A Mysterious Tale {Scrapki Art Journal Spread}

Whoop! It's reveal day at Scrapki-wyzwaniowo and I am SO EXCITED to share this bit with you! 

It's a double page art journal spread fitting into the theme of "A Tale of Mystery" :D so neat! I also needed to work inside a journal concentrated around the theme COLOR. They sounded like best friends to me. Here's the finished spread:

the left page!

 the right page!

 

The base is what came in the journal -- a nice heavy watercolor paper if I'm not mistaken :) There was a bit of pink paint on the bottom from a couple other pages that have been done in the journal -- I just went with it. They're very cool. The theme for this journal is COLOR -- and we're all sort of going in a rainbow theme with it, which is proving very cool. 

I prepped my pages by splattering and dropping Tim HOltz's newer Distress Stain Sprays up and down the edges of the spread. I used Picked Raspberries, Seedless Preserves, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Crushed Olive, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade.

The left page was layered up with bits of Old Atlas, washi tape, paper reinforcements, a button, a tag, some golden fluid acrylic through a fine liner and two Viva Las VegaStamps! Rubber Stamps : King Fisher and one of my new art journaling designs : Writing Circles Background.

The right page is built up with similar items.. reinforcements, atlas, washi tape. But I also used some old Metal Forge #s and a glorious shiny vintage ribbon. Everything on both pages has been secured down with Prima Marketing / Finnabair's Soft Matte Gel. On this page I also used a stamp from my Destination Unknown release by 7 Dots Studio.

And the final bit : A Mysterious Tale Awaits Any Who Dare♥♥ handwritten on watercolor paper and trimmed to play with their layout.

DESTINATION {a scrapki-wyzwaniowo tag}

There's a brand new challenge over @ Scrapki-Wyzwaniowo and the theme is COGS.

There's tons of beautiful inspiration in all forms n sorts by the talented DT over there. My own inspiration comes in the form of a tag :) :

The tag base is a piece of black cardstock left in rectangle form and cut slightly larger than a diecut #8 tag. The tag layer is cut using a Sizzix/Tim Holtz #8 bigz die from some gorgeous Cold Country paper by 7 Dots Studio. The tag was distressed with Archival Ink by Ranger in black all around the outside edge. It helps mask the white core of the paper and really makes the whole tag cohesive.

Sandwiched between the two layers is another diecut -- this one from white corrugated board by Fancy Pants and the cut is a Top Note die. I left the corrugated board raw by itself because it's such a unique stark texture between the layers.

The black splatters come from a fine tip (not needle tip, but plastic applicator) bottle that is a 1/2 Black Hesso (Prima Marketing and Finnabair) and 1/2 water mixture. I love how big and inky they feel. The gears are pieces from the Gear Mash by UmWowStudio and have been covered in Heavy White Gesso (Prima and Finnabair).

I love the subtle dimension. The ribbon is some black burlap twine from May Arts Ribbon. It's been threaded through the tag hole and knotted to be kept somewhat under control.

The last couple of steps include a stamping of the Steam Train by Viva Las VegaStamps! in the same archival ink that was used to distress the tag, a bit of alpha placement (Label stickers by Tim Holtz), and some doodling using my favorite pen around the edge.

Be inspired and enter to win yourself some amazing 7DS goods!

In My Head... {Scrapki-wyzwaniowo challenge}

...are memories of days passed.

There's a new challenge over @ Scrapki-wyzwaniowo "In my head."

and I've based a tag from the prompt.

 

I've really found myself starting out a lot of projects on watercolor paper. It provides such a nice sturdy base for wet mediums. It really holds up well to the demands of my more mixed media style (especially as of late.) I diecut the tag using Sizzix and Tim Holtz's Tag die. It's been colored with Lindy's Stamp Gang magicals. There's a layer of Prima / Finnabair's heavy gesso through the UmWowStudio Damask mask on top.

The next layer consists of cheesecloth plain, and cheesecloth dipped in left over magicals deliciousness. Then a piece of chipboard from the Leaf Stems by UmWowStudio, also covered in Heavy Gesso and Magicals.

