Turning the Corner...

Welcome back,

I am so glad you dropped in. I have been really intrigued with the more mixed media/grunge/steam punk look of stamping recently. I have been totally entranced with all the new releases at Creativation 2019 from Tim Holtz all the companies that he designs for. I watched all the facebook lives and drool over all the new products and designs that are coming on the market!

Although I can't own them all, I have a nice little stash of goodies that I am learning with. Take a look at today's creation!

JUST A THOUGHT:  I have been doing a lot of video watching, and blog reading about Art Journaling. The process of Art journaling never really interested me before. As I have mentioned before, I enjoy creating pieces that I can bless others with. Everything I create is turned into a card or gift of some form. I have passed by Art journaling previously because its end result is self-fulfilling. (i.e. I keep them) That makes it hard to share and it doesn't bless others.

However, I am growing as an artist, and my skills, techniques and subject matter are always changing and evolving. I am wondering if IN ADDITION to card-making (and scrapbooking) I could create a few art journal pages to play with ideas on a larger format rather than the very little card sizes.
I recently gave another look at Vicky Papaioannou art journaling style. She intrigues me. It took me a long time to assimilate her Greek accent, it was very difficult for me to understand at first. lol Her art style is very different than mine, but it is very controlled and I think I like that about it. I like the HAPPY PLANNER and hole punch that she uses for her journals. From what I can gather, she has notebooks, as well as several different sizes. (i.e.- 6 x 6 and 8 x 8) She mentioned she enjoys square journals. (huh) Just a direction I may venture into. Though I would share!

Here is another piece from the same background. Take a look:

I REALLY like these two pieces, and I am not sure I want to share them! So,  I may turn them into art for my craft room and keep them! (... I am a bit selfish after all) lol.
But before I do, I entered these into a few current challenges. Each one will take you there. I would love to know what you think!

1. Dragonfly Dreams
2. Fashionable Stamping
3. Love 2 Create
Leave a comment, I always return one!

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Heart

Welcome back,
I am joining yet another challenge. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so a heart challenge seems fit! Take a look:

 My background makes me SO happy. I think I really am improving my mixed media skills. (are there such things?) I wanted to incorporate this into my card for this challenge. When I pulled out my Valentines/love stash, I found a ton of die cuts I had left over from a project I made a few years back. I layered them all up to create my own thick embellishments. The challenge I faced, was that they were too "clean" (lol). I had to "dirty them up" and make them fit with the background.

I really had a fun time creating this card. I enjoyed creating my own embellishments. Thanks for stopping in. I hope my number is selected, I would love to place an order at Simon Says Stamp! Please leave a comment!

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Alcohol

Welcome Back,
I am off of school today for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I thought I would join another great challenge! I am trying my hand at a look that is a bit out of my comfort zone. I think it could grow on my though. Take a look:

I can't say that this is my original idea. I took this look from a Journal entry created by: Vicky Papaioannou Click here. I think I am warming up to her style! Her style is very controlled, and that appeals to me. :) They background is done with alcohol inks and straw. I used my stencils and the Alcohol lift ink pad with a foam pad to lift-away some of the background.  The butterflies provided my focal point. (I need to fussy cut better...huh) 

I am so glad to spend more time in my craft room today. I am getting more comfortable with my Tim Holtz products, and I keep finding more items I want (isn't it always that way?) Good thing I have a local stamp expo coming to town next month. Better start saving my pennies. Thanks for dropping by.

New Twofer Card Challenge

Hello again,
I am so tickled that a challenge blog arrived after my own heart! Click here to go check it out.

Twofer Challenge

My site (originally) was about two cards from the same stamp. My first few years I was very consistent and stayed true. This challenge uses the same idea. How could I not play? So excited...

Feathers? I don't have any feathers, but I do have a cute bird! Take a look:

Aren't they sweet? I am not sure if he is sweating or crying over the candle, or another birdday! LOL Either way, he is adorable. I am still learning to color. I would really like to take a class on HIGHLIGHTING and light sources. I just can't get them right. More practice, right?

