Dear Friend,

Welcome to Lost Art Cards and Designs.

You might find tiny bouquets on paper, pretty places, words of encouragement, the artwork of others, or a quote from a good book.

My hope is that you will find something that delights the eye of your heart and remains a part of you for a lifetime.

Followers

One facet of the creativity in my soul.

Thank You!

First I would like to say a big THANK YOU ! to  MAMA ELEPHANT for the prize set of their beautiful pigment inks.  I cannot wait to receive them!  

Enrolling in Background Check, an Online Class instructed by Jennifer McGuire, Kristine Werner, and Laura Bassen as well as some guest instructors was one of the best investments I made as a paper crafter.  Gathering rubberstamping and papercrafting supplies, gleaning stamping "how-to's " by reading magazines, attending an occasional show, and watching videos demonstrating stamping techniques is a favorite pastime.  They are so good they make all they teach seem easy, but let me tell you, end results like theirs takes time and practice.  They inspire me by their enthusiastic teaching style.  Thank you to each of you for helping me to improve and try some new techniques. 




Background Check Class, Texture

My son's girlfriend liked this textured background the best so I am posting it.  After blending white card stock using Ranger Distress Ink in Tea Dye, I applied Perfect Medium to the embossing folder and then embossed the card.  Using Pearl Ex Powder I added a bit of shine and really like the effect.

Background Check Class


Background Check Class

This card was made using the Watercolor Smooshing Technique, a Penny Black die, and some embellishments.

Background Check Class

This card is an example of the Inked Letter Press Technique taught on Day 5.  I have been curious about this technique for some time and here is the finished result.


Shirley,  thank you for your kind comment about this card.  I appreciate your encouragement.

Background Check Class Day 3

This card was made using PaperTrey Ink's Mini Bloom Stamp Set, Taylored Expressions banner clear stamp, and  a die cutting technique that results in the look of a laser cut card.   The die cuts are from Memory Box.  I only wanted ink blending on the four corners for a soft finish, but also felt the inside edge of the circle needed some color so I used a cosmetic sponge to edge that part. Though I made this card months ago, I thought I would share it. This die cutting technique was not demonstrated during the Background Check class, I learned it by watching Jennifer McGuire demonstrate it during her tutorial video class, to which I subscribe.

To give the butterflies a little dimension I used a pencil to slightly curl the wings before adhering them to the card.  I used PaperTrey Ink dye inks for stamping and blending.

Background Check Class Day 2

 If I were a better and more frequent blogger I would have realized that the order of my entries needed to be changed , so if any of my readers will scroll to the daily entry at the bottom of the page , that is the first entry.  The last entry is at the top:)

The next technique is Emboss Resist Over Patterned Paper.  I used Rubber Stamp Tapestry's Solid Rose and Fern set, VersaColor Vanilla and Bark ink, and Ranger Tea Dye Distress Ink on an ivory and pink striped ribbon paper.

Background Check Class Day 2

The old saying," practice makes perfect" is true! I am still working on learning how to apply the correct pressure when using Ranger's Blending Tool and today we learned how to make an hombre effect with Distress Ink ( Ranger) . After what I felt was finally the perfect dark to light blended effect, I picked up my smoothie for a well deserved break before applying the emboss resist technique and promptly groaned when I realized two large drops of water landed on my perfectly shaded paper:)!  Thinking I could fix this by adding and blending more ink, I learned I was either wrong or need more practice repairing paper mistakes. I am hoping to figure out a creative way to make my mistake a nice addition to my card.  Maybe a stump?:)

Background Check Class Day 2


I also tried the Bokeh Technique using some circles from various stamp sets I already had in my collection.  Though I never expected to use my snowman's head ( Impression Obsession)for this technique- it worked! I used the bubbles from Avery Elle's Ellie clear stamp set, the baseball from their Furry Friends clear polymer stamp set,  elements from Lollipop Additions by My Favorite Things, and the flower center from PaperTrey Ink's Pretty Petals clear polymer stamp set.

Background Check Class Day 2

The next technique I tried was what I am calling Colorblock Offset. I used grey paper, dye inks from PaperTrey Ink and VersaColor ( white) ink, and Hero Arts  Shadow Stamp set ( three solid stamp) .
I found using grid paper helpful for stamp placement.


Background Check Class Day 2 Techniques



Day 2 Techniques 

The techniques I learned today were challenging and fun.  Challenging because I did not have some of the stamps needed for each technique taught in today's class, and fun because I enjoyed finding a way to learn it anyway using resources I had on hand.  A little imagination and creativity made the impossible possible.

My first challenge ( to myself) was to think of a way to make a plaid pattern without a stamp.  Looking through my entire stamp collection gave me the opportunity to see my stamps in a new light.  However, nothing seemed like it would work for the beautiful patterns I wished I could make. All of a sudden, an inspiration storm!  Why not take a variety of foam pieces (inexpensive for experimentation) and cut them into small usable pieces.  What's the worse that could happen?!:)
Here's the result.


Background Check Class, Day 1

Watercolor Smooshing with water droplets technique taught by Kristina Werner using Distress Inks and Koi Watercolors by Sakura of America and Strathmore Watercolor Paper.


The effects from using this technique are really pretty and range from soft to as bold as you would like depending on the amount of ink or paint used.  I used a piece of acetate from some stamps I purchased to apply the ink as well as the watercolors , deepening one sample with a brush.  The droplets were made by spraying some water in the palm of my hand and letting it carefully drop to the paper where it removed some of the ink or watercolor as it was dabbed with a cloth or paper towel. 

Background Check Class Day 1

Distress Ink and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inks using Ranger Blending Tool and Direct To Paper Ink Application , VersaMark Dazzle Ink and Hero Arts Background Stamp, Forest Floor, taught by Jennifer McGuire.

This was a lot of fun! I recently purchased a bunch of background stamps and one of the reasons I took this class was because I wanted to learn some different ways to use these wonderful stamps. I didn't have any regular Versa Mark Ink , so I used their Dazzle Watermark Ink and really like the results.

Background Check Class Day 1

Stencil and Baby Wipe Resist and Dry Emboss technique taught by Jennifer McGuire using Ranger Archival Ink.


I wanted to see what would happen using a different type of ink, and I am glad I did.  The Distress Inks are definitely easier to blend with , but I loved the color combination for a fall card.

Background Check Class


Distress Ink and Masking technique taught by Laura Bassen using Ranger's Ink Blending Tool.  

This was the first video in class, and after watching nearly all of the class instruction I was finally able to walk downstairs and get started this weekend.  Water bottle and iPad in hand, had lots of anticipation as I got out all my stuff.