Today I'm the Spotlight Artist at Anything But a Card Challenges

Good afternoon all! What a jam-packed weekend it's been. Yesterday was a very long day indeed and this girl needed to sleep in and let the muse rest. Today I am featured as "spotlight artist" at the Anything But a Card Challenges Blog {CLICK HERE to jump over to ABAC}. I sort of hit a wall going about this - I apolgize for the rambling. SO here it goes...

In all of the celebration and nostalgia encircling the 50 Years of Doctor Who... it seems I find myself writing this today finding peculiar, yet striking similarities. I'm finding it quite a challenge of putting pen to paper and what to share. I'm a somewhat private person for the most part, and also a workaholic - and it's unclear if my best friend and husband (whom I've known for nearly 24 years) or my creative friends know me best. Time might never tell...

So I did what any person might do who operates on a sense of logic... I went and rummaged around my old creations – altered books, paintings, ATCs and stuff. WOW! There is a lot and it's like looking through old photo albums... timey wimey indeed! I found that my ATCs are sort of a snippet of time and mindful space, capturing my creative spirit in one mini piece of art by one.

This is the long roundabout version (to jump to the short version at ABAC CLICK HERE)...

I'm a mixed media artist and graphic designer : Dabbling in photography, assemblage, collage and whatever strikes my fancy. My blog is entitled sbartist : painting in the dark – pretty self explanatory. I lurk around in the dark creating art while all in the world are asleep. I spend my days working in a busy print shop doing my computer wizardry producing printed materials.

Creatively speaking... Not only am I one of the designers and the Den Mother at the Anything But a Card Challenges Blog... but also I’m Creative Team Coordinator and a Senior Designer for Alumilite Corp. a.k.a. Amazing Crafting Products Design Team {I'm the queen of Amazing Mold Putty}; Designer on the Viva Las VegaStamps! Design Team; and designer and co-admin of the Unscripted Sketches Design Team. I also previously served a couple of other teams including the Sakura Hobby Craft Design Team. ABAC is a labor of love and gives me a sense of joy and accomplishment each week as we collectively share our love for creating.

First a little bit of business to be sorted out for those WHO aren't sure of where I stand...

My Doctor: No. 10 - DOCTOR TENnant

Favorite Episode: "Vincent and the Doctor"... simply because how could you not love a SCI-FI tale that can include one of the most ODD painters of all time.

My Favorite Companion: Capt. Jack Harkness ... I found Doctor Who because of Capt. Jack via Torchwood and I'm still trying to put this puzzle together. I'm more confused than ever!

I LOVE... my husband {yes he comes first without question}, Travel {I don't do this as much as I'd like}, Painting and drawing - OK let's just lump ALL THINGS art related together here {including Amazing Mold Putty}; Def Leppard; ALL things PURPLE; found objects {i'm always picking up stuff off the ground}; Salvador DALI {now that would make a fun Doctor Who episode}; RECYCLING and repurposing things; artistic challenges; SWAP art; throwing paint; BBQ Pork; chocolate mint ice cream; Bubble baths and afternoon naps; street painting; Twizzlers and Lemonheads; GOOGLIE eyes; my MINI Cooper {now in it's 4th regeneration}; going to Art Museums; and painting in the dark...

A few ODD things... I'm a lizard lady {for about 15 years we had iguanas and turtles for pets}; I have this crazy "one touch rule" {whereas if I picked something up to get at something else for a project... it's getting used in the project}; obsessed with using every little scrap for something purposeful; I'm ambidextrous {and my left index finger wishes the right hand wasn't allowed to use cutting devices}; I'm a MAC - but also equally fluent in the mess called PC {I can tear apart and rebuild both}; I got my first iPhone about 10pm the very first day they were available and have never looked back; I was born at 3:05 in the AM just hours after thankgiving dinner {so I'm pretty sure my first meal was turkey dinner with the trimmings and pumpkin pie} so pumpkin pie is my official BIRTHDAY CAKE; I don't consider myself a stamper but hoard thousands of stamps and I can teach you anything and everything about scrapbooking – but I myself am a lazy scrapper {I'm so far behind in this department there's no catching up}...

During the daylight hours...I am graphic artist working the fast-paced printing industry at a family-run printing company where I have worked for the past 12 years. I am a native of Chicago, but I have lived in Florida most of my life – and though I only lived in Chi-town for brief spurts as a kid... when I return it's like I've been there my whole life. I currently reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with my husband of 21 years (this tuesday we'll have been together half of my life plus 3 and so odd years)... this is one of my finest accomplishments. As being a creative spontaneous spirit – in my experience this has made for some amazing and sometimes tumultuous adventures...