Card Details:
Stamps and Sentiments: Digital stamps - FROM THE HEART - Birthday Candle
Paper: From my stash, twine
Color - Copics

More to come! Please leave a comment, it makes my day! I would love followers too!

Hugs by Honey Bee - so perfect!

Hello,
When I saw this new die set by Honey Bee - I had to have it! HUGS. I love the versatility of the three layers, the big size of it, and the word itself can be used in birthdays, support, hello to a friend, all sorts of things! LOVE IT!
Take a look:

The background is the Stampin' Up! En Francis background stamp and embossed it, and I used distress ink as watercolor. I hung on to the background for well over a year, not quite sure what do to with it. THEN my new die came in the mail, and POOF! mind blown. Clean and beautiful.

I entered it into a few Challenges:

Shopping Our Stash- Out with the old, In with the new

My Time to Craft- Something new

No blue Challenge

Welcome back!
      I wanted to see if I could meet the challenge! I cannot use the color blue! I believe I did it!
Take a look:

I recently purchased a BIG SHOT. My cuttlebug just died. The cutting pads were so warped, and thin, they were not cutting well at all. I was trying to put off the large purchase as long as I could. My husband watched me try to cut a detailed die and struggle with all the small pieces.

He said, "Go order a squisher, you have hundreds of dollars of dies, and no way to use them! Go buy a new squisher!" I bit the bullet and bought one!

When it arrived, I had fun pulling out EVERY embossing die, folder and item I had!  I pulled out some embossing folders that I hadn't used in a while, and the card made itself.

I entered this card into the following challenges:

4 crafty chicks - No blue challenge

Cute Card Thursday - Something New

Happy Birthday!

Welcome back!
I am sad to say that my AWESOME vacation has come to a close. I have to go back to teaching tomorrow. I can't tell you how therapeutic and relaxing all my crafting has been. My husband build me a craft bench. What a world of difference more space makes! Here is my card for today:

I dug out a older wood stamp, and (gulp) pulled it off and used it in my MISTI tool. I love the colors of the oxide inks. I have a hard time with CAS. Hope this qualifies!

I entered this card into a few challenges:

Crazy for CAS - All colors of the Rainbow

Inkspirational- stamping only

Watercolor You

Welcome back!
My family bought me a gift card to Simon Says Stamp! I have been eyeing this die and stamp set FOREVER!  :) Take a look:

I love this stamp set! I can use it for everything!

Challenges:

Shopping out stash -  watercolor

Card Recipe:

Paper: Watercolor paper, black cardstock and SU purple card base
Stamps: French Script from SU!, SSS You matter set 

Dies: You matter die

Ink: Distress inks Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, and a mix of both to create purple

Embellishments: Gemstones

Denim and wildflower Love

Welcome back,
Totally different look for me. I kinda like it!  :) It is very forgiving, everything goes!  lol!
Here is my card for today:

I have entered this card into a few challenges:

The Male Room Challenge - Anything Goes

Moving along with the times -  Flowers

Supplies:
Stamps: SU denim background stamp

Ink: Denim blue, distress inks

Sentiment: die cut from SSS Love you edge die
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Black cardstock 
Dies: Wildflowers

Thick Black embossing powder

Sunset Birthday for the new year!

Welcome back,
I am spending so much time in my new-and-improved craft room! I love it! Now it's bragging time! Isn't this beautiful? The embossing is sparkly, the photo doesn't show it.  :( 
(cold weather go away)

I am just getting around to playing with my oxide inks. I have labeled them, cataloged them, and even created RBG codes for them (see previous post), but I need to create cards with them! LOL! I always go back to my wild flower sets when I get stumped creatively. I just can't go wrong.

