Hellooooooo...... March has brought me back

Life is a funny thing. I seem to loose focus on the basic things that are important to me. Simply, ART makes me happy. To create it, to pin it (haha.. yes I am addicted  to Pinterest), to see others artist creations or to go to a class and learn new techniques makes my heart soar! However, somehow I forget and get stuck in the day to day thick of life. However, when you listen God leads you to where you need to be. I have come back to it and feel so wonderful. I hope there are still people out there and thank you if you are!



 

Here is what I have been up to lately... three current trades over at my Paper Traders group.

 

 



 

In this swap we are to create ATCs that are harmony colors on the color wheel. I chose blue and green. It is an interesting process to create in monotone. Even though they are basic colors, it still a blending process. For the bottom, I used a square pattern stencil and then used a white pen to add the dimension.

The group also does a Winner Take All monthly ATC swap. This is my entry this month.

 



 

And here is my work in progress. This swap is a Mixed Media Postcard. I used modeling paste for the first time with my stencil. I learned how at the Art is You retreat I went to last year but this was my first try on my own. For the background, I used old book pages and paint. Then I added gesso, paper flowers with paint. The bees are stamped with StazOn Ink so they would not blend or bleed into the background. I outlined the flowers and thought I was done... but it seemed to need something more. I wanted to add some depth to the sun so have started to add more ink lines. Need to get this done soon, mail out is next weekend. Wish me luck.. haha
How do you finish your projects? Know exactly and mail out early, work until you feel done, or some other way? Love to know how people end their creativity.


And as I do believe in structure and do know that I am truly blessed, here is my Sunday top 5 things I am thankful for.

1. The calendar said that the first day of Spring was on the 20th and it feels like it today

2. My fingers have had ink or paint on them all weekend

3. I am excited to be starting a new job in two weeks

4. Love of my family

5. My beloved Grandmother's birthday is Thursday and I know that there will be some good cake  and ice cream in heaven this week!!

Have a wonderful week, Amanda

Art on a Friday

 

Taking some time off work is heaven! I have lots planned to do while away, and a few art projects are on the top of my list.

Here are my pages for Michelle as part of our art journal swap. For her pages, she requested cool colours, greens, blues, purples. I had so much fun with this theme.

Layers of color and gesso was the start. Then stamped over with a script stamp. Also though hard to see I added scraps of book pages and then blended them in.

The flowers are a new stencil I just purchased. There are three sets and they are all background patterns. I used gesso to form the flowers. After it dried, I sponged a light shade of lavender ink for the petals and used a golden orange paint pen to create the centers.

The edges are purple paint lines with penned dots.

Just a few finishing touches and I will be sending this off. I am really having fun making pages for this swap over at Paper Traders Yahoo Group

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.

Flower layers

Having fun with punches and die cuts. I like the layers that can be created. For the flowers on the bottom of the photo, I used glitter paper and get this.. tin foil. My sister gave the link to the site at http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/ I Gotta Create!. Just look on her sidebar, it is Tinfoil rickrack tutorial. SO COOL. The flowers were created with a flower die cut for the Big Shot.

These beauties were created with a fun punch. One punch creates all three layers. I could not help but add in these cut little butterflies; another punch. Used the butterflies on a card for my sister, but forgot to take a picture.. UGH... 

But here is a card I made for a friend at work using the flowers. I really like the layers; it adds color and dimension. Next project is to create a spring card. Now just have to choose which one to use! Fun ideas.. 

Moody Monday

Yep it is Monday again... I did have a creative weekend and that always makes the week following a little easier. I finished this ATC. I appreciated the support comments about letting it sit. I am still learning but this worked out. Added the stamped dragonfly and then wanted something else and these words were rambling around in my brain so I added it to the card. Under the word Love, I added a heart made from tissue paper. Then added the black pigment ink to the edge. NTS, pigment takes time to dry so don't pick up the card and then a white piece of paper. For awhile, I could not figure out where all the black smudges were coming from! Haha.. 

P.S. I added this to a WTA swap on a great yahoo group Paper Traders.

Wishing all a great week!

Still more cards

This card was for my daughter's friend. I seem to be in quite the card making mode. This card was one of those that put itself together it seemed. I had pieces of the paper and when I had them next to each other, they just seemed to belong. I really like these flowers from my cricut. I added glue and the micro beads to the center of each. I also used the glue and drew the curly on the birthday tag. I used the golden ribbon under the flowers to give more dimension.

For this card, I used cut outs from a birthday paper packet. I used a flower edge punch for the top and the bottom.The butterfly is a cricut cut-out and I added the micro beads and the wire bead antenna. Added the pink pearls to the brown ribbon and label.

I used the crimper again to get the cupcake bottom and the pearl dot for the top of the icing.

I love these balloons double layer stamps from Stampin Up. Used a the crimper again to add paper to the front edge. Used the edge trimmer for the side and the brown to cover the full edge of the card..



Sunday cares

Some sundays no matter how I may try, I seem to not be able to stop thinking too much. I really wanted to finish some work on my calendar pages. So this is a page with too many thoughts. I am learning to use some tissue paper to get a design. I also used some stamps and created some flowers. I think that I just need to let it go and I am thankful and the top 5 are:

1. Cooler summer days

2. Open to new ideas

3. Spending time with family

4. Looking for options

5. Two weeks until journal making class

Have a wonderful week.





First thing Monday

A gesso experience. It adds such great texturing. This is a card flyer (junk mail) I  had saved for experimenting with. So I covered the card with white paint and then added gesso. It was interesting to play with it and make the texture. After it dried, I added paint and water to get the different colors.

Could not help my self and created another simple scene with scraps. I loved making the little flowers. My favorite is the lavendar rolled rose flower. The momma bird feeding her chicks was just too fun to add. A monday morning in nature is busy too. Have a great week!