be exciting.

The supplies have been ordered and will be here mid March which gives me a bit more reserach time...although I am anxious to start and wish the supplies would be here tomorrow.

Photo-Isims

2010-03-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

I enjoy relaxing and playing with the photos I take and change colors, add a frame or frames, and manipulate in many ways to utilize a photo to something different from what was originally taken.

This shows my original photo and what I did with the photo program. With the ability to do this I will be able to use my photography in the mixed media portion of my art world.

ROSES AND BEADS ATC'S

2010-02-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

These are my ATC's for the Roses and beads ATC swap. The one on the left is clay. The clay was adhered to a piece of mat board and then stamped repeatedly with a round oriental stamp that I love and use a lot. When it was finished I painted it with Metallic Silver acrylic paint. I then sculpted the pink rose. Punched two holes with a heart punch and beaded a little necklace with "catseye" beads and silver colored spacers. Different. I applied a glaze to the rose and leaves and when "baked" took on the look of morning dew...a total mistake on my part....but I like it.... The one on the right is a handpainted ATC with one of my favorite combo's. Roses and pearls.
These were done for a "swap" so I hope my partner will like them. They are on their way tomorrow NorthEast of me.

Vintage Watch and Lampwork Bead bracelet

2010-02-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

My daughter made me one of these and I had to give one a try. The watches are vintage and I pick them up
whenever I can . Right now the price is high for the pretty ones so I am always looking for a reasonable source as I have a maximum. Right now the pretty, vintage ones are selling high They do not run, but that is OK....the look is for vintage and lampwork The lampwork is done by my daughter.

Beaded Lampwork Thong Bookmark

2010-02-14T15:32:00.000-08:00

These two bookmarks were made for a list group that I belong to and 2 upcoming swaps. A St. Paddy's day bookmark swap (Green thong) and our first lottery of 2010 (Blue thong). I love this type of a bookmark and have a long and a short one and use them constantly. So pretty, so special and handmade.

Mardi Gras Mask Swap / Exchange

2010-02-09T23:40:00.000-08:00

This was a lot of fun and what I had in mind actually happened with this piece..... I purchased the feathers at a "Sportsman" store where I had QUITE a large variety of shapes, colors, types and sizes to choose from. The colors I chose were pale yellow, Thalo yellow green
and brown...for a naturalistic look to go with the painted side.

Before I began to paint the right side of the mask I primered the entire mask with Kryon Grey.... After I had done the scene with acrylic paints I began applying the feathers. I didn't care for the "around the eye" so I had some heart shaped buttons I glued on along with a bit of glitter for some glam...

Spring is in the Air........and Mardi Gras is coming.

Buttons and Bows

2010-01-31T17:52:00.001-08:00

I liked the button and bows stacked ATC so much that I decided to do a slightly larger piece for a friend of mine who loves altered art.... I changed the design but still did the stacked photo point of interest. I hope she enjoys it.

Vintage Children/Button and Bows

2010-01-31T00:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished up an exchange/swap and took pictures to post before they are sent on their way to my partner on Monday. They were soooo much fun to create.

I received my ATC's from Sherry Lyles with her totally awesome Children and borrowed the technique she used in "stacking" the photo as I just absolutely loved the way she had done mine.

------------PAINTING BLOG-------------

2010-01-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

*******CHECK OUT MY PRIMARY BLOG AT*******: http://www.artisiticrenderings.blogspot.com/

2010 Elepunk

2010-01-03T18:04:00.000-08:00

I purchased some new books on clay and steampunk and am totally inspired to get my hands sticky again. This is my first creation (worth posting a photo of) for 2010.

Christi F. has a new awesome book out and this elepunk was inspired totally from her piece in the book with just a couple of changes and some help from a fellow "clayer" who gave me a tip on how to get the heavy trunk and the big ears to stay on his little head......lol.....thanks to her my piece is strong... I still have to attach a chain to his ear and monocle, and add just a smidgin of patina. If he changes a lot I will post another "photo". On the top of his head is a belt and buckle which is not quite noticeable.

