Kristy's Musings

My daughter, the chicken whisperer

2012-01-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

My son went out and found this young rooster near our coop...........crazy thing! It was trying to get in the coop with our chickens. Anyway-we think someone threw it over but being we are in city limits its not allowed..........so we threw it back over the fence. We don't want to be responsible for the cock-a-doodle-doos in the early morning hours :)
My daughter has this thing for the chickens. They LOVE her-its so crazy! She pets them and they are very relaxed with her. She spends alot of time with them. She cried because we could not keep him.

UPDATE: So the "Rooster" actually ended up being a Hen! Hubby actually found an egg that it layed. So I guess we are keeping it after all! HaHaHa

Loving me some rusty goodness!

2012-01-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

I started this piece quite a while back.....maybe last year sometime. But then I drew a blank. A few days ago I was rummaging througy my assemblage junk and found it. Suddenly inspiration resurfaced! So starting yesterday I began working on it again. So far here is my progress! I made alot of headway on it today and so far I am so happy with it. Once its completed I will take a better photo, where more of the actual color shows up better!

Today's splurge.....

2012-01-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

Its been close to a year since I had a donut. I have resisted FAR too long. I have been EXTRA good, watching alot of what I eat. Donuts were on my big "Do Not Touch" list. But I made myself draw them first-thats a good idea, right? Hmmmm.....I wonder how many miles I will have to run to get rid of these. I guess I shouldn't think about it :)

More Citrasolv Fun

2012-01-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

So after doing those other pages I took a break, not planning to do anymore. Except, I couldn't keep my mind off it~!So what did I do? I did more, or course! This time I painted the Citrasolv onto the pages , closed the magazine and let it sit a while. Before I closed the pages, I threw some stencils in between the pages. Here are a few of my favorites!

My house smells like Valencia Oranges......

2012-01-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

....all thanks to Citrasolv! I have long wanted to play with Citrasolv and National Geographic Magazines, but could never locate any Citrasolv locally. So I finally bit the bullet and ordered some.

So glad I did! It arrived a couple days ago and I have been dying to try it out. So I dug out a few pages of some old National Geographics to mess around. I found that the more recent issues worked better (like over the past 10 years or so). I did try a magazine from around 1999 but found that the Citrasolv had to sit on the page for longer before it started to make any kind of difference. Here are a few pages from my efforts today. I grabbed a couple of stencils (wish I had taken more with me) to play with-hence the circles :) I took the advice and played with this stuff outside where it is ventilated. Once they started to dry I brought them in-but the smell is strong. At least it smells pleasant :) I can't wait to play with this stuff more-and try out some different things.

Yummy Lemon Cookies

2012-01-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

So I volunteered to take some cookies for my friend's funeral luncheon today, and these are what I made. They are sooooo good and so pretty too, I think. Best of all, they are super easy too!

Lemon Cookies

1 Lemon Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp Lemon Extract
Powdered sugar

Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil and lemon extract till well blended. Drop teaspoonfuls into the powdered sugar and roll them around till they are covered. Put them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake them for 6-8 minutes at 375.

Today's Doodles

2012-01-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

Just grabbed two things that are normally part of my day-banana's and a can of almonds. The bananas had so much character with the brown spots on them (although they are now destined to be banana bread ). For extra character I attached the del monte sticker off the REAL bananas :) Its amazing, once you start to draw. You really start paying attention to the small details. Different things you would not normally notice. I guess it shows how much we really take for granted in life, huh?
I also got this book in the mail today-its so fun :)
I LOVE getting new books and magazines, especially when they are just loaded with color-its so inspiring :)

Looking forward to trying more new things out!

How Breathing Treatments Are Done Around Here

2012-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

This is just too funny-had to take a pic to document this. Gillian has managed to be able to hold the nebulizer mouthpiece in her mouth at the same time as playing the Wii. Its a crack up.

Chicken Soup and a Bottle of Steroids

2012-01-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

My girl is at it again-she's got some upper respiratory thing going on. This is her 3rd day off school-which is no big deal. The big deal is she is on steroids! eek! This time they gave her a stronger dose, and wow-shes is literally bouncing off walls! I have to keep telling her to not jump around. She is jumping on the couch like a trampoline! Then she gets herself coughing and sometimes it lasts a while.
So Steroids are NOT my friend!LOL!!!! I did manage to do some doodling and playing with my watercolors today-its amazing how just even doing a little bit of that can brighten the day up. Art saves, right ?:)

I have been reflecting the past few days-its not been too easy. I had a friend die on Sunday. We have known that this was coming for about a year, but this happened a little sooner that I thought. I thought I was prepared, but it turns out, maybe not as prepared as I thought. She suffered ALOT, and she was truly done after the holidays passed. I just had two really great visits with her about a week before she died. I will always treasure them-we had some really good laughs (and she had a WONDERFUL laugh) and just some really serious talk. As I cried, she told me to please not cry, that this was just all part of the plan for her. Its going to be hard, knowing she is not a phone call away, like she has been for me the past 10 years or so. I loved her so much, and her family too. I looked up to her-and she always had a way of setting me straight when I was having a hard time (which has happened alot over the past 10 years). Life is kinda funny, isn't it? I know that death is just part of our circle of life, but wow, how much it hurts to lose someone you love, even though you know that person is no longer suffering. I know how important it is to let people we love know it, and I am so glad I told her that I loved her the last time I saw her.

More of my rambling , about reflection.
As the new year has started, it really got me thinking of all the challenges I had last year. But, really, I had sooooo many triumphs. I think the triumphs far surpassed the challenges. Lets see, for starters-I got myself healthy again. I realized how important it was to get rid of any stress, and how much that can impact your health. I gave up Dr Pepper! HUGE!!! I ran my first 5k, and got a pretty dang good time too. My faith has strengthened by leaps and bounds. I rediscovered sewing. Sent my daughter back to school (after a year of homeschooling). I have learned to laugh at things more-even the challenges. I have learned to let things roll off my back more. I have learned that having my feelings are okay, and its okay to express them ( no matter what anyone thinks). I have learned to be honest with myself. And last but not least, I have gotten rid of some things (and people) in my life who have really brought me down.
Overall I am very happy, and soooo relaxed-much more than I have ever been. I am glad for a new year, and new triumphs :)

Gelli on Canvas

2012-01-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

So I purchased some loose canvas a few months back to have on hand-you know, the kind you get at the fabric store by the yard? Anyway, I have been dying to use it for some different stuff. I got out my Gelli Arts Printing Plate and went to town. It didn't print AS good on the canvas, I am sure because of the texture (and I primed it first) but I think I DID get some good impressions here so overall I am pleased with it. I may try some different things next time. As I was printing, I decided to collage on a couple pieces of found text. Then I got out my loooovely Elna Supermatic (Her name is Ethel) and stitched away (Ethel is awesome! She is so powerful she plows through many layers). Then, after trying it out on Canvas, I thought I would try it on some muslin. Worked great! This is all done with regular acrylics (Liquitex soft body and Golden).
After all that it needed something more so I printed up one of my old collage pieces (5 Senses) from a few years ago on some inkjet transfer paper. I ironed it onto a scrap of muslin that I had used on the Gelli and stitched it on. This is 5x7 in size.

