Christmas Cards

I had so much fun participating in the Swirlydoos Christmas Card/Tag/ATC swap! At the end I was running so late I forgot to take pictures of some of the cards I made to send. I did however get two pics..

The first:
My Poinsettia card turned out a shimmery beautiful card!

I used a Hero Arts Poinsettia background stamp. I then painted the background gold with Lindy's Stamp Gangs Don't Eat Golden Snow Starburst, I painted the poinsettia red using an old old pot of Shimmerz..Remember when they first came out? Yep that is how old that is and it still shimmerz with such shimmering goodness! The leaves were painted with again..an old old jar of Green Shimmerz!
I added some gold micro beads in the middle of each flower. The bling was zva creative and the poinsetta flower was prima. I just love the shimmer of this card!

Here is the inside:

I took a image from a Graphic 45 2011 Christmas Collection and used an old stamp that I've had for years. I don't remember what company it came from.
This was my fav card of the Christmas Season!

Card Two:

 

This card was made very simple. I painted some cardstock with Shimmerz 24 Karat Vibes..Talk about gorgeous shimmer! oh my goodness! I then stamped the ornament using a Stamppendous Ornament set. Added some shimmery trim, a few prima leaves and poinsetta and some more gold trimmed ribbon. 

Blessed

I am so late in posting this. I have been frantically working on Christmas Cards and Tags that I completely forgot to post this layout and it's one of my favorites!
The papers came from the Scraps of Elegance July Isn't She Lovely kit. That kit was stunning! I am saving every scrap to use as cards because it was so so beautiful!

 I handmade the dress using a dress form chipboard and just love how it turned out. The mat was cut with my Silhouette Cameo which I adore! Notice how intricate the cuts are..I'm still amazed at how well the newest addition of the Silhouette cuts!!!
I do believe this may be one of my favorite layouts from 2011!

Happy Halloween!

I love creating anything with paper and stamps. So you know I had to create something using My Minds Eye Halloween Collection. It was vintage and beautiful. Hubby asked me if I would make treat bags for his team at work. Of course I would! ha ha
Here is what I made using My Minds Eye Halloween Collection. I used the stamp set, the papers, and the chipboard.

and here is the back of the treat bags:

I cut the bags  and tags out of kraft paper using my Silhouette Cameo..Easy Peasy!

There was always love in Daddy's Hands

I used the lyrics and title of Holly Dunn's song for this layout I created using the gorgeous Swirlydoos Antiquities Kit for Swirlydoos October Round Robin Challenge.

I have several pictures of my husband I need to create and this kit was perfect for masculine pages! It was filled with Bo Bunny's Weekend Market papers and goodies, and even had some Tim Holtz goodies too! Now you guys know how much I love Bo Bunny and that I adore and collect anything and everything TH puts out! he he ..so when I say this kit was gorgeous and had me ohhhing and awwwing when I opened it.....you know I'm speaking the truth! :o)

Here are a few details on how I created this layout.

Tag:

 I took a manilla tag and covered it with Ranger's Antiqued Bronze Distress Crackle Paint (This was in the Swirlydoos Antiquities Embellishment Add On). I then let it dry and after it was dry and cracked I rubbed in Ultramarine Blue Shade Pan Pastels. I got it really well into the cracks and then buffed the blue off. For the typewriter,  I used the Prima Almanac Clear Stamp that was included in the Swirlydoos Antiquities kit. I stamped it on a manilla scrap, cut it out, covered it in black ink and then heat embossed it with Utee. I printed out the words "There was always love in" on a piece of paper and then I tore it to distress the edges, I wadded it up, dabbed on some Walnut Stain Distress Ink, spritzed it with water and then covered it with Fiber Scraps Walnut Ink Tintz. I then inked the edges with Colorbox Chestnut Roan chalk and Inquild Bolme's Black Coal Chalk ink.  I got the paper idea from Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2012 - September. He used one of his die cuts on grungeboard. I tweaked it to use what I had on hand :o).

Father and Child Silhouette:

This was so simple! I simply cut the file from my Silhouette Cameo and inked it with black ink, covered it with Utee and glued it on top of some burlap! Simple!

