Otter Blue Art Studio

Being sick is the pits!

2012-02-14T10:09:00.001-05:00

How's this for a birthday present?.......Two days before my birthday I got a common cold and it lasted until this past Sunday! That's 9 days of laying around feeling like crap. The saving grace is that it wasn't the flu and other than congestion and absolutely no energy, it wasn't the worst cold ever.

The first think I did when I got out of bed was to clean up my studio. Boy, was it a disaster! Yes, this job completely used up all my energy but I am so glad I did it. There is just something so inspiring about a clean art space...don't you think?

Of course, now that it is clean it is time to mess it up again. (he he he) So I have been trying to catch up on some art group stuff.

Over at the ArtChix Yahoo Group we have a "Meet the ArChix Swap" going on. The challenge is to use your face and put it on any form and dress it up anyway you like on an ATC. We are to make one for every chixie that signs up. A whopping 16 of us took the challenge! I am very excited that so many people wanted to join in but that meant I had to make 16 little me's! Needless to say this was a daunting task but I think they turned out pretty cute. I call her "Marnie Fairy," she is the Fairy of Love and Flight.

I also worked on my ArtChix Fat Book Pages for next month so I could check that off my list. The colors are Gray & Maroon. The 4th oddball page with owls I did to keep for myself.

I have a bunch of school work this week so I am not sure I will get the chance to create anymore goodies but if I do I will be sure to post them.

Have a great week!

Final Week of Doodles Unleashed

2012-02-04T17:00:00.000-05:00

I have finished the final week of Strathmore's Online Workshop - Doodles Unleashed. Here are the results....

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Final Piece

Away too long...

2012-02-02T20:11:00.000-05:00

...for me anyway! Between dance conventions for my daughter, trips across country, and school work I have barely had a chance to breathe much less create! I still haven't adjusted back to my time zone but I have finally gotten things under control and managed to get a little fun art play in today.

Here's what I made...

Color Throwdown #177 features the yummy colors shown above. I decided to use the CTD colors in conjunction with this week's Studio L3 - Grungy Monday Week 34 Challenge using Tim Holtz's crackle techniques. The result is this Valentine's Day card (shown below) I made for my daughter.

Card Front (left) Card Inside (right)

This month, on the ArtChix group, the Fat Book swap colors are Red, Pink, and White. I approached the challenge a little differently this month. All the wonderful online classes and projects I have been doing have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. I played with layers, stamping, masking, collage, micro slides, ribbon, papers (my fave), distress inks, and even a crocheted doily.

"Be My Valentine" entry for the bi-monthly lotto on ArtChix Yahoo group

This is probably all I will post tonight, but I will be back at it tomorrow.

Studio L3 Challenge

2012-01-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

I managed to squeeze in some time to work on this week's Studio L3 Grungy Monday 33 challenge. It's a cool Tim Holtz technique using fragments, alcohol inks, and stamps. Here is my piece.

Cute right? I think I will take it on my trip to Portland tomorrow.

Week 3 of Doodles Unleashed

2012-01-19T22:47:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. This past weekend I was in Myrtle Beach at a dance convention with my daughter. Fun weekend but alas no art.

This week I have been catching up on homework and getting ready for a trip to Portland.

However, I did manage to eek out a little bit of time yesterday and today to complete Stathmore's Online Workshop Doodles Unleashed with Traci Bautista Week 3. Here are my results...

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Final Piece

This is a doodle page we will be using in the final workshop next week.

Exciting News!!

2012-01-12T19:37:00.000-05:00

I just received the most wonderful and validating email ever! A Marketing representative from Strathmore Papers contacted me about using my painting from Workshop 1 Week 1 (see below) in a video for their homepage!!!

I know it isn't exactly like being published or having a gallery showing but it is incredibly exciting for me. I am looking at is as the first step on my road to being a "real" artist!

Thanks to the creative mind of my husband I have named it "Primordial"

Color Throwdown Goodness

2012-01-11T21:42:00.000-05:00

I managed to squeeze one more art project in today and it is for the Color ThrowDown. I just couldn't resist the color palatte...it is fab!

Here is my entry....

Materials Used:

DCWV blank white card

Smooch Accent Sprays: Spun Sugar, River Moss, and Gold Glow

Distress Pad: Vintage Photo

Color Box Chalk Pad: Yellow Ochre, Chestnut

Red Lead Rubber Stamp: Foliage Statement Stamp

ArtChix Image Sheet

Map

Vintage postcard

Ten Two Studios tag

Ribbon

Doodles Unleashed - Week 2

2012-01-11T16:00:00.002-05:00

Today I am continuing my Stathmore's Online Workshop Series hosted by Traci Bautista. This week's project was all about water soluble mediums. It was quite fun but still a challenge to let go and just doodle. Here are my results....

In Progress

Final - Landscape

Final - Portrait (I couldn't decide which way I liked it better. Eventually we are suppossed to hack up the piece anyways so it really doesn't matter)

Below are all the cropped (by photo not by scissors yet) views of the piece. I like the pieces much better than the whole.

Art Journal All Year

2012-01-08T16:03:00.002-05:00

A few months ago I happened upon one of the neatest people I have never met! I am not sure how I found Elsie Larson and her blog but I did and it is a veritable wonderland of all things vintage and awesome! If you know me personally you are probably thinking..."You like vintage things? I would have never known!" It's true, there is very little about my outward appearance or my surroundings that display the funky cool person that lives inside my heart. But alas, I do love vintage stuff.

Anyway, yesterday is was browsing A Beautiful Mess and found that Elsie and her pal Rachel are offering an Art Journal All Year eCourse for $30!

So what's the big deal you may ask? Well I have "journaled" off and on throughout by life but never art journaled before. I always have good intentions but can never make the leap into that world. I guess it is like any blank page to an artist or writer.....very scary! Plus I was never really sure what to put in an art journal. Where do I start? What is it about? What is the purpose? What do I do with it when I am finished? Will I ever look at it again? I could go on but I am sure you get the idea.

Elsie's course is all online and can be accessed forever (yay, no printing!). It consists of 52 weekly prompts. Prompts is definitely something I can do!!! All 52 prompts are available when you sign up so you can go at your own pace. Everything about Elsie is inspiring to me so this seemed like a good time to finally take that leap.

I will be doing one page a week and will post my efforts here. To protect the ownership of the course I will not be sharing the prompts only the work I do.

Week 1 - Art Journal All Year

Material Used:

Used book - $1

Magazine ad from craft magazine

Red Lead Stamp Pad - Sihouette Flowers

Tim Holtz Distress Stamp Pads - Forest Green, Broken China

Copic Markers - various colors

White Uni-ball Signo pen

Micron Pens - .005, .02, .05

Various cut out images

Smooch Accent Spray - Gold Glow

I started with a used book distressed the edges Broken China, then glued down the full page magazine ad. I loved all the doodling and colors already present in the ad and felt it was a good place to start for me. Then I stamped the flowers at the bottom (using one of the stamps I shared last post) with Forest Green. I added the castle, Eiffel Tower, dream definition, and vintage swimmer images. Next came journaling and my own doodling.

Like most things I create, I like some of it and some I don't but it's my first page and I have decided not to stress about it. I am just going to go with the flow and what ever comes of this little project at least I know I tried!

Mail Goodies & 10 Fun Stamping Ideas

2012-01-06T16:48:00.005-05:00

Well, today I haven't been able to do any arting (Yes, it's a word! I made it up but it's still a word.) as I had homework for my online Expository Writing course and the dreaded chore of laundry. But I did get some art goodies in the mail that I would like to share.

The dear ladies at Red Lead Paperworks have a wonderful selection of stamps and vintage images along with other embellishing goodies. Last week they are running a last chance sale on a couple of ATCs I wanted (see bottom two in photo) and since I was buying anyway I picked up a couple of other stamps I have been eyeing (see top two).

The sewing image stamps I plan to use to make tags for some of my custom clothing (cool idea, right?). Red Lead has lots of great sewing items from stamps to images to charms. Check them out HERE.

The birds and flower silhouette stamps I will use for ATCs, cards, and other various collage pieces. You can purchase the Bird stamp HERE for only $2.65!!! The flower image is gone but you can find more sale items HERE.

I never really considered myself a stamper before and I don't really now but after participating in a myriad of challenges I found I used stamps for many different things. One day I looked around my studio and realized I have a healthy collection of stamps! Once I realized that stamping didn't have to be just a simple stamped image a whole world opened up.

The options are only limited by your imagination. Here are 10 fun ideas you can try:

Layer stamped images for a 3D look
Stamp on patterned paper rather than plain paper for a unique look
Mask parts of a stamp to create a different image
Create a stencil: stamp image on stencil grade plastic sheets and cut to create a negative image
Stamp on transparency or acrylic sheets for another kind of layering
Transform stamps you are tired of by cutting them up and rearranging them or using only parts of them
Stamp on collage pieces to add dimension and layering
Create a pattern: stamp an image on plain paper, cut out the pieces/parts to make a pattern, use the pattern to recreate the image using other paper or materials
Create a resist: stamp image with embossing stamp pad and emboss with clear powder, use inks, stains, or paints over the image, the embossed image will not take the paint creating a cool line image
Try a new medium for stamping: instead of ink use craft acrylics or fluid acrylics to "ink" your stamp, this will create a softer more blurred image, works best on solid stamps rather than outline.

I hope you will give some of these ideas a try. Enjoy!

Today

2012-01-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, I didn't get as much done today as I had hoped (slept late and had to grocery shop) but I did manage to eek out two Lotto entries for my ArtChix yahoo group.

" Ladies in Red" is for a lotto titled The Lady in Red. Normally I stick very closely to the theme and create realistic type ATCs but this time I decided to be a little abstract with the theme. All the images are from the ArtChix Studio except my handwritten sign.

"Wanted" is for a lotto titled A Cowboy's Dream. The image is from The Graphics Fairy. If you have never been to her blog and you use images in your art you must go check it out. The text and German scrap border are from ArtChix Studio. I played it a little cheeky on this one.

This last bit of art is from the monthly Fat Book Pages swap we do on the ArtChix-Sister-Site. This month's colors are Black, Silver, and Red. Yesterday I posted a card I made for another challenge (that happens to have the same color theme) which will be using to mail these fat pages in.

