What's more "MANLY" than Cowboys and BACON? Unruly Paper Arts August Readers Art Quest

Hello Everyone... where is August going??! Well it's time for some more inspiration for the current Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "MANLY". What's more manly than cowboys and bacon?!! For this month's inspiration I created a fun card using some scraps of handmade painted papers paired with a fun stamped cowboy image and quote.

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "MANLY" Inspiration photo and color palette, are a little dusty and perhaps a little grungy, with a POP of color.

I began with a 5" x 7" cardstock base to which I glued a painted papertowel {resulting from mopping up spray mists from faux leathering paper}, layered with a scrap of corrugated painted with Faber-Castell Gelatos {leftover from this seasonal art}. I layered the stamps ""Keep Calm and Put Bacon On"" and Cowboy with Lasso, from Viva Las VegaStamps! on cream cardstock, each double matted on recycled brown envelope, brown cardstock and a torn edge.

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.  :) Sb

Cooking up some #AlteredBook Fun for Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest

Hello Everyone... how is it the middle of May already??! Well it's time for some more inspiration for the current Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "Food Glorious Food" - need I say more. This inspiration board makes me dream of summertime pies topped with loads of meringue.

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "Food Glorious Food" Inspiration photo and color palette, are perfect for the all sorts of creations and the interesting food holidays are quite fun also.

For this month's inspiration I went back to something I have not done in a while... book altering. This spread I created in an old vintage cookbook for my local round robin group. I really enjoyed this project combining book altering and art journaling.

The page is dedicated to my Dad, his love of cooking and a throw together recipe that my Dad made for me on a visit. Tucked behind the collage clipping of the coffee drinker {from an old baggie of scrapbooking alterables}, I have fashioned a pocket to contain the recipe and the story of his "spaghetti pie." I needed a little something extra to ground my floating pie photo {it was so delicious and no matter how I try, I can't get mine to taste as good}. I got the idea of simpified line drawings from the kitschy images in the cookbook this is created in. The book is "The Fireside Cook Book: A Complete Guide to Fine Cooking for Beginner and Expert" Hardcover – 1949 by James A. Beard. 

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.  :) Sb

A #Cre8time Valentine for that Long Lost SUMMER Flame...

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Hello Everyone... Happy Valentine's Day!! It's the middle of Feburary {already} and time for another blast of inspiration for the current Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "Heartfelt" which is perfect way to spend a little #Cre8time creating in the colors of LOVE! Reds, pinks, white and pops of orange are sure to turn up the heat and bring some sizzle to the middle of winter.

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "Heartfelt" Inspiration photo and color palette, are perfect for creating a special Valentine for that long lost summer flame.

 

This card came together pretty easy with some scraps and leftovers from other projects. I have a bin on my craft table that is a collection of leftovers, die-cuts, stickers, embellishments and other misc fodder for crafting... a fun place to shop for items to assemble a mixed-media card and put some of these items to use!

The background is a torn scrap of pink painted cardstock cut to fit to a tan speckletone card base. Add photo corners and some sparkly floral mesh and I have a nice start. I stamped the "retro beach dude" from Rubber Dance Art Stamps - for my summer beau in brown dye ink. Layered on top is an assortment of Sizzix leaf sprigs, a red heart doily creatively trimmed, embossed chipboard shapes from M store dollar bin, a scrap of three hearts cut from a patterned paper with doily paper behind, and two word stickers matted with red cardstock - all kissed with a little chalk inks for distressing. 

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest and check out the sponsor this month Rubber Dance Art Stamps. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm planning on spending the day with my main squeeze going on a date to the annual Coconut Grove Art Festival down in Miami... gotta love a crafty road trip with good art, good food and my one true love! :) Sb

Bursts of Color Light up the #Cre8time Sky

Hello Everyone... WE are just over two weeks until the new year - I cannot believe how fast 2014 has flown by. This month's challenge theme is "FIREWORKS" for the Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts and is perfect for getting ready for the shiny new year. I have created a painting using a myriad of supplies that I haven't used in ages and just had fun with the inspiration provided.

