Creating the look of delegate lace in minutes

Posted: May 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Art Glitter Design Team, card, technique | Tags: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

I love being part of the Art Glitter Design Team. It is pushing me to try new things and use products in ways I never really gave any thought to before. Now I’ll be driving here or there and all of sudden it will dawn on me -”hey, this might work this way” or “I wonder what would happen if I did that.”

This faux lace technique is one of those “wonder” moments I couldn’t wait to try. As a member of the Art Glitter Design Team I am responsible for creating several samples each month that demonstrate techniques for using Art Glitter product. The faux lace technique is one I’ve seen done several times over the years with mica powders. It occurred to me recently that it may work just as well with glitter so I couldn’t wait to get home and give it a try; when it worked I immediately wanted to share it with all of you!

I think I actually like the finished results even better with Art Glitter! It looks so delegate, yet elegant, and I made this card in just a few minutes – easy peasy. Here’s how:

Start with a piece of black cardstock cut to 3 ¾ inches by 5 inches. Run 4-6 strips of solid tape next to each other across the cardstock. Uncap three to four jars of glitter.

Take your finger and gently roll the tape in opposite directions to create a lace-like appearance.

Randomly pinch very small amounts of the Art Glitter colors over the tape on the cardstock. Do not tip to remove access; leave the glitter-covered cardstock lay flat on your workspace. When glitter covers most of the taped area, gently tap on some pieces of gold leafing. The leafing will adhere to any remaining uncovered tape and add a bit of bling to your project.

Gently rub leafing and glitters into any remaining uncovered tape; tap access off (save access in a separate jar and use as a party mix).

Cut a patterned paper (for backing) 4 inches by 5 ¼ inches. I used coral gold dot paper from the Coral Couture Stack from Die Cuts With a View. Cut teal cardstock to 4 1/8 inches by 5 3/8 inches. This, and the coral used for the card base, is both from the Die Cuts With a View Coral Couture Cardstock Stack. Stamp a sentiment in black Archival Ink onto a ¾-inch by 3 ¾-inch strip of the coral cardstock. Attach with tape and Tiny Attacher to the glittered lace cardstock. Adhere layers together with tape and adhere to card base to complete the card.

Materials used:

Art Glitter: Berren, Flax and Dreams – all Ultrafine Transparent Glitters; Butterscotch Ultrafine Opaque; Gold Leaf

Tape: ATG 700

Papers: The Coral Couture Cardstock Stack and The Coral Couture Stack

Adhesive: Xyron Mega Runner

Stamp sentiment: Stampavie

Stapler: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Give this technique a try – you’ll love how easy it is! Visit the Art Glitter Blog to see what other projects the Art Glitter Design Team has created.

Organizing with Billy …

Posted: May 22, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: mini album, Globecraft Memories Design Team, Art Glitter Design Team, organization | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

Where do I start? It’s been crazy busy and I’m lovin’ every minute of it! Learning a lot as I go; so thankful for everyone’s patience. I never imagined I’d be on one design team, let alone three at the same time. Not sure what I was thinking when I applied for them all but I really am enjoying the challenges.

It was so wonderful to see all the familiar faces at Mega Meet! Thank you to each and every one of you who stopped by the Globecraft Memories booth to say ‘hi.’ Felt like old times!

One good thing that has happened is I really had to organize my supplies so I could keep all the product separated for each team once it started arriving. Made two trips to Ikea for three Billy Bookcases. They’ve worked out great! I’m a visual person and need to see my supplies – I envy those who keep everything tucked behind little doors and in pretty boxes. I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work for me. With the shelves I can quickly scan for product and it is so much easier to put away. Here’s what they look like. There’s even some space I haven’t filled yet but I’m sure as I finish organizing it will slowly disappear.

And, look at the desk! I actually found it! See those clothespins and binder clips on the lamp shade? They’re really handy when gluing stuff together; sometimes you just need a third hand!

It was so nice to sit in here to work. I am using cd storage racks for my dies (Sizzix, Tim Holtz, etc) and so far it’s a good fit. Got an idea for the magnetic dies I’m going to try with my Xyron. I’ll show it to you if it works.

