DIY Nail Polish Remover Image Transfer

Hello.

So I've been experimenting with image transfers lately as you saw here. It's a really cool way to add detail to paintings, journals and more. I think they also add cool texture and finishes to pieces :)

Plus, they are so simple to do. There are several different ways to do image transfers, but I like ones that are easy with supplies I already have on hand ;) And I present, nail polish remover transfers!

Here is what you'll need:

ink jet, black and white copy image

acetone nail polish remover

cotton balls

paper

burnishing tool (I used a capped pen)

Let's talk copy image for a sec ;)

You must you an ink jet copy image, NOT a laser print image. I chose this sweet, beach-y image :)

As for the polish remover, it must contain acetone for this project to work. Check the ingredients label on the back if unsure about your own polish remover. I picked up this at the Dollar Tree.

Now let's talk paper, I tried this on several papers and it really doesn't matter. As long as you are not soaking the transfer with the polish remover, you'll be fine. Too much remover and you'll risk tearing your piece.

First, lay your image face down onto your paper of choice.

With a dampened cotton ball, rub the remover evenly across the back of the image.Hold tight to make sure your image doesn't move around on ya ;)

See I used a little too much on this one :(

Burnish the back to really adhere the ink to the surface of your final paper.

Gently peel the image off. You can see here where I burnished too much in the middle and not enough around the edges.

I just rubbed the stuck image paper off with my finger.

And here is the final product.

Not bad for a practice piece. It has a cool look to it. Like an old worn out photograph.

Here are some additional ones I made. I tested the process out of different papers colors and weights.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking to these awesome parties!

Embroidery Cord Binded Art Journals

Hello.

So I thing my few readers out there know I love to create art journals :) And do you know what? It's a great creative booster for artists and they are fun to fill up with doodles and scribbles ;)

So I made yet another quick journal and bound this one with red embroidery cord :) I'm really pleased with the way it turned out :)

Here's what you'll need for your journal:

a few pieces of paper

acrylic paint

embroidery cord

embroidery needle

scissors

pencil (optional)

ruler (optional)

Let's talk paper for a sec ;) I prefer a good mixed media paper. 

For this project, I chose acid free, 98 lb paper as it would hold up to paints but is also thin enough to punch the embroidery needle through the paper. I picked up this paper at Walmart, but it's available at Hobby Lobby as well as Amazon. However, you could use a heavy weight water color paper or even regular office paper with yarn if this is a project with the kiddo's.

First, I cut two sheets of the media paper into three equal pieces, short ways. Use a ruler and/or pencil if needed.

Although yellow paint is pictured above, I wanted to start with some "palette smashes" for inner content of my journal. I then took left over paint from a palette (which is a magazine page)...

And I "smashed" the journal pages into the paint and let dry :)

You get some beautiful mixtures of colors, shapes, movement..even texture with ripples of paint.

Here is where the yellow came in :)

I then stacked them and folded in half longways. This creates the "book" shape. 

Like so...

Once all put together, grab the embroidery needle and tread.

Sew your journal pages together and the middle seem and secure with simple knots.

I used a simple slip stitch to bind the journal. But you could try and get more creative ;)

Then close off with knots ;)

And you've completed your journal ;) 

And something fun to the front cover!

Looks so cute and ready for art entries!!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I ill be linking to these awesome parties!

Packing Tape Image Transfers

Hello.

So I recently cane across an online class that taught several different modes of image transfer!

I used to think that image transfer was a lengthy and pricey process, requiring several ingredients that I did not already have on hand.

However, that is not the case! I was very exited to learn I can make some gorgeous and very detailed image transfers using only clear packing tape!!!

Now this works best with laser print printers and magazine cut outs. Ink jet printers may present a problem ;)

So I stuck with the two recommended types. And I will tell you.... this process captures color BEAUTIFULLY!  And it is so easy :) you'll be dying to try this DIY project!

Here is what you need to get started:

I started with a palette smash little canvass but paper works well too ;)

clear packing tape

an image (magazine or ink jet printer)

bone folder or spoon or anything really to brazen the image (not pictured)

scissors (not pictured)

bowl of warm water (not pictured)

glue stick

This process is so incredibly fun and easy, you'll be adding to all your journaling and collage projects!

First, select an image. I chose to print a black and white image from the web. Again, magazines work really well for this project.

Place and adhere a strip of clear packing tape over the image.

Burnish well with a spoon or bone folder. In this case, I used a sharpie cap. Worked just fine ;)

This will really work the ink into the tape and ensure a solid image transfer.

I couldn't get pictures of this next step, but place the tape-covered image in the bowl of warm water and gently rub the paper away with you thumbs. It sluffs off easily and you should have no trouble in this step. What you'll have left is the piece pf tape with the image - clear as day :)

Once dry, the tape will still be somewhat sticky, but adhering with the glue stick (or adding a layer on Modge Podge) will keep your transfer in place :)

This process works very well with black and white images as well as color! I had no trouble filling this small practice canvass :) You'll see I made an additional transfer of a magazine page with a water pattern on it :)

I added a sweet little "XOXO" ink stamp and called it done ;)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking to these awesome parties!!

Trip to The Hamptons, New York

Hello.

So I had a company retreat not too long ago! One of the more pleasant reasons I haven't posted as much as I'd like :) Another pleasant reason is my recent trip to Los Angeles; post coming soon ;)

Such a beautiful place with some of the most lovely homes! And the BEACH! Just gorgeous:)

Here's what I was up to while way up north! 

