Shine

Hey everyone!  Here today to share a mixed-media layout featuring Paper Artsy Infusions (available at Art Anthology) and stenciling.  

The Industrial Stencil is very cool and funky; I used crackled paste through the stencil to add even more grunge.  

The Infusion crystals are super cool!   Once they're activated with water...they come alive with an array of unexpected colors!  Hop on over to the blog to check out how I created this layout!

Cutie Pie

Hey y'all!  Would you look at the smile on this little one!  I'm biased of course, but I love this picture of my eldest daughter-especially since now shes a moody tween! 

I created the background of this layout by using a reverse stenciling technique!  Head on over to the Art Anthology blog to see how easy it is to achieve this look!  Thanks for stopping by!

No Patterned Paper, Art Anthology has a cure for that!

Hey y'all! I created this super fun layout using only sparkly and yummy paints from Art Anthology!

Head on over to the blog to check out how easy it is to create a layout without having patterned papers! Thanks for stopping by!

Sneaky Peeky

Hey y'all!  As my children's Christmas vacation comes to an end...I find myself in my crafty space playing around with some of my favorite Art Anthology Minx Inks!  I had no rhyme or reason with what I was doing, BUT it turned into an actual scrapbook page!  Here's a sneak! 

These are definitely colors I DO NOT usually gravitate to, BUT the Art Anthology Wax Paste pulled me right in! I used a fun technique to create the debossed effect on the title-using Wax Paste to colorize.  Seriously, who needs foiling when you have Wax Paste! This photo doesn't do the shine justice! 

Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for the finished project!  

Winter Joy

When you live in the Deep South and Winter is everything but Winter, you scrapbook about the joy of what it would feel like to actually experience...Winter!!  I created this layout for Art Anthology using one of my absolute favorite inks ever-Minx Ink!  These Inks are so fabulously versatile and shimmery! Head on over to the Art Anthology Blog to check out the EASY techniques used to create this layout! Thanks for stopping by! 

Christmas Mixed-Media Tag!

Where has time gone!??!?  I can not believe that Christmas is already here!  I put together a Christmas mixed-media tag using Art Anthology Paints and mediums! 

Head on over to the Blog and check out how I made these whimsical little trees! As always, thanks for popping by!  

Ombre Watecolor Scrapbook Page featuring Art Anthology Colorations Spray

Hey, y'all!  Head on over to Art Anthology to check out how I created this easy and fun ombre background using just one Art Anthology Colorations Spray! 

Art Anthology Halloween Mixed Media Tag

Hey y'all!  I've created this very textural and fun Halloween Mixed Media Tag over on the Art Anthology Blog today!  Scoot on over to check out how I created the grave headstones using Art Anthology Stone Effects Medium!

Art Anthology "Fall" Layout

 I have a Fall inspired layout over on the Art Anthology blog!  I used a wide variety of Art Anthology paints for this super simple page! 

Art Anthology Scrappy Art Journal Page

 I had so much fun creating this page with Art Anthology paints and modeling paste! The texture and colors are amazing!  Hop on over to the Art Anthology blog to check out how I created this art journal page! 

Just playing

Ahh, what crazy busy schedules the holidays can bring!  It's fun, stressful, and relaxing all at once!  At any rate, I just wanted to quickly post a tag that I fiddled around with...just because I NEEDED paint and ink on my fingers :).

Like many of my mixed-media tags/projects, the end result usually differs worlds apart from it's start. Mainly because I usually have no idea in mind about design, colors, etc.  I did know that I wanted to incorporate a piece of silver wire I had on my table...aging it to make it look rusted or worn and old. 

I'm not completely sure I achieved the look, but the process was very relaxing indeed!  Stress and the holidays I tell ya!  I adhered the wire with staples (that were aged too) and some gel matte medium. If you look closely, you can actually see some of the original wire peeking.  Once I was happy with the background colors, etc...I adhered some chipboard hearts and Tim Holtz phrase stickers.  With a few drips of encaustic wax....this tag is complete!!

I'm sure I will do the wire aging thing again...maybe with a tutorial!  Thanks for stopping by!  Leave a comment or email if you have any questions.  