Spent yesterday helping our daughter Rachel with some home and yard chores. Her birthday is today; she’s 29. Happy birthday Rachel! I’m working on a cd book I’ve decided will be for her titled ‘Untie your Wings.’ I feel the title is appropriate considering she has a new wonderful man in her life and they’re making plans for the future. I’d love to show you a sneak peek but opted to show you the happy couple instead!

In case you’ve missed any design team posts you can visit them here at Art Glitter and here at Globecraft Memories. While there take time to check out the other design team members and leave a comment or two. You’ll find some very talented people!

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter or you can check it out right here on the blog. Classes are coming up and will be listed on the calendar by the end of the week. Hope to see or hear from you soon – enjoy the beautiful weather this week!

Layering canvas and glitter

Posted: May 10, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Art Glitter Design Team, Jewelry, technique | Tags: , , | 9 Comments »

Howdy! Linda here with my first design team post for Art Glitter – a sparkly glittered canvas brooch. It’s so easy to make and you’ll love hearing all the compliments you get when you wear it. Start by gathering your supplies. I used:

I cut the sticky-back canvas with the Tattered Floral die twice (so I have two of each flower on the die). Next I cut six sets of flowers from the tulle and four sets using from the organza; this is done easily by folding over the fabric and cutting several layers at once. Cut one larger flower from the Grungeboard.

I spritz the canvas flowers with the walnut spray and set aside to dry. I could use a color spray – it’s just to give the canvas side of the flower some color – but prefer the vintage look.

When my flowers are dry I peel off the backing (one flower at a time) and place the flower sticky-side up on a piece of copy paper.

I then spread a generous amount of Pink Cameo Vintage Glass Glitter over the sticky flower and use the brayer to really set the glitter into the canvas. I tap the excess glitter off and put it back in its container. I repeat these steps until I have coated one complete set of flowers and I set them aside. Now I repeat those steps with my second glitter color, completing my second set of glittered flowers and set them aside.

I stab my button through the button holes with my tweezers to so I get a good hold on it. I spread a thin coat of Designer Dries Clear over my button and dip it into the Pink Cameo Vintage Glass Glitter and set it aside to dry while I assemble my glittered canvas brooch.

I draw a thin line of Designer Dries Clear (I always, always use the fine tip with my DDC) just inside the outer edges of the grungeboard flower and glue one of the large glittered flowers to it – glitter side up and press to secure. Then I pierce a hole in the center of this piece with a piercing tool and insert the stick part of the tie tack through the glittered side first so the pin comes out on the grungeboard side. I add a small drop or two of DDC to secure it in place and give it a pinch so the glue sets securely.

Now the fun begins as I layer the flowers (canvas, tulle and organza) on top of this bottom piece in any order I want – I ran largest to smallest and alternated glitter colors, twisting flowers slightly so petals overlap and fill in the gaps.

I use my needle and thread to attach the button to the center, sewing through all layers and grungeboard to secure. I find a thimble really helps here. I stitch through the layers at least three times, pull the thread securely and tie off on the bottom. I casually fluff the layers with my fingers so they have a little lift and definition. They layers will naturally fluff out more with wear and start to look really time-worn and very cool!

I prefer to wear my glittered canvas brooches on jean jackets (the colors really pop on the denim background) and I always get compliments on them. They’re so fun and easy to make and they can easily be converted to fit headbands, wrist cuffs or ponytail holders. The glitter really adds depth and color to the brooches which shows through the layers of tulle and organza for a sparkly shabby chic look! Hop on over to the Art Glitter blog to see more projects by the team!

Posted by Linda Neff, http://linda-neff.com

Reminders, road trips and Red Lead …

Posted: April 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: class samples, Design Team, Fabric, mini album | Tags: , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Hey, it’s my three R’s and it sounded cute; what more can I say about that title.

