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Artistic Outpost's "Snowy Woods" on Sale NOW!

I know, I know, it seems like forever since I've posted...and it has been three weeks, which is a long time in the blogging world!

But, I had to jump in and announce that Artistic Outpost is having a sale on one of it's newest plates, Snowy Woods, for a limited time...a full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of rubber!  It's only $19.99, and I have to tell you that this sheet is beautiful, versatile, and lends itself to so many fabulous techniques!

Be sure to check out Artistic Outpost's blog and store web site for some fantastically creative ideas for using this plate!

Artistic Outpost also sells mounting supplies (acrylic blocks, Kai scissors, and EZ Mount Cling foam)...one of the best prices on EZ mount that I've found...you get get three sheets for only $9.99!

Stuff:

Stamp:  Snowy Woods (AO)

Paper:  Core' dinations, Memory Box (Twiggy), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Hybrid Palette Burnt Sienna, Pine Needles (Distress), Vintage Photo (Distress)

Other "Stuff":  rectangle Nesties, sandpaper block for distressing Core'dinations cardstock, Pine Needles Distress embossing powder, heat gun, metallic organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts), self-adhesive rhinestones (Me and My Big Ideas from Jacksonbelle Embellishments)

The Christmas tree was embossed with Tim Holtz Distress embossing powder.  Here are a few tips on getting the best results because these are not your ordinary EP (from Ranger Ink)!

1. Shake jar before each use to evenly distribute the release crystals.

2. As with regular embossing, use a well-inked stamp to apply ink to your surface, sprinkle Distress Powder onto image and tap off excess. Emboss using heat tool until powder turns a slightly deeper tone – unlike traditional powders these will not turn shiny.

3. For best results it is recommended you emboss with Distress inks, or Distress Embossing Ink.  Note: If embossing with watermark or pigment inks, you will still get the matte, textured look and feel from the Distress Powders, but you will have less or no rub off.

4. To distress, emboss image and allow to cool for a few seconds. Lightly rub embossed image with your finger to remove the special release crystals. Some colors release more than others, so don’t worry if some rub off more or less …it’s part of the “aged” look.

5. Because some Distress Embossing Powder colors only change slightly when heated, here is tip for knowing when the embossing is complete: if the feel of the embossing when cooled is like sandpaper, it has been heated enough. If it is too loose like sand on the beach, heat it some more.

 How gorgeous is this set!!

Thanks for looking, and I'll try to be back soon...things have been a bit busy for me lately, but I'm hoping for some major studio time today...and tomorrow...

Bloggers Challenge #71 - Halloween

This week's Bloggers Challenge was Halloween...not too difficult...but I also participated in an ATC swap, so I created two projects...

  

Stuff:  Stamps:  Vintage Halloween (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black (Stampin' Up!), patterned Halloween (Daisy D's);  Ink:  Palette Black Noir;  Other Stuff:  black organdy ribbon, Prima Collage flower, rhinestone brad, Ranger Stickles, white gel pen

    

It's been forever since I've made an ATC (artist trading card), but it was fun...This was pretty easy...

Stuff:  clip art (printed on my computer and printer); Paper:  Only Orange (SU!), black (Core'dintions); Ink:  Palette Black Noir; Other Stuff:  Rectangle Scallop Nesties, sandpaper, Ranger Stickles, Spica Glitter pens, rhinestones, spider web satin ribbon

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the badge in the sidebar!

Have a safe, happy, fun Halloween!

Artistic Outpost Guest Designer Team Call!

Artistic Outpost is looking for Guest Designers for our upcoming releases.   We are looking for people who love our images and want to inspire our customers.

You must be able to:

• Take good clear digital photos or scans of your finished projects
• You must be able to meet deadlines, enjoy challenges and work well with others
• You must be willing to promote via the Internet (forums/online galleries/and your blog) by posting samples made with Artistic Outpost images, or posting company specials when applicable while you are a Guest Designer

If being a Guest Designer for Artistic Outpost is something you'd like to do, send an email to Somerville4@aol.com AND info@artisticoutpost.com. Please put Artistic Outpost Design Team Application in the subject line and include:

• Name, Email address, Home address
• A brief paragraph on why you would like to be Guest Designer for Artistic Outpost
• A link to your blog (if you have one) or any online galleries that you display your work
• Current or past design team positions, and publication information - if any
• Send photos or scans of 3 projects – if you have Artistic Outpost images, we encourage you to use them (each image should be no larger than 80kb)

Applications due by November 5th, 2008 - those accepted will be notified by November 7th, 2008

