Journal Page 15

Here is another journal page that I worked on over the weekend

I created this page by using a variety of techniques.  First I put some distress stain in weathered wood and walnut stain on a kraft mat, spritz it and swiped the page thru.  Dried it then did the same process but used my distress inks in weathered wood, stormy skies, and walnut stain.  I then blended the weathered wood in spots and also the walnut stain in areas.    The umbrella is a stamp from stampin up, I stamped it in chipped sapphire and embossed it.  The quote is from Tim Holtz, stamped in walnut stain, for the center quote I used a bit of clear star gelly pen to make it pop and then attached a fragment on it. The ribbon is dyed using distress stain in weathered wood and walnut stain.  rolled up in a ball and dried, then attached to fragment with a brad.  To make the rain drops I flicked water onto the page let it sit a bit then soaked up the droplets with a towel.

 

I love the way this turned out its looks like an old worn stone.  There is sooo many layers to it. 

The quote reminds me that we have to celebrate all times of our lives. 

 Don't look at the "storm" and just see all the puddles its making in your life....

instead look at the storm an figure out how it can work for you.



Journal Page 14

So this is my next journal page.  I took inspiration from the flapper era.

I used an old page of sheet music and decoupaged it after I had distressed it a bit with tim holtz distress ink in frayed burlap.  After decoupage, I spritz it with some tattered angels glimmer mist to give it a bit of sparkle.  The music player came from a dicut from the cricut.  The "music" was created by using diamonds and lace.

 

For the Quote I chose a tim holtz word band that says "live in the moment"

The quote says it all. 





Exciting News!

Exciting News about my Journal Page 9

 

 

You all have seen this already, but I just had to share the good news with you.

This journal page made it in the

Favorites for the week ending April 14th at

Splitcoast Stampers!



Journal Page 13

Today I wanted to share with you another journal page that I created.

For this page I used vintage photo, tumbled glass and bit of frayed burlap distress inks.  A few of some metal clock cogs and a 3D pocket watch sticker.  The stamps are of clocks that I just stamped around the edge and then made the focus be on the quote.

 

The quote for this

"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth."

~Bonnie Friedman

 

This is another one of my favorites, so many times we hurry from one place to another trying to squeeze in 48 hours worth of stuff in a 24 hour day.  Do you ever just live in the moment or are you just thinking of the next thing that you need to cross of your list?

Journal Page 12

For this page I wanted to really add depth to the page.

I used some cardboard, cloud scrapbook paper along with vintage stationary scrapbook paper. 

The window was created by using scraps of cardstock and some Tim Holtz wings. 

I stamped the quote in walnut stain and distressed the paper with it as well. 

For the cardboard I dusted it with some acrylic white paint. 

The quote

"The soul should always stand ajar."

~Emily Dickinson

 

To me this page resembles our past experiences and memories.  

Throughout the years we experience so many memories some great ones others not so good. 

To protect ourselves sometimes we just push through those not so good memories and "bury them" (like the lost letter) without realizing that we are closing off a part of our soul.  Our body, the home for our soul (cardboard) begins to break down.  If we can keep our soul ajar we will realize that opportunities (window), brighter days (sky), and loved ones (the wings), will always be with us.

 

My wish for you is to always keep your soul ajar, and if by chance you close it off you have someone there watching over you to help you open it back up.



Journal Page 10 & 11

Here is another page for you to enjoy

This page does not really have a quote,

but instead it has a lot of symbolism.

The tree is full of strength and therefore it has all the things that I want to include in my life.

The sky that is full of grey clouds and rain is full of negativity and things that I do not want in my life.  The man is from the Tim Holtz line and for the umbrella I used some honeycomb paper to give it a bit of dimension.

In life we need to root ourselves in the positive soil, from there all good things come.

We need to try to shield ourselves from the negative items and if my chance we get stuck in the rain, we are prepared or learn from our mistakes.

May you have a positive inspiring day!

 



Journal Page 9

Today I'd like to share with you another Journal page that I created.

 

For this page, I took an old dictionary page, inked it in walnut stain and vintage photo distress ink to get that old worn dirtylook.  I then used the heartfelt creations stamps to stamp flowers onto the page using archival ink in black.  Once the ink dried I took a waterbrush and used peeled paint for the leaves and victorian velvet for the flowers.  The quote is actually on the metal word band, another Tim Holtz product.  To make the quote stand out I rubbed some pink paint on it and buffed off.

Now onto the quote:

"Capture life's moments"

To me this is a reminder to not forget the little things. 

Take time to notice,

the warmth on your skin as the sun beats down, the breeze in your hair as the wind blows,

and the smell of nature as you toil in the garden. 