Reminders are for my design team posts that will be coming up in May and my fabric book class that starts next Monday. Road trips are something I just love to do with my friend Cathy – we travel so well together. It is just a peaceful and enjoyable time when we hit the road together. And Red Lead…need I say more! If you haven’t been, make an effort to visit and have a lovely road trip!

If you could see me now you’d be able to tell what I’ve been doing this week – I’m all a-glitter! I’ve been having a great time creating with all my Art Glitter and I know you’re going to like my projects so watch for my posts here and at the Art Glitter blog starting in May.

I’m also excited to share my Globecraft Memories project. It came together so easily and it looks really rich and aged. Can’t wait to share with you soon so watch for that post as well, here on my blog and at Globecraft Memories. I’ll also be in the Globecraft Memories booth at Mega Meet in Novi playing with the company’s fabulous new Piccolo embossing enamels so stop by and say ‘Hi.”

Wanted to remind everyone the fabric book class – Stitching a Sentimental Journey – is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Monday, April 30 at Monarch Quilts in Brighton. You’ll love learning just how easy you can turn fabric into a fabulous little memory book. Great gift for Mother’s Day! Class is broken into two segments and the second segment is Monday, May 7. Check out the description and necessary tools to bring (sewing machine will not be needed until second session May 7) at Monarch Quilts. Call the store to register.

Playing a little catch-up and get-ahead this week before leaving tonight for Adventures in Stamping. It’s been a couple years or so since I’ve attended with my friend Cathy and I’m excited to be heading back there. Looking forward to my class with the Red Lead girls; trying out some new-to-me techniques for photo transfers. We’ll also be antiquing/junking while on the road – so much fun!

A sparkly state of mind … and then some!

Posted: April 15, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Design Team, Globecraft Memories Design Team, home decor, Ranger, technique | Tags: , , , , | 15 Comments »

Some days are just better than others and the day I received the email confirming I was a member of Art Institute Glitter’s Design Team was one of those really good days. Then Saturday I was notified I made Globecraft Memories‘ Design Team. Today is an even better day because I get to share my good news with you – I am an official Design Team member for Art Institute Glitter and Globecraft Memories!

I’m excited! I’ve used Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear adhesive for years and have really fallen in love with the company’s glitter products over the past several years. You all know I love good, quality products and I’m a believer in Art Institute Glitter. So watch out! You’re going to see projects from me that will hopefully outshine my “sparkly” personality! Globecraft Memories is a newer product for me but I’ve enjoyed creating some wonderful projects with its products and I’ve posted one below.

Here’s the intro for the AG Design Team; Globecraft Memories will be posted later during the week. Follow their blogs and like their the Facebook pages to see all the creative things the design team members come up with – guaranteed fun and inspiration!

Here’s our team leader, Kristi Parker Van Doren

We are so excited for the changes going on at Art Glitter! We not only have wonderful glitter and glue we have become famous for but we have many other products and to help show off our product line is our NEW design team! This talented group of artists will be posting on their personal blogs, but also creating special projects for the Art Glitter Blog! Help me to welcome…

Kristi Parker Van Doren has been creating since age 12 when her parents gave her a rubber stamp and ink for Christmas. 37 years later she is still creating, designing, writing, teaching and more! Kristi loves to create and has been on several design teams including: Spellbinders, Northwoods, Worldwin Papers, Luminarte, Coronado Island and several others. She served three years as a writer for Scrap&Stamp; Stamp Magazine, as well as having articles published in books and magazines, most recently in Zentangle 6. Kristi is currently serving on design teams for USArtQuest, The Robins Nest, Dreamweaver Stencil, and is the lead for Art Institute Glitter and Connie Crystal design teams. When Kristi is not creating she is hanging out with her family. Check out her blog at www.kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com!