The fine print:

• Your Guest Design position with Artistic Outpost will be for one release - month will be assigned to you after confirmation of position.
• For each plate you receive as a Guest Designer, you are required to make at least four projects, sometimes on a tight deadline, and provide high quality scans or photographs for use in the Artistic Outpost Gallery. In addition you should be sharing your artwork via your blog/online groups or galleries
• You may be required to send your projects in for use on our display boards to be used at stamp shows

There is no monetary payment for work, only the free Artistic Outpost stamp sheets you receive during your month as a Guest Designer

Bloggers Challenge #69 - Color Challenge (Old Olive, Really Rust, Riding Hood Red)

This week's Bloggers Challenge was a color challenge using Old Olive, Really Rust, and Riding Hood Red.

I always have a lot of fun doing the color challenges...and decided to use one of my favorite Artistic Outpost stamp sets...

Stuff: 

Stamps:  Serenity (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Old Olive, Really Rust, and Riding Hood Red (Stampin' Up!), Phoebe (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Old Straw (Distress Ink), and Classic Really Rust (SU!), Encore Copper

Other "Stuff":  Grungeboard, sponge for antiquing card stock, Poppy self-adhesive rhinestones (Me and My Big Ideas), square and long rectangle Nestibilities

I used Really Rust ink to color the Grungeboard swirls, and then used a little Encore Copper ink on top of that.  I used SU! glue stick to adhere them to the card front. 

Today is the last day for Artistic Outpost's anniversary sale...be sure to visit their blog and leave a comment for the blog candy!

Click on the Bloggers Challenge badge on the sidebar to check out the other challengers' designs!

Thanks for looking...and have a wonderful weekend.  We'll be traveling to the other side of the state to spend the weekend with family...this is our yearly "Van Hal" get-together...we used to get together this weekend every year to celebrate my now deceased mother-in-law's birthday, and now we just make it a special day for all the siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to visit and share memories...it should be a lot of fun.

   

Artistic Outpost - The Anniversary Celebration Continues with MORE Blog Candy!

Great news!  Artistic Outpost's anniversary sale has been extended and includes the very cool Vintage Halloween plate:

Stuff:  Stamps:  Vintage Halloween (AO); Paper:  Basic Black, Purely Pumpkin, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Ink: Palette Black Noir, Vintage Photo and Concord Grape (Ranger); Other Stuff:  White gel pen, Eclipse masking tape, organdy ribbon, tag die (Nestibilities), sponge

I stamped and masked the girl, then stamped the fence, and using a sponge and Distress inks I colored the background with Vintage Photo and Concord Grape Distress inks.  the pumpkins were stamped on Purely Pumpkin card stock, and the eyes colored in with a white gel pen.  They were cut out and mounted on the card front.  The sentiment was stamped with Black Noir, and that tag was mounted on another Nestibilities tag made with a scrap of Daisy D's Halloween paper.  The ribbon was melted with my heat gun... 

This news just in from Artistic Outpost's blog:

Let the celebration continue!

Our Anniversary sale has been extended through October 17th!

You will find our original "8" collections are all on sale for $9.99. They include: Thai Buddha, Chinese Proverbs, Singing Cowboy, Distant Generations, Polaroid Cutie, Hair is Important, Christmas Stories, and Ave Maria.

We also have bundled together our last release Vintage Halloween and Route 66, for a limited time, you can get both plates together for $19.99.

New Release Specials: We are also pleased to introduce two new stamp collections: Snowy Woods & BlueBird.

Snowy Woods is a larger collection of unmounted stamps measuring 8.5" x 11". This plate is full of vintage images of Santa and peaceful winter scenes. For a limited time, this plate is on sale for $19.99.

BlueBird is designed to reflect both winter and spring. We hope that it provides creative inspiration for you throughout the winter months. For a limited time, the Bluebird plate is on sale for $9.99.

As an added bonus, you can purchase both new plates for $28 in our Bundled Special. That's a $36retail value!!!

This weeks Blog Candy!
This week one lucky winner will receive both the Vintage Halloween and Route 66 plates! Already have them? No problem, we'll swap them out for two half sheets of your choice!

How do you enter to win?
Simply leave a comment on Artistic Outpost's blog here telling us what you'd like to see offered as a future plate by Artistic Outpost by 11:59 CST on October 18th. When you leave your comment, be sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", we cannot give you the prize as Blogger does not record your email address for us. You'll need to check back to find out if you have won. We will have the random number generator pick one number from the comments to select the winner and post the winner on October 19th. Please remember only 1 entry per person. Good Luck!