Fronts

Backs

See you tomorrow for more excited adventures! (Cheesy, I know)

Color Throwdown here I come...

2012-01-04T15:07:00.001-05:00

I haven't participated in the Color Throwdown for a long time and I have missed it.

Not familiar with this little gem? Well, each week the lovely ladies over there challenge us to a new set of colors and you create a card using those colors. Neat right?

I use these little challenges to create cards for future use or an upcoming event. For instance this particular card will be sent to the host of one of the other challenges I am doing that is coincidentally using the exact same colors! Lucky me!

New work as promised

2012-01-04T12:58:00.000-05:00

I am super excited to share my first piece from the Strathmore Online Workshop Series - Doodles Unleashed by Traci Bautista! If you are in a rut, have trouble with abstract painting, have control issues, or just want to learn a new technique you have to check out this workshop. It's free to, so no excuses!

It took me two days to complete this piece for a couple of reasons: 1. This type of thing is way out of my comfort zone. Freely drawing anything goes against my sense of order. 2. I spent a lot of yesterday getting back into the blogger groove and preparing for all the new challenges. 3. Life, you know the routine...chores, dinner, business, dance (my daughter, not me), etc.

So here it is presented in stages. I am not going to go into too much detail here because if you are really interested in the process.....go take the class (nudge, nudge, hint, hint) :)!

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Stage 7

Stage 8

Stage 9

Final Piece

Materials Used: Water color paper (10"x14", 140#, cold pressed), Smooch Accent Sprays, acrylic paints, DecoColor Opaque Paint Markers, Copic Markers, oil pastels, Uni-ball Signo Broad white pen, India ink, various size paint brushes, stencils, feather, small dowel, rubber bands, chain, clothes pin, and a paper drink umbrella

Process: building of layers with paint and doodling

Result: new skills and techniques, patience, and fun!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

Are you a resolution kind of person? Goodness knows I am not! For one thing I am just not interested in being regimented...we'll blame the artist in me (hehehe). The other reason is that life changes and things happen and inevitably monkey wrenches will fall into the middle of your pretty little plan...."why set yourself up for failure," I ask. Nope, this girl simply looks at everyday as an opportunity to be better regardless of the time of year.

I do have lots of dreams and desires for myself though and I am actively working on those. First, I have signed up for a few free online courses: The Craftsy Block of the Month Class, and three Strathmore Online Workshops. I am very excited about all of these! I have also joined The Sketchbook Project Limited Edition again this year and am looking forward to more journal exploration and pushing myself farther than last time. In addition to all this fun stuff I will continue to play along in lottos and swaps on the ArtChix-Sister-Site Yahoo group and various blog challenges

So what does all of this planned activity mean? It means I will have lots of art and experience to share with you in the coming weeks and months. I look forward to it and I hope you do too!

Hugs,
Marnie

Boy, do I have some catching up to do!

2011-11-23T21:43:00.001-05:00

First, Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family. I have so much to be thankful for!

Second, even though I haven't posted in a while I have been super busy creating. Here are just a few pieces....

These are "Fat Book" pages I am doing for my ArtChix-Sister Site Yahoo group. We have a new color(s) each month. Super fun and great for stretching my creative muscles.

fronts backs

Above are my Halloween Houses for a swap we did at ArtChix-Sister Site Yahoo Group. It was really fun getting to play with all my witchy ephemera and images.

These are the fronts and backs of some ATC ornaments I made.

These are pieces I did for a college studio drawing class.

Okay, off to enjoy my vacay at the beach. See you next week.

Has it really been three months!?!

2011-06-10T20:25:00.000-04:00

My latest work is for the wonderful Marion Bockelmann's latest world-wide swap called Mona & Friends.

This week at Otter Blue

2011-03-03T14:51:00.000-05:00

Ever since I took the Painted Petals class at Archivers I have had greeting cards on the brain.

Below are three of the cards I did in the technique class (I have already used one).

My darling husband took one look and proclaimed that I should be making cards for a living. While this is very sweet, I did not come up with the ideas or the designs for these cards. I simply created what I was told to create with minor variations to the watercolor painting.

I was however, very inspired by the techniques as I mentioned in a previous post and have played with the techniques a little here and there. This next photo I posted before but thought it was worth posting again in this context. I used the same technique as the bottom photo above but with my own personal spin.

This is another card I created this week. I used the same stamp and technique as the top left photo above but made it more my style.

While at Archivers I bought a new 6x6 paper pad by Basic Grey called Hello Luscious. The colors and papers are fabulous, bright, spring-like and so inspiring. I used the papers in the card above and the two acts below. The images are from TenTwoStudios

The last thing I want to share is another card I made called The Fortune Teller. I used the Painted Petals technique to create the hand, a 7 Gypsies tag and rub-ons, and various papers.

I hope you enjoyed my latest work and are inspired to try something new.

Back at the art table...

2011-03-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

I sort of took a few days off from creating so it is slow going at the moment. Here are my latest creations.

The first is a CCC project incorporating Tim Holtz fragments. I call it ART Fragment. I love this technique found on page 63. One could really go crazy with this one.

I have the Cricut machine and have amassed a large number of cartridges so purchasing another machine is not high on my priority list. However, after taking a technique class at Archivers I fell in love with the textures and the possibilities that a texture/embossing machine offers that the Cricut does not. This weekend I finally broke down and bought a Texture Boutique from Sizzix and here are the results of my playing.

This card is the combination of skills/techniques I learned take the Vintage Card and the Painted Petals classes at Archivers. It incorporates embossing and watercolor stamping. If you have an Archivers near you call them immediately and sign up for the Painted Petals class!

Here are two other random creations.

Today's musings...

2011-02-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

are all completely different from each other.

"A crow's view" - stamped and inked

"Feather your nest" - stamped & inked, collage

"She is who she is" - pen & ink, collage

LOTS of goodies to share

2011-02-14T13:12:00.000-05:00

Altered Trading Arches for Art 42 - any theme, any style arch, artist trading card size

Paper Bag Swap on ATCs For All - background must be a recycled brown paper bag. I used a Starbucks treat bag.

Personal challenge to incorporate textures and shapes using my Cricut machine.

Playing with mail art.

Top: Flutterby Garden Postcard created with cardstock, decoupaged napkins, and water color crayons. Bottom: Graphic Butterfly created with recycled CD art and a clothing tag, a Cricut cutout leftover, assorted green papers, and Stickles.

Various collages for trade on ATCs For All.

Left: Dutch Travels; Middle: In the Pink; Right: Love

Fine art ATCs available on ATCs For All (middle one is already traded).

Left: Flower Abstract; Right: Koi II

The following pieces are for a Colorful Fat Book Swap on ArtChix-Sister-Site Yahoo Group. This months colors are pink and orange.

In The Nest

Remember Paris

Sew Make Something

Queen for a Day Swap on ATCs For All

CCC #32 - Inking and Stamping Masks!

2011-02-14T12:18:00.000-05:00

This was a super fun challenge! I will have to remember these techniques for future pieces.

CCC #31 - Rusted Enamel Technique

2011-02-08T11:46:00.000-05:00

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #31 (pg. 41)

This is actually the 2nd time I have used Tim's Rusty Enamel technique and I love the way it looks.

For Studio L3's challenge I used the rusted enamel technique for the backgrounds of a tag (first photo) and an ATC (2nd photo). The first one is my favorite because you can really see the effect. The second one I did on a piece of cardboard and ultimately it was too dark to really show off the technique. My advice for this technique is to start out with a light background, use a bright color to cover the piece and a very dark brown for the rusting part.

Time is an Illusion

The Circus was in Town

This photo is of a Grunge Book I made last year. It was the first technique I tried from Tim's book and I instantly loved it!

CCC #30 - Altered Metal with Paint

2011-02-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

Here she is folks! My altered metal pieces are the corners, the suitcase, the key, and hotel tag. (Sorry for the terrible camera angle. There was so much glare from the metal and the slick postcard)

Latest and greatest....

2011-01-24T18:26:00.000-05:00

...well, the latest, at least!

"The Lady" - Steampunk Pocket Watch Body Swap on ArtChix Sister Site

"The Traveler" - Steampunk Pocket Watch Body Swap on ArtChix Sister Site

Chinese New Year Swap on Art42

Napkins & Beeswax Layering Swap on ATCsForAll

Tags created for fun. Both available of ATCsForAll

First 2 ATCs already traded and last one for an ArtChix Lotto "Take Flight"

First 2 ATCs available for trade, the last one is for a swap.

"Abstraction" - Created from discarded paper scraps collaged onto photo paper with alcohol ink

"Flight at Dawn" - Created from an orange paint chip, chalk stamp pads, and a stenciled transparency.

If you are ever interested in trading with me and are not a member of one of my groups please feel free to shoot me an email.

Throwing Down The Color again!

2011-01-13T18:24:00.000-05:00

Many moons ago I participated in The Color Throw Down Challenge blog which was super fun. Well, time got away from me for awhile but I am happy to say I jumped back in this week.

Here are this weeks colors.

Here is what I came up with.

Cards are not usually my thing but I do send a lot of cards due to so many one on one trades. So I thought, why not create cards for this challenge that I can use.

This particular card was created from a DCWV card blank, a scrap of brown card stock edged with a metallic marker, a recycled thank you card someone sent to me, a scrap of ribbon that came on something I purchased, a paper flower and a large brad.

What an excellent and fun way to create and share.

Other goodies on my work table

2011-01-10T15:39:00.000-05:00

I have been so forgetful lately about taking photos of my swap work before mailing it off. Here are some random creations I did manage to photograph.

All of the above ATCs are available for trade on ATCsForAll

These two are for ArtChix Sister Site Lottos

In the CCC saddle again

2011-01-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

Boy, have I missed participating in the Compendium of Curiosities Challenges at Studio L3. The end of last year was a roller coaster, to say the least, but I am happily finding time to again participate is some of my favorite things.

Here is my week #27 entry.

Materials:

Basics Manila Paper Pad (6x6)

Graphics 45 Steampunk Debutant paper

Tim Holtz Mask - Timeworks

Tim Holtz Mini Mask - Regal

Alcohol Ink - Denim

PearlEx powder - Bronze

Distress Ink Pad - Black Soot

Vintage Typewriter Key Paper Cuts from Retro Cafe Art

Meters and Gauges Paper Cuts from Retro Cafe Art

Tape measure twill tape

Clock hands

Antique copper mini brads

Vintage Note Card Swap.....