Now For The Team:

Carrie Hannegan is a Southern California native who grew up near the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, but managed to avoid it (mostly). She has a degree in Animation from the California Institute of the Arts where she learned to appreciate the tedious side of art, one hand-drawn frame at a time. After graduation, a bit of panic and a plunge, came the grand opening of her retail gift shop in the Los Angeles area called Violets are Blue. Partnered with her Mother, they filled the store with their handmade creations, hand-painted furniture, hand-picked vintage items and other fun stuff sprinkled in. Five years later, new chapter, they (very) reluctantly closed the store and Carrie moved to the other coast and launched a new online adventure called Violet Cottage. Violet Cottage started out as a “Violets are Blue, light” web store with lots of various inventory, but slowly morphed into a greeting card business. Inspired by vintage wrapping paper, fabrics and wallpaper, each card design is hand painted by Ms. Hannegan, who describes her card line as “sweetly sensitive, yet colorfully chaotic”. The card line is still in its infancy, but has been well received and is growing daily. Violet Cottage cards can be found in many stores throughout the country or online at www.violetcottage.com.

My name is Cherie. I was born and raised in Minnesota,
and went to Iowa State University.

I married my husband
in 2008 and we have a lab/border collie mix, Lucie, who
is 3 years old.

I have lived on both the east and west
coast since being married, and will be moving to Hawaii
this summer! I love to travel, geocache, craft, dabble in photography, and most importantly, play with glitter!

Hello! My name is Karen Taylor. I am lucky to have two children Jessie and Douglas. I have been blessed with two grandson’s, a granddaughter and another on the way. I have been a paper crafter for six years but creating has always been a part of my life. I was raised by my grandmother who taught me the love of creating. Inspired by her 1930′s scrapbooks. I love all things vintage and old. When I am at home you can find me in my studio. I love to create very special layouts, cards and altered items my mini pieces of art. I have been lucky to have work with major paper craft companies including Spellbinders Paper Arts, Best Creations, Inc, Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker to name a few and in magazines, on TV (local TV segments, Creative Memories TV Show, Terri O Show, QVC, Home Shopping Network US and Canada and was published in a book last year as well as work in catalogs and at the Craft and Hobby Association Show for the last six shows. For the past two years I have been a VIP speaker at Midland Memory Expo speaking along side Cardmaker magazines Editor Tanja Fox, Creating Keepsakes Creative Editor, Megan Hoeppner and Nikki Sivils Scrapbook Paper Company owner just to name a few. I currently am the Design Team and Social Media Coordinator for Want2Scrap and a Spellblogger for Spellbinders Paper Arts

Hi! My name is KC Eddy and I live in Central Missouri, with my husband, two daughters and our collection of furry friends – too numerous to mention. By day I am an accountant, by night I am a craft-a-holic. I also enjoy boating and camping with my family and am a huge Chicago Bears fan! I have crafted in almost every medium imaginable; including paper, ceramics, porcelain and glass. I am especially fond of jewelry, mixed media and anything that glitters and shines. Though I often get lost in a project and make things more involved than they need to be, I try to streamline my projects for teaching and tutorials so that others can learn from my experimentation (mistakes). I am a Design Team newbie so this is a very exciting new adventure for me. I hope you’ll join me for the ride!

Laura Drahozal cannot remember a time when she was not creating. As a former art teacher, she has tried almost every traditional medium. She looks for inspiration all around her and loves to combine various products and techniques to achieve what she had previously thought of as impossible. Laura is currently serving on design teams for Dreamweaver Stencils, Twisted Sketches and Connie Crystal and has formerly served as a Guest Designer for Art Glitter. She is thrilled to be joining the Art Glitter Design Team as she loves all things glittery! Check out her blog at www.rememberinglifesmoments.blogspot.com

I’m Linda Neff and discovered through my first attempt at scrapbooking I could create art – my way. With rubber stamps, inks, paints, paper, fabric and other mediums, I create a soft, vintage look that is sometimes natural and sometimes a bit more romantic, but always evolving. I enjoy making mini albums, scrapbook pages and wall art to capture my scrapped treasures.
The mother of three adult children, I live with my retired husband in Michigan and spend my time teaching classes at independent scrapbook and quilt stores. I am Ranger certified and always on the lookout for new techniques. I encourage others to dive head-first into the art of paper crafting, whether it be scrapbooking, stamping or altered art. Visit my blog: http://linda-neff.com