I am now working on another wedding layout of another daughter, a card for Swirlydoos Round Robin Card Challenge, and my Halloween cards also! I should be posting something else soon!

You should come and join our Round Robin Card Challenge at Swirlydoos. You can use anything product for the challenge. It doesn't have to be from a Swirlydoo kit so it is open to everyone and is so much fun!

Beautiful

I am so far behind in posting photo's of my layouts! I finished this one last week.It's a picture of my gorgeous daughter at her wedding.

I used some of the papers from the Scraps of Darkness July Kit (True Romance). Included in the kit were papers from Carta Bella's Beautiful Moments Collection. This was one gorgeous kit!

I do believe this is my favorite layout that I've created to date! Here are a few details I used in creating this layout.


I made the frame by cutting out a frame set on my Silhouette Cameo, I then inked the edges with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink and coated it with Utee Embossing Powder. It gave it beautiful texture!

The flowers were created by me by again cutting out some flower dies on my Silhouette Cameo and then I soaked them with water, wrinkled them up, dried them, unwrinkled them and then inked the edges, after that I just layered them on top of each other..easy peasy!

The butterflies were easy also! I got the image from the famous Lisa Gregory! (I called her my Butterfly and Flower Queen!) Anyway,  I printed out the butterfly images. Cut them out, Then I just added a little glitter and some antenna's!

The sprigs on the right were again..cut out on my Cameo..(can you tell I adore my Cameo?). I then added some dollops of Pastel Rasberry Liquid Pearls and sprinkled some Diamond Dust on top of that..

I really had a fun time creating this layout!

What's on your workdesk Wednesday

I have two projects going on. I have so many things going they all will not fit on my desk.
Here are the two things I have in progress!

And here is what is on my craft desk!

Both are layouts of my Daughter's Weddings!
I am trying to make 3 Layout Books for each of my Daughter's! Lot's and Lot's of love :o)

Shimmerz New Campaige - Simplfy! And...a tutorial!

I love Shimmerz...and love tutorials. Shimmerz has started a new campaign called Simplify on their Shimmerz Education Vlog. It is all about bringing you back to simple steps. Breaking down techniques so you can master them easily. I think it's a great idea and I'm following their blog everyday!

The first tutorial I tried was by one of my Swirlydoo sisters, the awesome Heidi Kelley who is the Ed. Team Coordinator for Shimmerz! Talk about one talented lady!

Let me start my story at the beginning. My sister comes and spends the weekend with me about once a month. I love this time as it is nothing but scrapping and shopping! During her last visit I told her that I had a project I wanted us to try. I had everything we needed to do it with.

Here is Heidi's tutorial that we attempted.  http://shimmerzpaintsed.blogspot.com/2012/09/strikingly-simple-free-mini-class.html

Now let me tell you ...we had a ball! Not only did we learn new techniques, we laughed, scrapped, and ended up with an awesome finished project! Thanks to Shimmerz's and Heidi's tutorial we have decided to attempt a new project each time she visits! She is going to pick out a tutorial/project she wants us to try and get all the items we need to complete it. And...I am going to do the same.

This means we will be learning new techniques, having great scrapping and sister time, and have 2 finished projects .....All at the same time!

I would like to thank Shimmerz and Heidi for such a great tutorial. And for making it easy to learn and follow along! I think what the Shimmerz Education Team are doing is a great thing for all crafter's! New and Experienced!

Here is my finished layout that I created from Heidi's tutorial! I will try to add a picture of my Sister's finished layout if she ever uploads it so I can get a pic!

Layout for Swirlydoos Round Robin

The theme for this months Round Robin Challenge at Swirlydoos was Grandparents. Since I do not have a picture of my grandparents, I created a layout of my Grandson and I. The layout was made using the Swirlydoos June Antiquites Kit.  Creating a layout using Swirlydoos kits are so easy! Everything is coordinated and they always have to latest and greatest products in their kits!

What's on your work desk Wednesday?

I actually have 5 different projects going but today I'm only working on two!

This is a layout of my daughter's wedding day.

And this is going to be a layout of my husband and his daughter :o)

My diy clip up system

I have so many craft/scrapbooking items that my floors can not hold more shelfs, bookcases, etc...there isn't room! But..I had plenty of room on my walls. So, I decided to create my own DIY Clip Up System!

