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Let’s Play with Old and Dried Out Rub Ons!

Le'ts Play video tutorial using old dried out rub ons in an art journal and link party! Let's Play, a link party where you can be inspired and be inspiring!

Things don’t always go as planned…and when it is play…that is more than okay!  The plan was recycle tissue paper that had been gift wrap and old dried out rub ons in my art journal for this week’s Let’s Play video and link party + giveaway.

Now, those rub ons really surprised me.  When I found them in my stash, I was quite surprised because they don’t look like anything I would ever buy.  But apparently I did about 10 years ago because they were totally dried out and no longer tacky on the back.  Perfect for a Let’s Play!

Le'ts Play video tutorial using old dried out rub ons in an art journal and link party!

But…this didn’t go as expected.   But that didn’t matter even a little bit because any “mistake” is just an Oops, an Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly.  And gel medium took care of that Oops!

Le'ts Play video tutorial using old dried out rub ons in an art journal and link party!

Let’s Play isn’t just about my play, it’s about yours too!  Be sure to link up what you’re playing with for this week’s link party and get entered to win a $50 Dick Blick gift certificate too! Winner will be announced next week!

Le'ts Play video tutorial using old dried out rub ons in an art journal and link party!

In the video, you’ll see what happens when I had a blast going a little overboard with the orange Pico Embellisher and you’ll find out what happened to that recycled tissue.

Watch How to use old rub ons in art journal tutorial on YouTube.
How do you play creatively? There is no "exactly" how to do it but there are guidelines to lead you- that is the focus of this year's Let's Play link party and giveaways!

This month’s giveaway is a $50 gift certificate to Dick Blick!  Link up what you’re creating (and you get a bonus entry into the giveaway for sharing your play) or leave a comment telling something that you liked about one of the photos shared. One comment per person.  Giveaway closes Sunday, Jan 31st at Midnight PST and will be announced the following Tuesday.

New to Let’s Play?  You can find out all about it, what you can share (and it is almost anything), why your play (yes YOURs!) helps others to play, plus other info here.

[inlinkz_linkup id=601643 mode=1]

Link up etiquette  

  • If you see something you like, leave a comment on their photo or blog post and show some love – let them know they inspired you! 
  • Share your recent play (any form of creativity is welcome) that hasn’t been linked up to a Let’s Play before ( limit 3 per week please)
  • Add a link back to to this post so that others can find it, be sparked, and join the fun!
  • New link party begins each Tuesday..sometimes even late Monday night… 
  • Enter the giveaway for the $50 gift certificate by linking up (and you get a bonus chance for sharing your fun) or by leaving a comment telling something you liked about one of the photos shared in the link party. One comment per person on this week’s blog post.  The winner will be announced on the first Tuesday of the following month. You can find all the details about Let’s Play here.

You can upload a photo or use a URL or Instagram.  Not sure how to find a URL or link up? Check out this page of Let’s Play FAQs.

Want to put the button your blog? Just copy all of the the code from under the button.

Let's Play!
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Leave a Comment

  • Maureen January 26, 2016, 5:56 am

    Great video! I love the use of the old rub-ons. I have many old ones too! I found some old Distress Crackle Paint while cleaning the other day (love to clean my craft stash…gets my juices going!). These are probably 10 years old too. Not much crackle left but had fun finding out if they did or not!

  • Kathryn January 26, 2016, 10:26 am

    Oh my! Great inspiration to go dig up some old supplies I’ve been hoarding, but that I don’t think I will ever use. Thanks for another great lesson Carolyn!

  • Pamela Levingston January 26, 2016, 11:12 am

    #2 in the link party…I lover the colors she used.

  • Jan January 26, 2016, 12:33 pm

    Still striving to be able to “play” like you do.

  • Kathy W January 26, 2016, 1:00 pm

    I love your style! Your art journal pages are always to colorful! Thanks for your inspiration!

  • Irena Stefanova January 26, 2016, 5:27 pm

    Thank you for the inspiration, I am grateful you started this challenge!

  • TRISH G January 26, 2016, 7:55 pm

    I so love your work and videos. You are so perky and enthusiastic. The way you demo and explain is so easy to follow and enjoyable to watch. I always learn something from your posts and videos.

  • Nancy Sapp January 27, 2016, 10:53 am

    GREAT idea, Carolyn! I AM using somethings that were going to be thrown away. I used some paint (that was going to be tossed) & a TP roll. I “squished” the TP roll into a heart shape & stamped hearts using the “Almost Thrown-Away” Paint! I stamped the hearts on sticky-back paper & now I’ve got some handmade stickers for Valentine’s Day.

  • lorraine williamson January 27, 2016, 3:48 pm

    thank you carolyn for the great linky love all that you do to help us create and have fun

  • sandeeNC January 27, 2016, 5:29 pm

    LOL, your version of fussy cutting is the same as mine! Always, love your videos!

  • Carolyn Morgan January 27, 2016, 11:55 pm

    I love your spontaneity and the acronym “oops.” My friend is bringing her Gelli plate and oodles of stencils up to play and visit this weekend, so I look forward to doing lots of that. I love the Dorothy photo above!

  • Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith January 28, 2016, 7:40 am

    Some cool entries this week! Will check them out! Loving all those bright colours in your page Carolyn! You always inspire me to play with abandon! #10

  • Mac January 30, 2016, 7:42 am

    Loved the idea of just playing…Maria’s link inspired me. It doesn’t have to be a finished piece, it is just playing. I love to see what the mediums can do and I love learning from very creative crafters and artists out there in the blog world and I do so love it! Thank you for the inspiration today…off now to have a play….. x

  • Joanne January 30, 2016, 8:23 pm

    Very fun video Carolyn and so many lovely posts from everyone on here.

  • Mandy Fariello January 31, 2016, 6:40 pm

    I love #11’s use of savings stamps…Of course at my house stuff like that NEVER gets thrown away! 🙂

  • sally veauta ( Votaw) January 31, 2016, 9:38 pm

    Enjoy& look forward to your weekly blog: the colors&the methods U use make me Happy: Thank you!

    SallyV

  • Denise Spillane January 31, 2016, 10:19 pm

    Carolyn, thanks for the fun. I love your videos, products and especially your oops. I feel encouraged to keep going whenever I watch you. I need that often!

  • Kathie Mayberry February 1, 2016, 9:24 pm

    I enjoy your videos!
    Nothing is a mistake!
    OOPS! My new favorite word!

  • Dianne Elliott February 1, 2016, 11:55 pm

    I wanna play. I wanna play. I wanna play. I am 60 yrs. young, and a paper crafter. I stumbled across your site somehow . . . and now, I WANNA PLAY. Carolyn, you are so damn talented . . . it’s time for me to buy a journal and begin playing. I have never heard of gelli’s . . . what is a good journal to begin with? I want to learn to distress . . . I save everything thinking there has to be a creative use for it; toilet paper rolls, plastic crystal light containers, egg shells . . . I think I have found a new hobby to keep me out of trouble. You go girl . . .

  • Staci M February 2, 2016, 9:56 pm

    I’ve watched and loved your channel for a long time! Happy to have made it to your blog. Thank you for all the content you provide, including the playful inspiration and creative ideas! Loved the orange dots! <3