'Melia Amulet' Bendomino Necklace Published in Altered Arts Magazine...a 3rd Coast Creative Coterie project!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm very pleased to finally be able to share my altered bendomino necklace that was published in Altered Arts Winter 2011-12 issue with you all and also share the news that I'm on Third Coast Rubber Stamps Creative Coterie again this year, woohoo ;0)

Before I get on with my tutorial I just want to quickly remind you all that I've got a DominoART design team call going on at the moment!  I've got 2 wonderful DominoARTists signed up already and will be announcing them very soon so stay tuned for that!  All the DT info is here if you're interested in becoming a DominoARTist too!

Stamps used are available from Third Coast Rubber Stamps
VB-011-K Melia Mermaid
VB-013-G Seashorse

D'ART DMT Embossed Toilet Paper Technique Challenge!

Howzit Dominoians,

It's time for June's DominoART Monthly Technique Challenge and this is a super cool one especially if you're into thrifty crafting ;0)

I'm hosting the Blockheads Paper Arts Technique Challenge this month and it's called the Handmade Embossed Toilet Paper Technique so of course I had to put my DominoART twist on it too and now I challenge you all to do the same!

June's DMT is making your own embossed paper with just toilet paper, an embossing folder and water!  The results are really quite fabulous and soooo much fun :0)  Check out my detailed tutorial with photos here.  I hope you'll give this one a try and enter the Blockheads ETP Challenge for a chance to win some awesome prizes!  You can enter the challenge with a paper project but I sure would love to see some altered game art using this technique too!  Submit your projects to the Blockheads Blog Hop via the inlinkz button below or post them on Blockheads Facebook group.  If you don't want to play in the challenge then that's okay too but please share your creations on the DominoART Yahoo group or on the DominoART Facebook page.

The Prizes:

Blockheads Blog Hop prize is a $25 gift certificate!
Blockheads Facebook group prize is your choice of a 4" x 5" set of Blockheads' stamps cut on cling cushion!

Here's my DominoART version of the technique and you can also check out the two cards I made by clicking on the thumbnails in the inlinkz section below.

DominoART Design Team Call!

Hello Dominoians!

This is something I've been wanting to set up for a while now after Leigh's Altered World of Game Pieces came to an end when The Stampers Mall website closed its doors and I'm pleased to finally be putting the call out for the first official DominoART Design Team!

I really want to wake up the group and draw our members attention back to us!  I'm looking for Dominoians who are willing to hold a participating presence on the DominoART yahoo group as well as on the Facebook page by sharing their projects (with either detailed step out instructions and photos or 'how to' summaries with photos), discussing their projects and answering questions about
them and are willing to take part in extra challenges, DMT projects and other group events when they can.

The Details:

Sign up for a 6 month term with an option to possibly continue into upcoming terms if you want to.
Email me and tell me a bit about yourself, how long you've been stamping in general, altering dominoes and whether you make cards, tags, ATCs and if you're a scrapbooker, etc.  Please include about 4-6 photos showing me examples of your artwork.  Of course I would like to see some
altered game pieces but would like to see samples of your other altered art and cards, etc too.

Emboss Resist Dragon Pendant made Top 3 at the Craft Room!

Happy Friday Dominoians!
Woohoo!!  My Emboss Resist Dragon Pendant made Top 3 in the Emboss It Craft Room Challenge!

Thanks for the great challenge :0)

Domino Hugs!

THE SHARPIE DOMINO QUEEN

Leigh S-B Designs Blog

Velvet Paw Creations

New DMT Challenge - D'ART Emboss Resist Technique! Come join us!

Howzit Bloggers!
It's DMT Challenge time again with a chance to win prizes if you take part in the current technique blog hop over at Blockheads Paper Arts!

May's DMT (DominoART's monthly technique) is called Emboss Resist.  The link takes you to the tutorial created by my Blockhead team mate, Colleen, for doing this technique on paper but as always I like to put the DominoART spin on things and now I challenge you to alter your favourite game tiles using this technique too!  You can enter the Blockheads Challenge with a paper project or a game tile project, that's totally up to you but I would LOVE to see some game art so what do you say...up for it?

So here's my take on the Emboss Resist technique...DominoART style.

The chinese dragon I used is available at Blockheads on their Chinese Princess set or you can get it on its own.  Judikins has the same dragon but Blockheads' one is way bigger, I've got both of course coz this is one of my absolute favourite dragon images ;0)
ppsst...the Chinese Princess set is currently on sale so dash over quick!

