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

#Cre8time Paint Play brings #MixedMedia Variety...

Join me today for another installment of my "Thoughtful Abstractions" column at Unruly PaperArts. The theme for April is Gelli® Plates and Monoprinting... focusing on the mixed-media painting technique that virtually ANYONE can do – anywhere! This is one of my favorite techniques and is a source of Cre8time inspiration.

CLICK HERE to jump over to Unruly Paper Arts to read my latest column that includes a monoprinting tutorial.

Monoprints are so versatile and can be a starter for all sorts of projects. Here are a few examples of projects I've made using different techniques.

My "Faux Van Gogh" stamped collage is a fusion of three layers: the base a painted sheet of white cardstock; a monoprint created with Liquitex Soft Body Acrylic paints {Cadmium Orange Hue and Cerulean Blue} and deli paper on a Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate {yes, I do actually own one}; and a stamped image on deli paper. This is a fun way to use your monoprints. This blue and orange was acutally a clean-up sheet that I was rolling my paint filled brayer on. CLICK HERE to view tutorial on how I created this.

How about using a monoprint to découpage onto a dimensional project? Oh yes! This made painting so quick and easy and my whimsical steampunk pinewood derby car came to life in minutes. CLICK HERE to see the entire project.

Round monoprinting plates are the lastest craze and it dawned on me that I also have loads of round shapes lying around, too! A whole pile of them!!! Several of my mold rubber molds sitting in pretty little stacks like crafty pancakes.

First I applied some colors to one of my rectangular plates with a brayer, then pressed my nut and bolt mold into the paint – this leaves a beautiful circle with hexagons in the negative space. Then I can stamp off the color from the MOLD onto another print or blank paper. Gorgeous!!! CLICK HERE to view more variations of applying color.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you are inspired to try some painterly play during your Cre8time! Have a wonderful Sunday. :) Sb

Tasty Snacks Leave Creative Treasures...

It's no secret that greencrafting is one of my favorite pastimes. Especially when tasty snacks come in such fun packaging just screaming for some Cre8time love.

Join me today for another installment of my "Thoughtful Abstractions" column at Unruly PaperArts. The theme for March is TRASH 2 TREASURE... focusing on recycling, reusing and upcycling. I don't have to look far for finding something to create with – there is usually plenty of interesting things to use for crafting in my recycling bin... or in today's case... compliments of "The Laughing Cow" in  my refrigerator!

CLICK HERE to jump over to Unruly Paper Arts to see the full transformation. :) Sb

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

For the UNLUCKY Friday the 13th Bloghop please CLICK HERE...

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

The Sky is the Limit in my #Cre8time with Amazing Crafting Products!

Hello friends! It's November which is my favorite month of the year because it has my FAVORITE holiday of the year... TURKEY DAY {aka my birthday celebration}!!! Today I'm starting off the month with a bang with my latest "Thoughtful Abstractions" column in the new "Make and Bake" Issue of the Unruly Paper Arts Blogozine. This month is dedicated to focusing on ways to Make and/or Bake your own embellishments using products such as Shrink Plastic, Paper Clay, Polymer Clay, Amazing Mold Putty, and Resins... totally right up my creative alley!

CLICK HERE to view more on this.

There is also a brand new Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" which is perfect way to spend a little Cre8time getting in the spirit of the season! This month Amazing Crafting Products is the sponsor of the Reader's Art Quest Challenge and if you play along and linkup your creation via inLinkz HERE, you could be entered to win this AMAZING prize package!!!

  

I'm all in the Christmas spirit and beginning to create a menagerie of these snow domes using recycled plastic bottles, wine corks, patterned paper scraps, ribbons/fibers and an altered bottle brush tree. These will be perfect handmade holiday gifts for family and friends {CLICK HERE to see how I made these}.

In my "Thoughtful Abstractions" post today at Unruly Paper Arts, I share how I create a mold of some original artwork I've created to use for embellishments and other altered projects. That just scratches the surface of what these AMAZING products can do. Please scroll down to see a sampling of some of my projects that utilize Amazing Crafting Products.

Click on the image or link below to jump to the post for each. I invite you to jump over to the Amazing Crafting Products Blog to see MORE... there is a whole Creative Team providing project ideas, tips and inspiration daily!

Original designed Snowman Figurine

Wishbone charm molded/cast in Amazing Casting Resin

Miniature Faerie Garden Birdhouse

Steampunk Cuckoo Clock... yes that's a PEEP®!

