CCC #12

...the only thing I could think of that rhymes with 12 is - don't put me on the shelve(f). Sounded extra corny so I kept it out of the title. Snort.
Week 12, I can hardly believe it. If you're new and don't know what the heck I'm talking about, click HERE and you will be magically transported to Linda's blog to see what all the fuss is about. This week's theme is Chipped Enamel. When I saw it, I thought it was my OTHER favorite enamel technique from the book, but this one is still pretty darn cool.  Here we go:

You know that mini book I started with these techniques? It's getting pretty darn thick. I might have to break it into a series of novels, lol. 
Ok, the "deets" (love that word, right up there with "peeps") -  I adhered the floral print from the Lost and found stack to a piece of chip and ran it thru the CB embossing folder, then inked over the raised areas with distress ink. Maybe too much ink, you can see the design, but it's kind of muted.  The chipped enamel technique is on the flower, leaves, vine and some formerly ugly square brads. I thought the GROW bingo card went with the "botanical" theme I have going on here. Pretty basic, but the whole idea is to try the technique, right? Right. Don't forget to check out the other great art on Linda's blog, and there's some more candy up for grabs, the ultimate motivation! lol!
Go Be Creative! 

US ArtQuest Blog Hop!

Welcome, welcome! Now, this isn't a blog hop where you have to memorize clues, do handstands while someone records you or anything like that, we're making it real simples. Basically, all we're doing is linking to the next design team members blogs. Told you, simple. Along the way, the members have produced some fantastic art using US ArtQuest products, so please check them out! And, there may be some giveaways, too!
Here's my piece:

I used a piece of black chipboard as the base, then cut some Studio Cloth using a die to match the edges of the chipboard.  I painted the cloth with Perfect Pigment Paint in Cobalt Turquoise Hue (have I mentioned I LOVE this color? oh, ok), and shaded with Burnt Umber round the edges.  Then I stamped with a script stamp in permanent brown ink. 
The sentiment is stamped on tissue paper, there's also another stamp there in the background, and then I adhered it to the Studio Cloth using the Perfect Paper Adhesive.  I really wanted the sentiment to be crisp, but yet have that wonderful background color showing thru.  Tissue paper is the way to go when you need that effect.
The flourish is painted with Burnt Umber also, then I mixed Perfect Paper Adhesive with crystal Effectz-Opal and painted it on the flourish, it's a really different shimmer, I can't explain it, the picture doesn't do it justice.  Suffice it to say, it looks like.....opals. lol. Who doesn't love jewels?
The flower centers are jumbo brads covered with the cobalt paint, dipped in the opal Effectz, then when that was dry I sealed them with PPA.
There are also some Effectz brushed on the flowers, which is paper that I die cut.
I don't want to anger people, but I just have to mention that, this piece will also serve as my door hanger for the, ah, upcoming CRUISE. rofl.

Ok, my giveaway is a little "sampler" pack of US ArtQuest products, so you can try out the goodness for yourself!  And, if you win, I want to see what you create! (by October 25th, no pressure!...... kidding!)...... included are two pieces of 4 x 6 inch studio cloth, some Effectz in Opal and Gold, mica tiles, and mica flakes in copper and gold. Gee, I hope those little bags of white powder don't set anything off....

So, the next stop on your journey is Sarah! If you get lost along the way, you can always go back to the US Art Quest blog and find your way again!
The order of the hop is:

US ArtQuest blog

Jan 

Jessica

Lea

ME (Lori, you are here already! lol!)

Sarah

Terri

Simon Says Stamp and Show Me.....LAYERS!

Yup, the theme this week is LAYERS.  You can check out the other wonderful design team member's art HERE, and also place your entry there as well!

I chose my most favoritest medium to work with, grungepaper!  And some of my favoritest tools, Studio 490 stamps, Ranger inks, and Idea-ology. I decided to alter a CD, though it's kind of hard to tell it's a CD under all those LAYERS. HA! The pearl headed stick pin and blue chandelier piece is from my stash of "found objects", love that part!

Notice the Jenni Bowlin stick pin, and the Maya Road Star Pin, love those.  The mini Bingo card is also Jenni Bowlin.  The frame on top is Spellbinders label two.

Remember, you can alter clear buttons (or anything else clear, for that matter) by just gluing old text paper to the back with some Glossy Accents.

