late entry....

Once again I found myself floundering by the recent challenge at BBTB2,. I could have done the optional airplane, but I really wanted to do a hot air balloon...problem was I did not have a cartridge with that cut on it. I was finally able to pick up Wild Card 2 TODAY at Michael's! I really wanted to do something different with this. I know it is a basic card but I wanted the balloon itself to look unique. A couple of weeks ago, I saw an interesting tutorial on pinterest about using metallic pearl paint as a sort of "glimmer mist". Then yesterday at a CTMH open house I saw their create a color pearl paint, designed to be used with re-inkers. I decided to play. I took what limited time and supplies I had and got to work! I used "Dazzling Metallics" by DecoArt in white pearl as the base - I didn't have any re-inkers so I tried to use alcohol inks ((remember we are playing here)), which kind of clumped, but when brushed onto white card stock left a very pale shimmery coat - I just kept brushing the clumps off. Then I decided to try the metallic paint on its own on the card stock and use the alcohol inks over the top, like you would over glossy card stock. It gave a really cool effect that I kind of like. I had a lot of fun playing and am looking forward to trying it with some re-inkers or some acrylic paint or maybe some pearl-ex....

side view of card..you can see a little of the metallic pearl finish

farm animal, huh???

This challenge at BBTB2 threw me for a loop, a big one. I had a hard time coming up with any type of farm animal cut at all and most of them that I seemed to have were really "cute" and I don't have anything against cute it is just not for me...I tend to lean toward graphic, rustic, simple. When looking thru all of the different cuts out there on CCR, I even thought about running out to buy "country life" I like the folksy look of that cart. But then I stumbled upon the sheep on "inspired heart". I spend a lot of time on Pinterest and thought I bet I can make some kind of cool canvas scripture art with the sheep using a verse about Jesus being the Lamb of God. I got out my Bible on Kindle and started searching for all the verses including lamb or sheep...I thought I had found one, but this one kept picking away at my mind:  2‡And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5†And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6†And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. The Lutheran Study Bible (Kindle Locations 149419-149426). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition. .....I ended up having to recut the sheep, repaint my canvas, which I am kind of happy about . I think that was almost the point of the whole thing. I have been at that point of wanting to weep...is there anyone who can do anything,..and there in the middle is always Jesus...

The crafty details: I used an 8 x 8 canvas from Michael's. The paint is brick red acrylic Michael's. The sheep is from Inspired Heart cut at 6 . I sponged su creamy caramel onto the script cuttlebug embossing template and rubbed the sheep onto it. I then sponged summer sun around the outer circle. I sponged Tim Holtz firehouse brick ink onto the the sheep...I have an old hymnal and took out the page with Lamb of God to use on the canvas.... This project turned out to be very personal and not at all what I was planning, I wasn't going to submit it, but ultimately decided to because I was inspired by the challenge and pushed WAY beyond my comfort zone. Have a great day and thanks for looking!

life's journey

I needed to make a card for my cousin's stepson's graduation...it was over a month ago and I am finally getting my butt in gear and getting it done. The challenge today at heart 2 heart is scraps. Shane is going to college for mechanical engineering and one of his high school colors was orange, I thought the Lucky paper pack from CTMH seemed like a good fit. The base of the card is 5.5 x 5.5 in sunset. I lightly sanded the edged...love the white core! I used banner1 from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the papers at 5", 4.5", 4.75". The stickers are also Lucky.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

christmas in july….

I started this project last Christmas, and like a lot of projects, it got set aside, only to be forgotten about until I saw the recent Christmas in July challenge at Bitten by the Bug 2. We have an abundance of boards around our house from TKD testing – we are proud of our board breaks and I am always convinced that I can come up with something cool to do with them – I think that I succeeded this time! I started with a broken board and painted it red with making memories cranberry acrylic paint. I inked around the edges with firehouse brick distress ink. I like the simplicity of silhouettes, so I cut out the Santa from Joys of the Season and left him as is, without adding any layers. I mounted him on patterned paper that I got from a Christmas pack that I picked up at Michael's. I think it was by Recollections but I am sorry I can’t remember and can’t find the cover for the pack. I attached the paper and Santa to the wood with modge podge. Without a doubt the hardest part for me in any project is the embellishments. Heck it’s the hardest part for me anywhere in my life…I always seem to struggle with that extra oomph. I prefer simple, but I am afraid of too simple….you know what I mean, some people do simple sooo well and for others it just looks plain. I am working on doing it well….I used spare parts ribbon from Hobby Lobby and lastly I cut paper roses from BG wassail using  CTMH Art Philosophy. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Welcome...

I am a little nervous, starting my first blog. I tend to write like I speak, so please try not to judge me too hard for all of my run on sentences and ramblings on and on. It has been a long time since I took my college composition classes or had to write any papers..most of my writing now consists of the quick facebook post or email or text...

A little about me...I started scrapbooking about 12 years ago and my husband bought me the "baby bug" the first year or 2 it was out - it was a total surprise! I hadn't even asked for it! Then he shocked me with the expression the following year. It was truly one of the best gifts that I have ever received, I have used it for so many different things over the years: scrapbooking, cards, kids' school projects, home decorations...I just love it.

About 4 years ago, my family started Tae Kwon Do together and I have worked thru the ranks...not an easy task for anyone, but it was especially challenging for me, I have NEVER been athletic and TKD was so far out of my comfort zone! I eventually earned my first degree black belt, and was getting ready to start the testing process for my second degree when some health issues have come up in my life, sidelining me. I wonder if I will get back into TKD at some point, but truth be told...I was struggling with exertion headaches and neck and shoulder pain and a lot of that has gone away now that I am not doing TKD...So maybe I will never go back....at this point I just don't know...

When I first stopped I felt pretty down, but I decided to put that energy that I had in TKD into my crafting. I have been wanting to participate in challenges and push myself a little harder in my creativity...so here I am. I have been around for a long time, in the background, following along and being inspired by all of your amazing work and finally stepping out on the mats, bowing in, and taking my place in the back row...as a white belt in the crafting/blogging world :)