The TIME is NOW... for #thestencilfiedjournal Project -- Prompt No.1

Hello Friends! The beginning of summer is like NEW YEAR's for me. I focus on learning and stretching that creative muscle by playing along with many fun challenges happening over the summer. One of which is a new COLLABORATIVE project hosted by Tina Walker and StencilGirl®. Tina is officially one of StencilGirl's new Columnists with her focus being on Collaborations -- of which she is QUEEN! 

This week is the beginning of a new collaboration project with 80+artists participating from around the world. CLICK HERE to jump over to Tina Walker's blog who is hostess and organizer of this Cre8time adventure and see her journal creation and to give her some love for dreaming up another fun challenge!

For this challenge you can make or use a ready made journal or field book. I'm using one of these mini pocket-sized field books {approx 3" x 5" in size}. There's something about a pristine blank book -- just ready for a new adventure. 

This particular book has a faint grid pattern on the pages. I thought that would be a little interesting and not as daunting as blank white pages. 

With this small format, I can bring a handful of supplies with me to work on each week's prompt anywhere I go. And with my new work-for-myself and around my health lifestyle... I am always on the run...

I travel 3 days a week 50 miles away for work, and I left all my stuff stashed in my desk there smiling brightly at me upon my return yesterday. So let's pretend it's Monday!

I will briefly share a few steps of how I transformed this spread for Prompt No. 1 to share how quick and easy it is to squeeze some art journaling into your week.

I spread a thin layer of clear gesso across the pages with a recycled gift card I'm ready to go! 

 

In the effort of finding the clear gesso... I had to move a tube of Heidi Swapp butterscotch acrylic paint {circa 2005} and a Maya Road Maya Mist green mist. OH YEAH! One-touch rule is in full effect. I spritzed the green mist through the Mimosa 6 StencilGirl® stencil overlapping in different directions, then dabbed on some of the butterscotch yellow with a papertowel. 

 

I wanted to add a bit more color and contrast. I have a travel tin of 10 Caran-Dache crayons that go with me everywhere. I used the blue and green to color through the stencil, then used a purell hand wipe cloth to blend out the color. Base layer DONE!

Next I painted in butterscotch circles using my finger and added some smaller circle details from my assortment of Seth Apter StencilGirl® stencils awaiting. 

A few weeks back I took a little creative road trip to meet up with my art sister Cat Kerr to take an all day workshop with Seth Apter. A wonderful day of arting!

Channeling inspiration from Seth Apter's circle motifs, I added the phrase "I'm certain... the TIME is NOW" with some pens, Caran-Dache Crayons and finger smudging.

I love the tropical foilage feel from the stenciled background and the pops of yellow!

Love ALL the yummy layers and detail. I spent the most time on getting the letters to pop as some layers of pen ink just soaked right in to the back ground. My words exemplify the turning of a page where I am taking a business course for artists this month at the same time that this artsy challenge is beginning. Time is at a complete crunch, though I believe making time for learning and playing is always good!

StencilGirl® stencils used: Mimosa 6 Stencil by Cecilia Swatton; and the following by Seth Apter -- Splat, Text and Texture Transform stencil, Inside out stencil, and Timeless stencil.

You are invited to join the fun!
Here's Prompt No.1

The only rule is use ONLY StencilGirl® stencils {sorry, no other brands}. Anything else goes as you are inspired to follow the prompt.

Share your pages and keep
a lookout in blogland
and social media using
#thestencilfiedjournal

Gotta run... Thanks for dropping by! I hope you are inspired to go grab a blank journal and your StencilGirl® stencils and join in the fun! Have a creative day :) Sb

Make a #Cre8time Quick Change... with Designer Crafts Connection and Expo International Inc.

Hello Friends! Today is a fabulous day full of glitter and gold! I am part of a new Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop challenge and the designers are creating with assortment of terrific Trims, Buttons and MORE from Expo International.

How do you take something from day to night??! You bling it up! For my Cre8time project today I have transformed a zipper makeup pouch from the Dollar Tree into a beautiful clutch to accompany a little "RED" Dress. 

Expo International sent me a selection of items to create: Tuva Woven Beaded Trim in Red/Gold; a package of Carla Crosstitch Rose-Iron-on Patch Applique; and Tianna Beaded Pom-pom Trim Multi Colors {the latter I will be using for a real special holiday project - stay tuned}.