2011-01-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

hosted by the talented and creative Ms. Lenna Young Andrews on Creative Swaps. Here are my three entries destined for Monday's mail (provided we are not snowed in).

Materials Used:

DCWV notecard blanks

Images from ArtChix Studios, Go Make Something, and Lenna

7 Gypsies tags

Art Correspondence stamp by Red Lead

Scrapbook paper

Parchment paper

Brads

Stamp pads: gold, brown, Bundled Sage, Antique Linen, Pumice Stone

Micron pens and colored pencils

Poppy Swap

2010-12-29T22:19:00.000-05:00

Here are my entries for the Poppy Swap on the AtcsForAll group.

Top Left: Aquacolor Watercolor Crayons

Top Right: Watercolor

Bottom Left: dye ink markers and micron pens

Bottom Right: Fluid Chalk Ink Pad and Copic markers

Winter Vacation at the beach & lots of arting

2010-12-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

It has become a tradition of late for my family to take a vacation at the beach over the winter holidays. I love, love, love the ocean but I am not a sunbather. Neither my husband nor I like crowds either so the beach in the winter is the perfect spot for us. We drive down to Myrtle Beach and stay in an ocean front, fully equipped condo for about 10 days and relax. It's wonderful!

This year I brought along half my studio so that I could spend time doing art. Even though creating art is how I spend most of my time at home, there is something about not having any kind of schedule (school, dance, dinners, laundry, etc.) that really frees the muse in me. I have been a busy little artist...check it out..... (click on images for a more detailed view)

Reorganizing causes creativity!

2010-12-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

This week I have been reorganizing and rearranging my studio. I have gone through mounds of paper and culled things I no longer like, have given away the zillions of fabric scraps I can't seem to throw away, and have re-situated my three large work tables into a U shape for better accessibility. All this cleaning up sparked a creative streak in me.

I realized that little left-over scraps of paper from the Cricut are a great jumping off point for my art as seen below in my Gypsy Girls Trio

I also have quite a supply of re-cycled materials such as cards, printed cardboard, and old calendars. The four cards below were layered on top of an old Asian calendar I received two years ago from my local Hibachi restaurant.

These last two pieces are a testament to my latest fascination with Steampunk. Enjoy!

100th Post!!!

2010-11-28T17:47:00.000-05:00

here comes all the usual stuff one would say....

Gosh, can you believe its been 100 posts?

It only seems like yesterday that I started this blog!

I would be talking to myself if it weren't for all my followers!

etc, etc, etc.

I would prefer to say something profound but honestly......I got nothing! LOL!

So instead I will just celebrate by posting more art, since that is what this blog is for anyway.

These two pieces I did for a Transparency Swap on ATCsForAll but were rejected due to the think glass slides I used. It's a shame too, because I really like these.

The four above are the ones I am submitting to the Transparency Swap, hopefully they will pass muster!

These two are collages I did for one on one trades. As you can tell, my muse and I seem to be into butterflies right now.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

What I have been up to this week....

2010-11-27T01:21:00.000-05:00

My muse has definitely been my friend this week as I seem to keep creating collages! Here are my latest.

Holiday Card Contest

2010-11-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

One of the members of my Fine Art ATCs One to One group is holding a holiday card contest for her business. The winning art will be her business' holiday card this year. Isn't that cool?!

Here are my entries:

" Country Holiday"

"Village Holiday"

ArtChix Sister-Site 12 Days of Christmas Lotto

2010-11-14T19:25:00.000-05:00

This month's ArtChix-Sister-Site lotto of The Twelve Days of Christmas was chosen by the talented Ms. Sallie Rodman. Now I am not a person who likes Christmas carols, in fact, I detest Christmas music because it gets too easily stuck in my head. For some reason though I found the theme such a challenge that inspired me to think outside the box a little more than usual. Instead of my typical one entry I have done three, thus far.

4 calling BIRDS

6 Geese a Laying

8 Maids a Milking

Mail Art Swap - 2nd and 3rd Entry

2010-11-14T19:18:00.000-05:00

I have complete my Mail Art envies. Here are entries 2 and 3.

Nature's Beauties

Sew Fabulous

Mail Art Swap - 1st Entry

2010-11-12T19:21:00.000-05:00

Hello gang,

I have entered another one of Lenna's amazing swaps. This one is all about Mail Art! I know many of you out there are huge fans of mail art so perhaps you can share your insight with me. This is only the 4th altered envie I have ever done so I am still learning.

Round Robin Book no. 2

2010-11-10T20:05:00.000-05:00

This book's theme is "Blue". When I think of blue two things come to mind, sky and sea. Given my recent struggles, sky and being free to fly really call to me so that is where I went.

Cirque du Soleil Swap

2010-11-10T18:09:00.000-05:00

I LOVE Cirque du Soleil! Infact when I was just a teenager I went to see their very first tour in the US. I was phenomenal even back then. So when Art For The Creative Mind posted this ATC challenge I jumped right on the band wagon! What do you think?

Happy post with lots 'o art!

2010-11-07T20:05:00.000-05:00

I have been a busy, busy bee over the last couple of days trying to catch up and get ahead on all my challenges and swaps.

ArtChix-Sister-Site Yahoo Group

"Friendship Nurse" Glass Bottle Swap

"Hummingbird Dream" Glass Bottle Swap

Ornament Swap - "Anything but paper"

"Twelve Days of Christmas" Lotto "Favorite Memories" Collage

4 calling BIRDS

Fine Art ATCs

Hot Air Balloon

Harvest Moon Rising

Eternally grateful and future plans!

2010-11-07T19:46:00.000-05:00

First, I want to say a million thank yous to all those who wrote in support of me. It truly renewed my hope in humanity, made me feel cared for, and most importantly reminded me that life is precious.

If you have not received a personal note from me it is only because the support was overwhelmingly large and to write a note to everyone would take me more time than I have at the moment. But please know I treasure each and every word!

Second, the reason I don't have a lot of spare time is that I have decided to go to art school finally! It is 22 years after I originally planned to go but better late then never right?

This whole experience good and bad led me to choosing a career path that I feel super passionate about......Art Therapy. It is fairly new field but requires A LOT of schooling, like 6 years+. So I am buckling down, getting things prepared, and giving it a go. I hope to be enrolled either by Jan or April at the latest.

Again, thank you fellow artists and friends!

Everyone has a story……this is mine

2010-11-02T00:57:00.002-04:00

I have a long history of emotional trauma starting with my non-traditional childhood, moving into strained and failed relationships, a complete hysterectomy at 33, a two year custody battle, a troubled runaway teenage son, and abandonment from all family. As you can imagine this has caused me a great deal of heartache and depression for some time now but over the last two years my emotional state has plummeted and my sadness has become unbearable

Two weeks ago last Friday I wanted to die. The feeling was strong enough that I knew if I didn’t do something I would most likely do it. I gathered every ounce of strength I had left, called my therapist and asked for help. She spoke with my husband who promptly drove me to the local mental health facility. After being evaluated it was determined that an outpatient program would be a good course of action for me. The following Monday I began a two week partial hospital day program that set me on a course I never imagined I would travel.

I met amazing people with equally heart wrenching stories. Men and women, who like me, could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. We learned interesting and insightful information about how the brain works and the ways we cope with emotions. And of course, we talked and processed and cried and laughed. I took a 567 question psychological profile test (I will never forget that number!), answered oral questions, looked at grim photos and even did the cliché ink blot test (which the artist in me enjoyed very much). They also did a full blood test work-up and urinalysis.

The end result…… I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar II, mixed. Like many people I had some idea of the condition but really no true understanding of the disorder. So before I go any further I hope to educate you and bring understanding and awareness to this disease that affects over 2 million American adults.

Bi-Polar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long term illness and not something you can will away or “get over”. The disease can be genetic and in my case most definitely is as it runs on both sides of my family. This is something I was born with and there is nothing I could have done to stop it. If you would like to learn more about the disorder please visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356 .

Along with the amazing coping skills I learned while in the program, I now take medications everyday to stabilize my mood and control the depression. It is likely I will have to take medicine the rest of my life but it is better then the alternative!

You may be asking yourself why I am sharing this information with some of you who are virtually strangers…….well, the answer is two-fold. First, it is important for me as a person dealing with the disease to be understood and supported. Hopefully, those of you who have taken the time to read this will still be there for me in some capacity whether it be art critiques, friendship, positive comments or support. Second, I hope that in my sharing this personal information that you will gain some understanding, compassion, and knowledge about a disease that affects so many people. Maybe someone you know is suffering and by hearing my story you have gained awareness and can help. The more education, knowledge, and awareness we have the better we become.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them. I will gladly accept any and all supportive and positive comments, anything else please keep it to yourself.

Marnie

My first Round Robin Book Swap

2010-09-25T11:48:00.000-04:00

This year has been packed with firsts for me which is thrilling and exhilarating and has made me ever so slightly uneasy. It is not the unknown that causes trepidation but "will it be what is expected or good enough?" that challenges me.

A couple of months ago one of my ArtChix friends accidentally invited me to her Round Robin Book Swap (she mistook me for someone else who had expressed interest). Fortunately for me she had space and graciously let me join in. So once again I dove headlong into the unknown, this time was altered books.

We started the exchange about two weeks ago and I have just finished my first pages. This book's theme is "At The Movies". If you don't know this yet, I was named after the movie "Marnie" by Alfred Hitchcock. Naturally, that is the movie I chose to do!

On the right side I glued many pages together and the cut out a hole for the "screen". The "curtains" are a cool shimmery ribbon and I hand pleated it for the top. Gold rattail cord, black and white striped tape and a theatre seat sticker complete the look.

Latest ArtChix-Sister-Site Lotto Entries

2010-09-24T18:04:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Below are my latest ArtChix creations. Enjoy!

Gothic Arch Lotto - "She had a way with the Ravens"

Spookalicious Lotto - "Spirits"

Three Muses: Art Envelopes

2010-09-22T14:13:00.000-04:00

Post number two for the day....boy, I am on a roll!

