Rubeena's Craftaversary + Giveaway

My friend Rubeena is celebrating a fun milestone in her crafty life today, and so I'm helping her celebrate by sharing a project in her honor today!

I've been crafting - and specifically papercrafting - since my early teen years, so most of my crafty life took place prior to the internet. Magazines were the primary source of inspiration then - and maybe the then more prevalent TV crafting shows - like Martha Stewart, Sewing with Nancy - even though I didn't sew I enjoyed that show.

It's hard to think back to crafting before the internet, but what I do remember is I had to throw a lot more projects in the garbage. I couldn't look up how to use a product or how to do a technique, so I had to just try things, combine things, and I ended up with a lot of trash.

But whether you've been crafting for decades, or are just four years in, like the amazing Rubeena (I was NOT crafting at her level at four or even ten years!), what's most important is that enjoy those moments you spend, and I've enjoyed every one, even if they ended in pitching something into the recycle bin.

Take masking fluid for example. That was something I always screwed up because I didn't know to wait until the paper was dry to remove it, so I would get impatient and remove it too soon, and tear off the surface of my watercolor paper.

Now I know better, and that's what I'm going to show you today. You really just have to do two things. Wait for the masking fluid to be 100% dry before watercoloring, and then after you add watercolor, wait for the paper and paint to totally dry before removing it. Sounds easy if you're not an impatient person like me!

When I saw this adorable ghost set, I knew it was crying out for masking fluid. I stamped him in Versafine Clair Medieval Blue (which is very purpley) and then covered him with my favorite non stinky masking fluid that comes in a fine tipped pen style bottle. I refuse to use stinky art supplies, so I love this stuff.

After that completely dried, I sprinkled on this black powdered watercolor, and misted it with water to activate for a spooky galaxy - or, on of my favorite words - MIASMA - style background.

Then I removed the masking fluid - (video on Instagram) - and watercolored him with Quinacridone Purple and Permanent Green Light Daniel Smith watercolor. I added some no-shed glitter paper stars that I cut with this Lucky Stars die, and a strip across the bottom with the hilarious sentiment, stamped in the same ink as the ghostie.

Let's Get Sheetfaced Together -... [ PFS ] Lucky Stars - Nice and Neat Dies |... [ N&T | SSS ] Schmincke Aqua Masking Fluids - BLICK... [ BLIC ] Tsukineko VersaFine Clair MEDIEVAL... [ SSS | CST ] Quinacridone Purple - Daniel Smith... [ BLIC ] Permanent Green Light Daniel Smith... [ BLIC ] Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors [ BLIC ] Paper Artsy BLACK KNIGHT Infusions... [ SSS ] Da Vinci Cosmotop Sable Mix F Brushes... [ BLIC | ELH ] Escoda Versatil Round - BLICK art... [ BLIC | UTR ] Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Cold Press... [ AMZUS ] Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Edible... [ GNK ] Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- White [ GNK ] Neutrals Glitter Paper Pack - Concord... [ C&9 | SSS ] MISTI Stamping Tool [ MSW | HA | SSS | ELH | MFT | SBC ] Ranger 2 oz MISTER BOTTLE MIS30676 [ SSS ] Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045 [ SSS | ELH | CST | ART | SBC ] Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -... [ BLIC ] Multipurpose Liquid Glue by Stampin' Up! [ SUP ] Nesting Porcelain Bowls - BLICK art... [ BLIC ] My Favorite Watercolor Sketchbook [ UTR ] Absorber - Synthetic Cleaning Cloth [ AMZUS ] Mudder 10 Pack White Buffer Sanding... [ AMZUS ] Xyron ADHESIVE ERASER 23675 [ SSS | ART | AMZUS ] Essentials by Ellen Storage... [ ELH ] Teflon Bone Folder - Ellen Hutson LLC [ ELH | SSS ] Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two... [ SSS | ART | BLIC | ELH ] Ink Off Cloth [ INK ]

Halloween is one of my favorite crafty holidays - I just love all the imagery, and this little set is cute, snarky and affordable - the perfect storm.

In honor of Rubeena's craftaversary, she's pulled together tons of sponsors for prizes, so look at all this crafty goodness you could win with a comment on this post! 

While you wait for winners to be posted - which will happen at this link on September 5th (comment by September 2nd to be eligible and tell me how long YOU have been crafting) - you can check out what these companies offer and make a wish list!

Studio Katia - $50 gift card

Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card

Altenew - $50 Gift card

Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card

Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card

Clearly Besotted - £25 gift card

Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card

Spellbinders Card Kit ($55 value).

Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Winnie & Walter, LLC - $40 gift card

Mama Elephant - $25 gift card

Hero Arts - $25 gift card

Nichol Spohr LLC - Custom-sewn rainbow pencil case filled with brand new Spellbinders dies

Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards

Ellen Hutson - two $25 gift cards  

Pretty Pink Posh - two $30 gift cards

The Stamp Market - July 2018 Release (estimated $100 value)

Indigojade Art Shop - $50 gift card to Art Prints & Gifts Shop

Flora & Fauna - a 4x6 stamp set

Waffle Flower - $25 gift card

Power Poppy - $50 gift card

After you leave me a comment, your next stop is Mayra!

So let me know how long you've been crafting, and have an awesome week. 

Loveyameanitbye.