We Need Your Input

Calling all Next Step fans!

We are currently scheduling tutorials for the next year and we would like to know what you'd like to see. Is there a technique that you've always wanted to learn how to do? Is there a product that you'd like to see demonstrated? Do you have any suggestions that would make this site even more exciting?

We would love to hear from you!

Please email Bethany at kartchnerfamily@cox.net.

Thank you!

And just because we love you and appreciate all of your help, here's a sneak peek of next week's tutorial by me, Bethany. (I know...I know...I'm just too generous for words. (giggle))


Happy Creating!

xoxo
Bethany

Mixed Media Video Tutorial

Hi everyone, Lucy here, with something new this week.....The Next Step's FIRST video tutorial!! My project for the 'From the Kitchen' theme. In case you were wondering this isn't the original project - it's the sample - I ended up liking it better and will finish the large piece later and share it.





And Part 2:



My 'From the Kitchen' supplies: tea towel, fruit, mesh bag, coffee grounds
Additional supplies: acrylic paint, cotton batting, cardstock, chipboard letters, thread

And some close-ups of my project:




Thanks and I can't wait to see your projects 'from the kitchen'! I'll be back later this week with last month's RAK winner - see you then!
Lucy

Bringing your Crafts To The Kitchen

Hi everyone. This is Jamie, here to bring you a new way to get more out of your Alcohol Inks and those old Mason Jars in the cupboard. You know we all have the jars stashed away "Hoping" to make some jam , or canned peaches. LOL



Materials you'll need are:
Mason Jars
Various Alcohol Inks (Ranger Inks)
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator
Can of Compressed Air
Clear Spray Paint
And various trims and tags



1. To start apply three to five drops of alcohol ink on the applicator. You'll need more of course for a larger surface. Dab the color onto the glass.

Color-Meadow

2. Once your first layer dries, add a contrasting color. I added it on this jar to look like leaves. Color-Bottle

3. Next take a coupe of drops of a alcohol ink and drip it onto the glass. With the can of Air blow the ink into different directions. If you don't have a can of air you can blow it yourself. On this design it gives the look of branches.

4. After you are done applying your colors spray the glass with a clear lacquer. This will seal the Alcohol ink to the glass.
5. Add embellishments as desired.

Tips and Tricks:
You need to work in a quicker fashion when working with alcohol inks. They dry quickly . If it does dry you can add mixative to it to liquefy it.
If you want more of a marbled look. drip the alcohol ink directly onto the glass.
If you have a large surface, drip the alcohol on the glass and then spread/dab it with the applicator.
You can leave the glass unsealed, that way you can change your look as often as you like.

They make beautiful candle holders as well.



Thank You for reading this tutorial. I can't wait to see the creations and ideas that made by reading this. And don't forget to link them here for all to see. :)

Hugs
Jamie

Pencil Lines Collaborative

This week, The Next Step designers teamed up with the Pencil Lines designers to fill you with loads of Tricks with Treats inspiration. Pencil Lines is a blog all about using sketches to expand your artistic horizons, get you outside your box, and lift you out of scrappers block and to help you get more layouts done. It is about thinking outside your normal processes to create something wonderful.

Each of us worked with this sketch by the talented Anna Bowkis while incorporating this month's theme: Tricks with Treats.

Pencil Lines Design Team

Anna Bowkis


Ania Lexander


Carina Lindolm


Michelle Filo

Sue Deacon


Tracie Hudson


Yuko Motoyama

The Next Step Design Team

Lucy Edson

Gayle Martin

Bethany Kartchner

Tricia Peever

Jamie Dougherty

We'd like to thank the Pencil Lines team for working with us this month! Pencil Lines posts a new sketch along with the beautiful work of the awesome design team every Sunday. Be sure to check them out!

Also, don't forget that our RAK this month is a copy of Sherry Steveson's newest book, The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook. All you need to do is make a project using the Tricks for Treats Theme and leave us a link on any post in October.

Happy Creating!

xoxo
Bethany

Chocolate + Chipboard = Delish

I am totally in the mood for chocolate, aren't you? It is just so creamy and delish and those wrappers are amazing for art. We've given you quite a few ideas for chocolate foil, but our tips wouldn't be complete without including a little chipboard.

The gold embellishments in Dance are Rolo wrappers. They are a fantastic color!


Materials: all papers are My Little Shoebox; Judikins stamp; vintage text, lace, buttons, Maya Road bird and flowers; MM paint; American Crafts pen; machine and thread; foil from Rolos


This is what I did to make my bird.

1. Take a chipboard bird (Maya Road) and cover it with white glue. Elmer's works so does Mod Podge or PVA.

2. Tear pieces of foil into the size you desire. (I like to tear it so there is a more organic feel.)

3. Place foil on gluey bird. Voila! That's it!

Easy. And the results are really pretty.

Happy Creating!

xoxo
Bethany

Faux Reverse Applique

Hey, Lucy here...with another Tricks with Treats idea, using chocolate foil wrappers - oh, no....you have to eat more chocolate! That's the kind of crafting I like. ;)

From my quilting days, I learned to do reverse applique and applied this technique to paper. Super easy and adds a really neat look. Step 1 - Cut or punch circles from your paper and distress the edges of the circle from the backside so that the edge curls toward the front of the paper. And eat some chocolate and save the wrappers.


Step 2 - Run a fine bead of glue around the edges of the circle, on the back of the paper and apply the crumpled foil wrapper.


Step 3 - You could also stitch around the edge or add a little inking to darken the foil to accent the crumpling.

And a close-up of the finished 'faux applique'.


Thanks and happy tricks with treats! Can't wait to see your tricks!
Lucy

Welcome Jamie Dougherty

We are thrilled to announce that Jamie Dougherty is joining the design team at The Next Step! She is an amazing artist and we are over-the-top excited that she has agreed to share her talent with us!


Hello my name is Jamie Dougherty, I also go by jaylynn on line. I have grown up and now raise my family in Southern, CA. I have been married for 9 years to my dear husband and we have two wonderful children. They are the inspiration for my scrapbooks. I have always been involved in some aspect of art whether it be pottery, fine arts, paper crafts, and/or sewing. I enjoy trying new techniques and new ideas or bringing back old ideas with a new twist.