Maxam Made

Well where did the week go??  Anyone else feel like time is flying by at an unprecedented speed? I've had a busy week with family happenings and getting a few things together to bring to you on the blog.  Some fun things coming up! I found this image on Facebook last week I love the saying on this: And turned it into this card Unfortunately I wasn't able to photo the "snow " I added or the glittery berries. I hope you are all having a great week and will get some rest and relaxation in this week end! Ginny M

A month or so ago I purchased a rubber stamp of waves, it is a very traditional Asian design, I had been looking for one for some time.  I thought this would make a great background stamp for my Asian cards.   I had in mind using acrylic metallic paint instead of going the ink/heat embossing route. Today's post is about this trial and error process: Here is the stamp, and to be honest I'm not crazy about it, the quality is fine, but the etching is really a little bit to fine for what I have in mind. Since this was a cling mount I decided to try it first on my Mega mount block which I really like   My Acrylic paint of choice, Martha Stewarts , I buy this at  Home Depot.  This giant jar was 5.99 and will last at least a year!  The screw top lid really keeps this from drying out, so it will sit on a shelf for a long time and still be good.  It has a very high shine look to it.     Applied to the stamp with a stick sponge     first attempt, way to much paint! Second attempt much be

Yay!!  What on you Workdesk??  Just fun stuff today, a world wide tour of Crafting desks! It starts here at Julia's blog over the pond in the UK!    We've got so much snow here, over 4 feet I wanted to bring some in and take a picture of it on my desk!          Okay, that  isn't my street, it just feels that way!! I've been busy like everyone else here in New England dealing with the snow and am sooooo ready for spring!! Today on my desk, a batch of bookmarks that will be going out in get well  and thinking of you cards. I read a lot ( real books), recently someone sent me a card with a book mark and I thought it was such a brilliant idea I've been making and doing the same!   I like to put something on the back, a bible verse or great quote..... I used Nicecrane book mark images for these:     These images print up nicely, these are done on 100# smooth cardstock   I did one very simply in balck and white with out a backing   I am going to do a ink comparison soon

 The word of God, The Bible, The love letter written to bring us light and life - It is my passion and I believe part of the purpose of my life, to tell everyone about this Great Love.  I've been on this mission for about 35 years. Every day It gets richer. Now I send cards, hundreds telling people that Jesus loves them, and that I at least like them. That they are loved by God and important to me. I also get to have a lot of fun along the way and feel blessed as I encourage other to know Him. Karen Murray helps me do that, She is an extraordinary graphic artist that specializes in 'WordArt' I discovered Karen not to long ago and not only am I blessed by her work, but by her friendship too. She has a wonderful inspiring  'Paper craftmemories'  blog  where she gives the word freely  and Etsy store  to help keep the lights on!  I am privileged to make sample for her. I LOVE doing this!   I just finished her newest set which is now on Etsy and wanted to show them here

Last post I mentioned a technique for a more painterly look, That is what I will be demonstrating today! This is a fun simple technique to give your art a unique look.  The only special thing you are going to need is an old favorite:  MOD PODGE!! Good Ole Mod Podge and a plastic ketchup bottle.  You can use a different kind of squirty bottle, this is what I had on hand and it works great! There have been a lot of posts on the craft sights about  making your own mod podge and you can it is pretty simple in ingredients.  Basically it is Elmer's glue and cornstarch.  I am all for DIY'ing things BUT  here's my tip on mod podge:  You can buy it on Amazon for 29.99 a Gallon with free shipping if you are a prime member. For that price, I spare my kitchen the mess and have it shipped to my door once a year!! This technique requires adding a layer of mod podge on to your focal area.    My first attempt was with this lovely image. Mod Podge is a water base product and so isn't my

Last post we looked at the high resolution and highly colored Vintage Elegant Ladies Images by Nicecrane .  Today I want to work with something a little simpler,  black and white images.  This image set is also by Nicecrane and it is from the Vintage French Post Card Collection . I want to give you a few Ideas for using digitals, especially one you can add your personal embellishing touches too. I am going to first use the Swallow Tail Stamp       With my older printer I have to make an adjustment to the  image before I can print.  My printer is heavy on the ink and I use 100# paper. The extra bulk of the paper means that it creates more pressure on the ink jets causing a deeper saturation. If you have problems with getting over-saturated images with your printer I can help you SIMPLY remedy that.  Just leave a question in the comments box and I will get back to you.  I won't go any details right now, I don't want this simple process to sound complicated!!   Here are some add

I have begun using digitals more in the last year.  For a number of reasons:  1)I am tired of the same ole rubber stamps, 2)  I am tired of spending at least $10.00 for one stamp and it's restrictiveness of one size. 3) Storing an ever mounting collection is a problem as well as trying to remember what I have! 4) Lack of images I like, I don't like cute, I like Botanical, Asian, Fine Art, Bold Designs. 5) I am not a great colorer.  Today I am going to show you the promised images from Nicecrane designs that I mentioned the other day and gave you a sneak peak.  These images are a little different for me, but they helped me work up a batch of 2 dozen cards in a few hours.   This set is called Elegant Ladies II   I really enjoyed working with them. Before I show you I want you to remember you don't need a fancy printer to do digital prints well, Remember I found my printer on the side of the road one night??   Every printer works a little differently and you have to spend a l