Autism Awareness Blog Hop

An amazing bloggy friend (here's looking at you, Tenia) asked me to participate in a blog hop to raise in honor of Autism Awareness Day - recognized internationally on April 2.

Of course I said a resounding yes. I've been blessed to have individuals with autism in my life. One of my first ever jobs was working with an autistic man, helping him succeed in his job and it was one of the most rewarding things. People with autism might find themselves facing challenges with non-verbal communication and some social interactions.

You might have heard about the spectrum within autism and that's because it's really what it is - no two people with autism will present with the same symptoms. Today is a day to celebrate individuals with autism, and I'm proud to be a part of this hop.

The color for autism awareness is blue, so I started with a watercolored blue background made with Dina Wakely Scribble Sticks.

I added to the blue with some mandalas, stamped with Distress Inks.

Next, I used a butterfly  mask from STAMPlorations and painted over it with gesso.

I outlined the butterflies, created with the negative space of my mask, using a Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen, then used Scribble Sticks and water to create a hazy blue cloud around my butterflies.

I embossed a sentiment, super appropriate for this blog hop from STAMPlorations and added a little embossed butterfly.

 So there's my happy blue card. I hope you'll all participate in this awesome hop and check out the rest of the talented designers. Check them out! 

Erica A-B

Sandy Allnock

Amanda Bodine

Kimberly Crawford 

Joscelyne Cutchens (Instagram)
Dana Joy

Wanda Guess

Jill Dewey Hawkins

Jennifer Ingle (Instagram)

Emily Midgett

Kay Miller

Carly Tee Minner

Miriam Prantner

Elena Roussakis

Heather Ruwe

Amy Tsuruta

Marcie Sharp

Alice Wertz

Vera Yates

Tenia Nelson

Catherine Cosimano

Rachel Parys

Pocono Pam

Terri Burson

Becca Dawn Cruger

Cindy Blancett

Bonus! There are some super awesome prizes up for grabs thanks to some uber generous sponsors. Happy hopping! 

You are Amazing - Winnie & Walter Rerun Challenge

I'm really excited to participate in the Winnie & Walter Rerun challenge this go-round because I actually own the stamp set they're featuring for once! Wooo! (Not that you need the stamp set to play along in this awesome challenge - you can also CASE one of the designers cards, so get your butts over there to play!)

They are showing off the In Bloom: Renee's Leaves stamp set and I got wicked excited to pull it out and play. I maaaaaay have mentioned this a time or two before but I LOVE Fall and thought these leaves would be the perfect chance to get my autumnal coloring skills on. 

 I began by stamping one leaf, cutting a mask and then masking and layering and masking and layering. 

Whole lotta masking. Whole lotta stamping. 

I colored my image in using various tones of Spectrum Noir markers and then layered some circular shapes, used some hints of gold foiled paper and added teensy sequins. 

The sentiment is from my Strong Women stamp set.

I'm also going to play along in 

Just for Fun Challenge - Fall and

Pink & Main Challenge - Autumn

 

Thanks for popping by! 

A Traveling We Go - Card with Masking

I'm up at the STAMPlorations blog showcasing a step-by-step tutorial for this masked, Distress Spray Stained card. I hope you'll pop over to the blog and check out the whole process!

This guy was made with a few different challenges in mind:

Anything But Cute - Earth Day Challenge
Sunny Days Crafting Challenge - Planes, Trains, Automobiles 

A Donut Wreath?! Yep. I Made That.

There I was, staring at a miasma of stamps, trying to get inspired. The fumes of glue and alcohol markers wafted up into my brain nostrils and rather than reaching for the traditional Christmas stamps, I saw some sketchy donuts and thought, "Yes, self. Let's make a wreath out of donuts."

Because, why not?

It's a brand new challenge up at STAMPlorations, and my idea really sprang from the sketch and the theme. 

For some reason, I stared at the sketch and all I saw was a donut wreath. I really think that I'm going to blame nurture for a lot of my decision-making processes... It couldn't be ALLLLL nature. 

Anywho - I started stamping and masking. 

Stamp sets used: STAMPlorations Sugar Rush & Sketchy Coffee Cups

And then I masked and stamped and masked and stamped some more. 

I took my color scheme from the current ColourQ challenge:

I did lots of coloring with Spectrum Noir markers and added some depth to the background using the Mixed Media Elements stamp set.

Sentiment is made from SENTIMENT BUILDERS: Love and HOLIDAY SKETCHES: Candles

Voila! I made my own, very apropos sentiment by pairing words from a couple different STAMPlorations sets. And of course, I had to add some glittery "berries" to finish off the wreath look. :)

For the STAMPlorations challenge, you can choose to play along with either the theme OR the sketch OR both - so many choices! You're definitely going to want to stop by the STAMPlorations blog to see what the rest of the gals made and check out our superstar guest designer - Darnell Knauss!  

