Darkroom Door

Guest Artist: Godelieve Tijskens Part 4

And welcome to the grand finale project from Godelieve!

Book of tags:

Stamps: DDR004 Full Bloom VOL 2, DDRS003 Full Bloom VOL1, DDRS005 Wildflower, DDRS001 Venetian VOL1, DDRS007 Calendar
Montage: DDMN002 Full Bloom
Ranger Distress Ink: Aged Mahogany
Ranger Distress Embossing powder: Aged Mahogany
Ribbon, Buttons, Photos, Bind-it-All

- Cut 2 tags from the Full Bloom Montage, to use as covers for this book of tags.  Be sure to cut a front and back.
- Ink the edges with Distress Ink Aged Mahogany
- Cut pages, the same size as the tags.  I cut long strips and folded them after stamping
- Color the pages with Distress Ink Aged Mahogany using a blending tool and foam
- Attach a photo to each page, and decorate with stamping.  I used the same Distress Ink to do the stamping.
- Stamp “January, February,...” on each page.
- Stamp a quote on the cover, heat emboss with Distress Embossing Powder Aged Mahogany
- Use the Bind-it-all to punch the holes and attach the rings.
- Use ribbon and buttons as a closure.

We'd like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Godelieve for sharing her artwork with us. It has been pure eye candy and so inspirational! We appreciate all the effort you have taken to share all of this with us. I'm sure all of you blog readers have enjoyed it as much as we have here at Darkroom Door :) Three cheers for Godelieve! Hip Hip Hooray!

Unlock the artist within!

Guest Artist: Godelieve Tijskens Part 3

Ready for some more of Godelieve's cards? Here they are!!

Thank You:

Stamps: DDRS007 Calendar, DDRS003 Full Bloom VOL1, DDRS004 Full Bloom VOL2
Inkpad: Versamark
Embossing powder
Buttons

- Stamp a grid pattern on watercolored background (I used Talens Ecoline) with Versamark, heat emboss.  I used a mixture of different colors.
- Stamp the flowers and sentiment, heat emboss.
- Heat emboss the torn edges
- Assemble the card, use buttons to attach the flowers.

Enjoy Your Special Day:

Stamps: DDRS007 Calendar
Inkpad: Versafine Onyx Black
Black marker, QuicKutz photo corner, leather shoe lace, Brads

- Mask the numbers with tape, and ink only the lines of the calendar stamp. Stamp a grid pattern using Versafine Onyx black
- Write the greeting and color the black squares using a marker
- Mat on red cardstock and put a square brad in each black square
- Stamp the numbers down the left hand side and “September” with Versafine Onyx Black
- Assemble the card.  Use a QuicKutz photo corner and a piece of leather shoelace to embellish the card.

I just love how Godelieve has used the Calendar stamp set to make the crossword grid on this card! Very clever!! Tomorrow is the grand finale of Godelieve's projects.... so drop by again tomorrow for more inspiration! :)

Unlock the Artist Within!

Guest Artist: Godelieve Tijskens Part 2

Welcome to another incredible installment of Godelieve's art... I absolutely adore this project!

Birthday Calendar:

Stamps: DDRS007 Calendar, DDRS001 Venetian VOL1, DDRS004 Full Bloom VOL2, DDRS003 Full Bloom VOL1, DDRS005 Wildflower
Inkpads: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk #Burnt Sienna
Watercolors (Talens Ecoline #Burnt Sienna)
Black cardstock
Chipboard
Bookbinding Glue
Metal ring
ribbon

Covers:
- Stamp on watercolored paper (I used Talens Ecoline ink #Burnt Sienna) with Versafine Onyx Black, heat embossed with clear embossing powder, and Colorbox Fluid Chalk #Burnt Sienna.
- Cut chipboard to size, color the edges with a black marker
- Use bookbinders glue to attach the stamped paper to the chipboard, outside and inside

Pages:
- Stamp the calendar stamp (12x) with Versafine Onyx Black and cut each one in half, to create a long tall calendar.  Keep in mind that some months have 30 days, some have 31. 
- Decorate each page with subtle stamping, so you are still able to write names on it.  I used Colorbox Fluid chalk ink #Burnt Sienna, for a monochromatic look.
- Cut the 12 pages from black cardstock.  Glue down a stamped part on the front, and one on the back of each page. 
- To reinforce the holes on the top use circles, punched from watercolored paper.
- Stamp “January, February,...” on scraps of watercolored paper, and adhere to the front and back of each page.
- Use ribbon to decorate the metal ring.

