Sketchbook

Hallowe'en in Wonderland ...

I recently finished this altered birdhouse using the wonderful "Hallowe'en in Wonderland" paper collection from Graphic45.

  

 

For more detailed instructions on how I made this, see my project on the Frantic Stamper Happenings blog.

Patriotic Cabinet Cards ...

I recently joined a swap where we altered three cabinet cards in a "Patriotic" theme.  These are the 3 cards that I altered and sent on to their recipients.

 

"Celebrate America" - with glittering party banner, the Stars and Stripes, and the Declaration of Independence.

Betsy Ross with her Stars and Stripes and copy of the Declaration of Independence.  I colored her dress, hair and face with chalk.   Stippled the background using chalk inks to give it depth and a vintage feel.

 

Betsy Ross again, with her sewing label, stitches and trinkets, and the Stars and Stripes.  I do think that her hair bow is a bit "micky mousish" though.  

Celebrating an early 4th of July!

 

Altered Gum Container ...

This week I altered a plastic gum container.  I made it into this handy-dandy magnetic refrigerator pencil holder.

 

While thumbing through the newest  Good Housekeeping magazine (January 2010), I saw this really clever idea.    A gum tin made into a refrigerator pencil holder.   So simple, but so ingenious.

Like many of you, I have a magnetic grocery list/to-do pad stuck on my refrigerator door.    I can never seem to find a pencil or pen when I need to write on it though.  I usually have one stashed in a nearby drawer. 

 

I decided I was going to make myself one of these neat pencil holders.    Of course I thought....I can make mine better.   I am going to make mine a little bit more "artsy".   I went through all of my metal tins and couldn't find one shaped like this.   I remembered I did have some plastic gum containers that opened on the end.  It ended up working just fine.   I just cut the plastic lid off and started altering it.

 

               

 

I wrapped the gum container with printed paper.   I left the paper about 3/4" long at the bottom.   I folded the paper at the bottom like the end of a wrapped gift box.  Added a vintage looking label to the front.   Aged with a little ink and sandpaper.  The neck of this container is tapered, so I added two layers of twill and twine around the neck.  A button and paper flower were added to embellish it.    I added one round magnet to the back of my container and it is plenty secure when loaded up with a couple of pencils/pens.

 

Super simple.  Super convenient. 

 

 

Christmas Skinny Pages ...

I am anxiously awaiting the return of my "skinny pages" from a recent swap.   We each made skinny pages (3"x6").    They each had to have an alpha letter on it -- spelling out Christmas.  Here are the ones I sent in.  I will get 9 in return... spelling out Christmas.  I will either make them into a small book or a banner.

 
 

I love the little birds I created using a circle punch and a small "egg" shaped punch.   Super easy.  I think I am going to be putting these on my Christmas card this year.  The alphabet stamp set I used is from Purple Onion Designs.
  
 
 

25 Days of Christmas ...

I have a little catching up to do.   On December 1st, my "25 Days of Christmas" started.    In one of my art groups, 25 of us joined this gift swap.   We each made a giftie for each artist.  We each were assigned a day (mine is the 15th of December) that our gifts will be opened by everyone else.

I had planned on sharing the gifts I received on a daily basis, but am already a few days behind.  I will try to catch up here.

First, I must say what fun it was to open the mailbox over several days and find little surprise packages.  I could hear the little jingle bell inside tingling.  Such fun!   I put all of the wrapped gifts in a Christmas suitcase that I have and they are sitting on my dining room table just waiting to be opened. 

 
  

 

1st Day of Christmas  - Robin (Yooper) made these beautiful blue button fairies.   Just gorgeous.  A great addition to the Christmas tree.

 

2nd Day of Christmas - A beautiful beaded acrylic ribbon necklace.   I love the metal bead/finding that she used for the tree.  Really nice.

 

3rd Day of Christmas - Autumn made this adorable wooden heart shaped Santa ornaments.  Santa is hiding behind the bow, but he is there watching to see who is naughty and nice.

 

4th Day of Christmas - Claudia sent out these beautiful foil cards.  Inside was an embossed library pocket and lace Christmas ornaments.  I'm not sure, but the foil silver card appears to be colored with alcohol ink.   Also, clever idea with the libray pocket... embossed in the Cuttblebug.

 

5th Day of Christmas - Ellen altered these darling (and very useful) mini-composition books.  Really wel done.   Love it!