Thanks for looking, and be sure to leave a comment on AO's blog!

Road Trip

It's the weekend, and who couldn't use a little road trip?

Stuff:

Stamp:  Route 66 (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Whisper White (SU!), Core'dinations (red and brown textured), Travel (DCWV)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Glorious Green, Vintage Photo Distress ink 

More "Stuff":  Hodgepodge Hardware, Glossy Accents, Vintage Brads, Distressing tool, sponge for antiquing

Thanks for looking!

 

Vintage Halloween Revisited - Artistic Outpost

This is another Halloween card I made with Artistic Outpost's Vintage Halloween set...

Stuff:

Stamp:  Vintage Halloween (AO)

Paper:  Perfect Plum and Only Orange (SU!), patterned paper by Daisy D's, watercolor paper

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Vintage Photo Distress (Ranger)

Other "Stuff":  Wrought Iron corner punch (retired SU!), Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stump, organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), rick rack blade and Paper Trimming Buddy 

This was colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol...the "curly ribbon" was created by heating organdy ribbon with my heat gun...if you try this, do NOT hold the ribbon with your fingers...it gets hot...always use a tweezers.

And, speaking of Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts, Heidi has the most amazing collection of ribbon at fantastic prices available as sets or bulk...she has been adding lots of new product this year in addition to custom brads and eyelets in our favorite 48+ colors...and now she is offering pre-orders on Copic markers, both sets and individually...at prices too low to advertise...so, if you're interested, please email her at  info@pinkhedgehogpapercrafts.com for the price lists, and tell her Anita sent you!

Thank you so much for looking!

Vintage Halloween

I just love the new "Vintage Halloween" stamp set from Artistic Outpost!  The images was stamped on More Mustard card stock with Palette Black Noir ink and the edges were distressed with a distressing tool.  The girl was stamped fist, then masked, and the background stamps used last.

See that down-turned corner?  Not double-sided card stock...I simply attached a scrap of patterned paper on the backside...folded the corner to the front, and attached layered buttons with a large glue dot.

The card stock and patterned paper were "antiqued" with Pumpkin Pie Classic ink, Old Paper (Distress) and a sponge.  The greeting was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.

Stuff:

Stamps:  Vintage Halloween (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  More Mustard and Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!), Daisy D's

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Versamark

More "Stuff":  tool kit (SU!), sponge, buttons, fiber, large glue dot, Eclipse masking tape, gold EP (SU!)

Thanks for looking!

Artistic Outpost Birthday Specials and Blog Candy!

from Artistic Outpost:

It's OUR Birthday and YOU get the presents!

We are so excited to be celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

It's truly overwhelming to think how fast this year has gone. Twelve months ago, we only had eight stamp collections and a big dream. Today, we have over 20 collections and we have made friends with so many wonderful people just like you who enjoy creating with our images. THANK YOU for a great first year!

To celebrate we have many Anniversary Specials in our store, and also some Blog Candy to giveaway!

Our Anniversary Specials:

• You will find our original "8" collections are all on sale for a limited time for $9.99. They include: Thai Buddha, Chinese Proverbs, Singing Cowboy, Distant Generations, Polaroid Cutie, Hair is Important, Christmas Stories, and Ave Maria.
• We also have bundled together our last release Vintage Halloween and Route 66 for a limited time, you can get both plates together for $19.99.

New Release Specials:

We are also pleased to introduce two new stamp collections: Snowy Woods & BlueBird.

Snowy Woods is a larger collection of unmounted stamps measuring 8.5" x 11". This plate is full of vintage images of Santa and peaceful winter scenes. For a limited time, this plate is on sale for $19.99.

Click here to see wonderful artwork using Snowy Woods images.

BlueBird is designed to reflect both winter and spring. We hope that it provides creative inspiration for you throughout the winter months. For a limited time, the Bluebird plate is on sale for $9.99.

Click here to see wonderful artwork using BlueBird images.

As an added bonus, you can purchase both new plates for $28 in our Bundled Special. That's a $36 retail value!!!

Anniversary Blog Candy!!!!

Artistic Outpost is giving away one Vintage Halloween plate & a TJ CD (Technique Junkie) to ONE lucky winner! (Already own Vintage Halloween - we'll let you select any plate of the same value in it's place.)

How do you enter to win?
Simply leave a comment on the Artistic Outpost blog (NOT HERE) post telling us your favorite Artistic Outpost Plate by 11:59 CST on October 4th. When you leave your comment, be sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", we cannot give you the prize as Blogger does not record your email address for us. You'll need to check back to find out if you have won. We will have the random number generator pick one number from the comments to select the winner of the Vintage Halloween Plate and TJNL CD, and post the winner on October 5th. Please remember only 1 entry per person. Good Luck!

