Midge; story behind the stamp

In keeping up with the "star" theme for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge (SDC131: Stars Take Two ) I have used Midge as the star standout on this tag.

Story behind the stamp.  Her name is not Midge, but she is Midge to Stampotique.  I love seeing her pop up on blogs, magazines, and in Stampotique Designer Challenges.  Midge is an adorable and a must have stamp.

Our "Midge" grew up in Tucson and was a childhood chum of a dear friend of mine.  Unfortunately, her real name was forgotten, but when I had isolated her from the original photograph she became "Midge." Her assertive little stance makes a perfect graphic image which lends itself to many possibilities.

In keeping with my resolution to reuse and repurpose I began with a discarded crayon resist background.   I lightened it up with Gelatos sticks and some glitz.  Also in my collage box I came across some aqua spattered paper. I stamped Midge accordingly with black Staz-on then clear embossed.
I took the line "You shine like a diamond" from the Rihanna song which has been replaying in my head.

When I work with children I observe that they frequently get frustrated with what they are working on and want to quit and start over.  I have always guided them into the rescue, working with a happy accident, and turning the art into something they can live with or even like.  I keep my teaching philosophy in mind and apply it in my own studio play.  It's fun to treasure hunt in a paper discard heap and try to make something out of a find.

 Midge should be in her early 70's about now.  I wish she could know how much we love her image and that truly, she shines like a diamond.

New Images from Background Stamps

 

I was playing with some dry wash and paper mask techniques for my young students and decided to use it as a springboard to respond to Sam Read's Stampotique Designer's Challenge #90; Song Inspiration.  "Good Day Sunshine” (Beatles) uses three Stampotique  images; Love Definition , Vintage Script,  and Flower Girl. 

I cut a circle mask for the sun and tore out a curved shape to create a hill.  Pebbles Pearlescent chalks, Copics, and a little glitter pen scribble was applied after laying down  the paper masks.  Flower Girl's dress is paper pieced.

 The next images use all background stamps with paper masks and a little line work. 

I created three random mask shapes for the trees by cutting into a post-it note and tearing desired shapes.   A dry wash of chalk was applied prior to stamping background stamps. For the house I cut out the rectangle and triangle on separate masks and applied the Baroque Background with colored dye inks.

Scrap paper completes the house door.

 

 

 

 

Halloween Package Tag

Stampotique's Designer challenge by team member Kaz calls for a color challenge using black and white and a hint of color. This package tag perhaps has a little more than a hint but I thought I’d upload it anyway as it is fast and easy to put together.

Brush Pearlescent green and yellow chalks through a small sheet of sequin waste. Stamp Cooper and Skullboy with black dye ink. Stamp “Cubes in a row” with VersaColor sage – heat set. Stamp “Boo” over blocks (both Alphabets by Stampotique). Use a fine point permanent ink pen to embellish cubes.

Re-stamp Skullboy and Cooper on additional white cardstock. Carefully cut around bodies. Add shadows with watercolor or markers. Add clear glitter.
Crop and mount on black card stock. Add grommets and ribbon.