Getting My Scrap On!!!

This weekend I am planning on getting together with my Southern Scrapper Girlfriends and doing a little creating.  First I need to finish my little ATC Cards for the month of April.  I joined a group of ladies that swap ATC's once a month.  We follow different themes each month, which is set by the cruel wicked witch leader. (she makes us wait for the 1st before revealing the new theme, but starts around the 20th of the month with little teasers).  You're a cruel one, Mrs. Grinch.  This month's theme is "Inspirational quotes", wow that's hard because I have sooooo many quotes that inspire me.  Like, this one

“Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.” — Louisa May Alcott

And This one

And This

And This is just....  too true...

And this...

 AND this one....

Oh and I can't forget these...

There are plenty more than these but I think I will choose one from above for this little project.  The background for my cards are all hand created.  I used watercolor paper and either painted on them with oil pastels, acrylic paint (matte and pearlescense) and/or glimmer mist.  I will also add some hand painted butterflies and the quote.  I'll post pictures after I'm done. 

I think I will also start working on my altered roledex and I will fill it with these inspiration quotes, and kind of project life type cards, where I can add a small photo and journaling.  Should be interesting!!! 

Have a creative weekend, later.....

New Projects

Happy Easter Everyone.  I have been super busy with the Retreat House and small projects, so busy I haven't had time to update my blog.  Soooo without further ado, I will share with you my latest projects.

This was one of 20 journal cards in the popular theme of Project Life.  The back of the card leaves space for journalling.  The background paper is one I purchased from Gecko Glaz

 The above is an ATC Card that I did for a small swapping group that I'm involved in call Keep Calm and Swap On.  There are 15 of us that swap monthly.  The group organizer assigns a theme each month.  The above was in conjunction with "Grandmother's Attic" Theme. 

 This 5x7 canvas was altered using modeling paste and paints.  I first laid the stencil down, spread the modeling past over the stencil and then removed the stencil.  I let the paste dry overnight then came back with several different colors of paint.  I blended the paints with a damp baby wipe.  I also used modeling paste around the vintage photo I purchased from Gecko Galz, in an effort to make it appear as part of the canvas.  I didn't quite get the technique down perfect but I'm still pleased with the outcome.  I added crackle paint over the photo and the surrounding areas to make the canvas appear older.  I then topped the entire canvas with vintage photo distress stain. 

 Here is another altered canvas, this one a 3x4 size.  I used another vintage photo.  I used washi tape (stamps) and a dusty attic border I had in my stash.  The chipboard heart, the fluer de lis, button flowers and jewelry piece were all found in my stash bin.  I love the background color.  That was just painted a beautiful aqua color and then distressed with Tim Holtz Distress stain. 

This post card was one that I created for a swap over on Alpha Stamps.  The vintage photo was one I found online using a google search.  The Greetings was cut using my cricut and I glued sand onto the bottom and inserted the shell buttons. 

 The above layout is one I did a couple of weeks ago.  I used Graphic 45 paper, the sun flowers were make using my cricut and different color seed beads for the center.  I added modeling paste and a stincle in the torn and distressed areas as well as one either side of the layout.  The title was cut using my Cricut. 

This is a close up one of the flower clusters. 

This is the left side cluster.  I cut burlap leaves using the Tim Holtz die.  I also used a prima flower and butterfly.  The ribbons were some from my stash. 

This layout is the total opposite of the one above and very out of my element.  I was just messing around in the studio one rainy afternoon and used up some old paper from my stash.  Haven't found photos for this one yet.

That's all I have for now, thanks for looking. 

A Vintage Egg Carton Swap

I recently joined an vintage egg carton swap. The rules were quite simple: alter the inside and outside of an old fashion egg carton, fill it with things your partner will love and mail it to your partner. Sounds easy peaty to me. Here is my little altered vintage egg carton.

The first thing I had to do was find the carton. I went to three large chain grocery stores but none of them had the paper egg cartons. All they had was the newer styrofoam cartons. So finally I went into our locally owned grocery store (Rouses) and found exactly what I was looking for. Problem no 1 solved.

Next, I dry brushed the carton with white paint and added vintage postcards.

I then added lace around the ephemera on the top and sequin trim to the inside.

Next came a flower cluster. 

Then came the goodies to put inside. 

The carton and all its contents.

lace bits and velvet ribbon

vintage yo-yos, a mouse trap to alter, a mardi gras mask and a bag full of AB stones.

various printed ephemera and buttons

and a bag full of buttons, rhinestones and other bits of metal

Lastly I added a few old jewelry pieces and a vintage key chain I purchased at a flea market in New Orleans. 

 I hope my partner enjoys her Egg Carton.

The New Year

Wow, I have finally slowed down enough to enter an update.  We had a very busy Holiday season.  My husband and I took an extended vacation during November, then December was busy with parties and family.  We had a wonderful holiday season filled with adventure, family and friends. 

I have been in a creative slump, I think its all the medicine that I have been taking for nerve pain associated with two surgeries in 2011.  Since the first of the year, I decided to try to break the creative barrier by trying my hand at a multi medium class by Christy Tomlinson.  I will post pictures as I finish each project. 

I have also been creating ATCs again.  I have joined a small group (15) that will create ATCs according to a monthly theme.  January's Theme was Mardi Gras. (Mail Me Something, Mister)   Here are a few of the cards that I have received and the one that I sent out. 

This is the one I created and used as a page in the mini book I made to hold all of the cards.  I'll post th mini in another post.