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Friday, June 27, 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

A Sticky Day at the Pond for #ICAD2014


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 15 - STICKERS


You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Monday, June 23, 2014

I'm on a #Cre8time Steampunk Adventure with Darkroom Door Stamps and Unruly PaperArts



It's that time of the month again... time for another one of my "Thoughtful Abstractions" columns at Unruly PaperArts. This month's theme is STAMP it OUT... and stamping is one of my favorite Cre8time Pastimes!

Stamps are so versatile and can be used for many projects: from cardmaking to home decorating, to altered books and ATCs - pretty much anything and everything can be stamped.


This month's sponsor of the Stamp It Out issue at Unruly PaperArts is Darkroom Door Stamps - a company I have loved following over the years and I was so excited to receive their Steampunk set which has a variety of words and images; mounted on cling foam.


I've created this fun "steampunk adventure" card featuring these dueling dashing men of steampunk... the inventor -vs- the explorer. I turned the stamped images into mini polaroid photos using the words as titles. I used leftover scraps from my Doctor Who mini album from last month for a grounding border and filled in the background of the blank kraft card with the gears and phrase. Everything is rubbed up with some chalk inks for distressing and this card is good to go.

Want to see what else I've created?? I have a created a new whimsical page in art journal using this set of Darkroom Door Steampunk Essentials.


Please CLICK HERE to view my Thoughtful Abstractions column in the Unruly PaperArts "STAMP it OUT" issue. It is a total must see completely stamped using this fabulous set of Darkroom Door Steampunk Essentials.  :) Sb

Also - make sure you enter this month's Reader's Art Quest at Unruly PaperArts. One lucky creation linked up via inLinkz will be randomly chosen to win a fabulous prize package from Darkroom Door Stamps. CLICK HERE for the details!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

#Cre8time in Colors of ROYALTY for Index Card a Day 2014 Day No. 12


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 12 - PAISLEY


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Sunny ORANGE Scraps Collaged for Index Card a Day 2014 Day 19


My completed card for 
ICAD 2014
Day No. 19 - ORANGE


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Sisters are ALWAYS Sisters... #ThrowbackThursday #TBT



When you work somewhere for a long time {say over a decade} a myriad of personal junk ends up on one's work computer... well it certainly does for me. I've been trying to backup files on slower days {which are very few} and today I came across these pix that I had scanned from very old and faded photographs from when I was a kid. Through the magic of photoshop filters, I was able to restore some of the color.

My mom used to take these annual pix of my sister {Alice} and I under the Christmas Tree... long before we had a little brother and another sister. I don't know what year the above photo is, {its hard for me to tell because I was the same height with long hair until junior high}, but the one below is Christmas 1975.


When visiting our Dad on New Year's Day in 2005 - we decided to start these up again to have an update to go with our kid pix. I do think we need to find a bigger tree - LOL!


The years may have passed and we have grown up {almost} but we look exactly the same... and we're still sisters just the same! :) Sb

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

SMILE for the #Cre8time Camera... Index Card a Day 2014 Day No. 11


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 11 - TOY CAMERA


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Monday, June 16, 2014

For the LOVE of #Cre8time... Bloghop with Artwork Inspired by Sanna Lippert




Good Morning! Today I have a special project to share today that is inspired by a fellow artist Sanna Lippert



Last month she created this inspiration canvas {CLICK HERE} and today - myself along with several other creatives have got together to share our take on her work today in a special bloghop. At the end of my project, there is an inLinkz with all the participants on this special bloghop {click the corresponding box to jump to that stop on the hop}.



First thing I grabbed is one of my many "EXTRAS" - these are painted background sheets that are from mopping/sopping up leftover mists and paint from other projects. These make great project starters. This particular background was a leftover from my ICAD2014 project from Day No. 5 "Galaxy".


I gathered a bunch of this and that from my stash to create an altered desktop frame using the techniques that Sanna used in creating her canvas. I'm preparing for a craft show in August and this project came together nicely using leftovers gathered from several other crafty adventures.


I started off my using a Luminarte spray mist to spray the frame. This is a quick and easy way to add color to a wood frame... it fills in all the cracks and seams and I brushed the color on all sides - even the backside.


For any woodgrain areas that were repelling the pigment in the mist, I dry brushed on a metallic purple acrylic paint to cover and add extra texture. Easy peasy!


I tore and inked up my painted paper, then began creating my rolls by wrapping around a pencil. I added a thin line of Diamond Glaze with a toothpick that tacks up quick, then trimmed away at the seam. I used all three strips that I tore which made the perfect amount of rolls to fit my frame. I love the serendipity of how there is no waste. The three small scraps that remained I stamped "dream", "inspire" and "wish" {all Viva Las VegaStamps!}; then matted with a scrap of the background paper mounted in the frame.



I wound a metallic blue thread around each and mounted them to the glass of the frame using double sided tape. Topped off with my inspirational words and the wired beaded heart accent {by Creative Imaginations that I've had forever}, this frame has been transformed into a beautiful desktop inspiration piece.



look forward to using my other two frames to utilize the other two embellishments in different colors to have a nice trio that will make great gifts for the craft show! :) Sb



Friday, June 13, 2014

Here Comes the Sun... and it's #Cre8time!! Index Card a Day No. 10


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 10 - THE BEATLES


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

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You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

EYE SPY the Letter H, some Tiny JOY and a number Nine for Index Card a Day 2014


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 9 - ALPHABET


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

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You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

An Asymmetrical MANDALA for Day No. 8 of Index Card a Day 2014


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 8 - MANDALA


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

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You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

#Cre8time Makes Me Happy for Index Card a Day 2014 Day 7 - YELLOW


My completed card for 
ICAD 2014
Day No. 7 - YELLOW


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

#Cre8time Nail Polish Painting for Index Card a Day 2014 - Day No. 6


My completed card for ICAD 2014
Day No. 6 - NAIL POLISH


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

On the Hunt for Games for Index Card a Day 2014 - Day No. 4 Puzzle


My completed card for ICAD 2014 Day No. 4 - PUZZLE


I clipped and collaged puzzles from the newspaper to create this card. It was more of a hunt to actually find the puzzles and games in the paper - they are so tiny. I tacked them down with washi tape and played along with some. Word search is my favorite, this one on my card is a bit challenging as they have words to find both in English and Spanish.

