Fairy Tag

Hello Bloggers,

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.  It's a beautiful, warm, Fall day here in the Northeast and a wonderful reprieve from all of the foul weather that has plagued the region over the last few weeks.  It will definitely help with the recovery efforts that are still taking place.  My thoughts and prayers to all of those that are still suffering...

Today's share is yet again, another tag.  I just can't seem to get enough of them lately.  I was inspired by a wonderful, young artist, R. Maria Sabina (aka Lollyrot) who is a new addition to the Tiddly Ink design team.  When I saw her tag, I fell in love with and just happened that I already had both digi images.

The image is one of my faves, Wryn.  The suitcases are a freebie and I've had both for quite a while.  I did use the suitcases in another project, but Fairy Wryn was patiently waiting to be colored up.

I followed a tutorial using sprays, stamps and an iron for the background.  Here's a link to the tutorial; check it out, it's wonderful! 

I'm happy to say, that I also was able to use a couple of items in my stash, that I just had to have, but haven't used yet.  One, is the the banner punch form Epiphany Crafts.  I like being able to make my out embellishments.  The other is a die from Cheery Lynn Designs that I used to cut the vine out of vellum.

I'll be entering this tag over at Tiddly Inks in their latest challenge.  My inspiration was the color palette.  

Mixed Media Projects

Hello Bloggers,

Just a quickie post to share my most recent mixed media projects.  I have to say, that art journaling is quite addictive and I'm thoroughly enjoying trying all the different techniques I've viewed over the last few years.  

My first attempt at drawing.  On at least 2 occasions, I thought of throwing it out, but I remembered what Tim Holtz always says:  "Embrace Imperfection" and this is one of the reasons why I started the journal to begin with.  Not everything is perfect and especially art.  I thought it would be an appropriate title.  I used my colored pencils and acrylic paint and followed multiple tutorials from YouTube.  She does though kinda look like Paul Stanley from KISS.  LOL

This is a fun, whimsical page that was just, well FUN!  Can't wait to do more.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.  I have tomorrow off, so hope to spend some of it my studio after my "chores"...

Another Art Journal Entry

Hello Bloggers,

I was watching a video the other night on YouTube by Christy Tomlinson and started doodling "She Art" girls on some book paper I had hanging around.  Well, I really liked how she turned out and decided to use her on a journal page.  I finished the page last night and thought I would post the pic tonight.  It was just as fun as the other pages.  I like getting my hands all inky...

I used some Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays for the background, the girl I drew myself and I colored her with some Faber-Castell markers and gelatos.  The hearts and clouds came from a darling stamp set from W Plus 9 and the trees in the background are from a stencil I picked up from AC Moore.

Thanks for stopping by.  Toodles for now.

Final Halloween Project

Hello Bloggers,

Tonight's share is my final Halloween project of the year.  I created another tag in lieu of a card.  I kinda' like making tags and it is something different to keep the creative juices flowing.  I had purchased a Tiddly Inks image, Witchy Wryn, and wanted to make sure that I used her this season.  I just love coloring these cute, little girls up and she fit nicely with the 'Too Cute to Spook" stamp.

I had some Halloween digital paper that I had printed out a month ago and used that as the base of the tag.  I then covered it with some tissue paper and put a coat of watered down matte multi medium to make it bit more sturdy.  I then used some distress inks and glimmer spray to finish it up.

I colored up Wryn with my copic marker, stamped the tag using an Inkadinkado stamp I got from T.J. Maxx and then covered it with some spiders web I made out of cheese cloth.

The sentiment is from a Studio G $1.00 stamp along with the gems in the O's.  The little witches hat is a brad from Making Memories.

Entry #2 in my Art Journal

Hello Bloggers,

Just a super quick post this evening to share my 2nd entry in my art journal.  The image is well over a year old and I honestly can't remember what I had originally created it for.  I just know it's been sitting on my desk and I decided to use it as my inspiration for this page.

Thanks for taking the time to check it out.  Later...

I actually incorporated my copic markers (my first love) on this page.  I colored up the thing-a-ma-bobs at the bottom with them.

