Mixed Media Monday

Hello, I hope you are having a happy start to your week.  Today I am sharing a mixed media canvas that I have been working on last few days.  I'm not sure it is finished but I'm at a stopping point right now.  I played around with a Tim Holtz stencil "Burlap" and some modeling paste.

That gave it lots of interesting texture. Then I kept dabbing and splattering paint on it.  The heart is a piece of scrap card stock that I layered with multiple colors.  I wanted it to have a glow to it.

I stamped randomly on it with a variety of acrylic and roller stamps and then added my verse with some doodles and scribbles.   I am going to link up to a couple of challenge blogs today so I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit them as well.

Mixed media monthly challenge #3 and Word Art Wednesday #146

Thanks for stopping by and I'll talk to you again soon.

Sunday share Altered art

Happy Sunday! Today I wanted to share a fun altered art project I have been working on.  I have this sweet die from Sizzix© that cuts these mini suitcases out of mat board.

They are the perfect size for gift cards or small greeting cards or like this one, holding a mini book that can be used for photos or art journaling. The suitcase goes together really easily, is super sturdy and has lots of area for altering. 

I picked up a stack of scrap mat board last year from H-L for about $5.00.  I used some of it for practicing different mixed media techniques, but some of it was so pretty with different textures that I couldn't make myself paint over it, so the stack sat in my studio until I got this die.  I have made several of them, now I'm just waiting for the perfect occasion to personalize them and give them away.

This one is altered with several of my favorite things, polka dots and paint spatters, tags, collage and altered metal findings that I made with aluminum tape and embossing folders.  So fun!

I am linking this post to a couple of challenges so click on these links to visit the other artwork posted on their sites.
Simon says stamp:  Wednesday challenge Spots and Dots
Altered Eclectics: New month, new challenge

Have a wonderful, blessed day.  I'll talk to you again soon!

Mixed Media Sunday Share

I've been working on some mixed media canvas' and this is one I thought I would share with you today.  I used the typical supplies like paint, both acrylic and watercolor, gesso and mat gel medium and some random bits of scrap paper and permanent markers.  Some of the not so typical items are from things around the house,  the stars (cereal box) shapes covered in tin foil then painted with gesso and sprayed through a piece of shelf liner.  I also was able to emboss the tin foil with some fun swirls and marks, they don't lay completely flat so they also add a bit of dimension.

The glow circles around the stars are a combination of the end of a paper towel roll and a soda bottle cap.

My houses are constructed from some of the postage I have been saving from this seasons wedding, graduation and baby shower invitations.  They all had pretty stamps.

This is a new type of art for me and I have been having a lot of fun with it.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look.  I'll talk to you again soon.  I'm going to link up with a couple of challenges I found that looked like fun.  Check out their sites here:  One little word and Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

Creative Kitchen

This is Day 10 in my personal creative challenge

The holiday baking has started.  I decided to make these Candy Cane Blossom cookies for the cookie exchange at school.  I found this pretty red pearlized sugar at Michael's.  It's so sparkly.  These are super easy and look so pretty.  I'll probably bake extra for my neighbor treat trays.

You can find the recipe for these on the Hershey website here.  Well, I'm off to do more baking.  I hope your weekend is off to an excellent start.  Thanks for stopping by, I'll talk to you again soon.

Tags again!

This is Day 8

in my personal creative challenge

This is the last set of tags for the gift set I'm putting together.  This gift set is done in shades of purple and blue with a little silver and glitter thrown in.  There are a couple more pieces to the set then I'll show you the entire project. 

This little challenge of mine was a bit hard to do today, it was a long day at school and I kind of wanted to come home and veg out but I knew I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't at least make the attempt.  I'm glad I did.
  

I'm photographing an event tomorrow night so I know I'm going to be creative, but I'm not sure I'll be able to post, I'm going to try my best though!  Have a great day tomorrow and I'll talk to you again soon.

Glittery snowy gift tags

This post is Day 7 

in my personal challenge to do something creative every day.

