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Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Grinch is IN for Sketch-it Saturday with Unscripted Sketches #165



As June comes to a close - the Christmas madness will begin in July. So today's Christmas Card #26 welcomes back the "GRINCH" using Unscripted Sketches #165. This is all assembles using papers and die-cuts from Grinch Paper Crafting Kit. I just love it. See you all for "Merry Grinchmas" in July!!!


What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Thanks for dropping by - I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend!!! I'm taking a little time off for the weekend and spend some quality time with my husband. Lots of projects coming up next week. See you then!
: ) Sb 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Celebrating Twenty Years - Leslie Rahye's Wedded Bliss Bloghop



Welcome to this special "Wedded Bliss" edition bloghop hosted by the "FABULOUS" Leslie Rahye.


Leslie Rahye is celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary today and I will be later this year as well so I am joining in the fun with Journal Page #3 featuring some of my favorite pictures of my husband and me. We are so "Lucky in LOVE". I have been with my husband for more than half of my life and "Love is ... being married to your best friend!!!"

Please click on the boxes below to visit the other "LOVELY" creations on this intimate bloghop...enjoy!




Have a wonderful day and make sure to hug and kiss your sweetie lots today!!!
: ) Sb

Monday, June 25, 2012

Seven Projects in Seven Days....COMPLETED!!!


A little over a year ago I threw myself out there and began applying to Design Teams for the purpose of getting myself creating again. At first, I was selected to Unscripted Sketches Design Team and this worked out great - one project a week! This has snowballed into five DT's and last week I was behind the eight ball with a project for all but one, and two "FOR FUN" bloghop projects - totaling seven projects - AND - the full-time job at the printshop, too. WOWEE...I made it and just wanted to share a little recap!

Now I'm creating just about everyday to keep up with my busy schedule - and counting the minutes until it's time to go home from work!


Last Sunday was Father's Day and my project for Altered Pages! I have created a page in my Art Journal to commemorate my father and my grandfather. Both are no longer with us, but they are always near and dear to my heart. I used Altered Pages Histoire AP-517 Collage Sheet, some acrylic paints and markers and created a beautiful second page in my art journal. CLICK HERE to see entire post.



Next was Monday...a fun Viva Las Vegastamps! project: a fun how-to for a resist technique using the new "TANGLED" stamps by artist Sandra Strait from Plate #1427. CLICK HERE to see How-to for my "Tropical Tangled Toucan" Card.

 

Then on Tuesday it was my Sakura Hobby Crafts project...I've created a pretty wall decor using one of Want2Scrap's chipboard CORSET book painted with 3D Crystal Lacquer and Terri Sproul Mixers. CLICK HERE to see the How-to.



Wednesday was a strictly "Create for Fun" day and I made two patriotic projects for Leslie Rahye's Patriotic Steampunk Celebration Bloghop. This fun bloghop welcomed the official start of summer, and I made one project for my blog and the other to appear on the Altered Pages Blog. Please click the photos to go to the accompanying posts. Please take time to visit all the stops on this hop - the projects are out of this world!!!


Thursday is my day to create for the weekly Sketch-It Saturday with Unscripted Sketches. I made this fun Christmas card using Unscripted Sketches #164 paired up with this single vintage image from AlteredPages.com.


I wrapped up the week with a video post for Viva Las Vegastamps! - this was a treat creating this on Saturday night via the magic of Ustream!!! This was a Bonus post for the month so I shared how I'm corraling my tons of VLVS stamps and some other tips: labeling and storing unmounted Viva Las Vegastamps! rubber; cleaning stamps; stamping surfaces for optimum results; cheap and easy watercolor; making a mist using Sakura 3d Crystal Lacquer and Terri Sproul Mixers; and how do I mount my VLVS stamps? CLICK HERE to see the video.

This week is shaping up and I have an Amazing Mold Putty project later this week. I have planned a little break this weekend - a weekend getaway with the husband {no CRAFTS allowed}.
: ) Sb

Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Mischievious Christmas Kittens adorn this card using Unscripted Sketches #164


WOW! Where did the week go??? I woke up last weekend for Sketch-It Saturday and now it's time for another new sketch! Presenting a fun Christmas card using Unscripted Sketches #164 paired up with this single vintage image from AlteredPages.comThe mischievous kittens around the tree is a single vintage Altered Pages image AP-CH608. It just makes me laugh out loud - our pets were always knocking the tree over! 