New DMT Challenge - Magic Metals Technique for creating faux embossed metal Game Art!

Howzit Bloggers!
It's time for April's DMT Challenge!  This technique coincides with the current technique challenge blog hop over at Blockheads Paper Arts so you've got a chance to win a $25 gift certificate!

April's DMT (DominoART's monthly technique) is called Magic Metals aka Faux embossed Metal and I challenge you to alter your favourite game tiles using this technique!

To demonstrate this really cool technique I created a pendant featuring a Square Domino.  For all the details regarding the Blockheads Challenge please stop by their website and check out Karen's awesome tutorial and technique sample as well as my two design team card projects too!

 

Weekly Blockheads Blog Candy & Gift Certificate Up for Grabs!

Hello Bloggers!

2014 UPDATE:
BLOCKHEADS IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO ALL LINKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED

You've probably noticed the niffy new Blockheads Blog Candy blinkie in my right hand side bar already so here's the scoop on what that is all about ;0)

Blockheads Paper Arts is now sponsoring a weekly chance to win some Blog Candy, Woohoo!
Simply add their Blog Candy Banner to your side bar for a chance to win the free stamp of the week! The stamp changes each Sunday evening after winners are selected.  For now we want you to have a roughly 1 in 10 chance of winning.  So if we get 20 particpants we'll select 2 winners and if there are 30, we'll select 3.

To add their banner to the side bar on your blogger page, simply enter design mode and click to add a widget.  Select the HTML/JavaScript widget type and enter the the code into the Content Box (Title is optional).  Click here for the code!  Including the code in your blog post will add the banner which then links to the Blockheads' Blog!

Once you've done that go to Blockheads' Blog and add your blog URL link via the "add your link" button.

Would you like the chance to get even more goodies from Blockheads Paper Arts?
Then read on to find out how you can win an additional $10 gift certificate :0)

If you are one of the random winners and the link you've submitted by clicking the "add your link" button goes directly to a post on your blog with this banner and a nice comment about Blockheads with a link to their web page, Blockheads Paper Arts, you will also be eligible to win an additional $10 gift certificate.  Stacey, the owner of Blockheads, is only asking for truthful comments so if you've ordered from them you can say what you like about their service.  If you haven't ordered from them your comment can simply be that you like a particular set of stamps or an item they carry.  Feel free to add any pictures of their products from their website in your blog post with links directly to them.  Only one gift certificate will be given away weekly so if multiple winners have linked to such a post, they will pick one of them to win the gift certificate.

Kudos for Blockheads!

If you aren't a Blockhead already then I guarantee you will be once you've visited their website!  I've been a Blockhead since as far back as 2002 and possibly earlier ;0)  Stacey will look after you and your order with the utmost care, you couldn't ask for better service.  She is a magician with shipping too coz I'm just amazed at the speed in which I receive my orders!

Blockheads has an exclusive stamp line which I promote in my design team creations!  They also carry other popular stamp companies too:  Lost Coast Designs, My Heart Stamps for You, OnxyXpressions and the coveted Tim Holtz Collection to name a few.  They also carry a wide selection of the most popular "must have" goodies as well as much loved favourites that have stood the test of time.  So grab your favourite beverage, sit back and enjoy a visit to Blockheads Paper Arts!

Domino Hugs!

THE SHARPIE DOMINO QUEEN

Leigh S-B Designs Blog

Velvet Paw Creations

New DMT Challenge for March - The D'ART Stenciling Technique!

Greetings Dominoians!

It's time for March's DMT which stands for DominoART's Monthly Technique!
This month I challenge you to try using a stencil or a template to create a design on a domino or any other similar game tile!  I'm calling this one the "D'ART Stenciling Technique".

Play around with all the possibilities and have fun experimenting with this concept.  Then create something with your altered game tile - add it to a card, a tag, an ATC or make a piece of jewelry with it.  Then share your experience and project photos on the DominoART Yahoo Group or the DominoART Facebook Page.

If you have a blog and post your project there then please use the inlinkz button below to share your project with us all here on the DominoART Blog - you must mention the D'ART Stenciling Technique Challenge and link back to us here!  It's a text only set up so no thumbnail pics will appear.  Please only use the direct URL to your project and not just a general link to your home page, any general links will be removed.

If we get enough interest in this months DMT then I will have a prize up for grabs!
So please come and play with us, the more the merrier!