Just Because

Yep, just because I felt like it...I scrapped a page!  I had fun mixing it up on this page, and I challenged myself to use a color I hardly EVER use when creating...yellow! This is an ochre type yellow of sorts...so it wasn't as daunting as the regular yellow!

Nonetheless, this page was super fun to create because it was just plain ole free play! Close-ups are below. :)

After laying down the scary color :), I decided to just go for a layout! The papers are a culmination of different brands...and I'm not 100 percent sure of which ones (when I "free" play, I will put my hands on whatever catches my eye!)  The title is a cut from my Cameo that I've inked and embossed with thick embossing powder. 

The acrylic stars are a definite blast from the past!  They are really old American Crafts I believe...I happen to adore stars of all kinds ...so I've kept them in my stash! 

Scratching the Curiosity Itch

So, have you ever been intrigued by a technique or a process?  Ever just wanted to try it?  Well, I have those tendencies often!  I've always been intrigued by the process of encaustic paintings or the use of beeswax in finished works.  I enjoy watching videos of the process, but ...that just wasn't enough...darn youtube!  So, I said forget this sideline stuff...I'm going to grab some beeswax and have a little play myself!

Now, I know the encaustic gods are cringing, encaustic artists all over are gasping because I'm sure I did EVERYTHING wrong, BUT I don't care!! I had a blast playing with this stuff.  I tested all kinds of inks to see how they would react to the wax.  I also used some watercolor and oil paint sticks that I've had for a while that have been sitting idle.  I threw a little bit of everything on this small piece of watercolor paper...almost grabbed the kitchen sink just to see what would happen if I fused it to the paper!  

I could've easily kept going, but this is where I stopped...here ...uneven, bumpy, waxy goodness!  All in all, I will definitely try this again (with a few more supplies on-hand) and try my best to not become addicted...some of the pre-made wax cakes and sticks are pricey!  Mama has to buy milk!  ;).  Thanks for stopping by!  

Ann Butler Clearsnap Blog Hop!

Welcome to a lovely blog hop with Clearsnap and Ann Butler Designs! Last month at the CHA trade show, we released a new collection of foam and rubber stamps with Ann Butler Designs to compliment her line of ColorBox Crafter's Inks and her existing faux quilting stamp lines. Today, our teams are sharing Valentine craft ideas you can make tonight for your special someone for Valentine's Day.

Hop along to each blog in the hop and leave a comment on each post. Then, use the Rafflectoper widget at the end of this post to win an assortment of Ann Butler Designs' new rubber and foam stamps with Clearsnap!

Hop List:

Steph Ackerman

Zoey E. Scarpelli

Tami Sanders

Roberta Birnbaum

Sabrina Alery

Larissa Pittman

Suzanne Austin

Irit Shalom

Vishu Reberholt

Jennifer Priest

Gracie Chavez

Vivian Keh

Kristi Parker

Clearsnap

Ann Butler Designs

Today I will be sharing with you a very pink layout.  The color scheme would be perfect to exhibit Valentine's Day photos or just an every day sweetheart like my littlest one above!  I created the watercolor background using one of ColorBox Ann Butler's Designs background stamps and ColorBox Spritzers Dye Ink Spray.  This is not a traditional way of stamping, but the technique yields a very cool watercolor effect!

I began by sparsely spritzing a piece of watercolor paper with water.  Next, I spritz my ColorBox Ann Butler Background Basics stamp with ColorBox Spritzers in "Pinkolicious."  The Dye Ink Spray goes a long way so only one spritz is needed.  

I gently place the stamp onto the paper allowing the ink to play a dual role of flowing with the water to  create watercolor splotches while making  the stamp's impression.  I repeat the process until I'm happy with the background.    I hit the paper with a heat tool and that finishes the easy yet ink textural background! 

I embellished with various circles..the largest being a piece of canvas paper that I'd stenciled with spray ink from a previous project.  

I finished the page with a die-cut that has been embossed with ColorBox Metallic Pigment Ink in "Gold" and ColorBox "Clear" Embossing powder.   

What would you create with the new Background Basics stamps? Tell us in the comments! And before you go, don't forget to enter to win a set of Background Basics stamps here:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spellbinders Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Spellbinders Partner Holiday Blog Hop!  Today I am sharing a very non-traditional Christmas card using two separate Spellbinders dies! 

