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

Let's get "Tickled Pink" with Susan K. Weckesser!!

Hello Lifers!

It's my turn over on the Susan K Weckesser Blog "My Sweet Earth" and today I am sharing my canvas called "Tickled Pink."

I made this canvas by framing a Prima Marketing Acrylic Transparency (painted with Tattered Angels Glaze) inside a frame I made by stamping Susan's In Circle Me Stamp by Unity Stamp Company into almost dry modeling paste. 

Here are a few of my steps to help you visualize the process:

1) The Transparency

The transparency is 6x6 and was actually part of a 12x12 transparency that featured 4 different styles. I liked this one because of the little window.

I actually flipped it over and painted on the back to that when you saw it from the front, the black lines were still crisp. All the painting on the back was done with Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze. I also added some clouds using Susan's "Celebrate Your Day" Stamp from Unity Stamp Company using Ranger Archival Ink and painted those as well. 

2) The Border:

To Make this easier, I cut a scrap piece of paper to 6x6 and lightly tacked it in the center of my canvas, leaving my boarder. (I cut the hole out to make it easier to remove later.)

Once your remove the scrap paper, keep it! You'll need it in a minute! 

Next, using your heat gun and working in small section, dry your modeling paste until no longer sticky, but still move-able. This process might take a little trial and error-trust me!

When you've reached the right consistency, firmly press your stamp into the paste, being careful not to let it slide.

While working around your frame, rotate your stamp so that you get different angles to your texture. 

See...trial and error! :) I got a little hasty on a couple of spots and ended up with modeling paste on my stamp. NOTE!! Clean the modeling paste off your stamp ASAP...it is a PAIN to get off once it's dry.

For the base color, I used Tattered Angels Plain Jane Baseboard in Plain Daffodil. Place your scrap piece of paper back in the middle to keep your lines crisp.

And then...I messed up...I did not take pictures of the next steps. So Sorry!

Here is a couple of close-ups so you can see the texture better:

To get this effect I followed these steps:

a) Once my yellow was dry, I took 5 colors of Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Pickled Raspberry, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade)  and randomly rubbed it over my surface. I used my finger to soften it a little.

b) Next, I used Tattered Angels Plain Jane Simply Sheer in Burlap to tone my colors down a little. Keep this very light...you're wanting to tone down...not cover up.

c) Once I reached this point, my frame was still matte and it looked wrong next to my shiny transparency, so lastly I added some Tattered Angels Glam in Chandelier over the top. (A little JMO: Chandelier is the best GLAM color if you are looking to start a Tattered Angels collection. Because the base is clear and the chunky glitter in iridescent, it is very multi-purpose and less intimidating than other Glam colors.)

3) A little Finishing Touch:

To add a little finishing touch to my piece, I had these great acrylic butterfly stickers I had bought at Hobby Lobby that I thought would be a perfect addition.

Because the back was sticky, I had to do my Glaze painting on the front, so I had to be a little cautious to stay in the lines (not a fun job for someone like me! LOL!)

Here is what it looked like in the light before I added it to my project:

So there you go!

I hope you will give this technique a try. Share your link in the comments...I would LOVE to see what you do!

Until next time...choose to make your art intentional..not an after thought.

XOXO,

KERI

Blog Hopping with the Susan K Weckesser Crew!!

  2013 Susan K Weckesser Back to School Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 2013 Susan K Weckesser Inc Design Team Back 2 School Blog Hop.  Our Design Team and Guest Designers have created a week’s worth of great projects to bring you inspiration and fun -- all themed around Back 2 School. 

We encourage you to visit each member’s blog, leave a comment and maybe find a new blog to follow.

 After you have visited all participating team member’s blogs, go back to THE STARTING POST at Susan K Weckesser’s My Sweet Earth Blog and leave a comment letting us know which project either inspired you or touched your heart.

 Don’t worry, you have all week to take your time and go through the blogs. We’ll feature a few each day at Susan K Weckesser Inc, but will draw names from comments left on THE STARTING POST for our grand prize.

Here is the list for ALL team members, but again don’t panic, we will highlight a few each day so you can come back and visit a few at a time if you want because we know how busy you Moms – and Dads – are! You have until Saturday night 11:55 PM CST to leave a comment at Susan K Weckesser’s My Sweet Earth.

Here is the entire blog hop list:

Here is the entire blog hop list:

Susan K Weckesser
Rita Barakat – Design Team Member
Lynne Mizera – Design Team Member
Jeanie Dickinson – Guest Designer
Tracy Easson – Design Team Member
Tatiana Allen  - Guest Designer
Einat Kessler – Design Team Member
Jaine Drake – Guest Designer
Julie Short – Design Team Member
JJ Sobey - Design Team Member
Allie Gower – Guest Designer
Keri Sallee – Guest Designer

HERE WE GO!!!!

