An art journal...

I have wanted to really get moving with an art journal for some time...but when it comes down to it...any time I have sat down to work on it...nada...nothing...UNTIL yesterday...yesterday I took a look at this new challenge group Point Blank Period, and once I got going on the prompt...I was off and running.  Really really really enjoyed creating this page.   My "journal" is a 5.5x8.5 Watercolor spiral pad.  I think I picked it up at AC Moore for a relatively good price...or maybe even Walmart...who knows!  This page is somwhere a few pages in on the book as I skipped over the early pages where I have one or two random things written in it...which I will likely go back and paint over and start again later.  I laid a base of white acrylic paint, then scored lines and painted the "stripes"...once those were dry, I went back over the blue with crackle paint, and painted over the pink with a "glitter glaze" for some shimmer.  The pic you may recognize from my "I'm BAD" LO awhile back...but I thought it gave the feeling I was going for...strong and tough (and maybe a little mean...heehee)...then it was just layering the journaling and some other bits and bobs...well..here it is along with some close ups:

Supplies: Paint- Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint: Hot Pink, Sky Blue, White, Black; Distress Crackle Paint - Broken China, Worn Lipstick; Ink - Distress Ink: Broken China, Worn Lipstick; Punch - EK Success; Grungeboard - swirls elements; Stickles - Black Diamond, Rock Candy, Zing Embossing Powder - Glitter Black; Glossy Accents; Bling - CTMH, Colorbok, Heidi Swapp; idea-ology: word stick - KNOW; Ribbon - unknown; Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Dymo Label Maker

ahhh...Indian Summer...

...have you seen this newest line by Basic Grey yet?  It's yummmmmmy!  The colors are fantastic, and I am in love with it!  Picked it up yesterday at the LSS and got to work on a LO with it last night.  This LO was based on this week's (well...the one that went up last week...on Sept. 24th) Sketchy Thursday sketch.  Fun sketch!  It was a rather difficult LO to make because I was literally ripping things off my paper and staring at it for so long...and then I just went with it.  It's probably the most negative space I have ever left on a LO...but...the paper is such an amazing print that it more than makes up for the minimal embellishments!

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey: Indian Summer; Cardstock - Bazzil; Chipboard embellies - Basic Grey Indian Summer chip stickers; idea-ology: word sticks (LOVE); Cricut - Storybook; Glossy accents; Stickles - Rock Candy; Ribbon - unknown

Everything but the kitchen sink...

...well I'm sure I could have added or done more...but this LO had a little of EVERYTHING (IMHO) on it...started it last night...and actually walked away and came back to it this morning...a lot of the time if I leave something one night...I don't get back to it the next day...but this one I did...and closing on 20 hours after I started it...it's done...got to hit up the LSS today and oh my oh my...brought home some goodies...made use of my new Rock Candy Stickles and Distress Crackle paint on this LO...you can't see all the glimmer or crackly goodness on the pic...but oh my it's delish in person!  This LO is based on Judy's sketch over at Simply Scrapping...her sketches just draw you in and you HAVE to use them!  LOL! 

Supplies: Paper - Glitz design: Sparrow; Cardstock: Bazzil, Prima, CTMH; Rubons - Glitz design: Sparrow; Flowers - Prima; Stickles - Distress Stickles: Rock Candy; Distress Crackle Paint - Rock Candy; Pearl embellies - CTMH; Wood Flourishes - Kaiserscrapbook; Cuttlebug - Embossing Plate: Birds and Swirls; Cricut - Plantin Schoolbook (circles), Lyrical Letters (title); Inkssentials: Glossy accents; Extra - Dymo Organizer Xpress

Crazy for your sketches...

...ok...was blog hopping earlier this week and from one blog to a link to another to another...and came across this new challenge blog: Crazy 4 Challenges...and this weeks challenge was a fantastic sketch...so I figured I'd try my hand at it.  I originally intended to sew the border on the sentiment block...but couldn't quite bring myself to sew today!  So I used my Placement Guide stamps from CTMH (corners) and then pierced and left it at that...

Supplies: Paper - My Mind's Eye: Laundry Line; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Stamps - CTMH: Placement Guide, Verve: PJ027, PJ025, Just for You; Ink: Distress Ink - Antique Linen, CTMH - Desert Sand, Chocolate, Olive; EMbossing Powder - Stampendous: Detail Clear; Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon

I'm so excited....

and I know I like it!  My new Verve stamps arrived today!  That is all!  HEEHEEHEE!

Combo card...

