#Cre8time Beauty Lies Within... For Love of #MixedMedia Bloghop

Hello friends! Welcome to a special bloghop that I am participating in with a group of my creative pals celebrating "For the Love of Mixed Media". Not only are we sharing our passion for all things mixed media... we have projects with a LOVE theme.

If you arrived here in the middle of the hop, you can CLICK HERE to jump over to Christy Strickler's blog who is our hostess and organizer of this Cre8time adventure and some amazing Valentine's Inspiration!

I haven't been doing so much creating lately, though I'm always up for a good challenge and an opportunity to just dump out some stuff and play. I have been itching to use this shield pendant that has collaged paper with a phrase "beauty lies within" {from a supply goodie box I purchased from my creative friend Catherine Scanlon}. I had plans of making a necklace with it and molded up some items to pair with it... but my muse had other plans. 

I also brought out one of my special stamps that is from a dear friend from my local altered book group who passed on several years ago. Her vast collection of stamps were made available for sale to a special group of creative friends and I have about a dozen of her stamps {one of which is this corkscrew topped lady head}. I like to think that when I use these stamps... my muse and my dear friend are having a Cre8time playdate.

There was a heart collaged in this bezel, though I wanted to use a chipboard piece that was a different size/shape - so I had to tear it out. I brushed the metal frame with some tarnished brass and red distress paint, then lined the inner edge with some mini red sequin trim held in place with Diamond Glaze.

The rest of this came together rather organically as I had to paint a bunch of stuff red in an effort to clean up spilled paint from opening the newest RED distress paint dauber. So my chipboard heart, and grungeboard wings, some book paper and this tag were quickly painted red and tarnished brass. I build up the base of the tag with a torn scrap of an embossed painted paper in my stash, some mini rick-rack, sari ribbon, gold trim and painted lace.

The grungeboard wings are stamped with script text and my lady is stamped onto painted book paper accented with distress markers for a touch of color.

Needless to say I think more color is now on my hands than on anything else - LOL! I added a trimmed off piece of embroidered trim for a necklace... I love when those little scraps find a use while I'm assembling things.

I finished off bodice with a beaded dangle that was in my stash o' findings which was a perfect match for this color palette. I topped off the tag with some sari ribbon, fun fiber and green/red raffia. A work of mixed media love!!!

To visit all the other stops of

"For the Love of Mixed Media" Bloghop...

check out the links below.

Our Hostess - Christy Strickler

http://myscrapbookevolution.blogspot.com/2016/02/for-love-of-mixed-media-blog-hop.html

Robyn Crowningshield

https://cozienookhomestead.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/for-the-love-of-mixed-media-blog-hop/

Tina Walker

http://adogslife-thirteen.blogspot.com/2016/02/for-love-of-mixed-media-blog-hop.html

Katie Smith

http://www.punkprojects.com/2016/02/mixed-media-heart-journal.html

Beth Soler

http://scrappingwonders.com/for-love-of-mixed-media-blog-hop/

You are here... Susan M. Brown {sbartist}

http://sbartist.blogspot.com/2016/02/cre8time-beauty-lies-within-for-love-of.html

Lulu Bea

http://lulubeas.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/mixed-media-altered-art/

Melissa Johnson 

https://melsartjournal.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/for-the-love-of-mixed-media-blog-hop/

Thanks for dropping by! Have a creative weekend :) Sb

Join us for a #Cre8time CELBRATION with Anything But a Card Challenges No. 50

Today begins a brand new and final challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges... Challenge No. 50. And we are having a Cre8time "CELEBRATION" won't you join us! Since we are having a party... how about some cake? A pretty pink paper cake.

The FINAL Challenge... in the spirit of our time together stretching and growing our creative muscles – we invite you to join us in a Cre8time CELEBRATION!

I am about greencrafting and this paper cake is no exception. I know it's Pink... it happened to be the ruling color by my paper scraps and recycled colored tissue paper... and a wink to my super creative teamie "Sheri" {a.k.a. super pink girl}. This is one occasion that I can live without all things "PURPLE".

 

The center of this cake is recycled ribbon spools collaged with paper and tissue, then stamped with inky goodness and topped with luscious ribbon trims for the icing. Helmar adhesives made this project quick and easy... my cake came together lickety-split.

The base of the cake is finished off with

a hand-stamped doily detail, too!

Stamps used: Cat Jumping Out Of Cake #12072, Party Streamers #130, Washi Lines Background #19073, Large Doily #18847, and Celebrate #12390.

This party is underway... now I'm off to find some ice cream. I hope you join us in the CELEBRATION at Anything But a Card Challenges!!!  :) Sb

#Cre8time Road Tripping...

Greetings Friends! Hope you are having a fantastic Monday. I just wanted to share a bit from my weekend artsy field trip... and to let you know that the "ANYTHING GOES" challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges has been extended until midnight August 1st, 2015.

The Challenge is OPEN - Anything But a Card Challenges No. 49 is ANYTHING GOES. Share you're creations, whatever it may be... scrapbooking, collage, ATCs, tags, art journal pages, altered shrines... whatever tickles your muse and her fancy!

Over the weekend I took a Cre8time road trip up to a magical place called Art More Place in Melbourne, FL to attend a workshop from the super fantastic Cat Kerr. This is the second workshop I've taken with her learning to make charmed soldered whimsies. If you missed out and would like to take a class from her she will be having another workshop there real soon {CLICK HERE for event listings}. Last month I traveled up to Art More Place for two days of painting "Funky Little Houses" with Jodi Ohl.

Soldering is new to me and I think it's beginning to grow on me. It requires patience, attention to detail and leaves you living on the edge of your seat awaiting the end result. With the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, I am ready for a day of learning and creating with abandon - stocked with healthy snacks and a jumbo homemade smoothie.

I brief message came across social media the night before instructing us to bring any photos, charms or other misc personal ephemera we would like to use in our pendants - I filled my scrapbook roll-a-round. In my stash I selected items to pair with a supplied stamped mermaid to make a seaside pendant; and an assortment of christmas theme/colored items for a holiday vignette. The time invested in learning new media always gives my muse a giant shot of vitamin "C".

"Mini Soldered Shakers"

Thanks for visiting! CLICK HERE to jump over to Anything But a Card Challenges and see what everyone else has created. I hope you join in and share your creations. Have a creative week! :) Sb

Daring to try New Colors and Techniques for Anything But a Card Challenge No. 49 "ANYTHING GOES"

Greetings Friends! I hope you are having a fabulous 4th of July weekend. Today begins a brand new challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges. 

The new Challenge... is OPEN! With summertime in full swing... we want to see what you're creating! Anything But a Card Challenges No. 49 is ANYTHING GOES. Share you're creations, whatever it may be... scrapbooking, collage, ATCs, tags, art journal pages, altered shrines... whatever tickles your muse and her fancy!

Challenges are a fun way to push yourself to try new things and new styles – and to be perfectly honest – this was way out of my creative box. I was a bit scared as to how I would tackle this challenge board... it's totally out of my box and I had butterflies in my stomach until my creation was complete! But I'm so glad I played along.

I started with a watercolor paper that I monoprinted with a blend of blue and green metallic Ranger Adirondack acrylics. Then I scribbled and smooshed on some blues and green Faber-Castell Gelatos to my liking. Using gel medium I fused a ghost monoprint on deli paper, which glues the layers together while giving translucency to colors below.

I wanted to have a scribbly heart, so I made a dribbly heart mask {click here to see how to} and placed onto my background then sprayed with black Ditto glimmer spray.

Look at all the glorious blue and green exposed! I brushed some water at the top where the spray was still a bit wet and let the black color drip down. This was fun and a bit scary... I'm a total newbie to the dripping technique.

I gave a blast with the heat gun to dry everything and added a few strokes of Gelatos to the heart. To finish this mini masterpiece, I overstamp a bubble wrap texture and spell out "dare to dream" with Hero Arts Unicorn white pigment ink {love this new white ink} and heat set. I stamped, embossed and fussy cut butterfly wings on matching painted paper. I gently slide the my collage into a Deflecto Acrylic Craft Frame and tucked the wings off each edge... and I have a new inspirational whimsy.

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Supplies: Stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps: "Distressed Alphabet from December Daily Plate #1430"; "Bubble Wrap Texture" #19566; and  "Butterfly Spotted" #9459. Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder; watercolor paper, white cardstock detail scissors, black Versafine pigment Ink; Hero Arts "Hero Hues" Unicorn {white} pigment ink; various blues/greens Faber-Castell Gelatos; detail scissors; Faber-Castell Gel Medium; drizzle heart mask made with Amazing Remelt; Ditto black shimmer spray; and a Deflecto 3" x 4" Acrylic Craft Frame.