I purchased cafe rods at Walmart for 2.97 each...measurements are 28 to 48 inches..you could buy an extender if your wall is longer. The hooks were 84 cents for 14.

Total cost per roll...$3.81! Yep ...you heard right 3 dollars and 81 cents a roll!
I love this! Best organazion I've ever had..whatever I'm working on I just walk to the wall and take off what I need. No more digging through drawers!
In fact, I love it so much I want to do a wall for my flowers and another for my bling :o)...

Scrapping Vacation

I am still trying to finish scrapbooking the pictures we took on our 2011 vacation :o).. When I saw Graphic 45's Tropical Traveloque collection I knew this what what I wanted to use.

To make the water I tore 2 different shades of blue Bazzill paper (one light and one a little darker). I misted them lightly with water and bended them in the shape I wanted then heat dried to hold the folds. I then spritzed with Tattered Angel glimmer mists. (DazzlingDiamonds and Robin's Egg). While they were still wet I sprinkled Sea Salt on them and let them dry. The sea salt makes the darker color speckles and also gives it texture.

I cut the Seaweed out on my Silhouette SD. Inked it with TH Distress inks and then covered it with Utee several times heating each time.

The bank was made with molding paste. I mixed some Moleding Paste with Acrylic paints until I had the color I wanted and applied with a spatula to give it texture. While it was still wet I placed some sea shells into it and let it dry.

Easy Peasy!

Book Review - Creative Foundations by Vicki Boutin

 http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Foundations-Mixed-Media-Techniques-ebook/dp/B0062ACQ0E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342824147&sr=8-2&keywords=creative+foundations




I am way behind in reviewing this book. So I thought no time better than the present.

This book is loaded with techniques and I do mean loaded! I think there are around 40 different techniques.

Vicki has a great way of instructing! She's down to earth..easy to follow and offers additional ways of using the techniques.

For anyone who is a beginner scrapper I would say this is the first book you should buy! Even an old scrapper (over 10 years) like me learned new things!

She guides you through every step of the way. And when I say guides you...I mean guides you..she has a project for each and every technique!

 She starts off by explaining about the technique and then tells you what you'll need. She includes step by step pictures and also adds little details or tells you how to achieve other looks using the same techniques. All the projects in her book have a materials list so you'll know exactly what she used to create them.

She has the book broken up into parts. Foundations, techniques, and layering. Then at the end of the book she has a whole chapter showing other well known paper crafter's projects and what techniques the used..

It is a very inspirational book and I would highly recommend it to everyone. New and old crafters!

And for you kindle lovers out there..They even have a kindle version!

Lost my mojo

When Spring came I was super busy planting the veggie garden, the herb garden, and of course my flowers in the yard. After that was done I started creating again but found that whatever I created I hated..didn't finish..somehow during the break I lost my way. Now, I love turning on the music, going to my craft room and creating. But then I started dreading it..because I couldn't create a thing I liked! So..here was my idea...why not go to the master's and copy them. I would be creating but I wouldn't keep failing. After all, if you see the project already done..it's pretty simple right? So as you all know. I never ...EVER!!...copy someone's work without giving that person credit. I just do not believe that you should take credit for someone's creative ideal. So let me show you where I got my inspiration for my latest projects. First off was one of my idols Ronda Palazzari I love this woman! She doesn't have a Copyright law on her page..which always confuses me..what does it mean..does it mean you can't copy..or does it mean you can but you have to get credit? Confusing!! Anyway, Ronda does not do this..so I was good to go. She's one of the most talented creators out there in the papercraft world. And..she give her secrets away freely! I always hit her blog the minute she posts something because I am never disappointed. I was in love with a graffiti style canvas she did. You can see it here! http://rondapalazzari.typepad.com/helpmeronda/2012/06/beauty-everywhere-mini-canvas-tutorial.html Here was her canvas:

Beautiful right? I just love it! I didn't have the stamp she used so I used one I had for the graffiti...I also changed the words. Here was my take

