Compendium of Curiosities 2, Challenge 23

Distress Markers!

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 50

(With an awesome prize from the big box Mario sent!)

Holy cats, guys, where does the time go?? Suddenly, September 2012 is packing its bags and heading off into history, ready to be replaced by the colorful and deliciously spooky month of October. I don't know about you, but I'm craving hot spiced cider (and hot mulled wine!) in a big way. This is the time of year when my crafting genes kick into high gear, and getting inky is a bigger-than-usual priority. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than diving into a project or twelve using Tim's way-cool Distress Markers!

I love these markers. I love the double-ended versatility, the rich, rich colors and the fact that they react beautifully with water. Have you played with them yet?? You'll be smitten, trust me. Turn to page 50 in your CC2 and dive on in!

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This feels like a prize kind of week! I've still got quite a bit of crafty goodness in the Big Box from Mario, so I'll be sending a mighty collection to a randomly-chosen CC2C23 entrant. Check out that wood-mounted witch stamp!

To participate in CC2C #23, create your own work of art using the Distress Markers technique on page 50 and link it to this blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post. You're golden as long as you honor these simple rules:

Follow the technique as it's written in A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2 (adding your own special flair, of course!), and clearly state that the technique comes from Tim's book.  

Include a link to this post in your blog post (or photo description if you're linking from an online photo-sharing site).  This is required in order to be eligible to win the prize.

Out of respect to Tim, please don't post the technique instructions on your blog! Any entries that don't follow this rule will be unlinked.  

This challenge closes on Thursday, October 4 at 8 pm MTD. Please see the CC2C FAQ here for more information.

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Did you play last week? The Funkie Junkie has chosen the winner of the CC2C22, and announced the name on her blog. Check it out to see if it's you! Thanks so much to the lovely and generous Linda Coughlin, the fabulous Funkie Junkie!

Okay, guys, I'm off to work. Have a spectacular Friday and a beautifully crafty weekend! Can't wait to see your Distress Marker creations!

Hugs,
Linda

P.S. Don't forget to flip through the pages of the CC2C and take note of any supplies you'll be needing as we work our way through the remaining challenges, things like a Melting Pot and clear UTEE, a Ranger Ink Palette, Idea-ology Facets or Fragments, Ranger Ink Refresher... and anything else you may need to stock up on. Lots of fun creativity still to come... thanks to Mr. H!

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It's a Lens, Baby!

Bendy lens!

It's funny: I've wanted to learn photography since I was a kid, but it was my random discovery of a creative focus system called Lensbaby that finally compelled me to actually pursue it. I don't remember where on the web I first saw Lensbaby images, but it took about a nanosecond for me to become completely smitten with the look. I had to learn how to do it, which meant I had to get off my keister, hide the old point-and-shoot and start learning how to take pictures "for real." 

Lensbaby lenses are unique in that they bend-- literally-- either on a bellows-type apparatus (which I'm not remotely coordinated enough to use), or a swivel ball (easier!). The bending creates what they call a "sweet spot of focus" surrounded by blur, and the more you bend the lens, the more distorted the unfocused areas become. They also makes a bunch of cool optics that can be switched in and out of the lens to give an Effects Junkie like me even more options. It's ridiculously fun! 

Fun, but totally intimidating for a novice like me. I needed all the help I could get, so I signed up for Kathleen Clemon's awesome"Lensbaby Magic" class through the Perfect Picture School of Photography, and it was such a great experience. I still have a long way to go before I'm a Lensbaby rockstar, but I learned a ton and have a pretty good idea of where to go from here. The photos below are from various assignments for the course.

This is one of the very first photos I shot with my Lensbaby. I was in a blue mood that day (the color, not the emotional state, fortunately!), and wanted to convey that using the selective focus this lens provides. Broken China Distress Crackle Paint, anyone?

Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic: F/4, 1/30s, ISO 1600

Yep, those leaves are already turning! I used the Super Wide Angle accessory so I could get really close to the tiny cluster of leaves. 

Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic and Super Wide Angle Lens: F/4, 1/1600s, ISO 200

The most challenging aspect of using a Lensbaby, for me, is the fact that you can't use autofocus. You bend the lens until you achieve the amount of creative blur you want, then choose your "sweet spot" and manually focus on it (in this case, Gray Kitty's angry little face). I get a lot of "throwaway" photos, but when it works-- which is beginning to happen more often as I practice-- I just love the effect!

Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet 35 Optic: F/5.6, 1/60s, ISO 1600  

This is what happens when you have a busy background and really bend the heck out of that lens. It was this kind of surreal, painterly look that first drew me to the whole Lensbaby thing. 

Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic: F/2, 1/200s, ISO 200 

Most Lensbaby optics will allow you to use what they call "Creative Aperture Disks," which transform spots of light in the blurred area into shapes. I got completely carried away with the star-shaped disk and snapped this image early one morning. It's a little wacky, but it makes me smile. :)

Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic: Creative Star Aperture, 1/250s, ISO 200 

Thanks for stopping by! I'll post more from my continuing adventures in Lensbaby photography as I learn more. There's a fisheye optic I can't wait to try...

Compendium of Curiosities 2, Challenge 22!

Riveted Patchwork

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 57

Also featured in Tim's 12 Tags of 2012, September

Happy Friday, everyone, and welcome to the last CC2C of summer 2012! Yep, tomorrow is officially the first day of Autumn (or spring, if you're in the southern hemisphere), and don't you already feel a little craftier? I love the change of seasons, the colors and golden light, and also the fact that I seem to get more creative during the cooler months. How 'bout you?

This week, we're getting all heavy metal with Tim's uber-cool Riveted Patchwork technique! If you're participating in his 12 Tags of 2012, you've already explored this one (and you're welcome to link that piece here... or to create a whole new one!). I love, LOVE the distressed industrial look you get using metal foil tape, Alcohol Inks and various texture-making objects. This is a FUN process, and I can't wait to see how you approach it!

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It's the third Friday of the month, and that means our challenge is sponsored by the awesome Funkie Junkie Boutique, who is graciously offering a $25 gift certificate to the winner of this week's challenge! Thanks to Linda, the Funkie Junkie, for her generosity!

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To participate in CC2C #22, create your own work of art using the Riveted Patchwork technique on page 57 and link it to this blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post. You're golden as long as you honor these simple rules:

Follow the technique as it's written in A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2 (adding your own special flair, of course!), and clearly state that the technique comes from Tim's book.  

Include a link to this post in your blog post (or photo description if you're linking from an online photo-sharing site).  

To be eligible to win the $25 shopping spree, you must include a link to The Funkie Junkie Boutique (http://www.TheFunkieJunkie.com).  

Out of respect to Tim, please don't post the technique instructions on your blog! Any entries that don't follow this rule will be unlinked.  

This challenge closes on Thursday, September 27 at 8 pm MTD. Please see the CC2C FAQ here for more information.

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Okay, I'm off to work the day job. I hope you guys have a fabulous, creative week and that you'll celebrate the new season by doing something extra nice for yourself! Also,  Simon Says Stamp has announced the winner of last week's challenge on their blog, so be sure to check it out! Thanks, SSS!!!

Hugs,
Linda

P.S. Don't forget to flip through the pages of the CC2C and take note of any supplies you'll be needing as we work our way through the remaining challenges, things like a Melting Pot and clear UTEE, a Ranger Ink Palette, Idea-ology Facets or Fragments, Ranger Ink Refresher... and anything else you may need to stock up on. Lots of fun creativity still to come... thanks to Mr. H!




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A Lovely Season

Just a few pretty views I hope you'll enjoy on this late-summer day...

Bumbling in the Garden

Olympus M.12-50mm F3.5-6.3: 1/250 sec;   f/6.0;   ISO 200 

Sensational Blue Eyeliner!

Lumix G Vario 45-200/F4.0-5.6: 1/320 sec;   f/5.6;   ISO 320

 Park Ranger. No, Really.

Lensbaby Composer Pro/Double Glass Optic: 1/100 sec;   f/4;   ISO 640

Oh, So Soft Focus

Lensbaby Composer Pro/Soft Focus Optic: 1/125 sec;   f/8;   ISO 500

 Spirit of Boise Balloon Festival

Lumix G Vario 45-200/F4.0-5.6: 1/3200 sec;   f/4.3;   ISO 200

 Up, Up and Away!

Lumix G Vario 45-200/F4.0-5.6: 1/160 sec;   f/16;   ISO 1000

What?!

Lumix G Vario 45-200/F4.0-5.6: 1/125 sec;   f/5.0;   ISO 320

(These were all shot with my trusty little Olympus E-M5 micro four thirds camera. I love it so!)