For as long as I can remember I loved making things and this is still true today. This altered book page features a photo of me age two that I've devilishly painted myself with chocolate cake... So I think I started my creative journey really young {and I'm still not very fond of chocolate cake}. I'm lucky to have been born with the creative gene - both my mother and father are artisans of their own sort and my grandmother taught me to paint in oils when I was 14. So I am a painter at heart. I love to learn new things. Always exploring - I am passionately curious about creating. I've found over the years mixed-media fuses all of my interests - my style can best be described as altered, collage-like and experimental. I totally “embrace the unexpected" and love giving creative new life to ordinary things that normally would be thrown away.

My dream job was working at an Advertising Agency and at 24 I accomplished that dream {I worked there for over 8 years}. If it wasn't for the economy I'd still be there. Lucky for me I'm a tradeswoman. I was smart to learn a trade, one which I've had to constantly keep up with the NOW – learning to adapt to new software and technology - while still leaving one foot in the past for that one project turns up on mechanical boards. Its so amazing to go back and think about how printing was 20 years ago, and compare to how it's nearly completely digital now. One wonders why this girl is always so tired. My brain is crammed with so much computer software mumbo jumbo - how to make this and that printable - it's surprising that my muse is ever home. My brain must be a T.A.R.D.I.S. - LOL!

My very first design team was Unscripted Sketches {which now I am Co-Admin} which I joined in April of 2011 - and my first project was of all things a scrapbook page including recycled bottle caps. Even this project captures me in time and reflects on days that I wouldn't change in a hearbeat.

  

My style is varied and unique - ranging from cardmaking, tags, and mixed-media - to altered art, mini-albums and off-the-page whimsies. In observing my creations one thing was strikingly clear - RECYCLING. Recently I have made a more conscious effort of it - but looking back... I was always doing it. More often than not I have included all sorts things that others would discard and this made me SMILE!

So for MY mini challenge posed to readers at ABAC {I found this so easy to decide}... I challenge you to RECYCLE IT!!! Try greencrafting – repurpose items destined for the bin into something beautiful, useful and new again. Go rummage your recycling bin - or your crafty stash - and create something wonderful out of something most take for granted. GO GREEN!!!

I do hope you'll play along this week with the
"RECYCLE IT" Challenge
and can't wait to see how you THINK GREEN.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and Chanukkah! Have a great week! Sb

Call the DOCTOR to #SaveTheDAY... November's Installment of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013

Happy Wednesday! I am so excited to share my take on November's T!m Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 that I need to call a DOCTOR!!! In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who which has a marathon all week on BBC America - I am in FULL WHOVIAN mindset. I think I might even catch the Anniversary Episode in the theatres.

My Blue Police Box #19054 stamp available at Viva Las VegaStamps! was the perfect image to use for this month's faux chalkboard technique. I started off with a navy blue cardstock and stamped several other VLVS! images, including the police box following each step of T!m's technique.

Instead of black and white, I used a variety of blue and purple chalks with a pop of yellow; and used white for lightning. Where did I get all the fabulous colors of chalk??? From my street painting festival roll-a-round... it houses an abundance of chalk in every color of the rainbow.

I'm so thrilled with how this came out and I have a little memento to go along with my weekend WHOvian adventure I took a couple weeks ago with my Mom to the 1st Annual Time Lord Fest in Tampa, FL. It was BRILLIANT fun!

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you have a fantastic day! :) Sb

Santa's Walking in a Winter Wonderland for Week 3 of Anything But a Card Challenges #29

Good Morning Everyone! It's week 3 of our current challenge number 29 - the third and final week to create and share. CLICK HERE to jump over to the challenge intro and where to LINK UP your creations. CLICK HERE to check out the other design team projects today for some amazing inspiration!

The current Challenge... Anything But a Card Challenge #29 - Fall into Fall! School is in Full Swing and Indian Summer has faded - this challenge is open theme - Please share any current project you have created, and if it's FALL themed that's perfectly OK, too! JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. :)

**A REMINDER** This Challenge will go through midnight Nov. 23rd... giving you 3 weeks to play along and ENJOY the creative process! There's still a week left on this challenge – I hope you a chance to squeeze in some Cre8tive playtime.

I created this winter wonderland tag using the same techniques as my Halloween Tag from a few weeks ago... just using a different a color scheme and elements... and of course I had to use some Amazing Mold Putty too! Below you can see how I molded this frame using one of my Viva Las VegaStamps!

