Art Journal Doodles

I completed this page in my art journal today.  It's a page that I worked on as I hung out watching the tube with hubby.  I just doodles lots of vines and flowers and a few random designs.  Today I filled it with color using distress inks and alcohol markers.   I hope you enjoy looking at it and I'd love to read your comments. 

this is what it look like when you open the book...a double page spread

On this page i doodled a variety of flower designs.  i was just experimenting to see what I could come up with.

The arches on this page were actually my starting point.  At first I thought I would fill the whole page with the arch design but I was unhappy with how they were coming out.  I then left the arch and began the flowers and swirls.  I really like the completed page. 

Christmas Card 2011 Number 4

I love techniques and making cards is a wonderful way to experiement with lots of them and get fast results.  On this card I used torn paper layers, stitching and a bit of bling to create a very pretty card that I think the recipent will enjoy. 

This card only took a few minutes to create and the end result is nice.  I used my Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut the tree shape and another Close To My Heart stamp design to go with it. 

I could really see adding a few rolled flowers to another version of this die cut....Aww my creative juices are flowing now!  Better get off this and get busy!
Until next time....
Becca

Christmas Card 2011 Number 3

This was the first card I created and I am really please with how it turned out.  I cut all the shapes using my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  With over 700 shapes I truly could create cards for a year and not use them all!  Anyway, I found a design I liked and went with it.. ...I stitched around the background paper and attached it to my card base.  I then layered the other elements and added a bit of detail with my gel pen and glitter.  The Close To My Heart Stamp on the ornament is a design that works with the cartridge die cut.  That's one great thing about this cartridge is the stamp set that are designed to go with it!  Lot's of creative opportunities with that! 

Until next time..
Becca

Resist Techniques on Christmas Card 2011 Number 2

I went a little technique crazy with this card.  I watch a ustream show with Tresa Black featuring various resist techniques.  Love, love, love it.  You can check out her video here

Fabulously Artsy

To create the card the first thing I did was emboss flowers on the brown background paper.  Then I used my blue ink pad to "wash" over the paper.  After cutting out my squares of Graphic 45 paper, I distress the edges and attched them to the card base.  On the cranberry cardstock I clear embossed the Christmas tress.  I then dry brushed white acrylic paint ove the image and used a baby wipe to clean off any excess paint on the tree image.  I used Glitter Glitz gel to add a bit of bling and then attached that peice to the card.  I used the same technique on the star.  To make the banner I used my cricut art philosphy cartridge to cut the shapes, used white ink to stamp the sentiment and my white gel pen to add the details.   

Well, I hope you enjoy looking

Until next time,

 Becca

Christmas Card 2011- Number 1

Just a few day until Christmas!  Wow!  I can hardly believe it...I guess we all say that as it rolls around.  I don't know why it's such a surprise...it happens the same time each year. 
Without a doubt,this is one of my favorite seasons.  I love it so much because it give me a chance to hang out with family and friends.  Spending time with them is one of the biggest joys in life I have.  "Time Spent" is definitely my love language. 
During Christmas season, I also set aside extra time to create.  Over the next few days I will post Christmas Cards I created and will mail to friends and family. 
Here's the first one

I didn't use any great techniques on this card...just a simple design with great papers and stamps.  The paper pack is Graphic 45!  I was thrilled when I found it at Hobby Lobby.  I thought the colors would work well for Christmas and I always go for the shabby look.  I used Close To My Heart stamps.  If you want to know which ones they are, just let me know.  I will be happy to look them up. 
Until next time,
Becca

I have been really busy creating cards to send to volunteers who serve in CEF's After School program. These wonderful servants invest thier time, talent and enegry into the lives of boys and girls who may not otherwise hear about the love Christ has for them. I wanted to send them something special to acknowledge thier efforts.

Over the next few days, I will post a card that I created for them. This is card #3....

Ok, I had a blast with this card.  When I created it, I had just taken Tim Holtz workshop at my local scrapbook store and I was in the mood to get grungy!  I used a white card base and used distress inks to add color. 
I used a resist technique on the focal point panel...stamp your image with clear embossing powder onto white card stock, heat set, then use your distress tool, or sponge...whatever you have... to rub color on the paper.  The embossed area will resist the color.  See how pretty.  I decided to add a bit of bling...I know big surprise, huh? 
I created the focal image by using a layered stamp from CTMH that I bought years ago.  Love, love, love it! 
I hope you have enjoyed looking and I would love to hear your comments...let me know if you try the resist technique.
Until next time...
Becca

I have been really busy creating cards to send to volunteers who serve in CEF's After School program. These wonderful servants invest thier time, talent and enegry into the lives of boys and girls who may not otherwise hear about the love Christ has for them. I wanted to send them something special to acknowledge thier efforts.