I plan to be here each day to update you with all of the little gifties I open.   Until tomorrow...

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Altered Angels - Peace, Love and Joy

I am very excited about my latest altered art project.   I'm truly getting in the mood for Christmas already.   Those that know me, know that this is unusual for me.  It seems like my festive mood rarely kicks in this far ahead of the holiday.

I made these altered angels for Glue, Art & Paper Studio.    I am really happy with how they turned out.  I will proudly display them in my home during the holidays.

 

I used  pearl ivory and gold as my focal colors with a touch of copper and brown for the accents.   For many, these colors probably seem very non-traditional for Christmas. I like the earthy feel that the copper and brown accents give these angels.

I started with these wooden dress forms from Glue, Art & Paper Studio.  I painted two of them pearl ivory and one in metallic gold.   The ivory angels were stamped with a flourish design and Brilliance ink.   The Brilliance ink stamped beautifully on the painted wood and gave it a shimmery accent.   I left the gold dress form unstamped as the metallic gold paint stood out well on it's own.

 

Each set of wings are different.   The base for easy is a shimmering ivory card stock.   I topped them with layers of printed vellum, embossed vellum, and gold skeleton leaves.   Each is cut in a different size and shape.

Did you notice that each angel has a rustic bird nest sitting on her shoulders?   A gold glittered dove sits on each.    I also printed the words "peace, love, and joy" on shimmering ivory card stock and placed them in gold bottle caps.   I attached a word to each angel.

 

 

I gave each angel a flowing skirt of ribbon.   I used about 10 different colors, textures, and widths of ribbon.   I doubled the ribbons and draped them to one side of their waists.   I left them extra long and draping.   I added a wired ribbon bow to each at the waist.    Also, beads that I cut from holiday "picks" were glued to the base of each angel.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed my holiday altered angels.   The beautifully made wooden dress forms from Glue, Art & Paper Studio certainly made this project easy.    They have such nice quality products.    This truly is an easy project and can be easily personalized to your style and colors.  Give them a try.

Enjoy your holiday season!!! 

 

Altered Christmas Cabinet Cards (and more) ...

I have to apologize for not posting anything new lately.   Not to worry... I have been busy working on many art projects. I just finished a 25 days of Christmas swap, and an altered cabinet card swap.  I am currently working on Christmas pages for a tall skinny book swap, a set of wooden angels for Glue, Art & Paper Studio, and trying to fit in general stamping, card making, and taking care of 3 secret sisters.   Oh yea, somewhere in there I have been designing this years Christmas cards.

For the altered cabinet card swap, I altered 14 cabinet cards in a Christmas Song theme.   Each had to represent the title of a Christmas song.   And, it had to include a santa hat on each cabinet card also.   I don't want to post all of the altered cards, but here are a few.   Does the song title fit?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Now, the 25 Days of Christmas swap has been a fun one so far.   25 artists joined, and each of us was to make a small gift.    We mailed one of our gifts to each of the other 24 participants.   I have been having a blast getting the mail each day with piles of little gift packages arriving each day.    Each of us was assigned a day in December that our gift are to be opened on.   In the end, we each have a gift to open from a fellow artist on each and every day in December (up to the 25th).  How fun is this going to be!?!?!    I am really looking forward to December when the unwrapping can begin.

Sorry, but I can't post a picture of the gifts I made yet.   I will at a later date.   I can show you what they look like in the little gift bags I sewed.   This is what the other 24 artists received from me... mine are to be opened on the 15th of December.

Merry Christmas ladies!

I'll be back soon.  Hopefully my Christmas Angels will be done.   I am very excited about them.

 

 

Black Hat Society ...

I recently hostessed a Halloween Hanglie Danglie Mingle with the theme of the Black Hat Society.   All of the art pieces had to include an image of a person and a witches hat.  I previously posted the one I mailed out.    This is the one I received - "Little Witches Don't Stay Little".   Autumn made this for me.  She does incredible artwork.   I was thrilled to receive this, and have it proudly hanging in my kitchen.  Thank you Autumn!!!

Be Witchy ...

Well, another Halloween themed project finished!

I am the hostess of a Halloween mingle in one of my art groups.   The theme was "Black Hat Society".   We each had to make one "hanglie danglie" (that's a technical term) that had to include an image of a person and a black hat.   This is what I came up with.

