I found this fabric…it is almost like interfacing, but with wild 70s prints.  It is heavier than typical interfacing, almost heavy paper like.  I'm not a sewer, but am so curious about what it is!  I don't have photos taken, but could take these tomorrow.  Any thoughts?  I've tried searching the internet for printed interfacing, printed paper like fabric, etc.  Nothing!

I made this little Love Shack for a pug rescue group - 75% of proceeds will go towards a surgery needed on one of their pugs.  I like the way it turned out.  Wasn't sure where to post...

It is about 8.5" tall and 4" square. 

Here is the front.  The main pug is on a little spring and stands away from the canvas board:


Side 1:


Side 2:


Back:


Close up of assembly:


Close up of roof (my favorite part!)

I'm not sure I like diamond glaze that much.  It is easy to use, but sometimes seems slightly milky.  And it definitely is not super hard, which sort of annoys me.  Anyone else agree or maybe I am putting it on too thick?

Has anyone here worked with doming resin?  I saw that on Rio Grand and thought that might work better on my Dog Tags for People.  As a key chain, those get pretty trashed with Diamond Glaze.  Maybe resin would be more durable.

Finally, is there really a difference between pour-on type resin and doming resin?  Can you get the pour-on to dome slightly?  I am trying to avoid buying yet another product to try...I already have the pour on. 

I made my second batch of resin stuff plus a bunch of other pendants for sale at a recent pug event.  It was a great success!  I sold all the pug pieces and donated 50% of my sales to PUG RESCUE!  I had lots of fun and will be making more for the next pug event (Pugtacular in N.California) in December. 

Let me know your thoughts or if you see things I could do differently or try.  Thanks!

Pug pendants - my dog Ruby (with the red heart) & our baby Java (who passed away 2 years ago...we miss her)


Dog Tags for People:




Skulls in Hex Nuts (I ended up making Suncatchers out of them)



MORE IN NEXT POST....

I typically do collage and some other things - not really stamping.  However I just found a cool rubber stamp making kit at an estate sale.  The kind with lots of letter and numbers and you can assemble your own words.  Perfect for collages.  However, some of them are sortof dry - seems like they need something to moisten them. 

Is there some sort of rubber stamp conditioner that you all use?  Or something that you might suggest to maximize the life of my cool little find?

Thanks!

I finally overcame my fear and tried out resin.  Not fully, because I chickened out and bought the EasyCast right at the last minute.  Having never worked with resin, the whole fume thing and losing brain cells sorta made me nervous.   

Here they are.  I definitely have the bubbles, but I was mixing like a maniac.  I'll calm it down next time.

Your standard glitter trial pieces plus a metal swirl:


Cute glitter flowers


Skulls in large nuts.  I am envisioning something like a collage of these (and other items) as a wall hanging.  Weird?


Ruby the pug with glitter.  I used photo paper with 2 coats of Modge Podge...still some bleeding.  Should I use regular paper or what do you use?  Suggestions for next time?


Heart:


The ugly!!! Trying out PearlEx pigment, pug picture (cut too small plus bleeding and bubbles) and beads (yuck!)


The stuck! any ideas?  I put extra resin in this mini ice cube tray.  The tray is not that flexible.  I knew I should have used release, but was too lazy.  They are in the freezer now but it isn't helping.....

I am finally going to attempt my first resin project(s) this week.  There are a few things I want to make, but one of them might look better if it was painted AFTER curing.  Is this even possible or will it not stick?  Any ideas? 

I am making a little pug face (surprise, surprise) from a mold that I am making from my clay form.  Due to the round shape of the pug face it is impossible to pour the black and beige colors separately.  So painting it after curing would be the best way to get the color detail that I am looking for.

Thanks!  I'll definitely post next week and show off (or laugh about) my first attempts at resin.  I have a feeling the first try is going to be more of a learning experience than anything else!

[sac·ri·lege /ˈsækrəlɪdʒ/ [sak-ruh-lij] –noun]

sac·ri·lege      /ˈsækrəlɪdʒ/ [sak-ruh-lij]  –noun

1. the violation or profanation of anything sacred or held sacred. 
2. an instance of this. 
3. the stealing of anything consecrated to the service of God. 

I think I captured this, although I did not see the "functional" requirement of the challenge until later.  Unfortunately, I don't make things that are functional...







Now the info - spent $14.15
-Cake pan
-Virgin de Guadalupe candle
-tortillas
-princess toy set
-straws
-lifesavers and tissue paper (didn't use)

Added my own:
-paint
-glue
-thread for straws
-picture hanging wire (to create hook for hanging)

Here is the backup:




I dried the tortilla, steamed image off candle image and glued to tortilla.  Painted the cake pan and glued tortilla on.  Embellished by breaking up the princess set (top is the lobster claw clip with ring in center and bottom is broken up crown) and adding straw garland. 

I had a blast and made this very fast.  I was totally inspired and plan to make more.

I was also convinced that I created a new art form - I named it tortilla art.  Searched Google and well, not so original.  There are a few people out there doing it!!!  I'm definitely going to make some more, but need to work on protecting the tortilla with a varnish or something. 

Here it is hanging in my office where I keep all of my religious icons!

Does anyone here buy blanks and print their own images for note cards/etc.?  I would like to order some blank stock and am not sure the best resource for low prices and good quality.  Can anyone point me in the right direction?  Also, do they typically sell the little plastic fold-over sleeves that protect your artwork and the card?

Thanks!!!

I have never worked with polymer clay before and made something small out of Fimo.  I will eventually be using it to create a soap mold.  After I finished and baked it, I realized that I should have added deeper grooves between the ears and head so that the soap colors don't run.  If the groove is deeper, I think that it will contain the colors better in the mold. I've never made a mold either...but hey, that's for another thread!

Also, maybe I need to smooth the piece a bit because you can see some bumps and other marks.  I'm guessing that I can't smooth it or change it....

Am I stuck?  Do I need to make it again?  Is there a way to use a dremel or something to make the grooves more pronounced?  Sand out the bumps?  Honestly, having never worked with clay it is close to a miracle that it even turned out semi-decent!  Ignore the quality please - I wasn't too careful with it (obviously) because in addition to the above colors mixed a bit.

Thanks for your advise!  Pic below for reference: