Keeping it BADASS in 2016.

Hello Creatives...it's been a while...right?

I hope you have enjoyed your holidays with your families as much as I've enjoyed my time with mine.

I took some time off of my "extras" on life like blogging and running to concentrate on my family, the holidays and recovering from a running injury, but I'm back so excited to share what's coming up next.

What is a badass? 

When I was asked to join the BADASS ART JOURNAL by Tiara Smith and team I spent a lot of time thinking about what it meant to be a badass. The more I thought about it the more I realized that there are women in my life or who I admire that are all badasses for different reasons.

There are creative people like Marion Smith, Cheryl Boglioli  and  Christy Tomlinson who have not only decided to embrace their creativity, but have taken it a step farther and actually do it for a LIVING. 

There are Christine Caine and her A21 campaign to end modern day slavery all across the world.

There's my best friend Deana who is just the most giving person in the world and goes above and beyond to support and encourage her scope of influence. 

There are so many AMAZING women who are badasses in so many ways.

So what does this mean for this class? I want us to focus on what we see as badass-ness in others and what we can do to incorporate those traits into our own lives. 

I'm still putting the finishing touches on my project and video, but here's a little snippet of a recent class I did.

My style is all things bring and bold.

And as if that isn't bright enough...I'm takin' it up a notch.

How about some neon?

So be prepared for some BIG, BOLD BADASSES during this this 16 week class.

You'll make 16 BADASS ART JOURNAL pages and one BADASS Art Journal all for only $59. That's less than a Starbuck's fancy coffee a week. Totally worth it right? 

My fellow artists and I can't wait to encourage you all to be the best BADASS you can be in 2016.

See you in the classroom.

XOXO, 

KERI 

P.S. PLEASE feel free to share this blog post and please click through it to sign up (as oppose to google searching it.) The links provided is how I get paid for teaching. DOUBLE XOXO! :)

A little bird said...an easy art journal piece for The Crafter's Workshop

Hello Creatives...

It's been crazy hasn't it.

The hustle and bustle of the season can sometimes be a joy thief can't it?

Today...I"m up on The Crafter's Workshop blog with an easy art journal that I needed to refresh my busy soul one day.

Here's a sneak peek: 

For more of my thoughts and the full project, check out The Crafter's Workshop Blog:

A Little Bird Said...

XOXO,

KERI

Genesis 1:1 Bible Journaling

Hello Creatives! 

Well...I did it! I finally did it! I finally bought an actual journaling bible!! 

For my first entry I thought I would start...where else, but the beginning: Genesis 1:1. 

For those of you that don't know, I actually have a tattoo on my right wrist of this scripture reference: 

For me it's a reminder that the only reason I can do what I do creatively is because he first created me. That is what I wanted to document as my first entry. For the first page to always stand as a reminder of why I am journaling in the first place and who I am journaling to. 

I had so much fun with these great Alphas, labels and washi I found at Joann's for only $1 each! 

 I also used washi from Hobby Lobby, Distress Paints by Tim Holtz, DecoArt Media Misters, stencils from The Crafters Workshop and a black Sharpie. 

I hope you enjoyed today's entry!! 

Xoxo, 

Keri 

DecoArt Mixed Media Haunts Challenge

Hello Creatives!!

I am BEYOND excited to share this project with you today!

As you know, I have been a little (or a lot!) obsessed with Sugar Skulls lately. So when I saw that DecoArt Media was having a design challenge for Halloween, I knew I wanted to stretch myself and do something that is COMPLETELY out of the box for me...a 3-D SUGAR SKULL!

I searched high and low for the perfect surface and I found this skull at our newly opened JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store. It is made of Styrofoam and I thought was creepily perfect!

We became very good friends....

Ready to see his transformation?

To make my roses, I used the 6x6 "Cabbage Rose" Stencil from The Crafter's Workshop. {see the end of the post for a complete supply list!}

I wanted to keep my pink roses the highlight of this project, so I kept my other details simple with flourishes and dots painted with various DecoArt paints.

I added some Junque and Gem stones from Marion Smith Designs to finish it up with a little bling

What is is about sugar skulls that are the perfect combination of creepy and beautiful?

I hope you enjoyed seeing my project as much as I enjoyed making it.

What about you? Have you tried something new? Maybe a product you've been scared of? Maybe taking your art off a canvas or out of a book and trying something fun and 3-D? Or maybe...you must need to START?