This one is for the Three Muses Blog Challenge titled Art Envelopes. I needed to send a friend some trees cut from my Cricut machine so I decided to do the envie for her.

This is the envie taken with no flash so you can see the details on the flowers.

This photo was taken with a flash to highlight the iridescent powders that color the background.

CCC #15 - Alcohol Ink Agate on Grunge

2010-09-22T11:14:00.000-04:00

Man, I hate missing these challenges because they are so much fun to do. Anyway, I am back this week with Studio L3's Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #15: Alcohol Ink Agate on Grunge.

I have been in the Halloween mood this month so I went with a couple of kitties. Of course, they didn't turn out at all like I was planning but cest la vie! I did two, one shows the technique without any embellishment and the other is complete.

"Time Flies Agate Cat"

The Big Five Oh Swap

2010-09-19T19:27:00.000-04:00

I had the privilege once again to participate in one of Lisa Vollrath's (Ten Two Studios) swaps. This one called, The Big Five Oh, in celebration of her 50th birthday. She provided us a wonderful image sheet to use which I found very inspiring! Since she is planning to take a trip for her birthday that was the theme.

All five shown here

"Flying Machines"

"Future Transportation"

"Journey of Life"

"Taking the World"

"Where to?"

CCC #12 and AFTCM Swap

2010-09-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

Of course the week slipped me by again! But this time wasn't a trip out of town but because my dear friend Tiffany has come to stay with us a while. With company comes a mad dash to organize and prepare so the deadline for the CCC Challenge got away from me. This would have been my entry.....

Instead of the usual paper collage or mixed media pieces I typically do I decided to create a piece of jewelry. This one is going to Grandma Edna in New York who loves butterflies.

This was an interesting challenge and I learned that Tim is right....you must wait a long time for the embossing powder to dry really solidly before chipping!

My next show and tell is for my Art For The Creative Mind swap called "Witching Hour" torso tags.

"Midnight in the Graveyard"

"Wretched"

I love both these torso tags and hope my swap partner does too!

Lots to see not too much to say.

2010-08-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

Whew! I just can't seem to keep on track with my posts and August has really thrown me for a loop.

This post is crammed with mixture of my art challenges and swaps plus a few pictures I just had to show off. You will find very little description and no instructions in this post so if you want to know more about anything shoot me an email. Enjoy!

These first two photos are Faerie themed ATCs for my friend and group mate Billie Miller.

Faerie Magic Tropical Faerie Door

These two ATCs are for a Fish Challenge in one of my Yahoo groups. Don't even get me started on the yahoo problems this week. What is up with that?

He's so Koi! The one that got away!

This last ATC I created for the ArtChix Sister Site bi-monthly lotto called "The Cat's Meow."

"Her Creative Slip is Showing"

Card of the Month for Art For The Creative Mind. The theme is Black, Brown, and Cream.

My latest mixed media pieces were created for a Dreambox swap on the ArtChix Sister Site group.

Dressmaker Dreambox -closed

Dressmaker Dreambox - open

Dressmaker Dreambox - open detail

"Sirens of the Night"

This is my first domino book created for the altered art swap this month on Art For The Creative Mind.

"The book of C" - closed

"The book of C" - open

Now for my photos.....this first one my husband took in our front yard with a camera phone so the image is crisp but still amazing in my opinion. This butterfly had a wingspan of at least 6"...it was huge.

These next three I took on my recent and unexpected trip to Arizona.

The first two are a rare sky phenomenon called Cloud Iridescence. These photos were not doctored. This is exactly how it looked when my friend Tiffany spotted it.

This last one is not rare but just as cool. I call it "The Man in the Clouds"

Keeping the Postal Service in business!?

2010-08-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

For those of you paying attention, yes this is my 3rd blog post today. Since I didn't get to write much in the past couple of weeks I am catching up.

Over the past few days I feel like I am definitely doing my part to keep the postal service operating. Between sending and receiving swaps, my business, and ordered goodies arriving going to the mailbox has become a daily adventure!

Here are some of my latest swaps I haven't had a chance to post until now.

On Art For The Creative Mind we got to try some neat techniques and projects this month.

Altered Matchbox Shrine - "Tea Time"

Altered Matchbox Shrine - Arful Collage

Card of the Month - "Games People Play"

ATC of the Month - "I Hear a Symphony"

(using a napkin or servette)

Tag of the Month - Bleach Technique

Tim Holtz Blog Candy Give Away

2010-08-17T20:36:00.000-04:00

Stacy over at Scrap with Stacy is having an amazing Tim Holtz Blog Candy Give Away. Click on over and check it out for your chance to win gobs of cool Tim stuff.

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 10: Distress Stickles

2010-08-17T15:27:00.000-04:00

Hello friends, I really missed joining in on the CCC challenges last two weeks but I think my muse was still in NY because she sure wasn't hanging around me.

I love this challenge and have actually ordered the complete Distress Stickles Set II but unfortunately, they have not arrived yet. So, only having three in my inventory (Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, and Vintage Photo) limited what I could accomplish.

Halloween, my all time favorite holiday, is in the air .....or at least in the stores and I am getting in the mood. This piece is actually one element of a larger piece I decided to create but this piece is the only thing with Distress Stickles on it at this point. Once my shipment comes in and I finish the whole piece I will post it. Until then here is ......"She is pure unadulterated magic."

The crow is from Red Lead and the hat and wand are ArtChix images. I used a black stamp pad to color the crow then slathered on Walnut Stain Distress Stickles and a dab of Diamond Glaze for the eye.

Color Throwdown #105

2010-08-13T15:36:00.000-04:00

Okay, so it took me a little longer to get a post up then I anticipated. The trip out of town really threw my muse for a loop and it has been hard to get back in the groove.

Here is this week's Color Throwdown

The colors this week really reminded me of Autumn so I decided to make a card for a dear friend of mine who loves Autumn colors and leaves.

I made a "For You" piece to put on the card too but now I can't decide which I like better. Feel free to share your thoughts on the matter.

Nope, I wasn't dead just ........

2010-08-11T15:52:00.000-04:00

out of town and sorry to say I missed all the great challenges last week and some of them this week. We had a family emergency with my husband's grandmother (she is doing well now) and had to travel to NY for a few days. Now that things are settled I hope to be back in the groove soon.

I do want to share with you my good news and shamelessly ask for your vote at the same time. Perhaps you remember I while back I posted my entry for the ArtChix Art Flag Swap? Here are the photos again to refresh your memory.

Well, the amazing Helga has chosen a set of 3 of my flags as one of her top ten favorite sets!!! Awesome...right? Okay, here comes the shameless part.......go to the ArtChix Blog and vote for Artist #3, that's me. Of course, there are other amazing and talented artists featured and I will understand if you have to vote for someone else (sob, sob) but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I hope to be posting some new pieces later tonight.

Three Muses: Odd Bird Challenge

2010-07-31T21:55:00.000-04:00

This week Indybev over at Three Muses gave us a marvelous challenge called "Odd Bird"! Don't you love it?

If you have been following me and my art for any length of time you might have noticed that I have a quirky sense of humor and the deep need to build layers of meaning into everything I create. Well, this challenge was not exception. Take a look.....

"be IRREPLACEABLE"

Supplies:

Chipboard tag (natural color)

Ledger Statement Stamp

Flocked number 3 (hint: this is one of the layers)

Black Soot Distress Crackle Paint

ArtChix Birdy Paper Dolls Image Sheet

Black square punchinella

Raven wing and 3 tail feathers (found on etsy)

2 clock hands

4 brads

7 Gypsies tape

"be IRREPLACEABLE" transparent sticker

Color Throwdown #103

2010-07-31T16:41:00.000-04:00

This week's Color Throwdown challenge is to use the colors Certainly Celery (pale green), Red Riding Hood (red), and River Rock (tan). When I first saw the colors I immediately thought about Christmas. However, it is a little to early in the year for me to start making Holiday cards so I opted for gift tags. Three to be exact.

As you can see my style leans more towards the sophisticated then the traditional holiday style. I am really pleased how they came out and think the receivers (whoever they end up being) could use them as ornaments next year.

Ornament Gift Tag

Supplies:

Standard Shipping tag

Joys of the Season Cricut cartridge

Tim Holtz's ATC Tiny Textures - Mini Dots stamp

Tapestry Background Stamp

Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, and Barn Door DI

Clear and Antique Gold embossing powder

Queen's Jewels in Topaz

Vintage ribbon (rec'd with Red Lead orders)

Topiary Gift Tag

Supplies:

Tea stained shipping tag

Joys of the Season Cricut cartridge

Tim Holtz's ATC Tiny Textures - Mini Swirls stamp

Foliage Statement Stamp

Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, and Barn Door DI

Clear embossing powder

1/8" wired gold ribbon

Vintage ribbon (rec'd with Red Lead orders)

Stocking Gift Tag

Supplies:

Tea stained shipping tag

Joys of the Season Cricut cartridge

Tim Holtz's ATC Tiny Textures - Mini Stripes stamp

Ledger Statement Stamp

Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, and Barn Door DI

Clear and Peeled Paint Distressed embossing powder

Mini gold Star charms and gold jump rings

1/8" wired gold ribbon

Vintage ribbon (rec'd with Red Lead orders)

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 7: Tinted Visions Fragments

2010-07-30T22:20:00.001-04:00

Studio L3's challenge with week is Tinted Visions Fragments pg.55. Again, this was truly a challenge for me as I could not seem to make the technique work the first two times I tried it. Then, when I finally decided to actually follow the specific instructions (note: applying the blending solution with the tool is the key) it worked!

Here are my first two attempts which don't look anything like they are supposed to but I like them just as much. They have a kind of modern edge that I find a complimentary contradiction to the images beneath. I think I will make the one on the left a pendant and I haven't decided yet about the one on the right. If you have any great ideas feel free to share them.

Lots To Do: Shapes

2010-07-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

Nothing like waiting until nearly the last minute to finish a challenge. This is not like me and greatly upset my structured/anal/slightly compulsive side. My only excuse is that I just couldn't formulate what I wanted to do until today, late afternoon to be exact. Then throw in making dinner and parade rehearsal for my daughter's dance company and there you have it....last minute entry!

