Proud to be Artsy - Webster's Pages, Melody Ross & Prima Flowers

I seldom make a layout about myself, but I started a challenge last summer to write a layout about why I scrapbook, what it is I like the most about what I do.  This is why I made this Proud to be Artsy layout.

The journaling is on a little tag and it reads:
"It takes my breath away when colors coordinate just perfectly.  Frilly Fibers excite me.  Glimmery items just thrill me.  Art is Emotion!"

That says it all!

This layout is created with Webster's Pages Life's Portrait line papers.  I cut the border freehand, distressed the inner edges and inked it all over.  I finished it off by attaching some delicate light blue lace to the bottom along the ridges using brads.  The inside paper is must brighter for contrast.  The picture of myself is circled with three embellishment clusters and anchored at the bottom by layers of lace and ribbon.  The title, Proud to be Artsy, is a textile tag by Melody Ross, and the flowers around it are all Prima flowers.  I colored three white flowers using various inks in colors match my layout.  Then a big blue flourish sits above it.  On the opposite edge of the photo is my journaling tag.  I started with a plain manila tag and then inked it in the same colors to match.  I finished it with ribbon at the top and lace at the bottom.  Then added flowers all around it.  Then at the top are three roses over a Webster's pages canvas tag.  I finished it off by stamping the word Artist vertically using a Tim Holtz stamp, and tracing the inside with a gelly roll glitter pen.

Products Used:

Webster's Pages Lifes Portrait - Love Yourself Paper
Webster's Pages Designer Trim - Delicate Pink
Prima Innoscence White Flowers
Melody Ross Designer Collection - Textile Tags

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Finale

Thanks so much for visiting this month and reading my Breast Cancer Awareness Month posts. I am finishing up the month with the last pages from the grungeboard minibook that I made for someone special.

Please join me, if you have not already, in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Breast Cancer: Live to Remember

Continuing on with my series of posts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am posting another page from my grungeboard minibook.  This page says "Survive to Remember".  It is not until long after you conquer the battle against Cancer that you get to recognize how significant and positive it was to go through that experience.  You become a stronger person because of it, and remembering what you went through, and what you won the battle against becomes a testament of your courage and determination. 

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Breast Cancer: Finding that inner Strength!

Continuing on today with my posts for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am showing off a new page today of the album I made for Sherry Goodloe. This page is dedicated to finding the strength inside oneself to put up a fight, even when things become unbareable! It is so important that a patient in cancer treatment, or anyone dealing with anything difficult in life, to really find that inner Strength and let it hold you up.

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Don't forget that there is Blog Candy being given away on this blog! I am giving away two stazOn ink pads. One in Timber Brown, and another in Jet Black. Just comment on this post for one chance to win, donate to my Susan G. Komen fundraiser with the link above for a second chance to win, and subscribe to my blog using the links on the right for a third chance to win!

Queen Kat Designs Stamp Company & Blog Candy!!

Welcome!

I am so glad that you are here!

Didn't you just love Kapree's blog, your last stop before mind on the QKD blog hop?  Her blog is designed so impressively, I just loved visiting it.

The Queen Kat Designs Stamp Company (QKD) challenged me to do a fall themed hand stamped card.  I did a fun little play on words and did a motivational card with the quote:

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows FALL behind you."

I added a few more fall themed elements to the card with a shedding tree stamp, and handstamped a leaf from my yard on paper to create the leaf in the background.  All these are surrounded by beautiful shiny copper!  My absolute favorite crafting color.  I used a copper leafing pen to shade some Tim Holtz Idea-ology embellishments in more of a copper color.  Lastly, some vintage lace trims the page at the bottom for just a little charm.

This motivational card goes perfectly with my current series of posts in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I have been posting some pictures of gift projects that I have been making for breast cancer patients and survivors.  I'll have to send this card out to someone special that I know who is affected by this horrible disease.  Hopefully it will cheer her up.

Scroll down to see my previous posts for more inspiring projects.

BLOG CANDY!!

I am giving away some Blog Candy this month!  Read below for instructions on how you can win.  One name will be selected at random and posted at this blog on Sunday, October 17th.

One prize will be awarded which contains two StazOn ink pads.  One in Timber Brown, and the other in Jet Black.  Enter today for your chance to win.  You have three chances to win.  Here is how:

1.  Just simply comment below for your chance to win.  One comment per person, please.

2.  Contribute to my Breast Cancer research fundraiser benefiting the Susan G. Komen society for an additional chance to win.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

3.  Subscribe to my blog for an additional chance to win.  Simply click on this link below and subscribe today.

Thanks for stopping by!  Check out Penny Hartley's blog next by clicking here.  Her blog is beautiful!

Please use the links below to share this post with friends via facebook, twitter, Google Buzz, or email.

Breast Cancer: Find the Laughter

I love, love, love this quote from Bill Cosby:

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."

Remember to laugh, surround yourself by those you love and enjoy each other's stories, jokes, and laughter.

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Breast Cancer: Surviving with Hope

I love the famous quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that says:

"In all things it is better to hope than to despair."


