It's time to take a giant JUMP...are you ready?

Hello Creatives!

I am so BEYOND excited to be announcing this...

As many of you know, my One Little Word for 2016 is JUMP: 

One of my first big JUMPS of 2016 was to launch my VERY OWN SITE!!

WHAT!?

YES... The Creative Life Studios has a new home on the web:

KERISALLEE.COM

I will be leaving this blog up so that you all can see my old projects and tutorials and have a link on my new site to easily get you back here.

I hope you will check out my new blog and leave me some love when you do!

XOXO,

KERI 

Life is messy....Bible Journal about it.

Good Morning Creatives!

How are you doing on this beautiful Sunday? Here in Arkansas it's super chilly with a chance for snow. BBBRRRR.

Today, I am up on The Crafter's Workshop blog with Part 2 of my "How to use a TCW Stencil to make your own stamp."

Did you miss Part 1?

You can see the full article here: How to Make Your Own Stamp with TCW Stencils.

And the complete Snapguide right here!

Check out How to Use a TCW Stencil to Make Your Own Stamp by Keri Sallee on Snapguide.

For Part 2, I wanted to use my new stamp in a Bible Journaling piece. I used the verse 2 Samuel 22:30 that says "With my God I can jump over any wall." 

I wanted to show the messy life can be with my design, but the scripture is the supports the thought that no matter how messy life gets....with God we can "Leap over walls."

Here is a closeup of the stamp we carved in Part 1. 

Head on over to The Crafter's Workshop Blog for more details AND a complete video!

The Crafter's Workshop: Hand-Carved Stamp Using The Crafter's Workshop-Part 2

Leave me some love! I would love to see your stamps and your bible journaling pages!

XOXO,

Keri Sallee

Wanna Badass Sneak Peek?

Hello Creatives and welcome to 2016!!

I am so excited for what 2016 holds and I hope you are too.

If you've hopped by recently you know that I am participating in an art journal workshop called "One Badass Art Journal."

Today I thought I would share a little sneaky peek!

As you can see...we will be getting COURAGEOUS with color...embracing our inner '80s girl with some serious neon.

This 16 week class features 15 artist with 16 amazing and diverse classes, plus a bonus class of how to make an art journal.

For more info and to sign up, head to One Badass Art Journal today!

I can't wait for you to join me on this amazing journey!

XOXO, 

KERI

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!! 

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! :)

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

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 

Art Journaling with The Crafter's Workshop!

Hello Lifers!

Today, I am sharing an Art Journal Piece on The Crafter's Workshop blog where I use 3 stencils from 3 different designers to make one harmonious piece!

Here's a sneaky peaky!

For more pics and full details, check it out here: 

"Hindsight" Art Journal

XOXO,

KERI

What's been going on at Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft (C) ?

Playing a little catch up again!

I'm not sure if I announced it here, but I was accepted as a Guest Designer for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft (C)---YAY!

So far I have had the opportunity to make 3 posts for them.

My first was on February 15th and featured an art journal piece:

Check out more here: "See the World"

My second was on March 5th and featured an art journaling card: 

Check out more here: "Just Be You"

Lastly, I posted a little something new on April 3rd. I am working on my face drawing, so I wanted to pair that with the new medium of Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils. Still working on both, but here is what I came up with: 

You can see "in progress" pics and read more details here: "Time Fuels Passion"

So there you go...that's what's been going at Faber Castell! I have 4 more posts as a guest designer, so I am excited to play and challenge myself even more!

XOXO,

KERI

Round 2!! Graphic 45 Design Team Call

I was so excited (and honestly...a little relieved! LOL!) to see my name on the Top 25 for the Graphic 45 Design Team Call.

I made it through Round 1...{insert big sigh of relief and big girly SQUEL!!}

For round 2, we had to do a video with either a tutorial or a video showcasing 3 of our favorite projects.

I decided to do a tutorial video because I had a new technique I wanted to share and I thought this was the perfect opportunity!

Here is my video for how to make a mini album from just 3 sheets of paper...there's also a little message from me to you!

Enjoy!!

XOXO,
KERI

Going small this week in the studio!

Hello Lifers!

This week in the studio, I have been all about making mini art with ATCs.

If you are going "WHAT?" when I say ATC, let me break it down for you! ATC stands for "Artistic (Or Artist) Trading Cards" and they are exactly what they sound like...small works of art, about the size of a standard playing card (2.5in x 3.5in) that are meant to be made by an artist and then given away!

This week...I made 2 very different ATCs.

This first...is all about color!

You can see more info about this colorful creation on Marion Smith's Blog:

The Mighty Mini with Color Lab by Marion Smith

My second ATC is all about using multiple stencils on a small surface.

You can find step by step instructions for this ATC here:

Making Mighty Minis with TCW!

I hope enjoy both of these little works of art and they inspire you to GO big...by going little!

XOXO

KERI 

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