I reserve playing dress up for special occasions and as for accessories, I steer in the direction of less is more. I have this little red velvet halter dress that I scored on sale when shopping for a dress to wear to a formal event. Its funny how you find things when you aren't looking. I don't have anything else to finish this look... but today I will be more than halfway there! 

OMG - look at this TRIM!! It will go with my dress perfectly! The Tuva Woven Beaded Trim is about 1 1/2" wide and comes in 7 different colorations.

Starting with a plastic zipper makeup pouch from the Dollar Tree I transformed this into something stunning with just a few additional supplies from my stash: scissors; one sheet of Graphix Double Tack Mounting Film {a permanent double sided adhesive paper}; a few Marvy colored pens; and Diamond Glaze. 

The pouch was a bit longer than I liked so I turned it inside out, measured a few dots down from the top, then traced a line. I took this to the sewing machine to stitch one seam and trimmed away the excess. I could have used adhesive for this, but the sewing machine had this done in a quick minute {I didn't even change out the green thread in it}.

Enter the super fun and quick way to alter anything... PENS!

This plastic pouch is durable with a hot pink zipper enclosure... and SO WORTH $1. Sewing zippers is a bit tricky and is certainly something that I need to go back to school for someday. I used two pens to prep for the final transformation: a Marvy Liquid Gold pen to color the zipper pull and the teeth; and red Marvy Plume II brush pen to color the hot pink zipper fabric. I colored along the sides and bottom of the pouch with gold as these may be slightly visable after applying trim. I don't mind spending few extra minutes on these little extra details -- they make all the difference in the end result.

I gently rubbed the edge of the gold nib along the zipper teeth. To my delight and suprise... it's all gold when closed!

Now to add the trim! I cut a sheet of the self adhesive paper into 1 1/4" strips and applied to the backside of the trim. From the height I made the pouch, I will need four stripes to cover top to bottom. I like dry adhesives over wet for ribbons/trim. I could have also used my Xyron X sticker maker or stitch in place with sewing machine.

I aligned to the top of trim to the zipper edge, removed backing and wrapped along front, and bent to continue around to backside -- leaving only one exposed seam edge. Having adhesive on the back helps keep trim from fraying when trimming to size. 

I repeated applying three more lengths of trim and touched up the seam edges with dabs of Diamond Glaze to prevent fraying and to keep cut edges of bling in place.

FROM THIS...

TO THIS!!! 

What a transformation! Paired with my gold resin bangles and some gold earrings {nothing fancy, these are all regular day wear} all I need are some shoes. 

With summer approaching I'm sure I can find a cute pair of gold strappy heels to complete my look and I'm ready for the next weekend getaway with the hubs!

What would you transform
from day to night with
Expo International Trims?

CLICK HERE to POP over to the DCC BLOG for info on how you can enter to win a Treasure Trunk of Trims from Expo International! For more information on Expo International and products to dress up anything please visit website HERE.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks so much for visiting! CLICK HERE to pop over to the beginning of the Designer Crafts Connection "Expo International Terrific Trims" Bloghop and enjoy a treasure trove of inspiration. Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. Expo International has provided trims for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.

Have you heard?! 2018 Favecrafts Best Blogger Contest Finalist!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share my make that is one of the 20 finalists in the 2018 Favecrafts Best Blogger Contest. This is my third year entering and I am honored and so excited to have been selected in the top 20 with a fabulous upcycled tray.

I have a FAVOR to ask... the top 20 finalists need votes to judge who has the winning project. There are two days left to vote. Would you please take a moment to visit https://www.favecrafts.com/voting/Blogger-Contest-2018/ to see the top 20 projects and vote on my project -or- your favorite. Voting closes Monday, April 16 11:59pm.

I've given this old, faded plastic tray from the TV show "Friends" a Cre8time transformation -- one that is sugary sweet!

To see all the entries

and to VOTE

for your Favorite

CLICK HERE.

I wiped clean tray to prepare for altering. This has a shiny surface and I would like to alter that, so I coat entire tray with a coating of Mod Podge® Ultra Matte Chalk. I'm not really concerned about the brush strokes as it dries clear - I just want to alter the finish of this shiny plastic tray. I applied a second coat when the first layer was dry and the result is a fabulous faux surface resembling "old" painted wood.

While the tray is drying, I gently disassemble a treat bag and use a paper trimmer to cut to size {which is 10 1/2" x 7 1/2"}. I used a corner rounder punch to round corners for a perfect fit. Add distressing by gently crumpling the prepared paper to add a bit of texture and to take attention away from the fold lines.