I call it ..... "The Shape of Me"

I began with focusing on the word shape and what that means to me. Funny little sayings and quips came to mind. Remember the book "The Shape of Me and Other Stuff" by Dr. Seuss? That sparked the use of the mannequin shape which not only represents a body but also has significance for me in creative ways.

Then I did a little research on sayings that included the word shape. I chose things that touched or moved me in some way. I varied the fonts for interest, design, and ease of reading. I printed it out, aged the paper with Antique Linen Distress Stamp pad then spray it down with a blending solution which I rubbed around with my finger. I coated the mannequin chipboard form with Heavy Gel Medium and while the paper was still damp I laid it over the form and gently pressed it down around the shape. Again using water color crayons I highlighted the edges of the paper and the form to make it pop.

I covered an 8x10 canvas panel with a beautiful paper napkin I got from Sky Blue Pink using Modge Podge. After it dried I traced the edges of the flowers and leaves very simply with water color crayons.

I attached the finished body form to the canvas with Heavy Gel Medium and added my initials to the upper left corner.

Mermaid Challenge

2010-07-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

ArtChix Blog Art Challenge: Mermaids * Merpeople * Meranimals due August 2, 2010. If you haven't discovered ArtChix and their amazing image and collage sheet you must go have a look. Not only are the products high quality but their people are also amazing!

For this challenge I had no idea what I wanted to do so I began by cutting our some Mermaid tails on the Cricut using the Paperdoll Dress Up cartridge and a cool blue/green textured-look paper. Then I went to my notebook of ArtChix image sheets and settled on Playful Nudes and Chixies Hat Affair. I used all kinds of embellishments like: a tiny crown, an altered crown brad, stick on pearls, real shells, fresh water pearl beads, Smooch Accent Ink, and Pearl-Ex.

What started out to be a mobile idea evolved into a 3D table-top piece. What do you think?

Three Muses: Mail Art

2010-07-24T22:48:00.000-04:00

This week Three Muses has chosen the theme Mail Art. I am very new to this form of art as I have only done two altered envies before this attempt. I am in awe of the artwork already posted in the comments section.

Lack of experience was not going to hold me back though. Like most things I do these days, I threw caution to the wind and jumped in with both feet. I had a used manila envelope that had been written on with pen all across the front so the first thing I wanted to do was to cover that in some way.

I first swiped it with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink Pad and then with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad. This gave the orangy envelope a nice green forest look so that set the tone for what I would do next. I found two ArtChix Images from the Gypsy Heart Collage Sheet I wanted to use. As I cut them out and laid them on the envelope I was instantly reminded of Little Red Riding Hood and so it grew from there. I found some great trees online and of course a wolf head that I printed and cut out, I used a piece the fairy tale map found on the inside cover of Jack Kent's Book of Nursery Tales, some colored pencils, a little more Distress Ink in greens and brown textured embossing powder.

I did not specifically add places to write in To and From addresses but I did place the images so that there is a space to put them later.

Color Throwdown #102

2010-07-24T18:24:00.000-04:00

This week on Color Throwdown we have three wonderful colors to create with. They make me think of the sea although I created a flight style card. Oh well, maybe I will get a chance to make another one and I can focus on the sea. In the meantime, here is my entry.

Some lucky group member of mine will be receiving this the next time I send out a swap. Will it be you?

Diary 2011 and The Sketchbook Projects

2010-07-22T15:34:00.000-04:00

Over the past few years I wasn't doing much with my art abilities, at least not challenging art. I would make some jewelry, paint some on small items, decorate, make clothing, and take photographs but nothing really to explore and push myself. I was playing safe....ugh! Enough of that!

This year I wanted to create art and be the artist I am inside so I took a huge leap out of my shell artistically.I joined 6 online art groups that host swaps and challenges constantly, I do 4 blog challenges per week and I am starting to get involved in large collaboration projects. For instance...Diary 2011 and The Sketchbook Project.

Diary 2011

A lovely lady on one of my groups wrote a post about it and before I could second guess myself I clicked on the link and signed up. Good thing too because I took the last spot! I am hoping it this is one of those kismet things as I do believe things happen for a reason. The one downfall to this is that my page (August 27th, 2011) is due on Saturday, July 23th! Eeek! So I decided to create a filmstrip of some of my already created work. Here it is....

The Sketchbook Project

"Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can be a part of the project.

Each artist is sent the same blank Moleskine sketchbook. We've only got two rules: first, the book must be used in some way - no sending us back an empty book or a completely different book! Second, the sketchbook must stay within its original dimensions (because we don't want to have to provide an extra suitcase just for your book while we're touring the country).

Each book will be given a barcode so we can easily catalog it into The Brooklyn Art Library system. Once we catalog it, artists will be able to track where on the tour their book is viewed and how many times someone pulled it from the shelf - we want to make sure you can stay connected with your sketchbook!"

(content taken from website)

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 6: Multi Medium Collage

2010-07-21T22:59:00.000-04:00

This week at Studio L3 our Compendium of Curiosities challenge is Multi Medium Collage on page 66.

For the second time, I have chosen to do something for myself .... my living room to be exact.

Yes, they are the same art piece but the lighting was sort of weird in different areas so I decided to post both.

Supplies:

Upcycled piece of cardboard with a slick surface

2"x3" mini canvas

Grungeboard B

Chipboard - Arrows, tag

Copper brad

Decopatch paper

Old dictionary pages

Old Math book page

Smooch Spray Ink - Limolicious

Tim Holtz Timeworks mask

Distress Stamp pads - Pumice stone, Rusty Hinge, Crushed Olive

Solid stamp pads - brown, black

Micron Pen - sepia

Clear embossing powder

Lots To Do: Stitches

2010-07-19T17:21:00.000-04:00

Well, Lots To Do's Stitches challenge this week is right up my alley!

I began hand sewing when I was about 8 years old. I made doll and Barbie clothes with scraps of fabric and absolutely no knowledge of what I was doing. Even so, the things I created weren't half bad and are still holding up to this day. When I was about 10 my Great Aunt gave me her antique peddle-foot Singer sewing machine so that I could learn to machine sew. I still made doll clothes but also started sewing for myself. At 13, my Grandmother gave my a brand new electric Brother sewing machine complete with decorative stitches and buttonholes. I have been sewing ever since!

Even though I know the challenge wasn't necessarily about sewing that is where my heart took me. This is the first piece I have ever created just for myself. I used papers I love and things that mean something to me personally. For instance, "Sew like the wind" is from the movie Three Amigos and it's something my husband always says to me when I am sewing. I hope you enjoy!

"Sew Like The Wind"

Supplies:

Recycled card from a group member

Papers from: Handmade Viola Vita Adhesive Paper Pad and BW Mira Designer Mat Pad both by K&Co.

Lace and stitch clear stamps

Letter stamps

Black stamp pad

Cricut "Forever Young" cartridge

Maya Road Sew Cute Mini Chipboard Diecuts

Scissors brad

Circle brad

Variegated embroider floss

Brass safety pin

Embossing powder - clear and black

Burnt Sienna Acrylic Paint

Silver Gel Pen

ArtChix Sister-Site Lotto Entries

2010-07-18T17:17:00.000-04:00

My yahoo group, well not my yahoo group as I am only a moderator, ArtChix Sister-Site holds bi-monthly lottos where you create ATCs using at least one art bit or image from ArtChix Studio based on a theme chosen by the past winner. Confused? Well, it isn't as complicated as it sounds and it is lots of fun. If you like ArtChix images this group is for you!

Our latest themes: Travel due on July 31st and Favorite Color due August 15th were really fun to do today. Check out my entries below.

Her Handbasket is packed - Travel Lotto

Supplies:

Cat Love Collage Sheet

Her Words Collage Sheet

Background is the inside cover of Jack Kent's Book of Nursery Tales (scanned and reduced)

Prismacolor colored pencils

I am so BLUE - Favorite Color Lotto

Supplies:

Lovely Images and Words Collage Sheet

Dazzling Doorways Image Sheet

I'm Blue Collage Sheet

A free transparency from ArtChix

Blue Nouveau Inchies

Paper flower with rhinestone brad (Oriental Trading)

Three Muses: Flying Carpet Travels

2010-07-17T12:41:00.001-04:00

This week's challenge on Three Muses is Flying Carpet Travels. So far there have been some amazing entries. I decided to take the challenge literally and create a Flying Carpet postcard.

Supplies:

The background is reused cardboard packaging with a slick side

ArtChix image Starry Night

Distress Ink Pads - Barn Door, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey, and Stormy Sky

Cricut - Paper Doll Dress Up (Indian Palace)

Handmade Viola Vita Adhesive Paper Pad by K&C Co. (Indian Palace)

Navy blue handmade paper (mountains)

Copper colored paper (sun)

Scrap wallpaper stamped red (carpet)

Gold fibers (rug tassels)

Smooch Accent Ink - Sundance (sun)

Stickles - Yellow (sun)

Acrylic paint - white

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 5: Distress Powder

2010-07-14T22:50:00.000-04:00

All I can say is it is a miracle this piece got done at all!

I will start at the beginning of my week with the announcement of the challenge. Distress Powders! Oh no.....do I have any of those? A frantic dig through my embossing powder box confirmed I did not. So yesterday I drug my daughter and her friend to my local big box craft stores (Michaels and AC Moore) and came out empty handed (well, not empty but no Distress Powders). My last hope was to try Archivers (a scrapbookers heaven). Because I have a severe paper addiction I avoid this store like an alcoholic avoids a bar! But I was desperate and I thought surely if anyone would have it they would. WRONG!

Disappointed and sad that I would not be able to participate this week I lost my desire to create anything plus I was exhausted. Note to everyone...don't take 10 year old girls into a craft store unless you are crazy!

This morning I decided to try one more place, Joann's Fabric & Crafts. I called first this time and low and behold they not only had some, they had 6 colors to choose from AND they were on sale! Ahhhhhh, the muse was smiling on me once again. So I drove into town and picked up 3 colors for under $10.

Now I know I said the muse was smiling but I have no idea whose muse it was because what I created doesn't look like anything I ever do. And I am not sure I did the powder right because it doesn't look that distressed to me. LOL! Oh well, at least I got to participate.