I am adding my card to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday  - something new

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - something new

Supplies:

Stamps: wildflowers (Tim Holtz)
Sentiment: SSS essential greetings
Paper: Neenah Solar White, black cardstock, SU cardstock
Ink: Distress Oxide Inks, SSS Black Ink, 
Accents: purple fibers, black sparkle embossing powder

Card Challenge: Freshly Made Sketches CAS FMS318

With all my time off, I am able to join in a challenge or two! I am excited to be able to join Freshly Make Sketches right off the bat in the new year! Here is the sketch:

 Take a look:

Here is my take on the sketch:

Currently, it is 54 degrees in TAMPA, FL. I will not be going outside to take my photos as I usually do. It is TOO cold. I am sorry for the terrible pictures, it is the best I can do right now. Next week should be better!  :) Thanks for dropping by! FMS318

Supplies:
Stamps: hummingbird - inkadinkado
Sentiment: hero arts
Paper: Neenah Solar White, black cardstock
Ink: Distress Inks and water, Simon Says Stamp Black Ink, 
Accents: Gemstones - Aqua, ribbon
Challenge: Freshly Made sketches #FMS318

Crazy Dogs - Tim Holtz

Hello again,
I am always surprised when I simply can not keep posting during the school year. Each year, I honestly think that I can teach full-time AND continue to craft and post each week! And...each year I am disappointed in myself for not being able to do it. Silly, huh? What is this, year 5?

I caved. I LOVE cats, but I am not as excited about the CRAZY cat stamps as I am about the CRAZY dog set!!
Weird, huh?
I bought them as soon as I could. THEN they sat in my craft room each week taunting me!  So, What do you think!?! Please keep in mind, I am SO learning water coloring techniques.

Directions: First I stamped the dog onto watercolor paper with Simon Says stamp Intense Black ink, and with a paint brush and distress inks, I painted in the dog using scattered Straw, Mermaid Lagoon and Picked Raspberry. The hash-marks helped with the shadows and the shading (something I am SO not good at...yet). I even took some burlap and created a grassy area around his feet.  

I have a challenge I want to enter this in, so I hurried to post this. I know I have a lot to learn, but I am so pleased with the results. Only 5 more dogs to go!  TEE HE!

Challenge:

Live Love Cards - Happy Birthday - August Challenge

More to come!
Cindy

Unity Stamps and Distress ink Galore!

Hello friends, welcome back!

I am on summer vacation, but I have not had a lot of time to do much creating. Whenever I get stuck, I run right back to my favorite stamps and I grab distress inks. You just can't go wrong, ever!

For this duo set, I used Neenah Solar White cardstock. I stamped the unity flowers in various distress inks by spraying the stamp with a spray bottle a bit before stamping to get the watercolor look. The lower stamps on the left card I forgot to spray, so they came out crisp. (I still like the look) 

Then I used salty ocean to blend the background avoiding the very center. Then I stamped the background image by stamping off a few times.Last I stamped the sentiment in the center using my MISTI to be sure it was straight.

The same goes for the Happy Birthday card, I just love the look of purple and blue. I think I stamped off three times to get a very light wording in the background.

I joined one challenge for these cards:

Addicted to Stamps and More- ANYTHING GOES

Thanks for stopping by!

Card details:
Stamps: Insightful Meadows by Unity stamp, Sentiments by various stamp sets, background, En Francis (Stampin' Up!) 
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, colored cardstock from Stampin' up
Inks: Various Distress inks and blending tool
Extras: Black Brads

Live Love Cards challenge

Hello again!
I had a minute to join a challenge. I am a member of LIVE LOVE CARDS. It is a great community of stampers created by Darlene. Each month has a challenge. June's Challenge is to use a large Sentiment! I found the largest sentiment I owned and unmounted it! I get so nervous every time I do that. I have only unmounted a handful of stamps. I really wanted to use the stamp in my MISTI, so I ripped off the wood block and slapped it into my MISTI. It took 6 stampings to get it dark enough. Take a look.

I found a few more to join:
Addicted to Stamps and More- CAS 

Crafty Creation- ANYTHING GOES

The Crafty Addicts- ANYTHING GOES

Cindy

More Challenges...

I had time tonight to join the Wenesday Simon Says Stamp challenge! The challenge calls for the use of PATTERNED paper. EEECKS. I am so not good with papered paper. this was a challenge. However, I just purchased a unique pad of 6 by 6 paper last week that I was eager to use. Take a look.

