Layers of Color SALE!!

Good Morning.  Are any of you shopping this weekend??

Well then you will want to know about a fabulous sale over at Layers of Color Blog.  Hop on over and find out more about the SALE and an Operation Write Home Blog Hop!  OH, and you can also get a FREE digital image of the sentiment I used on my projects below, from Layers of Color.  It was beautifully designed by Nina Brackett - Crafting in Croatia. 
It reads "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord"  Ps 33:12

In a gesture to support our troops, 10% of all sales this 3-day weekend will be donated to Operation Write Home.  Laura over at Layers of Color is sooooo generous.

Here are a few projects I created using Layers of Color "Gothic Crosses".

I love patriotic holidays because it reminds us to take a moment from our hectic lives and remember those who have and do defend this great nation. They sacrifice so much so that we can be free. And we often take it for granted.

Technique : Stamping on Clay

I created this first Gothic Cross project using sculpey clay. I had lots of fun doing this. And I have to tell you, I am no expert. I'm just one of those gals who just does it. So when the sculpey stuck to my stamp, I tried spraying it with cooking oil. Worked perfectly! I'm sure there is a better way to do this, but hey, it worked for me.  So begin by softening your clay.  Roll it through a Pasta Maker to flatten.  Stamp your image in the clay.  Use and X-acto knife to trim it out.  Place on a baking sheet and follow package direction.

We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful country and need to continually pray for those who defend it and for God's protection.  We also need to pray for our leaders.

 I used a swirly from Layers of Colors "Nature Walk" on the background.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Published!! in Stamper's Sampler!

I have submitted sooooo many times, so I am really excited that FINALLY, I have my second publication!

Stamper's Sampler had a "Crazy for Chartreuse" challenge for their June/July issue and I'm thrilled to be a part of it!

To create these cards I used "3 Flying Girls" by Lost Coast Rubber Stamps.  If you like collage style stamps, you will love this company!  Check out their catalog HERE.  You can order online from the catalog.  You can find some "Alice in Wonderland" and some vintage style portraits, people in the NEW section.  And these "Chess Pieces" - people are really fun!

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with me!

Creative Belli Challenge #92 - Flat Embellishments

Hello.  Wow I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I posted.   Good to be back.  This is Creative Belli Challenge week.  This challenge blog inspires you to use up OLD embellishments you have laying around.  And I have tons of them because I'm a hoarder.  So the Creative Belli Challenges are perfect for me.

This week the challenge is to use FLAT EMBELLISHMENTS and the SKETCH provided over at the Creative Belli Blog.  You can use stickers, rub-ons, die's, or anything else flat you are hoarding.  I chose rub-on sentiments by Making Memories.  There was actually a date on the package.  They are from 2004!  I've been hoarding for a very long time, teehee.

Stamps : Stampers Anonymous (scalloped border collage), Cornish Heritage Farms (polka dots), and Layers of Color Joyful Noise (butterfly) and Nature Walk (swirly)

Ink : Brilliance Rocket Red, VersaMagic Oasis Green.

Quickutz Swirly die

Rub-on Sentiments - Making Memories

I recently placed an order for some of the cool 3-D items over at Creative Cuts and More and decided to sticker one of those up as well. 

This particular gift bag is "Tuck and Close Bag #2-XL ".  I chose Coral - Stardream Chiara.  It's the shimmery pale coral color.  So I selected glittery stickers by K&Company to embellish it.  What I love about Creative Cuts and More is that you get to select from a HUGE variety of paper types and colors.  And with all the pre-scored lines, it took only minutes to create.

See ya next time!

Belli Challenge #91 - Hole Punchs

Good Morning.  Today is Creative Belli Challenge day!! 

The Belli Challenge is all about using up your OLD STUFF and FORGOTTEN TREASURES!!!!

We would love for you to join us.

Tip : How to create a circular background using hole punches

This week we are using those hole punches that have been collecting dust.  I had to search for this tool.  I haven't use my Making Memories Eyelet Setter in years!  I have a Crop-a-dile as well and honestly don't use it very much either.  But, I'm glad I saved my MM Eyelet Setter, because it comes with 3 different tip/hole sizes.  So I was able to create a fun background using mine.

