Graphic 45 projects for Whim So Doodle

These are my first two of four using the Graphic 45 "By the Sea" collection for the design work.  I love the vintage images and the pretty colors.  I also picked up some of the "Botanical Tea" line for pictures of our sweet granddaughter, Leighton. 

I turned the paper into iron on fabric using June Tailor, Inc's Iron On Quick Fuse Fabric Sheets for Jet Printers.  This will make a fun gift bag for a guest.   The bag (9x11x4) is by Bag Works and is also available at Whim So Doodle in St. Pete Florida.

This "By the Sea" collection is sure helping me get caught up on the pictures of the Grands at the beach from last summer. 

Watch this spot for more or visit Whim So Doodle's soon to see these up close and personal.  Thanks for looking.

Starting a new adventure with...

I woke up Valentine's morning to a lovely invitation to join the Basically Bare team.  I am thrilled to be working with all the talented ladies on this team and to be using the amazing products from this company.  What a great way to start my Valentine's!  Thanks Basically Bare.

Playing in Paradise

Last week, my friend, Marcia had Jo and I over for a day of beading.  I have a loooong history of creating the world's worse necklaces (according to Jill and Janet and the lady who stood behind me in the taxi line at the Bellagio in Vegas).  Thanks to Marcia, I have come along ways.  Last year I made a necklace I loved with patient tutelage and this year, made this.

I met two of my funny, delightful and talented friends (and yes, I am blessed with an abundance of funny, delightful and talented friends) Janet and Lisa at Whim So Doodles in St. Pete for some retail therapy and then lunch.  I picked up a couple of papers (snort) and a few of the new American Craft thickers.  Oh, and for Pam Bennett, I also found some navy letter stickers by Pebbles. 

And I am heading back south to Whim's one day this week to pick up the G45 papers for my design work for the store.  So much paper goodness and so little time...happy creating everyone.

Play day...

On Face book today, Red Lead, asked for people to give the one word that inspired them.  This year, my word is BLISS.  My husband's health is better, my grandson is getting the physical and speech therapy he needs for his aprexia, his brother is a charmer and their sister is a delight.  Chris's classes are going well and Kristen is working through the new curriculum and I have a hug full of good friends...what more could a gal ask for.  To me, this is bliss.  I took the Red Lead post as a challenge and here is the result.  I sure had fun.

As soon as this sets up (layers and layers of Golden Pumice Gel covered by layers and layers of Splash of Color's Viva Metallic Paint), I'll turn the "L" around and push the pronged frames into the canvas board.  I'm hoping to frame it and hang it over my work desk to remind me that I am truly "BLISSED" as well as blessed.

"Friends" Canvas Art

It has been since late November since I have felt like creating anything.  I have been in a fugue and my mojo went on a long vacation.  Today, at Birds of a Feather Kit Company, Linda posted a canvas and photo piece she found on Pinterest (http://forum.birdsofafeatherkitco.com/viewtopic.php?f=450&t=7748) to inspire the members.  Along with Lynne Erskine Forsythe's recent use of Deco Mesh (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201836592375080&set=p.10201836592375080&type=1&theater), I finally got off my fanny and played.

1.  I used a 12x4 canvas that I had been given a while ago and liberally painted then dabbed it  with Textured Effects by Helmar.

 2.  Once this had dried, I used a combination of Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist by Luminarte and Glimmer Mist to color the canvas.

3.  Before the paint dried entirely, I over laid some netting I bought at a home decor store .  I brayered it onto the canvas and trimmed the excess.  As the paint dried, it adhered the netting to the canvas.

4.  I did not have Deco Mesh but had saved something similar that had been packing in a package I had received.  I cut rectangle to fit the canvas and then I  painted this with a mix of the same colors as the canvas and added brown and gold with ink pads so it would stand out.  I used a heat tool to dry the paper and gently separated the sections.  I used double sided tape to adhere it along the bottom and sides only.

5.  I found pictures of the Grands I wanted to use and, in Picasa, I changed them to sepia.  When I printed one of those, it got lost in the canvas so it was back to Picasa.  I then changed the three pics to sepia and "warmed" them.  I printed them onto canvas paper and played with arrangements.

6. Once I decided upon going horizontal, I used a blue soft pencil to color in the Grands eyes for a hint of color .  I added the waxed thread to the bottom and sides, adhered the photos and inked the edges of the canvas to add definition.

 

7.  Lastly, I added my embellishments.  I had this "friends" metal word in my stash but it was gold and seemed to vanish into the background.  I used a permanent marker to color it.  First, I just went over the entire word with the pen and then I went back and dabbed to give it texture.

I added the name plate (also from my stash) and positioned it at an angle to emphasize the fun nature of the piece.

Thanks for looking and many thanks to Linda at Birds of a Feather and Lynne, whom I adore, for the inspiration and impetus to create again.  And thanks to you for looking.

Happy Holidays

My creative funk continues but I am taking a lot of joy in the holidays.  Nothing is better than seeing how excited my 3 Grands are looking at our tree, seeing Santa in the parade and just plain believing!  I have been enjoying the company of good friends, loving family and walking around my town seeing it in all its holiday splendor.

I believe my funk will pass so check back from time to time and eventually I will be back to making pretties.  Until then, may you have the happiest of holidays and remember, "People who don't believe in Santa, get underwear for Christmas".

More little notebooks

These moleskin notebooks were created with either specialty papers or fabrics including Tim Holtz' fabric swatches.  They are perfect for stocking stuffers or exchange gifts.  Just add a little fancy pen and VOILA!