Vintage Keyhole Charm

Amazing Molded Cookie Cup

Starfish and Sand Dollar Embellishments

Lime Slice Earrings

Clear Cast Resin Bangle and Upcycled Tape Spool Bangle

Handmade Owl Charms

Custom shaped Sugar Cubes

Custom Stamp Handles

My prized creation... the Golden "Steamunk Eggship"

And I have so many more... too many to share. Please follow me via bloglovin if you want to keep up with my creative adventures.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you are inspired to try something new and look forward to seeing your creations in the Reader's Art Quest. Happy Monday! :) Sb

FALL... the SEASON of #Cre8time! Unruly PaperArts October Readers Art Quest Challenge

Hello Everyone... I can't believe it's October already and FALL is arriving in some places {though it's still summer where I am}! It's a new month which brings a new Reader's Art Quest at Unruly Paper Arts. This month's challenge theme is "Harvest Bounty" which is perfect way to spend a little #Cre8time getting in the spirit of the season! I love the colors of fall - and creating using the burnt oranges, reds and browns of the season... that welcomes us to Halloween, then my FAVORITE holiday of the year... TURKEY DAY!!!

The Unruly Paper Arts Reader's Art Quest "Harvest Bounty" Inspiration photo and color palette, are perfect for some handmade cards for Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving. I'm totally ready for some pumpkin pie now!

 

Since my "Gotta Dash" Project for last month's Unruly PaperArts Blogozine, I have sort of been on a CAS bender. I'm loving using up scraps of this and that, stamping a bit, coloring a bit and getting it done NOW! This festive card features one of my favorite Scribble Girl stamps** painted with markers applied using a water brush. This month's Unruly PaperArts issue is "Painted Perfection" so the watercolor effect adds a painterly touch to make the stamped image shine. I had just enough of my base paper and patterned paper to make a handful of these all in one sitting. To mimick the script in the patterned paper, I stamped a script stamp in brown ink on the solid cardstock - giving me a quick and easy DIY patterned paper that gives a little interest,though subtle. I even saved time of fussing over tearing edges by using my Fiskars Deckle edge scissors... snip snip and a perfect torn edge every time.

If you have a quick minute, scroll down or CLICK HERE to jump to my post from yesterday which uses a few other of my scribble girl stamps** in another fall creation.
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! Crossing my fingers that the weather man comes through on his prediction of a cold front coming way South this weekend... YAY! :) Sb

**The stamps I refer to as SCRIBBLE GIRLS are from the American Art Stamp - Karen Stolper "Stick Chic" line. This line seems to have been discontinued as I am unable to find a source to link up.

#Cre8time in a DASH... Quick Makes and My Take on CAS

Happy Friday everyone! It's that time again... time for another one of my "Thoughtful Abstractions" columns at Unruly PaperArts. This month's GOTTA DASH ISSUE at Unruly PaperArts... dedicated to quick and easy makes and Clean and Simple Designs to inspire your Cre8time. This was a particularly interesting challenge for me as my creations usually take on a life of their own {and not usually quick or simple} but I found the CAS style refreshing and inspiring! In looking back at some of my creations, a style I'm quite fond of and visit often.

Please CLICK HERE to view my Thoughtful Abstractions column in the Unruly PaperArts GOTTA DASH ISSUE. I'm just buzzing with tips and ideas for making your Cre8time quick, easy and fun! Below I have rounded up some other CAS makes that I'm quite fond of that have some interesting twists - Enjoy! 

This card features a mosaic pattern of inchie stamps layered with a dimensional butterfly embellishment. These were 6 separate stamps {Inkadinkado} that I grouped on my acrylic block before stamping. You could get the same effect by cutting up a patterned paper, photo or stamped image into squares and spacing in a mosaic fashion.

Recognize these cute little gifts??? They are from a large sheet of patterned paper with these all over the page. Use those busy papers by cutting out the images and making fun and FLAT card embellishments. The center gift is topped with a ribbon bow for that perfect finishing touch!

How about stamp a border to set off that perfect stamped sentiment? I've transformed solid cardstock into my own patterned paper by just lining up and repeating one stamp with my feature image set off with a co-ordinating matte {all stamps from VLVS!}.

The feature of this card is the lovely clutch of hand-colored bunnies {stamp from VLVS!}. I made this card special by adding some pops of color with the flower embellishments and a hand cut fringed/coiled grass matte for a little whimsy.

These quick and easy makes don't keep me limited to just cards... I can apply the same techniques in customizing a plain wicker box into something a little more "PERSONAL" {all stamps from VLVS!}. Even when you are short on time, your imagination can still be front and center!

I hope you are inspired and are ready to go run and make something!

Are you a NITE OWL who loves "The DARK of NIGHT"??? That's the theme for this month's Reader's Art Quest at Unruly PaperArts. This is a perfect prompt for Halloween and blustery fall creations. One lucky creation linked up via inLinkz will be randomly chosen to win a fabulous prize package from our sponsor this month Eyelet Outlet and Brads!. CLICK HERE for the details!

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Thanks for visiting. Have a fabulously creative day :) Sb

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!