Happy Birthday, Lori!

Wanted to send a birthday greeting to a special friend.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Lori! Hope your day is filled with lots of friends, family, fun and cake, too! May all your wishes come true!

Cheers!
Daisy

PS. Thanks to Jami Sibley for organizing this fun birthday card shower.

Stamp set: Wild West
Inks: Distress Inks, Black Archival

eclectic Paperie Techinque Class: Grungepapaper Flowers

It's time to start a series of eclectic Paperie Technique workshops. I am planning to share some of fantastic techniques I learned at Ranger University and from other classes that I have been able to attend in the last year.

We are gonna keep the class sizes small and intimate so you can really learn all there is about some techniques using Ranger Products, Sizzix Dies and stamps designed by Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi(Studio 490). There will be some door prizes and other eP offerings at the class.

Friday, April 16, 2010
Portola Hills Clubhouse
18891 Saddleback Ranch Rd
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
6:30 pm  to 9:00 pm
There are a limited number of class seats. 

Please email questions to info@eclecticpaperie.com
 

eP Class - Grungepaper Flowers
$20.00

Make it a stamp date with your friends.  Purchase your class spot early as there are limited number of seats at the clubhouse.

Ready to get inky?

-Daisy
"Feed Your Creativity"
www.eclecticpaperie.com

eclectic Feed: Episode 15 (Distressing Tags)

As the anticipation builds for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas 2009, seems like a good time to learn or review how to apply Distress Inks to tags. This new video tutorial shows you how to apply Distress Inks with a Blending Tool using our stampers dozen tags.

eclectic Feed: Episode 14 (Using Paint Dabbers as a Resist Ink)

Learn how to use Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers as a resist ink. This technique is used with Tim Holtz Distress Inks. The end result looks like a raised embossed image but the great thing about this technique is that you don't need a heat gun or messy powders.

Creating a Faux Burnt Edge with Distress Ink

With a some Distress Inks and a distressing tool, you can create a "burnt edge" effect. Manila tags are great to try out this technique for their small surface and sturdiness. A good technique to apply to your Halloween projects.

More Grungepaper Fun

We love this new Studio 490 stamp set by Wendy Vecchi. You should see her samples because they are amazing. You get a feel of what you can do with such cool stamp designs. Inspired by Wendy's creations, Samantha had fun playing with this new stamp set and is hosting a new episode of the eclectic Feed.

Enjoy!






Supplies used: Lowercase Art & Card Art Essentials; round coasters; Cappuccino cardstock cover.

How to Paint with Perfect Pearls

One of the first techniques that we learned at Ranger U was how to use Perfect Pearls. It was great to learn how to use them in many ways. Learning what to do with Perfect Pearls made me really appreciate them...all over again. It's a great product to either discover or re-discover. It does not take up too much room; a little goes a long way so it's a great value; the secret sauce is a little H20.



Perfect Pearls™ Pigment Kits have found their way into the eP product mix. These are great beginner sets since they also include the brushes and medium. The one thing you need to know that makes Perfect Pearl(by Ranger) a great product choice is that it is a mica-powder with a built-in binder. You won't have to seal it with another medium. A little water mist will activate the resins and binders built into the powdered pigments.

Mixing Perfect Pearls with water can form a variety of inks, glazes, and paints. You can control the water and Perfect Pearls to make either an opaque paint of sheer wash. It dries fast, too. Applying it on different surfaces can also give it a different affect. Use a Mini Mister to lightly spritz and set your projects when using Perfect Pearls. eclectic Paperie has several kits available as well as offering them in individual colors. Wouldn't that be fun to spend an afternoon playing with your Perfect Pearls? Get together with some friends to share ideas and color away. A little can go along way.

Perfect Medium and Perfect Pens were designed specifically to work with Perfect Pearls. It looks like a stamp pad but it is not an ink pad or pen. Many compare it to VersaMarkTM but it is not the same. Perfect Medium can be used as a watermark, a resist on glossy paper and as an embossing. Perfect Medium was designed to work with and make Perfect Pearls stick.

The sample and technique shown above was done by stamping, then embossing the image on black cardstock. This Studio 490 butterfly was a good stamp to experiment with practicing how to paint with Perfect Pearls. A little water misted onto the Perfect Pearls creates a good wash. The amount of water controls the color intensity you desire.

Now it's your turn to try. Happy painting!

eclectic Feed: Episode 8 (Weathered Wood)

One of my favorite techniques that I learned from Ranger U was creating a weathered wood effect with Paint Dabbers and Distress Inks. You could spend a whole afternoon experimenting ad creating some great backgrounds for your projects. You may even have some dabbers and inks already. So, go get your supplies and give it a try. It's just the right technique for any Father's Day project that you may have in mind.

Grungepaper Project - Belly Band

Grungepaper is back in stock. It's like nothing that you've ever seen. You can stamp it, paint it, heat it, emboss it, cut it, run it through your die cut machines and so much more. The possibilities are endless. The new video will show you a project using the Grungepaper as a decorative element. It's a belly band made from Grungepaper around a tea tin. I'll post more photos and supplies used in a later post.

eclectic Paper Feed - episode 7

Drip & Smash

At Ranger U back in April, Tim Holtz taught us a technique using alcohol ink, mixative, and some blending solution to create some great backgrounds. Get some tags or cardstock (doesn't have to be glossy) and play. You'll have an adventure when coming up with some great creations. I am calling this technique "Drip & Smash".