There's more tomorrow! Woo hoo!

Unlock the artist within!

Guest Artist: Godelieve Tijskens

Name:  Godelieve Tijskens

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Lives:  In Belgium (Flanders) with her husband Chris and youngest son Bert

Known for: Collecting paper, ink and rubber, but using it all the time too. Loves white  & vibrant colors, especially Ecoline inks

Blog, website or gallery: http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com
 
Loves to:

• be at home as much as she can with her family
• connect with stamping friends around the world through blogs and forums
• enjoy her garden and nature, taking photos of the flowers throughout the year
• get up very early to get some quiet stamping time

 

Loves to create:  mostly cards, but also mini albums, boxes,... as long as there’s stamping involved

Favourite Darkroom Door product: Stamps, especially the flowers.  The small flourish in the Venetian Vol 1 is going to be used a lot too.

Have you ever been in a darkroom? No, but I would love to!

Let’s say you’re invited to come into our darkroom for a day. What would you bring with you?  A lot of curiosity and interest in seeing the process from film roll to photos

Are you afraid of the dark?  Not when I’m inside the house.  It's quite easy to walk around in the dark when the family is asleep.  I will only leave the house for a  really, really good reason in the evening...  But I like the cosiness of long winter evenings.

Artist Trading Cards - Venice

Stamps: DDRS001 Venetian VOL 1
Wordstrips: DDWS002 Full Bloom
Ranger Distress Ink Peeled Paint & Tattered Rose
Versafine Onyx Black
Clear embossing powder

- Create a background using Ranger  Distress Ink Peeled Paint and Tattered Rose on  a non-stick craft sheet
- Stamp with Versafine Onyx Black emboss with clear embossing powder
- Stamp with Ranger Distress Ink Peeled Paint
- Distress the edges with Tim Holtz’ paper distresser
- Color “live laugh love” from Full bloom Wordstrips with Distress ink
- mat on black cardstock

Calendar Cards

July:

Stamps: DDRS004 Full Bloom VOL 2,  DDRS007 Calendar,  DDRS003 Full Bloom VOL 1
Inkpads: Colorbox Fluid Chalk #Dark Moss, Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black
Embossing powder: Clear and Ranger Seafoam White
Brads

- Green background was made with Talens Ecoline ink.  Caligraphy ink would be a great alternative ink
- Stamp calendar with Versafine Onyx Black, emboss with clear embossing powder.
- Stamp flowers with Colorbox Fluid Chalk # Dark Moss.  Use the same ink to mark the date with a fingerprint.
- Stamp small flowers with Versamark  on vellum, heat emboss with Ranger seafoam white embossing powder.
- Attach the vellum flowers to a black strip, using brads.
- Assemble the card

October:

Stamps: DDRS001 Venetian VOL1, DDRS007 Calendar
Wordstrips DDWS002 Full Bloom
Inkpads: Versafine Onyx Black & Vintage Sepia, Stazon White
Stapler, string, hole punch

- Stamp the calendar on brown cardstock using Versafine Onyx Black
- Stamp the Venetian light post and ticket with Versafine Vintage Sepia
- Stamp “October” with Stazon White on a strip of leather, use staples to attach to card
- Color “Happy Birthday” from the Wordstrip with Distress Ink Frayed Burlap
- Punch holes and use a piece of string to mark the date
- Assemble the card, use 3D foam tape at the left hand side.

December:

 

Stamps: DDRS007 Calendar, DDRS001 Venetian VOL1
Wordstrip: Full Bloom DDWS002
Inkpads: Versafine Onyx black, Versamark, Distress Ink #Fired Brick
Embossingpowder: Detail Gold

- Stamp the calendar, light post and swirl with Versamark, gold emboss
- Mark the date with a fingerprint
- Stamp “December” with Versafine Onyx Black.
- Color “Warmest Wishes” from the Wordstrip with Distress Ink.
- Gold emboss the edges

Thanks Godelieve! Wow - these projects are amazing, don't you all agree? I love how she has used the Calendar stamps! And she hasn't stopped there... she still has many more to share, so please drop by again tomorrow to see more of Godelieve's fabulous creations!