I knew I wanted to try Wendy Vecchi's technique from her August 12 post using Ranger Snow Cap Pigment Ink and distress inks. I really like the look of this.  For those that are familiar with the colors of distress inks, the leaves/vines are Forest Moss on Snow Cap, the flower is Rusty Hinge, and the little birdie is Chipped Sapphire. Pretty drastic difference, isn't it?  I urge you to try it, very cool.
As always, there is a wonderful prize up for grabs again this week, not to mention you could be chosen as a top three entry, so, go be creative and show us your layers! (be nice, now...lol!)

Studio 490 stamp sets used:
She Created Art, Be Happy Make Art, Love to Make Art, Be Inspired Make Art, Rose Art Part 2, Alphabetically Art, Dimensional Rose Art, Well Worn Art
Idea-ology pieces - muse token, word stick, swivel clasp, ball chain, jump rings
Inks - snow cap pigment ink; distress inks in forest moss, rusty hinge, chipped sapphire, brushed corduroy; Archival inks in black, olive and coffee, all by Ranger
Sakura black glaze pen (stitching)

ATC Ideas..and a couple of other things....

..hey, thought you could use a few more. lol!
Just a couple of ideas for the Jenni Bowlin ATC sized Bingo cards:

The little house on the left one is from the Maya Road mini Chipboard houses.  The "where love resides" is a leftover scrap of grungepaper from a class with Wendy. Of course, the scroll stamps are hers, too.  The one on the right uses Tim's filmstrip ribbon and paper from the Lost and Found stack.  I also covered some ugly square brads with old text paper and glued on some Lost and Found Bingo numbers.  Simple.

Ok, on Monday I'll be participating in a blog hop for US ArtQuest.  Can't show my project yet, but I plan on doing a little giveaway for my part of the hop.  Here's what you might win:

A little sampler pack of US ArtQuest items I have in my stash, so you can see for yourself how great these products are.  Couple of pieces of Studio Cloth, approximately 4 x 6, mica flakes in copper and gold, mica tiles, and crystal Effectz in Opal and Gold.  So stop back in on Monday, will you?
Now....Go Be Creative!

Roses for Mama...

...oooo, there's an old country song.  A tear jerker, too.  Can't remember who sang it.
Anyways, I digress..
Hels is Alfie cat's mama, and we had an art exchange in which I included some metal roses, so there you go....lol!
Hels was able to get a good shot of the project, you can see it HERE.

I'll just give you a few highlights, in case you're interested, I just know you're sitting on the edge of your seat....

I finally got smart and took the shadow box apart to take a decent pic of the inside, 'cause of the glare.

It started out as a plain white shadow box.  After stalking following Hels for a while, I had gathered these facts in the corner of my brain that has some memory left:
1) she likes black and white
2) she likes shadow boxes
3) she likes flowers
4) she likes metal
5) she likes bottles (little bottles, and not full of booze, rofl)
6) she likes Tim stuff
7) she likes music
I should have been a private investigator, I tell you.
I must say, I was nervous about this, and it took me forever to agonize over exactly what I was going to do. Hels work is so outstanding, I was really feeling the pressure to create something spectacular, I know, all self-induced. I'm just like that.
Any who, I covered the box with some Jenni Bowlin paper, and some of Tim's music tissue tape. Wow, is that stuff great for covering edges, I LOVE it!
From the beginning, I knew I was going to make metal roses with TSS pearl metal. To make them even more pearly, I painted them with a mix of Pearl Perfect Pearls, ran them thru the Big Shot to emboss, and sanded, then assembled.
Then I decided to put in a little canvas, I believe it's ATC size. Covered the edges with more tissue tape and put a piece of paper on top, stamped with a music stamp and covered with Rock Candy Stickles.  Decided on blue for just a pop of color.  Then added a bookplate with a sentiment from Tim's Odds and Ends, covered with Crackle Accents. Also an Idea-ology corner was added in the corner of the canvas.
I attached a small eye screw to the inside top of the box and affixed some old chandlier pieces I had scored on a garage sale.  The bottom one is shaped like a moon, which I thought was cool.
The finishing touch was a little bottle I put on the bottom right corner, filled with black and pearl beads, and topped off with a vintage clip earring stuck in the cork.
I had also sent an extra tag I had made for the tag swap for the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo! Group.  That had been planned, too....:)
So glad you like it Hels! Oh, and it didn't come with a hangar, and I remembered that after I had left the post office, so sorry 'bout that Hels, but I'm sure Grim with all his talent would be able to attach a little hangar or doo dad for you! Or, maybe I should just bring a little hangie over someday....now there's an idea.......lol!