 

The base of my "hanglie danglie" is a canvas covered board.  I inked it up in shades of orange and red.   After stamping the chandelier image, I used some yellow oil pastels to highlight it.   The womans image was added to a large puzzle piece and topped with a hand cut witches hat.    The potion bottles are 3D laser cut wood bottles from Etsy.   I added bling, and some chandelier drops along the bottom edge. 

Be witchy all you boys and ghouls .... 

FROG Days of Summer ...

Most of you have heard of the hot sultry "dog days of summer".   Well, where I live we also have the long lazy "frog days of summer".    The tree frogs are abundant here and make their presence known by just "hanging around" all day doing absolutely nothing.    I feel this way on many hot summer days.

I spend many summer evenings sitting on my porch with a good book or art magazine.  I thought it would be fun to make a tray for my sun room which could hold some lightly scented candles (or whatever).   Since I love frogs so much, I chose to make it with a "frog" theme.

 

 

I started off by painting a shallow wooden tray from Glue Art  & Paper Studios in a soft orange.   I covered the tray with coordinating frog/poppy themed paper from Creative Imaginations.  

   

 

I painted game tokens bright orange and added them as feet to the tray.   The corners of the tray were embellished with clear buttons that I topped off with punched images from the patterned paper.  These clear acrylic buttons really add some luminosity and reflection that this photo just doesn't pick up.     I also added the words "dogs days of summer" to the tray, along with a cute 3-D paper frog.

 

 

I hope that you enjoyed this project.   I really like using products from Glue Art & Paper Studios.   I encourage you to check them out.  They have a wide range of items... with endless possibilities.   And, the quality and service is great.

Happy "frog days of summer"!!!

 

 

Fish Tails ...

I just finished my "fish tails" art piece.  I was in a mingle entitled "fish tails".   We had to have a fish somewhere on the piece of hanging artwork.

This photo isn't the best, but you can see the basics of my piece.  I used a 4"x6" canvas and painted it with a glaze medium and paint.   I stenciled some random designs on the background using paint.   I gave the background some added texture by randomly applying some distress stickles with a paint brush.   I added an image of a vintage fish company label and used oil pastels around it for shading.    I glazed over the label.  It has almost a crackle finish to it.  I embellished the piece with an "F" game piece, some netting, small sea shells, and a wire/ribbon/bead hanger.

Coaster Calendar ...

 

I made this cute little calendar using two medium weight chipboard coasters.  The background coloring on the coaster is a fun technique that I recently created and will explain late in another post.   Hint... it is made using Glimmer Mists.

I cut a slit and made a fold in the back coaster to create a "stand" for the calendar.   The two coasters were glue together and left to dry flat under a heavy book.

Embellished with ribbon and a 3D butterfly from K & Company (I believe).  The butterfly was enhanced with extra bling and glitter pen.

Altered Wand ...

Okay... I'm back.   And, I have a fun project to share.

One of my online art groups recently had an "altered wand" swap.   We needed to make just one wand with a theme of our choice.   And, it had to have lots of hanging fibers and trinkets.

When I set out to design mine, I knew I wanted to make a "bird" or "nature" themed wand.   When I found the cute little wire birdcage, I knew exactly what my wand was going to be!!!     It came complete with a birdie, nest and eggs.  

Here it is....

 

                   

All of the fibers and trinkets hanging from the wand.   What fun to collect and assemble.  I wrapped the handle of the wand with a variety of wire and beads.    

                       

I even made a bird egg for the base of my wand.

Hope you enjoy...   spring is in the air.

Snowman ...

Recently, I saw these snowmen posted on Two Peas in a Bucket.  They were made by Linda Albrecht.   When I saw these, I was absolutely blown away.  I thought they were so creative, and so cute.   

I found myself thinking about Linda's snowmen a lot.   I knew I wanted to try to create one of my own.  One in my own style and theme.  I went ahead and this is what I ended up with.

  

My "snowperson" is made from a small bead jar which has a cork stopper and wooden scoop.    I had a wooden ball that I used for the head.   Just painted it and added pearls (with drawn pupils) for eyes and a red rhinestone nose.

The hat was made from some real wool felt that I had.   I sewed the back together to form a cone shape and cinched up the tassel at the top.     I covered the cork stopper with a red iridescent pipe cleaner.

I added a striped ribbon around the neck of the jar, and then a sheer ribbon was tied over it for the scarf.   Silver foil ribbon spirals were added.    Also, I added a clear button to the front.