I needed a frame I didn't have one on hand... BUT... I do have a Viva Las VegaStamps! lacy oval frame stamp (Doily #18849) that would be perfect. So I'm got out my Amazing Mold Putty and made a border mold with my stamp.
 

**WARNING**

You need to thoroughly cover your stamp with petroleum jelly to protect your stamp - the rubber of the stamps and Amazing Mold Putty touching are reactive with each other. Watch closely and limit the time of stamp in contact with mold putty and remove it as soon as curing is completed.

As you can see here with stamp removed from mold. Some of the Amazing Mold Putty has stuck to stamp, which I cleaned off with soap and water immediately so the detail of my stamp is not clogged up and to stop any reaction the two compounds may have.

Now with a mold of my decorative border stamp - I filled it with Creative Paperclay® and let it cure. When paperclay is dried I inked and covered with Ranger Embossing Ink and heat embossable glue powder; then dredged in Antique Linen Distress Glitter. I went back with Vintage Photo and Broken China Distress Inks to add some depth and color to the edges.

Welcome to a Winter Wonderland...

Layered on a collaged background using several of Viva Las VegaStamps! images; stamped glittered snowflakes and matching icicle chipboard... all tied off on top with a sheer organza ribbon hanger! I really love mixing up the monthly T!m Tags with my own stash of goodies - the possibilities are endless and LOVELY!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day! :) Sb

Viva Las VegaStamps! DT Tryout

It's that time again... Six months can certainly fly by in the blink of an eye and it's time to reapply to the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team! This team holds a special place in my creative heART and I can't imagine not being a part of these talented stamp-artists.

The BEST PART... You can apply, too!

November 30th is the DEADLINE to apply to the Viva Las VegaStamps! Design Team Call!! They're looking for all types of artists and welcome anyone who has a passion for rubber stamping are invited to apply! Bring on the Mixed Media Artists, the Card Makers, the Scrapbookers, the Altered Artists, the Scene Stampers… this MEAN YOU!! International inkers are welcome to apply, too! CLICK HERE for DETAILS. Step out of your comfort zone - throw your hat into the ring, too!

Today I'm sharing a few of my recent favorite stamped projects that I think best represent me and my style. This mixed media page in my quote art journal really brings together all the media I love - ink, paint and stamping. CLICK HERE to see entire post.

This ATC features this little gem of a stamp {man with dog} that I picked up when I visited VLVS! last April and a hand-carved eraser stamp that I made back in high school. CLICK HERE to read all about it. I've recently joined the Monoprinting Craze and I'm really loving the mystery you get in a monoprint.

I can't possibly leave out my love of Steampunk... my Flying Steampunk Button Fairy Pig is so adorable... and fun to make, too! CLICK HERE to see post.

This last piece is very symbolic as I have spent a lot of time this year learning and focusing inward on my creative journey. CLICK HERE to read about these Dyan Reaveley inspired pages. I have come a long way since I first joined VLVS! and I think that this adventure has stories that have yet to be told. Wish me luck! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day! Sb :)

Stamping and Molding Jewelry... WHO Knew???

Want to see a glorious and wonderfully

colored project FAIL!!??

Yes - even I have a project fall flat on it's face from time to time. To see how I turned this around - resulting in some pretty AMAZING Kitschy Jewelry out of one of my favorite Viva Las VegaStamps! and Amazing Crafting Products... CLICK HERE.

Be prepared to take your stamping to a new dimension... :) Sb

This Weed is a Bit TANGLED for Unscripted Sketches #229

It tool me all week to get this up so here is my Sketch-It Saturday project featuring Unscripted Sketches #229. I made another page in my "quote" art journal with the quote "some see a weed, some see a wish". The newspaper blossom I received in an envy of flowers from my swap group. We have swapped papers, die cut shapes, buttons, ribbon and handmade flowers. This was one of the gorgeous paper blossoms and they come in handy when I want to just start a project on the go. It made the perfect centerpiece for this weeks sketch.

One of my fellow team-mates from VLVS! and also Amazing Crafting Products practices the art of Zentangle and I'm always marking interesting tangles to try. AND for this weeks sketch, I actually took the time to play with one using a Pigma Micron pen. The background paper is leftover from chipboard misting adventures resulting in many interesting sprayed papers. 

The distressed blossom in the center resembles a dandelion to me so I thought it went perfectly with the quote.

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 via inlinkz for all the world to see!

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Starting tomorrow with the new Unscripted Sketches Sketch-it Saturday sketch - you will be inspired by the new additions to the Design Team. CLICK HERE to see the DT Announcement and who made the team!

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Thanks for dropping by today. Have creative weekend - I'm off on a WHO-vian adventure.
:) Sb