Have a beauteous day, you guys!

Linda

Compendium of Curiosities 2, Challenge 21

Blended Stains

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 45

Sponsored by Simon Says Stamp

Happy birthday to my awesome guy, Scott!

Happy Friday, you guys, and welcome to our 21st celebration of Tim Holtz's latest book! Are you feeling autumn coming on? Boy, we are! I'm scrambling to find warm clothes (I'm not quite ready to admit defeat and bring the winter box down from the attic). I love this time of year, though, and am looking forward to the leaves turning and the light taking on that particular golden color. That's why I was so excited to use this stamp from Tim's Autumn Blueprint collection, which was drawn by Mario's son, Mario III! It's a great, bold image to use with the Blended Stains technique, in my little celebration of fall (any my sweetheart's birthday today)!

What are you celebrating this week? 

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The wonderful folks at Simon Says Stamp sponsor our second challenge every month, and as always, they'll be giving a generous $25 gift certificate to one lucky, randomly chosen participant of the CC2C. Simon Says has an inventory that'll blow your mind-- it's a wonderland for crafters! 

Thanks to Heidi, Steph, Sarah, and all the awesome folks at SSS for being so supportive of this challenge!

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To participate in CC2C #21, create your own work of art using the Blended Stains technique on page 45 and link it to this blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post. You're a rockstar as long as you honor these simple rules:

Follow the technique as it's written in A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2 (adding your own special flair, of course!), and clearly state that the technique comes from Tim's book. 

Include a link to this post in your blog post (or photo description if you're linking from an online photo-sharing site). 

To be eligible to win the Simon Says Stamp shopping spree, include a link to their website, www.simonsaysstamp.com 

Out of respect to Tim, please don't post the technique instructions on your blog! Any entries that don't follow this rule will be unlinked. 

This challenge closes on Thursday, September 20, at 8 pm MTD. Please see the CC2C FAQ here for more information. 

Have a blast! 

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Alrighty, I'm off to work and begin counting down to the weekend! I hope you guys have an awesome day and a creative and beautiful week!

Hugs,
Linda

Compendium of Curiosities 2, Challenge 20

Enameled Stamping

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 44

Hey there everybody, welcome back, and happy September! Here in Boise the relentless heat and smoke from the surrounding wildfires have finally given way to cool, clear mornings and lovely afternoons. Gotta say, though-- night is already coming on a little early. Time to roll out the welcome mat for autumn!

This week's challenge can be found on page 44 of Tim's Compendium 2, and it's one of those simple techniques that you can whip out any time you need a quick, awesomely textured background. I love the gorgeous finish it gives, and you can go elegant or rustic with it (I went super rustic with the woodgrain stamp). Open up your CC2, grab some hot apple cider, and let's get our distress on!


To participate in CC2C #20, create your own work of art using the Enameled Stamping technique on page 44 and link it to this blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post. You're golden as long as you honor these simple rules:

Follow the technique as it's written in A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2 (adding your own special flair, of course!), and clearly state that the technique comes from Tim's book.  

Include a link to this post in your blog post (or photo description if you're linking from an online photo-sharing site).  

Out of respect to Tim, please don't post the technique instructions on your blog! Any entries that don't follow this rule will be unlinked.  

This challenge closes on Thursday, September 13 at 8 pm MTD. Please see the CC2C FAQ here for more information.

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And now, I'd like to announce the winner of Challenge 19, who will receive a cool stash of Tim's goodies from "Mario's Magic Box!" Drumroll, please....

Huge congratulations to entrant #42: Michelle Nun! Her gorgeous canvas can be admired at her blog, Scrap N Grow. Beautiful work, Michelle! Absolutely wonderful. I'll contact you for your shipping info shortly.

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Blog friends, we have 15 challenges left, so there's a bunch of Tim Holtz techniques and products still to explore! Remember to browse though your Compendium 2 and collect any items you don't have on hand, such as Tissue Tape, a Melting Pot and clear UTEE, a Ranger Ink Palette, Metal Foil Tape, Idea-ology Facets or Fragments, Ranger Ink Refresher... and anything else you may need to stock up on. Along the way, we'll have prizes from our two awesome sponsors, Simon Says Stamp and The Funkie Junkie Boutique, and a few cool surprises, too! Thanks so much for being part of this journey. You're all wonderful!

Okay, go forth and ROCK the Enameled Stamping!

Hugs,
Linda