Let's Embellish: 08

Art on a tote!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Good morning artsy peoples!

Doing something a little different today!

I saw this blank canvas tote in Hobby Lobby and
I had to buy it! I don't know, I see something blank

and I have to paint it!

Here is the back of the tote.
I even colored the handles.

Anther view – the first picture was a little bright
because I wanted you to see the shimmer in he hair.

Here are some pictures in progress!
Started with a little gesso and drawing.

At CHA I tried some new (new to me) paints -

Tulip Soft Fabric paints. They even have metallic and

glitter colors! So fun! I had to go get some!
I probably didn't need gesso,

the canvas was pretty heavy, but I like painting on gesso.

Once I did all the colors I went in with a black PITT

Artist pen. They are waterproof once they are dry.
And you could put it in the wash!

Here is a close

up of the quote on the bag.

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,

The Master calls the butterfly."

Richard Bach

It's all about perspective.
So what do you think?

photo 30f97b72-4f96-4dea-ae94-1e7248df6f50_zps1fa57618.jpg

Labels: Art, Art on a tote, Mixed Media

Juiced 1:30 AM

DIY - canister

Monday, August 26, 2013

TWO - count them two posts in one day!

Sometimes that happens when you are on several design teams!

So hopefully you will also check out the post below

( art journal page I'm just saying!)

***

And if you are like me kids are back in school today! Yay!

Back to school is just like New Years- a fresh start!

Time to re-group, re organize and maybe set some goals!

Of course having pretty things around to help with those goals

is always a bonus!

Today I decorated this sweet little can with Susan K Weckesser whimisical paper!

A little twine and burlap added the finishing touches!

Around here we save anything that I (or the kids) could use as a craft,
this can is the perfect size! I have been saving these and I am thinking how

cute would it be to have a bunch of these line up in a row?
I saw that quote and thought that would be perfect-

A vision is not just a picture of what could be;

it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to

become something more.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Not just for the can (LOL) but for life, a fresh start, a new year!

Today is a great day to start over! Or keep working towards those goals!

Have a wonderful first day!

Supplies

Susan K. Weckesser Whimsical Paper

DCWV Burlap stack

Cord

Empty can

adhesive

Labels: DCWV, Susan K. Weckesser Inc

Juiced 8:37 AM

Who says you can't put an ATC on a journal page?

Hey there artsy peeps, Rita Barakat here!

What I love about art journals is anything goes!
I had a lot of fun making this ATC then I added it to my journal page!

Here are some pictures in progress...

Gesso and Gelato color.

Made a mist with Gelato and water,

then used a brayer to spread it around.

I went back and drew this girl.

More gesso and Gelatos.

PITT Artist Pens really come in handy for outlines.

For the background on the ATC I added a little modeling paste.

Gelato and water.

Added the whale and fun confetti!

Then I put it back in the plastic

wrap and attatched it to my page!

So fun! I did the ATC card first and

then built the page around it!

Like I said anything goes- what original things have you added

to your art journal pages?

Labels: Art journal, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft, Frog Dog Studio, Gelatos

Juiced 1:30 AM

Back to school!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Good morning peeps!

Well the countdown is on! Next Mon back to school!
And this mom is so ready!
I cannot tell you me how much I missed my alone time.

I love my kids but with hubby working a
lot of hours lately this girl needs a break!

And the kids LOVE school so it's a win/win!

And I am looking forward to those pics on the first day!

We have new back packs, new shoes and school supplies galore!

Open.. open... open...

Yesterday we did a tour as the kids are going into school,

just built in the area! It's amazing the new things in there.

Speaking of new things this paper is a new stack from
DCWV called Homeroom. I am sure I will be using it a
lot in the next few weeks! But I thought I would give it
a trial run with this pic.

I love the foil lettering and the classic colors.

See that red canvas? There will be a stack coming out with

color canvas soon! How cool is that?

So do you have kids going back to school?

Are you ready?

Labels: DCWV

Juiced 9:35 AM

How is your day?

Monday, August 19, 2013

Hey they arsty peoples!
Today is a good day!

And if it's not find or create something lovely to look at.

