Black Bicycle

Black Bicycle

Hello Crafty Peeps;

I just needed to do something crafty and quick today as I fell on the ice and ended up with whiplash.....but alas...I still wanted to craft; with loads of Advil and Tylenol....lol

Today I cut some watercolor paper down to a card size and just let the colors blend together.  Then I made sure the bottom had a "grounding" for the bicycle to pedal on.  while that dried I cut the bike and sentiment background.  Using a white Pocasa pen I hand wrote the sentiments as I wanted to practice my script and this was an excellent chance,  My 10 year old wanted to learn how to put brads in paper so we took the time to teach this small crafting moment.  Adhering a few sequins finished the card.  We both decided it was best to have a blank interior- so a blank panel was added and called it done like dinner:)

Of course I also added this to the Monday Greetings at the Outlawz....come on over and give it a try....there are so many possibilities to be creative!

Hope you enjoyed with quick but effective card.  

Happy Crafting

Cheers,

t

Garden Maintained by Gnomes

Garden Maintained by Gnomes

EEEEEEKKKKK- Spring is almost here and I can hear the plants starting to sprout!  This awesome challenge is part of the Outlawz Challenges Group.  I participate in many of the challenges there and encourage anyone and everyone to come join the fun.  Recently, I was added as a Design Team Member for the Festive Friday's soooooooo everyone should join the fun.....and as you can see you don't even need to make cards....you can make anything your heard desires! 

Now, this challenge is the Progressive Challenge and with this challenge you get a totally free image.  First, let me thank the sponsor; Sheepski Designs, for the amazing image for the March challenge.  This company is from the UK and because we are able to find treasures online these days....give them a quick view to find all her amazing images!!!   The man and woman gnome are just soooooo adorable....so without further adieu- THANK YOU SKEEPSKI DESIGNS for such a creative and wonderful design. 

This image was super easy to color with Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils.  They glide on super creamy and are so easy to blend with Gamesol or baby oil.  The sign was painted in Cadium Yellow Acrylics.  Then I used a Posca Black Pen Marker to draw slightly wobbly lines....pish posh cautions signs....I got a gnome in the house!  After using lots of Modge Podge and some Ribbon in yellow, black and gigham yellow (tying it to a paint stick I painted black) ..... well, the project was complete...

I hope you all find your crafty button today and CREATE :)
Happy Crafting y'all
Cheers
T

Hearts a Sketch

Hello Peeps;

I am super pumped to show you the sketch from Outlawz Challenges.  I didn't just create one card but I created three cards.....uber simple to make tons on this cool sketch!!  Here is this weeks awww inspiring sketch:

eeeekkkk isn't this the cutest sketch you have seen.  I thought so and totally adaptable to so many situations. 

The cards I created with this sketch in mind come from a mixed media background.  I used some Echo Park scraps I have had and glued and glued to my hearts content!

Then using a Big Shot and cardstock I cut out a heart and used it like a mask painting black over the textured background; adding white to the edges. 

I did not want to waste the cardstock I cut the heart from and decided to follow the same rules but add paper to the back.

Adding a tiny bit of bling seems like the proper thing to do when keeping the card simple.  The insides are all done the same as well with white card and a strip of the colored paper from the paper used on the outside.  

If you are enjoying my blog.....comment I love to read them all and follow along. 

Happy crafting folks

cheers

I (LOVE) You More Than Ice Cream

Hello fellow crafty peeps,

Today I am excited to say I was asked to be a Guest Designer for Outlawz.  The challenge I was chosen for the Sunday Songs and Rhymes.  If you haven't tried the challenges at Outlawz I recommend trying them.....the ladies are super nice and the challenges are fun, fun, fun!!!

This card took me longer than I usual as I layered the card to give to my sweet baboo. 

The card began with watercolor paper and I stenciled off the stars and moon with rubber cement.  This stuff is fantastic as its a great mask to keep color off the paper.  I left it overnight to ensure the liquid was completely dry and ready to take watercolors.  I used two shades of blue acrylic with water mixed into it to make it a wash.

As the watercolor background was drying I cut trees out of chipboard and painted them in two shades of green.  Using multiple hues of a color gives the object dimension.  I colored the images from Pollycraft Digital Stamps with Prismacolor and Gamesol.  I love watching the colors blend and make the image seamless. 