I love it and it is now proudly hanging in my craft room. Ronda has just published a new book. Art of Layers: Simple Techniques, Inventive Scrapbook Pages, Imaginative Papercrafts I plan to buy this. I looked at a few sample of Amazon and from what I can see..it looks fantasic! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Happy Birthday Card using Flying Unicorn's June Kit

My daughter's birthday is today. I was thinking I needed to make a card the other day and in came my Flying Unicorn June kit filled with gorgeous papers and embellies! Yes, I do believe it was just what I needed. Then as I am thinking of how to create it. I of course go to the web for some inspiration. As I am browsing Flying Unicorn..lol..shhh..don't tell but I do this on a daily basis! I see the "Build a Page" tutorial for a layout by the very talented Shona Keehn! Hey I thought, I can turn this around and do a card instead of a layout. Which is exactly what I did! Now, you know me..I like playing around and experimenting. So I decided to tweek her tutorial a little and use molding paste instead of gesso. I took some molding paste and mixed in a little of Jenni Bowling's Speckled Egg paint. I just love the color of this paint!!! I cut out the flower vines with my Silhouette and then used the negative space to apply the molding paste. Once I had it down I thought why not make a little space for the center of the flower. I grabbed a straight pin and used the end of it to make a hole. When it had dried I added a little orange paint. I just love the way this card turned out! And of course I needed an envelope to mail the card :o)

What's on your work desk Wednesday

Wow. I can't believe I haven't posted on the blog since February! As soon as the warm weather hit I was super busy planting the summer flowers, planting the veggie garden and this year I even created my own herb garden. We aren't talking a few pots of herbs here...we're talking an actual herb garden! I have planted every herb I thought I'd ever use..hubby's finished our patio, and we remodeled our bedroom. I should take pictures and post..you'd be amazed! Now that all the spring chores are done it's time to get back to my other passion. Crafting! I have so many projects I'm working on..lol..yes I'm in crafting overload! I bought Suzi Blu's new book..Amazing! and yes, I'm still in the face obsession! lol..I was so inspired by her book that I am working on two projects for the art in our bedroom. And then my nephew just bought his first house so I'm making him a card.. Here is what's on my workdesk this wednesday! The girl is a practice canvas I want to do...I'm woking out all the kinks on bristol board before I actually do a Canvas, the journal page should end up being a mermaid painting..lol we see..I'm having so much trouble drawing the mermaid..so I think it's going to take a lot of practice before she gets onto the page. The house is going to be a congrat's on your new home card..lot of projects going on this Wed!

What's on your Work Desk Wednesday

I have several things on my work desk. Though you can only see one. The one you can see is the start of a Layout. I'm trying a new technique. Well, a new technique to me that is. Using Multi Medium as a resist. Plus I've never created my own layout background using Glimmer Mist! It's a little scary, but then I thought....hey it's only a 70 cent piece of paper...what is to be scared of? Duh!!
I'm also working on a tag, a canvas, and trying another new technique, aluminum foil resist! We'll see how everything turns out!

Playing in my journal

As you know I started a new Art Journal in Jan. I have been keeping up with it pretty well. I play in it most days. I have found that I'm growing in the art world because of this journal. Oh I'll never be at the "Artist" stage but I'm learning and can see that my creations are getting better as I go.
I have found that once I had a certain place to play and not worry about messing up a creation that I explore a lot more and try new things. If I mess it up it's fine that is what the journal is for!
Here I was playing with PanPastels, a new Crafters Workshop Template and trying my hand at creative lettering. I need a little practice in the lettering part! lol
I need to add some interest in the corners and didn't want to use the usual bubble wrap. So I started thinking....and looking around...I thought I wonder if this left over piece of Dusty Attic Chicken Wire could be used as a stamp? Yep, it could! ha! I love it!!! And..if I never decide that I need that Chicken wire in an LO I now already have the white base on it! Cool huh?
The girl is a Crafters Workshop Template designed by Julie Balzer. I didn't want my girl to look like everyone's so I used the face and tried to create my own hair..not bad for a beginner :o)..ps..Love Love Julie's templates, I'm going to collect every single one!

Valentines card for hubby

In the previous post I showed a tag I had created for a challenge. I needed a card for hubby on Valentines and had completely let it slip my mind that I needed to create one. So I grabbed the tag and made a quick card :o)...easy peasy!