I love this Berry Tree from Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 stamp collection. Some stickles on the leaves adds some dimension and sparkle. More supplies used in this card can viewed at the end of the following video tutorial. The Ranger Non-Stick Craft sheet is a big help. Use your Blending Solution, too, for quick clean-up.

Distress Ink Smear

Samantha's at it again. This time, she is going to show you how to make some fun background with some Distress Inks and little water mist with the Mini Mister. The Ranger Non-Stick Craft-Sheet really makes for easy creating and clean-up. She used Studio 490 stamps and idea-ology findings(Mini Fastners and Foilage) to finish her simple card.

Alcohol Ink Splatter Technique

Earlier this month at Ranger U, Tim Holtz, taught us a really fun technique with alcohol inks and an air can. I taught it to my kids(ages 7 and 12) over spring break and they went wild over this technique. So, Samantha decided to join in the video upload craze...eP style. She chose the music to feature her version of the Alcohol Ink Splatter technique with vast collection of Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink and an air can. You'll want to get your own supplies so you can play this weekend.

You can also view in full screen HERE.

Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper

If you have either the Crop-A-Dile or the Crop-A-Dile Big Bite...then you will love this new hand held tool by We R Memory Keepers. Having debuted at 2009-CHA Winter, this versatile tool was much talked about on the CHA floor. It is two(2) tools in one. You get both a 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch corner rounder with the Corner Chomper. It will round corners of paper, chipboard, acrylic sheets, metal sheets, leather, and fabric, too.

eclectic Paperie if offering both the Corner Chomper with the cute coordinating case at a good value. You can view the details HERE. You can also view this new video to show you how to use this new tool. Our new eclectic Feed episode will make you want to breakdance before you get to your stampin space.

eclectic Feed: Episode 2(Alcohol Inks)

Just finished a very quick video tutorial to show you a simple technique using Ranger Alcohol Inks. I'll have more details later this week so make sure to check that out, too. Here are several options when viewing our new video segment. You can choose the format that you prefer.

Go to iTunes

Download to Your Computer

Watch on The Web

eclectic Paperie Video Tutorials

We are very excited about our latest addition that we are calling the eclectic Feed. This is a brand new series of video tutorials where we show some techniques using our favorite eP products. The eclectic Feed can be found in the iTunes store under podcasts. Currently you can download our episodes in iTunes (Hi Definition for watching on your computer) or Vimeo. If you subscribe in iTunes, each new episode will be delivered to you automatically. We are currently working on adding an iPod version to iTunes and YouTube but we are not quite there yet. Please go check it out. You can search us in the iTunes store under a podcast called "eclectic Feed." We put a lot of work into it and it is absolutely free. If you have any favorite products you'd like to see demonstrated, let us know! Check out the new eP offering....it's ECLECTIC!

eP eclectic Feed on iTunes

eP eclectic Feed on Vimeo

It's okay to rock!

We've received many emails inquiring about the new Rock-a-Blocks by Crafter's Companion.  There was a lot of buzz about this new "must-have-tool" at Summer CHA.  Here are a couple reasons why:

• It's way lighter than acrylic blocks(it's a good thing!);
• It is curved and easy to use with any unmounted stamp;
• It is great to use with larger and detailed stamps so that you can get an even impression every time;
• "Rocking" will get you that perfect stamped image.
• You want to "rock" the stamp.  

I had to try it out for myself to see what all the commotion was about.  It really surprised me how lightweight it was in comparison to the heavy acrylic blocks that we are used to.    We were all taught "not to rock" your stamp for fear of smudging and smearing your image.  NOW...you must rock with these blocks to get the perfect stamped image.  

You stick your stamp onto the block; ink it up with your chosen ink; and you literally "rock-it" to stamp your image.  There is a "lip"(aka. runners) on the edges of the block that will actually help you prevent marks that may "catch" to your paper.   It also serves as a "depth gauge to give you even pressure" when you stamp.

As you rock, you allow yourself to get an even stamped image.  I usually rock-it from bottom of the image to the top.  It is almost like you are putting your stamp on a rolling pin and you roll it onto your paper.  Ink it well and you will get an even impression.  I love it for larger and detailed stamps because you can really roll out your image without the stamp moving on you.  

Watch the video again to see that it is really okay to rock the stamp.  When you get yours, invite your friends over so you can all try it and ROCK the night away!

IMPORTANT SIDENOTE:

This new product originated in the United Kingdom and became very popular in a short amount of time.  I am going to note that the instructions suggest that you use a "Stick and Spray" adhesive to keep it tacky.  BUT, the Stick and Spray adhesive that the company(Crafter's Companion) makes to go with the Rock-a-Blocks is not yet available here in the States.  However, can use the Tack 'n Peel(Tsukineko) as an alternative to ensuring that you block is tacky again.