No matter where you are...You CAN DO IT!! 

Just try. 

One of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman, has a quote that I love: 

So go and DO something...mistakes and all. :)

Until next time...

Keri

P.S. Shameless plug....PICK ME ANDY SKINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

P.S.S. Supply list as promised: 

DecoArt Materials

DecoArt Media

Fluid Acrylics: Carbon Black, Titanium White, Interference (Gold)

Gesso 

Modeling Paste 

Dazzling Metallics

Peacock Pearl 

Rick Espresso 

Festive Green

Crystal Green 

Americana 3D Gloss Enamels

Transparent Glass Writer: Black & Yellow

Americana Acrylic Paint 

Electric Pink

Purple Pizzazz

Citron Green

Other Materials

Styrofoam Skull-Joann Art and Craft Stores

TCW514S "Cabbage Rose" Stencil-The Crafter's Workshop

Junque & Gem Stones-Marion Smith Designs

Graphic Structure Paste-Daler Rowney

DIY Adult Coloring Book Pages

Hello Creatives!

Have you jumped on the coloring book bandwagon?

Today on The Crafter's Workshop, I show you how to take your coloring book pages to another level by making your own!

Here's a sneak peek: 

Head on over to The Crafter's Workshop blog for full details!!

DIY Adult Coloring Books-The Crafter's Workshop

XOXO,

KERI 

Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop-Sneak Peek Video

Hello Creatives!

Have you had a chance to check out the Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop?

You can check out more information and register here!
Gratitude Junk Journal

I wanted to give you a sneak peek into my class and my heart behind it, so I made this "trailer" for you all!

Register fast and you could win some amazing prizes!

Check out my original post for more information:
Gratitude Junk Journal Blog Hop

Hope to see you there!!

XOXO,
KERI

Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop Blog Hop!!!

Hello Creative Peeps and welcome to the Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop Blog Hop!  

Hop along with us to meet all the amazing instructors who are opening their hearts and studios to you to help us all learn more about finding gratitude in our everyday lives. AND...you have a chance to win a FREE spot for you AND a friend as well as the chance to win a GREAT prize pack! {keep reading for more information on that.}

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:

Click here to REGISTER!!  

If you arrived here from Tiare Smith Designs then you are in the right place. If you are starting here just follow the link below to go to the next blog and continue on the hop.

Gratitude. A feeling of appreciation or thanks. 

It seems so easy, but can be so difficult...especially with all the outside voices telling us so many other things. Through the month of this workshop, you will have the chance to find gratitude in everyday life...in ordinary things.

JOIN ME IN THE WORKSHOP NOW.

For me...I chose a topic that is near to my heart...literally...LOL. I chose: My Body. 

Here is a sneak peek!

Now for the good stuff.  Here is how you can win A FREE SPOT FOR YOURSELF AND A FRIEND, share my link to the Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop Page Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop , Share on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and be sure to use #gratitudejunkjournal  and tag your friend when sharing.  Feel free to use the following button when sharing!  

One lucky winner and a friend she tags will win.  Contest is open October 14-18!  So hurry get your entries in!  Remember, #gratitudejunkjournal that is how we will find you!  And no worries, if you have already registered, your workshop fee will be refunded. Easy peasy!

Oh but wait there’s more!  Just for being an early bird registrant you have the chance to win this great prize package too!  Everyone, who signs up between 10/12 and 10/22 will be entered to win!  It’s raining prizes!  Hallelujah!  

REGISTER NOW.

Well it is time to move on to the next blog to see more art and learn more about our AMAZING artist instructors.  You are going to want to SIGN UP FOR THIS WORKSHOP 

Next on the hop is: Zoey Emanuela Scarpelli !!! 

Happy Hopping!  Have an AWESOME day.

Live. Love. Laugh. GRATITUDE!

Have Questions? Feel free to email me at:

thecreativelifestudios@gmail.com

XOXO, 

KERI 

Truth Cards inspired by Melody Ross

Hello Creatives! 

Today I am so excited to share with you a project I recently made for the annual Saving Grace Mentor/Mentee Retreat.

This year's theme is "Soul Deep" and for our creative time we are focusing on Truth Cards and Bible Journaling.

If you haven't heard about Truth Cards, they are the brainchild of the amazingly talented and loving artist Melody Ross. 

