PagesPat's Ponderings

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Diary of an Artist

Some people call it an art journal, others a smash book.  To me, it's a diary of an artist.  It contains poetry, feelings, memories and discoveries.  It uses a lot of experimentation, creativity and time.  It causes smiles, laughter, nostalgia, surprise, tears and freedom.
I'd like to share my first page with my friends.  I call it my "Inner Eye".  I started with the paper, embellishing it with Copic marker, paint and a googly eye.  I love Piet Hein's poem about life's ultimate question.  To put a personal stamp on the poem, I placed my painted handprint onto the page and printed the poem onto it.  It reads, "I'd like to know what this whole show is all about before it's out."  Another googly eye gives it a searching feel, don't you think?
My bit of self-discovery came about when I colored and added the dancer.  Me?   I am a great dancer--in my chair.  Rarely do I get up onto the dance floor-let's face it, I have two left feet!!  And I didn't color her in modest shades, but brilliant colors, and many of them.  The ultimate clue to my secret dancer came when I added the feathers and I thought to myself, "There I am!"  Who would have thought?!
I finished off the page with some doodling in black and white, and had to add a bit of bling with a few scattered sequins.
I don't know yet if I'll post the rest of my pages.  After all, it is my diary of sorts.  But I urge everyone out there to let your creativity flow onto your own diary.  You never know what you might discover!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Get in Shape with a Squigglefly Challenge

I 'm featuring a shaped card today for the Squigglefly Challenge blog.  Their theme is shaped cards.
The image is another February release from Squigglefly.  It's called Juggling Hearts Bear by artist Cheryl Alger.  This bear looks so happy, juggling all those hearts.  I bet he has many girlfriend bears to who he can give them!
I gave this card to my granddaughter for Valentine's Day.  She is a card maker, too.  In fact, both my granddaughters love to craft with Grandma Pat!  We spent a day before Christmas making cards and presents for the holidays.  I feel the need, the need to craft with them again!!  Can't get enough of them coming over and creating with me.
Like what you see?  Check out the DT's cards for more inspiration.  Play in the challenge for the chance to win free digi's.  Why are you still here?!  Hop along, and tell them Pat sent you!!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Just a couple of Love Birds

That describes me and my hubby of over 30 years, so what better to show him how much I love him by making a card featuring a Queen Kat Designs stamped image called Love Birds.  the stamp is from artist Laura Macy, and I love to color this pair over and over!
Here I colored the birds with Copics and cut it out with my Nestabilities Die.  I edged my card with my Creative Memories Border punch system (Lacy Scallops).  Embellishments include a ribbon bow and some adhesive-backed pearls.
There are lots of stamps for sale at the Queen's Shoppe!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Inspired by a Song

Forever Night Creepy Challenge Blog has a new theme this week:  Be Inspired by a Song.

I was inspired by the song "Love Potion Number Nine".  I had this lovely image from  Kenny K Designs called Cabaret and already knew I wanted some sheet music for the background.  I distressed the heck out of the paper and the rest of the card fell into place after coloring the image with a mix of Copics and Spectrum Noir markers.
I like that touch of black magic, using a Halloween vellum sticker of the potion bottle.  I added a rub-on of the "No.9", and added some Stickles to make the bottle look like there was a bit of potion left in it.
I will add that Kenny K's image, Cabaret, is lovely enough to not ever have to resort to love potions, but maybe she was in a slump? LOL
Enjoy this week's challenge at Forever Night Creepy Challenge Blog, and as always, keep crafting!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tipping My Crafter's Hat to Mr. Poe


Today I honor one of my fave authors, Mr. Edgar Allan Poe.  One of my fave stories from his compilation of writing includes the short story, The Tell-Tale Heart.  

I remember doing a college independent study on him and his macabre works of fiction.  I also remember that I got an A on that 30 page final. 
So I’ve been playing with Mod Podge a lot lately, mostly on mixed media canvas art.  I decided to see what it looks like on a card, so I used a smidge of it on this card, adhering a torn piece of leftover Valentine napkin and some vellum sheet music to create my background.
Then I distressed with ink. I used a mirrored tile and some ribbon to give it a little shine.  I tore up the phrase  "master of macabre” and placed the words on the embellishments on my card.  
The arrow, heart and banner are chipboard stickers from Basic grey.  The phrase, ribbon and mirror are all part of a generous card kit I received from my good friend and fellow artist, Jean.  We have a Facebook page on which crafters can join in monthly card kit swaps create, and show off their work on our page.  Here's the link:  
Hope to see you there!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Sentimental-ly Yours

Time for a new challenge at Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  This week calls for a Squigglefly Sentiment as the focus on your card.