What is your favorite type of puzzle?


I created this puzzle using words based on the prompt
using Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Feel free to download and play. You can create your own word search too using Puzzlemaker. :) Sb

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You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

Monday, June 9, 2014

Greencrafting with Ribbons for #Cre8time...
May Arts DT Call


I'm throwing my hat into the ring to try out to be selected to the premier team of May Arts Ribbonistas. The wide selection of May Arts Ribbons and Trims are unparalleled - and also as rich and luscious as they look... which is wonderful because... Ribbon is a Staple of my Mixed-Media Toolkit - I couldn't create without it!

I love to recycle and I always try to creatively repurpose everyday items - and - this has me constantly making things and always finding something new to ARTfully Upcycle. This project is an altered Laughing Cow Cheese Box all decked out to present a gift card for a birthday party!



Ribbons are the perfect detail to transform
something blah to WOW!


  

With some patterned paper scraps, some bits of ribbon and a little bling, this box has been transformed to a fun and festive gift card holder... complete with a repurposed candle, too! It doesn't take a whole lot of supplies or time to create a handmade gift box - and can be changed up to fit your occasion, whether a baby shower, a wedding or a thank-you!

Greencrafted Wall Decor...


I've transformed this empty card box into a shadow box with some gesso, leftover painted paper and textured paper scraps, silver cellophane tissue, an empty perfume mini, a broken skeleton key, loads of miracle tape, some May Arts MH10 - Black/White Stitch grosgrain ribbon for edging adhered with Helmar 450 adhesive, and stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps!... 

  

The ribbon trim really adds texture and interest
while covering plain edges!

Upcycled Halloween party attire...


This Ghoulish Gal is ready for the halloween party wearing this fanciful witches hat complete with matching handbag. 


I'm using these gorgeous May Arts Ribbons and trims paired with some off-cut strips of purple organza to create my spooky-cute accoutrements: May Arts XA38 - Orange/Black 1.5" 1.5 Inch Solid / Pom Pom Edge (Wired) Ribbon; WA10 - Black/White EDGE 1 Inch Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; BX28 - ORANGE 2 Inch Sheer Spider Web Ribbon; SX28 - Orange 3/8 Inch Grosgrain Ribbon; and SK10 - Black 1.25 Inch Silk Ribbon.


I first began with the purse which started out as an empty recycled vinyl tote - you know the ones that contain gifts of lotions and potions and other tasty goodness around the holidays... I save these for repurposing for crafty projects.


I am all about the details and these beautiful May Arts Ribbon are full of it. I layered three of the ribbons using an iron-on fusible webbing to create the strap which wraps all the way around the vinyl purse structure and also around the hat fitted with a gold ribbon buckle.

Today I'm sharing a little how-to on how to layer ribbons. You will need some fusible webbing {a.k.a Stitch Witchery}, scissors, your ribbons to be layered, some scissors and mini paddle iron. You could use a regular iron, but be careful about applying too much heat so ribbons don't get scorched. I used the mini paddle iron for ease and precise heat application.


First, I gently press the ribbons flat, let cool then layer the black stitched grosgrain on top of the orange. 


Cut fusible web to size then align layers.


Press with iron to heat set fusible webbing. This stuff is like magic and is widely used for setting hems on clothing - but it works great for layering ribbon, too!


Now that I've got the first layer done, I'm repeating the process. I trim the fusible webbing in half to match the width of the thinner ribbon and align the layers.


Repeat by ironing to fuse this layer in place.


I used pinking shears to trim the edges to prevent fraying.


I put the layered side of the ribbon down which can be seen on the inside and also is a nice detail and contrast on the inside of the handle. I adhered the ribbon directly to the vinyl tote using Helmar 450 adhesive and I'm happy that this adhesive stayed clear and did not seep into and discolor the ribbon like most adhesives do. 


The side of the handle is tied off with the black silk ribbon and accented with some blinged up party favors. 


My favorite part is the skeleton hand that looks like its crawling through the spider web ruffles on the front. Some purple organza tucked inside to conceal the contents and this purse is complete.


The hat is made from a recycled piece of black canson paper that had something I started drawing on it... so long ago that I can't even recall what it was. So a witch hat base it became! I adhered the purple organza to the top and to the brim them began adding the spider web ruffles and the layered ribbon around as a belt with a buckle from my notions box. I twisted and coiled the black silk ribbon around the cone with gives a playful twist. With my strappy purple satin heels, little black dress and purple spiderwebbed cape... this duo completes my Halloween party attire.

I hope this project inspires you to create something with ribbons and fiber! The possibilities and uses are endless...and only limited by your imagination. 

Wish me luck in my application to be a May Arts Ribbonista. I'm crossing my fingers. Have a creative day!!!  : ) Sb

Friday, June 6, 2014

Getting Lost in my #Cre8time for Index Card a Day 2014 - Day No. 5 Galaxy


My completed card for ICAD 2014 Day No. 5 - GALAXY


For more details on how I created this card, please click here.

You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!