CCC #11 and I'm in Heaven!

That rhyme was a little obvious, I know. Some days you have that.  The Compendium of Curiosities challenge this week involves BATIK. 
Go there to enter your piece and see all the lovely art created by Linda and the rest of the gang. AND, don't forget a prize is involved.
Ok, I love this technique. Creates wonderful backgrounds. Get ready, more ATC's on the way:

I mean, since you have the supplies out, you might as well make several, right? Of course.  The green ones are Bundled Sage with Peeled Paint, and the blue ones are Broken China with Chipped Sapphire distress inks.  Love those colors for this technique.  I have to say, Broken China is still my all time fave color of distress ink. Love the turquoise hue to it.  'Cause we all know I love the turquoise color.  Well, if you didn't, now you do. And hey, I'm slowly using up stash on these.  Love that! (Excuse to buy more...)
Go Be Creative! 

Sunday Stampers!

The theme this week is FLOWERS.  Check out Hels awesome piece and other entries, HERE.  
And, since I'm still in ATC mode, and will be for the next month, probably, I made several ATC's.

The backgrounds were made using a batik technique that can be found in Tim's Compendium of Curiosities book, and you will see four more in my next post for a different challenge. :)  All sorts of different flowers on these, some made from Studio Cloth by US ArtQuest and painted, a hand crocheted flower, a paper flower made from Tim's Lost and Found paper stack, and more flowers from Studio Cloth.  And you'll see a little sparkle from the Rock Candy Stickles on the Tim flower there.  Pretty self explanatory, really.  Distress ink colors on the green one was Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint. The blue ones are Broken China and Chipped Sapphire.  The last one with the glimmery background is adhesive with Gilding Bitz rubbed on (leafing).  Hope you have time to try and enter the challenge this week, 'tis lots of fun, as Hels would say, lol!
Go Be Creative!

The Runner

If you think that meant me, you're crazy.  I never run, unless I'm in fear for my life or trying to beat someone to the clearance aisle. rofl.

Here is my next project for the US ArtQuest guest designer spot, using:
Studio Cloth
Perfect Pigment Paint in Yellow Ochre, Orange and Burnt Umber
Perfect Paper Adhesive in Gloss 
Perfect Brush, 3/4" stroke.
Studio Cloth makes excellent table runners, it doesn't fray when cut, lies flat, you can roll it up to store it, then unroll it when you need it, and takes paint beautifully.  And it's reversible, as you will soon discover was beneficial to me.
So I went with a napkin collaged table runner.  I started by painting the center with the Orange, just eyeballing it, then round the edges with the Yellow Ochre.
I, ah, made a mistake by doing a myriad of all the colors I had received on the opposite side, which you won't see, it was a mistake which shall not be repeated.  Ever. So I flipped it over and this was the result, so why tell you this, you ask? I ran out of Orange paint, so that's why it looks a little washy. lol.  The size is 13 inches by approximately 24 inches.

,

I then cut out some decorative napkins, which was the most time consuming part by far, I mean, you need a lot of leaves to make it look good!  Then collaged them on where the two paints met in a random fashion with the Perfect Paper Adhesive Gloss.  I then used the Burnt Umber paint to shade round the perimeter of the leaves on the inside and outside:

I also remembered from my old painting days, that adding specks of paint helps bring the piece together, which you wouldn't think after all your hard work that you would want to speckle it, but it does really look better.  So, I added a little water to the Burnt Umber, loaded up the brush, and tapped it against my finger sending specks of paint everywhere.

I was trying to think of a nice saying or word I could paint in the center there, but all I could think of was Autumn, not really original, so I left it alone.  Besides, if I set something in the center, it would cover it up anyways! (At least, that's my rationale for not painting a word, lol).  I then sealed it with a good coat of Perfect Paper Adhesive Gloss. Viola! I'm ready for fall decorating!And I will also point out that shading with the Burnt Umber round the leaves really makes them stand out. I neglected to get a "before shading" pic. Of course.

