Guest Designer- Little Yellow Bicycle

It is with great pleasure that I share with you that I am the guest designer over on the Little Yellow Bicycle blog. For years, I have not only loved LYB and their products but have been fortunate enough to call some of their employees and designers friends. When they launched their Art-C line, I was there in the thick of it with them and I am so very grateful for that. They are not only a great company with great products... but they are also pretty awesome people as well.

I will be sharing 3 days on the blog for this past Friday's post I shared a super cute and easy canvas that I created with my daughter.

Love Never Fails

 

So here is one of my FAVORITE tips... are you ready????

• Use foam shapes on your art for texture... from here, I simply spray painted (or you can gesso) to unify the look and decorated from here.

Make sure to check out my guest post from Friday here. You might learn something about me that you didn't know before :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Liz ♥

Getting funky with Crafty Chica Products- Part 1

A few weeks ago I was given a wonderful opportunity to play around with some Kathy Cano-Murillo A.K.A Crafty Chica products that are hitting select Michaels Stores. I have said this before and I will say it again... I adore Crafty Chica :)

I met Kathy a few years ago at CHA while I was working for Tattered Angels. I knew of her passion for crafting and her heritage, but what I found in Kathy as I got to know her, was a passion for people and helping others reach their goals and dreams... I love this.

After receiving a set of iron on transfers and one of her new Market Totes, I set out to create three separate projects that could reflect the fun and freedom that these designs exhibit. Today, I am sharing a mixed media canvas featuring one of the iron on transfers.

Love of My Life 

14x14 Mixed Media Canvas

Supplies:Iron on: Crafty Chica for I Love to Create, Ink: Tsukineko, Pens: Sakura of America, Paint: Plaid Enterprise, Spray inks: Clearsnap, letters: Prima Marketing Inc, Spray Paint: Krylon, Stencil: (handmade by me) Unknown: Canvas, vintage paper, thread

This canvas is dear to my heart. When I saw the heart on fire iron on, I knew I wanted to create a canvas with it for sure. There is a song that is on Santana's Supernatural CD that is sung with Rob Thomas from Match Box 20. This is the song that my husband use to sing to me when we were dating. The words are beautiful and well, I thought this heart matched the words to that song so well... So as a birthday gift for my husband, I planned to create this canvas for his office. I wanted to add a few more of the hand drawn flowers, but my husband caught wind of the project and had me stop right here... he liked it just the way it was. Who am I to argue with him?

Here is a close up of the side. It is raw, yet for some reason my husband likes it that way... I do too :)

 

Here is a close up of the words, this is part of the chorus of the song. My favorite part of the song :)

 

Here is a close up of the brick stenciling that I created with a homemade stencil and modeling paste. I then painted the brick silver with spray paint and accented it with Staz-On ink.

 

 And of course, here is the iron on heart that inspired this canvas.

*I received this complimentary product(s) from CraftyChica.com as part of the Crafty Chica Design Team and was asked to share an original DIY project.*

 Click here to see if a Michaels store in your area is carrying the Crafty Chica line.

I had a lot of fun creating this canvas especially since I can see how much my husband loves it. It is a wonderful delight when you can see someone appreciate your creation. Makes it all worth it :)

Thanks for hanging out with me today :)

~Liz Hicks ♥

9/11/2001- PAJWLH

Yesterday I woke up and could feel that it was 9/11.

9/11/2001 I remember this day so well. I was newly wed and expecting our first child. This was the day that we were going to go into the doctors for our very first baby appointment. What should have been a day full of hope became a day that I will never forget for reasons beyond imaginable.

I remember the series of texts and phone calls I got during this time. Friends telling me they were ok, friends worried about family members who later on were found to be ok. It seemed like such a time of uncertainty even the thought of driving to the doctors office which was 10 minutes away seemed scary.

Suddenly what use to be normal, now was not so certain. I think life comes at us with a certain force in which we learn to deal with things on a day to day basis taking certain liberties for granted. On this day I knew that safety was one of those liberties I had taken for granted.

Through the passing of days I saw a certain camaraderie in people begin to emerge. It seemed that everyone realized at the very same moment that life was precious. That nothing is for certain and that each day is a blessing. I saw churches coming together in support opening their doors to everyone to unite in prayer for our nation. Strangers helping strangers for the sake of humanity. At this point we were all equal, people seemed to look past what differences or labels that the person next to the carried and saw each other in one simple form. Human.