There is a Prima / Finnabair bottle cap fill with soft matte gel, glitter and glass glitter, and an Ingvild Bolme junkyard finding. The top of the tag is adorned with Larraine flowers and leaves, and new Prima leaves. There are also a few Prima brads from Engraver :)

And the bottom is where my 7 Dots Studio comes into play! From Finnabair's new Cold Country line I've incorporated die cut pieces to really help inspire and bring in the "in my head" portion of the challenge. Drawn on, distressed, inked, stapled and layered. :)

Move on over to Scrapki-wyzwaniowo and join in to WIN!

Imagine The Impossible { A Scrapki-wyzwaniowo challenge }

Today is a great milestone for the Scrapki-wyzwaniowo challenges. We took a small break over the summer, but are back with some new graphics, new rules, new prizes, new challenges, and even better... new inspiration from our team!

We have launched with single month long challenges and 2 inspiration reveals. Not to mention FOUR prizes, one for the top 3 places each, and one random winner.

September's challenge is IMAGINE:

And my project inspiration is a beautiful vintage inspired tag :)

The tag base is my Nature Walk collection for 7 Dots Studio. I've cut it with the Sizzix #8 die by Tim Holtz. To build up my background I distressed with Ranger's Distress Ink in Walnut Stain, splattered some Lindy's Stamp Gang Magicals in Steampunk, and stamped in Versafine Smoky Gray a Viva Las VegaStamps! Coffee Ring stamp, a 7 Dots Studio Nature Walk stamp and a 7DS Cold Country stamp.

PHEW.

The top has been finished with a Prima Marketing flower and brad and some May Arts Ribbon. The flower was trimmed in half to 1) make a nice flat edge towards the top and 2) reserve part of the flower for later use. The chipboard thistles on the right side are from UmWowStudio, have been covered in gesso, and then distressed with the same distress ink and lindy's gang magicals as before. The sentiment is from the Word Stickers in the Nature Walk collection, just cut in half :)

And the bottom is where all the layered goodness comes in. First ... the photo is a brand new product from a brand new company >>> The Sparkling Gnome!! My dear dear friend Amy Lassiter is taking the plunge and selling some cool vintage photographs and other digital bits that she has found herself accumulating. (Not to mention some of her own artwork!) So that was the base for my cool Imagine the Impossible motto! If you'd like to stay up to date on all things happening SPARKLING GNOME just visit and like their facebook page :) It's been layered with a mini tag from Nature Walk, more (and the other half of that one!) Prima flowers and Prima brads, May Arts ribbons, some paper clips and a bit o' dimension.

And that's it for my inspiration and information!

OH!! But I do have to tell you --- you can TOTALLY win my BRAND NEW COLLECTION for 7 Dots Studio if you play this month @ Scrapki-Wyzwaniowo!! DESTINATION UNKNOWN is being given away as the 1st place prize!!!! SOOOOOOOOO >>> Go on over. MAKE A PROJECT. and ENTER TO WIN. 

Oh So Precious {Scrapki 12x12}

There's a new challenge @ Scrapki-wyzwaniowo -- What do you hold "Precious"?

This past Christmas my sister flew to Vegas and spent a week with us. The time she spent with Gabe is oh so precious.

I picked up a piece of Dreamer from Finn by 7 Dots Studio and got to work! I started by using a nice thick gesso by Blick through the UmWowStudio Checker Board Mask. I love having the smaller white squares both mimic and contrast the larger colored squares of the paper. After the gesso was dry I stamped a couple Viva Las VegaStamps! rubber stamps  (Bingo Card and Spinning Circle) around to build up the background.

I mounted my photos on some watercolor paper and layered up behind them a paper doily, some stickers from the Dreamer collection, and Lace, Silk and Sheer ribbons by May Arts.

My lettering consists of my Dymo Label Maker and some of the awesome alphas from Domestic Goddess. I used my machine to sew black thread around the layout and stamped my Arrow design from Viva Las VegaStamps!.

A closeup shot of the left photo. This sticker from Dreamer has been popped up with a pop dot. I also put a couple of super old BasicGrey rubons on the actual photos. At the top you can see a heart circle sticker.. I used a Lyra Watercolor Crayon to make the heart stand out.