Please make sure to visit the other wonderful design team members to see what awesome projects they made!

Sarah Anderson

Lea Cioci

Jessica Griffin

Jen Hennings

Terri Sproul

Connie Vogt

The US ArtQuest Blog

Go Be Creative!

Simon Says Stamp and Show Me Anything Tim Holtz!

...how great are these challenges, huh?  Can they GET any better?  I don't think so...
Actually, trying to narrow down what I was going to do was the hard part.  Once I had the theme, well, it went wild from there.
Before I forget, you can check out the other wonderful design team art, AND submit your entry HERE.

Ok, since I have the Lost and Found paper stack, the At the Movies stamp set, some filmstrip ribbon, and some great vintage looking postcards from my friend, Eileen......
we're going to the theater in New York, so grab your tickets, let's go!  Taxxxxiiiiiii..........

Don't forget, when you enter your project, make sure you link back to that specific post, and not just your blog address, ok?
Yes, ALL of the paper came from the Lost and Found stack, with the exception of the awesome postcards. Oh, and the ticket paper, which you can cut yourself if you have one of these. 
And yes, I made the little curtains. They're on a dowel rod with brass fittings that actually go on a light fixture, but they fit perfectly (thank goodness I save everything..).  The curtain tiebacks are German scrap. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments, and I'll get back to you. I thought I would try paring down the "how to" part, since I know a lot of people gloss over that stuff anyways.  However, I would like to point out one cool thing I thought of, (besides the curtains, lol).  The popcorn box: I ran a tag thru the Rays Texture Fade, then inked over the raised areas with Barn Door DI.  I then ran it thru the Big Shot again with just the plates, to flatten it again, then stamped the popcorn stamp image on it.  Used a circle to make a curved line to cut out the top. Ok, this is the stuff you're glossing over, I know....

Other supplies used:
Cosmo Cricket Blackboard Box
Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz collection - Just Thoughts, Mini Ornates, Odds and Ends
Ranger - Multi Medium Matte, Distress Inks, Distress Embossing Powder-Black Soot,
Sizzix - Sizzix Texture Fades-Rays
Idea-ology - Memo pins, Hitch Fasteners

Go Be Creative!

Swap Displays!

I decided today was the day to get a couple of the recent swaps I was in displayed properly instead of just letting them languish in a pile, poor things.
In the All Things Tim Yahoo! Group, we did an embossed tag swap, the criteria being, of course, using Tim's new Texture Fades embossing folders.  Send in six, get six back. Coolio.  I just mounted them on a black piece of matboard and made a little header covered with old text paper and some grungeboard letters.  I made little tags with the person's name who made the tag to put below them:

I used clear photo corners to mount them to the matboard, that way they could be removed if necessary.

In the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo! Group, we did a collaborative tag swap, each of us making a certain size tag, either small, medium or large.  When we got the tags back, we were responsible for mounting them.  I chose to cut a piece of matboard 13 inches by 13 inches, and painted it black.  I then covered the edges with some Tissue Tape.

Ok, looks like I should have cropped the picture, and centered my camera more. Sheesh.  I put the name of the person responsible for each tag on the back side of the matboard.  I also had a little room in the corner to put one of my tags.  It looks a lot better than my stoopid picture makes it look.  Awesome!  I used clear photo corners on these, too. Works great.  Now I can be inspired every time I look at my walls!

An Outfit for Xena...

...yes, Xena, the warrior princess....
The theme for this week's Tag Tuesday....NOT ON PAPER.  So, naturally, I turn to metal.  And since I missed the Tag Tuesday that used a mannequin form, I threw that in there too.  Here we go:

 Mounted on a piece of acrylic.  I used TSS Rock Star Black metal, embossed and sanded.  A little lace, some pearls, and some bling.  Oh, and a little stamping, too.  I'm not sure if this is necessarily MY style, but I think Xena would have liked it, although perhaps without the lace, lol. I guess I could have rolled up a little leather cord and hung it from her belt, like Xena, but I ran out of time....
EDITED:  I'm also going to enter this into the Drunken Stamper's Diva Challenge, upon the suggestion of a friend, the lovely and talented Ms. Ledbetter...  I think diva's might wear something like this, don't you??!!
there you go, now...
Go Be Creative!

