Thank you card- Aug13

So my dear friend asked me to make a thank you card for his client. It was in appreciation for Bristol speedway tickets. Here is what I came up with.









Enjoyed making this card.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, August 27th

I am so happy with my transportation themed tray project. An the focal point is my Tim Holtz Aug 12 tags of 2013. What a fun project and love the distressed vintage feel I achieved with this one. Thanks to michael for buying me the memory board to use.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, August 22nd

Well this week has been busy and kept me from crafting in my studio. Going camping this weekend but Sunday will be my solitude and I will be back to creating.

I hope to complete my mock up thanksgiving. Really want to nail design so can get to working on them.

Before I know it. I will be completing Christmas and to make 45 cards takes a long time.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, August 19th

Here is the Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013 August tag I made. I chose a sewing theme since I don't own the transportation stamp sets. However, they will be a purchase very soon.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, August 14th- canvas project

Well tonight I finally completed a canvas project for someone I promised almost a year ago I would make them something.



She loves the color pink and here is what I came up with. Let me know if you like.

Tuesday, August 13th-canvas project

Tonight, I finally completed a canvas project that I have had in process for awhile. I started out with using a 5in x 7in canvas and then used Tim holtz distress paints to create an awesome back ground. I utilized the following colors - forest moss, vintage photo, mowed lawn and antique bronze. I drug the canvas through the paints several times and dried through swipes to achieve the over all technique. I also sprayed water in one of my final passes on the canvas to give an even more awesome back ground.

Then I took the classic Tim holtz stampers anonymous stampset #1 and used the butterfly stamp. I used black archival ink and then stamped it on the dry canvas. I then took the washer border strip dye and cut it out using craft core core'dinations paper and sanded out the paper to give me worn effect. I then used gathered twig distress ink to distress out the strip. I then used adhesive to attach the strip die to canvas. I then selected several embellishments and a word saying to giving the canvas meaning.

This was a fun project. One more thing off my list. Here is the finished product.




I hope you enjoy.

Monday, August 12th

Well Monday's alway draining when starting out my week. However, I managed through the day knowing I would be working in my studio.

Tonight was very productive. I completed my mother's bday tag (picture below). I want to do something special for the most important woman in my life.






My friend Michael stopped by to help me with using the pop-up card die cuts. I worked tonight on my concept for my thanksgiving day card. I believe I now know what I am going to do just need to make my mockup.

However, before I went there I needed to finish my Halloween card. I am about 85% complete with this years card. Will be all done tomorrow.

I make holiday cards for Valentines, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For all but Christmas I have my standard 17 list of who gets those cards. But for Christmas I make 45 cards. Then I do make a st Patrick's day card but only five for that holiday. I always keep one for myself; which is my mockup. This allows me to look back and ensure I don't duplicate what I did prior.

Well I am calling it a night. Till I can start again. I love my hobby in being a mixed media artist.

Week of August 12th

This week will be a very busy one. I have to work my day job and then have many projects to complete. PROJECT LIST: Project #1 - My mom's birthday tag i made for her I need to finish and get in the mail. Project #2 - Need to finish my 2013 Halloween card and make envelopes. - I know you are thinking already? LOL Project #3 - Need to take the concept I have done in my head for my thanksgiving card and get that completed. I have to start early since my job's busy time is Oct/Nov/Dec. I also make 45 christmas cards so have to get this one and Thanksgiving out of the way. Project #4 - I need to finish a canvas project that i have started in a holding que. Project #5 - Need to finish two tag projects that I have inprocess. Project #6 - I also have to start my work on a project that I cant wait to get started that will be a secret till done. I will share pictures this week on Project #1, #4 and #5. Unfortunately cant share pics of my holiday cards till they go out. Have a great week everyone and I hope each of you have a creative week ahead. Thanks,

Stamp away weekend-Aug13 9th and 10th

This was a great weekend had a lot of fun. On Friday, aug 9th my day started out crafting with Michael. I finally made some progress with my journal. I wanted to finally get this completed (finished on Saturday fully). And picks below.




































Then our crafting buddy Nancy arrived mid-day on Friday. We crafted share laughs, ate at smash burger and went to stamp away.



It was a blast and I got my bag and photo signed by Tim.
Also took my picture with Mario.




On Saturday we spent the day crafting together and I was able to finally able to accomplish a list of projects I wanted to do.
What a great time was shared and laughs of the many.

Tuesday, August 6th

Today has been a good day! Stamping Buddies called and they got my shipment of Tim Hotlz Stencils in. See my spread shot below.



This has to be one of my favorite releases this year. I also have already got the additional distress markers that came out as well.

Can't wait to get the remaining must have items for me that came out. Wendy's new Archival Inks and many of Tim's new items yet to be acquired into my collection.

Monday, August 5th ~ weekend ahead - STAMPAWAY

Well tonight I know I posted a lot of updates into my blog. It is crazy how time passes you by and before you know it you have a backlog to communicate on. I have had a busy last few months with my craft space remodel, working on getting everything done to be in the upcoming November newsstand issue of Studio magazine and focusing on projects to get completed. This upcoming weekend will be Stampaway in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am looking forward to spending time with my crafting buddy Michael Farrell and Nancy Thornton Crissinger. I am so looking forward to the great finds/purchase that will be made, the laughs we will share and sharing in the craft. My goal is to focus more on blogging and keeping this up-to-date with all my projects. I hope everyone has a great week.