Hi! My name is Trudy but friends call me True. My husband, Robert and I were high school sweethearts and are still very happily married today. I am the mother of a wonderful 26 year old son Kurt and MIL to a beautiful DIL Kristin. I am also super excited that I will be a grandma in October! :) Since I started making cards a few of years ago, I have been blessed with many new card making friends, been asked to speak and teach at major craft events, and have been lucky enough to have my cards published and featured in magazines and books.
I love sharing my craft with others and following other artists for inspiration and fun! I will soon be teaching online classes, so keep an eye out! :)
I am a freelance illustrator, and I also design for: Want2Scrap, Inky Antics, Discount Card Stock, Really Reasonable Ribbon and Helmar. I am also very honored to be on the CardMaker Magazine blog design team. I can hardly wait to be covered in sparkles with the rest of my new Art Glitter team members!

What an amazing team! We can’t wait to see what wonderful creations they have in store for us. It will be a very sparkling year! Welcome one and all to Art Glitter!

Here’s a quick and easy project that makes a beautiful gift using a Globecraft Bubble Frame available at HobbyBaby.com. I made this as a gift for my daughter. It holds a great picture of her with her dad.

I started by inking the frame pieces with Ranger’s Peeled Paint Distress Ink using an ink applicator. Then I prepped a Ranger Paint Dabber (gold). Once the paint was flowing freely from the dabber top I dabbed it on a cloth so I was left with a fairly dry dabber top with a little gold paint. Tap the dabber randomly around the frame, then edge the outer edges of each frame piece with the gold paint too. Use the ink applicator and Peeled Paint to ink the frame pieces again; this tones down the brightness of the gold. Using an ink applicator and Vintage Photo Distress Ink, lightly ink the outer edges of each frame piece. Mix a mini mister of plain water with two-three scoops of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls; shake well and spritz frame pieces to add a nice shimmer.

Use the inner frame as a template to cut your photo to fit. I decided to add beading inside the bubble. That was a bit tricky but with patience it worked out fine. I put tiny dots of Art Institute Designer Dries Clear on the inside of the bubble (you have about a minute before the glue skins over), laid out the string of beads in an oval and laid the bubble over making sure the beads touched the bubble and glue. Let it sit for a minute or so and it was good to go!

I dressed up the beautiful flower spray from Prima with Diamond Stickles from Ranger. I laid ‘em on pretty thick – I wanted some great sparkle! While that were drying I assembled the frame with my photo (adhering it all with Designer Dries Clear). Added some of the pink pearls to the focus points on the frame, tied a pretty bow around the floral spray and added the spray to the frame with Designer Dries Clear. This really was a very quick and easy project and it turned out very pretty!

It’s clearly a cover-up …

Posted: April 2, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Globecraft Memories Design Team, home decor, Ranger, Stamper's Anonymous | Tags: , , , , , , | 13 Comments »

I’ve spent the better part of the day playing with rubber stamps, inks, paints and Globecraft Memories to create this cute little piece of wall art. Globecraft Memories makes these great bubbles and frames that protect dimensional memorabilia but I created dimensional art to display in mine. Here’s how:

Supplies: Globecraft Memories globeframe, Ranger Paint Dabbers in Aqua, Butterscotch, Espresso, Willow and Gold; Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso, Inkessentials Glue N’ Seal (matte finish), 5X7-inch canvas panel, Studio 490 stamp (LCS048) A Form of Art, Crafty Secrets stamp (SS15) Material Girl, Ranger Archival Inks in Coffee and Sepia, Ranger Distress Inks in Antique Linen and Walnut Stain, Designer Dries Clear (Art Institute Glitter), embossing folder, envelope punch, wire, dimensional foam dots, needle and six mini buttons.

Prepare the background canvas by painting with Aqua, Butterscotch and Willow paints; spritz with water and blot randomly with paper towel; let dry or heat set. Brush the painted piece randomly with Gesso, ink script stamp with Sepia Archival Ink and stamp into wet Gesso. Be sure to immediately wash your stamp before Gesso dries.