Quote is by Henry David Thoreau.  I often get caught up with what others will think of my crafting instead of just doing it for myself.

My First Art Journal Entry

Hello Bloggers,

Tonight, I'd like to share my very first art journal entry.  I've completed a couple of mixed media tags and a small art canvas, but had put off actually entering in my journal; I think I was a little scared, I don't know why, but I finally gave in and bit the bullet.

I had a grand time and find that I enjoy this just as much as I do copic coloring.  I'm already working on the second entry, which will actually be the first page of the journal.

That's it for now, have a great evening!

My First Mixed Media Canvas

Hello Bloggers,

Happy Sunday.  I hope you're all enjoying your weekend.  It's a beautiful, autumn day here in the Northeast.  Today, I would like to share my first mixed media canvas, well not really a canvas.  I used a piece of heavy weight chipboard I had on hand.  

I was totally inspired by one of my YouTube subscribers, jennyhoildayandaaron.  Every Thursday they post wonderful mixed media tutorials/lessons and I watch each week and am simply amazed.  The past Thursday, they posted a "Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) project that I just had to try for myself.  I had purchased a stamp a month or so ago from Joann's and really wanted to use it, but wasn't sure what to do with it.  Well, this fit the bill.  I scaled it down and pretty much followed their tutorial.  It was so much fun and I'm happy with the result.

I fussy cut lots of flowers from the My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Howdy collection and broke out my real washi tape from Japan for the shirt, which I hand drew and cut out.  I typed out "Dia de los Muertos" on my computer and backed it on some watercolor paper.

Here's a shot of the stamp I used.  I got it from the $1.00 bin at Joann's.  

I colored up the image with my copic markers and pulled out some IamRoses to add.  I colored them up with some Lindys Stamp Gang.

Another Halloween Tag

Hello Bloggers,

Two in one day!  I wanted to post this separately as I am entering this in the Tiddly Inks current challenge.  Make sure you check them out and enter too.

For this tag, I used Alison the Witch from Tiddly Inks and colored her up with my copic markers.  I also used the 3-D technique that I used on my copic journal image.  Here's a link to a YouTube channel where you can see detailed instruction on how to do this technique.  It definitely does take quite a bit of time, but the outcome sure is impressive.  I don't know as if I will be doing this on all of my projects, but definitely will on those "special" projects.

I followed a tutorial from one of my favorite mixed media youtubers.  I love all of the spraying and stamping on the background.

Here's a shot of the 3-D layers.  It looks better in person.  I still have some practicing to do.  I didn't cut nearly as many layers as in the tutorial.

I was able to utilize those $1.00 Studio G stamps for this little cauldron.

Halloween Projects

Hello Bloggers,

I've been busy with work and Halloween projects the last few weeks (mostly work).  I wish I had more hours in the day to devote to keeping my poor blog updated, but on this beautiful Fall day, I thought I would take the opportunity to post a couple of the projects I've been working on.

I've recently discovered a new love, like I really have time to devote to NEW techniques, but I really like Mixed Media techniques.  Instead of making traditional cards this Halloween, I decided to make tags and incorporate some of the new techniques I've learned.  I like all of the texture and colors it brings to crafting.

I love this little guy.  I used Mumford the Mummy (digi version) last year on some cards.  On this tag, I used some modeling paste and a stencil to get a brick wall effect.  I wanted it to look like he was busting out of the wall.  I was inspired by Prairie Paper and Ink and card she did last Halloween using the same stamp and having Mumford "breaking out" of the card.

I used some paper from Pink Paislee.  I got a kit early this year for a great discount at HSN

The little bats were cut with a Martha Stewart punch and then covered with a soft gel gloss medium and sprinkled with a bit of extra fine glitter.  I added some seam binding from my stash. 

I used a ticket from the Tim Holtz Odds and Ends collection and attached it with a tiny paperclip also from Tim Holtz.

I used a similar effect on this tag, but used different sprays to color the tag a nice, eery green.  The skull and stamped images are from the same Pink Paislee paper line.  I made the black lace flower with some lace from my stash.

The branches were cut from a Tim Holtz die and covered with a course pumice gel medium and then covered with lots of sprays.

