A few things I've been up to

I've had several people ask me how I make transparency/overlays. So, I will give a quick how to. You can use several programs depending on your comfort level. I use both Photoshop elements and word. If using word, got to insert/picture from file and then choose your graphic. Arrange the graphic on your page as if you were printing it out as is. if using photo shop you can either start a new project or simply arrange the graphic in the print preview window. Keep in mind that light colors do not show up well, and most printers will not print white fonts or borders onto transparencies. Once you are satisfied with the graphic go to print/properties and you should see several tabs. under paper/quality tab select the type as "transparency other" Under the finishing tab check the mirror image box. this will flip your image for printing and then when you lay it over your page it will be right side up. make sure to put transparency in the printer with the rough side down, and let it dry for 30 minutes before use. you can preserve the printed image by spraying a light coat of krylon kamar clear varnish over the printed on side and letting it dry. I have heard there are ways to make rub ons but not yet perfected that...so i'll keep working on it.

Another fun project I've been working on is turning little chipboard peices I got at Paper pals into buttons. Using a standard hole punch (i use my crop-a-dile tool) you can punch holes through each piece. I use liquitex acrylic paint and then for the designs or doodling either a zig paint pen or a sharpie poster paint pen. The zig pens take longer to dry but have a better look to them...more glossy. After everything is dry I use diamond glaze over the top of each piece (pretty generously...I don't really smooth it with a brush, just let it settle evenly) and let dry. It takes about 15-20 minutes for it to really be dry/hardened but the outcome is awesome. they look like they are professionally made! (well, other than the fact that I am not the worlds greatest doodler...ha ha.) and I found that if you mess up the glaze at all while it is drying, just use a little spray bottle of water to spray a couple mists of water onto the top and it will settle itself. I put some of these buttons as well as some epoxy ones onto etsy lately. And yes, shawna, I promise I'll try to do the skull ones we talked about!

Since my computer is fighting with the internet, ill have pictures from seattle coming soon!