I also feel like throwing my design in the ring at the 

following challenges: 

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Holiday

Also, this feel like a momentous occasion because I get to enter the One Layer Christmas Card Challenge. I NEVER make things on just one layer, so this is cause for celebration and awe! :D They have an Anything Goes theme with the optional twist of a Snowman.

I pretty proud of my homely little card. It makes me giggle - how about you?

Get Outside Your Comfort Zone - Eclectic Ellapu

Big NEWS!!! >>> I am not the only one who didn't know how to do masking <<<. A couple of weeks ago, I featured the masking guru herself, Miss Laura Jane Head, on my blog and I had to CASE one of her cards. So I set out to learn how to mask. 

Honestly, I love the effects but it is a very time-intensive, perfection-required, un-Becca-like thing to do. (Hello, Damsel of DISTRESSED anyone?!)  

However, I got to choose the challenge theme over at Eclectic Ellapu this month and I have chosen:

"Outside Your Comfort Zone".

We want to you try something you're not entirely comfy with. Something you haven't mastered yet. Get outside that space that makes you relax and get really really worried that your project is going to turn out like a Picasso print (except for not worth as much money). 

Which brings me back to masking. After seeing my CASE of Laura's card, my awesome, gorgeous, talented, amazing (have I thrown enough good adjectives out there yet) cousin asked me if I would show her how to mask. 

My first thought was, WHYYYYYYYyyyyyyyyYYyyyy?!?! Now I have to do that whole shindig all over again?!? Definitely outside my comfort zone! And my second thought was to sigh in resignation and start working on a masking tutorial. Since my cousin lives in North Carolina, that's the only way I can "show" her. 

Step One:

The key to masking is to choose which things you want in the forefront and to stamp those images first. For example, I knew that I wanted a frame for my sentiment in the forefront, so I stamped that and then I stamped the image again on a piece of scrap paper and fussy cut it. 

 

Then I positioned my frame over the frame I'd already stamped on the card. 

TIP: If you use sticky back Post-Its, this is much easier. Since I haven't invested in those, however, I just used scratch paper. 

Step 2:

Stamp the next image you want. This image will be behind the foreground image. 

 

Repeat the process of stamping on a scratch piece of paper, fussy cutting it, and masking the stamped image already on your card. You can see that the area over the frame would have been ruined if I'd stamped directly onto my card. By masking, the frame is protected from any unwanted ink. 

Step 3 through 9,123

 (at least that's what it felt like in my head) 

Continue stamping and fussy cutting as needed. Remember that each layer you do will be BEHIND the images already stamped. For me, I was using the same stamp over and over again (From STAMPlorations Bloom Sketches). Because of this, I was able to use the masks I'd cut and move them along my design as I went, so I really only had to cut out the two daisy masks. 

I colored my daisies all in with some BRIGHT neon Spectrum Noir markers, stamped a sentiment from STAMPlorations SENTIMENT BUILDERS: Celebrate and...

VOILA!

I've got an incredibly bright, fun springtime card. It was super fun to do something outside of my normal wheelhouse, AND it's sort of doubly outside my wheelhouse because you will notice that it is only >>>ONE<<< layer!! Unheard of. I painted in the centers of the daisies with perfect pearls for extra shine. 

What new thing can you add to your bag of tricks? Or what old thing can you give a second chance? Show us over at Eclectic Ellapu!

As for me, I will be linking up to these incredibly cool challenges:
Inkspirational - Neon Colours 
Sentimental Sundays - Spring plus a sentiment
Pile it On - Easter/Springtime
Corrosive Challenges - Hop into Spring
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes


Thank you for stopping by and a HUGE CRAFTY THANK YOU to my newest followers! Follow my blog or leave me a comment and I will try to return the favor! 

Featured Friday!!! - Laura Jane Head

Two evenings ago I screamed at a piece of card stock. Screamed. And then I cried a little, too.

But before I jump ahead of myself, let me begin at the beginning.

If you are a faithful reader of this blog, (bless your hearts and everything else about you!) then you know that I have a special little segment called Featured Fridays in which I tell you all about an inspiring blogger I've met over the Internets and now have the pleasure of calling a friend. 

As I was considering a featuree for March, I saw a stunning creation and just knew that I wanted to showcase Miss (or Mrs., I guess - sorry fellas)

Laura Jane Head

of After Hours Ink and Flowers

I'd bumped into Laura's blog due to some awesome gallery images that I had to click through to check out, but really got to know her more after we both made the DT cut over at STAMPlorations. She's so sweet and talented AND she wears amazing hats - so yeah. It's like a perfect friendship match, right?!

Laura Jane has been married for 23 years (wowzas!!) and has 6 awesome kiddos (double wowzas!!) whom she home schools. Well, actually, two of them have graduated now (to which Laura Jane says a resounding YAY!!). Laura Jane loves art therapy and crafting is her favorite way to relieve stress. 

