GCSP3, take two…

Last weekend when I was playing around with the string background tutorial for the Gingersnap Creations Blue Moon challenge, I ended up with a couple of “trial and error” samples, so I decided to use one of those for a card today. I love this stamp image!! Can’t remember who makes it and am feeling too lazy to go look it up right now—sorry! I do know I picked it up at Stampaway last year. I haven’t played with the new Distress Ink colors a whole lot yet, but I’m loving the Victorian Velvet—what a yummy color!!! The other thing I tried on this card was something I saw in the latest issue of Stamper’s Sampler magazine. There was a gal who made backgrounds by gluing down paper scraps and then going over them with watered down gesso. I did that with some paper last night, and liked the way it turned out, so I used that for the background. The Prima flowers have been hanging around here for awhile and I finally decided to use them. I altered them slightly by rubbing some Victorian Velvet ink on them and edging the petals with a little Rock Candy Stickles. Hope you like it!!

 

I can’t mention the latest issue of Stamper’s Sampler without calling attention to the fabulous article on Wendy Vecchi—doesn’t she do amazing work? And of course, the magazine also features some gorgeous creations by the even more fabulous Lynn Stevens!! You go, girlfriend!! When are we going to see a feature article about you?

I know I shouldn’t jinx myself by bringing this up, but I hope to post something else tomorrow. I mentioned something a couple of posts ago about the great mini-album challenge Roni Johnson has on her blog. I’m going to start on that. The thing is, I’m going to try to incorporate collage images, something I’ve never done before. Not sure exactly how to start on that, but I did make a resolution at the beginning of the year to try some different things, so this is it. Wish me luck!!!

Til tomorrow—TTFN!!!!

Snow day…

Well. Those of you who live in the Cincinnati area know it’s been snowing non-stop all day. I took the weather forecast as an excuse for a vacation day. I was going to work from home but nothing came up, so instead of working I played!!!!

Have you played with any of the stamps from Artistic Outpost? I’ve admired these stamps forever, and finally ordered a couple of sets awhile back. I work with engineers every day, so the Geek is Chic set has always appealed to me. What a better set to use for a special Valentine? (Yes, I’m still making them!)
I wanted to do another hanging—this one incorporates lots of grunge paper flowers and Tim Holtz Idea-ology tidbits. I’m pleased with how it turned out! Here’s the front:


The Idea-ology Muse Token didn’t quite make it into the photo (the thing hanging down in the lower right corner). It says, “Knowledge.” Of course, the Einstein stamp is from the Artistic Outpost set.

Here’s the “secret message” on the back, also from the Artistic Outpost set:


Hope you like it! The whole hanging was inspired by Wendy Vecchi’s work, and uses several of her stamps.

Looks like the snow is beginning to taper off—guess I should go shovel…….     1-2-3-4-5…..   OK, that urge has passed!!

I hope something I’ve shared here today inspires you to go make some Valentines. If not, check back this weekend—I should have one or two more!!!

Stay safe!

Baby shower and other ramblings

First, I want to say that I’ve certainly deviated from the intentions I vowed in my first post. I said I would try to post every day, but it’s shaking out to once a week, isn’t it? I also said I wouldn’t be posting much of my own work, but it seems like that’s almost all I’m doing! Please leave a comment and let me know if this is OK or if you would rather see more inspiration from other people (like the sidewalk artist or Michael DeMeng links). I can take this in any direction you want! In the meantime, I’ll show you a baby shower card I threw together last night. I’m not particularly happy with it, but it serves the purpose. This is for my cousin’s son and daughter-in-law who are expecting their first child around Christmas. The baby shower is today—they know it’s a boy.

 

I also found another bit of inspiration while blurfing this morning (love that word!). There is nothing artsy or crafty about this site, but it’s certainly inspirational! Corey Amaro is an American living in France with her French husband, and she blogs about her experiences there. I’ve always wanted to visit France, so I find her photos especially inspiring. Her blog entry for today talks about “brocante.” I had no idea what this word means, so I found a handy-dandy online French to English translator and checked it out. “Brocante” means “second-hand goods.” doesn’t brocante sound so much more romantic?

If you want even more inspiration, check out Tim Holtz’ blog (there’s a link to the right). He has a couple of fun videos up—one from his recent art cruise to Mexico with Wendy Vecchi (pics on her blog, too—Studio 490, also to the right), and another one from his trip to Japan last month. Enjoy!