I started out with an inexpensive circle template I purchased a long time ago in the drafting departement at a local office supply store.  I used a pencil to lighty draw various size circles.  I used these pencil lines as guidelines to punch my holes.  So, I am glad I hung onto this tool.  The Crop-a-dile would not have been able to reach this far in.

 Making Memories Instant Setter 

                                                         

You can play along with us over at the Creative Belli Challenge Blog.

This week our sponsor is Sew Many Cards.  They are offering up a great prize that you can check out over at Creative Belli!  I used this cute "Olliver" digital image.  This set comes with several matching digi sentiments as well.

You can check him out over at Sew Many Cards.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Crafty Secrets - Birthday Kids

This set is so cute!

Stamps : Crafty Secrets Birthday Kids

Colorization : Copic MarkersInks - Brilliance and Palette

Patterned Paper : October Afternoon

Tools : Spellbinders oval and scalloped oval dies, Fiskars border punch,

deckles scissors

Trim and punch paper as shown. Distess edges with ink. Secure all paper together as shown. Stamp images and color with Copic Markers. Secure images poppin heads up a little. Add pompom fiber.

Are you a fan of Crafty Secrets??  You can check out all my Crafty Secrets Projects HERE.

Crafty Secrets Sew Special Set

Good Morning!  I'm so excited to share with you that I was chosen to be the Guest Designer over at ABC Toys and Crafts this week!  Don't be fooled by the name.  The tools they sell are "our kinda toys", teehee!!  You know how I love Crafty Secrets, right !??   Well, they sell Crafty Secrets and many other stamp manufacturers.  Plus lots of other cool stuff like Spellbinders, border punches, copics, ink ...

Today I'm sharing a layout and card I designed using Crafty Secrets "Sew Special".

I created my own embellishments and background DP using the stamps.  The floral DP is from one of Crafty Secrets Paper Pads.  Don't you just love the faux stitching.  Thank goodness I have faux stitching, because I would be lost on a sewing machine, teehee.  

Tip / Technique : Modeling Paste

I added some texture with a fabric swatch and some modeling paste (see the circle cluster along the bottom). It's really easy to work with the modeling paste and it adds so much texture to your work.  Lay a metal dry embossing stencil over your paper.  Use a spackling knife or old credit card to smear the modeling paste over the stencil until the holes are filled.  Clean off your knife and go across the stencil again, smoothing off the top.  Let dry.  Now just rub over with inks or paints.  You can sand it as well.   I happen to have 2 brands of modeling paste.  They both seem to work well.  The first one is by Liquitex and you can purchase it at a local craft store in the artist section.  The second is called an Embossing Paste and it is made by Dream Weaver.  Dream Weaver sells their own line of metal emobossing stencils as well.  I like doing this so much, I'm going to be on the look out for more patterns that would look good in the background of my work.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday card

Good Morning!  Today I'm sharing one of Sweet 'n Sassy's digital images Chocoholic.   I needed another birthday card, so I had to create my own sentiment in a word document.  Looking at this makes me hungry, teehee.  It's been soooo long since I've had chocolate, but I've lost 20lbs!!  So it has been worth the to resist.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melisa

You can view more of my projects using Digital Images / Stamps HERE.

You can view more of my Sweet N Sassy projects HERE.

You can view more of my Birthday project HERE.

Thank YOU !

This Hero Arts thank you was designed for a challenge over at the ABC Design Team Blog.
 I stamped it on watercolor paper in VersaFine Onyx Black and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then I began coloring with H2O watercolor paints.  I lightly applied water before adding color so that it went on smoothly and dabbed with a paper towel when I applied too much.  I used my Label 5 Nestabilities and then distressed the edges with black ink an eyeshadow applicator.  I used a background stamp by Great Impression Scroll and Leaf on purple cardstock.  I really like how lavender and olive green look together.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Birthday Card DONE! Woowhooooo!

