New Year...New Creative Fun...Introducing Butter Bee Scraps!!

Good Morning Creatives!!

I have been away at the annual Craft and Hobby Association education and trade show and it was an AMAZING time of focusing, learning and being inspired. I will be doing a 2 part recap next week so be on the look out for that!

Also....we're moving! Well...not physically, but in cyberspace! My new website is being built as we speak and I can't wait to have a new home to share with you.

While we wait, I have an amazing new (to me) company to introduce you to.

Butterbee Scraps Artistic Treasures contacted me because a mutual friend told her that I was a mixed media person who might be a good match to work with her products. So I headed over to her online store (based out of Canada) and I was blown away by the beautiful filigree metalwork, resin flowers, ribbon and other fun embellishments. It was a no brainer to say "YES...I would LOVE to work with you!"

For my first project, I wanted to start with something simple.

This half-done portrait has been sitting on my easel for easily 2+ months and I decided to finish her up for my first project. 

Here is her finished self: 

You might be wondering...what is that paper in the background? It's a phonebook! I found an old phonebook stashed in my scrap closet (because don't we all do that?!?) and loved the texture of the paper so I figured why not?

I wanted to keep her flat and use my metals from Butterbee Scraps to give the piece weight by making her a headband.

I used the Vintage Labels Ribbon to make the band and then layered 5 different metals to make the brooch part: Bronze Metal Filigree (810-B), Bronze Metal Filigree (55c-B), Silver Flower Metal ,Filigree (168-p), Medium Mixed Gears and an octopus from the Steampunk Tibetan Charms Collections. 

Here's some more closeups!

I used mostly DecoArt Craft Acrylics and Fluid Acrylics, with a little Buttercream Acrylics (by Joann's) and Master's Touch (by Hobby Lobby.) The red Polka dot washi is from Little B LLC and my stencil is from The Crafter's Workshop (it's called "Sequin Waste Bit.) I also used some Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pens for shading in the lips and face. 

DecoArt Fluid Acrylics are great for detail work. Because they have such a high pigment content and move easily over your surface, you can outline and add details in one pass instead of multiple passes which would increase your wrist of mistakes (SCARY!) 

Next to her brooch, her eyes are my favorite. They just turned out so feminine and delicate.

It's very subtle, but there is journaling caressing her shoulder and it simply says: Be Free and Regret Nothing

It's a simple motto, but one that I am working on. Regret doesn't change your past...it simply ways you down and keeps you from you true future.

I hope you will remember that as we go into 2016 and find freedom in every step you take.

Until Next time...

XOXO,

Keri Sallee

P.S. For more from Monique (owner and amazing designer of Butter Bee Scraps) on this project and more, head on over to her blog: Butter Bee Scraps. Leave her some LOVE!! 

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

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 

What's been going on at The Crafter's Workshop?

Hello Creatives!

Playing a little catchup on the blog today.

Keepin' it real...I would much rather be making fun stuff that writing about it...BUT...if I made it but never shared it, then how would you ever see it!? LOL. It's a total Catch 22. 

My last 2 posts for The Crafter's Workshop have been a lot of fun to make.

First...there was an art journal piece:

For more pics and details, check out the original post: "Cathedral of LOVE"

My most recent post is one I am particularly proud of. I wanted to do a piece that was out of my normal "style", so I make this canvas that was not only bigger than my normal style (this one is 16x20), but also has no paper, stamps or stickers. It is all just acrylic paints, inks and stencils.

For more pics and details, check out my post here: Going BIG with Mixed Media

I hope you take time to check out these projects! And if you have time...leave me a comment or two!

Today, I will be leaving to head to The Crafter's Workshop Headquarters with some of my fellow DT members to spend 2 days in Stencil U...learning new techniques and just having a lot of messy, creative fun. I can't wait to share what I learn!

XOXO,

KERI

Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2015

Holy WOW...has it been a year already?

I have had the amazing year being on the Graphic 45 Design Team and sadly it is coming to an end...or at least the FIRST year is! :)

Graphic 45 is looking for a new team for 2015 and...fingers crossed...I hope to join them again for another year.

Today, I want to show you my favorite Graphic 45 projects from the last year.

"Magic of Oz" Altered Shoe

I can't help but go all the way back to a year ago when I was working on my first audition.

I LOVED the idea of doing something out of the box and someone incorporate the "Magic of Oz" collection into it.

And being me {giggle}...I think...SHOES!! LOL

"Raining Cats & Dogs" Book

I had the fun opportunity to make a few projects for last years Paper Arts Show presented by the Craft and Hobby Association.

I fell in love with the "Raining Cats and Dogs" paper from the moment I saw it, so I had jumped at the chance to make this book box featuring this collection. The mixture of teal and tomato red, with the black accents and fun puppies and kitties made this one so easy to work with.

My book was featured on Scrapbook.com's Video from the Paper Arts Show!

"Graphic 45 Paper Flowers 4 Ways" Video

I was so excited when G45 asked me to do a special video sharing some of the ways I use their cardstock flowers.

I decided to use G45 tags and the "Couture" collection and show, not only the technique behind each flower, but a finished project using each.

"Baby 2 Bride" Miniature Box 

Sometimes you just gotta try something new, right?

I have always been fascinated by my fellow DT Member Nichola's ability to make these little scenes in boxes (or other cool vessels), so I wanted to try my creative hand at going miniature.

"Times Nouveau" Memory Canvas

& 

"Art Washes..." Mixed Media Canvas

Lastly, I wanted to share two of my favorite Mixed Media Pieces I've made during my time on the Graphic 45 Design Team. 

I have LOVED the idea of taking Graphic 45 to a level you don't see it often of Mixed Media...with paints, modeling paste, and all sorts of yummy messiness. :)

My "Times Nouveau" Memory Canvas adds a memory aspect to a typical Mixed Media piece, by adding an album made from G45 tags. 

My "Art Washes..." was from a blog hop we did with Core'dinations and I was Ssssooo excited because I finally got to use a technique I had been dying to use...I used varying colors of Core'dinations Cardstock, embossing it with tons of different patterns and layering those to form my background. I then layered all sorts of "Typography" yumminess on top of it.

So there you go....my 6 favorite projects from the last year on the Graphic 45 Design Team.

Words can not express how humble and honored I have been to be on the Graphic 45 Design Team for the last year and I would LOVE to extend that amazing opportunity for another year.

Fingers Crossed, friends!! 

XOXO,

KERI

My Grungy Valentine with Marion Smith Designs!!

Hello Lovely Lifers!

Do you feel the love?!

Valentine's Day is just a few days away and I decided to go out of the box for a funky/grungy little Valentine for Marion Smith Designs.

Here's a little sneak peek!

For full details and more photos,

Check out: Marion Smith Designs' Blog

XOXO,

KERI

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

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

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

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