In her own words, Melody says that Truth Cards are: 

The idea for Truth Cards came as a way to overpower the awful script that sometimes runs in our head, preventing our souls from feeling whole or healed. Truth cards are little messages of love and truth that are written directly to our souls….telling us the TRUTH when we are believing words that are keeping us from believing the love and truth.

For our retreat, we are focusing on Biblical Truths. 

For the project, I used Heidi Swapp's "Favorite Things" collection for Michael's, Adirondack Inks, TCW Stencils and various stamps, washi tapes and stickers. 

Here are the individual cards...

To keep them all together, I used a jump ring and added some ribbons and charms. 

I used very specific charms, each with their own meaning: 

(1) CLOCK: Ecclesiastes 3 states that there is a time and a place for everything under heaven. The clock is to remind me that my timing is not always God's timing and vice versa.

(2) BIRD CAGE: Truth is freedom. Finding truth can break the bonds of a broken past and can set you free from the cage of emotions. 

(3) 7: In the Bible, 7 is a special number...it is the number of completion and wholeness. 

(4) KEY: Matthew 7:7 says: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. The DOOR can be opened...the KEY is you have to have the faith to KNOCK. 

(5) FLEUR-De-LIS: The Fleu-De-Lis is a stylized Iris Flower. The Iris flower's history has made it the symbol for FAITH, HOPE and WISDOM...and who doesn't need some of that!?!?

So what about YOU? What do you hold as TRUTH? Maybe there is a book quote or a song lyric or words of a special person that you hold close to your heart when things get rough.

Find those. Write them out...type them up. Document them and keep the handy for those moments when the battlefield of the mind would tell you something contrary to what is TRUE.

Until next time, 

XOXO,

KERI

P.S. To see how a couple of these cards were made, check out my post on The Crafter's Workshop Blog: 

Truth Cards Inspired by Melody Ross

Altered Suitcase for kids in Foster Care

Hello All!!

Today, I am up on The Crafter's Workshop blog and sharing an altered suitcase I recently made.

As you know, I have a HUGE heart for an organization named Saving Grace and the founder, Becky Shaffer, always comes up with amazing ways to bless others. This year for her birthday she asked if...if leu of presents for herself...if people would purchase a suitcase and a nice fluffy blanket for a child in foster care. 

Here is a sneak peek of my project: 

For more details, check out: Altered Suitcase on The Crafter's Workshop Blog. 

XOXO,

KERI

Though She Be Little....

As I sit here typing this, I am sitting in my sister's hospital room. She is quietly snoring in the bed beside my chair, finally able to catch rest for her mind and body after the whirlwind that has been the last 4 days. 

At 30 weeks pregnant, she went in 4 days ago for a standard pregnancy  glucose test. Less than an hour later she was admitted to the Labor and Delivery ward because her blood pressure was so high. Three days of tests and ups and downs happened...until yesterday morning when the doctor, in a God Inspired moment, decided to do an ultrasound. 

That decision saved my nieces life...and possibly my sister's. She had what is know as placenta previa and was bleeding internally. From ultrasound to OR to emergency c-section birth...my niece, Scarlet Rose, was born in less than 15 minutes...10 weeks early, weighing 2lb 9oz and being 15in in length. 

During my 7 hour drive from my home in Arkansas to her's in Missouri, I just kept thinking "She's a fighter." And the Skakespeare quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream stuck with me "Though she be small, she is fierce." 

When I made it to Missouri at 1:15 this morning, it was too late for visiting hours (or too early...depending on how you looked at it) and I had had so much caffeine that I couldn't sleep even if I tried. 

So...I dug out some of the meager art supplies I had brought with me and made something for my sister. 

The scripture across the side is Ephesians 2:10"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." 

Yes...Scarlet is small, but she was crafted by the very hand of God to do amazing things. 

Here's a few of the steps I used to make this piece: 

(1) I created by background with Tim Holtz Distress Paints 

(2) Using a Scribe All black pencil, I free handed some feather shapes on my dried background.  

(3) I filled in my feathers with a layer of gesso. 

(4) using my Neocolor Watersoluable Wax pastels, I added blues and purples to my feathers and a little gray around the outside of them. 

(5) Since I didn't bring any kind of letter stickers or scissors to cut journaling strips, I used my gesso to make an area to out my quote. 

