Precious - Let's Scrap

It's that time again!  Another spectacular Let's Scrap sketch has been posted and you have the opportunity to play along for your chance to win a fun prize from this week's sponsor.

Having one teen graduated from high school (how is that even possible?? pfft! I'm far too young for that...LOL!) and the other a freshmen this year (double pfft!! for that) it has become increasingly more difficult to get pictures of them.  So what's a mama to do?  Take pictures of her goat babies of course!

This is Twilight, one of my loves around here on the farm, and I was super elated she actually stood still for this shot!  You don't even know how incredibly hard it is to get goats to cooperate for photoshoots until you have them trying to nuzzle your face while doing so.  I don't mind the nuzzles just wish I wasn't deleting so many photos after. ;)

The sketch this week was perfect for me to use to highlight her precious beauty on a gorgeous Fall day.

For the background I used on the newest ScrapFX stencils, Hash (2014290) to create a bit of country texture with some paste.  I also added bits of glitter glue to this when it was dry but you can't see the sparkle in my photo - bummer.  I really struggle capturing glitter at times.  I then stamped some subtle chicken wire patterning in a greyish tone around the background using my ScrapFX Chicken Wire Stamp (2013382).  In real life this is a really great touch - photo not so much against the mustard background. Of course there are the chippies and then the leaves were also stamped using a ScrapFX stamp onto some patterned paper.  

Here is this week's sketch I used:

My take is from the left side and I adjusted the photos to suit my needs.  I love being able to make sketches meet needs in this way.  Whether you use both sides and make a double page spread (you go with your bad self!), pick a side, adjust it to meet your needs, or follow along precisely, I do hope you play along! 

You can see the rest of this week's DT takes and link at Let's Scrap, here.

Take care and I'll see you soon as I have so much to share my to blog folder is bursting. O.o

Happy!

Greetings!  This is a late night post for me as days are busy, but it is a happy one!

First off I must share I've joined the Let's Scrap DT - Woot!

This is super exciting as back in the day it was one of my very first teams and now to be back with them is a joy.  There are oodles of changes as well.  Gone are the days of the Ning site.  While this is a bit sad, I think ultimately it is pretty cool the challenge site is now blog based - it makes it a lot easier for all of YOU to play along!  There is also a Facebook page for anyone on that social network so be sure to check us out there too!  This is where the chattiness happens. ;)

My first sketch reveal was with this team thos past Wednesday and here is what I came up with:

I've been working diligently on using my stash and I love this October Afternoon line with the Campbell Soup kid-like images so much.  I couldn't resist using them on this card.  The background here is a heat embossed resist using some of the new ScrapFX cloud stamps and NeoColors II, can you guess how much I love these stamps??! ahahaha!!

What I love about this technique is how it allowed the details of each stamp to still shine through.  Here you can see the word happy much better than in the first picture.  You'll also notice the little confetti speckles in the upper right hand cloud.  The color seeped into these areas yet resisted the clouds - love that.

Here is the sketch I based my design off:

And now it's turn.  Create a card, or LO if you choose, and link it up to the Let's Scrap site for your chance to win a prize from this week's sponsor.  Hope to see you playing along! :)

Until next time, take care!!

Life's Tough

Hey There!  It's been busy, busy around here since Fall weather has decided to make an appearance a tad earlier than normal.  The chill in the air and and just under 40 degree mornings means we've been kicking it in to high gear to make sure the farm is prepared.  It makes for long days and a tired body at night that is for sure.  But I still have managed creative time and have back logged projects to share, so let's get to that shall we?

This page was created for ScrapFX and documents my baby girl's concussion she received playing softball, much to her dismay - ha!  The release of medical stuff from ScrapFX was perfect for my family sadly - yeesh.  We are a bit of an accident waiting to happen with two very active teens, a hubby that works with police dogs, and well you get the idea. ;)

I'm pretty smitten with the newer Ripples Stencil (2014155) and used it here to start off my background with some paste.  I thought it'd give the feeling of being dizzy you know??  Once it was dry I went over it with some paint and then added some stamping with the Spiral Spots Stamps (2014153)  to further the feeling.  The Life's Tough (2014183) wordlet was painted black and then splattered with some colored string gel.  I think it's definitely symbolic of all the chaos we were feeling at the time.  The string gel is also used throughout the page in other spots.