Not striving for perfection

2012-01-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

I did this in like 15 minutes (or less). I have a collection of magazines related to horses and different animals that my husband brings home for my daughter-she has a huge thing for animals. Seeing this picture today I just felt like drawing it. Instead, I got my Higgins Black Magic ink out (with a dropper) and used that and sketched it out as quickly as I could then added color with watercolors. So fun-gotta do this more often!

Scattered Leaves

2012-01-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

Its sooooo windy here that leaves are blowing allllll over my front yard. I grabbed a small branch with leaves and was noticing the leaves imperfections. Even with imperfections the leaves have such beauty, I think!

Just A Lazy Thursday

2012-01-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

I knew I wanted to do some art today, but honestly I felt SOOOOOOO lazy I didn't want to do anything. But I was inspired to do an art journal page and when I saw my sweet shih-tzu,Sumo, curled up asleep on the loveseat I knew I wanted to try to draw him. Its always scary to draw, and especially a dog curled up asleep! But overall I love the way this came out. I used cake watercolors to add a bit of color! The thing below Sumo is our colorful abstract rug :) It felt good to do something artsy today. I aim for pleasure, not for perfection :)

Got my art on today!

2012-01-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

Wow-its been sooooo long I forgot the feeling of exhilaration I get when I create a piece of artwork. As I was browsing an art book today I decided to get some supplies out to play today and here is my finished piece. Wow! I feel a rush. MUST get back in the habit. Its absolutely necessary!
I don't normally make new years resolutions, or should I say don't like to, as I NEVER keep them.
So I will make this a month by month goal. At least to do some art every week, in addition to my sewing (which will be combined with my art-coming soon) and the other 1000 things I do every day.

Now that my girlie is back in school I have time, and energy, to do this. I NEED my quiet time to focus-can't have any distractions! Oh, and music is a must :)

Monoprints

2012-01-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

I have been following the Gelliart blog and got the urge to play! Its been a while!
Here's what I came up with today :) The Middle one is layers of paint over found papers

My Beautiful Pink Atlas Sewing Machine

2011-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

After I saw some posts about a pink sewing machine I HAD to have one. It was just WAY too cool.

So low and behold I was perusing ebay and they happened to have a couple. This one ended at a really cheap price so I couldn't pass it up-I just considered it my christmas and birthday present :) I am so thrilled. She came to me pretty dirty-she needed (and still does) some serious cleaning and a new belt, and lightbulb. When she arrived her case was damaged and unusable (sad face). After I took her to my sewing machine repair guy he fixed her all up and she runs like a dream. She can sew through layers amazingly!! I think she is just awesome. I am not sure of the exact year she was made-all I know is its from the 50's.

We Did It Wednesday: Easy Fleece Beanie

2011-12-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

My daughter found this fleece in the remnants section and HAD to have it. She loves anything Hello Kitty right now :) So I bought it to make her a beanie. Finally amidst all this Christmas Craziness I got to FINISH something. This took less than 30 minutes from cutting it out to completing it-gotta love that! And imagine this-its Wednesday so I can post this for the We Did It Wednesday Challenge-yay!

I must be known as some old sewing machine collector..........

2011-12-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

This is so crazy! My aunt said this machine was given to her by her Sister in Law for ME-I guess she has had this for a while. Anyway-my aunt thought I was an old machine collector so she said she was going to bring by this old Singer machine. I really did not know what to expect but how on earth could I possibly say no??? So I get it (in its original case) and open it to find this beauty. WOW!!! I was HOPING it would be one of this type of Singer's, so what a great surprise! I threaded her up and she runs amazing. Just a straight stitch and reverse. This is a Singer 66-it says on the label on the back of the machine that it was made in 1949. Beautiful, Clean condition. I am so stoked!

Oh, and pardon the messy table its on!hahaha! I just plopped it onto my daughter's table to test her out

Singer Futura Quartet

2011-12-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

So I got yet another machine (thanks to my wonderful friend for the gift). Have had it for a couple weeks or so now, just played with it a little bit when I first got it. It does everything-stitching, serging, quilting and it also embroiders. I am not brave enough to try embroidery yet-maybe next year though!LOL I did try some free motion stitching though and that was fun :) Looking forward to trying more. I could get very addicted to free motion stitching easily, and see how artistic I could get with that. Its gonna take alot of practice though-it looks really easy but its not quite that simple!

Cute,Simple Skirt

2011-12-02T15:59:00.001-08:00

Just a very simple skirt-just took an hour to whip this up! LOVE the fabric though-I could have bought a whole bolt of this stuff. It was at Walmart of all places...........and very good quality fabric so I was surprised!

We did it Wednesday!

2011-12-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished a dress for my daughter. It was a bit challenging being it was the first time I have ever done a Yoke. Plus the pleats. But it was a learning experience! I also had to alter the pattern a little to make sure it fit her-also a first for me. The fit came out great-glad I made the changes! Its a Project Runway pattern.

My Beautiful New (to me) Elna Supermatic

2011-11-26T12:13:00.000-08:00

I have been getting into my sewing so much lately, I feel like I am just "catching up" after such a long time. I had forgotten how much I loved it! Between sewing and getting my house back in order after homeschooling my daughter for a year, I have not been blogging. I have just needed to get back on track! Anyway! I have some really nice Electronic sewing machines that I LOVE and have worked well (once I worked out the kinks). But I also have been looking at older machines as well, and I recently got this for a steal off Ebay. It sounded like a motorboat when I got it, so I decided to take it in to have it serviced. In addition to being cleaned and oiled she just needed her friction pulley replaced (a common ailment for this model from sitting so long). The repairman was a little excited-he has worked on these but hadn't seen one in a loooong time. So a week and a half later (they were busy) she is back and running amazing! This thing plows through layers and layers. She runs like a dream. I love her. She was built in 1954. She is my early Christmas Present :) I just loooooove that its made of all metal-she's heavy duty!

(the first picture above is the Supermatic with the Original metal case that converts to a worktable. This machine does not have a FOOT pedal it has a KNEE pedal. A learning curve there! )

Sewing for babies

2011-10-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Since I have my new sewing machine I have wanted to make some blankets and such for baby shower gifts. It seems like I am ALWAYS having one to go to, so it would be great to have some blankets and other things made ahead of time. I made 2 blankets today and I plan to make some other things too. I found this tutorial online for the blankets-I love the edge on the blankets :)

Looking Up

2011-10-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

So things just seem to be totally looking up. I am feeling so positive and happy the past week. What a HUGE relief. It just shows that the decision I made to put Gillian back in school was the right one. We all seem to be happy around here :)

Happy Monday!