I used some red brads to attach the sentiment. A white doily from the dollar store and some stickers and paper to dress up the edges with Echo Park: Yours Truly.

Then using dimensional adhesive I attached the image. 

I wanted to use a spilled Ice cream and couldn't find a digital image that I liked to I simply drew and colored the image myself.  I used the sticker sentiment "sealed with a kiss" from the Echo Park collection and matted it with black cardstock.  I loved the polka dot print in the collection and just had to add it to the written part of the card.  I sure hope you enjoyed this creation and it inspires you to be more crafty. 

Happy Crafting Y'all
cheers

Shading 2

Hi Crafty Peeps;

Karen Campbell reins supreme!  I have chosen to take place in her 100 Fun Fab Face Challenge.  The first two videos have been completed but I did not post them as I was not ready to share my work; however, I really think in order to grow as an artist I should post my progress even if it takes me 10 years to complete the challenge. 

I was up before the roosters this morning and decided to take a stab at trying to get another face drawn.  Today I did not reference yesterdays drawing as I wanted to ensure I remembered where to put the shading.  This is the before photo:

Adding graphite and using a blending stump I shaded to my hearts content.  I found the results quite dramatic.

I am slowly learning where to put the highlights and lowlights but I sure can see a difference between the two photos.  Thank You Karen Campbell for your amazing teaching style and love of art.  

Happy Crafting!
Cheers

Stages in Learning to Draw: Shading

Hello Crafty Peeps;

Recently, I have decided to pick up drawing again.  It has been a bit of time since feeling like I wanted to draw so this was a big leap for me.  When I began I searched YouTube for many artists that were efficient yet actually made sense to the average bear artist.  YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHO I FOUND!!!!!  

Karen Campbell is WhO.....she is an amazing Mixed Media Artist, teacher and has her own ART SCHOOL!  Now this is a lady who can teach peeps who want to draw and learn all they can about Mixed Media all in one place.  I highly recommend her in every learning way possible for those areas.  

I have had so much trouble over the years learning shading.  I have not mastered it yet, Karen makes it so much easier to learn and develop a skill.  Without further adieu, this is my first attempt at shading a face in many years.  At least this time I feel that the highlights are present and the proper places have merit.  

I think its important as an artist to look at the things you love about your art rather than ....oh I don't like this or I should have done better at that....probably because there is no one who is perfect; but all the imprefections make art.  

After I finished this one I thought she might look like Hermonie, an older version, perhaps when she is grown up and teaching herself.  

Happy Crafting Y'all

cheers

Center Stage

Good Day all you crafty peeps;

How is your creativity flowing today?  Are you ready for another day of crafting?  I am ......woooohooooo

Today I used a Gorguss Girl and found a yummy tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.  The technique tutorial has been loads of fun to create; making the Gorguss girl the star performer.

I used an older BoBnny paper pack called Smoochable.  The color pallet was perfect for the Girl- using pink, purple, brown and lime green.  The sentiment was one I created making the card more personal "You will always take center stage Valentine"

The doodlebug doilies were a wonderful compliment to the girlie feel I was wanting with this card.

The inside of the card was created using the same paper pack and a brad.  The sentiment- "Follow your dreams and let your heard lead the way!" I found online.

After being asked to make a card for my daughter for Valentine's Day ...... I do believe I may have succeeded.  Hopefully she will love the sentiments and love put into this card :)

Happy Crafting
Cheers

Monster-sized Love

Hey Crafty Peeps;

My step son even at fourteen needs to feel love.  So it was decided he needed a card too and truthfully he is a soft hearted young man and I am super proud of him.  I started this card with water color paper and created a galaxy background with acrylic paint.  When the acrylic is thinned with water it creates an opaque water colour that is more vibrant than watercolors.

I only had sharpies with me when I coloured these cute monsters from the creator of Dudley the Dragon ( I have searched for over an hour looking for the creator and to no avail - some of my digis are over 10 years old.......wow do I ever feel dated now...LOL) . Using only two colors to blend they are kinda alien looking at the same time.

I just couldn't help adding Stickles and googly eyes....they look so darn cute but I will not be telling Jayden that...RoFL

Inside of the card

I think all beings show love in some way or another so monster/aliens would slobber of course....and the sentiment was just too cute. Adding a piece of red heart ribbon and a left over piece of watercolor paper seemed to finish the inside of the card.  