And this final shot is to show off this resin embellishment! For details on this technique you'll want to stop by the Amazing Crafting Products blog and visit Cat Kerr on THIS POST. She pours some Casting resin onto an embossing folder, lets it cure and then has a super cool plastic version of the folder. I chose the Bingo folder by Tim Holtz to compliment the VLVS! Bingo stamp. It's been covered in black distress paint and wiped clean. A few small black sequins finish off this baby.

Figure out what's super precious to you and enter the Scrapki Challenge!

She Flew The Highest (Scrapki Double Page Spread}

There's a brand new challenge over @ Scrapki-wyzwaniowo today all about using 3 or more stamps!

I worked up this double page spread in my art journal all about a dear friend. She will remain nameless, she knows who she is :) But it's about a bit of a struggle that we all have.. sometimes being overlooked or passed by. When we feel inadequate or that our work isn't valued enough. I wanted to remind her, and myself, and really ALL of us, that as long as we're flying our highest, to our truest self, it shouldn't matter. Just keep going on, doing what you LOVE, doing what you want NEED to do.When it's time to be noticed, you will be :) we will be♥

The paper base is a sheet from Finnabair's Cold Country by 7 Dots Studio, distressed with walnut stain distress ink and water.
 

On top of the distressed paper I layered some drywall tape and gesso, creating a bit of texture. Then there's some splattering of coffee, May Arts Ribbons, Tissue Tape and Washi Tape. I also layered up a couple of Tags and a diecut hexagon from my Nature Walk collection by 7 Dots Studio.

This little clay face comes from an etsy shop by Mary Vogel Lozinak. The faces I love come in Black and White, but she also does colored clay and inks! The crown is from the Photo Booth Props by UmWowStudio, more May Arts Ribbon, and some coffee stain.

  

I did take a sewing machine to my journal page, which I love. This is a lightweight sewing thread in two stitches across my page. The three stamps I used are the Color Wheel Lines and Dictionary Page from Viva Las VegaStamps! (Both my designs) and the script stamp from the Cold Country set by 7 Dots Studio. They've been stamped in Archival Ink by ranger in black and Toffee and Sepia Versafine by IMAGINE Crafts.

The giant glittery banner alphas are from My Mind's Eye and the black bits are from my Dymo Label Maker. There's also a bit of splattering of gold iZink.

I /think/ that covers everything. Let me know if not ;) ♥♥

Straight out of a Storybook ....

There's a new challenge @ Scrapki-wyzwaniowo inspired by "Books" 

and I automatically thought of this picture; my hubs and kidzilla blowing bubbles in the warm warm sun. So I put together this layout using my Nature Walk collection from 7 Dots Studio. 

disclaimer: I DO have the other new releases from 7 Dots Studio by Anai and Finnabiar, and I VOW to use them!! Stay tuned :)

I stamped the Ornate Corner Left and Ornate Corner Right from Viva Las VegaStamps! in Cloudy Gray StazOn. The gold sequins are from Pink Posh Studio and the gold splatters are iZink. I've also added a little water to some iZink and washed over pieces of chipboard from the Banner Mash set by UmWowStudio. Spray 'em with a little tarnished silver Glimmer Mist and they look like dirty old metal. 

I used some amazing Kroma Crackle through the UmWowStudio Circle Confetti Mask and layered up a bit o' black thread and some stars from the Diecut Elements sheet of Nature Walk.

This portion of the layout is entended for my title... "Straight from a Storybook" but I can't seem to find quite the right lettering yet. So for now it's been left blank and only titled with the date. This gold netting is from May Arts and is so amazing to rip and tear. The two tags layered are from the Diecut Tag sheet from Nature Walk.

And that's it! Super fun layout with some great movement. I love the neutral color with a splash o' gold! ump over and be inspired by some sort of book (or books in general) for Scrapki and enter to win!

DAD Circa 1967 {12x12}

There's a new challenge up @ Scrapki-wyzwaniowo by the dear dear AMY LASSITER >>> FEATHERS!! I did this layout :

I chose a piece of 9th wave by Finnabair and 7 Dots Studio, and a super old photograph of my dad. I've been holding onto this photo for a few months now... and I thought it was time to pay homage. In the background is some black and white thread, cheesecloth, a tag from 9th wave by 7 Dots Studio, Line Of Chevrons stamp by Viva Las VegaStamps! embossed in white powder, tissue tape, and Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. The photo has been glued down, but also taped down with Washi Tape and stamped with the brand new Through The Looking Glass stamp by Viva Las VegaStamps! in Archival Ink by Ranger. The UmWowStudio Feather has been covered in gesso, heated, and splattered, then layered with a Tim Holtz Clock Face and Prima Junkyard Finding.