More tags for the gift set I'm working on.  Can't wait for you to see it all put together.  But, until then, this is another small part of the set.  We're back to school tomorrow there has finally been some melting of the snow and roads are clear enough for the buses and student drivers to make it to the various campuses around the city.  It's been a great and unexpected break and a nice jump start to my creative challenge.

 Have a great day tomorrow and I'll talk to you again soon.

Day 4 personal creative challenge

Day 4, still going.  I think I read somewhere that if you can keep something going for 30 days it becomes a habit.  Hmmm, if I can get in the habit of being creative everyday, think of the other things I might be able to make into a "good" habit!  Something to ponder...

This little note pad and matching paperclip book mark are the start of a series of items I making for gifts.  So as I get more of the kit together I'll post the pictures.  I'm noticing a theme here though.  Snow and snowmen, I think I've been a little inspired by the weather, we did get snow this weekend but the weather folks are predicting another 5 to 8 inches over the next couple of days.  I know several kiddos who are praying for a snowday and I'm thinking a day to sleep in might be nice.  Either way I'm looking forward to a little creative time where I can grab it.

 I'll talk to you again soon!

 

Day 3 creative personal challenge

Whew! just made it.  I've been away from home the majority of the day, but I was able to get a card made for a care package that is leaving tomorrow for a friend stationed in Korea.  That was first thing this morning about 7:30 am, but I only got home a few minutes ago to post.  I guess that's why it's called a challenge, right?  My goal is to use this activity to manage my time better, to use those quick minutes productively rather than squander them.   I know when I've been able to be creative in some small way during the day I feel like I've accomplished something and that gives me a little more joy.  When I get to make or do something for someone else that brings them a little joy, that just adds to the feeling.

There is still time, do something this evening that brings you joy, and if it is for someone else... that's all the better!  I'll talk to you again soon.

December 2nd day two of personal challenge

Seeing as this is my challenge to myself, I'm taking it slow, slow and steady wins the race, right!?  Anyway, I got a little stamping and coloring done today.  I have a project in mind but it is going to have lots of pieces to it.  So, little bits at a time is what I have in my schedule right now, I'm trying to be creative and productive so nothing gets neglected, you know, like laundry and a hungry DH.

Well, I made it, day two and I was able to carve out a little time to create.  More tomorrow.  Have a great evening and I'll talk to you again soon.

A personal challenge

Happy first day of December!  The countdown begins...  I know I haven't started anything so I am challenging myself, a little personal challenge, to be creative every day this month and post it to my blog.  For my first day, I'm easing into it with a photograph of one of my timers.  Mr. Snowman, we're expecting snow this weekend we will see if it materializes.  Well, I'm off and running with my challenge, let's see if I can keep it up.   Do you want to join me?  Leave me a comment and we'll be creative together!

Have a great evening and I'll talk to you again soon.  (Hopefully, tomorrow)

Holiday thanks

The third card in the set is a thank you card, it was inspired by the October 3rd Heart 2 Heart challenge card sketch.  The wonderful thing about the Heart 2 Heart challenges is that they are open for the whole month so when you finally have a chance to get into your stamping space you still have the opportunity to participate in their fun challenges.  The color combination for this card is holiday red, colonial white and chocolate.

The stamp sets used are the Close to My Heart "Remarkable Wreath" and "Universal Backgrounds"  I love the look of text on my backgrounds almost as much and I love polka dots, (well it's not really that close).  I guess I'll have to try combining them on a project soon.  The last card of the gift set is tomorrow.  I'll talk to you again soon.

Four the numbers!

Hi everyone.  Welcome to my little space.  Today I am posting the card I designed for the Guest Design Team spot for the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog.  The challenge this week is to create a card and include a number on the front.  I decided to use the Close to My Heart "Remarkable Wreath" stamp set.  I have been wanting to use it for a while now and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  In fact, once I started using it I couldn't stop!  I created a whole set of cards to send to one of my aunts in Illinois, so Aunt Dukie, if you're peeking in, these cards will be on their way to you soon.  