Each second of your life is a moment waiting to happen.......

will you take the time to "capture" it?

Journal Page 8

Here is another Journal page.....

"Happiness held is the seed,

Happiness shared is the flower"

 

This is page is another favorite of mine. 

I love the vintage feel that it has along with the "spotlight" in the center.

To create this look, I used Distress ink in vintage photo/walnut stain, and adirondack wild plum ink.  The flowers were created by using the Tim Holtz tattered florals die,

the stems I used the Tim Holtz swirl die.

 

For the quote I chose it because it is sooo true. 

I feel so much more happiness when I do something nice for someone.  It can be as simply as holding a door open for them, complimenting them on a job well done or just giving them a friendly smile.

It only takes a moment to share the happiness.



Journal Pages 6 & 7

This journal page means alot to me.

 

For this page I did a rainbow background using the Tim Holtz distress ink pads and the flick technique for the water marks.  The rainbow represents the joy that my boys bring into my life.

 

The hands are from my boys. 

I had them go through all my stamps and pick the ones that they liked the best, then they picked the inks and even the placement of where we placed them.

 

As you can see my oldest is really into the clocks, nature, and music.

My middle son (left) likes nature,writing/drawing and the color gold.

With my youngest (right), he loves cars, birds and acorns. 

 

The quote for these pages, are

"You never know when you are making a memory" 

This is so true, as I was shown when I did this project with them. 

My boys recited different adventures that we had went on,

memories that we had made

and moments shared.

 



Top of the Morn to ya

I thought I had scheduled this card to be published, but for some reason it never went through.

 

I made this card using a cheery lynn die, tim holtz banner die, flower from michaels, some brads from stampin up, and some gorgeous paper from Graphic 45.

This card was quick and simple to make, I love how everything plays off on each other.

The brads go with the flowers in the tag, the banner pulls the green from the tag and the cream from the flower, and the glittery doily pulls the gold from the tag as well.



Journal Page 5

Today I thought I would share with you another journal page that I created. 

 

For this one I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in tumbled glass, faded denim, peeled paint, vintage photo, and walnut stain. The branch is one of his dies along with the bird that I cut out of grunge paper, inked and embossed with the tree bark folder. The bird I embossed with another folder.

 

I love the quote!

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

~William Shakespeare

 

So many times when I find myself stressed, I take a walk. 

What is it about nature that it helps calm the mind?

Could it be the amazing songs the birds chirp out,

the stories of strength and perseverance that those old trees tell with their gnarled branches,

the feeling of new beginnings that the flowers share as they sprout out through the snow,

or the sense of hope that the sun gives us on those dreary cloudy days?

 

This page I think has it all, the lovely bird, the gnarled branch, the flowers pushing their way up, and those dreary clouds with a hint of sunshine coming through.

Nature soothes my soul,

what ever it may be for you,

I hope you take the time to rejoice in it.



Heartfelt Creations

With Spring just around the corner I've been busy creating a spring garden inspired by

Heartfelt Creations!

 

This is right up my alley, vintage all the way!

I wish you could see the texture on this card.  I used the rusted enamel technique from Tim Holtz. 

To me this represents Pre-Spring.  You know what I mean, its that time when everything is melting and everything is a bit grungy...... like the background of this card, but there is

"HOPE"

and if you put a bit of time and effort (the trim)

you can see thru the dirt and grime (tulle)

a beautiful bit of nature (flower)

 

My next creation is full of Spring blooms

This is the front of a tri shutter card that has one of my favorite quotes on it

My camera and late night shooting doesn't bring the best of results but I couldn't wait to post this. 

The coloring of these flower are a beautiful dusty concord, with just a hint of brown on the ends.

Now onto the middle.  Isn't this just lovely? 

I love how the garden comes to bloom when you open it. 

The middle saying says you can only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

This is how the back of the card looks. 

The saying:  discovering, learning, exploring, inspiring.... The Journey

That is the definition of so many things in life isn't it.

 

My last creation is a bit on the Girly side

What did I say a bit on the girly side isn't it?

I think this would be perfect for a little girls room.

It is so soft with the light pink colors, and dainty pearls, lace and feather but...

all the females that I know also have a tough side to them

which brings in the black accents and metal details.

 

May you be inspired to see the Hope that the changing seasons bring,

May you enjoy the Journey and show Kindness in all matters,

and always remember that everyone needs a "Once Upon A Time"

 

All flowers and leaves were created using Heartfelt Creations Stamps

 

 

 



Journal Page 4

Yes I know two pages in the same weekend..........

I finally had a few extra minutes to load them.  I actually have about 12 pages done! 

