Art Journaling with The Crafter's Workshop

Hello Lifers!

Today is my last post for the Crafter's Workshop for 2014! Crazy, huh?

Today, I am sharing an art journal piece I recently made for my niece.

For More pics and details, head on over to The Crafter's Workshop Blog!!

XOXO,

KERI

Graphic 45 Christmas Ornaments...How did I forget this!?

OH my word Lifers!!

Last weekend we for my husband's family Christmas, we rented a house in Branson, MO. It...was...awesome! No one had to clean their house...it was so huge that the kids could be else where in the house and the adults could actually converse without interruption. (GASP! LOL)

While I was doing family time, I totally forgot to share my ornament on the Graphic 45 blog!

Here's a sneak peek!

For more info and pictures, head on over to the Graphic 45 Blog.

Even though it's christmas now...this little ornament can easily be translated into any holiday!

XOXO,

KERI 

Last Minute Gift featuring Marion Smith Mad Tea Party

Hello Lifers!

Christmas is FAST approaching. 

Do you still need a quick last minute gift?

Check out Marion Smith's Blog today for a little DIY project I came up with that can easy be done in 30 minutes for less.

Here's a little sneak peak:

For more pics and full details, check out Marion's Blog!

Mad Tea Party Last Minute Gift with Marion Smith

XOXO,

KERI 

It's a Double Wednesday!!

Hello All!

Today is a little different in my world...I am up on 2 blogs on one day!

FIRST...

It is my day up on the Marion Smith Design's blog and today I am stepping out my scrappy comfort zone for a BRIGHT mixed media scrapbooking layout.

Here's a little sneak peek:

I'm also talking about why YOU should take some creative "me" time during this busy holiday season. 

Check it out: Marion Smith Designs BLOG

SECOND....

As part of my Graphic 45 Design Team, each of us gets a chance to be featured on a blog called The Paper Crafter's Library and today is my day!!

Here's little sneak peek:

For more pics and more info, check out: The Paper Crafter's Library

XOXO, 

KERI

Saving Grace and The Crafter's Workshop

Hello Lifers!

I am up on The Crafter's Workshop, sharing, not only a project, but a cause that is near and dear to my heart.

Here's a sneaky peek!

For more pics and details,

head on over to The Crafter's Workshop Blog

XOXO,

KERI

Thankful for Creativity on the Marion Smith Blog Today!

Hello Beautiful Lifers!!

 Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope your day is filled with amazing family and friends...tons of fun..and at the very least...delicious food! LOL

Today is my day over on the Marion Smith Blog, so I thought I would give you a little sneak peek!

For more pics and full details, head to Marion's Blog!

Marion Smith Designs- Thankful for Creativity

XOXO,

KERI

PS---This is my 100th POST!! WOWZER!!! YAY!!!!!!!!

Keepin' it Junky with The Crafter's Workshop

Hello Lifers!

I am so excited to be sharing my first project as a full-fledged member of The Crafter's Workshop Design Team!

Today, I am sharing my version of a "junk journal."

For more details, check out The Crafter's Workshop Blog: Keep it Junky-The Crafter's Workshop

XOXO,

KERI

What does the FOX say?!??

I can't believe I just said that! Haha! But...I couldn't help it! 

Today, I want to share with you a new drawing. I had seen a few videos on You Tube where they used Watercolor Crayons and I found a small set at Hobby Lobby, so I decided to give them a try...and I LOVE THEM! I'm not the greatest with regular watercolor because I like more control. I feel like I can get that from the crayons. 

Here's my foxy lady!! 

I was singing at both services at church yesterday, so I made a little graphite sketch while we were hanging between services. 

I thought she would be a lot of fun to test out my new watercolor crayons with! 

In progress...I'm not sure the best way to use the crayons, so I just started with coloring in my fox like I was just using regular crayons. I then used a slightly damp paintbrush and blended like you would regular watercolors. The watercolor crayons came with a paintbrush, but to me it seemed to fluffy so I used a smaller square brush (I will test the fluffier brush out and let you know how I like it!)

Once I was done I added some black outlines using my Faber-Castell Black PITT pens. (Sorry for the bad picture! Lol)

I have been practicing my sketching and drawing lately, so I can't wait to share more!! 

More to come! 