The first card in the set has fall tones, I used autumn terracotta, sorbet, sunflower and chocolate inks and some of my favorite polka dot papers that I have been hoarding for a while, a snippet of vintage lace that I purchased at the antique mall this summer and some of my beloved polka dot ribbon. 

I  also added some bling in the form of gold glitter dots sprinkled around the wreath.  They are very sparkly, but it was hard to capture with the camera.

I'll post the next card in the set tomorrow so be sure to check back.  Thanks again for stopping by and I'll talk to you again soon.

Guest Design Team...

Surprise! I know I was, surprised that is.  I was invited to be the Guest Design team member for the month of October on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog.  You can go here to see my picture and a little blurb about me.    And... I get a cool new badge for my blog. Check out the side bar on the right! Be sure to check in at the challenge blog each week to see the inspiration posted by all the talented contributors!  Happy stamping!  I'll talk to you again soon.

ME? I won!?

I am finding it hard to believe but, it actually happened!  I won the top spot at the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog this month.  I am beyond thrilled and completely in shock.  If you've never visited the blog you should hop on over there right now.  They have some great inspirational challenges and the Design team always does a wonderful job of interpreting the challenge to give even more inspiration and you get to use the great Close to my heart products. 

Check out my new, super cool badge.  Awesome, right! I just had to share.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'll talk to you again soon.

Polka dot love

One of my go to design elements is polka dots.  To me, they add freshness to any design.  Big or little, a few or a lot, polka dots make me smile.

My card was inspired from here at the CASE challenge from Heart 2 Heart.  I initially chose this card because of the tonal quality and all the lovely layers.  My card is much thinner but, I kept the tonal and some of the layers.  My other inspiration was from the The Shabby Tea Room, using polka dots, something I dearly love to do.  I used the same shade of green ink on the whole card, stamping, distressing and playing with the Close to my heart mini misters (the felt flower and the pear). I could stay at my worktable all day but, I have to go get ready for school.  So I hope you have a "pearfect" day and I'll talk to you again soon.

Hot, red or green style!

If you live here or have ever visited then you probably know that our official state question is "Red or green?"  It is the most commonly asked question in regard to how you want your chilli.  This year they are predicting a super "hot" chilli crop.  So this card is my tongue in cheek take on the state question. 

A birthday card for a friend who we will be meeting for "new mexican" food in a few days.  This is the inside of the card... 

When I saw the challenge on the Heart 2 Heart blog this was the first thing that popped into my head.  Stop on over to their spot and look at all the other HOT ideas.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'll talk to you again soon.

All the papers, stamps and inks are from Close to my heart.

A challenging challenge

It's been a while since I did a Mojo Monday challenge and so I thought I try the latest one.  This is the sketch.

A challenge for me since I don't usually follow a layout plan, I'm more of a theme or color picture card maker.  Any way, here is my take on this sketch.

Can you tell I have back to school on the brain?  There's a lot going on with this card but all the images except the star are from the same very cool new Close to my heart set, Vintage Type, I used tulip, sunflower and outdoor denim inks and papers and the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut all the pointy edged circles (I'm sure they have an official name but I can't come up with it right now).  Have a great day and I'll talk to you again soon!

About Botanical

Earlier this summer I had the chance to visit a few art galleries and small boutiques.  In one of those, a simple little piece of art caught my eye.  It was a line drawing done on a vintage page from a dictionary.  It had just a little color but was very attractive in it's simplicity.  When I returned home I was still thinking about the piece and thought I might be able to recreate something that had the same simple appeal as the one I saw in the boutique.  I scanned a page from an old dictionary and printed it on to some cardstock.  Then I stamped some simple line images (retired Close to my heart) onto it and colored and shaded with colored pencils.  Trimmed it down and put it into a thrift store frame.

 

It reminds me, in feel, of the piece I saw. 

It was also a quick and fun little project that will be just right for a friend who loves to photograph flowers.  And, as luck would have it, I found a challenge that I think it is a perfect fit for.  Over at Moxie Fab World they had a challenge going on using botanicals. Slip on over there and look at some of the lovely botanical projects they have.  Have a great day, and I'll talk to you again soon.