              

Emboss Globecraft Memories outer frame with embossing folder. Paint with Willow, randomly brush on gold paint and let dry briefly. Go over with Espresso paint and rub into design; wipe off with damp paper towel then rub with gold paint and wipe away gently. Paint smaller decorative frame with same paints and techniques; Set aside to dry.

Stamp images on white cardstock with Coffee Archival Ink; heat set. Cut all images out using detail scissors. Hand write or stamp jewelry tag with phrase. Using ink applicator, ink all pieces with Antique Linen Distress Ink and edge with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

      

Emboss punched envelope with embossing folder and ink with Antique Linen Distress Ink then edge with Walnut Stain Distress Ink; fold and wrap with ribbon. Wrap stamped thread spool with thread and weave a needle through. Adhere six mini buttons onto stamped and inked rectangle.

Lay out finished images onto background (I used a vintage postcard) until you’re happy with the arrangement. Attach dimensional foam pop dots to back of some of the images to layer and stack. Fit into Globecraft Memories bubble and frame, glue frame pieces to bubble and bubble to background with Designer Dries Clear and use binder clips or clothespins to secure till glue sets.

     

I stamped a quote with Coffee Archival Ink onto tissue paper, tore it out and adhered to the canvas with Ranger’s Glue N’ Seal. Punch two holes in top and add wire to hang. Tuck a little secret note into the envelope, edge the canvas lightly with gold paint and hang to enjoy!

Stitching a Sentimental Journey …

Posted: March 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: class samples, Fabric, mini album, technique | Tags: , , , , | 21 Comments »

For some time I’ve wanted to try my hand at a fabric book. Wasn’t sure how I would go about it so I visited Monarch Quilts in Genoa and Jane gave me some pointers on how I could age fabric and print photos for the book as well. I bought my supplies and took it all home to play.

Well, long story short – nearly three months later the book is finally finished enough for class and class is scheduled! I am so in love with this book. There’s plenty more I think I might add down the road but the basics are here and it’s a good start for anyone who wants to try their hand at a simple-sew fabric memory book.

I’ve used heritage photos of my mother’s family and they fit so well into this nostalgic fabric book. I really just love to sit and look through it. The photos conjure up so many memories from my own childhood.

We’re running the class is two sessions. The first session will be fabric selection and instructions for prepping your fabric and printing your photos to bring with you to the second session where we’ll assemble and embellish the book. You do not need advanced sewing skills for this class – but you will need a sewing machine. We use basic straight-stitching and you can add zigzag if you like. This is a great workshop for those wanting to dabble with fabric and photos.

Watch for final workshop details to be posted soon. I still have to get all the info to Jane at Monarch. I was just so excited to show you – I couldn’t wait! Hope you like.

Art Glitter Design Team 2012 Audition …

Posted: March 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

My goal this year is to work at my business. I call myself a mixed-media instructor because I find myself working with such a variety of materials anymore that I cannot, in all honesty, call myself a scrapbook instructor anymore, especially since I tend to teach mostly mini book projects. In order to work at my business my projects really need to get noticed and applying for positions on a few key design teams such as Art Glitter is pretty much essential.

I discovered I could work Art Glitter into my world several years ago when owner, Barbara Trombley, visited my local scrapbook store which I managed at the time. I took her classes only to learn more about her product in order to successfully sell it -after all, I was already the company’s biggest fan of Designer Dries Clear adhesive. What I didn’t count on was that I would absolutely fall in love with one more medium that would be a must in my projects.

I always thought of Art Glitter as something blingy and shiny; a product that had no place in vintage or altered projects. I wasn’t into all that glitz and sparkle. But, once I sat in her classes and learned more about her product my mind began to turn over loads of  ideas for projects where I could include Art Glitter.

The Clearly Autumn mini book included here still ranks as one of my all-time favorite projects and it was my first attempt at using Art Glitter as the main focus of the project. The pages are clear acrylic from Clear Scraps. Using a variety of Tim Holtz and Basic Grey stamps I stamped flourishes and fauna on the backside of the pages using Staz-on ink in Buttercream.