Here's the thing about Laura's work... it is AMAZEBALLS! Seriously, the things this woman does with a couple of stamps, a layer of cardstock, and some ink leaves my jaw a-thuddin' every single time. Her creations are vibrant, clean, and have amazing depth.

Here are some of my favorite Laura Jane originals:

  

 

She's got a signature style that makes me smile every time I see what she's dreamed up. 

But why let me do all the talking, here's 7 great things Laura Jane can tell you about herself:

1. How did I get my start in stamping?

Traditional school was not for me..starting in the fourth grade, cutting class so I could create things with paper/fabric paints and thread became the norm. I found that I could make up an entire week's worth of homework in a few short hours and still keep a good GPA. Art was the only class I excelled in, however, drawing frustrated me and  my handwriting, (worse than any doctor's) always seemed to mar the finished product. I've always enjoyed creating handmade Thank Yous and Christmas cards. When my kiddos got old enough to help make cards I looked into making the sentiment easier.
In 2010 the Stamp maker from TC looked like just what I needed, however I could not get my printer to work with the program correctly..on to plan B..Ready-made stamps:))) and then the clear stamps... Best find EVER!!! And then I found all the video tutorials sharing how to use stamps with techniques other than the usual ink pad and stamp. YAY!!

2. Who/what is my biggest crafty inspiration?

The desire to grow my personal relationship with Jesus and think on pure, lovely things and pass that on to others is my drive. My love of Flowers, Technique videos, Pinterest and Fabric designs are my biggest inspiration starting points.

3. If I were to be any crafting product, it would be....

A blank piece of paper. The possibilities are endless in the hands of my Creator!

4. You'd never guess it, but my biggest crafty secret is ____!

REALIZING that something perfect is not going to come from me, but gives a certain freedom to get messy and take chances. I am mortally flawed from the beginning of my existence. Anything Beautiful and GOOD comes from my Heavenly Father, which also includes my art.
I'm not afraid of making a mess if I'm keeping my eyes on Him. He creates the Masterpieces through me.

5. What are some of my favorite challenge blogs to play along in?

• Virginia's View...I love how her family gets involved in the Spotlight feature:)
• STAMPlorations Challenges....The owner, Shery, really encourages that experimental element in creating!
• The Card Concept.....Where I've learned what the different card making styles are.
• PTI Make It Monday...Good place to learn the latest techniques.
• Waffle Flower Challenge...I just like their simple designs.

6. How many stamp sets do I have that I've never used before?

This is embarrassing to say...more than 50...I just got a haul of new Stencils too :/

7. My biggest advice for new bloggers/stampers would be _______________.

Don't get caught up in the need for affirmations left in comments. He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli is a good reminder for me.

-----------------------------------------------------

 Choosing a card to CASE from Laura Jane's stash was not easy!! There were so many beauties that I had to stare at them for awhile before I could decide. 

The Original:

Ultimately I wound up going with a card that I knew would require a lot of work - I just didn't realize how MUCH work because I'd never tried to masking before, really. But I fell in love with the depth that was on one tiny layer of cardstock and I was determined to take the plunge. 

Laura Jane's CASE:

I can't believe that I could love any card as much as the original, but Laura Jane outdid herself with this springy creation here! It's an entire bouquet of gorgeousness!! 

My CASE

I stuck pretty darn close to the original. I loved the mandala-esque flowers. Now. Back to the screaming bit. Let me just explain to you that masking is HARD! Firstly, you have to make sure that every image stamps correctly the first time or throw away the paper. Even if you stamp 3 images right and then the 4th one is slightly off throw away the paper or if you smudge the ink while you're trying to hold down the mask throw away the paper. And then you finally do get it all placed exactly right without smudging and you stare at it for a second and gulp because you're now too terrified to make a mistake whilst coloring!! 

Haha - I went through two-and-a-half hours and five sheets panels of cardstock before I was satisfied. :) 

I'm going to send my card on over to the following challenges:

Seize the Birthday - Focus on the Sentiment

Mod Squad - Flowers

But Laura Jane also kindly sent over some of her masking tips and I thought I'd share them with you (in case you haven't masked before either):

• Stamp on Post-it notes that are FULL ADHESIVE for the masks. Then save then for future use:)
• Add grey to shadow the images...it hides a TON of "outside the lines."
• Blenders also can do wonders for creating cool effects like that around the inside of the heart.
• Start with a natural fiber cardstock like PTI Rustic Cream...again it hides a lot due to the varying flecks of color.
• I like to use many different mediums to color with, layering them to make it look "like I meant to do that" :)

So there you have it, this has been another episode of Featured Friday, brought to you by the letter M. 

Now PLEASE go leave Laura Jane some awesome comments on her blog! I know it would make her day!