As tragic as the events were, from this came a mutual respect for human kind. A certain vulnerability that joined enemies and friends alike as a human race. I have to say, I still remember this. Through the years as safety became more apparent, I have seen this sense of camaraderie seem to dwindle. But still to this day, I remember the only good thing that seemed to come from this horrible incident was that we united as a nation, and the world knew this.

This is one of those things that I miss from 11 years ago. Of course I wish 9/11 never happened. I thank God every time that I see the pictures of the babies who lost their fathers in the events, never to have met them. I look at my son, now 10 and think, why were we so lucky to be spared? I can't help but think of this when this day rolls around. I just can't.

So in an effort of remembrance, I ask for you to take a moment and reflect yourself.

Journal Prompt: What does FREE mean to you? What of this day do you remember most? Do you remember fear? Love?Compassion?Unity? Do you still feel that way, or has time changed your perspective.

Creative Prompt:  Use red, white and blue... it can be bright bold colors, solemn colors, vivid colors, you can even mix them up... just get creative with these three colors.

 FREE 8x8 Altered Canvas

Adhesive: SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L Paint: Folk Art (Plaid) Craft Foil and Glitter: Clearsnap Letters: American Crafts, Stars: Fiskars (punches)

Another story I found about remembering is this article here from Mamiverse CEO Rene Alegria in regards to undocumented immigrants that perished in the attacks at the world trade center. It never occurred to me how hard it would be to find someone who had no identity in the US. Her accounts of this event are beautiful and I highly recommend you take the few minutes to read her article.

I pray that this journal prompt finds you in peace and that your 9/11 was a beautiful day of reflection.

~Liz Hicks

DIY Shadow Box frame- (Giveaway)

Today I am sharing a little DIY trick over on My Craft Channel show, Everyday Creative with Liz Hicks. For this fun project we are using plaster cloth, some Graphic 45 papers and some goodies from Clearsnap.

I have always been a fan of plaster cloth for 3D arts but thought it would be fun to use on a paper crafting project. This is a cute little 6x6 shadow box I created using plaster cloth and a sneak material that you will see on the video. This shadow box is a little different from the one I created in the video, but some what the same. I gave the original to a sweet friend of mine which gave me a reason to create a new one!

You gotta love the depth of this little guy.

Here is a little close up of the depth with the stamp details (Graphic 45 stamps)

So make sure to check out this weeks giveaway featuring some wonderful products from Graphic 45 and Clearsnap... Here is what is being offered by both companies! (edited to add Graphic 45 picture).

I will be sharing another fun project tomorrow using this technique in a scrapbook/mixed media/art journaling way, so you will want to make sure to come back and check it out! Also Graphic 45 is sharing a beautiful shadow box on their blog today as well, make sure to swing by and show them some love too!.

Here is our winner from last week... Congrats Christine on winning the wonderful prizes from Creative Imaginations and Clearsnap!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND for THIS weeks Giveaway, follow the prompts in the widget below for your chance to win! REMEMBER there is both Clearsnap and Graphic 45 products in this giveaway! If the widget doesn't work, just hit refresh and it will show up :)
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you again for being a part of this fun web series... I keep thinking of so many fun techniques that I need to try and sit down and video. Hopefully after this series ends, I can spend some time taping again :)

Thanks again!

~Liz 

GOOD is just fine... PAJWLH

I have been sitting on this project for sometime now. I can't really explain why except that for some reason or another...my thoughts or heart were not ready. Today is a great day to share it.


I made this canvas about a year and a half ago while I was on staff at my second Brave Girls Camp. Even as a staffer, I came to camp with the same openness as a camper. I needed to be there. I didn't think that I could love more women after my first camp. I left my first camp with a love, real love for my friends that I had made there. The kind of love that you know, loves you just as much if not more than you love them. The kind of love that gives, takes care of and treasures you. Yup... that kind of love. I was fortunate that both times I attended camp I had made true heart felt connections that I still treasure to this date. I have always had a tough time maintaining friendships with women and this experience made me forget all of that. Well now I am totally off topic, but as you can tell... these ladies mean a lot to me.

Back to my story...

At this camp, I created art from the heart. I chose words and images that were me at the time. This is one of them.

Let me back track to 6 months before I left for camp...