2011-10-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Yay! A whole new week and I am excited! Did some more playing in my art journal today-played with an acrylic ink eyedropper and just drew a random image of a wolf. Lots of random thoughts going on today-just enjoyed the process :)

Free To Be Me

2011-10-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

So my daughter is back in school...........and I am in the process of doing my art again. The past couple of days have been amazing, and I am so thrilled to have my much needed "ME" time. I have so much time on my hands now I don't know what to do! But I do know one thing-I need time to nurture myself right now. I am thrilled to again be my own person-and my daughter can be hers. There is so much I want to do that I don't even know where to begin! Here is my art journal page today, and the pic of myself was printed on inkjet transfer paper and ironed onto muslin. I finished the edges with a zigzag stitch and also stitched some straight stitches on the fabric as well.

art journal page out of frustration

2011-09-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

Its been a really hard week. This homeschooling has finally got to me.............I just don't think I can do it anymore. We have an Autism class here locally so I am going to seriously look into it. In all this, I am losing myself. I just don't get the opportunity to do all I want anymore. Things that help define me as a person, not just as a mother of a special needs child. I find myself thinking of how happy I used to be-I used to spend hours doing art when she was at school (before they started calling me for EVERY LITTLE THING). At the end of the day, I felt fulfilled, being I had done something I loved every day. I LONG for that. Now my day consists of caring for her every day, all day. Everytime I sit and try to do something, she needs something , and takes me out of my zone. I know that first and foremost, I am her mom. I am well aware of that. But aside from that , with homeschooling I am losing myself.

This page was created today out of that frustration. I am going through so many emotions right now. I want her to be successful in her life. She is very high functioning thank goodness, and I count my lucky stars for that. But is it selfish of me to want to take care of myself? That is how I feel :( Its really tough, and making this decision (because I feel guilty) is soooooooooooo much harder than it was when I decided to homeschool. sigh.

We Did It! Wednesday

2011-09-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working on this skirt for about a week now, off and on. I had not put a zipper in something for yearsssssssssssssss so it felt like the first time, but it went pretty well :) This skirt is made of linen. Not a super complicated skirt to make but hey-I did it and it fits :) This was finished off with serged edges and a catch stitch (even though the pattern itself said to do the hem another way).

I like it............now to find (or make) a shirt to wear with it :)

T-shirt Bag

2011-09-10T18:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know why but all of a sudden I am obsessed with making bags. I just checked out the book "The Feisty Stitcher" by Susan Wasinger at the library. I got thumbing through it and went straight to the thrift store and got a couple of old shirts to make this bag. It only took 1-2 hours. What fun! My husband said it looks "beachy" and I guess he is right :) I added an up-close photo of the stitched circles cut out to reveal the layer underneath-pretty cool :)

First sewing project (in like 10 years)

2011-09-09T16:31:00.001-07:00

Just a simple shoulder bag :)

Unwind

2011-08-31T17:19:00.000-07:00

Thats what I have been doing today........Unwinding. Thats the only thing that came to my mind this afternoon when I started to do my art journaling. I pictured a tightly wound spring. So thats what my focus was today :) Ahhhhh, feeling much better after my art time today!

Had more fun with the Gelliart plate today! I did some yesterday too but didn't post. I tried some Freezer paper with it and love that :) I am including my favorite print from today's batch. I tried some Cedar Canyon rubbing plates for the patterns.......ohhhhh! My new favorite thing to use with the GelliArt plate. I tell ya, this GelliArt thing is genius! Loving it!

Fabric Paper

2011-08-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Had some fun today making Fabric Paper.....as mentioned in Beryl Taylor's book Mixed Media Explorations. This was fun, and soooo different than I have done before. Gonna make this one into a book cover :)

This is embedded with patterned papers, vintage text and stamped images

Revisiting a former Love...............

2011-08-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Years ago I was quite the seamstress-I sewed and sewed like crazy. For my High School graduation I got a really nice Sewing machine from my folks. That machine was well loved and used. After I discovered stamping, my sewing became less and less frequent. Along came kids-and forget it. Especially after Gillian came along. Anyway-after years of being in storage, I got my beloved Singer out. Gillian and I made a drawstring bag to go along with a History lesson on Early People. My poor machine just was not sewing as well as it used to. I called to enquire about it being serviced. It would cost more to have it serviced than I could pick up a new one for (an inexpensive machine of course). So my husband told me to go ahead and get another. We were at the Sewing Center locally here yesterday and I was asking her about servicing my Singer and she said that Singer is just not the same company anymore and that many of the parts are not even available anymore because they destroyed old molds. My machine could be among those. So sad! After some of the things she told me a sense of panic overcame me. My overlock machine has also been in storage for a loooooooooong time-even longer than my Singer. So this morning I went and got it out and I am in the process of cleaning it and oiling it, praying that it functions well. I am optimistic! This machine costed ALOT. Gasp. I hope to soon have it up and running again . My daughter is extremely excited about learning to sew. That makes me more inclined to get this stuff up and running. I see some fun handbags, and mini art quilts in our future :)

The picture here is of my wonderful Elnita Lock machine, that I purchased many years ago at a very young age :) We are excited to have her out of hiding :)

Monoprints with Gelliart plate

2011-08-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

I have been dying to use this Gelliarts Gel Printing Plate I purchased a couple weeks ago. I have always wanted to do Gelatin prints-but I never seem to have room in my refrigerator to put a whole baking sheet in and besides, I have to wait for the plate to be ready! ugh! When I saw this thing I knew I had to have it-its always ready to go and takes up very little space and is always ready to go! So today , Gillian and I had fun making some monoprints and here are some of our results! Watch out for more! We have plans to use this for fabric too and whatever else we can get our hands on!

Some Fun Today

2011-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

or should I say the past few days? I have been dabbling a little bit in my art journal the past few days. I have not done it in so long and want to get back to it. I have been trying to make it a point to get some kind of creative time into my schedule again this week-and so far its been successful :) Its school time again, which means I have had to put my "teacher" hat back on and work with my daughter again. Its draining as I spend so much one on one time with her. I have made it a point to get some creative time after we have lunch everyday. Its been so refreshing to have some quiet time for myself :)

Anyway, this is an art journal page I created today!
I used:
Caran D'ache crayons, washi paper tape, masking tape, acrylics, sharpie marker, gesso, patterned paper, and sumi-e ink

Boooooooo!!

2011-08-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

I had some fun again with that wonderful Halloween Sheet! Isn't this spooky tree image amazing?? My background was made using Distress Stains! I used the Torn Frames and Drywall Stitching techniques from the Technique Junkies newsletter.

Trick or Treat Box

2011-08-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a small milk carton I made using the new Halloween Sheet from I Brake For Stamps! I grabbed the milk carton template here. For the Background I used the Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink Pad on a craft sheet and spritzed with water and smooshed the paper right into it. I used the Speckle image off the Grunge Backgrounds 2 sheet for some texture. This little box will be perfect for putting Candy Corns in :)

Scooter Card

2011-08-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE this cute scooter from I Brake For Stamps-have been dying to use it :)

GM#18

2011-08-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

I made this for the Grungy Monday Challenge #18 over at Studio L3. This week we were to use this challenge over at Tim's blog from 2009. My Focal point is an Art Pear from I Brake For Stamps. I used distress stains on Grungeboard before I stamped it to add some color. I also used these other stamps from I Brake For Stamps:

Holly's Tattered Background

Grunge Ornamental Heart

GM#17:We Do Not Remember Days.....