This piece is going to an elephant collector so I hope she likes him.

And what's next.......... ahhhhhh, come back and see. I can hardly wait to start.

Santa in Puzzle...

2009-12-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this piece and it was hard to part with to my exchange partner. It is a design by Sue Bowers that was in, I believe, SDP magazine a couple of years back. I painted 3 canvas ATC's , matted and stenciled on the snowflakes. It was then framed and mailed. As soon as the holidays are over I am going to do one for myself. I did designed my own "hat" ATC as I wanted a different look that the one Sue had done, but the other 2 are Sue's design.

Our only requirement for this exchange was that it be 3 framed ATC's. I was in my "comfort zone" with this exchange.

Dazzle

2009-12-08T23:51:00.000-08:00

This is an ATC that was done with a theme of Dazzle for the New Year.... altogether different than what I had planned, once again. The card has several "moonlight" Swarovski crystals as well as a red one and the blue is Hologram paint dots. The images are stencils done with Silver acrylic paint and sprinkled with Vintage silver metallic glitter. The edges are a very sparkly ribbon which I cut and glued to edge the piece. It really is very pretty but with all the "sparkle" doesn't pick up well with a camera/photo. To me it looks like the New Years "ball" in the dark night sky with exploding fireworks.....

Christmas Tree Zen Doodle

2009-12-04T23:15:00.000-08:00

I am not "sure" if this doodle qualifies as a zendoodle or not but .... here it is, and I was pretty pleased after SEVERAL ones in the past that have been "filed in trash can". I thought a doodle would be "simple" as I had done them as a youngster, but I guess my "inner child" has been locked away and had to be "teased" out...... I did this one sitting in the car waiting for my daughter to finish work. It was quiet, I wasn't HAVING to do one for a swap or exchange so there was no pressure, and I knew I would not be interrupted and would have enough time to complete the doodle before Michelle was through.

I purchased some new Papermate Flair fine point felt tipped pens (Green, blue, red and black) that were "said" to not bleed or come through paper and I was real pleased with the results and the absence of that HORRIBLE smell that many of these felt tip pens have that is terrible.

I think that soemthing like this would make a really cute card if done in color ...

Christmas Music

2009-11-25T01:11:00.000-08:00

My first thought with this card and swap "title" was sheet music and a painting of some type but as I began the project took on a whole different "route". This was a fun exchange and it worked up quickly once I got started. The colors are a gold yellow, dark green and red.

Celluloid Cracker Jack and Lampwork Bracelet

2009-11-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

Oooohhhh......what fun this was creating. My dear CA friend sent me a nice

array of Cracker Jack charms requesting I make bracelets for her to sell on Ebay. This particular bracelet is all celluloid charms with tiny, tiny little metal loops which I used with my jumprings to attach to the bracelet chain. These are antique and heaven only knows from what year. Before my time, that is for sure. It was fun seeing what I could come up with.....and with the lampwork it kinda modernizes for a prettier piece.

New jewelry designs

2009-10-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

These are the newest jewelry pieces that I have done which are on their way to my sisters' store in PA. I so enjoy creating and putting these altered art pieces together and they are hard to part with many times. My favorite is the silver one with the vintage oblong watch and the "monicle"

glass. I may have to re-order the pieces and make one for myself.

Fall Leaves ATC's

2009-10-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

The theme for this swap was Fall Leaves and the requirements were to do two (2) and they were to be as ATC's.

Had a hard time deciding what to do for this one. Several different ideas so I just started and let what happen, "happen".

These were fun to do. I love fall so colors and ideas were there.

Doodles.......

2009-10-11T23:25:00.001-07:00

I am definately NOT a doodler...not like the ones I see others do which are definately gorgeous pieces...my doodles are more of something. Perhaps a design I am going to paint or an idea I have...

The two shown are for another swap exchange called "Just Doodling Around" so I hope it won't be a let down for the receiver.

The requirement was that it be done ATC size.