Xoxo, 

Keri 

Core'dinations Blog Hop with Graphic 45

Hello Lovely Lifers!

I hope you are having an amazing day. 

Today, I want to share with you a super fun blog hop that is going on with Graphic 45 and Core'dinations Cardstock.

Graphic 45 is having an AMAZING giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today, is my day and I decided to go Mixed Media for my project.

Core'dinations is a fantastic line of cardstock that has different color cores so when it's sanded, crumbled and distressed it shows different colors.

Here is a sneak peak of the base for this piece:

Want to see more?

Check out the Graphic 45 Blog for more details and more fantastic projects!!

Graphic 45 and Core'dinations Blog Hop Day 5

XOXO

KERI

Art Journaling with Marion Smith

Hello All!

Today I am so excited to be sharing a very special Art Journaling piece over on the Marion Smith Blog. 

Here's a little sneak peek: 

For full details, check out Marion's blog: 

http://marionsmithdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/11/through-air-art-journaling-featuring.html?m=1

Xoxo

Keri

Playing with faces.

Hello All! I wanted to drop by and show you an acrylic piece I just finished. 

She is a brown-eyed-purple-haired beauty that I am so proud of. I just recently started playing with faces and moving beyond papercrafting, so there are times I just sit down and play. And like all art...have a learning experience. There are things I like about this piece and there are things that next time I will do differently. I'm not going to say "I don't like them." Because it's all about the EXPERIENCE of trying to things and finding your style. 

So go out there and LEARN hands on...sometimes you'll learn what you like...and sometimes...you'll learn what you don't. 

Xoxo

Keri 

New venture

Hello All you Lifers! 

I hope you are doing amazingly well and digging out all your warm fuzzy sweaters and boots!

Later this week I will be posting my monthly UPDATE of what has been going on in the studio (as well as some sneaky peeks of what's to come!), but today I wanted to share with you a new little venture I have started. 

I don't talk a lot about my faith, but for those of you who might not know, I am totally, 100% a Christian. And as a Christian, when things happen in my life, I do my best (bc that's all God asks from me..my best...not perfection!) to do things according to the Bible, which I believe to be truth and a guiding light in my life. 

So...I decided to start a blog called "The Grace Journal" and it's a place of me just being open and honest about my life...the good parts and the bad parts. I want it to be a place of hope and healing for those who might have gone through some of the same things I have and maybe a place of encouragement when things aren't so great. 

You can find it here: 

http://www.thegracejournal.blogspot.com/?m=1

Today...I am talking about being a Blame Thief. 

Here's a little pic I made with the Rhonna Farrer app to go along with it. 

Xoxo

Keri

Going Little in a Very BIG Way!

Hello Lifers!!

Today I am SUPER excited to FINALLY share my first EVER mini scene.

It's featured in today's Graphic 45 Newsletter using their new Mixed Media Boxes.

{don't get the news letter? Click Here to Sign Up} 

I used  the Graphic 45 "Baby 2 Bride" re-released collection and their new 5x5 Mixed Media Box in Kraft.

I wanted to go with the Bride theme and make a scene that looked like a someone was getting ready for a special day.

I started with making an origami dress.

Check out How to Make an Origami Dress With Graphic 45 by Keri Sallee on Snapguide.

I added these fun "mini" touches I found in the doll furniture section of Hobby Lobby. I distressed the little dresser Shabby Chic style to keep with the pastel tones of the Graphic 45 paper.

The frame on the right is made from a blank necklace bezel that I cut a coordinating G45 sticker to fit. 

My photo frame on the back wall is made from a stamp that come with the G45 "Raining Cats and Dogs" Collection. that I popped up a "Baby 2 Bride" sticker on.

My rug is made from a piece of paper that was fringed. How perfect?!

Behind my dress is a collage of vintage inspired wall decor. Like my other wall, my frames are made from blank necklace bezels. That beautiful cameo was found at an antique market (it's a reproduction though) and my key is from Graphic 45.

I LOVE my little scene! My shoes are compliments of my neighbors little girls and their huge Barbie collection! LOL

To finish my project, I wanted to make my cover reminiscent of a wedding bouquet.

 I used Petaloo Flowers, Prima Marketing Flowers and flowers from The Paper Studio and Michaels. I added bits of lace and a G45 Key Hole.