Over the next few days, I will post a card that I created for them.  Here is card 3! 

This card is a very simple design with a lot of wow effect.  I used my copics to color my focal stamped image.  I then cut out the flower shape on my cricut.  I used a CTMH border to create the glitter border. This worked out great.  I pealed off the adhesive backing sprinkled it with glitter nad waala!  Instant glitter border!  It's beautiful and I wish you could see all the sparkly goodness up close.  I punched circles with my circle punch.  I then used a CTMH background stamp to add a bit of texture, cut them in half and added them to the bottom of  my card. 

I hope you have enjoyed looking and I would love to hear your comments.

Until next time....

Becca

Thank you card 2 Cricut Art Philosophy

I have been really busy creating cards to send to volunteers who serve in CEF's After School program. These wonderful servants invest their time, talent and energy into the lives of boys and girls who may not otherwise hear about the love Christ has for them. I wanted to send them something special to acknowledge their efforts.

Over the next few days, I will post a card that I created for them.  Here is the second one I created...

I had lots of fun creating the fun shapes with my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  The cupcake and layered tag at the top of the page were both cut with my cricut and then stamped using the coordinating stamp sets that come with the cartridge.  I added a bit of glitter bling to the cupcake for icing and a flower from my stash.  The paper is pack of Graffic 45 that I pick up at Hobby Lobby. 

Until next time...

Becca

Thank you card 1

I have been really busy creating cards to send to volunteers who serve in CEF's After School program.  These wonderful servants invest thier time, talent and enegry into the lives of boys and girls who may not otherwise hear about the love Christ has for them.  I wanted to send them something special to acknowledge thier efforts. 

Over the next few days, I will post a card that I created for them.  This is the first one....

I created the focal point by layering a couple of teabag folded papers.  I love this techique...there are so many wonderful layers and so much texture.  It really makes the card special.  I created the tiles for the folds by stamping and inking 2x2 squares of typing paper. 

The bird, butterfly and flower are CTMH stamps...if your interested in know which one's just let me know.  I cut the swirl and the background peice with cricut.  I used chocolate reinkier in my mini mister to add a bit of color to the pink cardstock. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post and I would love to hear your comments.  Check back in a few days for "Thank you card 2" 

Until next time....

Becca

Ghirardelli Chocolate Boxes

I wanted to share with you a little something I put together yesterday for the volunteers who help at the After-School clubs. 

They'r little Ghirardelli Chocolate Boxes.  There is a great tutorial on the  Splitcoaststampers website.  The flower on top is made from scalloped circles.  Let me know if you would like to know how to make these. They're lots of fun to make and really add a lot of Wow! 
Let me know what you think.  I would love to hear your comments.
Until next time....
Becca

She Art Girl-It's Me!

I have learned so much from Christy as she has taken me through creating my own SheArt.  I have learned techniques and tried a few things that I probably would have never thought to use.  If your ready to try a few new things, highly recommend her Christy Tomlinson.  You will not be disappointed. 

During week 4 Christy takes us through how to personalize our girls.  This girl is me as a child. 

Christy challenged me to think back to my childhood and those people who influenced me and create a piece based on that.  Well, that was easy for me....I can't think about my childhood without thinking of my Mamaw Mattie. 
When I was about nine or ten, Mamaw made me a red poncho with tassels.  I still have it today!  Also, going to Mamaw's was always an adventure, she had a garden full of flowers and yummy things to eat.  And I also knew that I was special to Mamaw.  I have fond memories of spending the night with her.  I would always sleep with her and to help me relax she would rub my back and tell me to listen to the sounds waaaay off.  We always slept with the windows open and I could hear crickets, cars and they would lull me to sleep. 

Here's a close up to get a look at a few details.  I really like the way her hair turned out. 

I added orange paint to modeling paste to create the pumpkin.  Sorry it's so fuzzy. 

Well, I hope you've enjoyed looking and I would love to hear your comments

Until next time...

Becca

She Art Doll - Artsy Girl

I just realized that I haven't posted on my blog for a while.  I thought, while I'm up @ 4:30 in the morning with nothing to do I might as well do it now :)  So here goes...

I wanted to update you all on my she art doll art.  Please meet Artsy Girl....I know it's not very original.  This piece is all about texture, texture, texture! 
During the workshop, Christy took us through how to add layers of clothes and hats!  And take a look at that skirt...don't you love it?!  It was created by crinkling strips of paper and laying them on a skirt base.  I just love the way it turned out. 
 I can so relate to the quote on this piece.  As I was creating this I did feel as if my inner artist was free to go wherever it would take me.  In the end, I'm very please at how it turned out. 

Can you see the texture on the sun?  I did that by mixing yellow acrylic with modeling paste and spreading it out through a stencil.  Nice! 
Ok, enough of this...time to get creative.
Until, next time...

