WELCOME!

WELCOME!

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to have you visit with me and I hope you enjoy your stay. I absolutely love company, sharing, and making new friends so I hope you find something here that inspires, motivates, or just pleases you in some way.

Of course, I love to visit and be inspired also. So if I don't already drop in on you, please let me know where I can find you and I'll hop on over to see what you're doing or to just say "hi".

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In the meantime, relax and make yourselves at home... you're family here!!!

I'll be seeing you!


Monday, September 13, 2010

IS IT LIVE OR IS IT UTEE?!!!

Hello, everyone!

Well, now I KNOW I'm getting old!!!  I told you all about my stripping wallpaper in my family room and I soon came to realize was that it wasn't an easy job!!!  What I didn't realize was how sore I'd become.  My neck, shoulders, and back were so stiff and sore this weekend, I could barely move.  The hubby said I used muscles that I probably hadn't used in years -- I think I used muscles I'd never used in life!!!  LOL!  I am still a bit sore but not nearly as uncomfortable as I was this weekend and, thank God, I finished.  If I hadn't I'd gladly PAY someone to do it for me!!!  LOL!  At least, I'm finally able to get up without cringing!

Anyway, before all that drama, I'd started  a couple of projects -- still haven't finished them, but I'm going to share with you some of what I have.  One of the things I did start playing around with was my Terry Collins' Stampmaker and here are 2 stamps I did.  One is a stamp of myself and the other is an image/sentiment stamp.  I colored the flower in with my copics (still practicing with them):


With the exception of doing photos, making the stamps are really easy!  The process takes about 5 minutes start to finish once you have you're image printed and cut.  The photos are bit more diffiucult because you have to make it into a black and white, and/or turn it into a greyscale or negative first then make the necessary adjustments in a photo editing program for the correct contrast and brightness before it will make a good stamp.  After a little trial and effort, I finally got it.

I also played with UTEE (ultra thick embossing power).  I've seen cards all over the website with cards and boxes that have silk and paper flowers that look like glass or porcelain.  So I decided to try achieving this look for my own projects, so I dug out my melting pot, a bottle of UTEE, and  a few items to practice on. 



I love how this came out -- the flowers really do look like like they're glass!!!  The flowers are just cheap ones from our General Dollar Store.  I dipped them in UTEE -- easy!!!  I also played around with ribbon in UTEE but that'll be another post!!!

As I had leftover melted UTEE in the pot, I used it up by making this embossed necklace, another fast and easy project:


So, these were just a few things I'd began.  I imagine you're all probably already familiar with these techniques but, if not, let me know and I'll share them with you!  Of course, I love instant gratification, so my method probably isn't as detailed of those you might find but I love the results I get, and you might too!

In the meantime, I have some weekend catching up to do on your blogs -- can't wait to see what you were up to this weekend while I was recouperating from my aching bones!  LOL!

I'll be seeing ya!

18 comments:

Cheryl Boglioli said...

I don't think you're that old! I've been wondering just how easy this stamp maker was and I LOVE your UTEE necklace.

Do What You Love said...

Oh Audrey, how gorgeous are those flowers! The reason I bought UTEE was to do flowers (still haven't done those yet) as I do love that glass look. The necklace is gorgeous too. These are great ideas and so inspiring! I hope you get to feeling better. When I take on physical projects, I have to remind myself of muscles I haven't used...LOL! Sometimes I remember it too late!:-)

Jamie Lane Designs said...

Ohhh what fun! Love the stamp maker...I will have to add it to my wish list!

2 Ducky said...

Well, haven't you been one busy chic?! Holy smokes woman... your puttin' us all to shame here. I was thinking I was "busy" but it doesn't hold a candle to all that you have going on. I am on the fence about the stamp maker... But your pushing me! (in the right direction of course. ;) LOL!) Now, go take it easy for a bit and recover.

Sandy from Ukiah said...

I am glad you are stating to feel better my friend... I was getting a little worried about you. You are so funny.

I don't know what a UTEE is, but it sounds like you are having fun with it. AND I love those flowers.... Beautiful. AND the stamps..
love and hugs

Rhonda Emery said...

this is really neat

Beatriz Farquhar-Guzman said...

Welcome the the YOUTH OF OLD AGE!!!!!!That is when EVERYTHING hurts all at once!!!! (ha, ha, ha). I love both projects! The UTEE is awesome and the flowers look like glass flowers. I've had a chance to play with it before. It is a great technique! Have a wonderful evening!

MsJay said...

Hi, I so want some UTEE, the Micheal's buy me got rid of all the Utee, Tim Holtz and Martha Stewart items. I had to go out to Long Island just to see if they had it. And yes they did, I will be playing around with some UTEE this weekend as well. Love your projects.

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

That stamper really looks interesting, I can't wait to see and hear more about it. What is Utee? Bet you are glad that job is done and you can rest now. Feel better.

Flamenco92627/ Julieta said...

Oh no, you now have me intrigued with yet another technique in crafting! I love your stamps and the UTEE items. I don't even want to know how to achieve those things because I would have to buy more stuff! My DH would KILL me. LOL I'll just have to enjoy looking at your projects. Thanks for sharing!

- - Sheryl - - said...

love them!!! I have not used or bought UTEE ... yet. Love the necklace!!!! wonderful. And your rubber stamp - fabulous - love that saying.

Jean said...

Love the stamps you made. I have not tried the utee yet, but it looks like your project turned out great. I can relate to the aching. I joined a bowling league with my two sisters that are twins and we have been going to practice and I have been so sore. Crazy that these little things would make you so sore, lol.

Audrey Frelx said...

I am loving the stampmaker more each time I play with it!!! I've had to order more of the supplies already because it took me going through almost the entire kit to get the photo stamp. Now I think I've got the procedure down and it should be easy from here on.

Several of you asked what UTEE is and I'm sure you know it as ultra thick embossing enamel. It's a thicker heavier than normal embossing powder.

Hope this helps!

flowerdisco said...

audrey...love that stamp machine now and the uteed flowers are out of this world.tfs...i will have to try the utee....more info, please?

Stacy said...

Audrey,
First off, hope ya feel better today!
I didn't know that you got the stamp maker, I must of missed that post. That has been on my list along with a lot other things. Glad to hear you are liking it. Mabye I will get one for Christmas. Presents to self are always nice.
Thanks for sharing your talent
Stacy

Unknown said...

OMG that stamp of your face is gorgeous!!!

Debbie said...

THe stamps are quite unique! Love what you did with the Utee! Your flowers are gorgeous!!!

Olive Juice Studio said...

I LOVE UTEE!!! Your flowers turned out beautiful! And WHY did you have to go and buy one of those Stampmakers?! I told myself I didn't need one of those things BUT now I'm not so sure....every crafter needs to be able to make her/his own stamps, right? Shame on you for enabling me (where'd you get it and did you get it for a good price?! LOL!)