(again I am stretching for titles here!)...but this is essentially a card that is a combination of two challenges out there...the first is a sketch by Mercy Kerin (MTSC40).  I love the sketch and wasn't sure what to do with it for awhile...but then...I was surfing the web and came across this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge - Distressing...so I figured why not combine the two???  It gave me an excuse to pull out some stamps I haven't used in awhile.  I've noticed that a lot of times when I do distressing I combine it with some heavy vintagey stuffs...and my color pallette tends to get a little muted...but every so often I figure going that way opens me up to some more colors!  So after today's Black and White and now this card...bold and bright for a day or two!  LOL!

Supplies:  Paper - K&Co: Life's Journey; Cardstock: CTMH, Bazzil; Stamps - Stampers Anonymous: TIm Holtz Mini Muse; Ink - Distress Inks: Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo; Lace trim - unknown

Challenges:
MTSC40 Sketch
Cupcake Craft Challenge 58

Serenity...

I honestly was at a loss for words on how to title this particular post...so I just went with the sentiment on this card!  This is for the most recent Viva La Verve sketch with a twist challenge over at SCS.  The twist was for it to be all black and white...which can either fall perfectly into place...or be a bit of a struggle.  For me it took awhile of staring at it...setting it asid...staring some more...and eventually just getting down to it and putting it together.  I'm not 100% sold on the particular sentiment I chose...it is one of my personal favorites...but not sure if it's "too wordy" for this card...either way...I do like the card.  Here is the sketch and my card:

Supplies: Paper - SEI: Black Orchid; Cardstock - American Crafts, Georgia Pacific; Sentiment - Verve: Serenity; Ink - CTMH: Black; Ribbon - unknown

wow...it's Monday...

already!  oh well!  had a fantastic weekend and am looking forward to a great week!  A few more cards that were completed this weekend.  The first is based on a Judy Law sketch at Simply Scrapping.  I had fun playing around with the sketch and a new Cricut cart that I got my hands on (Winter Woodland)...the trees were too cute to pass up! 

This card is based on the sketch SC246 over at SplitcoastStampers.  This was another challenge between me and Tracey and I'm honestly impressed with what all we got done!  I think the grand total time on this card outside of selecting paper and stamps was about 25 mins....scary what a couple of scrappers will do to give themselves a crafty kick-start!

Supplies for SS Sketch #24: Paper - Basic Grey: Figgy Pudding; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Ink - Distress Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain; Stickles - Frosted Lace; Glossy Accents; Ribbon from reasonable ribbon

Supplies for SC246: Paper - Cosmo Cricket: Girl Friday; Cardstock - Bazzil and CTMH; Sentiment - CTMH: Aspiration; Ink - CTMH - Hollyhock; Ribbon from reasonable ribbon

Embrace Imperfection! Part deux!

...so I know earlier this week I was all about having some slightly imperfect images and some shmears of ink and stuff...but today...it's even more so!  AND I LOVE IT!  My BFF Tracey and I were sitting around feeling a little "slow" or "unmotivated" (me) and so I threw down the challenge!  This was a time type challenge...to just kick our rear ends into gear!  We started out with 10 mins to find a sketch or challenge to work on...we both went with sketches...then 10 mins to gather all supplies...then 10 minutes to do any cutting (we stuck with the times...if you couldn't complete what you needed to do in that time period...well it just took time from later rounds) and then 15 mins to create the card...at that point we stopped photographed where we were at...at 4:40 pm we started final leg...fully complete the card and then have it posted to your blog!  My sketch was the Viva La Verve Sept. Week 3 sketch with a twist (sketch and card must be for a girlfriend)...which I would send to my gal Tracey...how funny...anyways here is mine:

Supplies:  Paper - Basic Grey: Lemonade; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH, SU; Stamps - Verve: Just for You;

before I forget!

What an end to a week it was Friday evening!  Had a blast with the release party over for Verve stamps...was super excited about one thing in particular that I will tell you about in a few mins...but I got my stamps ordered and am anxiously awaiting their arrival!  Well...last I wrote I had completed 5 cards...well by 6 pm Friday evening...I had actually completed a grand total of 8!!!!!!!  I completed all 5 Verve release week challenges...here are the remaining cards:

Supplies:  Cardstock: Bazzil Bling, Georgia Pacific; Stamps - Verve: Starlight Starbright; Ink - CTMH: Grey Wool; Stickles - Silver; Ribbon and Gems - Unknown

Supplies:  Paper - Heidi Grace designs; Cardstock - CTMH and Bazzil; Stamp - Verve: Asian Flair; Ink - CTMH: Chocolate; Ribbon - unknown

Oh...and the most exciting part...this card one me some free goodies from Verve!  It was randomly selected of course...but I was absolutely thrilled!  Woohoo!

Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Stamps - Verve, CTMH - Coffee Stain; Ink - Distress Ink: Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo; Embossing Powder - Distress Embossing Powder: Walnut Stain; Ribbon Unknown

Fashionista Friday...and a drumroll...