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #5 - Bluebird

The sneak peek's for Artistic Outpost's October release have been so much fun to create!  I've really enjoyed checking out the other designers' creations as well.  This is another piece I did using the "BlueBird" plate...

Supplies:

Stamps:  BlueBird (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Natural White (Stampin' Up!), blue (Core'dinations), Memory Box

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Tim Holtz Distress inks (Spiced Marmalade, Weathered Wood)

Accessories:  distressing tool (Stampin' Up!), Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stump, button, felt flower, paper flower (Making Memories), sponge for antiquing card stock edges

Thanks for looking...be sure to check out the other designers' sneak peeks by visiting the Artistic Outpost blog...   

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #4 - More "Snowy Woods"

Yes, yes, it's time for another sneak peek from Artistic Outpost!  This is another card made with "Snowy Woods," one of the sets being released October 1!  I'm having so much fun with these new stamp plates...

Supplies:

Stamps:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  green and burgundy (Core'dinations), watercolor paper, Frost (Memory Box)

Ink:  Palette Burnt Umber, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)

Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, bending stump, sponge for distressing, Spica gold glitter pen, glittery flowers and gold foil leaf (Prima), rhinestone brad (Stampin' Up!), distressing tool (Stampin' Up!)

The Santa image and words were stamped with Palette Burnt Umber, and the Santa was colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol (mineral spirits) and a blending stump.  The Core'dinations card stock was sanded to distress it and remove the "shine" and then antiqued with Walnut ink and a sponge.

The patterned paper was antiqued with the Walnut ink as well, after the edges were distressed with a distressing tool (Stampin' Up!).

I added a little "bling" to this card with the Prima Poinsettias I purchased last year, and used a rhinestone brad for the center.  I mounted it with foam dimensional tape.  A little extra "gold" was added with a Copic gold Spica pen...love using these...the ink flows so nicely...outlined the Santa a bit...

Thanks for looking; be sure to check out the other designers' creations by visiting Artistic Outpost's blog...and also be sure to sign up for the email newsletter so you won't miss out on the new release specials as well as the First Anniversary festivities!

Toodles,

Anita 

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #3! - Snowy Woods

This is my sneak peek #3 for the upcoming October release from Artistic Outpost.  This is also another stamp from the plate "Snowy Woods."

Supplies:

Stamp:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Natural White (Stampin' Up!), Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey), Core'dinations (solid colored card stock)

Ink:  Palette Burnt Sienna, Brushed Corduroy, Pine Needles, Fired Brick, Weathered Wood (all Tim Holtz Distress Ink)

Accessories:  corner punch (unknown clearance item), jute, Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, blending stump, sponge, chunky vase gems (Hobby Lobby),  Tim Holtz Adriondack Alcohol Ink Gold Metallic Mixative

After stamping the image, I used a sponge to lightly give the background some color with the Distress inks, and then colored the image with Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, and a blending stump.

The Core'dinations card stock was first sanded to give it a matte finish and give the Corduroy Distress ink some "tooth" to grab. 

Be sure to check out the other designers sneak peeks by visiting the Artistic Outpost blog, and also be sure to sign up for the AO email newsletter so you don't miss out on any of the upcoming specials for the new beautiful new releases on October 1, but also the first anniversary specials as well!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Toodles,

Anita 

I used the gold metallic mixative to cover the clear vase gems (fragments), and used Matte Accents to adhere to the corners of my card. 

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #2! - Snowy Woods

Today is Sneak Peek #2 for Artistic Outpost's October release!  This is from the new set, Snowy Woods, AO's first 8 1/2 x 11" plate, and it is fabulous!  It has many versatile images that will carry you through the entire winter as well as for the Christmas season. 

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Blue Bayou (retired SU!), Bravo Burgundy (SU!), Winterberry (Memory Box from Ellen Hustson, LLC)

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Gold Encore, Blue Bayou (retired SU!)

Accessories:  oval and scalloped oval Nesties,  gold embossing powder, gold cord, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol (mineral spirits), blending stump, and a sponge dauber

I stamped the image with waterproof Palette Black Noir ink since I'd be using Gamsol (mineral spirits) and a blending stump to color my Santa image. 

The gold outline around the Bravo Burgundy (base of card) and the Santa were done by inking the edges with Gold Encore ink and a sponge dauber, and then heat embossing with gold EP.  I used a sponge dauber so the metallic border would be uneven and more vintage looking.