Happy Birthday to....

Dewbird! Yup, today's his birthday! I actually took it upon myself to cook a meal, too! (gasps heard round the world)
So, here's a little something I made him, and if you can't tell, he's an independent trucker by occupation:

Some Maya Road gear chipboard, Tim's Gadget gears die, some diamond plate embossed metal, some blue embossed metal (blue's his fave color, um, besides white vehicles) some silver crackle paint, viola! He loves it, or at least he said he did....rofl....
We use trucker terminology 24-7 around our house.  An affirmative response is indicated by a 10-4, or if really important, it's a "big 10-4".  Negative response - "10-no".  Or a phone call asking his whereabouts, "I'm headed southbound on the super slab, got the 55 yard sticker in my back pocket comin' up on the chicken coop".  Ok, is that in this state?  If you can translate that sentence, and tell me in English what it means....sumpin' good might happen to you.
Thanks for stopping by! 
Go Be Creative!
10-4, roger that......

CCC #10 Pulling Double Duty...

Well, what can I say.  Sometimes you have to make a piece do double duty.
We're on challenge #10 on the Compendium of Curiousities Challenge, which is Distress Stickles.
And the Sunday Stamper theme this week....Jar/Bottle or Booze. (well, that leaves the door wide open, doesn't it? lol!)
I hadn't planned on combining both, it just kinda happened. lol

So, the CCC part is the bookplate, with "nature" on it.  And of course you see the bottle in the lower right corner, right? The paper is some of the new 7 Gypsies Conservatory line, as soon as I saw it, I knew it was mine.  I'm a nature nutcase.  And I thought, hey, why not add some of that stuff that I've grabbed on previous vacations, like the little pinecones, and the itsy bitsy piece of driftwood wrapped with jute.  Oh, and the base was a piece of matboard ran thru the Flourish texture fade. Love it.
Speaking of vacations, you'll be able to spot me when I'm on vacation.  I'm usually bent over (I know, not something you want to think about, well, maybe you do, in that case, I don't want to know) picking up some stuff off the ground.  The word "stuff" is used loosely and usually not the word that Dewbird uses to describe the things I come home with.
Let me give you a visual illustration.  A couple of years ago, we were fortunate enough to visit Sanibel Island, off the gulf coast of Florida.  Known for extreme amounts of seashells. Perfect. I love seashells, and collecting them.  So, while everyone was lazing on the beach, there I am digging in a sand berm, up to my shoulders, basically, feeling around for what I know for certain will be the biggest seashell ever found on Sanibel Island.  While I elicited a lot of "what the heck is she doing?" looks from both the locals and tourists, I sadly, did not find the elusive monster seashell, but I did find a rather cool looking, eroded shell, that was rather large. rofl.
And how about the 5 pounds of sand from the Bahamas that I made Dewbird carry in his luggage, just so I could have sand for some projects? lol. Pathetic. Especially when you walk down the aisle of your local Hobby Lobby and there's a bunch of seashells and bags of sand you can purchase.  But what's the fun in that??
Ok, hope to see you in the challenges, Go Be Creative! 

US Art Quest Studio Cloth Challenge!

I'm so happy and honored to have been asked to be a guest designer for US ArtQuest!  I have followed the work of Susan Pickering Rothamel for a while now, and have purchased a few of the products, so I was ecstatic to be able to try some of their other fine products! You can check out the US ArtQuest Blog to view the other Design Team Projects, or visit their blogs which are at the end of my post! 
My first round of projects includes a group of ATC's, cut from their Studio Cloth.  I also used the Perfect Pigment Paints .  The colors were: Permanent Green Medium, Orange, Purple Mist, Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber.  I did have enough forethought to take a picture of the backgrounds of two out of the three, lol!  I used a sponge to apply the paints, to get a blended effect.  The one on the left is Purple Mist and Permanent Green Medium, the one on the right is Yellow Ochre, Orange and Burnt Umber.