Here's my project featuring the Mini Numbers Collage Template by Crafter's Workshop which was provided by Blockheads Paper Arts.

Numerology DominoART Card

The theme for my DominoART card is Numerology which is a branch of knowledge that deals with the occult significance of numbers.  I had a ball playing around with the various elements and think this card would be suitable for someone who is into Numerology or just as an all occasion card.  You could really personalize it to a number or a date that is significant like a birthday, anniversary or a graduation date.  The possibilities truly are limitless!

Trace the outline of the Mini Numbers Collage onto the domino with an ultra fine black Sharpie marker and colour in the numbers.  You don't have to use a Crafter's Workshop Template for this challenge.  Just experiment with any kind of stencil or template you have already but you might want to check out all the awesome Crafter's Workshop Templates available from Blockheads Paper Arts though coz they've got some really nice ones ;0)

Apply metallic silver Rub-ons cream to the sides and the edge of the domino and seal with a couple of light mistings of Krylon Artist's Workable Fixative spray.  Apply black glitter glue to the numbers you wish to highlight.

In the photo about you can see the metallic silver sides and the dimension of the glitter glue.

Make a folded card from black cardstock while you wait for the glitter glue to dry on the domino.
To create the mini numbers collage background ink up the back of the template with Versamark Watermark ink.  Apply the ink directly to the template with the ink pad and be as generous as possible with the ink so the template is nice and wet.  Lay the template ink side down onto the black cardstock and cover the template with a piece of paper towel to protect your brayer.  Roll the brayer across the template multiple times with a nice even firm pressure.  Apply silver Perfect Pearls powder to the wet ink.

 I've been experimenting with Crafter's Workshop Templates for Blockheads Paper Arts' design team using various products to create interesting backgrounds and effects.  I've got a few projects up on my blog at Leigh SB Designs if you want to check them out too!

Emboss a piece of semi-glossy black cardstock with a Cuttlebug numbers embossing folder.  Cut a narrow panel and then apply a light coat of metallic silver Rub-ons cream to the embossed numbers and to all four edges of the panel.

Adhere the embossed panel to the card front with double-sided tape.  Add a metallic silver border sticker down the left hand side of the card leaving a narrow black border on the outer edge.

Adhere the domino to the card front with glue dots.

Embellish the upper portion of the card with silver cord wrapped around the card three times and tied in a knot.  Finish off with silver beads and knot the ends of the cord.

I put some thought into how I designed this card and you might have noticed that I emphasized certain numbers in subtle ways ;0)  The number 3 is important - I used 3 different surfaces, the cord is wrapped 3 times, the large number 3 is prominent, 2 x 3 = 6 and 3 x 3 = 9.  Which also picks up on the 2 and 9 on the domino, the 2 on the background panels and the 2 beads.  The number 5 is also prominent...how you are wondering?  Well 2 + 3 = 5 and also 1 - 6 = 5 of course, which you can see on the right hand side of the card ;0)  The domino itself is significant coz 2 + 9 = 11.  The number 11 has followed my sister around her entire life and hence has become an important number in our family and certain things have happened on that date or time in recent years and that's why I chose to use that part of the stencil!

I really enjoyed making this project and hope you will enjoy creating your own Stencil inspired artwork and enter your projects in the D'ART Stenciling Technique challenge!

Domino Hugs!

THE SHARPIE DOMINO QUEEN

Leigh S-B Designs Blog

Velvet Paw Creations

Who is up for a Challenge? Join me for the Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge which is this months DMT!

Hello Dominoians!
Happy New Year to you all!  I spent my Christmas with my family in the UK and had a fabulous time :0)  I hope you all had wonderful holidays too and are now ready to get 2012 going in the land of DominoART!  So spread the word far and wide ;0)

I'm starting off the new year with one of DominoART's favourite activities, the DMT aka DominoART's Monthly Technique and February's technique is called Chalk Attraction aka Poppin' Pastels!

Painted Butterflies DominoART Card

I'm hosting the Blockheads Paper Arts' Technique Challenge Blog Hop right now and I'm bringing the fun of using chalks and Versamark Watermark over to DominoART for you all to enjoy too and as an added bonus you have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Blockheads Paper Arts if you take the challenge!

For the Challenge I demonstrated how to use Chalks to create backgrounds, to colour stamped images and to adapt the technique to die cuts and embossed designs.  Visit Blockheads' Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge page for my tutorial.  You can also see the Valentine's Day card I made using all the various elements on my blog!