Hope this Valentine's Day bring you happiness and loads of slobbers, slurps, hugs and kisses from those you love.

cheers

t

Turtle Love

Hi crafty peeps;

Eeekkkkk I am so excited- my bestie's birthday is coming and for the first time I made her a gift.  I am both excited for her to get it because she loves turtles.... Before we got our bestie tattoos- she got her turtle tattoo....priorities right?  LOL 


I used inspiration from a sketch from Outlawz Challenges.  This is the sketch for you to draw inspiration.

This plaque is a mixed media project.  I started with a wooden plaque and painted gesso all over it as i was not sure if i was going to use paint, collage or tissue paper.....so i started with acrylic paint.  The i added washi tape and some small papers.  I gessoed where i thought the turtle would be hand drawn (inspiration from Pinterest)

I used a pencil to sketch the general layout then started painting and layering many of the colors, including the background.  I liked the white around the turtle- it makes him look cool as a cucumber...lol

Adding brads to the flowers and glueing them down with Golden Matte Medium.  Finally, I used a Stabilo All Pencils to outline and draw in some details.  

I love Helen Keller sayings and decided something positive inspiration as she is at a new job and has moved across the country to be with family.  The back was stapled on and ribbons were tied on to decorate the hanger.  I sure hope this inspires you to create something for someone you care about.  

Happy crafting y'all
Cheers,
T 

My Best Friend Progressive Challenge

Hello Crafty Peeps;

This card was a labour of love and I truly love the Auntie it will be given to for her birthday.  I used the cute digital stamp called My Best Friend.  The digital image company is from the United Kingdom and you can find them on Etsy: All Dressed Up.  The image was coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons and Gamsol.  The background was completed with acrylic paint watered down that when done acts much like watercolor but with a brighter impact.  

I got the Magical Rain Shaker die.  There is a video on YouTube here.  I loved making this card because sit was just a super cute way to dress up a card that is a bit different than the average shaker.  

Searching for sentiments I found one that once adjusted for the person I wanted to give the card to it fit perfectly.  

The shaker part is threaded with seed beads and move up and down the string.  I think its uber cute......and the puppy is just simply adorable.  

The inside of the card....I simply can't wait to give it to her.  This card would make anyone's day cheerful...:)

Have a craft happy day!!

Cheers,

T

Spring Flower Pot

Hello Lovely Crafty Peeps;

I really have to gush today.  I have been working on a Progressive Challenge from The Outlawz.  The image is a Chibi Flowerpot Peeker from Bugaboo Stamps....Oh my cuteness!  Also, side note they offer free images every Friday and they are beyond cute too....Check them out....Uber awesome!!!

I coloured this adorable little cutie with Prismacolors......does anyone else go through that...seem to want to colour with one medium for a bit then change to another?  Anywhoooo, using Gamesol to blend the colours.  

After painting the pot a sky blue for Spring, I added lots of tulips and paper die cuts to spruce up the edges: grass, tulips, clouds and butterflies.  The quote I found online and love Robin Williams ....so it was a win win.  

found at: Momitforward

After sealing the entire pot with Moge Podge; some burlap and yellow gingham ribbon were wrapped around the top edge.  Honestly, it is so cute I am unsure if i should use it for pens and markers or an actual pot this spring.  Let me know what you think.  

This is a 360 view of the pot.  Hope this inspires you to get your crafty gear on and give some creating a try!

Cheers y'all!

straight on

back view

side view

 side view

Have a Craft Happy Day

Mermaid and Friend

Hello peeps;

I am throughly enjoying entering challenges lately.  This one is from The Outlawz Challenges- Sunday Songs and Rhymes.  The inspiration came from a song that needed to include a mermaid. 

The procedure was similar to the "Bee Creative" clipboard I finished.  I used Gesso as a base then put color according to the pencil drawing.  Finally using Poscoa and Sharpie I finished the board.

The first image is the background.  Using light to dark with some white mixed in to create a swirl effect and depth for the characters.

The second picture is with the images and embellishments added.  