"Let Your Heart Soar..."

Thanks for visiting! CLICK HERE to jump over to Anything But a Card Challenges and see what the rest of the designer have created. I hope you join in and share your creations. Happy Sunday :) Sb

Tagging King Tut's GOLD for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 46 - "FOOL's GOLD"

It's a long weekend for Easter and Passover. With a new challenge to play with, I putter about and catch up on some tag techniques to see what inspiration strikes. 

We have a new Challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges. Challenge No. 46 is "FOOL's GOLD"... uses the prettiest of all metals – GOLD – as your inspiration to challenge your muse. CLICK HERE to jump over to ABAC to see inspiration from our design team.

My tag is based on T!m Holtz' August 2013 Tag techniques and I'm heading to Ancient Egypt to find some Gilded treasure for my creation for the "FOOL's GOLD" No. 46 challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges.

On a sheet of freezer paper, I applied side by side three Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen. I misted my #8 manila tag with a light amount of water then dragged the tag through the puddle of ink. I tapped off the excess liquid and then heat set to dry. Looks pretty grungy and gold... weathered by thousand of years in the desert!

I built up the layers of color with three applications using the same technique above and heat set to dry between layers. The brushed pewter gave a subtle metallic shimmer over the tag that looks like aged sandstone. I overstamped the "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827 {all from Viva Las VegaStamps!} using Staz-On Jet Black ink. I also stamped each on acetate and a scrap paper to create masks for layering and scene building.

I prepared my masks, two on acetate and the others on paper and adhered to my tag with some removable adhesive runner. The colored image will not appear where the masked areas are. This process of building scenes is a bit time consuming with fussy cutting - but the end results are AMAZING - and for me totally worth the effort!

I mounted the "Nile Flower Background" #1657 stamp and then began coloring with Ranger Distress Markers adding different colors directly onto the stamp. This is a detailed pattern, so I had to concentrate coloring similar sections. This was quite fun and relaxing coloring this large background. I remoistened the marker applied to the background stamp by breathing on it then stamped onto the tag. 

The "Mummy Case/Female" #5806 was not as clear as I liked on the painted tag, though I did stamp clearly - so I stamped it again onto a brushed gold cardstock, fussy cut and adhered with Miracle Tape right over the top. This did the trick! The gold gave the pop and extra bling that I desired and looks just like the artifacts in the King Tut exhibit I saw in the Art Museum!

I went around the edge with a distressing tool for a frayed effect and rubbed edge with a couple colors of Distress Markers. To finish off - I added a pink pearl gem, some additional hand coloring and some ribbon to the top and bottom and this tag looks like it's an artifact straight from the Egypt.

Tag ARTifact from the Pyramids...

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Supplies used: STAMPS - "Basket Egyptian Goddess" #6101, "Mummy Case/Female" #5806, "Nile Flower Background" #1657, and "Stylized Dog Border" #9827. Other supplies: #8 manila tag; Staz-On Jet Black ink; Miracle Tape; Ranger Distress Markers; Ranger Distress Stains - Brushed Pewter, Old Paper, and Antique Linen; water brush; brushed gold cardstock; pink pearl gem; and ribbon/trim.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I invite you to play along with us at Anything But a Card Challenges and the new "FOOL's GOLD" Challenge No. 46.

Hoppy Creating!  :) Sb

Everything's Coming Up Clovers... or in a Shamrock Haze!

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying St. Patrick's Day and all things GREEN and IRISH that lead to the welcoming of Springtime. I've been totally seeing green and LUCKY ME... I have the supplies, stamps and scraps out for the making. There's a couple challenges that I really wanted to participate in so today I took one hour before work to make a fun tag to share over at Anything But a Card Challenges No. 45 "Green with Envy" and Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers SOSS #29 - L is for Leprechaun. Both of these challenges are open for a few days and are full of creative inspiration.

This tag was fun to make and I just went for it transforming a scrap of marbelized painted creme cardstock into this green fantasy. A bunch of inky, stamped goodness here along with a bit of some hand coloring. I hope you like my Leprechaun sitting atop of the toadstools enjoying his IRISH dinner.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

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Stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps: "I Try Not to Limit..." #15414; "Leprechaun on Mushrooms" #18110; "Four Leaf Clover Shading" #6806; "Shamrock/4 Leaf Clover" #12756; and "Grass" #9746. Other Supplies: recycled dry cleaning tag; Sakura of America Gelly Roll Starburst pens {various colors}; waterbrush; various green dye inks; clover mini decorative tape runner; green torn scraps of mulberry paper; green marbelized and collaged painted cardstock scraps; Tsukineko Antique Gold Dewdrop ink; waterbrush; Miracle Tape; and black versafine ink.