Here's a grouping of the three:

This first one is my favorite!  You really didn't think I'd do anything without flowers, did you?  I painted a piece of the Studio Cloth with Cobalt Turquoise Hue (I LOVE this color!) and ran it thru my die cut machine with a floral die.  I then stamped over it with a polka dot stamp and permanent brown ink.  I also stamped the background with a stamp and the brown ink.  And, I'm happy to report, I remembered the shading technique from my old decorative painting days! Oh Yeah! Used the Burnt Umber for that.  Really makes the flowers pop I think. The little oval with the sentiment "ART" is a piece of chipboard, painted with Yellow Ochre and shaded with Burnt Umber.  The sentiment is stamped with permanent black ink.  I added some Crystal Effectz, Gold Essence to the middle of the flowers.

This one uses the same painting and stamping techniques.  The background is blended with the Cobalt and Green paints.  The flowers are Orange shaded with Burnt Umber.  The stems are Burnt Umber.  The background of the sentiment is Yellow Ochre.

Background is Purple Mist and Permanent Green Medium blend on this one.  More stamping and the flower is painted with Orange, shaded with Burnt Umber.  The sentiment is a piece of chipboard painted and stamped just like the first one, above.

I must say, the Studio Cloth is an excellent material. Doesn't fray or curl, even with wet paint applied to it.  You can sew it, stamp it, paint it, and a myriad of other things.  When coated with Perfect Paper Adhesive, it becomes waterproof, and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth.The Perfect Pigment Paints are great!  The pigments are really concentrated, therefore, the colors are very deep and rich.  I just love the Cobalt Turquoise.  Oh, I think I already mentioned that.  Please visit the other US ArtQuest design team members for more great ART!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Sarah Anderson

Lea Cioci

Jessica Griffin

Jan Hennings

Terri Sproul

Connie Vogt

Simon Says Stamp and Show Me Your Wendy Vecchi!

Ah, a piece of art inspired BY Wendy Vecchi, that's what I really meant to say!
Of course, this challenge was SOOO up my alley, I couldn't wait to get started. I also tend to give myself my own little personal challenge within a challenge, by trying to push my creativity a bit by doing something different; for example, using stamps I don't use a lot, going with a different theme, stuff like that. Nothing like that little extra pressure put upon yourself, you know.  To check out the other entries for this week's challenge, CLICK HERE. You guys totally rocked last week's challenge, there was so much awesome talent out there I couldn't stand it.  And I need to remember, I can be replaced, rofl.
I used some of my mostest favoritest products ever from Maya Road, Ranger and Stampers Anonymous and created this: (supply list afterwards)

I'm posting three pics, so's you can see some more detail:

The coolest part about this one for me was a couple of brainstorms I had, which I will share.  Ok, maybe they were more like showers, not storms, but nonetheless.  The plastic thingy on flower girls head is SHRINK PLASTIC. Yes, that's right. I stamped the same flower that's under her head on shrink plastic with Staz On Black and blasted it with my heat gun.  While it was still warm (ok, stinkin' hot, but I didn't take any skin off my fingers, luckily), I kinda molded the petals up. Now, in case you haven't heard, Wendy is coming out with some plasticy stuff that is moldable and doesn't shrink. Cool.  I'm sure Simon Says Stamp is gettin' some of that.

Let's see, what was the other thing.....oh, yeah.  I remembered I had some vintage paper measuring tape somewhere, which I was able to locate within 5 minutes, and used that for the hanger.  I know, it's no big deal to you, but I was pleased with myself for remembering I had it.  Oh, and see how I gave the dress a little bling with the Maya Road chandelier piece? Hung with black embroidery floss, since we're going with the sewing theme here.  I also did the same thing with the bigger chandelier piece hanging from the bottom.

Supplies used:
Maya Road-page from chipboard accordian album, mini chipboard set Sew Cute, chandelier pieces, trinket pins, ecru trim at bottom
Ranger-Distress Inks (just about all of them, lol), blending tool/foams, gold paint dabber, black enamel accents, Archival inks in Coffee, Olive and Black
Stampers Anonymous-Studio 490- Art Parts, Ticket to Art, Well Worn Art, It's Face Art, Be Inspired..Make Art, Just Sew Artsy, Love to Make Art, Fashion Style and Art
Grungeboard basics, Grungepaper, Idea-ology, Sakura black glaze pen,
black embroidery floss, black rick rack
To just go to the store, go to SimonSaysStamp.com!