So there you go! I hope you enjoyed my "little" project! I hope it inspires you to try something new!

XOXO,

KERI

My Day on Marion Smith Designs!

It's my day over on the Marion Smith Designs Blog!

Today I am showing you how to make 3 fabulous tags...no matter how much time you have!!

Check out full details here:

Bloom Impressions and Tags!

Have a great day!

XOXO,

KERI

Art Journaling is good for the soul

Hello Lifers! 

I haven't been blogging as much as I would like too...I'm going to try to pick it up. :)

Lately..life has been a little rough. There are a lot of outside circumstances that are weighing on my heart, but they aren't things that can be easily fixed and my personality...I'm a fix-it person. I can't stand having to stand back and watch people I love hurting. 

So...i decided to pour some of those feelings into an art journal spread. 

Why? 

Because....

Sound  familiar to your situation? 

I have a huge love for vintage music, particularly vintage hymnals, so I started looking through an old one I have and was just reading the lyrics, looking for comfort. I came across the hymn "Blessed Assurance" and the lyrics jumped off the page. 

Here is where they led me....

I used acrylic paint and Heidi Swapp Color Shine and stencil to make my background. Then I layered pieces of my hymn and allowed it to speak to me. I highlighted lines that stood out to me with a stabilo pencil. 

 

I used white gesso with a Crafter's Workshop stencil. I love this shape but once I was done, I realized it kind of looked like teeth (weird thought, I know), but then I took a closer look at the left page... 

I realized that the starburst from my Heidi Swapp stencil seems to BURST through the "teeth"...which fits perfect with the hymn title "Blessed Assurance." 

As a Christian, it's because of the Assurnace in Christ that we can break through and be triumphant no matter what the situation. 

Here is a closeup of a few other of my favorite places. 

I hope today has not only inspired you creatively, but has empowered you to take hope that no matter what the situation, you have an Assurance of victory in Christ. 

Until next time...xoxo. 

Keri 

PS. I made the quote pic using Rhonna Farrer's app, layered over a pic I took and edited with PicFX. 

Mixed Media Scrapbooking with Faber Castell and Mrs. Potatohead

Hello Lifers!

I hope you are having an AMAZING day!

Today, I want to share with you a super fun layout I recently did, using some techniques that I have never used in scrapbooking.

I wanted to do something a little different from my normal scrap style, so I decided to try my hand at doing something  more mixed media. Trust me...it was DEFINETLY out of my comfort zone. I tend to like to find fun paper and let it do the talking for me. BUT..instead I chose to tell the paper what it should be saying.

Here's what I came up with:




To show you my process, I made you this Snapguide!


Check out How to Make a Mixed Media Background With Faber Castell by Keri Sallee on Snapguide.


Wanna get up close? Here are a few of my favorite parts:

What do you think? Definitely different for me, huh?

I hope you enjoyed today's project and you were inspired! Be sure to check out the Snapguide for the full supply list and step-by-step instructions.

Have an awesome day and remember...make your art an intentional part of your life...not an afterthought.

XOXO

KERI 

Hello Update!

Hello Lifers!

I hope you are all doing amazingly well.

I have been crazy busy and although I've been around on other blogs, it's been a little bit since I updated my own. (isn't that just the way it goes!)

Here's what I've been up to:

Marion Smith Designs

This month, I had two projects featured on Marion Smith Design's blog.

The first was a simple, but beautiful project using Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, Water Colors, Vintage Sheet Music and Marion's "Curious" Stamp Set. 

You can see the full tutorial here: Stamping Gold with Curious Stamp Set

My second project features the joining of two of my favorite companies: Marion Smith and Graphic 45!!

I used Graphic 45's Small Matchbox, along with Marion's Garment District.

You can see more pics here: Garment District Altered Matchbox

Graphic 45

I have been having so much fun stretching myself on the Graphic 45 Design Team.

Here are 3 of my most recent projects:

YES! I actually did a "Project Life" style Scrapbook layout. My sister-in-law would be so proud! LOL

Did I go a little crazy on the fussy cutting? :)

I turned Graphic 45's banners in to a spooky shingled roof for my little house made from a file folder!

What?! YES!

You can see these and more over on the Graphic 45 Blog

For Others...