It was the end of summer, I was in transition; leaving a situation that was not good for me. I was letting go of friends, work, art... a whole lot of things that I loved dearly. Deep in my heart I knew that God had brought me to this place and that He would guide my heart through it as well (even as I write this, I CANNOT believe just how good He is to me and just HOW MUCH my heart is full of joy now) but at the time it seemed like a long and bumpy uphill battle.

At this time, a lot of my close friends were calling me up or emailing me to check in on how I was doing. The most common response from them was don't worry...everything will be alright or you are doing the right thing. And it was all true, everything was alright and yes I did do the right thing. One of my friends phone call is what stuck with me still to this day.

One of my friends who called to check in on me was having a really tough time at his job. For him to call me and check in at this time meant a lot to me since I knew that he was going through his own trials. When he first asked me how I was doing, I said. "I'm good I guess". His response to me was... "Well, sometimes good is just fine".

These words hit me to the core. I couldn't shake them, I could not let them leave my mind. They couldn't even if I wanted to.

Up until I heard these words, I had slowly allowed my life to be taken out of my own hands. I had not realized it yet, but my life had become something I didn't even recognize. Hearing these words reminded me that my life didn't have to be exciting, adventurous, over the top amazing. It just needed to be good. And that was just fine. I immediately felt my heart change. I looked at my situation and realized that what I saw as bad, God saw as good. I didn't know it at the time, but God was working His way toward making a better life for me and this was the first step towards that. I needed to change my perspective on what I needed out of life first and in order to do that, I had to hear these words from my friend.

GOOD IS JUST FINE- 6x6 Mixed Media Canvas

 

 This image shows the layers that I placed as the base of my canvas. Dress pattern tissue and music note paper.

Here is the layer I placed on after, Mod Podge mixed with Smooch Spritz with gold glitter. I allowed the tissue paper to remain wrinkle and sealed it with bees wax.

 For extra flair, I used gold foil on select places to create a tarnished patina look.

 

Here is the title, I textured it with Chip Art embossing tools, painted it with gold paint and glitter and distressed it with pen and ink.

This art piece sits in my studio as a reminder that Good is just fine. My life doesn't need to be what I had always dreamed it to be or as adventurous as my friends lives seemed to be. It just needed to be good. I am not exactly sure at what point the words good became not enough for me, but I have a feeling that it involved me being around the wrong people and listening to wrong things. Wrong is never right, as much as it may make sense... wrong is wrong and we have a feeling deep down inside of us that reminds us when we are confronted with wrong. I have for the longest time tried to tell myself that wrong was ok or maybe wrong wasn't too bad. But wrong always has a way of getting to you... luckily for me, God saw that I was surrounded by wrong and paved my exodus from it all. That little voice (feeling) deep inside of me started to speak up, speak louder and soon became loud so loud that I couldn't deny what it had been telling me for so long. I am forever grateful for this. So many lies, fears and insecurities made me feel that wrong was right, that I couldn't do better... but again God knew better and eventually I learned too, but that is another story.

So for this art journal prompt it is simple.

• Creative - Use texture... whether you build up with paper, tissue, foil...whatever, get messy and build up some layers.
• Prompt - What does the word GOOD mean to you. Do you need it to be EXCELLENT all the time like I did, or is good just fine?

I struggle sometimes sharing some of my stories, but I can't help but feel obligated to share my imperfections and insecurities in hopes that others will know they are not alone. I am not a counselor nor a therapist, so this is in no way meant to be therapy... but art has a way of helping us find truth, in ourselves, in our surroundings... in our relationships. It took me almost two years to develop from this beautiful message shared to me, but I can see the difference in me now and fully appreciate it. I pray that open hearts read this and that you find a story that doesn't necessarily speak to you, but that allows you to see that you are not alone.

We are all on our own paths, some ahead of each other, some behind... but our stories are our responsibility to share in the hopes that we can assist those to further their path in peace, love and comfort.  Judgment isn't always something we feel from others, most of the time it is something that we conflict on ourselves. I pray that sooner rather than later these hurts and fears are extinguished and that life can be lived as it was intended too.