For this next page I chose another favorite quote of mine.

"It is not the destination but the journey."

What can I say, I love vintage.  This page screams just that. 

I inked it up with broken china and vintage photo distress ink ,

after masking off some compasses, and gears. 

The nex step was stamping walnut stain distress ink using an old stamp that has lots of little dots all over it, I really like the look this gives it.

Finally I stamped the saying in walnut stain and attached an old button, chain and pocket watch to it.

 



Journal Page 2 & 3

My favorite quote is Live, Laugh,Love

I came across this stamp that is close Live, love,laugh and be happy...

 

I wanted the colors to be very soothing so I chose to go with greens, blues, and purples. 

A bit of embossed white swirls gives it a bit of freshness.

I wanted the words to stand out so I took some pages from an old book,

inked them with bright purple, bright yellow and a bit of blue. 

Pulling out one of my old stencils I traced the letters and filled them in with a sharpie,

then covered them with glossy accents to give them a bit of shine.

My favorite part of these is the fact that the background is soo soothing and then you have these billboards pop out at you with the true statement.

 



Tim Holtz Challenge

One of my favorite designers, Tim Holtz has challenged us to create something using the Tattered Floral die for Spring.  You can join in on the fun if you follow the link below.

Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Challenge

 

To begin with, I used all four of the flowers in my creation

The Blue flower is created by using the largest flower (2) along with the circular flower (2) as well.  The center is done with the smallest one & a bit of flower fluff (shaved styrofoam ball, dyed using reinkers).  I colored the flower with a bit of reinker, water and perfect pearls.

 

I love the way this flower turned out.  I used 3 of the largest flower & 3 of the circular flower.  I colored the flower with a bit of reinker, water, & perfect pearls, and a bit of walnut stain distress ink on the edges.  A bit of twisting & scrunching gave this flower its shape. 

For the Rose, I used the circular flower that I shaped into cones. 

The carnation was a few of the circular ones that I misted with water & balled up until they were dried & then glued them together.



 These flowers are created using the spikey or daisy shaped flower.  The black eyed susan used 2 that I shaped.  The middle is a felt sticker & its dyed using reinker, water & perfect pearls.

 

The Purple flower was created the same way but I used 3 daisy shapes along with 3 of the smallest ones. 

 

The small violets are created using the tiny template and layered a bit.

 

The 3 petals in the corner of the eye were left over from cutting that I just inked up and attached.

 

Now that you have seen all the flower creations, let me show you the finished project......

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.......

I wanted to create something that represented Spring.  Hence the Nature Mask.

I used a paper mache mask, added a bit of green paint to it & covered it in moss then attached my tattered flowers. 

As I live in Michigan & we are covered in that yucky white stuff called SNOW. 

I had to bundle up to get this pic, hope you like it! 

I can't wait til Spring comes & I can place it on a path in the park where it can bring more joy to others. 

Don't forget to enter the challenge!



The Beginning of a Journal....

I am a firm believer that what you put out in the world comes back ten times fold to you.  As I look around and see a bit of negativity entering my thoughts and life, I decided that it was the perfect time to begin a journal of all my favorite quotes.  When finished, I plan to place this on my desk at work opened to the page I need most.

For my journal I am using watercolor paper.  I love the thickness and texture it brings.  I used Distress Ink in peeled paint and worn lipstick on the page, a few flicks of water added the white spots.  The butterflies are a Cheery Lynn die cut out of glossy paper and colored with alcohol inks.  The flower is from my stash. 

As with any art that I create it has a meaning behind it.  The quote says it all "Be the Change you want to see in the world."  The flower is a bit worn and weathered, as our spirit sometimes gets, but the butterflies represent beauty, change and new beginnings.  Although their life span may be short, where ever they go.... they bring happiness.

Please check back as I have more pages that I am working on and look forward to sharing with you.



Steampunk Christmas

I'm sorry its been awhile but here is the video of my Steampunk Christmas Album.

 

http://youtu.be/ZZU9ul8V89I

Great Deals

I found some amazing deals that I just had to share you!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx7n1iV8-RI&feature=youtu.be

Candycane Love

So today I have been busy working on Christmas cookies, so I thought I would post a Christmas card that I recently made that is perfect for the season

I love how simple this card is.  I just used some decorative paper, a few brads and some jingle bells to finish it off.



Christmas Card Sleigh

So I've been super busy trying to get ready for Christmas

Here is one of the cards that I made.

 

I love how the berries work with the glitter 25. 

The trim works well with the color

and also a bit

of evergreen helps with the vintage feel.

I'll try to post another one within the next few days.