Many of you know that I have a total heart for an organization called Saving Grace, which is a home that houses and helps girls between the ages of 18-early 20s who have aged out of foster care, are homeless or have a living situation that is unhealthy.

Last year I was asked to come to their mentor/mentee retreat and do a project with the ladies. We did crowns and dress because the them was "What Not to Wear."

This year I am so honored to be asked back again. This year, the theme is "Fight Like a Girl" and I was asked to design a paper mache dress form.

Here is what I came up with:

I was able to use this piece on a mixed media website that I was asked to do a guest post for.

You can read more about the story behind this piece at: Mixed Media Art-Taking Your Art Journaling Out of a Book .

For me....

As an artist in this business, it is so easy to get so caught up in "assignments" that you never create just for yourself.

Last week, I felt that tug in my creative spirit. I thought...when was the last time I sat down and created with out an agenda? An honestly...the answer was close to 5 months.

So, I decided to change that.

I pulled out this old canvas that I had played with last year, but never finished. It had mod podged newspaper covered in Tattered Angels spray ink, with a green glittered fleur-de-lie kind of shape in the corner. Ya...I had no idea where I was going when I started this one! LOL.

I've been wanting to work more on my painting skills, so I decided to use this project for some fun experimenting on my painting style. I just played....

This is what I came up with: 

She's not done yet, but I love her. I plan on adding a quote and some other fun elements, but even if I never finish it or it takes me another year, it's still a symbol of what I can do and reminder to do it more often..just for the fun of it.

So there you go...a quick little update on what has been going on in my studio.

I promise, now that school is back in session, I WILL be more faithful to blogging. :) or atleast I'll try. 

Until next time friends, remember to make your art an intentional part of your life and not an after thought.

XOXO,

KERI

P,S. Did I mention my YouTube Channel "The Creative Life Studios?" I've got a lot in the works for it!

P.S.S. Did I mention I am taking a "Belts Bracelets" class from Christy Tomlinson? Ya...super excited. More on that later. :)

Having fun with Unity Stamp Layers of Life!!

Good Day Lifers!!

I hope you are all having an amazing day!!

Today, I want to share with you a piece I made this weekend using
 Unity Stamp Company's Layer's of Life (July).

Layers of Life is a monthly subscription where you get a beautiful stamp set delivered to your door every month for only $11.99 (including shipping!) I have never been disappointed when I open my little envelope!

Here was July's Set:

I loved it so much that I sat down and made this mixed media piece the DAY I got it!

I made a Snap Guide to take you step-by-step through the entire process!

Check out How to Create a Project Using Unity Stamp July Layers by Keri Sallee on Snapguide.

I hope you enjoyed today's project!! I would love to see your take on it...leave me a link in the comments!!

Have an awesome day and remember....make your art intentional...not an after thought!

XOXO,

KERI

Blog Hoppin' with Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives!!

Hello Lifers!!

Today, I am so excited to be participating in a blog hop with my fellow Graphic 45 team members and the amazing designers at Scrapbook Adhesives. 

Today, I want to share with you a mixed media art journal piece I made using Graphic 45's new An Eerie Tale and great adhesives from Scrapbook Adhesives.

Here is what I came up with for you!

I do have to tell you a funny story about this piece...last month I was on a long road trip with my family and I decided I wanted to challenge myself to CREATE in my CAR. yes...this was all created confined in the passenger seat of my sequoia on the way to the beach. 

I took pictures along the way and made you this Snapguide when I got home: 

Check out How to Create an Art Journal With an Eerie Tale-Graphic45 by Keri Sallee on Snapguide.

With this art journal piece, you'll get to play with Faber-Castell Gelatoes, Heidi Swapp Color Shine, Mister Heey's Mist and lots of layers using 3-D Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Here are a couple of my FAVORITE close-up shots!

Thank you so much for stopping by!!

Are you ready to hop along to my fellow designers? A little birdy told me if you made your way around the blogs you could win a prize!

Today's blogs are:

Ginny Nemchak - USA 

Katie Zoey Ho - Singapore 

Keri Sallee - USA <----You are here!!

 AJ Otto         http://www.thewillowgarden.blogspot.com

Latisha Yoast   http://crafteebee.blogspot.com/

Thank you again for stopping by and remember...make your art intentional...not an afterthought.

XOXO,
KERI