Black and White Tags Challenge

2010-07-14T18:50:00.000-04:00

The tag of the month for July at Art For The Creative Mind is Black and White. Not sure if this was meant to be literal or figurative but I went for the literal as I am very drawn to strong contrast. Like usual, when I have to create two of something they are usually vastly different.

The Artist Within

Created on a white tag masked and stamped all over with a text stamp in black. I then removed the mask and stamped the Artist stamp and embossed with black. I set three black eyelets along the bottom and added beads and lalique disks. A white paper flower and an over-sized comma finish it off.

The C Family tag

This tag is not actually "white" but more cream (gee, I hope that is okay). Anyway, my partner's last name begins with a C so this one is personalized just for her.

I used a lovely paper that I reused from a presentation folder. I stamped the background with Tapestry Background stamp and embossed with Black Soot Distressed powder. Next I applied adhesive ribbon to the top and bottom of the tag. I used my Cricut machine and the Heritage set to cut out the C. A Family snap on ribbon finishes it off.

Color Throwdown #101

2010-07-14T18:25:00.000-04:00

This weeks Color Throwdown is:

I was super excited about working with "kraft" as I have really been feeling craft paper lately. Plus these colors are right up my alley.

Supplies:

craft card stock

Tapestry Background stamp from Red Lead

Turquoise stamp pad

Turquoise embossing powder

Viola Vita Adhesive Paper Pad by K&C Company

Black grosgrain ribbon

Double sided tape

Lots To Do: People and/or Places Challenge

2010-07-12T20:07:00.000-04:00

So here is my entry for this week's Lots To Do Challenge: People and/or Places. I call it ......

Urban Goddess

(I apologize for the severe camera angle but it was the only way to get the photo without glare)

This is an ATC size art piece. The materials I used are:

Tim Holtz ATC stamp

A graphic style female stamp

A stamped metal wing brad (cut in half)

Distress Stamp pads in Stormy Sky and Chipped Sapphire

Alcohol Ink in Sunbright Yellow

Smooch Accent Spray in Golden Yellow

Smooch Accent Inks in Kiwi, Sapphire, Pool, Molasses, and Silver Fox

Martha Stewart Dye Markers in Lady Bug, Tropical Sun, and Evergreen

Shimmer Chalk in black and orange

Aquacolor crayon in White

Black Mircron Pen .005

Inkssentials White Opaque Pen

Colored Pencils in assorted grays and browns

I Love Art Bingo Game

2010-07-09T18:52:00.000-04:00

Hello friends, I just wanted to share some exciting news for me and a great new game with you......

It's I Love Art Bingo Game and my art is part of the game!

A couple of months ago I participated in a wonderful ArtChix swap called "I Love (fill in the blank) twinchies. Each participant made twinchies (2" square collages) celebrating the things they love. Although I was not one of the 10 lucky winners I do have one of my twinchies featured on the game! Isn't that so exciting? Well, it is for me anyway. Mine is the one that says "I love no one but you" and has a couple snuggling cheek to cheek.

You find this super fun game at ArtChix and Stampington & Co.

I can see it now.....an artsy girls night in with cocktails (or coffee) and the I Love Art Bingo game!

Three Muses Rust Challenge

2010-07-07T18:42:00.000-04:00

This week Three Muses has chosen Rust for their theme. When I saw the sneak peek of this last week I started contemplating what I wanted to do. I have some neat rusty hearts, stars, and moon that I intended to do something great with. However, as like most things I create.......what emerged from my hands had nothing to do with what was in my mind. So I give you.......

"Rusty Memories"

The background was created using Tim Holtz Rusted Enamel technique from the Compendium of Curiosities book. To that I added a rusty key, torn sheet music, an old postcard, an old letter, a beat up bottle cap, a vintage earring piece, a digitally enhanced photo I took on Ellis Island, three "rusty" brads, and a watch glass. I used three images from ArtChix: a vintage Hollywood image, an insect image, and a vintage ticket image. I also used Tim Holtz distressed ink pads in Rusty Hinge and Antique Linen to age and rust the images.

Lots To Do: Hats or Crowns Challenge

2010-07-07T12:05:00.000-04:00

Whenever I think of hats I remember back to the "Go Dogs Go" story that I read as a child. The thing that sticks out in my mind the most is the female poodle asking "And now do you like my hat?" over and over again. The male dog is unimpressed until the very end when she puts on the craziest hat imaginable. Naturally I had to create something with this quote that is forever running in my mind!

This piece is 3x5, an odd size I know but that is the way it worked out. The background is a page from an old book, the girl is free clip art from the web, the hat is from ArtChix Studios. I used a combination of watercolor crayons and watercolors to wash out the background, Micron pens to write with, and watercolor crayons to highlight the roses and doodle with.

CTD Challenge #100

2010-07-07T11:52:00.000-04:00

This week is Color Throwdown's 100th challenge.

Here is my entry. Its wacky and wild.....at least I think so (hehehe)!

I used DCWV blue card blank, a rose colored Asian paper, celery card stock which I stamped and colored in with Copic markers and Smooch Accent Inks, and the finishing touch is the crazy red fibers.

Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 4: Shabby Chic

2010-07-05T17:46:00.000-04:00

Here is my entry for Studio L3's Compendium of Curiosities - Challenge 4: Shabby Chic. This challenge is from page 49 of Tim Holtz's new book. If you don't have it go get it cause its great!

Supplies:

"Aged" paper in Cream from OT

Black card stock

Floral paper from Tim Holtz idea-ology Lost and Found paper stack

Foliage stamp from Red Lead

Free clip art found online

Hot Roses collage sheet from ArtChix Studio

Classy Black Labels image sheet from ArtChix Studio

Distress Ink in Antique Linen by Tim Holtz

White stamp pad

Copic markers

Sage Green acrylic craft paint

UHU glue stick

This was great fun and I am really looking forward to continuing these challenges!

Color Throwdown - Cream, Turquoise, and Chocolate Challenge

2010-07-04T14:33:00.000-04:00

I found this great blog earlier this week called Color Throwdown (don't ask me how, it was one of those following a link to another link to another link finds). Anyway, I have no idea what the rules are other than using the three colors given so I just went for it. If I goofed up somewhere along the way hopefully they will let me know. Here is my submission "Turquoise Garden"

Three Muses Steampunk Challenge

2010-07-04T10:55:00.000-04:00

I love Steampunk so when I saw this challenge I had to jump in. I did want to create something a little different though.....what do you think of.......

Steampunk Witch

Latest ATCs

2010-06-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

I belong to two yahoo groups that focus exclusively on fine art ATCs: Fine Art ATCs One to One and Fine Arts ATC. I enjoy these groups because they allow me to exercise my fine art skills. The fact that they are ATC size is a bonus too because I feel less pressure creating on a smaller scale. I have always liked little versus big, don't know why really. Maybe it harkens back to creating miniatures and dollhouses when I was younger.

Anyway, I haven't really had the chance to do much in the way of fine arts in the last couple of months and I was feeling a little guilty about abandoning my groups. So yesterday I sat down a did 5.

These first two (Funky Flower and Funky Flutterby) were about playing....with color and with my water color crayons. I wanted to do something joyful and fun and not take myself too seriously. How did I do?

"Solo Flight", also done with my water color crayons was a test in subtlety. A vast contrast to the two previous pieces.

"Black Turtle" I did for a the turtle/tortoise challenge on Fine Arts ATC. I drew this one with dye ink markers. I think it turned out pretty well....if I do say so myself.

This last one is supposed to be a white tiger. I usually say, "I can't do animals" but earlier this month I drew a panda that turned out really nice so I thought I would give it another try. It's not great but its not awful either. I made the eyes too close together which throws the proportions off. I may try again though....we'll see.

4x4 Zentangle Swap

2010-06-25T16:46:00.000-04:00

I started playing with zens after joining Fine Art ATCs One to One group earlier this year. This group has some very talented zen artists which felt a bit intimidating at first. I am one of those artists who is a dichotomy.....very A type personality but very artistic and free at the same time. Crazy right? You should try living in here with me!

Anyway, the whole point of zens is to FREELY doodle. Sounds great but my structured mind took issue to this and I found myself fretting over where to do things and was it even, and was the pattern balanced! I know, I know, I was missing the point!

My first attempts were more planned and structured pictures then straight doodles but I did enjoy myself and learned a lot about this art form and myself in the process. In the beginning I did many, some good, some not, and then I put it down for a while.

This month my Art For The Creative Mind group hosted a 4x4 zentangle swap and I happily jumped back in. This time I didn't worry I just drew and I really enjoyed the letting go and doodling process. Here is my effort.

I highly recommend trying zens to anyone whether you can draw or not! Because planned or not a story will emerge and every story is worth listening to!

Asian Index Card Book Swap

2010-06-24T15:14:00.000-04:00

I just finished my Asian Index Card Book for Art For The Creative Mind and I must say I am quite pleased with the results. This another first for me...index cards and an Asian themed book. This group really lets me expand my horizons with new ventures and mediums which I am really enjoying.

Supplies List:

Index Cards with tabs (I actually had some laying around that came in a metal box I had purchased)

A variety of Cricut shapes (using the Pagoda cartridge and Martha Stewart's Elegant Paper Pad)

Asian postcards (from a blogger freebie site)

Asian clip art (various ephemera packs from Sky Blue Pink)

Asian themed printed napkins (SkyBluePink)

Asian money envelopes (Sky Blue Pink)

Hell Note (Sky Blue Pink)

Asian themed card stock (The Dollar Tree & Oriental Trading)

Lotus Flower ribbon (Michael's)

I-Ching coin (Sky Blue Pink)

Red rice Paper

Asian Tag Kit (Go Make Something freebies)

Distress ink pads - Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Barn Door, Victorian Velvet

Pigment Ink Pad- Gold

Beads - square & Bamboo printed round (Sky Blue Pink)

Cotton cording - red

Smooch Accent Inks

Modge Podge

Double-sided tape

Heavy gel medium

Stick on letters

Front

Back

Inside Cover & Page 1

Inside Cover, Page 2, and back of Page 1

Back of Page 2, Page 3, and back of Page 1

Back of Page 2, Page 3, and back of Page 1 (with inserts pulled out)

Back of Page 2, Inside of Back, and back of Page 3

Thanks for looking! Please feel free to leave a comment!

