DIY Art Journal and getting un-"Stuck"

Hello Lifers!

How are things going? Are you doing OK?

Recently, I had the the cool opportunity to mix two of my favorite things: my faith and my art.

I am doing a bible study called "Stuck" by Jennie Allen with a group of ladies at my church. We are in week 2 and in both the weeks we've done, there have been opportunities to "draw" something. However...both times...the space to draw is so itty-bitty...I could not even function. LOL 

So I decided to make my own "art journal" specifically for these 8 week study.

Here is what I came up with: 

Here's a quick step-by-step of what I did:

(1) I started with 3 plain manilla folders. I punched 5 holes in the spine with a paper piecer and then used a pamphlet stitch with nylon string to secure them together. The pamphlet stitch is super easy and useful.

(2) Add a layer of tulle and a few pieces of lace using matte gel medium.

(3) Add more embellishments and letters for your title. 

(4) Cover everything with a layer of gesso. If needed to fully cover, add a second coat. 

(5) Choose your favorite colors of spray ink.

I chose:

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist: Monster Mash, Festive and Mallard

Heidi Swapp Color Shine: Chartruese and Primrose

Apply in light layers, one color at a time. I used all three of my Glimmer Mists, dried them and then added the darker tones on top of them to add depth.

I also splattered my Primrose Color Shine and my Mallard Glimmer Mist by unscrewing the lid and using the tube to flick the paint. 

(6) For finishing touches I:

* added some Faber Castell Design Memory Craft Texture Accents in Pearl

* TCW "Hexagon" stencil with brown acrylic paint

*Outlined my 3-D elements with Black and White Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens

I hope you enjoyed today's project and I can't wait to share more as I fill it!

XOXO,

KERI

Supply List:

Manilla Folders-Walmart

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist-Mallard, Monster Mash and Festive

Heidi Swapp Color Shine-Primrose & Chartreuse

Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens-Black & White

Brown Acrylic Paint-Plaid

Tulle, Nylon String & Lace-Hobby Lobby

Faber Castell Design Memory Craft Texture Accents-Pearl

The Crafter's Workshop-Hexagon Stencil 

Embellishments-Prima Marketing, Jolee's, Studio Calico, 7 Gypsies

Stamps-Misc

Stamping Techniques with Graphic 45

Hello Lifers!

I have to admit...although I own a lot of stamps, I don't consider myself a "stamper." I like graphic stamps that can be used over and over without looking the same. I think I think "stamp" and I think I have to make a card! LOL

Today, on the Graphic 45 blog, I am sharing a stamping technique that allows you create your own resist background!

Here's a little sneak peek:

For more pictures and the complete Snapguide, 

you can click here----> Graphic 45 Stamping Techniques

Have an awesome day!!

Xoxo,

KERI

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

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-cation is Over!!!

Good Morning Lifers!

Have you missed me? I'm just gonna keep it real...I was feeling a little overwhelmed with projects, blog posts, design team stuff, PTO responsibilities, and life in general. So I decided to take a little blog-cation and relax a bit (as much as a crafty mom of three can at the end of the school year! LOL)

Wanna know what you missed?

Check this out (stick with me...it's a little long, but there's a lot of pictures!)

Family Life 

The Glamper

If you've never heard of Glamping...it's basically camping for those of use who like pretty things. :)

My hubby and I recently bought a pop-up camper and decided it needed a little love. The '93 decor of light mauve and country blue just didn't work for us. LOL.

Here's a few "in progress" shots.

Love that faux wood? Ya...me either.  Crisp white it is. 

Primer on...ready for the gleaming new white. 

These are the fabrics I chose! The blue/white stripe will be our new curtains and the others will be accent pillows. Loving the bright nautical look!

We're still trying to decide on a name. 

We are planning a trip in just a few weeks with my sister and her family and I want our campers to be "twins." I'm thinking something cute like Betty and Veronica or Starlight and Starbright. I can't wait to share the progress and the finished product. 

