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

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 :)

It's a #Creatime CELEBRATION for Everyone... Join in the FIFTH YEAR of FUN #ICAD2015

June first marks the beginning of a Cre8time CELEBRATION for everyone to participate in... ICAD 2015! The 5th Anniversary Art Party starts June 1st and I am certainly playing along - and you can too!

What on earth is ICAD?

Starting June 1st - Create something on a 3" x 5" index card every day for 61 days. On the back of each card, add a number to keep track of your progress. ICAD #1, #2, etc. Whatever day you start, it is your own official ICAD #1. 

Motto: You do not need to catch up, just start...

just Play. Just make some Cre8time for yourself -

whether it's 5 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour! 

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

http://daisyyellowart.com/icad/icad-faq.html

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

When you receive a creative gift like this... of course it's got to be collaged onto an index card. This community magazine cover is a perfect visual for the Cre8time celebration beginning with ICAD2015. I have spent the past several months focusing on health issues which has left my creative mojo a bit depleted. I'm excited to get started and see where this adventure takes me!

With a glue stick and some scissors, I glued this to a blank index card and wrapped edges around the backside. I cut two strips off the scraps and layered over the happy new year and wrote my text with a layering of Faber-Castell PITT pens and Sakura of America Gelly Roll White Soufflé pen. I accented all the fireworks bursts with a little bling... my favorite Gelly Roll Stardust Hologram pen.

My completed cover card for ICAD 2015

I hope you join in and play along. Everyone needs a little Cre8time in their lives! Have a great day! :) Sb

All Dressed Up for the Easter Parade

Hello everyone! I'm bringing you a little SUGARY SWEET Easter Greetings today with this stamped hanging Easter greeting! I've created this to play along with the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers SOSS #30 - E is for Easter Challenge... this is not so much snarky this time but I think I might get a cavity from all the candy coated colors in this Easter Bunny.

This yellow Easter egg decor has been sitting in my craft drawer for ages waiting to be altered - and it's finally been put to crafty use... with stamped goodness and glittery pens! To see more about how I created this CLICK HERE to jump over to see the details on the Viva Las VegaStamps! Blog.

Have a Happy Easter!

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Stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps: "Fancy Bunny" #17610, "Easter" #18114, "Best Wishes" #826, and "Washi Lines Background" #19073. Other Supplies: painted cardstock using Ranger Distress Stains; Versafine Black Pigment Ink; green and purple dye inks; Miracle Sheet Adhesive; 3/4" Miracle Tape; Sakura of America Gelly Roll Stardust Pens; waterbrush; Faber-Castell Pitt Pens; and Offray organza ribbon.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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

Fabulous Florals and a Creative Blog Hop

Hello everyone! It's Monday and today you'll be getting two posts from me. First, I have been invited to join the Creative Blog Hop. I am honored to have been invited by my creative friend from the Anything But a Card Challenges team Lisette Baker {aka Mrs Beez}. Thank you so much for your kind words and praise! Lisette and I share a passion for paper, texture and dimensional projects - especially her attention to the little details!

I particularly love her holiday makes like this altered Christmas spool ornament {click here}. So today I will continue this by answering the following questions and introducing a couple artists too.

• • • • • • •

My project I'm sharing today is a recent creation resulting from a workshop taken with Eileen Hull learning all about her ATB {artist trading block} dies, and techniques making dimensional projects using embossing folders and dies {I have a lot of these, both which have been pretty neglected lately}. If the #PaprTrail3 tour is coming to your area - I highly recommend taking a workshop with Eileen!

With the holiday season approaching, I want to be putting them to use in making some fabulous dimensional gifts... like this embossed metal ATB box used as a faux planter box holding die cut metal flowers. Embossing and layering metal die cut flowers... I never considered it and I've got loads of floral dies and punches!!! I colored the leaves and bow with alcohol ink markers, but left the flowers silver - they are just so pretty and whimsical... and will never wilt - LOL!

Now for the questions...

1. What are you working on at the moment?

I am most at home with paper crafting, but I find I'm always stamping, molding and casting something. I am the creative team lead for Amazing Crafting Products and most projects scream for something 3-Dimensional. I just returned from a weeks vacation in Jamaica and I strategically snuck a bit of Amazing Mold Putty in my carry on so I could mold something special from my travels. 

Here's a peek of my mold I captured. Its flat now, but I'm adding on a border so I can fill with resin and transform this into a special keepsake.

I'm also working on some projects that are outside of my passion for papercrafting - bringing me back to my love of sewing and handcrafted holiday creations.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?

I'm a junkie for any and all media - which could really send me off in a tangent in any direction. I'm always striving to include repurposed items into my creations. Reinventing something ordinary or discarded into something lovely is truly rewarding.

3. Why do you create?

I create because I have a muse that never stops. Creating is a necessary to me as eating or breathing... running a close second to my favorite pastime sleeping. I have been creatively inclined since a very young age, and now as an adult I have the privilege of sharing my knowledge as well as arting for sheer enjoyment.

4. How does your creative process work?

What a tough question... hmmm! Sometimes I've got a vision that I've scribbled down that will come to fruition through mixed media exploration. But I also love a challenge... give me a constrained set of supplies or a prompt and I'm off and running by the seat of my pants. 

Now I will pass the baton and introduce a couple of my creative friends to you!

Please give a warm welcome to Tracy Alden, who blogs at Art Resurrected. She is a creative friend of mine who is talented in so many media - though she really shines with her hand crafted unique jewelry creations. One of my favorites is this custom spilled cocktail necklace that was mold/cast in resin and is certainly one-of-a-kind! She also creates amazing dimensional mixed-media pieces too like this altered papier maché book box... the contents just spill out so beautifully.

Next is my the super imaginative Sandra Strait of Life Imitates Doodles! We share a love of creatively experimenting... and the patience to see a project to fruition. Sandra is an expert with pencil, pen and brush as an illustrator and her zentangled inspired works are a must see. I was inspired instantly by her creative stylings and have enjoyed watching her work evolve from the page into a 3-Dimensional reality. I have so many favorite work of hers I couldn't even choose just one - but I will point out that even a resin spill will be transformed into a one of her creative characters!

• • • • • • •

Tracy and Sandra... please continue "The Creative Bloghop" by answering the above questions in a blog post published next Monday (October 13th) and inviting a couple of other artists/crafters to continue the following week.

Lisette’s post you can find at the following link; and you can visit Ruth Levy {aka Lerusho} who tapped Mrs. Beez for THE CREATIVE BLOGHOP by clicking here.

Have a happy Monday everyone! 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.

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