So I have a little birthday card club going on this year, where I send them out to not just family and real life friends.  But I'm sending them out to tons of cyber friends as well.  Something new I'm doing this year and I have to say my plan is working well.  I have pre-addressed all the envelopes and wrote the birthday where the stamp goes.  Then I filled them in order in a basket.  At a glance I can see which date is coming up next.  If I had not organized it at the beginning of the year, I would have never followed thorugh.  So far, so good.  So now I just have to decide who gets this one.  Hopefully it will bring a smile to someone's face!

Isn't that 1/2 circle cute.  It's a little sprial bound booklet of papers you can tear out by Making Memories.  And the Background DP is from one of my K&Company Paper Pads.  I have really become addicted to the paper pads since I started making cards.  The sentiment is from a new "Birthday" sentiments set by Fiskars.  Use my 40% off coupon at Joanns on this one!  It has some really funny birthday sentiments in it.

The lady and the yellow lacey swirls above the sentiment are from one of those little ATC collage booklets.  A girlfriend gave me one of each of hers because they come 3 pages of each design.  Thanks Patty!!!

Clean and Simple Challenge

Ok, this was torture.  Again, I thought this was a cool sketch and all the samples over on the Clean and Simple Challenge Blog were fabulous!  And the white space on their samples looked great!

So why was this so hard?  teehee.  I started out with a piece of the floral paper for the center panel and after hopping over to the Clean and Simple blog realized that it was going to be too busy for this challenge.  I have to accept the "white space".  So as hard as it was for me I went with the white and punched the floral DP.  Then after I got through the "white space" drama, teehee, I had to resist inking everything up.  I just knew that this would look so much better if I rubbed on some orange chalk, ever so gently around the edges, but I resisted again.  Will I ever get comfy with Clean and Simple??  I sure hope so.  Because I have ALOT of birthday cards to make!!

If you have time, take a minute to hop through some of the participate cards.  I really enjoyed seeing it was used in different ways.  There were couches on one of them!

I also need to give credit to the Color Throwdown Blog!  Awesome colors, that I would have never used without a little nudge!

Also linking to :

Our Creative Corner - Butterflies

Creative Card Crew - Birthday

Have all you butterfly lover's seen the Mariposa Matstack???  It is soooo awesome!  Check it out HERE.  These pictures DO NOT do it justice.  You have to see it in person.

Yep I already have mine!  I got it 40% off at Joanns!

Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

Check out this Wonderful Online Class!

I was hopping around and found this really cool blog that offers "Artist Workshop Classes" online.  I have to find the money to do this.  Awesome classes and so reasonable.  If you like Vintage/Shabby, then you will like this!!

and here is the link if you are interested : http://artistclass.typepad.com/

Looks like this round of classes have already begun, but I emailed them and you will have access to each of the tutorials no matter when you jump in (deadline to register is May 1st).  Here is what Mary wrote back :

"This session is offered now and the blog will be accessible for 6 months. Registrations will be open for a couple more weeks - through May 1st. You don't have to complete anything right away. Every tutorial is a downloadable document and you can save them to do later. Many come with images in a separate file, you can download those too."

 I also inquired as to when it would be offered again, and she said,

 "Artist Class will probably be offered once or twice more this year. The next session is tentatively planned for July, but is still in the early stages. If there's another after that it will be in the Fall."

 

Each session is different.  Just wanted to share a good find!

Layers of Color - Gothic Crosses

I loved this set the minute I seen it.  I have a Gothic Cross Collection in my home, so I thought it would be nice to create a few home decor pieces to go with that theme.  Now I just have to find a frame.  Guess I should have started with the frame.  For now, there is an easel on the back so I can set it out.

I love collage, and texture!  So this one is just that.  No pumus on this one, modeling paste instead.

Stamps : Layers of Color Gothic Crosses and Touch of Elegance

GinaK (bible verse)

