November Class Projects

I have to say I'm really delighted with these cards. I know. I know.  I ALWAYS say that.  But it's always true!!

The Patchwork Santa, shared by Jackie Smith, has been mounted on his card base home.  Because this image was so detailed and took so long to color I really wanted to make sure the focus stayed completely on the image.  Here's the finished look

I've added the other 3 projects to the Class Projects tab.

It's Hip to be Square!!

I was asked to participate in a "Hip to be Square" blog event hosted by Lisa Swift, Remember The Good Times.  I was so delighted by this because it gave me just the push I needed to create a layout using my "handmade/stitched" paper.  All the details of my "handmade/stitched" paper can be found here.

Here's the layout.  I'll share some details about it after the photos.

Because my background paper was so busy I wanted to make sure my photo was large enough to not be overwhelmed.  I also tried to keep the embellishments to a minimum so the focus stayed with the photo.  This is a favorite of mine from the Friday night, casual get together we had.  Julie, on the left, Kelly, on the right, and I were like the three musketeers in high school.  Constantly at each other's house, wearing each other's clothes and just generally having a good time together.  This picture reminds me of that.

I created a tag to put my journaling on.  I hadn't quite decided what I wanted to say yet so it's still blank.  The tag slides in behind the photo to the backside of the layout.  This is for several reasons: 1) I didn't decide I wanted to add a tag until after I'd already adhered the photo down and 2) it was the only place or way left to add a tag after I'd adhered the photo.

Here's how I did it:  - lick and close my envelope
- measured the width of the envelope on the front of the layout and used a craft knife to cut a slit just a little bit larger
- trim off a portion of the envelope so it was as long as I wanted
- adhere the envelope on back of layout so the open end lines up with the slit in the layout
- to make sure there was additional strength as well as to make sure there wouldn't be any issues when taking out & inserting my tag I also added some scotch tape near the slit and on the sides.
- I also made my tag out of chipboard for extra sturdiness

If you'd like to see more "handmade/stitched paper" check out my blog post on Oct 16.

Supplies: Crate Paper 6x6 Paper Heart Collection pad, Core'dinations cardstock, Making Memories rub ons, Heidi Grace designs/Fiskars paper flower W/ brad, 7 Gypsies chipboard letters, Spellbinders dies for labels, washi tape unknown, Ranger TH Distress Ink

More Handmade Paper

After creating my own paper in July it took me awhile to finally make some more.  Paste Eaters was a perfect chance to play.  I went crazy with patterns and colors and my scraps.  I ended up creating 8 more papers!  I can't decide which one I like best!  What do you think??

 I can't decide if I like this one better horizontally or vertical!

 Fun color combo - could be perfect for a Kaytey layout.

 The gingham square wasn't necessary but I liked how it looked.  I also stitched around the butterfly top panel with silver thread.

 Rich colors with dots & stripes.  What's not to love?!

 I'll have to find a fall photo to use on this.  It just screams fall to me.

 More stripes and dots but in a different configuration.

 Pink & red.  Maybe a layout with me & Kaytey since these are our favorite colors.

This one was the most time consuming as each piece was needed to create the full 12x12.  I enjoyed playing with the blue, green, orange with a little bit of yellow color palett.

Choices....

I found 3 different cornucopia images to see about coloring for the November coloring class but after coloring each of them, I'm not sure which one to use.  So I figured I'd post them here and see what kind of feedback I get.  So here you go.

There are still a few spots I need to touch up or add color to and none of them are grounded.  I was just trying to get a feel for how time consuming each image would be.  The Patchwork Santa is going to take a good bit of time so I want to make sure the remaining images are a little simpler.

And please ignore the poor little tea pot in the center.  I didn't have a mask and was to lazy to cut one out and so I ruined it when I airbrushed around it.  That image and the drinks will be featured in December.

So what do you think? Image 1 in the upper left corner, image 2 in the upper right corner or image 3 in the lower left corner?

Where do you go??

I'm looking for new places to visit.  Online at least.  Since I've reduced the number of classes I teach each month I hope to be able to participate in challenges and get inspiration from new places.

So if you've got a favorite site for creative inspiration or great challenge sites please post a comment and let me know where to go.  In a nice way of course.  ;)

More But Less. If you know what I mean.

I've been thinking that perhaps more but smaller posts might solve some of the difficulty I've been having getting to my blog.  So in with that theory in mind here's a short missive for today.

It's been busy long weekend and it isn't over yet.  With the possibility of my brother being in the area (ok, within 3 hours of here) and long time friends under our roof, I haven't been able to skate but the fun and laughter and good food has been worth it.  With all of that I still managed to get a couple of creative things done.

I've had a plain white t-shirt hanging out on the back of my sewing machine chair for a very long time.  I've had plans and ideas for it but just hadn't gotten around to them.  For some reason, yesterday was the day.  It's not completely finished, I want to add my skate name and number on the back but thought the front was still cute enough to share.

Back in January when I was at Downtown Disney I saw the cutest shirt.  That was, until I saw the price tag.  $68!!  For a t-shirt??!  I promptly took a picture, which I can no longer find, and figured I'd make one myself.  So with only a sketchy memory & finally having figured out the easiest way to do what I wanted, here are my results.

My super secret, ridiculously easy & totally re-createable method for making this cute skull & cross bones??  Kaisercraft's Skull album!!!  I traced it on the back side of my fabric, cut it out, pinned it down and sewed around it!  A few details on this - after stitching around the left eye a couple of times I carefully cut the grey jersey out so I got a color contrast; I stitched back & forth and all around for the little nose space; the skull & cross bones are one piece, I just stitched them independently to give the look of separate pieces & the heart was stitched using silver thread for a little interest.  I'm debating adding a bow of some kind.

The other creative project is due to Jackie Smith!!  Jackie regularly takes my Coloring Class at Scrapbook Barn and had told me about a sweet little Patchwork Santa image.  I'd asked her to bring them to the next class so I could look at them and perhaps feature them.  She surprised me by sending me an envelope PACKED with beautiful stamps.  As soon as I saw the Santa she'd mentioned I HAD to start coloring!  This is one I colored on a little and then walked away from.  And came back to and colored on some more and so on.  It was just so detailed and intricate that I needed time to let the colors blend and dry and to let me decide what I wanted to do next.  I have no idea yet what the card he'll be featured on will look like but I think it's likely to be simple to let the image & coloring really stand out.

What have you been up to?  And how do you think this image should be displayed?

October update

I'll be mailing out the class samples for Scrapbook Barn in the morning.  Take a peek at them on the Class Projects tab.  I was totally inspired by a stamp set I picked up while on a trip to Atlanta.  I got to go check out the cutest little shop, The Altered Angel.  I highly recommend stopping in if you're in the area.

Looking forward to having some friends in town for a few days the end of the week.  And hope to be able to see my brother on his next trip thru AZ.  And catching up on all the little things that haven't gotten done since our California trip.