2011-07-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

Crackle close up

before Rock Candy and distress ink added to "age" the piece

This week at Studio L3 for the Grungy Monday #17 challenge we were to use Rock Candy -so I used the Rock Candy Crackle Paint, since that is what I had on hand :) This is a 6x6 canvas-but it had the staples on the sides so I hot glued some Grosgrain ribbon to the sides to cover them. Of course I added a piece of ribbon to hang the piece also! I used Acrylic Paint Dabbers for the background.

Stamps used are from I Brake For Stamps:
European Tile #2
We Do Not Remember

Crackly looking image from the Grunge Backgrounds Sheet

I added a facet to the bottom of the canvas to finish it off!

Grungy Monday #16-Grungeboard Extravaganza

2011-07-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

This week for the Grungy Monday Challenge over at Studio L3 its a Grungeboard Extravaganza!
I made a mini book from Grungepaper I cut using a Sizzix die of a File Folder (have had it forever!) for the covers and it has cardstock pages. I embossed the grungepaper with a cuttlebug folder and applied a white ranger paintdabber and sanded it off the raised areas then applied Peeled Paint Distress Ink. It needed more so I stamped images from I Brake For Stamps for more contrast. I cut out the center using Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four. I attached a grungeboard heart with mini staples and a washer that was distressed with Distress Powder. The Mona Lisa collage image is actually one I designed some time ago (grin) and she really called to me today, so I used her for the focal image. I used the Water Stamping technique over her using a background image of Postmarks :) It is put together with large jumprings :)

Stamp images used here:
Mystic Smile
Postmark Background
Collage text from This sheet
Harlequin background from this sheet
Postcard from this sheet

GM#15 & I Brake For Challenges #5

2011-07-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

I made this actually for 2 challenges! Grungy Monday Challenge #15 at Studio L3 and for the I Brake For Challenges #5! For Grungy Monday the challenge was to use this technique that resembles distressed enamel. I used this technique for the Center piece background. For I Brake For Challenges the theme was Summer Fun. The lawn chair I used here (from I Brake For Stamps) reminds me of the lazy days of summer :) This card is called a Telescoping Card and is a technique out of the June/July 2011 Technique Junkies Newsletter.
All stamps used here are from I Brake For Stamps:
Lawn Chair
Field of Daisies
Cheerful Thoughts
Grunge Backgrounds

Project for Quietfire Design

2011-07-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

I keep forgetting to post this! I did a project for Quietfire Design and the directions are here

GM #14

2011-07-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

For this week's Grungy Monday Challenge over at Studio L3 we were supposed to use Tim Holtz's technique from March 2008. Stamps here are from I Brake For Stamps .

I also added a facet at the top, attached to the ribbon that I stamped. I could not find my glossy accents at first so I just used Stickles so it sparkles :)

Grungy Monday 13-Alcohol Inks

2011-06-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

For this week's challenge for Grungy Monday over at Studio L3 we were to use Alcohol Inks!

They are among some of my favorite supplies! I found some Stampbord that I had forgotten I had, so I set out to use it today!

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps:

Lion Face

Ruler Background

As you can see from the closeup its very dimensional-3 layers of Stampbord :)

Grungy Monday #12

2011-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

This was a fun one! Over at Studio L3 we were supposed to use this technique for the challenge. I had this shallow shadow box thingy (not sure really what it is called) so I decided to do something with it today. Here is my result!

I used stamps from I Brake For Stamps:

Postage Stamp Background

Promise from Journaling sheet

Charming couple from the Photo Booth Sheet

Supplies used:

Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Espresso and pitch black

Chipboard

Rusty Wire

Rusty Key

Gesso (dry brushed to draw more attention to focal point)

Basic Grey paper

black cardstock

Old Text

Distress ink: Walnut Stain, Tea Dye

India Ink

Thanks for stopping by :)

I Brake For Challenges: Techniquing It Up

2011-06-17T12:19:00.001-07:00

This is for a brand new challenge-I Brake For Challenges! This week we were supposed to be using ANY technique. Being I got some new Acrylic Paint Dabbers I thought I would try a Tim Holtz Technique called Dabber Resist. This stamp is called Ornate Inchies Background and is from I Brake For Stamps

Grungy Monday 10: Distress Ink O'Rama

2011-06-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

For this weeks Grungy Monday Challenge over at Studio L3 we were challenged to use Distress inks! Being that I use them all the time, this was easy :)

I used a technique from the recent Technique Junkies Newsletter called Ghost in Distress. This is actually a Flip Flap Fold Card-the technique is on the Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD. It was fun to do something a little different today :)

Stamps used from I Brake For Stamps:

Pears

Script from ATC Sheet

Small Grungy Leaves

Also used some mini staples, Some of Tim's Kraft Glassine (behind pears) and some ribbon!

Grungy Monday 9:Shabby Chic

2011-06-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

This is my Contribution for the Grungy Monday Challenge #9 over at Studio L3.

I caved and went and bought some Acryic Paint Dabbers for this technique. I didn't think I would really need to, but I have seen so many cool techniques using them that I decided to pick them up :)

Anyway-really fun technique for sure!

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps and use these two sheets:

Leo's Art (one of my all time favorites)

and the mesh stamp from Beach Memoirs

Wednesday Stamper:Nest

2011-05-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Whew! at last some creative time! We just finished up our year of homeschool (yay!). Now hopefully I will get much more creative time :)

Anyway! This week at Wednesday Stamper the theme is "Nest." I broked out some stamps from I Brake For Stamps from the "For the Birds" sheet and made this ATC. I wish it would show up better in the scan but at the top and bottom I have gold leafing. It looks much better in real life :)

Theme Thursday-Numbers

2011-05-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

This wonderful Zebra image really spoke to me today, so I incorporated him into today's Theme Thursday Challenge! The theme was numbers so I grabbed one of my most favorite background stamps ever-the Numbers Background from I Brake For Stamps (in the Stampinback line).

I stamped the Zebra after I created the Color Blocked background with Distress inks. I really wanted him to stand out so I outlined him in graphite pencil and smudged it a bit. I then masked him and stamped the numbers in Gesso. It needed a little more so I grabbed a number stencil and used a black Pitt Pen to stencil it on.

Grungy Monday 7!

2011-05-16T13:32:00.001-07:00

This week's challenge is distress ink colorblocking! Stamps used are from I Brake For Stamps :)

The faces are from the Stampinback line and the text is from the Time To Stamp line.

Added a little semi-circle of Gesso, to connect it all together and add to the grunginess :)

Tag Tuesday-Blue and Green

2011-05-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite colors! I love working with these colors! Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps!

The background consists of layers of old text with Gesso, along with Distress Stains and Distress inks. Needless to say my hands are pretty well inked and gessoed!

The flowers are from I Brake For Stamps also-they are Wild Orchid Crafts Flowers and are just gorgeous. I placed decorative brads in the center and used Rust Alcohol ink to give them a little color.