So, come on now, let's see your best Wendy piece!  Never fear, if you don't have some of her stamps, just check out her blog, get an idea of her style, and go for it!
Here's the prize package that you could win this week with your entry!

Tag Tuesday!

..the theme this week is CROWNS.  You can go to Louise's blog HERE to check out the other awesome tags!
I was feeling the need for humor in my art this week, and not just your normal run of the mill ha ha humor, my overly sarcastic humor was required.  Sew......lol.....

You go girl!  Give that stout woman a crown, I say!  She deserves it!
And speaking as one of the "stout" women, you really don't want to make us angry, I'm just sayin'...
And isn't "stout" the old "plus"? rofl.

Supplies used:
Distress inks:  Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Fired Brick
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous-Studio 490
Black Archival Ink and Coffee Archival Ink
Black Enamel Accents
Black Sakura glaze pen
Image from the Web, unknown.
Grungeboard crown
Platinum Stickles
Bling

REMINDER:  Don't forget to enter the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week, for a chance to win a GREAT PRIZE PACKAGE!  The theme is Things with Wings!  So....

Go Be Creative!

Gimme a "W" Vanna!

...for a big "WOO HOO" !  I'm pleased to announce that I was invited to be a guest designer for US ArtQuest!  Check out their announcement HERE!  I'm so excited!  I was going to use the word stoked, but I think that's kind of "out" now, isn't it?? LOL
Here's how it came about, for those who would like to know, if not, you can click elsewhere, lol.
I have been a fan of Susan Pickering Rothemal's (owner of US ArtQuest) art for a while, and have used a few of their products.  I participated in their blog hop a couple of months ago, and the head designer, Jessica, emailed me a couple of weeks later wanting to know if I would like to be a guest designer!  I thought briefly (a nano second) and of course, said yes! So there you go.  Keep checking back for further details of the upcoming stupendous event! 
And, by the way, they are having a blog hop in August, if you have a blog, feel free to join, you can check out the details HERE.  Big prizes are being awarded! I'm just sayin'.....
OK, I have, a few, ah, deadlines to meet, so time for me to GO BE CREATIVE!

CCC #9-Oh Mojo, Won't You Be Mine?

..yeah, sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't.  Isn't that a candy bar commercial??
Theme this week, hosted by Linda, is Distress Crackle , you can go there to check out the other wonderful work!
Once again, an ATC, for, you know......lol:

Once again, base paper is from Timinator's Lost and Found stack, ran thru a Texture Fade embossing folder and inked with distress ink.  The butterfly is Maya Road chip. A rub on sentiment, and a salvage sticker with not quite yet dried crackle, hence, the glare.
Here's a few more ATC's:

Go Be Creative!

Sunday Stampers!

...missed last week, but I'm back on the wagon now... theme this week is MUSIC.
I'm in ATC mode right now, so a lot of the challenges I enter will be in the form of ATC's.  Why ATC's you ask politely?  Well, it's for the upcoming cruise with the Timinator.  But I'm not supposed to mention it in front of some people.  I've received death threats for mentioning that I am going on said CRUISE. rofl.  I'm not rubbing it in or anything....

Kinda simple but definitely fits the theme! Base is paper from Timinator's Lost and Found stack, conveniently ATC sized, ran thru the music CB embossing folder, swiped with ink, then added some Maya Road rub on's, and the word LISTEN, which is edged with black enamel accents.  A little bling in the upper right corner. Ta da, done! Oh, wait, some stitching marks around the edges with the black Sakura glaze pen.
Well, I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but here it's, as my Grampa would have said, "hotter than a goober cooker".  Goober being peanuts, and not what you might think. Ha! I can't wait for fall!  This weather makes me grumpier than normal...is that possible??? rofl.
Go Be Creative! 

We're Off and Flying with THINGS WITH WINGS!

Alright! The first challenge has been posted on the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog!
As you can see, the theme for this week is Things With Wings!