Steam Punk Mint Tin Necklace Swap

2010-06-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

...wow that is a mouthful! This is another great swap hosted by TG at Art For The Creative Mind. The challenge was to create a necklace in the theme of Steam Punk using a mini Altoids tin.

Supplies:

Mini Altoid Tin

Length of base metal chain (I purchased mine at Michaels)

Various sized gears (Sky Blue Pink)

ArtChix Image sheets - Dapper Fellows, Mystical

Tim Holtz's Idea-ology Collection Paper Pack - Retro Grunge

Tim Holtz Film Strip

Large resistor

Watch parts

Misc. brads, metal tube bead, key, coin charm, typewriter key (Oriental Trading)

Large Metal cabochon frame (Dime Store Emporium)

Misc. salvaged vintage jewelry pieces

8 jump rings

Decorative head pin

Eye pin

2 amber colored crystal beads

Copper toggle clasp

Crackle medium

E6000

ArtChix Art Flag Swap

2010-06-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

ArtChix Studio is hosting an Art Flag Swap in July. The challenge is to create 7 3"x4" pennant type flags using some great new image sheet by ArtChix. This was a fun project that allowed me to be creative but exerted very little physical energy as I am still recuperating from a 5 week virus. Here are my entries..enjoy!

Tag of the Month Challenge - "Beauty in Nature"

2010-06-15T23:44:00.000-04:00

For June our Art for the Creative Mind Tag challenge was to create two tags in the theme of "Beauty in Nature". I decided to go two completely different directions with this one (so much fun to do when you have two of them). The first one is a chip board tag I cut into the shape of a leaf and then inked, stamped, collaged, painted, sprayed, and embellished with a dragonfly brad and ribbons.

The second one, a complete opposite to the first, began as a quilted and beaded ATC. I first sprayed a standard chip board tag with Smooch Accent inks, layered on a sage green grosgrain ribbon and then added the quilted ATC on top. I edged the ATC with Vintage Photo Distressed Stickles. To create the Nature sign is free-handed an area with swirly roots, glued a pre-printed chip board sign and embellished with rhinestones. I finished it off with a wood bead and wired brown grosgrain ribbon.

"For the Birds" Card of the Month Challenge

2010-06-15T23:17:00.000-04:00

Art for the Creative Mind's June Card of the Month Challenge was "For the Birds".

Supplies:

DCWV green card stock card

Tim Holtz ATC stamp - Creative Collages: Blackbird

ArtChix Image sheets - Feather Your Nest, E is for Egg

Scrap paper - parchment, brown linen texture, pale green with metallic flecks

Ribbons - sage green with brown edging, 1/8" brown

Copper tone brads

Colored pencils

Smooch Accent Ink - gold lame

Stick-on rhinestones - green

Stickles - Tiara

Black micron pen

Double-sided tape

June ArtChix Lotto Entries

2010-06-04T23:14:00.000-04:00

Here are my two June Lotto entries for my ArtChix-Sister-Site group.

Babies due June 15th - Fairy Baby

Beach Babes due June 30th - She Fights Fire with Water

Art Doll Challenge

2010-06-03T17:51:00.000-04:00

This is another Art For The Creative Mind swap and my first attempt at a paper art doll. What do you think?

I started with the free doll template provided by The Enchanted Gallery which I traced onto DCWV The Luxury Stack paper.

The face is stamped with an art doll stamp by ERA Graphics and I used markers to color in the features.

I then stamped the legs and arms with Fauna stamps by Prima which I then colored over with Luscious Lime Smooch Accents.

The skirt is simply to layers of tulle (purple and white) cut into circles and stuck down with two-sided tape.

Lastly, I cut and adhered paper and silk flowers/leaves to create a corset bodice and a hat. I used more Smooch Accents to highlight the leaves and flowers and add dimension. A pearl embellishment finishes it all off.

Handsome Men Challenge - Soot/Smoke Technique

2010-06-02T17:46:00.000-04:00

June's ATC challenge on Art For The Creative Mind is Handsome Men - Soot/Smoke Technique. This is a new one for me, in fact, I never heard of this technique until I joined the group. I don't remember exactly which lovely lady posted about it but I was intrigued.

Not really knowing what I was doing or where I was going with it, I decided to create my cards first. Afterall, that I can do. So I rubbed distressed ink onto watercolor paper to create an aged but solid background and then began adding my elements. I used clear sticker borders, ArtChix ephemera, a rub on and a clock embellishment from SkyBluPink, brads, and ribbon.

Now at this point I am really pleased with my pieces but I know I have to dirty them up with soot and/or smoke so down to the kitchen I go. I lit a candle and holding a spoon over the flame (I read that somewhere) created some smoke. Well, that didn't really turn out the way I thought it would! There was really no visible smoke on my pieces and my spoon was charred black!

Hmmm, what to do, what to do? This will not defeat me.....I got it!

I took that smarty pants black spoon and rubbed it on my pieces, transferring the soot to the paper. Wallah!

Now I am not sure this was the intention or what they are supposed to look like (shh, TG, I hear you saying "there is no supposed to") but this is what I came up with. In the end I like my Handsome Men!

Some new ATCs

2010-06-02T17:25:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, with this terrible cold I haven't been able to do much. However, last week I did drag some art supplies into bed and cranked out a few new pieces.

Black Nettle Jelly - water color crayon, water color pencils

Bird Brain - water color crayons and pen

Cloud Covered Moon - water color crayons, ink

Magnolia Bloom - dye ink markers, pen

Panda - pen, colored pencil, chalk pencils

Tag Book Swap on Creative Swaps Blogs

2010-06-01T16:48:00.000-04:00

I have just completed my entry for a Tag Book swap hosted by Lenna Young Andrews on Creative Swaps Blog. The theme is colorful words. I used chip board tags, ephemera, embossing powders, Smooch Inks and Sprays, rubber stamps, ink pads, fabric flowers, brads, stencils and eyelets. Whew! I chose to use 3 different tag shapes which also inspired 3 different styles. On the back (which of course, I forgot to take a picture of) are quotes appropriate to the word/s on the front.

This is my second swap with Lenna and I must say I really enjoy the challenge. Plus the work you receive in return is sensational!

Grunge - Day 12

2010-05-30T23:49:00.000-04:00

The End - Back Cover

I can't believe this is the end of the grunge book journey. I hope you have learned a little about "Grunge" and what it represents and maybe learned a few techniques you haven't tried.

Supplies:

Tim Holtz Grunge Board "Elements" - hinges

Mini antiqued brads

Large Jump ring

Stamp Pads - Brown, Weathered Wood

Embossing powders - Clear, Gold

Alcohol Ink - Copper and Black

Paint markers - white and black

Newspaper scraps

2 glass microscope slides

Adhesive aluminum tape

Soft gel medium or decoupage glue

Double-sided tape

What to do:

Rub entire face of tag with Weathered Wood stamp pad, sprinkle clear embossing powder over entire tag, flick the back to remove some of the powder, emboss, and let cool. Using a brown stamp pad rub over entire surface making sure to get the edges and all the areas where there is no embossing. Wipe off any excess with a paper towel.

Using brown stamp pad, stamp entire surface of hinges and keyhole, sprinkle with gold embossing powder, and heat. Use a marker to color any edges that are uncovered.

Using clear soft gel medium or decoupage glue adhere newspaper scraps onto one side of each glass microscope slide. Allow to dry completely. If you are feeling a little daring, like I was, I very gently tapped on one of the slides with a light weight hammer to crack it. The newspaper and glue medium are enough to hold the glass together until you can fix it to your page. Gently wrap sticky aluminum tape around edges of both pieces of glass to make a window frame. I then laid the "windows" face down side by side and attached double-sided tape down the middle seam and around all the edges. Peel off backing and place window in center of page, making sure to gently push down around all the edges and in the middle. Finish the windows with a rubbing of black and copper alcohol inks to dirty and age them.

The final touch was to graffiti "The End" on either side of the window. I did this using paint pens and a freehand method of puffy letters. Rub over the graffiti with a little brown stamp pad to dull the white.

And that's all folks! Thanks for taking this journey with me. This process has helped me really enjoy working on the piece and given me what I needed to let it go. Earla......I hope you are ready cause here it comes!

Grunge - Day 11

2010-05-29T14:24:00.000-04:00

"The Heart of the Matter" - Page 10

Supplies:

Stamp Pads - White, Weathered Wood (distressed blue), black

Straight lines texture sheet

Printed heart graphic

Black acrylic paint

Pumice

Soft Gel Medium

How To:

The first thing I did was to rub a white stamp pad over the entire tag. This process did not make the tag white but rather a nice aged paper look. I then used a black stamp pad to ink up my texture sheet and lightly stamped the entire page. I wanted the look to be worn so I did not put even pressure when I stamped. Next, I rubbed the Weathered Wood stamp pad around the edges and toward the center to make an oval-like opening for my heart graphic. I then went back over the edges with a black stamp pad to dirty it up a bit.

I cut out my heart graphic and adhered it with soft gel medium.

To create the black tar effect I used the same mixture as the road page (black acrylic paint mixed with a little pumice). I sort of haphazardly slapped that around the page until I was satisfied. Done!

Tomorrow will be my last post for the grunge book....."The End" back cover.

Grunge - Day 10

2010-05-28T22:01:00.000-04:00

Black Gives Way to Blue - Page 9

Supplies:

Stamp pads - Black, and Weathered Wood (distressed blue)

Wavy lines texture plate

Alcohol Ink - Copper Mixative, and black

Aluminum tag

Stylus

Arrow brad

Print out of Black Gives Way To Blue album cover

Razor blade

Edge Distressing tool

Double sided tape

"Torn paper" scissors

Q-tips

How to:

Rub Weathered Wood stamp on right side of tag and work towards the left side stopping about 2/3 of the way. Rub a black stamp pad on the tag starting at the left side and blending into the blue. I did not try to get complete coverage on the tag but rather let some of the tag color show through. Load your wavy lines texture plate with black ink and stamp across entire tag. This is meant to look worn and not perfect. I then took a standard razor blade and dragged it across the page, really rubbing it in some places. With a q-tip and copper alcohol ink add some touches of rust to the tag.

