APRIL CREATE TO LIVE CHALLENGE

I have been Facebook Friends with Susan K Weekesser for some time, but only recently became acquainted with her AWESOME blog, {My Sweet Earth}.  She holds a challenge there called the Create To Live Challenge.  She wants us to create a project from an image she provides.

Susan says "This challenge is for you to use the color and message themes in the picture above.  Take some creative liberty here to create based on how this picture makes you feel.  What does it inspire in you?  What creative ideas jump out at you first? 

 When I saw this image, my eye was immediately drawn to the tile-like background on the left.  I made 1" squares from scrap papers that were in my scrap paper bin, made a grid in my Art Journal, and glued them down in an interesting way using the colors in the picture.  I went over the grid and inchies with some inks and a stencil.  Next, I used a floral stencil and traced around it.  I colored the leaves, flowers and butterflies with some ultra fine Bic Mark It markers.  I hand drew a vase, cut flowers from the reverse side of the colored paper and glued them to the left.  I wrote "Celebrate" on the vase and used my label maker to print out the words of inspiration.

I had so much fun making this layout!  I wish I had a better picture to show, but there is nothing but rain and grey skies here.  No sun tomorrow either! But the sun will be here this weekend, and I intend to do some "Sun Worshiping" then!

Please visit Susan K. Weckesser's blog no matter what!  The amazing artists she has make beautiful things!  BUT, if you do decide to join the challenge, there is an awesome prize!!

MIXED MEDIA LAYOUT "BEAUTY"

So, my AWESOME layout I showed on Wednesday is properly photographed and ready to show!

I distressed my 12" x 12" background paper first.  Then I used stencils, bubble wrap and inks for interest.  I cut a 10" x 10" piece of cardboard and covered it with sewing pattern tissue paper.  I stitched the background papers together.  Next, I added more stencils and inks to the center of the background.  Then,  I stamped my Prima Doll Stamp on ivory cardstock and colored her in.  I fussy cut her out and attached her to the center with foam dots.  I stamped the sentiment and the border around it, fussy cut it out and attached it with gel medium.

 Now for the FUN part!  Decorating your piece!  I love adding the details!  Here is a close up of the lower left corner.  I sprayed the wood embellishments with white spray ink, made some rolled paper roses, and added a yellow flower.  Do you see the hints of spray ink droplets?  Or the bits of the stenciling?  I LOVE that!!

The upper left corner was much whiter so the cranberry ink I used to stencil with really shows!  I sprayed the wood butterfly embellishments white and added some crystal swirls.  I think there should always be swirls of some kind with butterflies!  The wood leaf finished this area up nicely.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have an awesome day!!

xxDaniella

WOYWW

Welcome deskers!  Time to join the most awesome party in blogland!  The Queen of desks, Julia, invented this party so start on her blog!

I have a new light!!  I got an Ott Light!  After harassing  asking all of you about it, I finally bought one and I have to say you were all right!  It is Awesome!!

My desk is tidy, and I have a mixed media layout that is finished, but not properly photographed.

Here it is.  My awesome new light!  AWESOME!  I got the one with the magnifying glass and it really is a big help!

Here is an unedited picture of my layout.  I love how it turned out!!!  But, the picture isn't that good.  I will re-take it tomorrow when we have some sun.  No sun today, dark and cloudy :(

Enjoy the party!!  Julia said the time is going to change (for the party) soon.  Please be sure to find me!! <3

ATC's FOR WOYWW

You know that I join the WOYWW party every week.  In a few weeks, it will be the 5 year anniversary of this wonderful weekly event! We  will be having a global ATC swap for the occasion!  I will send my 1 *which is all I have  to do* and some more to other friends.

I went to the Altered Arts Magazine sponsor box of goodies and got busy!

I started with my 7 Gypsies Collage tissue and some Mod Podge.  I applied the mod podge to the ATC blank and laid the tissue on top carefully.  Then I layered some 7 Gypsies paper, that I ripped to make it more interesting.  I used 7 Gypsies stamps "Numero" and Pink Paislee stamps too.  Of course, gauze and rope finished them off.