My heart skips a beat when I'm with you

It's Valentines time and that means I need to start on Valentine projects. Yes, I'm good at waiting until the last minute! lol..

My first project is a tag that I plan to use on a card for my dear sweet hubby. I saw a tag made of cardboard on Flying Unicorn's Artist of the Week Challenge.

I love this challenge. Every week someone is chosen as Artist of the Week. The challenge is to go to their gallery and lift one of their creations. I love trying different styles, techniques, etc...so this challenge is always a favorite of mine. :o).

This week Gerry was our Artist of the week. She is one very talented lady! Every creation of hers is a work of art! You can find her blog here:
http://gerryscrafts.blogspot.com/ .

Also, here is a link to her gallery on Flying Unicorn:
http://flying-unicorn.socialgo.com/members/profile/418/albums

It was so hard to choose what to lift. So many beautiful...stunning creations!
Her cardboard tag was just to gorgeous to pass up! Here is her tag:


I just love the cardboard look, I love the vibrant colors, and I love the way she mixed them...stunning!

When I lift someone, I do not copy their work, I try to take a few of the things I see that I want to try and make it my own.
So for this, I wanted the cardboard and I wanted to try and mix my colors the way she did.

I love the way it turned out. It's not vibrant like hers...mine is muted and soft..I would love to find out how she made hers so vibrant and plan to ask her. When I do find out. I'll try again in my journal :o)

Anyway here is my take on Gerry's tag:


Background:

For the background I cut a tag out of cardboard, Then painted it using Caludine Hellmuth's "Dash of Red", and Painterly Pink Acrylic Paint. I then took some Adirondack "Snow Cap" Acrylic Paint Dabber and mixed enough water in it to make it runny. I dripped the white paint in the holes of the cardboard and let it run down. im Holtz Urban Grunge stamp set.
I also stamped in black an Argyle Stamp from from the stamp set "Every Heartbeat" from Our Craft Lounge and a text stamp from the Tim Holtz Urban Grunge Stamp set.

Embellishments:

Fabric Heart - I cut out a heart from a scrap of fabric, sewed a zig zag stich and make tiny cuts into the zig zag for some texture, added a little lace

Black hearts - I stamped the hearts with white paint from the same Our Craft Lounge set I used for the background and cut them out. Then inked the edges with ColorBox Fluid Chalk Cat’s Eye in Charcoal. I attached them to a chain for hanging.

Sentiment:
I cut a piece of cardboard, distressed it and painted it with Adirondack's "Snow Cap" Acrylic Paint Dabber. The Sentiment is from the same Craft Lounge stamp set "Every Heartbeat"

I added a little fiber and called it complete. I just love the grungy look I achieved!

One Valentines project off my "to do" list..7 more to go!

Fun Gothic Arch

Flying Unicorn had a Polar Bear and Pajama Party last weekend. It was so much fun! We had challenges, games, and of course prizes!

One of the challenges was a Gothic Arch challenge. I'm not to used to making Gothic Arches, in fact...this was my 2nd one of all time!
The first one I made for the challenge ended up in my scrap leftover file as it was horrible! lol..do you ever make something and then pitch it aside because you are to embarrassed to post it? Yep, that one was a failed project.
But hey, that is ok, because in the future I'll use it as a part of the background on a mixed media canvas...a little gesso on top or some molding paste, paint, ink, etc..and that baby will look good!

I soooo loved my second attempt! The background is just beautiful! I wish you could see the shimmer in it. They need to make a camera that captures shimmer and glitter! :o)



I just love the doll or whatever you call him! or her! or whatever it is! lol.. I bought the image from Cemerony Etsy Shop. I just adore her images!

So the moral of this story is..if you don't succeed..just start over! lol

Bridal Shower Card

I completely forgot to post a card I made for my Daughter's Bridal Shower. I made the card 2 weeks ago but didn't post it because I didn't want her to see it before the shower.
So here it is..



I just loved the how the cameo and the flower gave it such a romantic feel!

Lovely

Another layout completed! I have been playing with new journaling techniques and exploring color combos for the past couple of days. But I did find time to create a layout of my daughter's wedding. I used the Vintage Blue line from Glitz Designs. I do believe this line is my favorite line ever! lol..as hard as it is to find.. I believe it's a lot of scrapper's favorite line!