...I have officially completed 5 cards using my Verve stamps that I had not used previously!  And what better way to top off the day with it being a Fashionista Friday Color Challenge Day over at the Shoe!  This was card #4 of the 5...and I just really had some fun with it!  Loving the dots!  Now...after completing this many in a week...I'm actually rather proud of myself for meeting my goal...but I'm not done yet!  There are actually little wheels turning in my head to get 3 more cards done by 6 pm this evening...we shall see if I can do it!

Supplies: Paper - SU; Cardstock - Bazzil, Bazzil Bling, American Crafts, Georgia Pacific; Stamps - Verve: Express Yourself and Bountiful Backgrounds; Ink - CTMH: Black; Ribbon - Making Memories: Silver embellishments - unknown

Imperfectly Perfect!

Ok...ever had those days where you strive so hard to be "perfect" and then you mess up and it seems that your world has fallen down?  Well...Thursday was one of those days...I tried so hard but it just didn't work out...was I disappointed...YES!  I mean seriously...had a totally emotional moment at work...and I try VERY VERY hard to NOT!  Anyways...I got home...got crafting...and created today's card...it's actually card #5 towards my goal this week...meaning I have reached my original goal...but it shows up here as #4...only because the original #4 was created for a challenge this week for the Shoe DT...and now I can't post it until tomorrow!  Anyways...this card is to me Imperfectly Perfect...some ink caught the edge of the stamp and so when I stamped the sentiment...well I got a little line...and you know what...either because I'm tired...or that I actually like it a little "messed up"...the card became what I would truly like it to be...flaws and all.   So...without futher ado...here is card #5...based on the sketch from the The Fresh Batch and also using one of the color challenges for the Verve release!

Supplies: Paper - (dare I even say it) Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzil and CTMH; Stamps - Verve 1 Peter 5:7 and Just for You; Ink - CTMH: Chocolate; Ribbon - unknown; Cricut - Plantin Schoolbook and Storybook

on a roll...

...nobody stop me!  I'm actually really thrilled right now that I've gotten THREE cards done!  Getting just that much closer to my goal!  The latest card is based on the sketch by Julee created just to challenge all of us in preparation for the Verve release party on Friday!  Ahhh...if only I could win points towards free stamps for all the free advertising...heehee!  Anyways!  Here it is:

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey (AGAIN): Infuse; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Stamps - Verve Plain Jane (#28...maybe) and Budding Blossoms set; Ink - CTMH: Olive, Bard Red, Chocolate; Ribbon - Reasonable ribbon

It's called MISSION POSSIBLE!

I am rather addicted to the color Olive these days!  or at least a close shade of green...I am still counting down to the Verve release this Friday...and in keeping with that...I have used not one...BUT TWO Verve sets I have yet to touch before today...now...they are not from the last release by Verve...but since they were the one previous and I hadn't used them...and well...you get the idea!  LOL!  Anywho...today's card was created by using a fantastic sketch created by Judy Law at Simply Scrapping.  I'm hosting this week's card challenge over at Simply Scrapping...so if you are interested...drop by and tell them I sent you!

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey: Marrakech; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Stamps - Verve: Large Tropical and Just for You; Ink - CTMH: Olive, Tulip, Sorbet; Stickles - Diamond; RIbbon - Unknown.

I'm on a mission...

...my mission is to get at least 5 cards done by 9 pm Friday, September 18th...why this mission?  Because Verve stamps is having a new stamp release this Friday and the only way I can justify to myself buying more stamps...is if I have actually USED the last stamps I ordered!  I loved the last release...but haven't really had time to dig in and play with them!  So my goal is at least 5 cards (well that's by best most realistic goal...in truth the number is higher...we shall see how far I get!)...each card must feature a stamp from Verve's previous release...and then...once the cards are complete...I will be ONLINE VERVE SHOPPING BABY!  That and I'm pretty sure I can sell my DH on the idea too...but then again...what does he HAVE to know?  This card (while helping me towards my mission) is also for the most recent Fresh Batch Sketch...SASSC32...have to say...those gals had me scratching my head again...fantastic sketch...had a lot of fun...and think I did something I set out to do! 

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey: Porcelain; Cardstock - Bazzil and CTMH; Stamps - Verve: A Cup of Life; Ink - CTMH: Chocolate; Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon; Pin - CTMH; Pearl - CTMH; Stickles - Coffee Ice

is it really Monday already?

I had way too much fun this weekend to even be thinking or looking forward to going to work today!  Oh well...hopefully the coffee will kick in very soon and it will be all good!  Today's card is (shock) another Christmas Card...getting my Christmas mojo on before it's too late or too overwhelming a task!  I used one of Judy's fabulous sketches over at Simply Scrapping and it actually came together fairly quickly once I decided on stamps.  The paper is from my dwindling stash of Figgy Pudding paper by Basic Grey...I have some Wassail papers to use also...just haven't had the right project for some of them yet. 