As always for me, it conjures up images of birds and butterflies.  Shocking, I know.  I combined my love for Ranger, Maya Road and Graphic 45 products into a winged chiptastic piece (you know, things made with fantastic chipboard, lol):

The base chip is covered with Graphic 45 Bontanicabella paper (yeah, I know it's an old release, but to me it's timeless, and I have a bunch of it, rofl, I love it!) sanded round the edges and inked with Vintage Photo distress ink.  If you look closely at the edge of the roof, it's chip cut with an On the Edge die (Plaque and Postage), and painted with Espresso paint dabber and some bling added.  The trim is Maya Road cream sequin.  I cut a Sizzix flourish out of grungeboard, inked with Vintage Photo and stamped with Wendy's Houndstooth background stamp from the Well Worn Art set.  The bird is Wendy's stamp also, from Let Your Art Have Wings set, stamped and clear embossed on G45 paper.  The sentiment is Wendy's also (black Archival ink), from the same stamp set, and I used the houndstooth background stamp again in Vintage Photo. The chip frame round the sentiment and the chip piece on the "roof" are painted with Burnished Brass distress crackle paint.  The butterfly is Maya Road mini chip, the bottom layer is covered with G45 paper, the top layer is inked with Vintage Photo, and I sandwiched a Jenni Bowlin stick pin in between the layers.  There are also some Maya Road Trinket Pins (leafs) added under the sentiment.  A lot of the items I used can be found at Simon Says Stamp! online store!
Oh, and last, but not least, the flowers are hand crocheted by Kim, Pam's husband, we traded some art stash and that was my special request, lol! Aren't they awesome? Pam sells them in her Etsy shop, too!
Thanks for stopping by, be sure to check out the challenge blog for links to all the other design team members blogs and please consider joining us in the challenge! Did I mention that there is a prize involved if you enter??  Oh, come on, just WING it!

The Countdown is ON!

Okey dokey, fellow artists and connoisseurs of all things crafty, one more day till the Simon Says Stamp challenge will be revealed!  Just to give you all a little added incentive, this week's prize that will be randomly selected amongst the challenge entries contains:

I see Tim's 100th Collection Odds and Ends stamp set, some distress inks, a tiny attacher, some stickles, among other arty goodness.   So, get your art cap on, and be sure to check the challenge blog tomorrow!

It's a Major Deal! and a little art......

Good grief Gertrude, did you see the blinkie to the right? YEAH! I'm a proud, new member of the Simon Says Stamp Design Team!  My first ever design team! I'm so flippin' excited I can't stand it!  It was really hard to keep it off the airwaves, I tell you.  The wonderful Linda E from A Crafting Journey is our fearless leader.  You can check out the other talented members by going to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog, where we will have weekly challenges, and of course some added incentive, namely, PRIZES!!! 
The first ever challenge will be posted Monday, and I'm sworn to secrecy till then, you'll just have to wait another day! 

Ok, whew!  Been pretty busy this week, but I've been working on some ATC's for the cruise coming up, oh, in about two months, lol. Oh, did I not mention that I am going on the Tim Holtz cruise to Canada/New England?  I'm going on the Tim Holtz cruise to Canada/New England! Yipppeeee!  
Now, my humor oftentimes is, shall I say, sarcastic and dry.  And I love Anne Taintor stuff.  And I love Maxine. So...

Hope you have a wonderful, arty weekend, and don't forget to come back and see what I created for MY NEW DESIGN TEAM!!!

CCC #8..and for once I'm not late!

...heeeee!  I know, there are but a slight few of you out there that appreciate my off the wall and most oftentimes corny sense of humor. Thanks for sticking around!
Ok, this week's challenge, hosted by Linda, involves grungeboard or grungepaper, and ink.  I had initial thoughts about this challenge that turned into something I didn't think quite met the terms of the challenge, which you will be able to see later, so I made another that definitely qualifies.  Pretty basic really, and almost an exact replica of the example in the book. However, in my defense, I looked at the book rather quickly, and after deciding on the colors of ink I wanted to use, realized when I looked at the book again, that it was the same exact colors used on the sample. Believe it or not, I don't care, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.  Here we go:

Told you. Basic.  But, sometimes, that's just the way you feel. 
Here's the other piece I had done:

Wow, that gold foil rub on really caught the glare. Yikes. G45 paper used as the base, French Script background stamp, Eiffel Tower Sizzix die, painted and stamped, 7 Gypsies foil rub-ons, some other rub-on's that the name escapes me, a ticket from Tim's Lost and Found stack that has PARIS on it, mounted inside a grungeboard bookplate.  It looks marginally cooler in real life, lol.  Thanks for stopping by today, hope your weekend was great and ARTY!