I bought this at joann's. It was $6.99 on sale for 60% off. SAY WHAT? I think that is a no brainer. I had never seen anything like this before, and the colors and texture were wonderful! Less than $3. It's MINE!  :) I love purple, the blue is perfect, and the grey is awesome! I love getting a bargain, It makes me feel less guilty about spending money on my obsession! Better known as craft therapy!






Then I pulled out this pad, and used a sheet from it.

Here is my creation for the Simon Says Stamp challenge.

 I know you can't see it, but I heat embossed the letters several times, they are raised and shiny in real life.

I love the distress color combination! I used peacock feathers, wilted violet and salty ocean. My pictures do not bring out it's true colors! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Sunday Challenges

Happy Sunday
I was in the mood to participate in a few challenges, I have been intrigued with a few particular bogs lately. I call them my "GOTO blogs". I go to them first to get fresh inspiration.  One of my goto blogs is SNIPPETS (Karen D).

She plays in many challenges and so I thought, if she does, so can I! Here is my card for today. Take a look:

 

I submitted this card to a few challenges:

CASMIXUP -  May Challenge - Heat Embossing

Crazy4challenges - C4C335 - Use Green Somewhere

Addicted to stamps - Make your mark

HLS March CAS Challenge

Hello again,

I am not sure how I missed this awesome technique. It is called the Faux Mother of Pearl look. Unfortunately, I don't own any pearl acrylic paint or liquid pearls as the true technique calls for, so I improvised with what I had. I had white embossing paste that I have only used a handful of times. So I thought "why not?" If it doesn't work, it doesn't work"

I have to say, I love the look, although I am not sure it is a true "faux mother of pearl" (if there is such a thing...lol)   This card was very hard for me, I do not do well with lots of white space! I am just so glad to be on spring break, and have enough energy to create Enjoy!

Birthday Challenges: Hamlet PigWit PigOut strikes again!

Hey There,
With this long weekend, I wanted to get crafty, and join a few challenges. I love this little piggy, and use him often for birthday cards and cake cards. This time, I used a cupcake ribbon down the side to add a new touch.

I entered this card into a two challenges:

Addicted to CAS (Challenge #79):  http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com/
Seize the Birthday: http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/

Here are the card details:
Digital Stamp: Hamlet PigWit PigOut
Markers: Copic
Paper: Stampin'Up!
Ribbon: Joanns

Live Love Cards Rainbow Challenge

Hello all!
I created a card that I could use for more than one challenge! (never done this before) I actually posted this card on SCS for their challenge, and forgot to post it on my blog.

I'm also submitting this card to LIVE LOVE CARD'S Rainbow challenge. I know I am about 2 months late, but I would like to submit it anyhow. (the card is just too cute)

Spring Break 2015!

I made it to spring break! It has been a tough couple of weeks in middle school math world. We have had FSA writes testing, formal and informal observations, high school field trips, spring pictures and a lot of crazy weather!

With the crazy weather comes cold and flu season! Yup, I caught it. I usually never get what the kids bring in, but I didn't escape it this time. I have one NASTY throat cold. (NOT the flu) Just in time for Spring Break. Thank goodness, I didn't make any expensive travel plans...this cold would have ruined them. My poor husband has been sleeping on the couch to avoid my bug.

I am sipping hot apple cider tea while I type this to keep my coughing at bay. Anyway, you want to see my creation!? Good thing I can still create even when I am sick!  :)

I have been following Darlene's new membership site. (Live Love Cards) She is incredibly talented. On her new site, her latest addition is a stencil challenge. Shortly after that, she posted a bokeh technique card that I love! So I combined the two! Here is my take. I can't believe I smeared my last stamp on it. Oh well....

I created a circle stencil using three different circle punches. This is how I created the Bokeh look. Funny, I seem to steer clear of circles in my creations, but I love this look!

I am also trying to improve my picture taking. I am fortunate to live in sunny Florida, so I only take my pictures outside now, (you can see my lanai pavers in most of my recent pictures) I think it adds great texture to the photo, but I tried s white foam board this time. What do you think? Is it too plain? I have so much more to learn.

Thanks for dropping in. Please leave a comment, it would make my day!