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Thanks for dropping by! Have a fantastic Day! :) Sb

Revisiting FRIENDS from the Past...

For this challenge, I am sharing a post from the past for inspiration which is perfect for the current Anything But a Card Challenges No. 44 "FRIENDSHIP".  This particular project was made for a mini tip-in swap... using the "throw-away collage" technique - one of my favorite types of creations. What is a "throw-away collage"?? It is a creation made of all the bits and scraps leftover on the table - transformed into something lovely and new! 

I broke out my huge IRIS box of scraps with leftover bits and pieces... which started out from several big ziploc bags full of all sorts of stuff. Putting it all in a big bin makes it easier to contain and search through. I began sifting through the scraps of paper, unused stamped images, leftover stickers, etc. AND in no time, my work began to come to life on it's own.

The background is a 6x6 square that I tried an Anna Griffin paper folding technique on for another project swap, but after making one, quickly decided that I wasn't going to make 6 more so it was retired to the "BIN". I happened to have long strips of the same p.p. so I folded it to create a dimensional frame to contain the folded quilted background. The winged boy was stamped on vellum and the school girl stamped on gloss paper, so I colored them both with my Marvy brush markers. The girl's wings are leftover vellum heart stickers. I stamped the 'friends forever' on a piece of scrap green with my ticket punch. This phrase is from a new little set of stamps with bling and a cute owl stamp that I just had to have. I added some tulle and fibers from another bin filled with misc. ribbons and stuff... then tied it off with a lock and key.

The current Challenge... is one that that can be expressed in just one word... "FRIENDSHIP". For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 44 use our prompt of "Friendship" to inspire your muse... and gather all of your creative goodies to come out and play. As our name states Anything But a Card = NO CARDS.

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you are inspired to play along with us at Anything But a Card Challenges. :) Sb

Anybody Seen an ELF... Anything But a Card Challenges No. 41 "ANYTHING GOES"

Good Morning Everyone! The holiday season is fast approaching and I haven't begun my handmade holiday cards and gifts... how about you??!

Today begins week number 3 of Challenge No. 41 at Anything But a Card Challenges! If you missed the amazing creations by our team of designers when ANYTHING GOES – CLICK HERE to view week one designers, CLICK HERE to view week 2 designers.

The current Challenge... is OPEN! We all love a good prompt to inspire us and let us stretch our creative muscle. With the holiday season fast approaching... we want to see what you're creating! For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 41 is ANYTHING GOES. Share you're creations, whatever it may be... scrapbooking, collage, ATCs, tags, art journal pages, altered shrines... whatever tickles your muse and her fancy!

* * * * * * * * * *

Prior to Halloween I received some Smoothfoam doll heads for a creepy project... then one day strolling Pinterest, I found myself swimming in Christmas pins and how people creatively prank with these mischievous elves. Since then visions of sugarplums have been dancing in my head and designs on making my very own "Elf on the Shelf" sitter.

You know one of these... I had to go to an actual Hallmark Store yesterday {a rare occasion} and I spied a real one in the window...

 

I've never seen one of these in person, only all the photos online - and I'm glad I saw it after completing my HANDMADE version because I'm so proud of myself!! My little elf is more than twice as large as the name brand... and I think so much cuter, too!

This project was a labor of love and at each step I was totally consumed in the process. Please CLICK HERE to view more details. I think I will make a little skirt for my scout later, but for now I'm totally loving her creeping me out sitting next to the TV.

My Handmade "SCOUT" Elf is
already getting into mischief!

Supplies used: Poly-fil Poly-Pellets Stuffing Beads, Crafter's Choice Dry Polyester Fiberfill, and oly*fun™ - all from Fairfield World. Other supplies used: Smoothfoam baby head; Super Sculpey polymer clay; Faber-Castell Gelatos; Faber-Castell PITT pens; Faber-Castell Gesso; Sewing Machine; Water Brush; Tonic Scissors and Beacon Fabri-Tac Adhesive.