(6) using a Micron Pen, I added my quote and the scripture on the side. I finished the project by adding my paint colors around my journaling and flicking the whole project with black Neocolor, heavily watered down. {sorry...so pic of this step!}

though she be small...she is fierce. 

She comes from a strong mama...she will be just fine. 

Here is her first photo: 

  

Prayers...good vibes...positive thoughts. She could use the all. 

Until next time friends...xoxo. 

Keri 

Hello Friends!

Did you miss me? I took the summer to just be with my kiddos before they all went off to school again (including my littlest starting kindergarten...how did that happen?!)

Today, I want to share with you my latest piece for The Crafter's Workshop.

Have you heard of Bible Journaling? It is a rising area of art journaling where you actually journal in the margins of your bible. It can be scriptures, thoughts or just drawings. Whatever you feel like.

Recently, I felt called to spend some more time with some recent sermon notes from my church, Keypoint Church in Bentonville, AR. 

My pastor has been speaking on the name of God and that day he was speaking on the Jehovah Raah (pronounced Ra-Ha) which is "Shepherd,' using Psalm 23 as his text: 

Here is my journaling pages: 

This particular passage came up many times around me before I did this journaling piece. It caused me to think this...I posted this on Facebook around the time I did this:  

Why does Psalm 23 keep popping up? 

Today I was finishing journaling my sermon notes from Pastor Casey​'s sermon this past Sunday (which I don't normally do.) I had some space at the end and I just asked the question in writing "Why has Psalm 23 appeared to me 3xs in the Last week?" And then I continued to just write as thoughts came... " What am I to learn from this? Why this passage? Do I understand that it's OK to be a sheep and follow a shepherd?" 

BOOM. 

There it is. This is why this chapter keeps coming up. 

Yes...I believe in salvation and heaven and hell, but am I actually allowing myself to be LED or am I just going through the motions? I am a very independent person...I've always had to be so the idea of "following" or giving up control or even asking for help is not in my typical nature. 

BUT...why am I fighting the Shepherd when all he had for me is good? Am I holding that tight to my pride and my need to be in control that I would truly give up all the GOOD he has for me just to be able to say "I did it on my own." 

Why am I so scared to be a sheep? Things to ponder.

It's still something I am pondering. 

I would love to know your thoughts.

XOXO,

KERI Sallee

P.S. To learn more about the crafty side of this Bible Journaling project, check out The Crafter's Workshop Blog: Bible Journaling with Stencils

Farewell to Graphic 45!!

Hello Lifers!

I have had an AMAZING year being part of the Graphic 45 Design Team over the last year.

However...all good things come to an end.  

Check out my Farewell Post on the Graphic 45 Blog!!

Fond Farewell to Keri Sallee

You can also find a Snapguide for a this quick and easy gift project: 

XOXO

KERI Sallee

Creating in Faith with The Crafter's Workshop

Hello Lifers!

Today, I am up on The Crafter's Workshop blog with a project that is very special to me.

Recently, there has been a worship song that has spoken to me greatly. Have you ever had that happen? The words of a song (worship song or otherwise) just roles around in your head and not just because it has a catchy hook or great beat, but because the WORDS say something more than merely pen on paper can describe.

Here is a beautiful version of it sung by one of my worship SHE-ros, Darlene Zschech.

I wanted to share a little of the faith-based thoughts behind the art.

First, let's start with the obvious:

(1) The words I chose are from the bridge of the song "From my heart to the heavens, Jesus be the Center." The word JESUS is placed directly in the center of the heart AND the canvas, reinforcing the idea of Jesus being the center. 

(2) The rays radiate out of the word JESUS showcasing the love of Christ that should be radiating from OUR hearts if JESUS is truly the center.

(3) The heart is at the center of the canvas and instead of cutting out a perfect heart with my die-cut machine, I chose to cut one out by hand, showing how it's NOT about having a perfect heart...it's about Christ being the enter of our IMPERFECT heart.

Now for a few less obvious thoughts:

(1) The colors of paint here chosen very specially: 

My background is a light wash of blues and greens and whites symbolizing water and earth and the physical plain on which we live.

The colors that my heart rests on purple, blue, red and white. Each has deeply symbolic Biblical meaning: 

BLUE: Is associated with coverings (like in the Tabernacle of the OT) and other heavenly coverings. This is symbolic of Christ being the covering and protection of our heart. It is also associated with water and used in conduction with the Holy Spirit.