Voila, another project completed:) And one for have loads of fun with.  I was inspired by the Gorguss girls for the mermaid....after all I would be suprised to find a octopus wanting to be friends- wouldn't you?

Happy Crafting folks!

Cheers

Love Never Fails

Howdy y'all

Today I created something for Valentine's Day.  My daughter asked me for a stuffy and a homemade something....maybe a card.  Well I stepped that up some and made her a gift she can add to her wall.  She told me this week that all the cards I have made her homemade she has kept......at 10 I thought that was pretty special.  

Using the Saturday Paper a la Mode challenge from Outlawz Challenges I used all the things I love.  Mixed Media Art, stamped image in Momento Tuxedo Black, Echo Park paper: Yours Truly, my favourite stamp company; C.C. Designs, ribbon, coloring and zentangle.  (Here's a little secret: I never liked the color pink until my girl was born....now i adore the color!!!)

Christine's images from C.C. Designs are uber cute and stand the test of time.  I have had this fairy for years and I still love using her. I hope that this inspires you to create homemade gifts for your loved ones as well.  Happy Crafting!

Bee Creative

Hello Crafty Peeps;

Today I am attempting my first tutorial.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will do my very best to help where possible.  This idea came to me when my daughter had her best friend over and they wanted to do a craft.  I went to the dollar store and found the clipboards....lightbulb moment.....why not paint????

The first step included a good old fashioned layer of gesso.  Gesso is amazing and helps to make the process easier....literal blank slate ......right?  Before adding gesso though, I did tape the clip as to help with the finishing.

I was not long and got the layer slapped right on the board.  I used Golden Gesso and it took no time to dry.....maybe 4-5 minutes before flipping and doing the other side as well.  

I have to say all turquoise and aqua colors are my favourite lately.  The gesso is amazing because it only took one layer of paint to begin to see some amazing color. On side A, I was able to put the primary color down and start the stencilling.  

I used a coral color to gradiate the color into the center and used the same turquoise to blend it.

When this layer was dry i moved the stencil up to the top and finished the design to the top.

Working on Side B now:
I started with drawing the "bee" on the back.....

then added the turquoise to the perimeter of the bee.

Using masking fluid, I painted the bee and let it dry for about half an hour.  Using the stencil from before- i gently added the coral color to the turquoise area.

The masking fluid once dry was difficult to see; however, worked wonderfully :)

Covering the edges to ensure that it looked right was important.  

When the masking fluid was removed (by using an eraser) the bee was mostly clear and ready for paint.  Repeating the process from before once this layer dried then the stencil was moved and more paint added to ensure a steady flow of pattern.

Adding paint where the bee needed color I continued until completely finished.  After it dried I added stamped letters on tissue paper and used decopage sealer to finish the cutest little bee in the world.......I might be a bit partial as my daughter said mom I think that bee is me...lol

Side A Completed:  Adding some ribbon to the top and washi tape to the edges seemed to finish the clipboard off in a oh so cute way.  

Side B Completed: Using a Poscoa Pen and sparkly nail polish finished this cute little bee.....I really think it turned out to be the bees knees :)

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Looking forward to living and learning more about making them better.  

Have a craft Happy day!

Cheers

Mouse in a Mitten

Good day y'all;

Today I used a sketch from Outlawz Challenges.  These ladies have a wonderful array of challenges bi-weekly and there is so much to learn from so many of the talented women.  This is the challenge photo from their blog:

So using your own inspiration you can follow along at any time.  I had the cutest stamp and die set that I was really wanting to use.  So I used this as a jumping off point and stayed pretty close to the original.

Using prismacolors and Gamesol I colored the images.  The gamesol helps "melt" the color and blend it into a smooth finish.  How can you not smile when looking at that tiny mouse......eeeek he's just the cutest!  Well one was just not enough so I created a set of twins for this project. 

Having two cute mice ready for the Christmas holidays is awesome!!

I try and always take inspiration from my fellow Canadian Rockstar- Amy R and finish the inside of my cards.  It gives the card a completed feeling and the extra effort is very satisfying.  

Using a ColorBox ink in silver and my favorite black for all details- Versafine Onyx Black.  

I hope this inspires you to go on over to Outlawz Challenges and take a look.  There are so many possibilities and wonderful creative people.  

Have a craft Happy Day.....eeeekkk

cheers