I believe it will ♥

If you didn't get a chance to see this weeks My Craft Channel video and this weeks giveaway, check it out here. For the giveaway make sure to use the widget, you may need to refresh the page to use it.

thank you for your visit today :)

~Liz

Everyday Creative- Creative uses for Glass Bead Medium (GIVEAWAY)

So it is that time of the week again! A time to share this weeks episode for Everyday Creative with Liz Hicks over on My Craft Channel! Today's show is one of my favorites. For this show I am sharing some creative uses for Glass Bead Medium. What is Glass Bead Medium, you ask?  Well it is an gel based medium that has clear micro beads suspended in it. I haven't actually checked to see if the beads are glass, they seem to me to be more of a synthetic of some sort (depending on the brand), but either way it is gorgeous and sparkles beautifully. Your result is a beautiful clear gloss with a bumpy organic texture, pure and clear and absolutely beautiful... that is until you get creative with it and make it GORGEOUS!

Here are a few of the samples I used for this segment of Everyday Creative with Liz Hicks over on My Craft Channel.

Hope is the parent of Faith (Mixed Media Canvas Board)

 

Here is a close up of technique one I share on the video... For this technique I am using Creative Imaginations products with Glass Bead Medium

Bloom and Grow (Mixed Media canvas Board)

Close up of technique two I share using Clearsnap Inc products! 

 

And our WINNER for last weeks giveaway of Ice Resin and Clearsnap Products IS.....

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And for this weeks giveaway... we have a wonderful giveaway of prizes from BOTH Clearsnap AND Creative Imaginations! Make sure to use this widget below in order to enter into the giveaway (If it doesn't appear, hit refresh) ... There are some fun ways to enter that hook you up with these great companies!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again for your support and for viewing the videos that I created for My Craft Channel. I hope you have enjoyed them, and feel free to let me know what you would like to see more of.


 ~Liz Hicks ♥

PAJWLH- Share YOUR Message...

So today is Valentines Day. I thought for today I would share a little project that I made for my husband James for last years Valentines Day. In recent years we haven't really celebrated Valentines Day in the traditional sense. We tend to stay at home and watch a movie or find something that we both enjoy. Since we have moved to Colorado we are kind of out here on our own and although we have an excellent support system out here of friends, going out just hasn't been as important to us. It seems that what is truly sacred is our time together. So as mundane as it may sound to just stay home and enjoy a movie alone... we enjoy it and thoroughly look forward to it.

With this piece of art, I really wanted James to know just how much he meant to me (us). Beyond just our couch dates and watching movies together... I knew at this point that this phrase was exactly what he needed to hear. This art came at a time when I new that my husband really needed to be reminded that when he went to work, those of us who he left behind appreciated it, and that we looked forward to his return. Sometimes it is tough for a husband and daddy to leave his happy little family behind. I really wanted James to know that his absence was not in vain... and that his sacrifices for his family were appreciated.

Supplies used: Mod Podge and Acrylic Paints- Plaid 

wire, sequin and gems- Art-C Mixed Media Exploration (LYB)

metal embellishment, Oil Pastels, Charcoal and China marker vintage paper- Unknown

 

 

 Although Valentines Day is the day of LOVE, I think it is important to remember that we all express and receive love it different ways. For some it may be the simple words, some it might be actions, gifts... others it might just be time. Whatever it is that your loved one needs this is a great day to remind ourselves of their importance in our lives and how we can strive to bless them each day. Valentines Day is a simple reminder... that we are blessed with loved ones each day.

So whatever it is that you have to give... Send it out. Share it. Let your message be sent. This is a great day to remind ourselves of what it is that we have to give/offer to our loved ones and to this world. Our presence is so specific to this world and we can never forget that our presence is so very necessary and important to more people than just ourselves and those around us. Our lives, even the simplest lived... impact so much more than those around us. Share your message today, to all that are around you. Let them be blessed by what and who you are so that they may bless others in return.

get out and GIVE:

LOVE.HOPE.FORGIVENESS.KINDNESS.JOY.HUMILITY.TENDERNESS.AWKWARDNESS.JOY.

PEACE.HAPPINESS,LAUGHTER.HUGS.ADORATION.GLEE.ENCOURAGEMENT.HEART.KEEPING AN OPEN MIND.AFFECTION.APPRECIATION.BLESSINGS

What ever it is that you have to give today...let it be a gift to someone. Let this day be more than just love. Let it be a reminder of just what a joy it is to give to someone the amazing gifts that we have to give... without expectation of return... just because that is who we are. Be who you are. Proudly.Willingly and lovingly. There are some very special people out there that depend on it :)

This piece of art now hangs by our doorway so that even our children can be reminded that we love them so, and that anyone of us that leaves the house... it is noticed.