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "FIREWORKS Inspiration photo and color palette, are full of bright bursts of color much like you see when fireworks light up the night sky.

 

I came across a stash of some old 16x20 illustration boards that were screaming for some attention. I turned on some tunes and just threw some inks and paint and made the colors fly. I added more details with markers and colored pencils.

The brush nibs of the markers and texture of the colored pencil strokes are a nice contrast to the drips and splatters - all reminiscent of a sky aglow with bursts of light.

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.

Happy Creating! Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday too! :) Sb

#Cre8time Captured By the Sea... June Reader's Art Quest Challenge at Unruly Paper Arts

Hello Everyone... It's June and Summer has arrived! It's a new month which brings a new Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "By the Sea" and a theme that is near and dear to my heart! I have lived most of my life in Florida and spent much of my childhood at the beach.

I really enjoyed created something new - and at the same time giving a proper home for bits of this and that residing in my craft room. 

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "By the Sea" Inspiration photo and color palette, were exactly in line with a holiday at the beach. 

 

I have been recently tackling some of those UFO's that are hanging around my studio... you know those "unfinished objects"... the projects started - patiently waiting to be completed. This shell book is something I started several years ago and it's been nagging at my muse ever since... and now this labor of love is finally complete!

Many of my creations have an ARTful purpose - and this shell book has a dual purpose... a place for some of my favorite beach photos and nooks to hold my shells and treasures found while walking on the beach.

I added stamped detail over the photos Nathalie Kalbach n*studio Stampendous stamps to add texture and interest - and completing the weathered beach feel.

I assembled the book together using medium book binder rings. I even included a little charm "made with love" from by bead stash completes this treasure from the beach. I tied some strips of tulle, gold ribbon and sections of frayed May Arts blue cotton ribbon.

A strand of wire-wrapped beads, pearls and baubles added to the edges of the covers completing my Jewel from the Sand. This shell book will commemorate my special times at the beach... a keepsake I will enjoy adding to – and include my trips to beaches in exotic destinations.

I'm love with the end result of this vision I've had in my head for so long. How would you create your own mixed media keepsake using ordinary items?

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest. My "thoughtful abstractions" column for the June "STAMP it OUT" issue of Unruly Paper Arts will be coming up on the 23rd... you certainly want to SAVE the DATE. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.

Happy Creating! :) Sb

Springtime is #Cre8time at HOME with Unruly Paper Arts May Reader's Art Quest

Hello Everyone... welcome to May! It's a new month and I'm happy to share a brand new upcycled mixed media project for the new Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "HOME" and you know how I love a good challenge!

I really enjoyed created something new - and at the same time giving a proper home for bits of this and that on my craft room table. It's springtime and I've been doing some much needed sorting and purging of my studio - along with finishing countless UFOs {unfinished objects} which are cluttering my desk... and MIND!

Following the Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "Home" Inspiration photo and color palette, I set out to collect some items for creating. I have a few Amazing Casting Resin house pieces created from an embroidery kit frame molded using Amazing Mold Putty. I had one of these in a baggy with some scraps of Bo-Bunny papers, embellishments and ribbon - such a good starting point. This month's issue is "Fabric Frenzy" so I also added some muslin to the mix.

 

Then my "ONE TOUCH RULE" started taking effect. In gathering other supplies - I happened upon this mini kraft tote that had the label removed. Hmmm! Perhaps this will make a lovely base for a mixed media piece.

I selected this section of muslin fabric monoprinted using my Amazing No-Gelatin Rubber Plate {my DIY version of a gellie plate}. When I'm playing and monoprinting I use extra papers, fabric swatches and other items to pick-up second/third print pulls. For this pattern, I had been impressing large bubble wrap into the paint to make texture and it will make a nice sky background for my "home" scene.

My selection of vintage lace, ribbon and knotted twine in the color palette. I might cut up this large loopy lace for clouds... we'll see how things progress.