Tutorial : Using Modeling Paste

1. I started with corrugated cardboard as my base.  Use gel medium to adhere some music paper.

2. Brush over this with a glaze by Golden - Sea Foam Green and then age it with some brown distress ink - vintage photo.
3. Stamp various Gothic Crosses and emboss.  This set has a 2 step option and you can stamp the center first, mask it, and then stamp the cross.  I used my Eclipse Masking Tape for this, I LOVE that stuff.  Once I stamp and cut a mask, I store it with my stamps for future use.
4. Create texture using modeling paste and a metal embossing template (circles). I rubbed on more modeling paste around the edges and brused it randomly. You can see the texture better on 2b view.  Let that dry. 
5. I'm having a hard time remembering if I rubbed more glaze over the modeling paste (it's white) to make it green or just sprayed with Glimmer Mist - Garden Fairy.  Either way I did spray with Glimmer Mist last.
6. Stamp verse and cut with your favorite Spellbinders die.  I used Labels #5.  I used chalk to get the green background.  Add decorative element at the top using one of the images from "Touch of Elegance".   Add jewel.  Secure to base, and then as an after thought, I sprayed with Work Fixative, since I used chalk on the label.

If you missed my other Corrugated Home Decor pieces then scroll down.  I just posted 3 others earlier in the week.

Thanks for stopping by!

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You can view more of my Faith Art HERE.
You can view more of my Cardboard Art HERE.
You can view more of my Mixed Media / Collage Art HERE.

FCD Blog Hop!

I designed this one using one of FCD's digital images.  I resized, then printed all the elements on pink DP.  The Circle fit perfectly in my Spellbinders circle die once I cropped it and reduced the size.  I had to play with it a little to get it right, but now I have saved and can use it over and over with it.  I cropped the smaller circles tightly and then reduced their size as well so they would work with my circle punches.  I really like this digital!  You can check it out here with all of FireCracker by Designs digital stamps HERE.

Every weekend FCD offers up a free digital image for you to download!

Check it out HERE.

FCD also has a newly  released "wedding/anniversary" stamp set as well.  You can check it out HERE.

It's time for another FCD Blog Hop.  The DT is doing a fun "Word Play" theme.

You can begin the Blog Hop HERE.

I know the girls will have some clever idea's for you.  And as always Pamela will be offering up something wonderful to give away!  So hop on over and find out what it is!

You can view more of my projects using Digital Images / Stamps HERE.

Sweet 'n Sassy Friendship Card

Good Morning.  Time has flown my and it's time for another Creative Belli Challenge!

The Challenge : Die Cuts  I used a Spellbinders Die this one.

The Belli girls are showcasing Sweet 'n Sassy Digital images this week as well.

They are our Sponsor this week, so I know there will be an awesome prize involved, so come play along!

You can view more of my projects using Digital Images / Stamps HERE.

You can view more of my Sweet N Sassy projects HERE.

You can view more of my friendship themed projects HERE.

You can view more of my floral projects HERE.

Cardboard Art

I really do love taking pieces of cardboard and turning them into little pieces of art that I can give to someone to sit on their desk, or where ever, to bring a little cheer to their life and remind them how very special they are to me.

I created this one for my daughter Nicole's birthday.  Yep, it's a little bright, but if you knew my daughter, you would now this is right up her alley.  And the sentiment is special between us because when she was little, "our song" was, You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray ....  Ok, enough singing, you get the picture.  The stamp set is called Gardenia's, but I think it worked just fine as a sunflower and to be honest I don't even know what a Gardenia looks like, teehee.  Isn't that the great thing about art  ...  you have creative liberties to make it what you want.  Corrugated cardboard is free and easy to work on.  I always start by tearing away some of the surface paper so that some of the ripples show.

Here are a couple more I created last year.  Since I have way more readers on this blog than I did on my TAC blog, I will gradually work in some of my favorite TAC projects I have created on this blog.

You can view more of my Cardboard Art HERE.

You can view more of my Collage / Mixed Media projects HERE.

 Tip / Technique : Using Pumis Gel

Pumis is a sandy/grainy medium found in the artist section at local craft stores.  The brand I use is Golden and it is "coarse pumis".  It's easy to work with and adds great texture to projects.  It's comes a light shade of grey, but you can mix it easily with acrylic paints.  I used pink on these projects.  You just smear it on using a Palatte knife and let it dry.

You can buy these little cardboard easel pieces to attach to the back of your project. I got mine in the picture frame section of one of the local craft stores, maybe Michaels.

So what do you think??  Hopefully you will be inspired to share a cheerful project with someone special in your life.

As alway, thanks for stopping by, letting me ramble and admiring what I love to do!