I chose to make a Swing Card with my sentiment swinging in to show off a feathery butterfly on the back.

I first discovered swing cards while attending a Stampin Up workshop, but I hadn't made another one since that day back in 2001!!

So although this isn't a NEW technique for me, it's one that I have re-discovered.  I like the way it turned out, and will have given it to my hubby this valentine's Day.

Now it's your turn to showcase a Squigglefly sentiment.  There are hundreds of cute, sassy, funny, loving, witty, thoughtful sentiments at Squigglefly Designs, so check them out and play for a chance to win free digi's this week!!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

You Light Up my Life

We love to light candles for a romantic night at home together, but we are always forgetting to distinguish them before going to bed.  So I bought some flameless tea candles and snagged a couple tall glass containers from Goodwill and made us some safe romantic lights for our next "night in".
I used a Queen Kat Designs February release stamp called Love Birds by artist Laura Macy.  I stamped and embossed the image in purple onto vellum paper and cut the vellum to fit the glass jar.  I adhered it to the outside of the glass and added some fiber and my project is finished.  Very safe, very pretty, very simple.
For more of Laura Macy's stamps, as well as all the new QKD releases, check out the Shoppe.

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things


Today I want to showcase three of my favorite cards.  I could say I'm feeling nostalgic, but there is a method to my madness.  Delicious Doodles is having a Design Team call and asks for a post of three fave projects.
The problem was I had trouble choosing just three, so one of the ways I whittled down my selection was to choose just from the cards I've made, no altered art, no decor, not gifts or layouts.  Just cards--I hope you like them!
The first uses a stamped image from Crafters' Companion on an easel card.  Making easel cards is easier than crafters who've never tried them think. But I wanted to create a twist to the "open" or stand up part of it. The reason this is one of my faves is the pure architecture of the card.  The colors coordinate, the image isn't lost in the embellishments, but mostly the lines of the card are beautiful.


Next up is a pretty stamped image from Sweet Pea.  I like this card because I used patterned papers to set my scene, and the colors are not your normal ones.  I also like that I set the image by herself, yet she is so much a part of the whole scene.
You can also tell I love to distress!  By crumpling,sanding and inking the "sandy beach", it has more dimension to it.
The whispy white bow makes a nice cloud, don't you think?


Last, I made a card using a HouseMouse image.  It's a simple card, mostly image, paper and a couple embellishments.  I chose this one for two reasons:  the first is I love chocolate! LOL
The second is that I love how the chocolates came out, using my Copic markers.  They look so yummy, and I hope that's because of my coloring!
The colors really pop on the card, and the sentiment just seems to say it all!


So, there you have it--my love of cards and coloring in a nutshell.  Wish me lucl with the DT call, and if you have time on your hands and the need to create, check out Delicious Doodles blog!

Dark (but Late) Valentine


I have one last Valentine card to show you before we're off to another holiday, celebration or theme in the card-making world.  This one was made for Forever Night Creepy Challenges Blog and features an image from their sponsor, Dilly Beans.
It's called "Martin's Heart" and the theme for this week's new challenge on the Forever Night blog is DARK VALENTINE.  I think I accomplished this theme very well!  From the Copic-colored image to the black silhouetted seagulls to the blood-red jewels and the creepy crawly ants coming off of him, dark is the best word to describe this card.
And yet, there is a cuteness to Martin.  That's why I printed the sentiment and framed it in a word bubble: "Everyone needs a little love"  So true, and so my wish today is for everyone to get a little love in their lives.
Now hop along to the challenge blog and catch some inspiration from the rest of the design team!  Come back and tell me your favorite card featured today and I will send you the card above!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mixed Media Mania