Like Linda did with her snowmen, I added the pearl beads to the inside of my jar.   I used white and black rub ons on the outside of the jar.   There are snowflakes all around it, with "joy" in the front.

To personalize my snowman... I used the wooden scoop to form a safe place for my little birdy to live.   I took a little piece of green dyed cheesecloth and placed it in the scoop.   I perched my tiny little bird on top.

To complete the project... I made my snowman look as though it was actually out in the snow.   Around the neck of the bottle, I added glue and glitter.  This worked fine, but I found that my Stickles worked just as well... if not better... to make snow.   I could make it kind of thick and lumpy in spots.   I put snow all around the jar, on the arm, on the wooden scoop and on my snowman's hat.   I even gave the tiny bird a bit of snow on it's head and wings.

I want to thank Linda Albrecht for her inspiration.   I love my little snowman.  I am happy how this project turned out.  Maybe I will have to make more, so that my snowman has some friends.   The  more the merrier. 

Joy - Christmas Organizer

I just posted another new project at Buzz and Bloom.   I made a fun Holiday organizer.   I can keep track of holiday ideas, gift lists, menus, card lists, and dates.  Check it out on their blog.

New Projects ...

I've got two new projects posted on Buzz and Bloom's Blog.    The projects use their new colored acrylic pieces, and some of their new chipboard also.     I can't say enough about the excellent quality of their products.   If you have never tried them, make a point to check them out.

Here is a sneak peek of my "Night on the Town" canvas, and "Guess Who Loves You?" layout.

Altered Cabinet Cards ...

I just finished up a Altered Cabinet Card swap with one of my online art groups.    We each had to alter 6 cabinet cards and include some type of container to hold them.    We'll each receive 6 random cabinet cards and a container of some sort, in return.

I have to admit that I was somewhat intimidated about altering my cabinet cards... until I started working on them.   Oh what fun these were to do!!!   I wanted to just keep going on and on.   I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do before I sat down at my work table.   After working on the first one, there was no slowing me down.

This is my "container".    It is just a metal tin (pencil box type) that I added layers of ribbon to the outside, and altered the lid as you can see.

Incident Report - This is probably my favorite card.  He was masked and the  background was stippled with chalk inks.   Colored his prison stripes with colored pencils.  Various other stamps and embellishments.

Famous Walrous Soup -  How can you not think of a "walrous".   The background was also stippled with chalk inks.

Bring in the Clown - This lady inspired me with her clown-like dress she had on.   I just drew the giant ruffles and colored with colored pencils.   She was masked and background stippled with Brilliance inks.  I colored her hair with pencils.   Lots of highlighting  with pencils also.

Monkey Business - This guy is simply goofy.   I drew his hair with a pen and colored pencils.   Added stamped images, drawn bowtie, and monkeys.   Gotta love his big red nose.

A Stitch in Time - I thought she looked like a seamstress.   Not to much else going on in her life?   She was masked and I used oil pastels for the background.   Various embellishments added.

Princess in Tennis Shoes - I masked this lady off and painted the background with acrylic paints.   Did some over stamping.    I stamped and cut out her dress and tennis shoes, and attached them to the card (Brilliance ink).   She was highlighted with a white colored pencil.     Various embellishments added.

Give these a try!   You'll have a fun time doing it.   Even if you only have copies of cabinet cards, they will work fine.  Just attach them to poster board or mat board.

Believe ...

I just finished a new design team project for Buzz and Bloom.     They just announced new products which include even more creative chipboard designs and the NEW and WONDERFUL line of acrylics.   The acrylics are made a nice heavy acrylic in solid and translucent colors.   There is even a mirrored acrylic available.   I have never seen a product like this before.   

See my project here.

 

Fly ...

I just wanted to share a recent design team project that I did for Buzz and Bloom.   It is a shadow box entitled "Fly".  Check out some of my other Buzz and Bloom projects and read the instructions for this project by clicking here.

Spirit of the West (#1)

As I recently posted, in late July I attended an art retreat with a group of fellow online artists.  I finally have pictures of my finished "Spirit of the West" book to share.   

To some, this may look like an odd looking hodge podge of paper and embellishments.   But... to me it is many days of creating, having fun, and making memories with good friends.

During our long weekend, we each made a spiral bound western themed book.   The pages were made from mat board and the book was to be bound with the Bind-It-All.  We had a sample to follow and/or use for inspiration. I chose to bind only 3-4  of my pages, and lace together several of my pages side by side, creating a long accordian pull out page.