The background paper is My Minds Eye. The lacey border is a M.S. Lace punch around the page kit {and I found out the hard way - they need to include exact measurements to match up corner punch with straight edge punch}. With some creative trimming and a pushpin - I concealed my uneven areas or hid them under the other elements. This makes a nice frame for the gold matted vintage image. This is finished off with a Jolee's flower embellishment and two ribbons from RibbonJar.com. A long while back I purchased a limited edition "GREEN" jar which has oodles of green ribbons in it and I have been saving the "Here kitty, kitty" one for a special occasion! So here it is - card number 25!


What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Thanks for dropping by and I invite you to play along with us! Christmas in July with Unscripted Sketches will be starting up July first - so get your Christmas Song Bingo lists together. Have a wonderfully creative weekend!!!
: ) Sb 

Friday, June 22, 2012

Festive Friday is here again - the year is halfway through...the Gingerbread Man is on the run!



Welcome to the twelfth installment of Terri Sproul's 2012 Festive Friday Bloghop! Are you working on your holiday cards or handcrafted gifts yet??? You should have arrived here from Laura's Page. To get back to the beginning of the bloghop CLICK HERE.


I created this cute little card with this stamped and Gold embossed gingerbread man {an Imaginesce snag-em stamp}. He has a bite taken out of his head because when trimming him out, a big chunk of the gold embossing flaked off and I couldn't salvage it. So with my 1/8" hole punch, chomp...chomp...

The two background papers are Bo-Bunny and this is finished off with some festive teal satin ribbon bows and mounted on a cream cardstock card. Short and SWEET!

* * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks for visiting!!!
The next stop on the Festive Friday Bloghop
is Angela at Midnight Crafting - CLICK HERE.

Have a fantastic Friday - it will be a long day for me...tonight I will be painting live at the Green Room night club in Fort Lauderdale. Drop by tomorrow for Sketch-It Saturday...hooray!
: ) Sb

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Welcoming Summer with a Star-Spangled Headband with a Steampunk Flair


Today we are in welcoming the
SUMMER SOLSTICE...in Steampunk Fashion!!!
 

Thanks to LeslieRahye for hosting this fabulous event!


I decorated a plain satin wrapped headband from the dollar store with lace, some stars and stripes ribbon and a handmade twisted ribbon rosette - my first attempt {from the how-to HERE}. The center is a big silver button from my stash saved for special projects. The blue and creme striped grosgrain ribbon is May Arts - isn't it so lovely? Tucked to the side of this rosette are three paper roses {I felt it needed a couple pals}.


The base of each side is wrapped with silver ribbon that has fine gold edging. Then added a silver coin button for extra bling.


I accented the stars and stripes ribbon with adhesive gem stars and this is ready to wear!

Please scroll down to the boxes below and click to visist all the other artsy/craftsy individuals participating in this bloghop.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

With all the deadlines...how do I stay inspired???

Just one word...

P L A Y!!!

Tomorrow I will be playing in Leslie Rahye's newest bloghop...

come join me and a bunch of other artsy/craftsy individuals
in welcoming the SUMMER SOLSTICE.

Bloghop begins tomorrow at 7:09 pm EST / 6:09 p.m. CST

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Monday, June 18, 2012

"Tangled Tropical Toucans" Resist How-to using Viva Las Vegastamps!

Happy Monday! I am featured over at the Viva Las Vegastamps! blog today demonstrating a resist technique using the new "TANGLED" stamps by artist Sandra Strait from Plate #1427 and Kromecote, a glossy cardstock that really makes your image pop!


Here's a little sneek peek of my "Tropical Tangled Toucan" Card.