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Figgy Pudding; Cardstock - Bazzil, CTMH; Image and Sentiment - CTMH Evergreen and Christmas Melodies; Ink - CTMH - New England Ivy, Cranberry, Chocolate; Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon, Stickles - Burgundy

oh yes it's ladies night...

Well not necessarily tonight...but I just spent a fantastic weekend with my dear gal pals Tracey and Tanisha...also known as my partners in crime over at the Shoe!  We had a blast at the race in Richmond last night and I'm sure there will be many scrapbook pages...or even a mini-album of some sort that will come out of this past weekend in the near future...this particular LO is based on one of Tanisha's sketches (pictures from a race last year) which also happens to be the Fashionista Friday challenge over at the Shoe!  Enjoy and head over to try it out!

Supplies: paper by bo bunny, bazzil and america crafts cardstock, say it in crystals, flowers by prima, tattered angels glimmer mist in patina and snow angel, lyrical letters cart, stickles: turqouise and magenta

SASSC31...how you nearly beat me...

...man oh man was this a tough one for me!  this card started out in so many different ways...and ended up like it is now through the process of sheer luck!  I had this adorable snowman all stamped out and ready to go...but then couldn't find the right background paper...and then when i did ...nothing matched...it was just an odd process to get to a finishing point!  So...long story short...I ended up creating my own background with a Glimmer Screen and some glimmer mist...unfortunately you can't see how well it does shimmer in this pic...but...I'm just very happy to get this card done!  Thank you Fresh Batch for forcing me to be creative!

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzil Bling, CTMH, Georgia Pacific; Screen - Tattered Angels Winter Trees; Glimmer Mist - Glacier and Silver; Stamp - CTMH Christmas Melodies; Ink - CTMH Lilac Mist; Stickles - Star Dust; Ribbon - unknown

So not a PSE wizard...

but wish I was!  Long story short I was trying to create a Watermark for my photos...and man oh man...tutorial and all...it took me over an hour!  And I was getting so frustrated!  But then...I realized how simple it actually was...and may have to go back and play with it some more...but my first use of the watermark is on today's LO...I created this LO for last week's LO Challenge over at Simply Scrapping!  The challenge was to use only patterned paper...no cardstock (geez thanks Tracey!)  this was way harder than I anticipated!  I kept reaching for plain cardstock to mat something or cut out letters...so hard to break habits!  Anyways...I ended up using all Basic Grey papers (and I did check with Tracey the hostess in advance to make sure it was ok) including the solid/pattern-ish papers that come in the pack.  They add a little texture while still giving me that solid block kind of look that I sometimes have to have!  I used this months Basic Grey sketch (can you tell I heart BG????).

Supplies:  Paper - Basic Grey Infuse; Flowers - Prima; Rub-ons - My Mind's Eye; Stickles - Diamond; Ranger - Glossy Accents; Cricut - Plantin Schoolbook; Robin's Nest Dew Drops - Island Blossom

I honestly don't know...

what to title this post today! Guess this will work! LOL! Just a quick post to mention that new challenges kick off over at Simply Scrapping today! The challenges run all month, at the end if you complete all challenges (Card or LO...no requirement to do both!) you get entered into a random drawing for a fantastic prize! Ok...enough free advertising...except I must mention that I am hosting this week's card challenge! This weeks challenge is to create a Christmas Card featuring the color pink! Here is my sample:

Hope you take a chance to stop by Simply Scrapping!

Supplies: Paper - K&Co; Cardstock - SU, Bazzil; Stamp - CTMH; Ink - Distress Ink: Worn Lipstick; Stickles - Diamond; Sketch - CTMH Wishes book; Ribbon - unknown

ahh...September...

Wow...what a summer...for me the First of September kind of signifies the end of summer and the start of fall...even though I don't think we become "fall" for a few more weeks...well that's neither here nor there...I'm looking forward to some cooler weather! So...for this post...I'm going to give you my top 10 list of summer...all the goodies and yummies of the scrapping world that I just loved and enjoyed this summer:

1. Verve stamps...I really CANNOT get enough!

2. anything Basic Grey...I loved every line I have seen so far!

3. CTMH summer idea book and Moon Doggie paper!!

4. CTMH's new fall/winter idea book!

5. SU Rockabilly paper...I made SO MUCH WITH IT!

6. The new look of the Shoe!

7. Any and all sketches by Judy Law and the community of Simply Scrapping!

8. Thickers...I'm pretty sure I've used them on 75% of my layouts this summer!

9. Studio 490 by Wendy Vecchi

10. GRUNGEPAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's all for now...back later tonight or tomorrow I hope!