These are the two dies: It's a Hoot and Conversation Bubbles 2. 

Here's the non-traditional card that I came up with.  I used only a portion of the very versatile "It's a Hoot" die to put the final spin on this card.  

For the base of the card, I just wanted to add a hint of color.  I used Izink Ink (acrylic pigment ink) in "Topaz" mixed with water to use as watercolor.  

Using a paintbrush, I begin to layer on the color in an airy, circular motion; the ink is permanent when dry, therefore, I'm able to continue to add ink until I'm happy with the color.  

With the background finished, I'm now able to begin layering on the die-cuts. 

I snipped a couple of the cute owls from the "It's a Hoot" die to use on this card.  I covered the die-cuts with Top Boss Embossing Ink and "Sterling Silver" Embossing Powder from ColorBox.  With a few silver star sequins and a stamped sentiment using ColorBox Archival Dye Ink, this card is complete!  Thanks for stopping by today!  

Remember to leave a comment along each stop of the hop.  Follow THIS link for entry to our fab prize giveaway!   

Clearsnap and Walnut Hollow Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to the Clearsnap-Walnut Hollow Blog Hop!  We have a fabulous collaboration to share with you today that boasts loads of inspiration.  Be sure to leave a comment on each blog (There's a Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog) for a chance to win some goodies! Here's the hop list:

Clearsnap Blog blog.clearsnap.com

Chris Wallace http://walnuthollowcrafts.wordpress.com/?p=2097

Steph Ackerman http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/2014/09/clearsnap-and-walnut-hollow-blog-hop.html

Suzanne Austinhttp://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/2014/09/clearsnap-and-walnut-hollow-blog-hop.html

Tami Sanders http://tamisanders.com/2014/09/19/walnut-hollow/

Sara Shirman http://walnuthollowcrafts.wordpress.com/?p=2099

Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.com/?p=8641

Vivian Keh https://contadinak.wordpress.com/

Meihsia Liu meihsia.blogspot.com/

Denise Hahn http://inmyblueroom.blogspot.com/

I have created a mixed-media piece that was created on an 8x10 Wood Panel from Walnut Hollow.  I dabble with mixed media, but I've never created a piece on wood.  So, although I was initially intimidated, I ended up having a lot of messy fun with this piece.

I started by priming the wood panel with clear gesso (I had no clue which direction I was going with this, so in case I wanted the wood grain to show through, I chose the clear).  To speed up the drying time, I gave the panel a quick blast of heat using my heating tool.  

I ended up covering the panel with old newspaper that I decoupaged onto the surface; as you can tell, I wasn't too careful about "ironing" out the wrinkles in the newspaper because of the added texture it lends.  Once the decoupage was completely dry, I begin adding stamping using ColorBox Archival Dye Ink in "Wicked Black." I covered the background using a mixture of Izink Ink in "Topaz" (diluted) and ColorBox Spritzer in "Mermaid" (also diluted and applied with a paint brush). 

I dried then sealed the background.  The butterflies and title were cut out of patterned paper using an electronic die-cutting machine. I adhered the pieces down using Fabritac glue.  I added more text stamping and using a paintbrush and ColorBox Spritzer in "Mudslide," I edged the butterflies to create depth.  I gave it one last coat of decoupage medium and this piece was completed!  I hope you've enjoyed lil project today!

Head on over to the talented Tami Sanders blog to check out the goodness she has cooked up for today!  Remember to leave comments for a chance to win some goodies...Thanks again for stopping by!

Clearsnap and Smoothfoam Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Clearsnap and Smoothfoam Blog Hop! Hop along to each blog in the hop list to see inspiring ways to use Smoothfoam with Clearsnap’s ink, created by our teams of designers. Be sure to comment on each blog in the hop, then use the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post to enter to win a prize pack of Smoothfoam and Clearsnap goodies!