This is the simple cover I ended up making.  The mat board was covered with Cosmo Cricket papers.    I added pressed tin tileaged I aged with StazOn ink.    The hand sewn, fabric transfer piece was a gift from one of our members.   She made each of us one, and I thought it was so lovely that I had to showcase it on my cover.

The first page was a page dedicated to my cowgirls Faith, Hope and Charity.

After the first page are two pocket pages.   The first having a stitched tag inside of it, a hand covered bandana button and various images.   

The second pocket page is a folded paper bag page that is all about "kid" cowboys and cowgirls.  The front has three tags tucked away.   They include stamped images and even a denim pocket with a bandana hanging out of it.

The backside of the paper bag page has the cutest image of youngsters, and a cute wanted poster.  I even include a packing tape transferred star image.

The next page is my "yellow rose of Texas" page.  The flower is dimensional.   It is several layers of cardstock with the edges rolled up, with the top layer being a photo of a yellow rose.  Some tea dyed lace is around the flower.   

-- to keep this post from getting too long, I will post the continuation of my westerm book within the next day or so.

Dog Days of Summer ...

One of my online art groups has a monthly art lottery.   This months theme is "dog days of summer".  We can make whatever we want, as long as it is in the theme.   I took this theme quite literally and came up with this foam core dog "row" house.   It is truly silly and cute. 

Summertime Bird Lady ...

I had some Paula Best stamps that I purchased at least a year ago and had not yet used.  Today, I decided I'd get the sets out and play with them.   

I made this "bird lady" using a body stamp and a floral head stamp.   The stamped images were colored using Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor (for blending).  The body is mounted on a piece of foam core.   I brought the head forward a bit more with a piece of chipboard.    The arms are a ribbon loop with a glass bead.   The legs are a scrap of beaded button trim.    I added a looped wired at the top to hang my "dangly" bird lady. 

Artful Gathering ...

I am home from my annual trip to the Artful Gathering.   This is an art retreat that is organized for one of the online art groups that I am active in.  It is four great days of primarily doing altered art (and attending a stamp convention).  We do lots of art, eat, laugh, get to know each other better ... just have a wonderful time.   I think we had 21 attendees this year.  They came from all over the country.  I am so lucky to be a part of this group and to do art with such talented women.

The theme for this years Artful Gathering was "Spirit of the West".   Our main project was a bound western/cowgirl book.   I will be posting photos of my finished book in the next couple of days, along with photos of other projects.

I also recieved my round robin altered book.  I have art by three other artists in my book.  I will be getting that photographed and posted soon also. 

I am also thrilled that I have my sister-in-law and nephew visiting us for a few weeks.  I couldn't ask for anything better!!!   What a treat for us.   My nephew is growing up so quickly, but is really a nice young man.   I'm very proud of him.  He has been having fun swimming, playing with the dog, playing Guitar Hero, and watching movies.  He's played basketball at the gym with his uncle, and also gone golfing with him.  I think he favorite part is driving the golf cart. 

I'll be back soon with photos of all that I have been working on.

Are you game? ...

I just finished up working on some altered book pages.   These are for a fellow artisans altered book entititled "Are You Game?".

My first layout is all about Child's Play.   I tried to include some of the simple games and activities we did as kids.  From tic tac toe to hangman, from puzzles to card games.   Even a chain made from paper clips.  Remember those?   If I had had gum wrappers... there would of been a chain made from those too.   

In this layout, I just wanted to show some different card and "table" games.   I cut a niche into the book on the right page, and inserted real dominoe tiles.  Below that are two niches... one for a bingo card/marker, and one for some miniature wooden dice.   The left page uses two HUGE, oversized playing cards.   

This is my Monopoly layout.   I lightly painted the pages with a silver glaze.  The pages on the right were folded to size, with every other page being inked in black.  If you hadn't figured it out, it is suppose to look like the bars of a jail cell.

I used chipboard, alpha tiles, and stamps (Purple Onion Designs) to spell out "Go To Jail".    I added copies of vintage Community Chest and Chance cards between the cell bars.   I inclued an image of the original Monopoly game diagram from 1935.

All of these pages were fun to do.  I hope you enjoy them Carole.

Birthday 4x4's

One of my online art groups recently celebrated its 6th birthday.   Members of our group sent our wonderful leader birthday 4x4's that she could make a fat book from.    Here are some of the pages I sent.