I pour some Mod Podge® Antique Matte into the base of the tray, spreading to the edges and cover the base completely, and brush excess onto backside of prepared paper. This product looks like pancake batter, though it dries clear.

I placed the paper pattern side up into tray, then used a squeegee to gently press out air bubbles and the excess Mod Podge®. I use a brush to paint remaining Mod Podge® overall to seal paper in place and give the surface an antique treatment. I am quite impressed with how it transforms the very reflective and glossy surface on the paper treat bag. The metallic sheen is completely different.

I prepare some feet using recycled water bottle lids with a punched circle of the patterned paper bag PODGED into the center of each. I made a braid of the Bernat® Maker Home Dec™ yarn to line the edge around my reNEWed decoupage tray and tacked in place using the Mod Melter. I also wrapped some yarn around handles and prepared feet and glued in place.

BEFORE...

AFTER!

But I'm not stopping here! I have one more thing to do to add that finishing touch... I use various colored Sakura of America Gelly Roll pens to doodle some sugar skull features, scrollwork and flowers into the design.

This throwaway tchotscke has a new lease on life! I just love how the yarn braid gives a woven touch to this recycled project - adding charm to the faded pink tray. I love how this Dia De Los Muertos makeover on my tray turned out and all of the sparkle and shine!!

Wish me luck! Thanks so much for visiting and thanks in advance for voting! Sb :)

Going back in #Cre8time... Remember When Blog Hop

Hello Friends! Remember when we used to scrapbook with Mrs. Grossman stickers, cut photos into fun shapes, used paper punches and Stickled everything?! How about Basic Grey, Rusty Pickle and Daisy D's... I know these were my favorites. What paper or supplies do you still have stashed for a rainy day?

Today I am part of a fun bloghop dreamt up by my creative friend Betz Golden that you don't want to miss. Join me on a fun trip down Cre8time memory lane... featuring projects in which everyone was challenged to use something in our stash that is at least a decade old. EASY PEASY!!

REMEMBER WHEN chipboard shapes and MINI BOOKS were all the rage... and in all sorts of shapes and sizes! I love making mini-books... they are such a great way for me to squeeze in a little scrapbooking while having some fun creating. Today I'm sharing a greencrafted mini-album made from a repurposed pair of flip-flops using some of my old hoarded summer theme scrapbook papers like SandyLion, American Traditional Designs, Paper Adventures, and BoBunny. 

Back in the day, there wasn't a ready made embellishment for everything under the sun like there is now... we used stickers and punches and stamps to make our own. My album cover is stamped and painted with Making Memories and Creative Imaginations Foam Stamps and painted with Making Memories acrylic paints. I had to do a little maintenance on my paints to my surprise most were not completely dried out and I've had them since 2005.

I happily snap photos at every opportunity... so I have loads of vacation photos needing a proper home. The flip flop shape goes great with the travel theme. This pair I used are standard size, and even with the odd shaped pages, there is plenty of room to place photos, add pockets, tags and pull-outs. I've filled this sun-kissed mini album with my favorite pix from my last trip to Jamaica.

I've broken out my stash of EK Success Paper Shaper punches and my Quickutz Dies that were happy to see the light of day -- and combined them with bright and colorful ribbon, buttons, and topped off with Heidi Swapp silk flowers, "original" Prima Flowers and an assortment of tropical colored shaped brads. I even cut apart a sheet of printed vellum with summer phrases to use for journaling.

Remember that Fiskars tool that makes your paper corrogated??! How about that Dymo label maker, or the Xyron 2 and 4 inch adhesive runners {I don't think I can get refills for these anymore}.

I added dimension/texture on an accordion pull-out nestled amongst punched flowers and Quickutz die-cut embellishments. I love making my own embellishments with my punches and die-cuts -- using up all my leftover scraps and off-cuts. Everything is color coordinated and there's no leftovers to add to my never-ending scrap bin. 

What old goodies in your crafty stash will you use to capture your memories?

I have some blog candy to be won... an assortment of Making Memories "poolside" Jigsaw Alphabets - upper, lower and numbers that brand new in packaging from 2004. I found them stashed in the back of a drawer. To be entered in the drawing, please comment below what is your favorite "OLDER than 10 years" craft supply is and when you last used it?

For more blasts from the past inspiration, please visit the links below to continue on the hop. Please be sure to stop at each post and leave some blog love as there is blog candy to be won!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks for visiting! I hope you are inspired to grab something buried in your crafty stash and make something fun ;)  Sb