Here you can see one of those medical pieces in action.  This piece is from the ironically titled Ouch Pack (2014165).  I think it's kind of adorable for an ouch piece and would be perfect for little booboos on toddler type pages, etc.  But my big girl deserved it too. ;) 

Another piece from the Ouch pack and lots and lots of stars to compliment the ones on the other ouch piece.  I'm so glad I picked up a bunch of those mini stars ions ago when they were on clearance at Ms.  They're terrific to splatter on a page every now and then, a big mess to do so, but worth it. :D

So yeah life can be tough when you're a teen and catch a concussion playing the sport you love, but you live through it, your mom scraps it, and then you die a thousands deaths because gasp! the whole world is going to see the picture you already posted on FB.  LOL.  Ahh well, what'cha going to do??

I hope you all have beautiful days!  I'm off to do more chores on the farm and delight in the fact that the sun is at least shining.  Take care and remember ScrapFX is still having their DT call!!

ScrapFX DT Call!!

Greetings Friends!  Thanks for popping by today, you'll be glad you did because I have exciting information to share.  As my title states ScrapFX is having a DT Call and you won't want to miss out on throwing your creative hat in on this one, their products are beyond amazing to create with!! :D  Here are the deets for you:

Love playing with chipboard?

Obsessed with stamping?

 Passionate about stencils?

Scrap FX is offering an exciting opportunity for talented and innovative artists and scrapbookers that love getting creative with these products, and love to inspire others to create.

Do you fit this description?    What do you need to do?

Please submit three projects:  two layouts, and one other project of your choice (can be an art journal page, scrapbook layout, canvas, altered project, cards etc.)

Submissions do not need to use Scrap FX products, but we want to see what you can do with chipboard, stencils and stamps.  Be yourself, we want to see the real you in your designs…..we are after a variety of styles that will relate to scrapbookers, papercrafters and mixed media artists…..so don’t be shy, have a go!

You will need to have an active blog of your own, and a facebook page.

The duration and starting date for the Design Team term is negotiable.  You will receive a generous starting kit, and new products every month, of which you are required to create three projects per month.  DT members must be exclusive to Scrap FX for chipboard products only.

Email your submission to: scrapfx@netspace.net.au   including your address, phone number, and a link to your blog.  Please also list your social media links (such as pinterest, instagram etc.)

DT Call is open worldwide, and will end on the 1st October 2014.

The new team will be announced on 14th October 2014.

So don't delay, get those chippies, stamps, and stencils out and start playing!!  Create some über spectacular projects and send them on in.  I wish you all good luck and happy crafting!

1st Car

Hey Sweetie Peeps!  Here today to share up a LO I recently created for ScrapFX featuring my oldest and his new to him car. ;)  Yes, we roll like that.  There are no brand spankin' hot rods round here, but to say he was thrilled with getting my car, as I got a new to me car to fit my goatees and hay in, would be an understatement.

This page started off with a sheet of the new Basic Grey Highline (well I guess it's not that new anymore - ha!) and some gesso.  From there I splashed on some mist with a paintbrush and added my texture with paste using the Tyre Track Stencil (2014177) from ScrapFX.  While I waited for that to dry I layered up my photos with some others papers from the collection's 6x6 pad, outline my title chippie, and cut out my transparency piece (a new item to ScrapFX).

Once my paste was dry I went over it some mist in metallic colors to add a bit of color and then sprinkled that randomly with silver embossing powder while still wet.  A little blast with the heat gun and some additional funky texture was created.

To finish off the page I added in some stamping.  I'm totally hooked on it these days and can't seem to complete a project without it.  Here I used the ScrapFX Gear (2014176) and Hash (2014137) Stamps.  The Hash stamps were used first as a background stamp providing a little interest and breakup to the misted background.  I love these little stamps and know I'll be using them a lot on my mixed media creations.  The Gear stamps were stamped using VersaMark, sprinkled with silver embossing powder, and heat set.  The last touch on the page some outlining with Liquitex fluid ink around the edges of the photo layers and the page itself.  

When I got done with this page I looked at it and thought of the Blues Brothers, LOL.  Don't know why, just did. I was ultimately just glad to have scrapped a page though.  This was the first one done in a long stretch of time.  I'll be back to full mojo soon I think. ;)

Until then thanks for hanging in there with me. :)

Smile and the World Smiles With You - Canvas

Hello!!  My oh my, it's been quite the long time since I've blogged but it's time to blow the dust off and share up some creations again - wahoo!

Today's creation will give you a little insight as to what has been keeping busy over the past several months and let me tell you, it has been so worth it!