Theme Thursday: Vintage

2011-04-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

This week's theme at Theme Thursday is "Vintage." Here I used a Vintage type photo stamp from I Brake For Stamps from the With Love sheet. The word "Love" is from the Journaling sheet found here (I love it-all sorts of great works in a cool type :) For this theme I used several other things that are vintage-paper, lace, and a very old gummed label. I colored in the photo image with a combination of Caran D'ache crayons mixed with water, and colored pencils blended with Gamsol. The frame around the Image is a piece of HVAC tape adhered to cardstock and ran through the good ole Grand Calibur using a Tim Holtz Embossing folder. For the aged look, I applied some black gesso over it, let it dry, and sanded off the raised areas. I also applied some rust colored alcohol ink to give it a little more age, but it is very subtle. Print paper is from Basic Grey.
As a side note-I used some Scor-tape for the first time today. Oh My! Its now my favorite tape-that stuff is GOOD!!!! I highly recommend it!

Wednesday Stamper:More Than Words

2011-04-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

I guess I was in the animal mood today............both of these images spoke to me :)

Images are from I Brake For Stamps .

art journal entry-feeling balanced

2011-04-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling soooooooooo balanced and truly happy lately.................:)

ingredients used here: Caran D'ache crayons, watered down acrylics, printed image of scale, graphite pencil, Sumi-e ink, printed paper

Daily Life Collage

2011-04-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I just did an exercise this morning out of the book Collage Journeys by Jane Davies. Added color with a red Caran D'ache crayon

Art Journal Page-Mixing Things Up

2011-04-23T15:38:00.001-07:00

This one was soooooooo fun to do..........grabbed a fashion magazine and a magazine on rabbits and went to town!

Other ingredients are Caran D'ache crayons, printed papers, graphite pencil, sumi-e ink and titanium white acrylic paints

Grungy Monday # 4

2011-04-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

This is my submission for this week's Grungy Monday Challenge using Texture Fades embossing folders!

I LOVE using the Tim Holtz Embossing Folders-they are my favorite :) Stamp image is from I Brake For Stamps .

I used a Wild Orchid Crafts Flower for an embellishment. I purchased some of these and it seemed like a perfect embellishment for this tag. I inked it up a little bit with some Tea Dye ink.

These flowers are amazing! I am not much of a "flower" girl, but I had to see these for myself after I heard that each one is individually handmade. They are gorgeous! I Brake For Stamps is the distributor for them here in the US. Check them out here

Art Journal Page -its about the process

2011-04-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have had such a huge creative block for so long........I guess it takes "exercise" to get it going again. I need to make sure I am getting a little bit of art time each day, like I used to. I used to be able to sit right down and get right at it, and the creativity just is not flowing like it used to, darn it! I remember well a wise friend, Kelly Kilmer, once told me that its important to do something each day to keep it going. I know she was right, because it worked before :)

I dug out one of my art journaling books and did an exercise out of it and this is the result. I kept telling myself that its all about the process, not necessarily the result. I feel like I am starting at the bottom again. I want to get back on track so I can create just the way I did before. I can see that is going to take lots of effort. Ah well, I will get there.

I guess my daily walks were on my mind as I did this page. Walking each day has brought me lots of joy-I enjoy it so much.

Art journal play day: Good Heart

2011-04-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

I have longed to play around in my art journal for a LONG time and just have NOT had the umph to do it at all (heavy sigh). But for the past week I have been feeling SO good. I mean, really REALLY good. The hormones have kicked in and I have been taking really good care of myself. Wow, what a difference. I don't even feel like the same person I have been the past couple years. I have more energy and such a good outlook on everything-nothing can get me down (and I won't let it!). I am like, seriously, GIDDY happy. Its amazing!

Today I felt especially inspired so I went and dug out my art journal. Actually I started playing in it yesterday, and went back to it to finish the page. I have my supplies laying all over..........and my daughter has been doing art right along side me today. Anyway, here's today's art journal page, with a quote from Dalai Lama. My, how I adore Dalai Lama-what a great, wise man he is.

For this page I used:

Caran D'Ache Pencils, watercolors,

gouche paints, Stabilo pencil, stencils, found papers, patterned packing tape, and a Pitt Pen.

I'm a Chocoholic

2011-04-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

I guess you can tell what I have been thinking about today! Chocolate. (Insert Happy Sigh here).

There is nothing quite like chocolate (another sigh). I have not had much chocolate lately-and seeing these stamps reminded me of that. I think I need some, don't you? LOLI have been an extra extra good girl-doing really good on my HEALTHY diet. I think I have eaten so much Broccoli and other veggies that I have them growing out my ears! A girl needs chocolate once in a while! Rules are meant to be broken, right? LOL

I made this first by slapping some Gesso all over this tag, applying some text, and some Distress Inks. It was not quite as vibrant in color as I would like, so I drug out my Caran D'ache crayons (love love love) and scribbled them on and rubbed them with my fingers to get the look I wanted. I did the same for the background on the "Chocolholic" image and I adhered that to grunge paper and inked around the edges.

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps:

Chocolate Set (Embossing Arts line)

Swirls (Stampinback)

Holly's Tattered Background

Easter Card

2011-04-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

I know this is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy cutesy for me-but it was so fun to do :) I made this for my two little nieces for Easter-I do hope they like it. I colored the image with Copic Markers and added some Stickles glitter glue and pearls to the egg. Image is from I Brake For Stamps and the image is called "Hatching Cat" and it makes me giggle :) Phrase on the inside is also from I Brake For Stamps and can be found here

Grungy Monday Challenge #1

2011-03-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have been looking forward to this challenge, that replaces the Compendum of Curiosities challenge that I caught the tail end of. I am so glad there is another one for Monday-I really enjoyed participating in the CC challenge so much!

This week we are supposed to use Tim Holtz's Day 10 of his 12 tags of Christmas-from 2008!

Here's my take on it :)

Images used here are all from I Brake For Stamps:

Little girl from the Photobooth sheet (one of my most favorite sheets of all) "ephemera" text from the Wendy's Faves sheet

Speckle stamp from the Grunge Backgrounds #2

Torn paper from the Surprise sheet

Belle Jardin

2011-03-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around just a little bit with the new Tim Holtz Distress Stains :)

Images here are from I Brake For Stamps.

Paris Card and a Ramble

2011-03-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

It was fun to take a little time today and stamp. I needed some creative time!

The past few weeks have NOT been pleasant. Sigh. But honestly, I am feeling betterthan I have in months now. My doctor discovered that I am in.........ugh........Menopause! At 40!!!! She was dumbfounded. I wondered why I have been feeling so strange for like a year-worse in like the last 3-4 months. I just have felt stressed out, uninspired, etc (but then again months of almost NO sleep can do that to ya too). I never realized it could be hormones! GEEZ!! Further tests have been run and it seems I have some sort of autoimmune disease. So now onto another doctor. But, I am taking one day at a time. Between the high blood pressure, life changes I have made and now this, I just want a break before moving onto another doctor and dealing with more tests, etc. I had not stopped to realize I wasn't even enjoying the simple things in life, like blue skies, snow capped mountains, etc. That made me sad. But, onto the next right? I can only look forward. Thank goodness for hormone pills!!!! I seriously thought I had lost my mind!