I set off to work preparing my kraft tote to be a base for hanging art. I cut off the paper handles {which will be reused in another crafty project} and glued the sides and flap and a piece of cardstock inside to make a sturdy flat piece.

I try to be conscious in the beginning of how I'm going to display/house a creation. One thing I love using for upcycled projects is soda can pulls! With a decorative brad - they make a quick and easy hanger.

The whole is poked through the base bag and buried into the glued layers of my finished project. This is ready to hang!

View from the back with tab/hanger bent slightly for easy hanging on a pushpin.

I built up the layers on the front with a couple layered pieces of white cardstock with torn edges - slightly larger than my base bag.

Using a pale yellow acrylic paint I brushed some color around the border. I trimmed the monoprinted muslin to size and frayed the edges. I adhered another piece of white cardstock to the back of the fabric using a Miracle Sheet {sheets of double sided adhesive that can be cut to size} for stability and added strength. Before adhering - I added a little painterly details...

Faber-Castell Gelatos are my new obsession that are now a staple in my daily travel tote! I've found storage boxes that are the perfect size and I have two bins so far. I've even added color names to each of them with my P-Touch labeler {yes I have a little creative OCD}!

Using my new Nathalie Kalbach Stampendous stamps, and a variety of Faber Castell Gelatos - I applied color directly to the faux burlap stamp to simulate grass and pops of pink for flowers.

I spritzed the Gelatos with water and then pressed onto the fabric. I didn't use an acrylic block to ensure I pressed into the texture and cracks of the painted fabric. I let this dry completely and then peel the backing off the Miracle Sheet and adhere to my prepared base.

I stamped across the bottom edge of the fabric and I filled in the remaining 1/2" at the bottom using a water brush picking up color from the green gelatos used. I love the subtle watercolor effect and it complements the monoprinted bubble wrap background. I have a dark green pom-pom trim that I will add for additional dimension and as a horizon line for my scene. This will be layered upon a lace ribbon colored with green Gelatos blended with water to match my stamped garden. I placed my assembled house complete with resin domino door and mini bicycle onto the scene and filled in a faux fence with the knotted twine and cut apart section of May Arts wooded trim. I painted vertical stripes in with waterbrush and chocolate gelato to finish the fence... creating a nice contrast of dimension and color.

The base Bo-Bunny Paper that I trimmed to fit behind my Amazing Casting Resin house was a bit bright and blue. So I gently applied a gesso wash over it to mute the colors down, then applied a mix of pinks and yellow gelatos to marry this to the Unruly Paper Arts May Reader's Art Quest "Home" color palette challenge.

I also smudged some yellow and pink gelatos to the doily I was placing behind this house. I had already adhered these together, so mini Post-Its make masking quick and easy. I placed the Bo-Bunny flower as a "sun". As I started assembling the pieces to the fabric background, I decided to remove the flower. I wanted to give the scene balance and place the sun in front of some sparkly rays.

Using Post-its - I quickly masked around my white paper border to prepare for some misting. Then using T!m Holtz "RAYS" Stampers Anonymous layering stencil and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, I created some shimmering yellow rays for my floral sun.

This did the trick and gives balance to the house on the opposite side of my piece to complete the sky scene. Now it's time for those little finishing touches... a bronze colored dragonfly covers the gluedot residue I couldn't remove from the doily; and some Sakura of America Gelly Stardust Holgram hand-drawn details.

With addition of some adhesive gems for window on an Amazing Casting Resin domino door; and flower shapes and round gems to fill in this blossoming garden... this scene is complete! This scene just makes me smile.

I hope you enjoyed my project and that you are inspired to join us in this month's Reader's Art Quest. My "thoughtful abstractions" column for the May "Fabric Frenzy" issue of Unruly Paper Arts will be coming up on the 21st... you certainly want to SAVE the DATE. I would love to see what you create. Please leave me a comment with your link.

Happy Creating! :) Sb