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Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you'll join in and play along with me at Anything But a Card Challenges. I look forward to seeing your creations. Sb :)

My #Cre8time Soars to New Heights with STEAMPUNKtember at Anything But a Card Challenges

Good Morning Everyone! Welcome to week three of Anything But a Card Challenges No. 39... STEAMPUNKtember! Yes it's time for to get your Steampunk fix for today. CLICK HERE to jump over to ABAC and see what the rest of our design team has created.

The current Challenge... is one that is near and dear to most of our creative heARTs so we have brought this one back again. For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 39 - welcome to "STEAMPUNKtember"!!! YES... Steampunk!!! Anything Goes within this ever popular genre!

Popular Collage Stamp from Darkroom Door

Victorian, Airships, Industrial and Mechanical – need we say more!!! The theme is full of so many possibilities. Just remember create anything except a card... get GEARED up for all things Steampunk!!!

Please share any current project you have created and JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. Please do us the favor to mention Anything But a Card Challenges, Challenge Name and Number, and LINK BACK to this challenge using this PERMALINK: http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/2014/09/welcome-to-steampunktember-anything-but.html :)

**A REMINDER** This Challenge will go through midnight September 27th giving you 1 more week to play along and ENJOY the creative process! We will share more of our Design Team's creations each Sunday to keep you inspired.

* * * * * * * * * 

For this challenge I have created an new art journal page with the newest addition to my rubber stash - the Steampunk set of Darkroom Door Stamps which has a variety of words and images which go together nicely with the collection of steampunk stamps that never seem to leave my work table.

I love combining stamps together into interesting scenes... for any kind on all kinds of projects - from tags and A.T.C.'s to cards and altered projects. Many times the image itself strikes the idea and sends me off and running... for all the tools in the craft room ESPECIALLY a fistful of stamps and some ink! This set has my gears spinning instantly.

I always have scrap paper handy to doodle on when I get an idea, and for this project I had the visual before the end result. I've created a scene stamped upon a background of gessoed scrapbook patterned paper and go from there - featuring the words, gears, lightbulb, top hat and the hot air balloon that I've combined with a whimsical scene accented with pops of color using Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens and a waterbrush.

My background paper is a 12 x 12 patterned scrapbook paper. It has the feel of book paper, with some whimsical doodle flowers and a bit of color. I painted a drybrushed layer of watered down gesso to mute the detail, while still being a bit translucent.

Using some 3M Spray Adhesive, I adhered some torn sections of rectangluar paper doilies and the torn section of my gesso'd paper. Using double-sided adhesive tape, I began taping torn scraps of faux leathered brown paper to the base of my journal page.

I layered several torn strips to create a faux wall effect. This paper has a muted metallic finish which will go wonderful with the vintage "Steampunk" scene I will be stamping.

On a slightly larger acrylic block, I assembled all the word stamps from the Steampunk set in a staggered brickwork fashion. I inked up with StazOn Timber Brown Ink and stamped repeatedly over the brown paper border.

I let the stamping overlap onto the black base page which gives a nice contrast. I also went back and added some gears and the compass images for some added interest.

I began stamping my scene using the gears, airship, steam car, hat and lightbulb image. I toned down the intensity of the ink by swiping over with Ranger Picket Fence Distress Stain and make it seem like there are light whispy clouds.

Using a stencil I misted some subtle yellow rays to add color – and a base for my words to be bursting from the top hat. For this journal page I've stamped in layers. Some items are stamped fully inked and then repeated using the second and third image before re-inking to create depth.

My art journal page before I add the final stamped images, words and a bit of hand coloring. I smudged a little more Picket Fence Distress Stain in areas to create some fluffy clouds. I really love the little doodle flowers that peek through the background that add a little whimsy to these vintage steampunk images that tend to be a bit masculine.

On some scrap painted and patterned paper I inked the words that will be bursting from my idea hat. Instead of trimming letters from words – I only inked the part of the words I wanted. "Invent" from inventor; "Explore" from explorer... etc. For the word "DREAM" I will handwrite using a letter stencil.

For the final stamped elements I stamped onto deli paper, {this is a trick I learned from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer}, tore around images and adhered to my collage using a matte gel medium. The deli paper justs melts away into the background – while keeping the clarity in the stamped image. It's total stamping MAGIC... and looks like I stamped them in place. After the gel medium dried, I adhered my words and then some pops of color by scribbling with Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens on my craft mat and applying with a waterbrush to get a watercolor effect. I added a little doodling for finishing touches.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you are inspired to get your Steampunk on and will play along with the challenge. Have a fantastic Sunday! :) Sb