Thanks so much for stopping by! Please CLICK HERE to see the full HOW-TO.Viva Las Vegastamps! now has creative posts every day! If you haven't subscribed to the VLVS Blog - you want to!!! Don't forget to check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - new stamp releases have just been added. Have an inky day! Sb

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Ornate "Happy Holidays" card using Unscripted Sketches #163 and Altered Pages Vintage Imagery



Hello! It's the weekend again and time for this week's Sketch-It Saturday and a new sketch! Presenting my vintage Christmas card using Unscripted Sketches #163! This week there is also a piggyback challenge to use vellum. Easy Peasy. Out on my travels this week I happened upon a 5"x7" Cuttlebug new 2-in-1 emboss and cut folder in a clearance bin for $2.97....SOLD! And this was perfect for this weeks sketch paired up with a couple vintage images from AlteredPages.comUnderneath the textured vellum is a digital collage image AP-2137 Beautiful Collage Backgrounds. The woman is a single vintage postcard image AP-CH614


The rich gold, taupe and wine colors blended perfectly making a quite elegant card. I embossed and cut the woman. I punched out the center of the frame releasing the ornate shape and inked edges of woman and adhered over the vellum piece. The vellum is rubbed with antique gold DewDrop ink to add depth to the detail. All layered together and mounted to a cranberry cardstock base using pearly photo corners and finished off with a Crafty Secrets sticker sentiment mounted on a gold cardstock scrap. I hope you enjoy this card - it is much different than my usual works. I am having fun exploring vintage imagery and working on more altered projects.


What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Thanks for dropping by and I invite you to play along with us! I would love to see your creations. Have a wonderfully creative weekend!!!
: ) Sb 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Handmade Tissue Paper Flowers for Leslie Rahye's Scrappy Challenge


Last month I played along with Leslie Rahye's Scrappy Challenge! AND I'm going for it again.


OK - to be perfectly honest, I only played along last month...for fun because I had made a mini scrapbook page. AND I WON!!! So I thought I would try my hand again and make some handmade embellishments for the current challenge set forth from Leslie Rahye's Scrappy Gig! So I made these lovely flowers. 

Can you believe these roses are tissue paper??? That's it! All you need is a sheet of tissue paper folded over several times, a circular or scallop paper punch, a small hole punch and a brad. Super easy! You punch 15-20 circles {I used a 1 1/2" scalloped circle punch} then layer them all together. Punch a hole in the center and affix with brad {I used a small floral shaped one}. The shape of the brad need not matter because after you scrunch up each layer of tissue towards the center, you won't see it anyway. These aren't even chalked or distressed yet and they are so lovely. I made about 18 of them in about two hours. All the work was in the scrunching...to fuss about with the petals to make them just so. I finished them off with some green mulberry paper cut with pinking shears in leaf shapes. So now you know what to do with that lone leftover piece of tissue...make flowers!!!


These are so lovely and the more mushed up...the better! I have to make some more because these were mailed off to a handmade flower swap. With some ink and spritz - these could be so shabby chic, too.


Here's the link to get to tonight's live stream via USTREAM! CLICK HERE to go there. Tonight Leslie will focus on special event scrapbooking while I working on her OWN wedding album. This month she will be married 20 years, and has YET to scrapbook that momentous occasion. Leslie will share some tips and techniques for working with extra special memories and memorabilia. "Scrappy Gig" live stream begins at 8p.m. CST/9 p.m. EST on Leslie's ustream channel [please click the link on the scrappygig logo above to take you there].

Have a great evening! It's finally the weekend : ) Sb


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Cute Stocking Cuties adorn this Holiday Layout using Unscripted Sketches #162


Greetings...Yes - I'm still sticking with my challenge of creating Christmas all year and I'm having a blast. Sorry, no Grinch sightings this week. Here's my creation using this week's Sketch-It Saturday and Unscripted Sketches #162! This layout is using one of my favorite company's patterned paper "DaisyD's", {that unfortunately are no longer around} for the backgound paper, the tags and the puppy and kitten in stockings. The stockings are actually cut out of many repeated on the patterned paper and popped up on 3-D dots. The scalloped border with poinsettas at the top is My Minds Eye. All of the luscious burlap ribbons are May Arts. I just love the rustic cabin feel of this layout!!! 

Have you started your Christmas crafting projects yet???

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Thanks for dropping by...I hope you are having a wonderful day! Not to fear...the weekend is almost here!!!
: ) Sb 

Monday, June 11, 2012

How do you use May Arts Ribbon and Trims???
They are Not only for Embellishing...

...but a Staple of my Mixed-Media Toolkit!!!
I love to create...and I love to use ribbons and fibers in my projects! I consider ribbon not only an embellishment...but also a media in my toolbox. Ribbons and fibers have a multitude of uses and applications - when used in a utilitarian fashion, like bows and handles...or as a paint to add color and an alternative to adhesives. It can be used to add dimension and texture and also bring personality and whimsy to your creations. I find that it is the icing on my creations and the stash of which I can never have enough.