There is no doubt that Breast Cancer Treatment is difficult and grueling. Multiple people in my life have told me that there were moments that they just wanted to die. Its a pain that no one should have to go through.

If there is one thing that I can offer is hope. It is so important to hold on to hope in such a difficult time. Hope that you WILL get through this. Hope that it will all be over soon. And hope that there will be a cure soon.

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Breast Cancer: Yes, there is a Silver Lining

I always like to focus on the positive. And this mini-book is no exception. The book brings to light the good things gained from the breast cancer experience. Its sometimes hard to see them, especially when going through such a difficult treatment, so I wanted to point each of them out on a page in this book.

The cover is made of grungeboard that I painted pink using the Ranger Paint Dabbers. Then I painted and embossed several grungeboard flourishes. Lastly I added several silver embellishments including a clock face, a tag and other metal findings.

On the back, I used distressed inks straight to paper to add a bit of color. Then I addes a huge 'My Life' sticker, a round journalling sticker, and a beautiful 3D glittery butterfly. Then I finished it off with some pretty flowers.

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Breast Cancer: Silver Lining Mini-book

I wanted to start off my series for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with some pages from a mini book I made recently.  This was a R.A.K. gift that I made for Sherry Goodloe.  She and I are big fans of Tim Holtz and in the All Things Tim group and this album is made from grungeboard pages and many additional Tim Holtz embellishments all throughout the pages.  I really enjoyed making this book and layering multiple of things on each page, including prima flowers and bling!  Then I finished the album off with tons of fibers on the binding rings.

Sherry is going through Breast Cancer Treatment right now, and I hope that this book brings her some happiness in her tough time.  I hope the words on each page inspire her and give her strength and hope.  And I hope she feels the warmth of all the love that I put into each page.  The next several posts have detailed images of each of the pages.  Hopefully I can inspire you too!

Please join me in my fundraising activity benefiting the Susan Komen society.  Click on this link and give to their efforts to find a cure.  Any amount will do, even if you can only give very little.  You too can make a difference.  Please give what you can.

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Beaded Zipper Pulls

I made these awesome beaded zipper pulls using Tim Holtz Idea-ology products. I participated in an online swap where each of us had to make something using any of the products in the idea-ology line. I used the new super fun and versatile Type Charms and the swivel clasps and added some various beads I had laying around, and made these very functional zipper pulls.

On the type charms I use my printer to print the word CREATE very small on matching cardstock and then I used a 1/2 inch punch to make it the same size as the type charm. Then I glued the punched out word to the type charm, covered it with the included epoxy sticker and it made the perfect charm to complete my piece.

Aren't they fun! Try it out!

Supplies:

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Type Charms
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Swivel Clasps
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Jump Rings
Misc Beads of your choice

Tim Holtz Class: Patchwork Pandemonium

This past weekend I got to take a class with the Amazing Tim Holtz. I had so much fun! He is just amazing and his products are so unique and one of a kind that I find myself thirsting for more more more! Here is a picture of Tim, Mario and I at the event.

In this class we got to learn technique after technique after technique! I was giddy with excitement for the entire 4 hours! Little squares were inked, distressed, painted, sanded, embellished, crackled, and so much more. And at the end they fit together into this amazing quilt that I can display with pride. Not only was it an amazing learning experience but so much fun at the same time.

Before the class, I waited in line with tons of people who were all baking in the hot florida sun, but stood in line just the same so they can be one of the first to see Tim Holtz! I made new friends in the line, including Laura who was so much fun!

Once we got to our seats, there was a prepacked kit with instructions at our table all ready to go with supplies and materials all sorted, labeled, and organized perfectly to ensure that the class goes smoothly. Thanks Mario!

The table was full of Tim's products including a craft sheet, 8 color coded ink applicators a spinning holder, several inks, acrylic paints, jars of crackle paints, a textured hammer, a piercing tool, a set of tonic scissors, and so many more goodies to play with.

The pace was good, and the class was easy to follow since Tim had a projector showing each step clearly. I was able to keep up with the class and get my project completed.

My favorite part of the class was getting to play with crackle paints. Its something I have not had a chance to use before. My least favorite part of the class was that the air conditioning was not working well and it was so very hot hot hot. But Tim was a good sport and made us all as comfortable as possible.

I can't wait to hang up my new Tim quilt. I am so proud of it. Thanks Tim and Mario for putting together an amazing class! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

Muse Token ATC

I found this gorgeous distressed green paper and decided to take a chance with creating an ATC in a pale green color. It was quite a leap but I was willing to try it. I used the Simple Things stamp by Stampendous. I embellished the ATC with a torn light blue paper, a green ribbon and a Tim Holtz muse token. Then I finished up the card with a Tim Holtz mini paper clip. I think this one looks kinda trendy, a sharp contrast to my vintage ATC. I really had fun making this one.

Tea and Lace ATC

I took weeks to plan this ATC. Searching my local fabric and notions stores for the perfect lace and then trying to find adhesive pearls to go with it. At the end, it came out exactly like I imagined. This ATC was created in the vintage style, my favorite style when making ATCs, thus far. It includes a vintage image of a girl surrounded by a tea cup, pitcher, lace, and vintage fabric napkins. I rolled the edges for some texture. Then I added a strip of lace with a Tim Holtz mini pin attached to it. I attached some adhesive pearls and used distress stickles to make the design at the corner. Lastly, I finished off the card by distressing the edges.