June 12 tags of 2013 - Tim Holtz tag

Here is the tag i completed for the June 12 tags of 2013 - Tim Holtz tag. Almost forgot to post.



I plan to go back and play more on this technique as I dont feel I fully mastered this one. Keep posted on sharing what else I create.

July 12 tags of 2013 - Tim Holtz Tag

I have to say he did it again. I swore I would never buy the mini flag die. I thought when would I have practical application and use it. Then here comes Tim Holtz with his July 2013 tag challenge and low an behold another must have.




This tag was so much fun and i liked the dimension the end product provided.

Birthday card made for Apr13

Here is a birthday card I made for several of my family and friends in April. I decided to figure out a concept and then multiplied it for my April birthdays.



Really like the mini blue print stamps. Really love the ribbon and the colors used to die this one.

Here is an anniversary card I made - love it.

Here is an anniversary card i made for someone very special in my live. I wanted to use the clip board die for the first time and thought no better way than an anniversary.



What great fun.

Tom's birthday card Apr2013

Here is the card I made for Tom this year.


I got the idea from Tim Holtz blog and samples his designers made.

Easter Card 2013

Here is the Easter Card I made this year. I used the grass strip die and the bunny die cut with the blue print Easter egg die.


Seems like blue print stamps have been a focal point lately. LOL

Father's birthday card - March 2013

I wanted to make my father a really cool birthday card. I utilized the typewriter die and gears..was so much fun.

Embellishment storage

When determining my new space and how best to store all my embellishments I chose to use spice jars that I bought at IKEA. Here is my embellishment wall and 95% of these jars are filled with Tim Holtz adornments.



So love how i can look at the wall and determine what embellishment i will use in my next piece.

Artitude canvas swap - Michael's canvas

There is a group of five us in an Artitude group where we do swaps. We decided to have a canvas swap. So my first person i was to complete a canvas for was Michael. He loves sewing so decided to make that his tag theme.



Then my next was Wanda and she loves bright colors and flowers. So I decided to use that as her them.



We have now taken a break on this swap but going to be picking it back up so that we can round out the making of canvas's for each other.

Retirement card - May 2013

I had a co-worker that retired from the company and they had this great connection with gambling -lol. So I decided to look out on Tim's blog to see if I could find an idea to make something. Then I saw this tag made with the gambling blue print stamp. So I used that as I muse as I created this card to give to my friend at work.



She loved it and said to bad it didn't have a payout. LOL

Mike my neighbor 65th bday card

So my neighbor next door was turning 65 and I was really struggling what to make. So I ended up coming up with the following card. It is funny somethings how you start out with such a blank space but when it is done you love it.

Carlene's birthday doll creation

So one day I was out looking through facebook and i stumbled across Jim Hawkins page where i saw his steampunk doll he created. It gave me a great idea for my sister as she is lover of dolls. So I decided to run out to Tuesday morning and by the dress form and begin my own process of creation.

The doll I created started out by using the tattered floral die - cut out over 80 total tattered flowers. Then applied multiple techniques to the flowers. I used patterned paper, card board, grunge board and plain card stock when cutting out the flowers. Then I attached them to the dress form on the doll with glue dots, adhesive and brads.

Once I had the dress completed i then created a belt by using buttons, crystals, thimbles and a clasp. I then wanted to make a shaw for the doll. So I went to a local antique store here in Cincinnati and bought a lace doilie. Then I used a clip and jewelery to create a broach.












Hope you enjoy. My sister loved this and was so surprised with what I made. Thanks Jim for giving me the idea for this creation.

Michael Farrel - Bday card

So I was struggle to make my friend Michael Farrel's birthday card each year. As I want to always make a way cool art piece for him. He is the one that turned me onto to this artistic hobby. I also try to leverage my most purchases in his card so I can showcase it for him.



This card was alot of fun and enjoyed making it.

July 2013 - Part 2 - Family visit - Sister Carlene, my nieces Raylene & Breanna

The following weekend after my mom, sister Tami and Shiann came to visit I had more family visit. My sister Carlene came up to show me how to use my sewing machine. I wanted to be able to further expand my mixed media craft by use of sewing. So she was very nice to come up and teach me. It was a nice weekend as I shared with Raylene and Breanna how to make several different styles of tags through use of Tim Holtz products.

We also made verde tags and I worked with my sister to replicate a sewing tag I have displayed in my space. During the weekend I was taught how to sew, thread the machine and much more. We also we shopping and had such great quality time together. Here are pics from the weekend.

July 2013 - Family visit / Craft weekend

So the second weekend in July I had my mother, sister Tami and niece Shiann come up to visit. This was great cause I was able to showcase my new art studio. Was nice to show of the space and be creative with my family. That weekend we completed several projects, I shared techniques and spent good times with my family.

I made the following items with my niece:

(1) My niece Shiann made a verde tag and I made her a verde jewelry box
(2) My niece and I made a wall art piece for her room. We collaborated and I showed her more techniques that can be used while making this piece.
(3) Then my niece wanted to make her mom an item she could display in here office. So we made my sister a really cool tag.









This was such a fun and creative weekend.