I then used my Designer Dries Clear, with the ultra-fine tip of course, to outline certain parts of the stamped image (on the front of the page) before sprinkling with several types of Art Glitter. It was fun deciding which glitters went where. I used micro-fine on the smallest lined images, glass shards to add a bit of sparkle to bold centers and beautiful micro-beads to outline flowers as well as a few leaves.

The parenthesis was actually run through my Xyron 150 then dipped in the micro-fine glitter to evenly coat the one side. Ran it back through the Xyron to add adhesive to the back – such an easy way to get complete coverage!

This book has been on display and handled repeatedly by many students and curious crafters wondering how it was done and it still remains completely intact. Designer Dries Clear is my all-time favorite clear-drying adhesive. I’ve adhered metal-to-metal with this glue and it continues to amaze me at how well it holds. I find the fine tip is essential for spreading the correct amount of adhesive. So, give Art Glitter a try – you may find that you too will fall in love with the detail it adds to your projects.

Delving into submissions …

Posted: March 21, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: card, mini album, Ranger, Tag | Tags: , , , , , | 39 Comments »

It’s something I thought I would never get around to doing but I went and did it recently – I submitted for design teams. Oh, not a lot; just a few. I checked out http://designteamcalls.com and a couple of companies caught my eye, one of them being Heartfelt Creations. They were looking for designers who dabble in vintage, shabby chic, clean and simple, elegant, and mixed styles, to create cards, layouts, and altered art projects and I thought – that’s right up my alley – well, not the clean-and-simple!

The company has some very intriguing stamps and dies and I’m really hoping for the opportunity to play with them (check them out). I’m looking forward to the challenge of creating, and creating with a deadline – I’ve always felt I work better under pressure!

I submitted these three projects for the audition: a few Fall/Halloween tags, my latest cd mini book and a watercolor-style stamped card. Ranger product  is featured on all of these projects and I felt they best fit the bill for vintage, shabby chic and altered. They liked them! I’m in the running (a semi-finalist)!

I’m waiting for my package to arrive with Heartfelt Creations’ product to create my final projects for judging and we’ll see what happens next. I’m to send the final projects in by mid April so will know more after that. Wish me luck!

Makings of a one-pic-wonder …

Posted: March 10, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: class samples, Ranger, scrapbook layout, Stamper's Anonymous | Tags: , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Yes, I REALLY do like scrapbook pages with one photo. I’m not against lots of photos on a page, but I find I can capture a memory with one favorite photo that talks to ME and that’s what scrapbooking is all about for me. My pages talk to me, they’re my memories. I can’t speak for anyone else, only me and so I scrap for myself. Yes, I’m working on books for my kids, but they’ll be filled with my memories of those times – they’ll have to fill in with their own memories if they like.

Recently I found myself so uninspired that every time I went to my studio (think spare bedroom) I just sat there staring at all my stuff. I just couldn’t get any kind of groove going and I was missing the boat on classes and something needed to happen – quickly!

When I got done blaming the weather and anything else I could think of I finally bucked up and decided to go back to my roots – scrapbooking. It’s where it all started for me and it’s something I really enjoy and don’t do much of.

Now mind you, I’m not the type of scrapbooker who feels the need to scrap every photo. I scrap my favorites; photos that ‘move’ me and invoke some special memory or make me sit and ponder ‘what if.’ This layout started in my mind as a page for my oldest son and his beloved Zoe who passed recently. Zoe was his buddy for 15 years; sat beside him through failed relationships, job losses and more. It was going to go into his book. But as it turned out – or didn’t – that will be for another day.

It just wasn’t coming together so I finally started over with the same paper and a whole new idea. I would simply make the layout and call it good; the photo would come later. That seemed to work better. I enjoyed creating this page and am pleased with the layout and design. Then I came across this wonderful photo of my brother Randy and it was perfect!

You gotta love it when it works!

← Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 259 other followers