Journey Through the Past...

I was browsing YouTube the other day just watching

mixed videos. 

Hopping from one to the next when I stumbled on to an oldie but goodie

by Tim Holtz

(video is here).

A 3 x3 album made with 1 sheet of paper, yes you read that right…1 sheet of paper.

I have made these 3 x 3 albums before but never with the addition of the pockets.

A new twist on an old favorite and I had to play.

I used a piece of 7 Gypsies map paper from my stash.

I felt the old time vintage look of it would go perfect with the theme.

Pulled out some collage sheets with vintage images and went to work.

The initial album goes together really quick.

A few folds, some cuts and add some tape to hold the edges...

Voila!

a 3x3 album.

The fun part became the adding of images and embellishments.

Lots of collage images...

Little bit of stamping...

Pulling out Rub Ons that have sat in my stash forever...

Metal doodads...

Foreign stamps...

and remember I said it had pockets.

Well those pockets need something to go in them, 

so I made 3 tags to go along with the vintage theme.

These albums are so much fun to create.

Off to think of another theme.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Swirlydoos Ultimate Designer Challenge WEEK 5

It's time for WEEK 5 of Swirlydoos Kit Club's Ultimate Designer Challenge.

This week's challenge was to create ART JOURNAL pages using paper scraps. You need to incorporate all sorts of left over bits and pieces from scrapbook layouts, masking, layering, doodling and more.

I found that once I started this challenge my mojo took over and had a blast (while creating quite a mess in the process)

I started with a pile of patterned paper scraps. To add to it I took some of the larger pieces and cut them 9.5 x 11 inches, folding and sewing to make a signature measure 5.5 x 9.5".

I started thinking I would do a page or two but wound up filling the entire signature.

My muse for this project was a piece of 7 Gypsies paper from the Trousseau line that had all these vintage images on it.

This is the first page. On the bottom is an envelope that has a pull out tag in it.

By layering the paper and then covering it with a wash of Gesso then misting it doesn't matter if the patterns on the scraps match or not, it all blends together.

Using Modeling Paste through stencils also adds some really nice texture to your pages, You don't need a lot as a little goes a long way.

Adding a bit of lace or fabric in is also another fun way to add some texture.

 I love sewing on my pages with my sewing machine as well. For this project I sewed on them before adding them to the signature, other times I'll sew right onto the pages and have stitching on both sides.

Layers, layers, layers...

Some pages I made into a 2 page spread. Not only did I use Modeling Paste through a stencil here I also used ink through a different stencil.

Stamping randomly with a script stamp and StazOn over the layers adds a neat touch.

Life is good.

The final spread. I also free hand cut a heart out and use both the positive and negative of it. Doodling around both pieces.

 I hope you can see that Art Journaling doesn't require special products....Even the tiniest scraps from your scrap bin can make some beautiful pages.

 Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Swirlydoos Ultimate Designer Challenge WEEK 4

It's time for week 4 of the Swirlydoos Kit Club Ultimate Designer Challenge.

For week 4 the challenge was this

Create a TEXTURED CANVAS project, wherein you create your own background using the following techniques and mediums:

• Layering of your mediums
• Misting
• Use a mask or template
• Various texture mediums (Glass beads, modeling paste, gesso, molding paste, etc) Think TEXTURE & LAYERING of your mediums.
• Paint (doesn't matter what kind)

Needless to say I was excited. I love working on canvases but never seem to have the time. I got to play all week because of this challenge. YAY!!!

This is my finished canvas. I wound up doing a 12x12 size just because it's not a typical one that I work on.

Below is photo of most of the supplies I used. Not show is the chicken wire stencil from The Crafter's Workshop, Paint Dabber in Lake Mist, Gesso,  some stamps, and the various dies & embossing folders I used.

All the paper is from 7 Gypsies and really worked with the look I was going for.

After covering my canvas with 2 coats of Gesso I placed some torn book text and scraps of 7 Gypsies paper down, then covered with another light layer of Gesso. I misted it heavily with mists from both Lindy's Stamp Gang and Tattered Angels. Using a foam brush I added Golden Glaze in Seafoam Green over spots and when it was dry I then stamped in spots with a Prima stamp and StazOn.

I then took my Modeling Paste and applied it heavily in the upper left and lower right corners of my canvas and pressed in a piece of Dusty Attic chipboard to give it the texture I wanted. When it was dry I misted it again.

I then layered some tags and scraps of patterned paper that I had misted and inked. Then using my chicken wire stencil and Dry Sand ink from Prima added more pattern to my background.

I added some Washi tape in spots and then added my image (also from a piece of 7 Gypsies paper). I then used my palette knife to randomly apply Granular gel in spots. It's white when you first put it down but as it dries it becomes mostly clear with a lot of shimmer and texture. Once it was completely dry I went over it with some Gelatos and Silks acrylic paint. I also added spots of more color using the same products in random spots.

I took some pieces of chipboard and, after covering with Gesso, ran it through an embossing folder. I then colored it with Gelatos and Silks Acrylic in Honey Amber. There's more shine to them than the photo shows.

I added some Lake Mist paint dabber is spots and then added my quote after printing it on a piece of pp, cutting it out and inking it.

I used a Grey Pastel pencil to scribble around and then smudged it all with my finger for more highlights.

The flowers are made using a TH die and cut from lares and layers of tissue paper. They were then misted with Tattered Angels mist and inked to match the background.

Just another closeup of the texture. As a final touch I went back with a script stamp and StazOn ink and randomly stamped in spots.

Make sure you check out the Swirlydoos Gallery to see all the other week 4 entries.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

wooden wall hanging

Back after a week with family & friends eating turkey I need to create. I've had this little 5x7 piece of wood on my desk for what seems like forever and today turned it into a little piece of art. I started with a 5x7 thin piece of wood for my base. I covered the wood with a layer of scraps & found text, then a layer of sewing pattern & piece of netting using gel medium. Sprayed with moonshadow mist, put down scraps of TH tape & rubbed vintage photo distress ink all over. The bird is from the Basic Grey curio collection, I colored the crystal swirls with smooch ink, and added a few 7 gypsies rub ons.

in the end a little 5x7 wall hanging