I used a pre-cut aluminum tag and textured it using the same wavy texture plate above and a stylus. Then I rubbed black alcohol ink and a touch of copper with a q-tip over the entire tag. Set aside and allow to dry.

Next I cut out the album title using "torn paper" scissors then rubbed the edges with the Weathered Wood stamp pad. Poke a hole through the left end and thread brad through title and aluminum tag then secure brad open. Put double-sided tape on both the tag and title, adjust angle as desired and tack down to page.

Tomorrow we explore the last page of the book "The Heart of the Matter".

Grunge - Day 9

2010-05-27T19:19:00.000-04:00

"The Numbers" - Page 8

These particular numbers are significant....can you guess what the numbers represent?

Supplies:

Large chip board numbers

Smooch Accent Sprays - red and gold

Black Crackle paint

Heavy Gel Medium

Black stamp pad

Sharpie

How to:

This page has big impact but is simple to create. First, distress edges of tag with a distressing tool or razor blade. Then spray tag with Smooch accent sprays with red and gold in random spurts. While the tag dries cover chip board numbers with black crackle paint. Use heat tool to dry numbers. If you have any edges showing through use a Sharpie to fill them in.

Accent distressed edges with a black stamp pad. Once everything is dry adhere numbers with heavy gel medium. Using your finger smoosh black crackle paint around to dirty up the tag. That's it, you're done.

Tomorrow "Black Gives Way to Blue" page 9

Grunge - Day 8

2010-05-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

Hitting The Stage - Page 7

Supplies:
Smells Like Teen Spirit Music (printed from the internet)
Photo of PearlJam concert
Graphic Stencil
Alcohol Inks - Red, Orange, and Yellow
Smooch Accent Sprays - red and gold
Black Crackle Paint
Soft Gel Medium
Blending tool for alcohol inks
Black Micron Pen - fine tip

How To:
First, I printed the sheet music for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" written by Kurt Cobain and a photo of a Pearl Jam concert. Since this book is for personal use only and will not be sold or published I figured it was okay to print and use these images. If not, shhhhh, don't tell anyone! I centered my tag on the music sheet, traced it, cut it out, and adhered it with soft gel medium.

Next, I cut the guy hanging from the girder from the concert photo and adhered that across the top of the tag with soft gel medium.

For the surface treatment I lightly spritzed red and gold Smooch Accent Sprays. Then I laid a graphic stencil down and using a blending tool loaded with red, orange, and yellow smushed the ink around. For added definition I outlined the ink pattern with a micron pen. For the last touch, I randomly brushed black crackle paint around to dirty up the scene.

Tomorrow "The Numbers" of page 8.

Grunge - Day 7

2010-05-25T21:39:00.001-04:00

If you are paying attention you probably noticed the lack of a blog post yesterday. I have been laid up in bed for several days now with an undefinable upper respiratory something or other which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the terrible cough that no amount of medicine can ease. Anyway, I just didn't have the energy in me to blog last night so I will pick up where I left off.

Let's Get Dressed - Page 6

Supplies:

Used black jeans (child's size is best for a tag)

Used cotton t-shirt

Scrap of plaid fabric, cotton or flannel

A few inches of broken chain

2 Jump rings

Embossed dog tag

Metal eyelet

Heavy gel medium

How to:

Cut the rear right side of a child's pair of jeans from just below the waistband to right below the pocket. This will give you a reasonable size to work with. Use a razor or distressing tool to wear out the jeans a bit, particularly around the pocket area. Punch a hole in the upper corner of the pocket and set an eyelet. Lay the jean scrap on the tag and play around with the placement until you are satisfied then mark the edges of the jeans on the tag. Slather heavy gel medium on the tag and place the jeans down, pushing them down into the gel. Allow to dry and trim away excess jeans. Attach a jump ring at either end of your broken chain piece. One one end attach a pre-embossed dog tag or emboss one yourself. Attach the other end to the eyelet on the jeans pocket. Tuck the dog tag into the pocket.

For the t-shirt all you need is a 3x6 scrap. Make holes and tear until it looks well worn. Slather heavy gel medium over the exposed tag and the top of the jeans and place the t-shirt. I let the t-shirt hang loose at the bottom rather than gluing the whole thing in place.

The finishing touch is the traditional plaid shirt. Cut, fray and wear out until you are satisfied and adhere the same way you did the t-shirt, leaving the bottom edge free.

Join me tomorrow when we hit the stage on page 7

Grunge - Day 6

2010-05-23T22:03:00.000-04:00

Hit the Road Jack - Page 5

Supplies:

Diamond Glaze

Acrylic paints - black and yellow

Alcohol ink - Silver Mixative

Pumice

How to pave the road:

I created the manhole by simply free handing the pattern and edging with Diamond Glaze. Allow to dry completely. Color with silver mixative alcohol ink. I used a combination of q-tips and cotton balls.

Mix black acrylic paint with pumice and spread over the remaining area of the tag. Dry with a heat tool. Use craft acrylics or watered down acrylics to paint the yellow road lines.

The clothing of page 6 is on tap for tomorrow.

Grunge - 5

2010-05-22T20:28:00.000-04:00

Angst - Page 4

Nothing says angst better than a clenched fist!

Supplies:

Stripe patterned paper (this is another piece from my teenage blogger pack)

Red card stock or fist die cut (mine was cut on the Cricut with the Indie Art cartridge)

White crackle paint

White paint pen

Clear crackle medium

Edge distresser

Regular and soft gel medium

Brown and black stamp pads

How to show your angst.....

Adhere stripe paper to tag with soft gel medium and allow to dry. Distress edges with a razor or distressing tool. Paint a series of lines starting in the middle of the page and radiating outward with white crackle paint (this will make it look like the fist burst through the wall). Dry with a heat tool. Rub a black stamp pad over it lightly here and there to add a dirty look.

To make the fist I used my Cricut and red card stock and then painted in the highlights with a white paint pen. You could free hand draw one, use a stencil, or a die cut too. Once the paint was dry I applied a thick coating of clear crackle medium over the entire surface. I dried it with a combination of a heat tool and a little bit of patience (hehehe). While holding the fist with both hands I made paper do "the wave" back and forth. This helps define the cracks even more. To really define the cracks rub the entire surface of the fist with a brown stamp pad and wipe off the excess. Adhere to the middle of the white paint with regular gel medium. I didn't glue all the way to the edges because I liked the way the curling added dimension to the page.

Tomorrow we hit the street with page 5.

Grunge - Day 4

2010-05-21T21:42:00.000-04:00

"Hardcore" - Page 3

Supplies:

Rock style paper (mine came in a teenager blogger paper pack)

Glossy white paper

Letters to spell out Hardcore (mine is a stencil sheet blank cut using Cricut Solutions Indie Art Cartridge)

Electric Guitar die cut or sticker (mine is cut using Cricut Solutions Indie Art Cartridge)

White acrylic craft paint

Scrap of black rubber cord

Black stamp pad

Grey marker

White Gel pen

Regular and light gel mediums

Two-sided tape

Spray bottle with water or ink blending solution

How to make it happen:

Adhere your rock style paper of choice to the tag with light gel medium and grunge it up around the edges with a black stamp pad.

Either make your Hardcore letters/phrase with a Cricut or other die cut machine or use stick on letter (letters with a little thickness is best). Attach phrase with regular gel medium and paint over surface with white acrylic craft paint (you want the paint to be watery not thick). Before the paint dries, hold tag upright and spray with water, allowing the paint to drip down onto the tag. When you are comfortable with the amount of drippage lay flat and allow to dry. After the paint is completely dry dirty up the phrase with the black stamp pad.

My guitar was made using my Cricut machine and glossy white paper. I then colored the handle, frets, and electronic do-dads with markers and aged the edges with a black stamp pad. Next cut a small hole for the "electric cord" to plug in and string a scrap piece of rubber cord through the hole. Adhere cord on back side with two-sided tape. Add two-sided tape to the rest of the back and stick onto tag. Curl the cord and attach in the side binding.

That's it! A lot of impact with just a few materials. Look for page 4 tomorrow.

Grunge - Day 3

2010-05-20T12:32:00.000-04:00

Page 2

Supplies:

Newspaper (the entertainment section or a local independent artsy paper works best)

Yellow Single Fold Bias Tape or yellow ribbon

Letter stamps

Ink Pads - black

Black Crackle Paint

Black Sharpie

Light gel medium

Two-sided Tape

How to:

First choose a suitable picture or ad from a newspaper. The one I used was in the entertainment section and was featuring an artist's work which happened to have a rebellious graffiti feel. I cut it out slightly crooked for a more out of order feel then glued it down with light gel medium. Allow to dry and then dirty up the page with a black stamp pad. Next I haphazardly painted black crackle paint along the top and side edges which I then dragged down onto the page with my finger. Dry with a heat gun. With a black sharpie I scribbled around on the page for more graffiti effect and wrote society and crossed it out (going against the trappings of society is one of the main precepts of "grunge').

Then with letter stamps, stamp caution across the yellow bias tape (or ribbon). Attach with two-sided tape.

Check back for tomorrow's exciting rock page!

The Grunge Goes On.....

2010-05-19T21:31:00.000-04:00

Page 1

Supplies:

Newspaper

Molding Paste

Brick mold

Stamp pads - red, brown, and black

Black crackle paint

Black paint pen

Skyline stamp

Light gel medium

Two-sided tape

How to:

Spread molding paste on 2/3 of the tag, press brick mold into paste and let sit for a while. When you remove the mold there will be some definite lines and some smooshed and peaked spots, this gives the effect of plastered over brick. Tear a piece of newspaper to fill in the rest of the tag and adhere with light gel medium before molding paste is dried. Dry molding paste with heat tool (or air dry if you are the patient type). To finish off the "brick" rub with red, brown and black stamp pads until you get the desired effect. Cut out a word or saying from the newspaper, scrunch it up, age it with the brown and black stamp pads and stick it down with two sided tape.

With the black stamp pad and the skyline stamp (or other desired image) stamp the bottom edge of the newspaper. Take your black paint marker or even a sharpie would work, and write urban or other words and symbols in graffiti style. Paint top edge of newspaper with black crackle paint and use your finger to drag it down. Heat dry for lots of crackles.

Finish the tag by going over all the edges with a black stamp pad.

Tune in tomorrow for page 2!