Becca

An Award! Thanks Pam!

I was honored that my good friend and paper crafting companion, Pam Thorn, gave me the Liebster Blog award.  So sweet!  Pam is one of the most talented artist I know and I am always checking out her blog to see her latest for inspiration...you can check it out too at PJays Corner.  I know you'll be inspired. and Pam, thanks for the inspiration and the award!  Becca

Here's the award, and the rules for accepting this honor.

Liebster is a German word that means beloved or favorite. This award is only for blogs with fewer than 200 followers, so up-and-coming bloggers are recognized for their creative works!

Here are the rules to accept this award:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award and rules on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!

My Top 5 Picks, in no particular order are: 

Studio Scrapping  - if you've ever wanted to learn how to use Studio J, here's the place to be!  Lots of great techniques!

Cre8n Memories- Lots of great ideas and inspiration!

Angela's Art Journals  look here for lots of great techniques and wonderful inspiration.  Angela has great prompts to get your creative mind working

Its a Work of Art- wonderful works of art for lots of inspiration

Miraculous Mosquito have you wanted to learn how to doodle?  Check out this site to learn how.

I hope you check out all of these wonderful sites.  Until next time..

Happy Scrappin'

Becca

SheArt Girl # 4

This a a pic of my SheArt Workshop Girl # 4 

This week Christy is showing us how to create layered dresses and hair pieces.  I did this piece in my art journal. 
I am having so much fun learning how to create these little beauties.  If you are interested in taking the workshop and learning how to create your own SheArt check out  Christy's blog. 
Well, off to my craft room to create girl # 5. 
Until next time...
Becca

SheArt Doll Canvas

I am taking an online workshop called The She Art Workshop.  The very talented Christy Tomlinson shares techniques on how to create wonderful canvas SheArt Girls!  I am having a blast!  Take a look at what I created in week 1!  This is my first canvas.  In week 1 Christy takes you step by step to create this piece.  She demonstrates different techniques and shows you how to use inks, paint, paper, oh my need I say more? 

Can you see all the beautiful layers on this piece.  I started by covering the canvas with a piece of

tissue pattern paper.  Here's my girl....I call her Child of God.  She's so pretty! 

This next one I call Angel.  Ok, I know I'm not too creative with my names.  I may change them but for now "it is what it is".  Christy says that a lot in her tutorials! 

I added lots of texture to this canvas with modeling paste.  I've never used this medium and I really like it.  You can use acrylic to color it and it spread it on with a brush, or whatever.  I rolled a stamp over the paste before it dried and the stamped image left an imprint in the paste!  Love it!

This is my last little girl.  I think she may be my favorite.   I didn't mean to, but I made her hair gray.  I may call her the Artsy GranNan. 

Well, I hope you enjoy my creations.  I would love to hear your comments.  Until next time.....

Becca

Time for Birthday Layout!

It took me....4 months to get this done but...here it is! Noah's 5th Birthday Layout.  Look how proud he looks in the focus picture! Yep, we're all here to celebrate you, sweetness. 

I used CTMH Fanfare Paper pack and assorted CTMH stamps.  The basic design was from a workshop designed by Pam Thorn...thanks again, Pam! 

Until next time....happy scrappin'

Becca

Canvas Art

Do you like my little canvas piece?  It was so much fun to make.  I used gesso to prep my canvas and then used blue and green to create a background.  I cut triangles and circles from CTMH paper to make the banner and flowers.  I used sponges, rub-ons and various stamps to add interest and texture.  Doodled around the piece here and there and waaala!  It's art! 

Watercolor and Glitter- Art Journal

This journal page just happened..that's what I love about art journals...there is no plan, I can just play and see where it leads me.  One this page I started by experimenting with my brushes to see how my watercolors would go on the page depending on how I held my brush.   I was a pleased to see the different lines that were created using the same brush.  I then decided to make a simple shape and then do a wash of color over the whole piece.  I found this great pic of Noah and Ella, a flower accent and then put glitter all over the piece and thought...ok, this looks great!
I began to journal my progress but i soon left that as the piece came together. 
Until next time...Happy Journaling

I feel like I'm living- ART Journal Page

When I heard this song, Born Again, from ThirdDay, I knew I had to include it on a journal page.  It so expressing how i felt when I finally gave it all up and allowed the Lord to take control of my Life.

Here's my interpretation in my Art Journal

Sorry about all the extra stuff around the journal....I'm taking the pics with my cell phone and every time I try to crop the pictures, it rotates them and I can't seem to get them on the my blog laying the right way.  Anyway, just click on the pic for a closer look and ignore my counter top and recipe:)
Here are a couple of close up shots

I really like page 2.  Well, hope you enjoy looking (and listening)...I would love to read your comments.
Until next time...Happy Journaling
Becca

Sophia Layout - Lots of Faux Buttons

Here's a layout I finished up this morning using Sophia and  a design created by a very talents scrapbook artist, Pam Thorn.  Thanks Pam!  The buttons are all stamped and then cut out and attached to the page.  I didn't need to journal on this one...I felt like the pics spoke for themselves. 