Anyway, had to get that out LOL

Stamps used here (All I Brake For Stamps):

Paris Collage from this sheet

Holly's Tattered Background

Background from this sheet

Distress inks used:

Black Soot

Tea Dye

Aged Mohagany

Brushed Corduroy

Fired Brick

Embossing Folder is The Collage One found here . I know its kinda backwards, but I used a technique called "Texture Plate Smoosh" from the Jan 2011 Technique Junkies newsletter for this and I think it adds interest being that way :)

more new images

2011-03-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some more new images from I Brake For Stamps that I got to play with :)

The new stamps can be seen here

Sneak Peek-Bird Hat Lady

2011-03-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

This is a new stamp image coming from I Brake For Stamps that I got to play with this past week :)

Compendum of Curiosities Challenge # 34-Dimensional Collage Fragments

2011-03-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

I found this old metal frame I have had like forever, and applied alcohol inks to it. I had already stamped out the bird and background from I Brake For Stamps on a piece of Glossy Cardstock that I made a background on using Alcohol inks. I added some bits I had in my stash that also I applied Alcohol inks to. I guess I was kinda Alcohol Ink crazy today :)

I am going to make this into a magnet

Throwing Up The Red Flag

2011-02-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have part of the day alone today. Wow. How nice is this? And at such a much needed time, too.

Today is a bit of a celebration. Last tuesday at my doctor appointment my blood pressure was high to begin with. After my news, it shot up over 200 (not sure what the bottom number was-cannot remember-but I do know it was over 100 something). Two days later when I visited again, still very high. She started me on my meds and this is my third day on them-I am now happy to report as of this morning my BP is 121/84. YES!!!!! I feel REALLY good. I feel calm and happy. Even though the other news I received was bad, my first priority is getting my blood pressure down. I didn't know it could cause so much damage. My husband told me last night to NOT get myself stressed out over my blood pressure now-it will make it worse!LOL I realized yesterday that I hyperventilate constantly-apparently that increases anxiety. I am the type that runs constantly-I rarely sit down. Always going going going. When I was at the library, I picked up a book about anxiety. It talked about these relaxation techniques and one of them is breathing deeply-3 secs in and 3 secs out. I tried it and WOW what a difference. Seriously. I never realized I hadn't been breathing deeply. So now I am training myself to do that. I have to train myself to do alot, actually. Lots of things outside my comfort zone ( like asking for help). Today I am so thankful I have a wonderful doctor who cared about me enough to call me back into her office just to tell me that I NEED to take better care of myself, or else! Thinking today of the things I HAVE to do inspired me to do a piece of art today-sort of like a mini journal page. I want to put this in a place where I can look at it each day and REMEMBER these things.

Here is my list :

BREATHE deeply

Go for a walk

Let things go

Ask for Help

Watch a funny movie

Go to the Library ( a place that I love)

Imperfection is okay

Call a friend

When I thought of these things, I realized, ya know, someone else may need this too. Don't we all need these reminders sometimes? I need these every day.

My goals for this week is to learn to ask for help (thats the hard part-I don't know who to ask, really) and to accept imperfection. To walk past the sink of dishes, or the rug that is out of place (two of my very big peeves).

Ingredients used here:
Acrylic paints, patterned paper, stabilo pencil, Prismacolor pencil, and a sharpie :)

Made a tag and a vent

2011-02-26T10:48:00.000-08:00

I had to get in and do something artsy-its been since Monday since I have done anything creative and I need this more than ever. I got some new Copic Markers and had to give them a whirl. This stamp was the first one I grabbed, so I decided to give it a go.

I pretty much went with the flow today-I loved Shelly's Gesso AI technique so wanted to do that one again. Oh, and the adorable stamp is from I Brake For Stamps, from the Winged Whimsy stamp sheet that I can proudly say I designed, many years ago :)

I told myself I would not blog about this. But, Its like a journal right? I think it would be therapeutic to blog about it, and I can also mark my progress so that I can look back at it later on. On tuesday I went in for a routine exam. First off, my blood pressure was moderately high. My stress level has been through the roof lately-coupled with anxiety attacks. In the middle of the exam I was notified that doctor had found a LUMP. Yes, A LUMP. I don't need to say where. I FREAKED out. REALLY. My blood pressure shot up over 200 after they informed me of it. She gave me something to calm my nerves (absolutely necessary). They were so concerned that hours later after the visit the nurse called me and said that she wanted to see me again to check my blood pressure. It was still very high, so they had to put me on BP meds. I am 40! 40!!!! I have never met anyone 40 years old on BP meds. She also sat me down and told me I need to make changes-I have kids, a house, etc. She knows I have mega stress in my life. To say it was a wake up call is mild. I am scared stiff. So now, I am trying to enjoy life a little more. Trying not to get stressed. Doctor said alot of my stress has to do with my personality (I am a perfectionist and everything has to be just right). I need to let things go, and in a BIG way. I hate being a perfectionist! But now I have no choice.

As for the lump, I am trying to be positive. I know it could be nothing at all. But, the scary thing is, my Mother in Law died of this (gulp, the "C" word)10 years ago. Recently, I have had a friend (also 40) who just went through treatments for that "C" word.

I have some friends in the medical field who are checking with me on a regular basis and I am checking my blood pressure several times a day (yes, I am very paranoid). I am trying to relax. I need to LAUGH more (doctors orders, literally). I have been so tensed up the past couple months I have not even truly been able to enjoy life. I have honestly tried to, but apparently but not enough to bring the BP down I guess). Not to be a downer-really. I am just venting. But this has opened my eyes so much. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am given this challenge for some reason, I don't know why. Maybe someday I will have to help someone overcome the same challenge (s)? I don't know. But I am determined to get through this. I look back at all my other challenges, and I survived those. I can do this too. But I know I really need to take this seriously.

Fun With ATC's-Bottlecaps

2011-02-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

Its been a looooooooooong time since I have done anything with bottlecaps!

I ran across the Fun With ATC's challenge today and decided to play. I feel like I am on a roll today :)

Main image is from IBFS and can be found on this wonderful Faux Postage Sheet . I LOVE these images for small items :) The image is stamped onto patterned paper (My Minds Eye).

I embossed an atc with HVAC metal tape using two Tim Holtz embossing folders then I applied some alcohol inks. I also applied alcohol inks to the flattened bottle cap. :)

CCC#33:Altered Metal Alcohol Inks

2011-02-21T14:04:00.001-08:00

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Got to dig into the ole Assemblage junk bins for this fun challenge!

For this I decided to make a small assemblage.

I The image is stamped in black india ink, then I added some Sepia Accents to attach it to a Fragment piece. It was not discolored enough for me, so I added a little bit of Caramel alcohol ink to the fragment piece to add just a little bit more "age". The center frame thingy is something I had gotten years ago at the dollar store. I cut out the center to make more of a frame for the main image that it was originally. It was originally supposed to have a place to just inset something into it-didn't work for me so I did it my way :)

the focal image is a stamp image from I Brake For Stamps and can be located here

And just an FYI (in case you are visiting and aren't participating in the CCC challenges)-If you don't own Tim's book I think you SHOULD!!! Its amazing-all the pics are amazing and the techniques are all so fun!