I have finally taken the creative plunge with mixed media, and created a couple canvas art projects.  And now I am hooked and can't get enough paint, ink, paper, matte medium and anything else I can throw onto my canvas!!  Mwahaha!  Sorry for the maniacal laugh, but I am giddy with creative juices, and can't wait to show off my newest projects.
I started with a 6x8 stretched canvas and covered it with matte medium.Then I used acrylic paints to make the background.  I added some stamped shapes and then piled on some patterned papers and paper doilies. I stamped and colored a HouseMouse image, tearing around it and adhering it onto my canvas.  I embellished the heck out of it and then used a Black pen to highlight parts of my project.
I made it for a swap on PaperCraftPlanet, but I'm having trouble thinking about giving it away, so....
I had to make another one.  This again uses a HouseMouse image, as well as paints, ink, patterned papers,stickers, sequins, feathers, beads and a metal sentiment charm.  I love this one, and now I have two that I don't really want to part with!!!  So....
I made this one for Valentine's Day, using another House Mouse image, colored with Copics.  This time I experimented with some black & white doodling, and I like the effect.  It kind of makes things pop on the canvas.  I also added wire, buttons,a metal sentiment tag, a stick pin, acrylic, paper doilies, patterned papers, ink and paints.
I guess I am narcissisic, because I love this one too.  So...

I have two more canvases to play with, and then I'll have to make a decision on which one to send off to my swap partner!  (sigh)  Life is hard, sometimes!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Color Combo Challenge at Squigglefly

Pink and Black is one of my favorite color combinations when it comes to card making.  I am so lucky that Squigglefly's Challenge this week is to use a PINK & BLACK color combo on a card.  Mine sports a February release called "I Love You This Much" by artist Cheryl Alger.

I decided to frame it by color-blocking around the image like, well, a frame!  I pulled a piece of leftover black polka-dotted pink patterned out of my paper stash.  It inspired the Copics I used to color my image.

I decided to keep the rest of the card simple, with a few black flowers and a couple black jewels.

Now it's your turn to play at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  If you don't have a Squigglefly digi image, get your FREEBIE and go play for a chance to win more!!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Bunny hOP

Today I am hopping along with a February new Release from Queen Kat Designs called Vintage Easter Bunny by artist Laura Macy.  I love this little guy in his jester outfit, hopping along the bunny trail, offering his friends a flower.  I colored him with Copics and framed him with a circle cut from cardstock and inked on its edges.  The paper is leftover (as always) and has the beautifully shaped and colored edge.  I inked its edge as well and added my image to it, then popped it onto a card base.
The stamped sentiment is also from QKD.  For embellishments, I added a pastel bow and a bit of ric rac in springtime pink.  You can't see in the photo but I added some Liquid Glass from CTMH for shine.
Easter is coming, and for some inspiration and new stamps, check out the Queen!

Friday, February 8, 2013

Time for Another Forever Night Creepy Challenge

This week's challenge at Forever Night is to use a sketch and let your imagination run free.  I used a Bugaboo image--they are sponsoring the challenge this week.  The image is called Skellie Cupcake.  I love that her cupcake has a "cherry bomb" in the shape of a skull!!  Too cute!!
I had fun using leftover pieces of papers from my stash.  For the third year in a row, I have resolved to reduce, reuse and recycle, especially when it comes to paper!!  I have already cleaned out my craft room once this new year.  I need to schedule a clean out once a month.  I also have not bought anything new for my crafting, except for adhesive.  It's rough, but my word for the year is SIMPLIFY, and I plan to live out my year simply.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Outlawz Greeting Card Challenge

Hello, crafters!  Today I have a card that I am entering into the Outlawz Mondat Greeting Card Challenge.  This week's challenge is to use stitches on your card, whether they are sewn, drawn, or stamped or otherwise crafted!
In the photo, it looks like I sewed onto the card base, but I used a CTMH stamp set and Archival Black ink to make my stitches.  I colored my image (found in a spare parts box, please help me identify the company) with a combo of Copics and Spectrum Noir markers, then cut him out and framed him in black.  I punched tiny hearts for embellishments, highlighting them with white gel pen.  My sentiment is stamped, smudged and faux stitched!
Since I have three new grandsons, I am one card closer to having their cards finished by next week!! 
Have you checked out Outlawz yet?  There are some great challenges there, and lots of inspiration.  Go on and wrangle yourself a project to show off!!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Recipe for a Squigglefly Card

This week the Squigglefly Challenge Blog is asking for players to use a recipe.  In crafting terms, a recipe gives you the ingredients that must be used on your project.  Their recipe calls for a circle, a button, a flower and a Squigglefly image.