This technique is perfect for those of you who like to have instant Wow results without a lot of work or a lot of specialized supplies.  I love doing this technique on game pieces and I think you'll have loads of fun with this one.  It's super versatile and can be adapted to suit any of your projects!

Please visit the Blockheads Blog for all the details regarding the Technique Challenge.  Join the Blog Hop by February 21st for a chance to win the $25 gift certificate.  You don't have to use Blockheads stamps to qualify but it would be cool if you did ;0)  You also don't have to include a domino/game tile in your project either but it would be super awesome if you did that too!!

Now I'm going to show you how you can use the technique on dominoes or any other game tile for that matter!  So grab your supplies and lets get stamping!

 All the stamps I used are exclusive to Blockheads Paper Arts
Painted Butterflies set
Supplies for the Domino:
Versamark Watermark ink pad
Pearl Ex Powders
or
Decorative Chalks or Pebbles Chalks
Judikins Diamond Glaze
or
Inkssentials Glossy/Matte Accents (scroll down for the Ranger products)
Krylon Artist's Workable Fixative spray
Metallic Gold Paint Pen
Soft bristle brushes

Start off by stamping directly onto a shiny untreated domino with Versamark Watermark ink.
You don't need to do anything special to the surface of the domino before stamping so just grab a new one from your tin.  For my Chalk Attraction Challenge tutorial I concentrated on using chalks and now I'm going to use Pearl Ex powders on the domino but you can use chalks instead if you don't have Pearl Ex.  While the Versamark ink is still wet gently brush on the powders randomly.  I used 3 colours on the domino in the photo above:  Duo Red-Blue Interference, Super Russet and Sunset Gold.  For applying the powders to dominoes I suggest using a soft bristle brush like the Perfect Pearls ones instead of sponge applicators because the ink smears easily on the shiny surface.  Use a larger brush to gently brush off the excess powder.  Imagine you're on CSI and you're putting powder on finger prints - use the brush the same way they do on the shows in gentle swirly swishy movements ;0)  The result is quite beautiful.  The Pearl Ex powders change colour and look like molten metallics depending on the angle and how the light hits the domino!  I tried to show you that in the photos above but they just don't look as yummy as the real thing.

Chalk Tip:  If you plan to try the technique out with your Decorative or Pebbles chalks then scrape some of the chalk off each colour so you've got a powder to use!

I also stamped up all 4 sides with a splat design and edged the domino with a metallic gold paint pen before sealing the entire domino with a few coats of Artist's Workable Fixative spray.  It's then safe to apply a coat of your favourite sealer like Judikins Diamond Glaze or Inkssentials Glossy/Matte Accents.

So that's how to do the technique on dominoes, I hope you'll give it a try and consider joining the Technique Challenge for the chance to win an awesome prize!  The more that you guys join in the DominoART activities I have planned for you this year the more I can bring you fun Challenges with prize opportunities like this one :0)

On to my card....I decided to make a clean and simple card to showcase my beautiful domino and further demonstrate the stunning effect of the Pearl Ex Powders.

Click on the Continue Reading link below if you want to see how I made my card but first here's a summary of the Chalk Attraction Technique Challenge Blog Hop with awesome examples by my design team mates for you to see!

Blockheads' Naughty Christmas Mice - Wood Ornament featuring Sharpie Coloured Game Pieces by Leigh S-B!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Last week I shared my tradition of making Sharpie coloured porcelain Christmas tree ornaments on my blog and now I'm here today with another two-sided Christmas ornament but this one is a lazor-cut wooden one with a two sided Sharpie coloured game tile center piece!

I'm sharing the altered game tile part of this tutorial here on DominoART and if you'd like to see how I made the wood ornament too then please pop on over to Leigh S-B Designs for the full tutorial!

 The two naughty mice causing havoc on the Christmas tree from Blockheads Paper Arts' Figgy Pudding stamp sheet are the featured images on the Lexigo game tiles.  If you're crazy about altering game pieces like me then you're probably familiar with the Chekit game!  The cream coloured game tiles are now hard to come by so I was particularly excited to find the Lexigo game that has the same shape pieces but are just slightly smaller and have letters on the back instead of patterns!

 I used the following supplies to create this wonderfully fun but still elegant Christmas tree ornament!

I call this a Christmas tree ornament but you could totally hang this on a display stand as a featured ornament in your home too!