RED: Is associated with 2 things: SIN and Christ's payment of sin by his BLOOD. I wanted to use it because both are so important in a life of faith. SIN lives in the world because we are humans in a fallen world, but we are not a slave to SIN (Romans 6:18) because of the BLOOD of Christ.

PURPLE: Like blue, purple is associated with coverings...more specifically used in association with robes of righteousness. Job 29:14 says "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban." 

WHITE: White is most easily associated with purity, but it is also used heavily in the book of Revelation as a symbol victory in the end. The champion in revelation comes on a white horse (Revelatin 6:2, 19:11), while the heavenly armies come "clothed in fine linen, white and clean..following Him on white horses." 

(2) Hidden Words 

All throughout the background there words hidden with the painting. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart..." 

(3) Sparks of HOPE within the chaos and never-ending love.

All throughout out the piece, I used a "tiny circle" stencil with silver texture paste. To me this shows the little sparks of hope that are always peaking throughout the chaos of our lives or in this case, the chaos that some people see as the background of my painting. The same goes for the sparks of yellow...hope in the midst of the chaos.

You'll also see numerous circles...some are broken...like some relationships...but one is completely whole, symbolizing the relationship with Christ that will never be broken. 

I hope you will take time to look at my painting with new eyes and maybe you will even discover something within it that speaks to you in a new and different way.

For more information on the "creative" side and more pictures of this painting, check out The Crafter's Workshop Blog: 

Expressing Your Faith through Mixed Media

Until next time creatives, 

XOXO,

KERI 

CHA Paper Arts+ Blog Hop

Hello Lifers!

Today, I am SUPER excited to bring you something a little different.

A few weeks ago I was asked by the Designer Council for CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association) to participate in a HUGE blog hop with some fellow designers and companies. 

Of course I said yes!!

AND then I found out...it gets even COOLER! You have a chance to win a serious prize just by "hopping" along! {more info on that in a bit!}

For my project, I got to work with a great company called Art Impressions. They make adorable stamps and coordinating dies and are always coming out with something to "shake" things up!

One of their new and innovative products is what they call their "spinners." This brilliant product allows you to add fun movement to you cards and projects.

When they were first introduced, Kate Swanson from Art Impressions made this little video for Scrapbook Expo.

Being more of an altered art person, I wanted to take their spinners out of a card setting and into something more 3-D, so I decided to use a black Graphic 45 Window Shadow Box to make my project fun and interactive. 

I was able to use the "Frosting Spinner" Stamp and coordinating Die, so I wanted to do something fun and bright to match my cute little mouse.

He was stamped on watercolor paper using Ranger's Archival Ink in Black, colored with Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens and cut by lining up the die with my stamped image and running it through my Sizzix Big Shot. SUPER EASY!!

Here is him facing forward: 

And here he is when you spin him around: 

I made a quick little video just to show the interactive features of my project: 

Art Impressions also sent me their "Cupcake BFF" stamp, so I knew she had to be my little mouse's best friend at his party: 

She was stamped on Watercolor paper, colored with Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens and hand cut out.

Want see more? Here are a few close-ups!!

Carta Bella's "It's a Celebration" was a PERFECT collection to host a party for my little cupcake mouse!

NOW...on to the giveaway!!!

WIN $500!

Follow the CHA Paper Arts+ Blog Hop all week on the CHA Blog for updates on new designer blog posts and projects. There will be a “password” at the end of each designer blog post. Make sure you keep track of all of the “passwords.” At the end of the hop you’ll need to use the “passwords” to form a phrase.

The first two people to tweet CHA @Craftandhobby the correct phrase will win:

1st Prize: $500 toward travel to the Paper Arts+ Show (trade only)

2nd Prize: $25 AMEX gift card

MY PASSWORD: YOU

Don’t forget, registration is now open for the CHA Paper Arts+ Show in Chicagoland where you’ll see, touch and learn about product, like the ### that was donated for this Blog Hop by ####.  Paper Arts+ is A CRAFT FUSION experience with exhibits offering everything from paper to jewelry to mixed media materials.  The industry will be there looking for fourth quarter trends and new product SKUs. Members attend for FREE! For more information and to register, visit www.craftandhobby.org/paperarts.

XOXO, 

KERI