I hope today is a blessing to you, that you escape from the normal hustle and bustle of Valentines Day and are reminded that we all have a very special gift to give.So much more than LOVE...

~Liz ♥

She had a song in her heart...

So with CHA in full swing this week.. I have another sample of work to share. This is a sweet little girl canvas that will be in the Art-C booth this upcoming CHA. This mixed media canvas board was used creating some of their stuff from their Summer 2010 CHA release... I am in love with it all. I am so happy that someone has created a specific Mixed Media brand... love it!

So here she is...

"She had a song in her heart for the world to hear"

I started the project out by sketching what scene I wanted with a pencil (note to self, make sure next time it is not a water color pencil) I had my sweet friend Courtney Walsh painting with me... that is always a plus. After I sketched out my simple scene, I started to add the background textures (you can see them here, stars and watercolor paper by Art-C). Using the ripped up pieces of water color paper with some mod modge... I created a fun textured background that I was able to paint on.



This sun was created with Art-C's air drying modeling clay. It was fun and easy to paint from there.

Her little crown was some left over clay that I had stamped into.

Her glorious locks are a combo of glitter, paint, pastel, Sakura pens... repeat.repeat.repeat... till I found the right combo.


Her sweet little heart was created with parts from one of the Art-C ATC kits.

And this fun rolling hills of grass, made with wire, beads and one of the ephemera kits. (PS she also likes to paint the roses red!)

Her dress is layers of Art-C products blended together with fabrics from my stash. The flowers and embellishments are from one of the ATC and Ephemera packs.


So here she is in all her glory... I am so happy with the way she came out.. she looks so happy... matter of fact, I know she is happy :)

So she is off to CHA... if you are attending... make sure to stop by their booth (#2338) and say hello! My sweet friend Sally Lynn MacDonald will be teaching some classes as well as demonstration and doing make and takes in their booth.

Thanks for peeking!

~Liz

Fly...

It's funny how it is so easy to give someone advice yet so hard to take the same advice that you give.

I guess it all depends on where you are in life... and where you are headed. I created this for our fun little blog hop between myself and Rebecca Gawryl. This prompt was "What encourages you" and the product prompt was paint.

I guess what encourages me is possibilities. Knowing that even if things go completely wrong... they seem to work themselves out. I had a friend once tell me:

"Things always work out in the end... and if they haven't worked out then it isn't the end"

another friend told me:

"It is never to late... never ever...


This spoke volumes to me, and in all reality it really helps to take the pressure off of things always working out perfect. Or having to hurry things along because fear is pushing you to do it before time runs out. And the truth is that... things tend to work out, maybe not exactly how you had envisioned them... but they work out. Taking that first step forward towards your goal is the toughest... but if along the way there are loved ones to support you, goals to reach and possibilities.... that seems to be a pretty good start.

So here is my page... it is actually a canvas (I got a little adventurous!) It is called FLY

FLY... It's OK Really

products used : Plaid Paints (Folkart Pigments) and Mod Podge, Sakura Glaze Pen (black), Font-bohemian typewriter

I think sometimes we need a friend to remind us that we can do it. That we can achieve our goals... that we can strive for good things and not feel guilty or vain. I believe that in each and everyone of us is a God given ability, it is not the same in all of us, it is unique...but never the less it is important for this world to see it. So if all you need is permission to let this ability out and share it with the world, then this is it. DO IT.

Remember this... you are one of a kind... created perfect in who YOU are... it may not be what the world exhibits as perfect, but none the less you are just as important. And that goes for your goals, your strengths (and weakness's) and everything else that this world may be telling is not enough, futile or worthless. If you believe in it, then let it develop who you are to be in this world.

So from my heart to yours... it's OK to Fly... really it is... even if you have to take a break here or there. It is OK to soar... truly it is what you are meant to do. There is nothing wrong with having goals and trying to achieve them. As long as you are able to balance your everyday life... why not? There are possibilities out there waiting to be experienced... and although things may not always work in the way you thought they would, at the end of the day... there are still opportunities for blessings to shine through what you are doing... whether it is you receiving the blessing or sharing your story unto someone else to bless... you were made for this... and anything else that may come your way...



~Liz ♥