IBFS has it on clearance here

Blogger's Challenge-Embossing

2011-02-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

After seeing this tutorial by my friend Shelly Hickox I knew I had to participate in the Bloggers Challenge of Embossing. I used both kinds of embossing for this and we were supposed to use either :)

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps, the Photo Booth Plate from the Time to Stamp line :) Its always been one of my favorites :)

Compendum of Curiosities #32

2011-02-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

This weeks Challenge at the CCC is page 59 of Tim's book-Masking. Oh how I love masking :)

The charm is done also using one of Tim's Techniques, Chipped Enamel. And there's a little bit of water stamping too :)

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps:

Les Miserables

Playing Cards Background

Book Page

Intertwining Hearts

2011-02-14T16:30:00.001-08:00

I made this valentine today using an image called "Intertwining Hearts" from I Brake For Stamps. I knew I needed to color this image in to make it really pop so I did something new today-I used Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. The Hearts were stamped out separately and I used foam tape to make them pop out.

Valentine Suitcase

2011-02-14T12:21:00.000-08:00

So for Valentine's Day today my daughter and I have been doing allllll Valentines Day stuff today. We joined a homeschool group and on thursday is the Valentines Day Party.

They wanted everyone to make some sort of "Mailbox" to put their valentines in.

So this is what Gillian and I did today-we made a "Suitcase" mailbox out of a cereal box :)

Treat Bags

2011-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make something to give a few friends of mine for Valentines Day-so I grabbed my Grand Nestabilities Labels One to use for bag toppers. Everyone loves chocolate right? Of course! So I figured that would be a fun giftie for my friends.

Here are the stamps (from I Brake For Stamps ) I used:

Valentine's Day

Grunge Ornamental Heart

Lace background from the With Love Sheet

Sneak Peeks

2011-02-08T09:56:00.001-08:00

These are some images coming this week from I Brake For Stamps :) Aren't they gorgeous?

The Rose is actually pieced with a piece of magazine page that I liked. The card shape is cut out using the Grand Nestabilities Labels One. The lacy image is from the With Love Sheet from the Time To Stamp line. the bottom layer is printed paper (7 gypsies I believe, but have had that for quite some time).

The Pillow box is a template I got from here and I just cut it out of plain white cardstock and inked it all up with Distress ink in Tea Dye. The Large Leaf Flourish was stamped in Weathered Wood. Behind the focal image is a piece of grunge paper that has been painted with Gesso then inked in Weathered wood.

Geisha

2011-02-02T15:00:00.001-08:00

As you probably noticed, I don't do asian much. I admire it greatly but it's generally just not my thing. But over the years, I have acquired ALOT of gorgeous washi papers and asian embellishments-they are at the back of my storage area so they get overlooked.

I was looking for a stamp to use today, to try out a few copic markers and this image just stood out to me. I colored her face with Copics and the rest of her is pieced .

Image is from I Brake For Stamps in the Time To Stamp Collection and can be found here

Compendum of Curiosities Challenge 29

2011-01-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

I have not played with grungeboard too much-It was fun to dig it out and play today-I love experimenting :) I started with plain grungeboard. I cut it with a Nestabilities die then embossed it with an embossing folder. I don't have any Paint Dabbers but I have loads of acrylics so thats what I used here :) Behind the fragment that the image is stamped on, I used alcohol inks on Glossy paper to make a background.

Stamp is from I Brake For Stamps from the "For The Birds" plate in the Time To Stamp line.

Also on the small tag I stamped the Leaf Flourish Xlg

Cards by my daughter

2011-01-24T15:08:00.000-08:00

My daughter is 8 and was really looking forward to stamping now that our table is cleared off :)

We did some backgrounds with distress inks (I should say SHE did)-that was our art lesson today. I also taught her how to use watercolor pencils and blend them with a water brush (The alien card). I let her crank my Grand Calibur machine-she herself picked out which dies she wanted to cut with. She did great :)

Stamps are from I Brake For Stamps.

The Beginnings of Something

2011-01-22T15:06:00.001-08:00

Not sure what happened to me today, except I got some sudden inspiration. I started an assemblage-something I have wanted to do again for a while, but just had no inspiration. The past year or so , things that have happened in my life, have just left me with very little inspiration. I have been struggling with it in a baaaaaaaaad way. Have you ever had the desire to do it, but just flat out NO inspiration or, at the same time, drive to even try?

I mean, I have done loads of stamping-that has been more of a creative outlet. I am grateful I have even been able to do that. But I have wanted to do more than just stamping.

Thats where I have been at. For. A. Year. {seriously though, it was truly one of the worst years of my entire life} It honestly makes me SO sad. At one time I was doing this stuff ALL the time. I lived for it. I would do this for HOURS each day while my kids were in school {which as some of you know, that situation has changed.}

Today, something happened. Not sure what , really. I do know one thing though-I cleaned my art table!! I found things I forgot I had! It is not cluttered with stuff anymore, or bags, or bits of paper. It was liberating!

As I stood there admiring what I had done, suddenly I got the drive to do something. I am now asking myself, is that all I needed to do? sheesh! Thing is, all these months I had no drive to even clean my art table. Till yesterday. I was in there doing some things (had to move stuff around to be able to even work at the table) and my daughter said "I wish we could do art together" with very sad eyes. Oh.my. goodness .I HAD to do something today. It was first on the list! So now, we can do art together.

So I started getting an idea in my head, and I started. It still has a loooooooooong way to go, and honestly, not sure where its going to end up. I have some ideas floating. So with that, I will go with it!

I am proud of myself for starting something.

Each year for the past several years I have entered an art show for miniature works. Just the other day I was thinking about it, and realized I probably would not be entering this year. {sob}.

But I got the prospectus the other day and I still have a couple months. Is this fate? Possibly.

Sentimental Journey

2011-01-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

Tried a technique from Tim Holtz's Compendum of Curiosities today using some brass charms (I have LOTS of them laying around). I can see I will now put them to better use! I also dyed some cheesecloth with Tea Dye ink.

Stamp is from I Brake For Stamps and can be found here

I was in the mood to use a stamp with a bike-not sure why. Must be the kid in me :)

Compendum of Curiosities #28-Colorful Layered Fragments

2011-01-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

I just ran across this challenge and decided to have a play! I have a large baggie full of these Fragments, so it was nice to use them for a change, since its been a while :)

Poppy Collage Stamp is from I Brake For Stamps-Isn't it just gorgeous?

This Poppy Collage really spoke to me today as I was searching for a stamp to use for this technique!

Wrong Handed Portraits

2011-01-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Sketching with your non-dominant hand sure takes some control..........wow. I was amazed at how difficult it was. But here's my first try. My daughter has become ill and she fell asleep on the couch-so I just drew her while she slept :) It shows part of her face, because the other part was covered by her blanket. I will have to do more, to get more practice. But for my first go at it I didn't think it came out too bad.

Birthday Card

2011-01-17T11:49:00.001-08:00

I have to admit, I make alot of cards but am really bad about actually sending them out. One of those is Birthday cards. I never seem to have any on hand! So one of my resolutions, is to send out more handmade birthday cards this year ( only to those who appreciate them, of course).