And May Arts makes all these things possible!!!

 Whether it be to add a shabby chic feel to a handmade card...

 
or as the perfect accent to your holiday themed party decor.

Various burlap ribbons enhance the vintage rustic theme while adding texture and dimension to this otherwise flat scrapbook page.

On this art journal page, I used the rose floral ribbon to add color and texture for a sea of whimsical waves. To see my complete how-to at the Sakura Hobby Crafts Blog, click here.

How about create a quick and easy birdhouse ornament? Just a few paper scraps and some May Arts trims and this sweet house looks like it just came from the pages of Hansel and Gretel.

HERE'S HOW I MADE THIS Birdhouse...


I was so inspired by the wide trim with red and white checkered stripes - it just wanted to be the rooftop of my whimsical little bird house. This project came together with ease and the size was determined by the size of my paper scraps. No measuring involved!!! This was put together in a free-form fashion...like one of those recipes that you throw together using a handful of pantry staples. For those of you who know me...this is so NOT my style - I am a MEASURING FOOL! If you have any questions, please leave a comment and your contact information spelled out {ie: youremail at service dot com} and I will be happy to respond.

Step one: I cut two matching strips of patterned paper scraps and for texture, I applied acrylic paint using a dauber top.

Step two: I overlapped and adhered the two strips together like a "plus sign", then cut the triangular peaks to support roof from top and bottom of one strip.

Step three: I punched a series of holes along each edge and used green burlap fiber to stitch house walls together using a cross stitch pattern.

 Completed house with all sides stitched. No glue necessary.

Step four: I cut some of the wide burlap trim, folded it in half and folded edges over twice to add extra roof dimension.

For extra stability, I adhered this to a piece of scrap patterned cardstock using miracle tape.

Step five: To add an overhang, I adhered a piece of red cardstock to the burlap roof piece. I tied a loop with green burlap to make a hanger, and fed through a small hole punched in the roof. I strung on a bead cap to complete the roof.

Step six: I glued the roof on to the structure using Diamond Glaze {I use this for all of my handmade ornaments}. To finish, I mounted a matching red cardstock rectangle to the base. I edged around base of house with raw natural burlap, and added a keyhole brad embellishment. The finishing touch is the beautiful bow made of the sheer burlap ribbon adhered with a heavy-duty glue-dot. 

This came together so easily using a minimal amount of supplies. I can find myself creating many of these for gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

And finally...there's GREENCRAFTING!!!!

I love recycling. I am an avid greencrafter and am always repurposing interesting things in my projects. This project is a recycled plastic strawberry basket which has been completely transformed using May Arts "Candy Coated" ribbons.

 May Arts Candy Candy Coated ribbons.

Bright pink and orange satin, along with yellow gingham ribbons are woven around and through the rungs of the basket. A thin teal velvet ribbon in woven like an overhand stitch at the top and also edges the horizontal lines of the basket. This redux is completed with a fancy bow and snowflake beads glued on the bottom for feet. I have every intention of prettying up a plain potted plant with this bright and lovely basket...but I couldn't resist filling it with some sweet treats.


I hope these projects inspire you to create something with ribbons and fiber! The possibilities and uses are endless...and only limited by your imagination. 

I am submitting my work to May Arts and applying to be a May Arts Ribbonista. Wish me luck - I'm off to play with my ribbon!!!
: ) Sb

Friday, June 8, 2012

All Tied up with a Bow Holiday Card for Festive Friday Number 11



Welcome to the June...can you believe it's June!!! This is the eleventh installment of Terri Sproul's 2012 Festive Friday Bloghop! Are you working on your holiday cards yet??? You should have arrived here from Maria's Page. To get back to the beginning of the bloghop CLICK HERE.


I created another Christmas card using remnants and scraps from other projects including a leftover sentiment typed on the computer that I've fashioned into a banner. Super simple and tied it all up with a pretty bow. Pretty simple!

* * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks for visiting!!!
The next stop on the Festive Friday Bloghop
is Angela at Midnight Crafting - CLICK HERE.

Have a fantastic Friday!!! Tomorrow is Sketch-It Saturday...hooray!
: ) Sb
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