Artist Spotlight: Liz Walters

Liz Walters is an amazing stamper and fellow fan of Tim Holtz. She has been stamping since 1996 and has the good fortune of being a personal friend and neighbor to Tim Holtz for almost 20 years. We are so proud to spotlight her today here on our site.

INTERVIEW:

How I got started stamping. :
I started stamping after "being roped into" going to a SU party. I was hooked. I became a SU demo mostly to "keep up my habit". I was working full time as a RN, specializing in Labor and Delivery so my free time to be a demo was slim. I stopped being a demo and sometimes really miss it. It was a few years of only buying Stampin "up before I learned that there were "other stamps" besides SU. My friend Cara taught me how to stamp "outside the box" and a new world opened up to me. Tim Holtz is my friend and neighbor and we've known each other for over 15 years, way before he was a stamper. Once he learned to stamp he taught me so much. That was way before I had to pay for his knowledge!! All kidding aside...I love that man and his mind is always bursting with creativity. He is an inspiration and he told me that investing in Ranger products was the way to go and to this day I love all things Ranger.

Stamping Style:
I rarely do "cute" and I love the grunge type stamping that Tim has introduced to so many. I try to incorporate beeswax, gesso, acrylics and most all the different mediums into my stamping. I love to do a variety of styles and am always trying something new.

Published in:

* The Rubberstamper
* Vamp Stamp News

Stamp Preference: Mounted and Unmounted

Favorites:

* Rubber Stamp Company: Toy Box, Stampers Anonymous, Hero Arts, Tim Holtz, MaVinchi, Innovative Stamp Creations, Hearts in Touch, Paper Bag Studios, Tin Can Mail, Time to Stamp, Art by Moonlight, Chapel Road, Lazar Studio Werx Inc, Invoke Arts, Rachel Greig, Stamp Camp, Stampington and Co, Magenta, Rubber Romance, BeesWax, Rubbernecker and so many more that I can't think.
* Rubber Stamp Magazine: All of the Somerset Studio mags.
* Favorite Stamp: Sarah from Stampington & Co. R3150 (she looks just like me when I was 17!!)



Liz was kind enough to document how to make these beautiful rose flowers that Tim Holtz taught her to make out of GrungePaper. Click Below to download a copy of the instructions and feel free to share what you make by commenting below and writing in a link to your photos.

 GRUNGEPAPER ROSES INSTRUCTIONS

Plunging into ATC

In my city there is a group called the Coral Springs Craft Guild who meet once a month to participate in crafy activities. I found out that they were meeting this months to make ATCs and I decided to join in.

Before the meeting the Craft Guild posted some links to sample ATCs and I started looking around at some amazing work that people around the world have made. I was particularly drawn to the vintage style ones that look just amazing. Here are some inspiring links to share:

B-Muse
Art-Cards
CedarSeed

It was the most fun to attend the ATC making event and I got to meet some wonderful people. I brought with me some papers from Graphic 45, a company that my friend Gine introduced me to. These papers are just the right vintage look that I wanted for my next ATC.

So at the event I made this ATC in mostly red. With a tag from Graphic 45's botanical line, some vintage buttons that I cut out from Graphic 45's fashionista line and layered dimensionally, various vintage writing papers, and a few additional embellishments that the group shared. I inked mostly everything for that vintage feel. All together, I feel very proud of it. I think I've come a long way since my first ATC.

My First ATC

Definitely my favorite part about papercrafting is the social aspect of it. Scrapbooking is at its best when I am surrounded by all my friends as we ask for each other's advice on color coordination or embellishment selection and then "ooh" and "ahh" at each other's final project.

Then I learned about ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) where you make a collage out of anything on a small playing card sized cardstock and then trade them amongst other artists. My favorite part is that they are so quick to make and in no time you can feel proud about your latest creation. Then you get to trade them and show off what you made, what fun! This was an even more social aspect of papercrafting and something I felt drawn to right away.

I recently joined a Tim Holtz fan club group and chose to participate in my very first ATC swap with my fellow Tim Holtz fans using Tim's techniques and any of his products or the Ranger product line. My favorite products are the Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabbers and chose to use those to make my first ATC card. The theme of the swap was contact information, so this card has information about me and my blog.

I used Acrylic paint on the ATC background. Die cut some corner embellishments, medallion circle, and swirl and then used Acrylic paint on those as well. Finally I printed out my contact information and an Ibis bird image for the focalpoint and gave those an acrylic paint treatment as well. And I proudly submitted a set of these for exchange.

When I got back the ATCs that the other artists had made, I realized just how amazing these artists are and that there are so much more possibilities when making ATCs. This group is truly inspiring and my next ATCs will need to step up a notch, in my opinion, lol! Looks like a personal challenge I'll enjoy. Practice makes perfect, they say. I can't wait to try some new ATC styles and techniques!