Until next time...Happy Scrappin'
Becca

Art Journal 101, Let's Get Creative

For my birthday I got a wonderful new book...I love getting almost any kind of book...I am a book junkie!  Anyway, I especially like this one its The ART Journal Workshop by Traci Bunkers.  She's a wonderful mixed media artist..check out her website and her blog for lots of inspiration. 

I love the idea of having an art journal, in fact I actually have 3 art journals that I been working on for years...lliterally.  Looking through her book I was inspired to creat thie peice..

I created it in about 30 min and the great thing about it is...it just happened!  I started out sketching the cross in pencil and before I knew it art supplies where flying through my room!  Crayons, Markers, Ink Pads, Sponges, ect...It was a blast. 
Well, if you've never tried "art journaling" i suggest you give it a try.  It's a great way to use up some of those things you bought years ago but never knew what to do with them when you got them home.  And your journal can have anything in it...there are no rules! 
Until next time...Happy Journaling!
Becca

Ellas Layout - PK Glitz and Close To My Heart Stamps

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I went to a PK Glitz Workshop at my local Scrapbook Store.  I fell in love with the product...of course, how can you not love glitter!  I came home ready to play.  Here's a page I did with a few of the products I got at the workshop. 

The flowers stems are stamped with CTMH's Flourishes.  I then added silk flowers and glittered snowflakes to the flower centers.  Lovin that bling!

I made the the butterfly accent piece at the workshop and added it to the page as a journal pocket.  The butterfly was my inspiration for the piece.  It reminded me of a song that Ella likes me to sing to her.  We call it the Butterfly Song :)

Close To My Hearts white core card stock is so fun to work with.  I embossed the tulip card stock then rubbed the image with a sanding block.  The white core shows up and really makes the embossed image pop. 

I used Close To My Heart's color ready butterflies to accent the pic of Ella.  I used Juniper and Tulip ink to add a bit of color. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed looking and thanks for stopping by!  I love to hear your comments.

Until next time...Happy Scrappin'
Becca

Technique Blog Hop-Featuring Close To My Heart's Multicolored Motif

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 14 of us highlighting the “Multicolor Motif” Technique as shown on page 110 in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this link  Debi.  While there you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Melissa's Blog, you are on the right track! 

I used this month's featured technique to make my own background paper for a scrapbook page I put together featuring my grandson and his new puppy.  I used a variety of stamp sets to complete the motif.  I chose to use Close To My Heart's new paperpack "Typeset" and chose colors from Close To My Heart's exclusive inks..Juniper, Black, Cranberry, Brown Bag, and CremeBrulee....  that would match the paper pack perfectly. 

I had a blast layering and picking out just the right stamp to complete the look I wanted.

These are the stamp sets I used

Here's a look at the finished peice. 

The shot is a little narrow but you get the idea.

Page 2 of the layout. 

Well, enough of that...time to move on.  Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Tonya's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Until then...Happy Scrappin'
Becca

A Little PK Glitz Bling on a Fall Themed Card

Yesterday I had the opportunity to stop by my local scrapbook store, The Crop Spot, and attend a free make-n' take featuring PK Glitz.  I was first introduced to the glitter by a fellow Close To My Heart Consultant, Pam Thorn.  I fell in love with the product then but I never had the opportunity to get any for myself. 

When I read about the launch party for PK Glitz, I could hardly wait to try it out!  Here's a card I made with the one of the pieces I created.  Ohh La La!  Look at all that bling!  Totally awesome.  Well, I played last night and am in the process of creating a scrapbook layout featuring my granddaughter.  It's all about a song she likes me to sing to her....I don't want to give it away so you'll just have to wait to see my finished project.  I can tell you one thing..it's gonna sparkle! 

Until then....happy scrappin'
Becca

Back to School Memory Box

My grandson Noah started kindergarten this year.  It's hard to believe that he's old enough to start school!  Time flies!  Here's his pic on his first day of school. 

Look how excited he is!  I wanted to make something to document his year so I am in the process of making him a Memory Box.  I am inserting "little file folders" for each month of the school year.

I used my Cricut to cut out the file folders and then decorated each one with stamps, background and texture paper, eyelets, ect.  I love the way they turned out.  Here's one close up.  Can you guess what month it is? 

My plan is to insert pics of him through-out the year and document special events as they happen.  I hope I inspire you to create a special project for your school kids. 

I'll probably finish this up this week and I will do my best to post the finished project.  Until then....

Happy Scrappin"

Becca