Something that can change your mood.

Because time wasted is time spent brooding, worrying or miserable.

I created this cheery piece by stamping a heart and sentiment on burlap.

The frame was wood and I painted it to match my piece.

So what will you do today?

Find something lovely to look at?

Or create something that gives you a little peace?

Supplies: Paper -Susan K Weckesser Live, Love Create,

Susan K Weckesser/Unity Stamps- A little grunge Love stamp set

Insta-cute stamp set

Frame-ArtMinds

Felt Bird-Jolees Boutique

Faber Castell Stampers Big Brush pens

Paint- Tattered Angels Glaze & Silks

DCWV Burlap stack

Jute

Labels: DCWV, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft, Susan K. Weckesser Inc

Juiced 1:30 AM

What is going on?

Friday, August 16, 2013

Hey hey blog readers & crafty peeps!

I have gotten a few emails regarding my post Wed. Making some changes.

So maybe I should clarify some things:

No, I am not quitting the business.

No, nothing is wrong.

If you don't know, most design teams work on terms - some are 3, 6 and/or 12 months long.

When that contract is up the companies may or may not ask you for another term,
and you may or may not accept. It's a good thing, making sure both parties still want
to do it - keeping things fresh. I have had the honor of being asked back several times with several teams and I love that, it lets me know I am doing a good job.

I have learned so much by being on these teams but right now I need to redirect my time

so I find myself saying no to new terms. So when you see me saying goodbye to teams

there is nothing necessarily wrong, it's just time for a change.

There is something to be said for change,

even when it's uncomfortable we grow. There is also something to be said about

Seasons, we all go through different seasons and this is a new season for me.

As you know my mom was diagnosed last year with Alzhiemers,

things have gotten progressively worse. And although she is now in a safe place

I can't pretend that this has been easy. Every day is difficult, as you know if you
know someone with this disease.

If you have read my blog for any period of time

you also know that we have kids with special needs - we also have seasons,

some are more difficult than others. They are getting older and the challenges

are changing, when this happens I have to re-evaluate what I am doing.

So that means letting go of some things to pursue others.

To focus on whats important and remove anything that

might take away from where I need to be focusing right now.

Which goes back to "no, I am not quitting the business"

just changing the way I do things. Not giving up my dreams,

just clearing my schedule a bit to pursue those dreams.

I will still be present on my blog and Facebook.

I will continue to create, do some guest design team work
as well as published work and store signage. I am doing more art work
(which has been evident on my blog.). I would like to put some up for sale as well.

(in case anybody is interested.)

I was estactic to find my design work at JoAnns fabric yesterday...

On the back of this DCWV paper stack...

On the top right corner of this stack.

On the signage! I made that little benchin the right hand corner!

Here it is again in the back of this stack!

So that is whats going on, I am not going anywhere just evolving.

I hope you will stick with me on this journey.

Juiced 1:23 PM

Making some changes...

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Hey there crafty people! Todays project base is Clear Scraps chipboard.

DCWV woven stack - I used ink on top to make it pop!

Here is a close up of the details:
a little lace, Viva pearl pen, Ranger Stickles and a little ink.

After three years I am saying goodbye to Clear Scraps.
This is my last post and I can truly say it was a very hard decision to make.

If you have never had the pleasure of meeting Jim and Susan Frase in person,

let me just tell you that they are truly amazing people.

They make Clear Scraps a wonderful place to work,

which also why it makes it so hard to leave.

Before I do though I though it would be fun to look

at some of my favorite pieces through the years...

A layout with XL Shapes and small banners.

Send it Clear card.

Fairy wings cut out of acrylic.

Acrylic ATC.

Small expression title and shapes.

A chipboard bird.

I loved being on this team and I will be doing some guest
DT spots for them but things are changing around here.

When one door closes, another opens;
but we often look so long and so regretfully
upon the closed door that we do not see the
one which has opened for us.
Alexander Graham Bell

I will not look back but forward, change is good.
Are you with me?

Labels: Clear Scraps, DCWV, DCWV/Blue Moon Beads

Juiced 1:30 AM

Colorful ATC's

Monday, August 12, 2013