Hop List:

Smoothfoam Blog

Clearsnap Blog

Suzanne Austin - What's in a Lousyananut       

Julie McGuffee - Life in the Craft Lane

Jennifer Priest - Hydrangea Hippo

Lisa Fulmer -  Lisa Liza Lou

Meihsia Liu - Simply Paper Crafts

Anita Scroggins - The FlamingoChronicals 

Steph Ackerman - Live Laugh Scrap

Carmen Flores Tanis -  Flores Tanis Studio

Tami Sanders - tami sanders * paper crafter 

Beth Watson - Beth Watson 

Sabrina Alery - The Honor Roll

Marilyn Gossett - Marilyn Gossett Designs

Denise Hahn - In My Blue Room




Hey everyone!  Thanks for taking the time to stop along this fab blog hop with Clearsnap and Smoothfoam! Today I'm sharing with you a mixed-media layout "canvas" using some of my favorite inky goodness from Clearsnap and a 12x12 sheet of Smoothfoam that serves as my canvas background.  

The layout base was created using several mediums and inks to create a very textured background.  I was pleasantly surprised in how Smoothfoam took all of the abuse I rendered without a flinch!  

To begin, I gave the Smoothfoam sheet a layer of gesso.  Once the gesso dried, I randomly stamped the background just for some visual interest.  To create the texture in the background, I mixed a few drops of Izink Ink in "Topaz" with a dollop of artists texture paste.  I mixed the ink and paste together until there was even consistency; I spread the mixture over the background using a spatula-with imperfection in mind.  While the paste was still wet, I sprinkled the entire background with Clearsnap Fairy Dust Glitter for Donna Salazar in "Sugar Shimmer."    

Once the background was completely dried ( I cheated just a little and carefully used my heat gun to speed it up just a bit), I added even more dimension by mixing Izink Ink in "Orchid" with some super heavy gesso-then used a stencil to add the flowers behind the photo.  Again, I let this layer dry completely.  Once dried, all that's left to do is to add the layers of papers, embellishments and the photo! 

Thanks again for taking the time to check out my project!  Remember to comment below and use the Rafflecopter widget for entries to win a fab prize pack from Clearsnap and Smoothfoam! 

Your next stop is HERE  the talented and wonderful Julie McGuffee!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Something Tattered and Clearsnap Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Clearsnap and Something Tattered cross-promotion! From June 20 to the 22nd, we will showcase projects created by our Design Teams. We are so glad you took the time to visit as our Designers have some beautiful and inspiring projects to share with you today. We challenged them to create Wedding themed projects without using patterned paper. The designs you see were created exclusively with Clearsnap inks and Something Tattered stamps!
Come take a look!

Hey everyone!  Thanks for stopping along today to share in this fabulous collaboration between Something Tattered and Clearsnap!  Today I will be sharing with you a wedding favor/bird seed bag that was so amazingly easy and quick to create; a definite plus when having to create several for wedding guests, and a perfect way to get together with the wedding party to have a little creative and stress relieving fun!

First, let me confess and say that my sewing capabilities are slim to none-in other words if I can do this ANYONE can!  Beginning with a piece of muslin fabric, I stamped these beautiful Something Tattered stamps from the "Nest Amour" stamp set directly onto the fabric (they stamped seamlessly!) using ColorBox Pigment Ink in "Lava Black."  I did a quick heat set with my heat gun (iron or mini iron would work as well) so the ink wouldn't "move" as I continued on to the next step.  

Next, I flipped the stamped piece of fabric over-aligning it with the second piece- and sewed three of the edges together-flipping it back inside out once completed. 

The butterflies are from the "March Mars" stamp set-again stamped using ColorBox Pigment Ink in "Lava Black;" I heat set these as well.  Once the ink was set, using several colors of our Aladine Izink Inks (slightly diluted with water) and a paintbrush, I painted the butterflies.  These inks are permanent with a shimmery finish which adds such a pretty finishing touch! 

To finish off the bag, I simply filled it with bird seed and secured the closure with a single staple.  I added a piece of lace ribbon around the top edge which hides the staple and gives that extra finishing touch.  This wedding favor took all of 15 minutes to complete!! Easy peasy!

Thanks so much for taking the time to check out this project along with the other fabulous projects along this hop!! To see what the Something Tattered DT created with our Clearsnap products, be sure to stop by tomorrow where we will showcase more lovely projects!


ALSO:  be sure to leave a comment and enter to win this fabulous wedding themed prize pack from Clearsnap! HERE