Unlock the artist within!

Darkroom Door Swap Update!

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up for the Darkroom Door Swap! It's going to be such a great swap.... there's people from all over the world! We'd like our mail box to be overflowing with goodness, so if you haven't joined up yet...there's still plenty of time. We're not closing off sign ups, so you can join in anytime. You just need to make sure your creations arrive here at the Darkroom before August 22nd. See full details in the post below.

A few of you had asked what ATC's are. ATC is short for Artist Trading Cards, and they very popular in the stamping world! Sarah over at Inkurable Stampers wrote a great post about ATC's on her blog here. Go and check it out. I warn you - ATC's can be very addictive. But they are such a great way to swap ideas and art with people.

Speaking of ATC's... we'll be featuring another Guest Artist later today... and her first project is ATC's - so be sure to pop back again soon! It's worth it - they are AMAZING!

Unlock the artist within!

Darkroom Door Swap!

I've received several emails asking if I would ever host a Darkroom Door swap - and yes, now it's on!

Here are the details:

Use any Darkroom Door rubber stamps to create ATC's or cards. You can use other embellishments, techniques, etc etc, but you must use some Darkroom Door stamps to be eligible for the swap.

ATC's - swap 10 for 9
Cards - swap 7 for 6
(The extra ATC and Card will be kept here in the Darkroom Door studio. All participants will receive a little bag of Darkroom Door goodies as a thank you! Each bag will vary, but will include a variety of Darkroom Door product.)

Due Date: August 22nd 2008.

Address to send to:
Darkroom Door Swap
PO Box 5454
Chittaway Bay NSW 2261
Australia

If you're looking for a store that stocks the stamps, look here at the stockists page. 

Please note:
* This swap is open worldwide. Everyone is welcome!
* Everyone's swap pieces will be made into a gallery and will be available for viewing on the Darkroom Door blog after the swap is completed.
* Please include an addressed and stamped return envelope or satchel with your swap. If you are outside of Australia, please contact me for more details.
* Please allow enough time for your swap parcel to arrive here in time. The swap date cannot be extended for late mail.

If you'd like to sign up, please email me: rachel@darkroomdoor.com or leave a comment here!

Spread the word.... tell your stamping buddies... get inky...have some fun!

Unlock the artist within!

Cheers
Rachel

Guest Artist: Wendy Vecchi Part 2

Here is the grand finale of Wendy's projects...

Butterfly Tag:

Darkroom Door Materials:
Stamps: Full Bloom Vol 1, Wildflowers

Details:

• Tear the bottom off a tag.
• Color the tag using vintage photo distress ink, using the blending tool.
• Stamp the left side of the tag with the houndstooth border stamp (Stampers Anonymous) with jet black Archival ink.
• Stamp the saying (Darkroom Door) on the bottom right, using black ink.
• Stamp the flower (Darkroom Door) twice and stamp 2 butterflies (Darkroom Door) on grunge board & cut out and shape.
• Ink the flower with faded jeans distress ink, on the front & the back. Ink the butterflies with vintage photo distress ink on the front & back.
• Stamp the butterflies as shown & adhere the grunge board butterflies on top of the stamped images.
• Cut a thin strip of grunge board to make the stem color with peeled paint distress ink and add glaze pen accent dots.
• Stamp scrolls as shown.
• Layer the flower as shown & glue to the left side of the tag.
• Add dots with the glaze pen, pen stitch around the edges with a .05 Precision pen (American Crafts).
• Add a vintage button to the center of the flower & a metal dot to the end of the stem.
• A gingham bow adds the finishing touch.

A HUGE thanks to Wendy for being our Guest Artist this week! I've always admired what she has created with Stamps, Distress Inks & Grungeboard, so we are very excited to share some of her art on here. For more eye candy, go and visit her blog!