Tiny Dancer's Debut Recital

My youngest, Khloe, made her stage debut for tap and ballet and...she was FABULOUS and just plain adorable. :)

Date with my soon to be Middle Schooler

This handsome little guy was my date to see X-Men: Days of Future Past. Tomorrow is his last day of 4th Grade and he will be moving on up to middle school next year. 

Starting the Outdoor Fun Early

We are enjoying the great outdoors (ok...our back patio.)

Hubby is seriously enjoying his hot dog. :) 

And it's never too early to learn to take a good selfie. 

Fun and Field Day!!!

Water Slide Inflatables, Fire Truck, outdoor fun and friends...can't ask for much more.

Fun Hikes with my little. 

With just a few days left before the big kids get out of school, taking every opportunity to spend time with my little one on one.



My BEAUTIFUL niece graduates High School.

When I met her, she was only 4 years old...now look at her! So proud of the amazing woman she is becoming.




Hottie Hubby!!

I got to celebrate 1 more year with my hubby. It's been a rough year for us and it has really made me feel even more blessed to do life with him.

 Our anniversary fell on my niece's graduation, so we had a great dinner at this restaurant in Springfield, MO called Metropolitan Farmer. It's so cool...everything is locally grown and super yummy.

Creative Life

Graphic 45

While I was away, a total scrappy dream came true!

Yup....I made the Graphic 45 2014 Design Team.

EEEKKK....SQUEEE....FREAK OUT MODE!!!

I am so excited and I'm not even sure if it has fully sunk in. 

In case you missed my audition projects back in March, you can see them here: Graphic 45 2014 Design Team Audition . 

You would not believe the generosity of Graphic 45 is to their design team. I made a little video when I opened my first box.

Box #2 arrived yesterday (YES! Box #2!) so I will be making another video soon to show off those goodies. 

The Crafter's Workshop

The Crafter's Workshop has always been one of my favorite stencils so when they had their first ever design team call, I had to jump on it!

I didn't make the design team (a little sad), but I DID make their Guest Design Team (BIG HAPPY!)

You can see all the other fabulous artist who made the cut here: The Crafter's Workshop Design Team Announcement. 

Want to see one of my favorite submitted projects?

Here are the amazing stencils I get to play with. I can't wait!!

Tattered Tangles 

I had the chance to be featured on the Tattered Angels blog using their new Tattered Tangles life of Zentangled-inspired paper and ephemera.

I had so much fun playing with this!

Here is a sneak peek:

For full details and more projects, check out the Tattered Angels Blog: "On My Way" Layout by Keri Sallee

So that has been the last 6 weeks! I'm excited to be back on the blog wagon and I can't wait to take you along on more of the journey of my Creative Life.

XOXO,
KERI

Farewell...Thanks for all the Memories

It's a sad day over on the Susan K. Weckesser Blog.

My last post as a Design Team member. 

Hop on over and check it out for more details and my farewell. 

My Sweet Earth

XOXO,

KERI

Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

 Hello Lifers!

Today, I have something a little different on the blog.

I decided to take a BIG leap and audition for the 2014 Graphic 45 Design Team and they require something a little different from any other DT I've ever auditioned for: a blog post dedicated to your audition projects.

Oh....and did I mention...you have to submit at least 6 (!) projects?

So grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine, depending on when you're reading this!), get comfy, and hopefully be inspired. :) 

Steampunk Spells

When I decided to audition, I decided to design all new projects (as opposed to using older ones) and I wanted to challenge myself to use things I had on hand.

My project featuring Steampunk Spells by Graphic 45 uses a 8 x 10 Chunky Canvas from Canvas Corp that had just not worked out. So, I turned it around and turned it into a shadowbox. 

I've always LOVED the look of Steampunk, but it's never been a style I could embrace easily. However, I think G45's use of oranges and turquoise brighten up the usual neutral steampunk pallet and made it much easier for me to work with.

My favorite part is at the center...gears from Want2Scrap that I altered using nothing but Tattered Angels Paints. 