I used a new technique called "Pencil Resist" from the lates Technique Junkies newsletter for this one.

I used these stamps from I Brake For Stamps:

Birthday Sheet

Birthday Background

For the shape of the card I used the new Grand Nestabilities Labels One

remember to use SAVE10KRISTY at I Brake For Stamps for an additional 10% off :)

The Pulse over at the Altered Page

2011-01-16T10:03:00.000-08:00

Collections or Obsessions is today's post over at the Altered Page-be sure to have a look see-I am mentioned there about my collection (or should I say obsession) of papers :)

Seth's blog is FULL of inspiration. Be sure to check it out -its a MUST see!

Imaginary Creatures

2011-01-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

Had lots of fun this afternoon making Imaginary Creatures! This is yet another exercise in Carla Sonheim's wonderful book. It was freeing to just let my mind run wild. I don't exactly know what these creatures are-but it was sure fun creating them :)

Blind Contour Drawings

2011-01-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

More drawing fun today with Carla Sonheim's book. Blind Contour drawings are when you look at the picture and draw just by looking at it without looking down at your paper.

This exercise uses some serious hand-eye coordination!

Here are some of my favorites-colored in with watercolors.

Here Kitty Kitty.....

2011-01-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

So last week for my big ole 40th (OMG did I really just admit that?) birthday, I got Carla Sonheim's Drawing Lab book. I have been thumbing through it alot in the evening when I am lying on the couch, too tired to do much else. Anyway, I have been dying to try some of the exercises in there. Today has been extremely stressful so I thought today would be a great day to try, to get my mind off things. So I gave it a whirl. I have to admit, I am NOT a cat person. I don't hate them but I am more of a dog person. But it was fun drawing cats-I drew a bunch but here are just a couple of my favorites. I added some color to them with colored pencils. I love how imperfect and funky they came out :)

TMTA-Heads

2011-01-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't played in the TMTA challenge for a while........so I thought I would play along this week. This week's theme is Heads and I knew right away which image I would be using :)

All images are from I Brake For Stamps from the Stampinback collection.

Notice her pearl earrings?

Live Laugh Love

2011-01-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

Had some fun with my new set of Grand Nestabilities today-I was dying to try them out :)

Stamps used here ( I Brake For Stamps) are as follows:

Live Laugh Love

Bookpage

Basic Elements

Background is created with Oil Pastels and Gesso

More Michelangelo

2011-01-05T13:59:00.001-08:00

LOVING these images! I started this last week but got busy and coudn't finish till today.

Just got my new Spellbinder's Grand Calibur so got to play today. WOW. Amazing machine-where has it been all my life?Anyway-here are the images I used:

Grunge Backgrounds

Michelangelo 4

Beauty is Inside

All from I Brake For Stamps

I used several Spellbinders dies and also some vintage paper. I LOVED the natural patina of the paper and the tears-it seemed to really go well with the feel of this card. On the background (behind main image) I dry brushed a little bit of gesso.

Fun with new Phone Apps

2011-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I have never been one to be all about the "bells and whistles" of fancy cell phones. I just had a simple pay-as-you go phone, that allowed me to take basic pictures and send texts (which I do ALOT). My phone enabled me to keep in touch with many friends, especially since my life is so crazy. Anyway, I have a birthday (gulp-its a BIG one) coming this next week. I have been saving my Swagbucks for months along with other money here and there. I was oringally planning on getting an iTouch so I could use cool apps and have music on it. Then, I happened upon a Samsung Intercept Android phone that I can use with my Pay-As-You go plan (I am super frugal-i have to be). Anyway, after really researching this I jumped and bought this phone, because it does everything I wanted in the iTouch, plus I can use it as a phone. Anyway, I think I was MOST excited about all the apps that are available. I downloaded the kewlest vintage camera apps-OMG, can you say addicting? Here are a couple I have taken. I have my cool Lomo and Holga cameras, but this just takes it all to a new level. I am in LOVE.

Maybe this fun phone will take the pain of my big {gulp} Birthday. loooooooooong, depressing..........sigh.

(PS-thats a jar of our garden carrots,my teenage son who looks so thrilled, and the dog is my sweet little Sumo)

Michelangelo-Creation of Adam

2010-12-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have long loved Michelangelo's piece "Creation of Adam." I was so excited to see that I Brake For Stamps now has a stamp of them in the Stampinback line :) I did a great background several days ago called "Salty Glimmers" from the latest Technique Junkies newsletter and had to let it air dry. I used Color Mist Sprays and rock salt :)

Its a fun technique and they always come out different-and I love that! Around the image of the hands I dry brushed a little bit of white gesso-its not all that easy to see in the scan though. The paper underneath the hand is french text and I used a graphite pencil to draw lines through the text then brushed on some gesso to make the text more subtle.

Stamps used are:

Michelangelo 6

Holly's Tattered Background

use my code SAVE10KRISTY to get an additional 10% off :)

Art Journal Play day

2010-12-28T15:59:00.001-08:00

I have been aching to get out all my supplies and just PLAY. I have not gotten my hands in paint in much too long. Its cheap therapy and soooooooo soothing. Now that Christmas is out of the way and the kids are occupied with their new toys, I got to dig out my supplies, crank up 80's music and mess around.

Supplies used:

Hand-carved leaf stamp (pictured)

Gesso

Acrylics

ink jet photo of tree brushed with light coats gesso

Stabilo pencil

Cemetary Angel from Collagestuff.com

Distress ink (Peeled paint)

As I was working on this it needed something around the edges to finish it off and bring everything together. I rummaged through my old hand-carved stamps (I have hundreds) that I did many moons ago and it just spoke to me. Its amazing to me how it pulled everything together so nicely. I stamped it in Gesso then let dry. I then added ink because it was just too white and it needed a light color. I went around it with the Stabilo pencil.

Ordered the Grand Calibur

2010-12-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

So I have been eyeing the new Spellbinders Grand Calibur since it came out. With Gift Cards and money from Xmas I bit the bullet and ordered it this morning :) Should be fun. There is so much I love about it, and I know I will put it to good use. I LOVE that you can put a whole sheet of paper in there without cutting it down, so I can cut more at one time if I wanted.

Anyone else own one?

Michelangelo Images

2010-12-21T16:45:00.001-08:00

I didn't think I would actually get ANY time at all for some creative fun, but I told my kids to go out in play (in the rain) and leave me alone for a while :)

Anyway-I have been dying to play with some new Michelangelo images from I Brake For Stamps. I used a new technique from the most recent TJ Newsletter under the Michelangelo image called "Texture Plate Smoosh" using Fiskars texture plates.

Images used:

Michelangelo 3

X-Large Leaf Flourish

Freddie Frog Scrabble Charm

2010-12-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

I had the idea to use a digital image on a scrabble tile and it worked out just great!

This is Freddie the Frog Prince sized down to fit on the scrabble tile and painted in with watercolor pencils. I added some Stickles Glitter Glue to add sparkle to his crown.

My daughter has been eyeing this one, so I will probably give it to her :)

Digital image is from I Brake For Digis