The greeting was stamped on a piece of the Memory Box card stock with Blue Bayou, and the edge was completed the same as the other pieces.

The Santa is propped up on foam dimensional tape to make him stand out a bit...

If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Artistic Outpost's email newsletter so you can be informed of the new release specials as well as the upcoming first anniversary specials and blog candy! 

October promises to be a very special one for not only AO, but it's valued customers and friends as well!

Thanks for stopping by, and to check out the other design team's sneak peaks, visit the Artistic Outpost blog!

Toodles,

Anita

 

Bloggers Challenge 66 - Warhol Technique (and Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek!)

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to use the Warhol technique...for those of you way to young or not born yet (1960's)...Andy Warhol was a famous New York City artist who brought "pop" art into the mainstream, and developed a new, fresh style of creating...this is my take on one of his works...

Basically the technique consists of repeated images in grid fashion; these are stamped in black (that being the common denominator), and using and repeating several colors.

I used a bird image from a new release coming up from Artistic Outpost (more on that later!), so I'm killing two birds with one stone, no pun intended.

Supplies:

Stamp:  Blue Bird (AO); Paper:  Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, and Real Red (Stampin' Up!), and patterned paper (Basic Grey); Ink:  Palette Black Noir; Accessories:  1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, yellow, orange, and red stitched ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), Dew Drops and Glossy Accents to adhere them

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar!  Some cool stuff...

As I already mentioned, Artistic Outpost is releasing two new stamp plates. On October 1st, Snowy Woods and Bluebird will be available.
We're so excited about the Christmas plate this year, it features peaceful images of a loving Santa Claus who we believe is the real one. No mall Santa's helpers here!!! This is a full 8.5 x 11" unmounted stamp collection. Loads of beautiful images, and AO's first "full" plate. 

The Bluebird collection is the half plate size of 8.5 x 5.5". It is meant to be your solace this winter. You can see the reflections of winter and spring all in this one collection. This peaceful collection of bird-inspired images will carry you through to spring!

Specials on these plates will be posted on October 1st. In addition, believe it our not, October marks Artistic Outpost's ONE year anniversary.  With this milestone will come blog candy and additional specials on their one year old darling stamp sets. The ones that got us going and that we will always hold in our hearts.   

Be sure to check back for a sneak peeks and samples.  If you haven't already signed up for blog updates - be sure you do, that way you won't miss out on our specials and anniversary celebration!  You can sign up here!  You'll be able to check out some of the other designers' sneak peaks as well!  Have fun!!!   

More Route 66...

This is another card I made using the retro set "Route 66" from Artistic Outpost.  I broke into my stash of Tim Holtz "Fragments" for this one...I don't know why I hoard my stash so much...it's not like I don't have plenty, and I certainly know where to buy more!!!  I love the Die Cuts with a View "Travel" pack-these colors really set the pace for the retro feel I was going for...

Supplies:  Stamps: Route 66 (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Travel (DCWV), Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!), Whisper White (SU!); Ink:  Tempting Turquoise and Glorious Green Classic (SU!), White Craft (SU!), Vintage Photo Distress ink (Tim Holtz); Accessories:  Fragments (Tim Holtz), Glossy Accents (adhesive for Fragments and Oregon Rain Drops), Oregon Rain Drops (Pink Hedgehog), clear embossing powder, sponge for antiquing)

Tips:

I used the direct to paper technique on WW card stock to do the "fragment" pieces.  I used Tempting Turquoise and Glorious Green just to give a little color since I didn't want them to be stark white.  I then stamped the words "Retro" and "Round Trip" in Tempting Turquoise and glued fragments over the words using Glossy Accents (by Ranger).  I cut the fragments out with a paper snips.

The patterned card stock was aged using Vintage Photo Distress ink and a sponge.  I also aged the edges of the Tempting Turquoise cs.

The "diner and car" image was stamped on Tempting Turquoise cs with Whisper White Craft ink (SU!), and heat embossed with clear EP.  Clear Oregon Raindrops from the Pink Hedgehog were attached at the corners in place of brads. 

The Oregon Raindrops are a fantastic buy at Pink Hedgehog  Papercrafts...Oregon Raindrops are comparable to Dew Drops and similar products on the market.  You can purchase either large jars of approximately 470 raindrops for $2.20 or small jars of approximately 120 raindrops for 60 cents.  What's really cool about the clear ones is that they can be "dyed" with alcohol based markers (Prismacolor, Copic, etc.)

Thanks for looking! 

Huggles,

Anita