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.
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!
Last weekend we for my husband's family Christmas, we rented a house in Branson, MO. It...was...awesome! No one had to clean their house...it was so huge that the kids could be else where in the house and the adults could actually converse without interruption. (GASP! LOL)
While I was doing family time, I totally forgot to share my ornament on the Graphic 45 blog!
Here's a sneak peek!
For more info and pictures, head on over to the Graphic 45 Blog.
Even though it's christmas now...this little ornament can easily be translated into any holiday!
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!
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.
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.
It has been a CRAZY crafty few days here in the studio!
I finished 2 projects in 2 days and I have spent most of today editing pics and making blog posts for my friend Susan K Weckesser and a special guest blogger post (more info on that soon...I can't say anything yet!)
BUT...for fun...I thought I would give you a little sneaky peek on what I've been working on this week.
That's all I can share for now!
(I'm evil aren't I? LOL)
I hope these give a little bit of the creative bug for this weekend. I'd love to see what you create!
See you soon! And remember...choose to make your art intentional...not an after thought.
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.
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.
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.