I'm so excited to be an All-Star Guest Designer with Susan K. Weckesser and this week the designers and guest designers in her crew are having a little back to school blog hop!

You can't have "Back to School" with out first having an AMAZING summer, right? So I wanted to gather all of our summer fun in one place.

Here is my little project:

This sweet little album measures just 4.75 x 4.75, but holds an amazing 18 pictures! 

How you ask?

ENVELOPES!!!

By chaining envelopes together, you can form a versatile album in any size and shape you need!

Click HERE for a full tutorial I did on my blog last year on the basics of making an envelope album.

As you can see, it folds out into a fun according shape that makes it easy to display.

This is how you get 18 pictures in such a small album! Hidden behind each picture is a card that holds 2 more pictures and journaling. I fell in LOVE with these square envelopes I found at Hobby Lobby! Adding my 4x4 square Instagram pictures made this album go together in a snap because there was no picture trimming! I didn't even have to cut paper for my inserts...I simply cut the cards in half that came with my envelopes. Easy Peasy! 

 I wanted to keep things simple because the pictures and paper were so great. I used a little Washi Tape (My Mind's Eye, Carta Bella and Queen and Company) and some wooden pieces (Studio Calico and Hobby Lobby) to accent the fun prints and colors of Susan's Paper. Using Susan's stamps from Unity Stamp Company on the wooden pieces gave them instant character!

I also used her "Celebration of Simple" pennant stamps by Unity Stamp Company to create my journaling spots on each page. Creative NOTE: Changing the placement of each spot keeps the album from feeling uniform when you reuse an  image like I did!

Here is a little side-view!

Here is a complete list of products used on this project:

Flowers: Michaels, Prima Marketing, Petalloo, Hobby Lobby

Envelopes and Inserts: Hobby Lobby

Twine and Adhesive: Canvas Corp

Paper: Susie B Studios (Susan K Weckesser)

Washi Tape: My Mind's Eye, Carta Bella and Queen and Company

Wooden Pieces: Studio Calico and Hobby Lobby

Pens: Sharpie and Sakuro

Ink: Ranger

Stamps: Susan K Weckesser for Unity Stamp Company

Rub-Ons: Fancy Pants Designs

Alpha Stickers: American Crafts

I hope you enjoyed my little project and it inspires you to remember all the summer fun you had now that the craziness of back to school is here!

Until next time creative friends, happy hopping!

XOXO,

KERI

Bloom Where You're Planted

I have the awesome privilege of being a Guest Designer for Susan K Weckesser and today is my day to show off on her blog!

Check out more about this project on her

My Sweet Earth Blog Today!!!

Tattered Angels Week-Day 2

Welcome back Creative Friends!!

Are you ready for day 2? I am!!!

Here's a reminder of our finished project:

Tip #2-Go Topless!!!

Just because the bottle comes with sprayer doesn't mean that's the only way to use it.

Shake it like normal (side to side like a bell) and unscrew the nozzle.

Then You can....

(1) SPLATTER!!!!

Use the tube or a brush to flick the paint onto your project. You can lay it flat or set your project upright and allow the paint to slide down. 

(2) BRUSH IT ON!!!

Some people are intimidated by the "unknown" factor of spray-able inks, so this technique is good for those who want a little more control over where their color lands.

Try using browns or blacks to distress instead of traditional ink pads or use brighter colors to add POP, like I did here... I used Pomegranate Glimmer Mist to to add some fun to my project:

My FAVS!

Let's get started with some of  my favorites!!

Glam is my favorite Tattered Angels product, so let's start there.

(1) Golden Goddess!! My All time FAV! It has a yummy golden background with a bright golden glitter.

(2) Chandelier- This is most people's favorite because of it's versatility. The paint is clear and the glitter iridescent, so it won't change the color of your project....just add a lot of shine!

(3) Calm Before the Storm- This color is very intense, so it can be a little intimidating, but it's perfect to add ALOT of impact. The background color is a navy blue (a little darker than this picture), while the glitter is a mixture of blues and grays. Definitely makes you think of inky nighttime skies.  

(4) SMOOCHES! Everybody needs a go to fabulous red and SMOOCHES is mine. Red on Red...you can't go wrong. :)

(5) CAMEL- This is a lighter brown than Golden Goddess and the glitter is a lighter gold mixed with some browns. It give more of distressed look than Golden Goddess.

So fun, right? Come back tomorrow for even more tips, tricks and favs.

See you then!