Meet Penelope, she is one of the Nigerian Dwarf goat kids we brought on to our little farm we started up this spring.  Yes we started up a farm!  Super exciting and a whole lotta work - phew.  It only seemed appropriate one of my first creations after being away from my crafty space for what seemed like foreva' would be to showcase one of my farm cuties - showing off a cheesy grin too, ha!

 

 I started constructing my little country scene by adding in some stamping using my ScrapFX stamps.  The cloud stamps are hand carved ones I made using the Clouds and Raindrops stencil as a template and the flower stamps are the foam ones available in the store.  The chipboard piece here is one of my favorites, it's a fairly new release and there are a whole bunch of pieces similar to this one but using different large words and smaller phrases below. The font is so fun and I love the perfect print below, don't you?

To create the background of the canvas I worked some layers and added my various acrylic paints.  I love being random and messy during this stage.  No real plan just slapping on the mediums.   I also knew I wanted to use one of the little mini suns here but it just wasn't cutting it on it's own, worked out perfectly inserted in the paperclip sun though.  Love it when I can seek out layering tidbits on my table like that. The leaves were also stamped from ScrapFX foam stamps and then colored with various shades of Neocolors, watered down to blend, then fussy cut to be added to the canvas.

Don't you just love Penelope's cheesy grin?  She is such a little sweetheart!  Definitely worth the time away but am so glad to be back.  Still feel like I need to find my full creative again but it'll come.  I've got more things to share and am slowly finding my way in to routines between 34 chickens, 5 goats, one of which is in milk so I milk twice a day, gardening galore to try and replace a good amount of my family's food, and oh did I mention piglets will be coming to the farm in November??  Ahahaha!  I love this life and can't wait to share it with you through my art.

Take care dear friends, be blessed.

Sharing Some Loves - ScrapFX Style

Happy Friday to You!  Today I'm sharing up a couple sneaks of projects I currently have posted to the ScrapFX blog featuring some of my loves.

 

 This first project features my love of the country life.  I'm so blessed to have my dreams coming true of building a homestead that involves chooks (chickens), goats (yay!! can't wait to bring my babies home next month!!), and a larger scale garden this year.  There is a tutorial posted on how I built up my background so be sure to pop on over and check it out. :D

Even though you can't see him in this shot - my boy is surely one of my loves!!  Here he is all decked out with the other gal that shares his heart.....ahh, young love is so sweet.  This altered piece will be gifted to his girlie today. Can't wait to give it her; she is a darling.

You can head on over to ScrapFX to see the full reveal if you'd like, I'd love it if you did!! :D

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter!

ScrapFX Sneaky Peeks

I'm up on the ScrapFX blog and the new release of beach theme items made me oh so happy!  Not only are the chippies, stamps, and stencils super magnificent - it also gave me yet another reason to warm things up around here even if its only in my creative thoughts.

I had a glorious time playing with my watercolors, ScrapFX Wave Border (2007168) chippie, and Random Dot Stencil (2013172) to create a nautical background.  Then layered up some new and old beach themed chipboard to embellish the page.  I just lurve all the new coral pieces to bits!!!

During December and January we had freestyle months on the blog so the Steampunk release of chippies kind of got overlooked.  I've been smitten with this Headgear Lady (2013377) and Chickenwire Heart (2013375) since I received them so I thought why not try and mix them up with a beach item and showcase both?  I succeeded in my venture as the branch like piece on this canvas is actually meant to be coral - I love when stuff can be dual purpose don't you?

If you'd like to see the full reveal of these projects, and I'd love for you to go check them out, you can click here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Skissedilla #232 - King of Our Jungle

A new month means a new sketch is up at Skissedilla.  #232 is cool and funky, leaving lots of room for your creative wings to stretch.

The lovely Nabon created this one and we can't wait to see what you come up with.

I decided to warm things up a bit around here and create a page about the King of our Jungle - haha!  This lil' kitty is soo furry and truly looks like a little lion as he struts his stuff about the house.  I was so glad to capture this photo of him as he was lounging on my lap.

I put my ScrapFX Hexagonal Pattern Stencil (2013167) to work on the background with some paste and blotted it with a variety of paints in both matte and metallic colors.  While that was drying I went to town stamping my leaves using the ScrapFX Leaves A Simple, Stamps (2013344) with black paint on my Amy Tangerine patterned paper - still love this line.  I then cut these all out and arranged them.