Guest Artist: Wendy Vecchi

Name: Wendy Vecchi

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Lives: in USA, on 5 acres we call Green Acres...just like the old TV show! Think of the blonde, half her brain missing & LOVED diamonds & shopping...you get the picture! Rick is the goofy guy who is ALWAYS on the riding lawn mower. Include 2 horses & a few cats in the picture...

Known For: Hmmm...I guess flowers of all types. Chipboard...grungeboard...cardstock...flower stamps. I can put them on every project & never tire of them.

Blog, website or gallery: Studio490 - http://studio490art.blogspot.com

Loves to: SHOP!! Stamp...shop a little more...stamp...I'm pretty simple...

Loves to create: anything that I can use stamps & vintage photo distress ink! And if I can include chipboard & grungeboard, then I'm REALLY happy. If I could choose only one thing...probably mini books.

Favourite Darkroom Door product: RUBBER...for sure! Those wildflowers are to die for cool!

Have you ever been in a darkroom? Sure...In the x-ray darkroom in surgery.

Let’s say you’re invited to come into our darkroom for a day. What would you bring with you?  A HUGE suitcase so that when you were not looking, I'd sneak into your studio & load it up with ALL your stamps! HA! Lucky for you that you live FAR away from me! You're safe.

Are you afraid of the dark? Not in my house or a hotel, but outside?? YIKES!! I HATE bugs & mice so I want to see them in advance & NOT be surprised! NEVER ever would I sleep outside in the dark.

Now onto Wendy's projects...

Tulip Card:

Materials:
Darkroom Door Stamps: Full Bloom Vol 1
Distress Ink: Fired Brick, Peeled Paint
Other: Grid Stamp, Polka Dot Paper, Grungeboard

Details:

• Make a card from green cardstock.
• Stamp with the grid stamp.
• Add a scrap of polka dot paper to the top.
• Glue a piece of black “Just the Edge” from Bazzill to cover the seam.
• Add a dot at each intersecting line, using a glaze pen, and stamp Happy Birthday.
• Color the grungeboard brackets with fired brick distress ink & glue as shown.
• Stamp the tulip twice on grunge board, cut out & color with fired brick distress ink (tulip) and peeled paint distress ink for the leaves.
• Shape the grunge board by rolling the tulip & the leaves. Like magic, they stay in place.
• Adhere the 2 tulips as shown to create dimension.
• Pen stitch around the top of the card using a ..05 Precision pen from American Crafts.
• Add a button accent to the tulip leaves.

Wildflowers:

Materials:
Darkroom Door Stamps: Wildflowers
Distress Ink: Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint
Eyelets, Ribbon, Polka Dot Paper

Details:

• Color the flowers with Faded jeans distress ink & the stems with peeled paint distress ink.
• Hold the stamp level & spritz with water from a Mini Mister (Ranger). About 3 or 4 squirts should be good.
• Stamp onto watercolor paper & immediately dry with a heat tool.
• Sew a line around the edge of the watercolor paper with a sewing machine.
• Add 2 black eyelets on either side of the stems & tie a black & white polka dot ribbon to accent the card.
• Adhere to a green mat, then a black mat, then a green polka dot paper and finally to another black mat.
• Add rhinestones to each flower to embellish.

Wendy has more stuff to share... so come back tomorrow to see more of Wendy's art!

Artist Trading Cards

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share with you a set of 3 artist trading cards that I completed for the Tarisota June gallery. They feature Darkroom Door Venetian Filmstrips and Venetian Wordstrips.

Other supplies:
Collections Paper
Collections Chipboard Houses
Delish Designs Stamps
Black & White Trims

To create:
* Trim black cardstock to 3.5" x 2.5" to create the ATC backs. Attach Collections paper on the front.
* I've inked up the chipboard houses with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and stamped the edge of the label stamps over the top. The Venetian Filmstrip images were cut to fit under the chipboard. Attach to the ATC.
* Trim words from the Venetian Wordstrip and mount onto black cardstock. Attach to ATC where desired.
* Add trims to complete!

 

 

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers,

Rachel

Video: Darkroom Door at SIA

Here's a little clip of us showing you through the Darkroom Door booth at the Scrapbooking Industry Australia trade show in April...