Gears--naked and dressed:

So fun, right? :)

Here are a few close-ups: 

My flowers were made 2 ways: (1) the colored flowers are cut using Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die for Sizzix from Tim Holtz Nostalgic Kraft-Core Collection from Coredinations. I then embossed it with a gear embossing folder from The Paper Studio and Distressed it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain. (2) The Metal looking flowers are cut using Spellbinders Dies and then colored using Tattered Angels paints (like the gears.)

 

French Country

Still feeling fall? Next up is some beautiful G45 French Country.

This project was made by doing a mixed media collage background using French Country Paper, Liquitex Matte Gel Medium and Tattered Angels Paints all on top of an 8 x 10 canvas from Hobby Lobby that I had on hand. 

I then cut about 40 flowers using Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals, wet them, scrunch them and Tattered Angels them (is "Tattered Angels" a verb? LOL)

I used a stack of mat board to lift my wrought iron piece up so that I could then tuck the flowers all around it.

Nutcracker Sweet

From Fall to Christmas!

For this project, I found an empty ribbon spool that once held 2 inch wire edge ribbon.

How "sweet" is this little scene!?

To make my 3-D scene, I fussy-cut out my characters from a sheet of G45's Nutcracker Sweet paper. I distressed them and then used pieces of bend mat board in the same of an "L" to make them stand. I was very strategic on the size and placement so the supports were not easily seen. 

A Place in Time 

G45's A Place in Time had so many options for styles-12 to be exact! Since I am tired of winter and longing for spring, I decided to use the paper for April, as well as a little throwback G45 line "Romantique."

For my base, I had this small 9 x 9 wooden tray that used to hold wooden veneers. (I've been hoarding this one for over a year just waiting for the perfect project!)

I colored my plain wood with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Chartreuse. 

The green/gold color went perfecting to make this:

A few of my favorite close-ups:

The flowers are stems from Petaloo and the butterflies are from Heidi Swapp (colored with the same Chartreuse Color Shine as the base.)

Wanna guess what's in my little bottles? CHIA SEEDS! Don't they almost look like little pebbles?!

Phew! Are you doing OK? Do you need a break? 

No? Let's Keep going!

Magic of Oz

This collection has long since been one of my favorites from G45. They did a BEAUTIFUL job interpreting "The Wizard of Oz." I was so inspired by it that I made 2 projects with this collection.

First...I was inspired to make this amazing (if I do say so myself!) mini album.

From the outside, it just seems like a mini album, but the inside holds a secret...

Both the front and the back covers have 5 little flaps featuring the good on the front and then bad in the back, BUT...that's not the secret...do you see it?

All 5 of the center pieces open...making 5 even smaller albums. Each on has a small magnet to keep it closed and features one character on the cover.

Can you tell I LOVE this collection? No...then this one will change your mind.

This was the last project I made and I have to say it is one of my favorites of all time because it is so out-of-the-box...or should I say "out of the closet!"

Yup...that's a high heal shoe. It started out as an ugly plain black pump (purchased at my local thrift store for $4.) Then...came the glitter. I used the AMAZING Glitter Blast Spray Paint from Krylon in Cherry Bomb to transform it in to my own ruby slipper. 

Inside my ruby slipper is a mini tag album: 

And of course you can't talk about the "Wizard of Oz" with the Yellow Brick Road:

Or high heal shoes with bows and bling:

So there you go! My 6 audition projects for the 2014 Graphic 45 Design Team. 

To my readers...I hope you enjoyed looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them. These were definitely a labor of love. I hope to use these as tutorials soon, so check back to see how I did it!

To Graphic 45...thank you so much for this opportunity and for visiting my little blog. I hope you had fun.

To All..I will leave you the way I leave you every time we are together: Remember...choose to make your art intentional...not an afterthought. 

XOXO,

KERI  

P.S. Thank you for forgiving me for some of my pictures going outside the limits of my blog frame. I wanted my pics to be SUPER big! :)