Gazing at dreamy homes right off the beach.

Munching on yummy food and wine while tossing across ideas!

See my journal in the bottom left? It says whistle while you work! LOL

I even hosting a "Paint and Sip" team building exercise. I guided my colleagues in a recreation of Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Guess which is mine?

Oh I'm silly like this..LOL! Decided a Pop Doll nun was much more fun ;)

A quick exertion to the beach took place, where I lifted some sea rocks and gorgeous sea shells for my already massive collection! These are just a few ;)

I got searched at security due to the suspicious objects showing up on X-ray. 

Knock yourself out security man! I'm just the chick that collects sea shells.

Enjoy!

Xoxo

Ginger

How to Get Started With Creative Writing

Hello.

So in recently finding some adorable Coloring Journals at the Dollar Tree, I thought I'd share a post that stems from creative journaling, mainly focusing on the visual creative, and into the realm of creative writing!

Now I have never been much of a writer... any journals I have ever started end up having doodles in them.... It's in my blood I guess LOL!

As long as there are actual words right..?

Well, I decided to look up some reference materials and study some prompts for channeling and practicing regular writing habits.

Whether your goal is creative writing, short stories or even just morning pages... It's time to explore and perhaps you'll find you are more of a writer than you thought :)

First thing is to find a great journal or stack of paper - or heck.. even the computer! It all works the same. I prefer a bound journal, cuz it just feels good to me ;)

Writing can be just thoughts to paper, short stories, poetry (whether it rhymes or not) - I've dabbled in it all.

How to get started?!

Here are some fabulous writing prompts for an entire year! 365 daily writing prompts :) Some of them may seem a little rudimentary but they are designed to force thoughts to page. This will def be on my to do list.

Random scribbles.. :) 

Let's talk poetry! 

Now while we can all agree that there are several types of poetry, my favorite is the laziest :)

FREE VERSE! 

Free verse is exactly as it sounds - free from rule, rhyme, count, and all that ABBAA nonsense. It's the abstract painting of poetry :) 

Of the most celebrated poets of all time, Walt Whitman was most honorably titled the father of free verse. And if you haven't acquainted yourself with his work, please do so. Thanks Walt ;)

Now let's explore short stories!

Short stories are novels in a hurry...That's my kinda writing! LOL I tried a novel once and got bored almost instantly. It's just such a huge commitment for me.

However, short stories are.. haha, another story. I'm teaming with them and they stem directly from my dreams 99.9% of the time. ( I've always had extremely vivid dreams)

Check out this comprehensive on starting your own short story!

My own personal writing tips? Here are some of my go to's:

1. copy down the lyrics to a song

2. quick words (start with one word and then copy related words that associate with that word. eg; BIRD. flight. float. sky. freedom. 

3. short 2-3 sentence thoughts. eg: I saw a man today begging for change. What led to this moment for him? Has he retreated into himself with no return?

4. write about a dream

5. copy a random conversation down - either your own or one you overheard

6. write about a world mystery. eg; What really happened at Roswell?

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking up to these awesome parties!

DIY Accordion Journal

Hello.

Once again adding to my creative journal collection :) Well what can I say? I'm heading to New York this weekend for a company retreat and I direct art shows for a living...being creative will be a given.

And I would like to journal about my first experience to the big apple ;) I decided on a smaller sized, accordion journal for easy traveling. This was a good one because I was able to use paper I already had on hand.

Up-cycled, recycled and cute as a button. Let's get started!

Here is what you'll need for your journal:

a scrap piece of poster board

2 sheets of card stock printer paper

ruler

scissors

glue stick

pencil (not pictured)

paper cutter or utility knife

Let's talk paper for a sec. You could really use any paper or regular copy/printer paper. However, I wanted thick white paper that will hold up to paint.

This is the brand I used - available on Amazon.com here.

First I've taken my scrap piece of black poster board (about 7.5 inches long) and marked the center point length ways. *Honestly, I think this was a piece of backer board from a frame I bought* I never throw papers away!

You'll then mark 1/8 inch on either side of the center mark. This will be the spine of our journal.

Then, using the straight edge of the ruler, bend/fold over each side to create the spine.

Then bend and fold the opposite side.

Now you have a spine ;)

If your edges don't line up like here, just trim the access off with scissors.

Now you're ready to make the inside accordion of your creative journal. Taking a piece of the card stock, eyeball about 1/8 inch from the edges of the cover.

Once measured, mark with a pencil and cut the card stock length ways at your measurement.

Then cut the second sheet of card stock likewise.

Then using the ruler, bend a small 1/4 inch section on the ends of both card stock pieces.

Then, using the glue stick, apply glue liberally and sandwich both "grooves together" making a "V" shape with the card stock.

Set aside to dry for a few minutes ;)

Once dry, you can use this "mid-point V" to gauge your accordion folds. Just a simple "over/under"fold.

Then, using the glue stick, glue the left end piece to the back of the book cover.

Then allow to dry.

I then took another scrap piece of paper and glued it to the inside of the front cover, but that's optional.

Lastly, I had a sweet little watercolor doodle that I've been hanging onto and thought it would make a pretty front cover :)

I added a fun striped binder clip and all done! Ready for a New York adventure!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Ginger

I will be linking up to these awesome parties!