Next I began altering all my jungle animals to go along with the theme of the page because how can you have a jungle theme without some wildlife, right?  The lion was done up with metallic paint for the body and metallic paint mixed with texture paste for the mane.  The giraffe was painted with a combo of regular acrylic and metallic paints.  The gorilla - even though he is hard to see :( - was done using some black lava paste.  He has a really cool texture that is very gorilla like. The giraffe, gorilla, and rhino (not shown here) are from the ScrapFX Zoo Animals Pack (2012235) and the lion is from the Cat Family Pack (2012225).  I love that you can make these pieces look realistic with a few simple touches.

Here you can see a bit of the rhino - he was altered using some coarse texture paste mixed with a combo of metallic paints for the body and had his horns colored with a white gel pen.  You can also see the various layers, bits and bobs of sequins, jewels, buttons, and punched bits used to pull the rest of the page together.  Yes, I had a bit of fun with this one for shiggity. 

I hope you'll have some fun too and join in at Skissedilla.  Come check out what the rest of the DT created, along with our selected scrapper, Riikka!!  She even has a video to share of her process - you don't want to miss that.  Plus we have an amazing sponsor this month - Studio Tekturek - and I know you'll want to try and win some of their gorgeous papers.  I can't wait to get my hands on some. :)

Until next time, take care! 

Its February - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year??! Yikes, yes I know its been a bit but January was a wee bit rough round here, as it was for many peeps.  

The bitter, frigid weather definitely took its toll and gave us plenty of work to do keeping up with our kennel to ensure the dogs were always safe and comfy cozy.  And just in case you can't tell that temp reads -22 which was without windchill. Blah - so done with winter here!

There has been lots of this too - plenty of frozen and bursting pipes.  Nothing like hearing a waterfall letting loose in your wall in the middle of the day!  Haha - I joke - but I was freaking my beak at the time for real.  All I could think of was our well running dry.  A little over dramatic am I? Perhaps, but it was bad.  Hubs had to leave work and make the hour drive home since I couldn't get the frozen shut off valve to budge. Sigh.  

I've learned to Embrace the Moment.  I've been creating in amongst all this - but blogging and most social media has just eluded me.  A lot of times things have either been running slower than molasses or not at all due to high winds.  Its okay..... 

Embrace the Moment.  This tag is one of three I created with some inspirational sayings on them featuring ScrapFX chipboard, stamps, and stencils.  I'll share the rest soon.  The thought is to set these free with some happy mail - so glad it looks as if that can finally happen this month. 

Also on the tag front is the little mini I created for a Guest Spot on the Scrapbook Creations Magazine Blog.  You can find Part 1 of my posting here and Part 2 of my posting here.  Part 3 will be featured next week Wednesday.  Super thrilled to be over there with such outstanding talent.  I'd love for you to pop on over if you feel so inclined.

Thank you so much for visiting today!  I have indeed missed blogging and look forward to sharing oodles of things over this coming year with you.

Take good care!! 

Joy Tags - Tutorial

Its hard to believe we're already on major countdown to Christmas!!  I so love this time of year and have been delighting in less hustle, bustle and more peace, comfort, and joy.  Part of the fun for me is taking time to create some beautiful things to adorn presents.  

Tags are such a quick and easy way to do this and with the right string attached who knows they may just wind up on someones tree as a keepsake.  

Here is how you can recreate these cute little Joy tags to deck out your packages in style:

Step One: Cut watercolor paper down to tag size of choice (3x3 shown).  Ink up stamp (ScrapFX Moroccan Tile - 2013351) with VersaMark, sprinkle with embossing powder, and heat set.

Step Two: Spray background generously with mist.  Allow this to dry for a couple seconds then use a baby wipe to pounce away color from embossed areas.

Step Three: Layer some stenciling (ScrapFX Random Dots 2013172 used above) over the embossed background in the upper left and bottom right corners using paste.  Set this aside to dry completely. 

Step Four: Once paste is completely dry, highlight some circles using NeoColors or whatever coloring medium you have on hand.  Sprinkle some gold splats of mist across the tag.  *My apologies for not having a picture of these materials in this step.

Add some washi tape across a strip of burlap and adhere this piece diagonally across the tag.  I used fabric glue to ensure it would stick and hold up to being jostled around.

 

Step Five: Add some modeling paste to a Mini Christmas Tree (2007384) and set aside to dry.  Diecut some letters (or use stickers/chippies/etc.) in black and outline them with a white gel pen.  Adhere the letters 'J' and 'Y' to your washi tape strip.  Brush green mist onto dry tree and adhere to the washi tape strip in place of the letter 'O'.