After I finished my pencil sketches I did a wash of the main color I would use if painting.... After I took the picture I added martha Stewart Snow Crystals to the window scene and Glamour Dust to the Queen Annes Lace just to "bling" it a little.

Where have all the flowers gone?

2009-10-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

On the mixed media group that I belong to there is a monthly card swap. This is my first attempt at a MM card.

The October theme was "Where have all the flowers gone"? Above is my card which is on its' way tomorrow.

Bottle Cap Charm Bracelet

2009-10-01T12:19:00.001-07:00

I really enjoy and like the bottle cap bracelets. This one was designed for Halloween... 3 Bottlecap photos and in each of the bracelet links is a wire wrapped lampwork bead. It is a little heavy but I have used a good strong clasp for "safety"...

Moo Tin

2009-10-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

I was trying out my Tim Holtz Inks on this sliding top Moo Tin.

This was my first "inking attempt" and don't like the blobs so will need more of the medium to "moosh".

I don't particularly care for the color combo....but love the Queen

Annes Lace stamp...which is done in silver.

Magnet Exchange

2009-09-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

Just finished the magnets for a group exchange.

The rose is handpainted on a wooden magnet pencil holder.

The Halloween one is another artists' design and is handpainted by me on Magnet Paper. I added a bit of rafia and some lampwork beads .... A fun easy swap.

The next one I have signed up for is "Where have all the Flowers Gone" themed card. Hmmmmmmmm. What to do, and how.

NEW BOOKS ON ETSY

2009-09-21T12:23:00.001-07:00

**New books have arrived and will be added one at a time to my Etsy Site beginning 9.30 until all 5 have been listed.**

I have been hunting for some books to "learn by" that don't cost an arm and a leg. I have a couple for sale now and will have the following soon....my order was placed today.

Tim Holtz Distressables #2 $14.99 plus shipping

Tea Bag Papers $6.99 plus shipping

Embroidery on Paper $11.99 plus shipping

Magic w Vellum $12.99 plus shipping

Classy Canvas $12.99 plus shipping

Shipping will be as "actual" as possible.

I can hardly wait till they arrive. They will be available on my Etsy site: http://www.artisticrenderings.etsy.com/ or you can go through my website: http://www.dianaputnam.com/

Fall Necklace and Santa Pin

2009-09-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

These two designs are painted on the jewelry dominoes which are predrilled and a very addicting surface.

I found lampwork beads in my "stash" that worked real well in the

colorful fall necklace. As for the Santa Claus pin...that was a bit tricky working the beading wire into the holes so it didn't show, ending off, etc. but I think he turned out "kinda cute" for my first dominoe pin. The fall scene design is free flowing which means that the dominoes have not been glued together..but the Santa dominoes on this piece have been glued. On the back is the usual ladder pin back .

Tag Exchange / Post

2009-09-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

The swap exchanges are keeping me busy but to be creative it is about "doing". This exchange was for 2 tags, so I played it safe and painted one before going on to the "paper". Kinda like "warming up".... Both were fun. Soon they will be on their way to the new owner. Oh, the heart shaped tag? It is made from recycled paper with wild flower seeds mixed in with the paper so it is "plantable paper". I purchased these from an Etsy vendor thinking they would be nice, little, inexpensive fun, "send withs". (I am a big supporter of artisans.) You can even sprout these on your window sill which would be fun.

"Ladies Only" Collage 9/09

2009-09-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

This collage was done once again for within the mixed media group I belong to. The theme was to be "Ladies Only" and we were provided 3 different basic sizes we could work from. Mine is the 5" x 6" size and it was fun deciding what to do and then begin the hunt for "pieces" that would work. I didn't glue down the bottom portion of the "crinoline" and added the pantaloons beneath to provide more of a dimensional look to the piece.