I can't wait to send them out!

WOYWW

It's the most wonderful day of the week!  Time to visit desks all around the world!  The awesome Julia invented this, so be sure to leave her some love too!!

My small desk this week...

I got a new self healing mat on the left and on the right is my art journal and some stamps waiting for me to create!  My badge is in the center on the art journal.

That's it from me this week.  Thank you to all of my new blog followers!  I hope the number keeps growing!  I already have a giveaway for May, but I'd like to have 2!

Enjoy!

WOYWW

Hello and welcome to my desk!  We are desk hopping all over the world!  If you want to join us, start at Julia's blog.  She is the GENIUS who invented WOYWW.

My desk is sooooo messy!  Messy desks are fun desks, I think.

Starting on the left, I have some mediums and markers, paints and glue.  A little bowl with yellow ink in it and some Wink of Stella glitter.  Archival ink and Inka Gold, more pens and ribbon.  Proudly in the center, on top of paper scraps, is my badge.  Of course, there is tons more but I would be typing for days!

Now..... Some business....

First, I want to give a shout out to NANNASWORKROOM.  Thank you for visiting me!  I've seen you here before.  I feel terrible that I can't get back to you but when I click on your name it says your blog is private.  Please, don't think I'm ignoring you!!  If anyone knows her, let me know how to find her!

Second, if you are new here please follow my blog!  Sponsors who give me things to giveaway like lots of followers.  And I love giving things away!  I'm trying to do one a month.  Fingers crossed!!

And on that note, the winner of last weeks giveaway is APRIL STORY!!!  Congratulations!  Please send me your address and I will get it right out to you!

Thanks to all who visit!  I'll be to your blog soon!

PAINTING WITH SPLASH~

Using Splash Ink as watercolor paints is so awesome!  You have every color you could imagine so there is no need to buy tons of paints.  I painted this little canvas with Splash and detailed it with other Yasutomo Products.

Niji Splash Ink

PermaWriter Marker Black

Gel Xtreme White Marker

Faber Castell Canvas Kit from Altered Pages

I got my Splash Inks and my color chart ready and made a really soft pink, a darker pink, an orange yellow, a brown yellow and a green.  

I painted the soft pink on the petals first. 

Then I blended in the darker pink.  The cool thing about Splash is that it is easily blended with water.

I went over each petal with my white marker and put dots on the petals.  Then I used my PermaWriter to make dots in the center of the flower.  I added a few white dots too.  The black backing came with the kit.

Try using your Splash Inks as watercolor paints.  You will Love the results!!

CELERY STALK ROSES

I have a fun project to share today!  I wrote an article about it in the Winter 2014 Issue of Altered Arts Magazine.

All you need is a nice thick paper, like watercolor paper, A stalk of celery and some inks.  Cut a straight cut across the bottom of the celery, about 2 inches from the bottom. 

 I used acrylic paint and inks to make some backgrounds.  Then, I applied ink to the celery and stamped!

How awesome is that?  They look like roses!

Just use a baby wipe to take the ink off of your celery (or cut a little bit off to get fresh celery again) and you are ready to stamp again.

All different colors of "roses"  for beautiful backgrounds.  Or, stamp them as a focal point on a card, fabric or anything.  That's the fun of art!

Who ever said you can't play with your food?

*No celery were wasted during the making of these backgrounds.  I put cream cheese and olives on the stalks and we enjoyed them very much.*

WOYWW ~GIVEAWAY!!

Hello all!!  Quick post, just as Julia, our Queen, likes it!

GIVEAWAY!!

A paper kit filled with all spring colors!  Papers, 3D embellishments and sentiments, and paper tags and diecuts!  Pretty awesome I think!

Just become a follower of this blog and leave a comment!

Thank you all for visiting me!!