This is a traditional card using Mumford the Mummy again, which by the way, was colored up with my copic markers.  I used assorted Distress Inks to color the background and used a Stampendous cling rubber stamp called "Crowscape" that I purchased last Halloween, but never used.

Is used another ticket from the same Tim Holtz Odds and Ends stamp set and attached it using my tiny attacher.  The skull was made from some grunge board and covered with black UTEE and stamped with gold ink.

My Copic Journal!!

Hello Bloggers,

Well, here it is!  I FINALLY completed my copic journal; not so much a journal, but more of a book to keep track of all of the different hair and skin combos.  I posted a few weeks back the beginnings of the "journal" and tonight I'm presenting the completed project.

The wonderful image is Janessa from Saturated Canary.  I absolutely adore her.  I was inspired by Grahic 45's Steampunk Debutante paper for my color choices.  In fact, the butterflies were cut from the paper and covered with Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.

It's a bit hard to see, but almost every piece of the image was colored separately and pieced together using dimensional adhesive.  I followed this awesome tutorial from this blog.

I broke into my Timmy stash and used a lot of metal embellies and stamp set.  I also used some tulle and seam binding on the rings of the binder.  Here you can see a close up of the butterflies.

Here are some shots of the inside pages.  I have tons of space to keep everything together.  Also, here's the link to my original post were you can find the video to the YouTube tutorial for creating the 3-ring binder.

I'm entering this in the Saturated Canary Challenge #27 - Office Supplies.  I use binder rings from Staples to bind my journal together.

Coloring on Kraft

Hello Bloggers,

While perusing YouTube a few weeks ago, I came across a wonderful video showing how to color an image stamped on kraft cardstock with colored pencils.  Well, I was very intrigued and immediately pulled out my Prisma colored pencils, stamped one of my Gorjuss Girl stamps on kraft paper and gave it a try.  Well, I was happily surprised how it turned out and how easy it was to blend and shade.  Colored pencils are much more forgiving than markers, but you're still able to achieve a similar effect (or is it affect, I always confuse the two).

At any rate, this little cutie has been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks and I decided to put her on a card last night.  I checked out the latest Deconstructed Sketch and came up with this little card.  I decided to stay with the kraft theme, so didn't use too much patterned paper, but what's there is from the My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Dilly Dally collection.  The big brad is also from that same collection.

I'll link the wonderful video below, so be sure to check it out!  Toodles and will talk to you all later!!

30 Days of Lists - Days 28, 29 & 30

Hello Bloggers,

I'm happy to say, the I completed all 30 days of lists!  It was quite the adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the process.  I'm very glad I participated and think I may take part in future "Lists".

Here are my final 3:

List #28 - Little Joys in My Life.  My list:

• My morning cup o' joe
• My kitty following me around
• Receiving comments on my blog posts
• Seeing my hydrangeas in bloom
• Crossing items of of my to-do lists

List #29 - What I Finished This Week.  My list:

• Catching up with my 30 Days of Lists
• Put together my drawer for my craft room
• Reorganized my stamps and punches
• My September monthly production
• The image for my copic journal

List #30 - Lists to Make.  My list:

• Projects to complete
• Christmas gifts
• House cleaning to-do
• Books to read
• Groceries (never-ending)

30 Days of Lists Catch Up - Days 25, 26 & 27

Hello Bloggers,

I lost a few days; Tuesday I devoted to finishing up the image to put on my Copic journal (pics coming) and Wednesday I had a 12+ hour work day.  I was able to get caught up tonight.

Tuesdays List:  Places I've Lived.  My List:

• New Hampshire (Wolfeboro, Tilton, Tuftonboro and Ossipee)
• Massachusetts (Springfield)
• California (Vista)
• North Carolina (Jacksonville)
• Connecticut (Plainville & Wolcott)

Wednesdays List:  Trends I Cannot Stand.  My List:

• Bangs - I just grew mine out after 30 years; now they're popular.
• Reality TV Shows - enough already!!
• Skinny Jeans - my thighs are just too big for them.

Thursdays List:  Bravest Things I've Ever Done.  My List:

• Getting married for a second time
• Raising another human being
• Giving birth