I was having trouble finding some of the line and a dear friend (Alda of Flying Unicorn) sent me what I couldn't find..She had it in her store. I swear she is one of the most sweetest people I know. How many shop owners do you know that would send you something you were desperately trying to find and instead of selling it to you, sends it and says Merry Christmas!

I do believe that is why I spend so much time at Flying Unicorn..Not because I received something for free...but because..she truly cares about people. She is one of the most uplifting people I know!

Anyway back to the layout. I am entering this in the Flying Unicorn's, Let's Lift It Round Robin Challenge. A really cool challenge where you lift the persons LO before you. I had the unlucky privilege of being first..lol..so others will be lifting this layout..poor poor dears!

Journaling Goals - Journaling Cover

One of my goals this year is to keep a daily Journal. It will be a journal for personal growth (hopefully)! I plan to journal about feelings as well as use it to grow artistically.
My goal is to work in my journal 15 min. a day. So far I've kept to that goal. Well, if you count the making of the cover lol..I finally finished it today and I hope to look back at the end of my journal and see a lot of growth in my art.
Even though I love Art. I seem to struggle. I would love to take design classes but my budget will not allow it. So I have been watching Journaling videos, reading design articles and trying to learn color theory. This has been added to my 15 min a day art goals.
I am also taking part in a 365 Days in a Picture group at Flying Unicorn and plan to incorporate this into my journal. This 365 Days in a Picture group has really turned out to be the highlight of my day. Though as most of you know I love Flying Unicorn and I'm there almost everyday. I thought I knew the girls pretty well. Well it turns out, I didn't! I have learned so much about them in just the 9 days since this group started. I love this group!
I plan to enter my journal cover in the Mask"querade Challenge at Flying Unicorn. I used a Tattered Angels mask and stenciled it green, it's beside the "word of the day" grouping.
Here is my first ever Journal Cover!

Starting off the New Year with Art!

Here is my first "Artsy" creation for 2012



One of my 2012 "Art Goals" is to experiment more with mixed media. I want to learn new techniques, explore, and just have fun.
This year, I've decided that instead of wishing I could do more Artisy pieces I'm going to actually sit down and do them.

Awhile ago I purchased Collage Couture by Julie Nuttingg. I have to say this book is amazing!! Not only does she teach you how to draw the figures, eyes, mouths, etc..

The way she teaches you to draw the girls is simple and down to earth..you create a paper of 13 lines and just go grid to grid..then she has 9 different sets of eyes that are simple to create and also a very simple way to do the lips and hair. She shows you how to draw different poses..side views, etc.

The book includes lots of background techniques for you to try, different folds for different kinds of dresses, and lots of tips for cutting out the dress.....
...
She has step by step tutorials for 22 projects. Some examples are Newspaper Heiress, Vogue, Parisian Dreams..it is amazing..She includes a picture of the finished project, supplies needed, and detailed instructions for the background, the dolls, everything..yep I said 22 projects!! 22 different amazing girls on canvas, cards, etc!

I loved it so much that I've told most of my craft friends about it. I know that 2 of them have bought the book and they too are in love with it. So be sure to check it out. I purchased mine at Amazon..you can find it here:
Collage Couture by Julie Nutting

Anyway back to my art goals.. I know I'll have failures..and in a way my first "Art Creation" was kinda cheating. I traced the girl...lol
(with the Authors permission of course!). Julie Netting is such a sweet person. She not only gave me permission, she also took the time to answer my email and told me that she learned to draw by tracing other drawings!!! Such a sweet sweet lady. Here is her blog

http://www.julienuttingdesigns.blogspot.com/

Warning! You'll spend hours looking at her creations!

I did paint the hair free hand..yep! first time ever!!!!!!!!!!!..isn't it funny that I can be so proud of such a small thing as hair?!!

My next Girl Canvas is going to be huge! I bought a 16x20...and now that I have my feet wet...and I feel a little more comfortable with what I'm doing..this one..is going to be done by me...my own drawing, designing, a Barbara orginal! so stay tuned :o)