Dominoe Art

2009-09-09T00:21:00.000-07:00

DESIGN COPYRIGHT: 9/09

On the Yahoo Mixed Media group I belong to members decided to offer up a random exchange in which we are to use dominoes. I love working with the jewelry dominoes. I painted some cupboard doors for my daughters' lampworking studio so this is a minature "take" on what I painted. I changed the colors for a more halloween theme so now I want to go back and try some different colors before making my final "send" decision.

I used delicas, dynamyte black beads, black lava beads, handmade orange/yellow lampwork beads, Tierra Cast spacer beads and a super strong magnet clasp.

My photo was taken using the new light box that my son in law made me for my birthday. Wow...what a difference this box makes. Thanks Chris, and thanks to my daughter for "setting" my camera for me with a custom mode just for taking these "in box" pictures.

Inchie Grid

2009-09-02T00:35:00.001-07:00

I just finished my first piece and am pleased with the the end result and the process....a very simple, elementary piece but fun.

I loved choosing the theme, looking for the photos I wanted, colors, the paper design and colors, then putting it together. The inchies are all raised with the ones in the very center just a bit higher...some punched leaves and since it was my first "child" a
parchment bow.......I hope my exchange partner will like it. Off it goes tomorrow.

Stash Items

2009-08-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

A good place to find books to photocopy for backdrops, etc. for cards and ATC's etc. are Thrift Stores. Today I purchased a small book of VanGough's art and a book of Wizards that have some awesome pieces in them to inspire and get my mind "thinking"..... They are just the right size...rather than large whole page photos....

WEBSITES:

2009-08-17T16:00:00.001-07:00

Below are 3 websites for you to visit.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com

http://www.stampsbyjudith.com

http://www.blockheadstamps.com

Enjoy.

Getting Started

2009-08-17T00:25:00.000-07:00

Getting started, knowing what to buy , what items do, etc. etc. has been difficult for me. Learning "new tricks" is hard when you have never "been there", dabbled, etc.

I found I had to get a "mindset" as to where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do and start there with some basic "tools". But still was on "shaky ground".
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As far as rubber stamps I decided I wanted:
1. Queen Annes Lace
2. Flower stalk with leaves but NO flower
3. Bare Tree...just limbs
4. Tiny stamp with a single round spikey flower (to add to the
queen annes lace stamp), and another tiny stamp with a round flower so that I could use the flower stalk/with leaves stamp and make flowers with the mini tiny stamps that are actual a stamp on a dowel.
5. An alphabet set
6. Four small snowflake stamps
7. Another single floral stamp that was just an outline caught my eye and looked "interesting" so I added it to my basket.

Later I will add some other "wintery stamps" when I know what I want and my wallet does some recovering.
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For Punches I purchased:
1. Mini maple leaf
2. Mini spike flower
3. Corner Punch
4. Lacey Embossing Punch for edging (Martha Stewart)
5. Oak Leaf (MS)
6. Scalloped 1" square (MS) which I want to use for my photographs.
7. Round 1" circle
8. Maple Leaf (MS)
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Ink Pads:
I decided that for my main designs I wanted a "matte" finish so I chose chalk pads..... I purchased white and dark green in the larger size as I felt these would be used the most and then what they call "cat eye" sized stamp pads in the following colors:
1. Light Green
2. Light Pink
3. Light Blue
4. Dark Blue
5. Ochre Yellow
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I bought a Versa Mark pad for embossing and some embossing
powder that is called "winter ice." to add just a bit of glitter, shimmer here and there. The Versa Mark pad I can also use for adding dimension using the pad by itself with no embossing powder and just stamping my paper with the stamp of my choice which will just darken about two shades darker than the paper I stamp onto. There is also a pen which I will purchase next month. The Versa Mark is clear and sticky until dry.
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I had already purchased a couple books of designed scrapbooking papers and single sheets that looked interesting when they were on sale the past few months so I felt I was set here but I did add a package of plain colored scraps in different sizes and colors for backdrops, punching etc.
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Now we shall see how I can use these purchases to build some cards, atcs, add to my painted pieces, etc. etc. I now feel confident that I have some good basic pieces for a comfortable start.