This cluster of embellishments consists of a paper doily, Prima leaves and Junkyard Findings, a paper clip, black thread, a piece from the Life Is Good flair set @ UmWowStudio, a nut, a clock hand from Tim holtz, some washi tape and Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels.

You can see really well here the white paint in the background, it's just gesso mixed with a bit of water. Another tip I picked up from Amy Lassiter... no white mists seem to accomplish what I want, but watered down gesso is a sure fit! You can also see really well in this photo the Charcoal and Inch Worm Glimmer Mists that have been my favorite combo. I layered some UmWowStudio Layered Banner chipboard pieces with Tim Holtz's Tissue Tape and strung them together using May Arts Burlap Twine. Last but not least are a few gems, brads, and alphas from Pink Paislee and Michaels.

Now.. get ya some feathers and enter the challenge @ Scrapki!

(♥) Scrapki Card - STRIPS

Hiiiii!! Today is a new challenge over @ Scrapki-Wyzwaniowo and it's MY CHALLENGE!

I'm challenging you to... use STRIPS on your project. Strips of paper, journaling, fabric, etc. Just use good ol' strips somewhere! Then.. enter to win some BEAUTIFUL 7 Dots DREAMER papers!

My inspiration for you today:

The paper base is corrugated cardboard in white layered with a 6 x 3.5 inch bit of distressed 9th wave from 7 Dots Studio. 

 The strips really come into play with a bit o muslin I put behind my embellishing. On the right you can see a tear in the 7 dots along with some Prima goods (Junkyard findings and a white leaf.)

 The biggest cluster of embellishments is made of Prima Flowers, May Arts Ribbons (White Leaves and Tan Burlap Cord,) an Ideology arrow, MM jewel brad, and thread. It's all been made "cohesive" with a few sprays of Tattered Angels mists in Mustard Seed, Teal High Heel, Inch Worm and Tarnished Silver. Then it's been grazed with a bit o' white gesso. 

 Here you can see two bits from UmWowStudio (Swallow and a heart speech bubble,) and one of my favorite designs from Viva Las VegaStamps! : Arrow with Stars.

Another Reason 2 Smile

There's a new challenge up @ Scrapki-Wyzwaniowo -- we're to use SMILE + Bright Colors!! Come join me and win some fabulous 7 Dots Studio goodness!

I'm inspiring you with this tag:

 The paper is from the Love Is In The Air collection. I also used May Arts Eyelet Lace, UmWowStudio Layered Clouds, Viva Las VegaStamps! images (SM;)E and Winged Girl Under Umbrella,) Archival Ink by Ranger, Sakura of America Micron, Glitz Alphas, Prima Bark Star and Metal Button, thread and my sewing machine.

Have TIME Will Travel {Tag}

I have a new tag project to share today! If you're familiar with my projects on the UmWowStudio blog you'll know I do A LOT of tags.... because I just love them!! And if you read my earlier post you'll know I just got on the UBER FAB Scrapki Wyzwaniowo DT. Today starts a new challenge.. CHESSBOARD. And I've created this tag to inspire you and maybe get your own creative juices flowing. Enter the challenge to win! 

The tag base is 7 Dots Studio All I Ever. I cut out the middle gray portion of one of the patterned pieces and die cut it with the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tags and Bookplates die. (The hole reinforcement is just plain black cardstock.)

I used the Steam Train and Directional Circle stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps in archival ink by Ranger to set the scene for my tag. The train has been embellished with cotton from qTip for steam. The checkerboard you see is a stamping technique using Solar Gold Silks from Luminarte and a new (SNEAK PEEK!) UmWowStudio piece.

The directional Circle has been embellished with the Gear Mash from UmWowStudio and an ideology watch face and spinners. The chipboard gears have been colored with Archival Ink and both the ideology and chipboard has been doused in the Solar Gold Silks Acrylic Glaze by Luminarte.

The TIME Letters are from an old My Mind's Eye line and I finished off this beauty with a little doodling from my Sakura of America Microns.