Step Six: Outline tag with a black pen and add some random dash lines along the edges.

Step Seven: Cut patterned paper to 3x3 (or whatever size you have made you tag).  Stamp a to/from image onto the paper. No worries if you don't have one - just doodle it.  Sprinkle some splats of gold mist across paper.  Outline paper with a black pen and add some little dash lines along the edges.  Adhere this piece to the back of your tag.

*Note I didn't add the patterned paper prior to doing the messy work in order to keep the patterned paper clean from oozes and to cover up anything that may have leaked on back.

Step Eight: Punch a hole in the upper right corner of tag.  Add twine to create a loop and tie.  Your tag is now ready for gifting!

Here is a look at the front:

The back:

And a different angle to check out the fun texture created in some quick and easy steps:

I hope this quickie tutorial inspires you to gear up for some do-it-yourself wrapping worthy of being hung on a tree after.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have great starts to the weekend and

Take care.

Tutorial for Thursday - Project Life Insert Card

One of my favorite things about Project Life is how you can truly customize it.  I've been getting more and more in to this aspect as I've plugged along and ScrapFX has really helped my journey with all the fabulous mini chippies they've come out with, their fun stencils and stamps, and the best part - the offering of super durable project life size cards that hold up to mediums fantabulously!!

This is the insert I'll be showing you how to create today.  I was prompted to create this after seeing the wonderful shots of my son from his senior photo session.  We have so many great photos I know I'll be adding some to my album and I want to be prepared with some inserts for when I do!  Of course this can really be suited for so many things though, don't you think?  Lets get started.

 

 

Step One: Begin by covering the Kraft Card, large (2013335 KL) with gesso.  Once that is dry completely, color the card with mists.  I used two colors and added some water to allow for the colors to run and blend a bit.  Note: If you are going to use water to blend colors make sure they will not turn in to a muddy mess.  For this background I wasn’t overly concerned with darker colors occurring as I wanted a grungy look, but for other projects I’d take a bit more caution. 

 

Set this aside to dry or you can use your heat gun. Note: If you use your heat gun, some warping of the card will occur.  It can be straightened out but less will happen if you let it air dry.

 

 

Step Two: Take a background stamp and randomly apply it to the dried background.  Use your judgement on what looks good and try to create some balance to this.  You don’t want to over do it though, leave some space open.

 

 

Step Three: Use some gesso and water on your fingertip to lighten up the area you are going to get ready to stamp on.  Do this by gently smudging the gesso around.  It will pick up the colors of mist and create the smoky effect you see underneath the stamped area in the above image.

Ink up the Cogs Stamp (2013284) with VersaMark ink and stamp in across the corner of the card.  Pour gold embossing powder over it.  Heat set.  Note: Don’t be bothered if some embossing powder gets on other areas of the card.  This will only add to the texture and grungy overall look.

 

 

Step Four: Apply Rub n’ Buff over the stamped area to tone down the brightness of the embossing and give it a more aged, grungy look.  If you don’t have Rub n’ Buff you could use inks.  Apply this randomly on a few other sections of the card also.

 

 

Step Five:  Color cheesecloth (you can use gauze) with some mist and apply to card.  Alter up a Vintage Plane (2013288) by outlining it with pen and adding some Distress Stickles to it.  Adhere over top of cheesecloth with twine underneath.  Draw a line of glue in pattern you desire twine to be in.  Adhere twine to glue line. Add text and outline with a pen.

This card would look great as is in a journal, as the cover of a mini, or just by itself as a tag of sorts don’t you think?

Here are a couple pages from my album where I've created custom inserts or portions of pockets to make my PL album more my own.  Like I've said in the past I love what I see in kits but I don't really have the budget to get in to them.  I have bought some actual journal inserts and what not, but I find myself reaching for them more for my cards and LOs than for my PL album.  

 Here you can see one of the inserts actually looks somewhat similar to the one created above.  Its so simple to use quick techniques and make something that looks unique, not to mention it matched my photo. ;)

Here the long portion of the insert was created by me.  I used stencils, paste, misting, NeoColors, and then added embellishments and a stamped sentiment over the top.  The photos were spruced up with phone apps and then printed out - such fun this adds I think.  

Stay tuned to the ScrapFX toward the end of the month where I'll be sharing my PL type take on a December album and how I'm gearing up!!  I will make it this year since I'm actually planning - ha! I'm also looking forward to the New Year and starting a 2014 book - what about you??  Any plans to join in this year?