I used the digi image Forget-Me-Not Fairy by artist Fawn Palmer, a February new release (woohoo!).  The card is a patterned card base left over from a previous project, which inspired the Copic coloring of my fairy.

I CIRCLE-cut my image to frame it before adhering it to the card base after using a brown marker to color the rim of the circle.

I covered the flower on the digi image with a flower-shaped BUTTON.  I added a bow out of the same ribbon I used under the FLOWERs on the bottom half of the card.

And there you have it, my recipe for a Squigglefly card and a cute birthday card to boot!  Now it's your turn to go to Squigglefly Challenge Blog for more inspiration.  Check out all the new releases for February and play in the CHALLENGE for a chance to win free digi's!!


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Sweet (Pea) Valentine

One of my 2013 crafting goals is to play in more challenges, so here's a card for the February Sweet Pea Challenge Blog.
Their theme is anything Valentine.  I used a Sweet Pea stamp from artist Terra Bidlespacher called "The Shore".  Her stamp is a beach scene, but I fussy-cut her out along with a crab and a starfish.
I colored her with my trusty Copics and adhered her to my card base of ripped papers-some distressed core-dinations cardstock and some CTMH paper.  I stickled the ripped edges to look like sea foam glittering in the sun.
I added some ink to the card edges and to the "Sandy" cardstock.  I tied a bow and put it in the sky, as well as some seagull buttons.
I added a computer-printed sentiment, part of the lyrics of a song from Disney's Little Mermaid:  "Go on and kiss the girl".  A lone (punched) heart puts the final touch on my card, and I'm ready to play in the challenge!
A random winner will receive a gift certificate for their store, so what are you waiting for?  Everyone can use another stamp (or seven). LOL

Saturday, February 2, 2013

QKD February Releases


It's so hard to keep warm in the winter time, especially if you live in the Northern half of the world (or southern half if you're below the equator).  When I saw these new Queen Kat Designs February releases from Laura Macy, I thought that they would be perfect to use on treat cards that would warm up anyone's afternoon.  I colored Love Birds with my trusty Copics.
Since Valentine's Day is coming up and I'm a busy little crafter before each holiday, I decided to make a treat box with it.  This one is called a "Pull Treat Card" and I first made one a long time ago at a stamp party.

I cut a piece of cardstock 8.5x5.75" and scored and folded at 2-1/2" and 6-1/2".  I popped my colored image onto a piece of patterned paper after punching the corners.  I did a little distressing with my blender tool and some distress ink.  I added lace on the top and bottom and placed it on the center part of my folded cardstock.'Then I adhered the back flaps together and punched a hole at the top through it all.

If you thread a piece of ribbon (or lace like I used) from the front to the back, you can then add a treat, like a pack of gum, a candy bar, or a packet of hot cocoa on top of the ribbon inside the card.  Push it down until it meets the bottom edge of the card, then tie it at the top.

When you pull on the bow at the top, the treat comes up out of its card:
So my treat card with the Love Birds stamped image (as well as the hot cocoa) will warm anyone's Valentine's Day!!

Now that I have a full complement of grandkids, I can once more plunge into the realm of Easter crafting, too, especially when it comes to treats!  I used Laura's Vintage Bunny stamp to make an Easter treat pull card, again coloring the image with Copics.

I made the card a bit bigger to hold not cocoa, but a packet of microwave popcorn.  I used a piece of Bright Rainbow colored ribbon for the pull part.  I also added my granddaughter's name to the front.

QKD has a lot of new releases for February, including Laura's Love Birds and Vintage Bunny, so check out the Shop for some inspiration!!

Let It SNOW Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the February 2 Let It Snow Blog Hop!!

 If you've come from Carla's Blog, you're on the right track.  If not, start with Shannon so you don't miss any fun or inspiration.  I decided to make more than one project with a SNOW theme, since there is no snow to be found here in the Windy City.  My first is a card.
I went to a Stampin Up Card workshop this week, and one of the cards was this cute winter scene with embossed snowflakes, a snowman stamped image and glittery snow. The image is glossed over with "snow" by using a piece of packing tape and some glitter--that's it!!  I punched out the circle, put tape on it, sprinkled on the glitter, and then attached my Copic-colored image to peek through the "window".  I used the diamond glitter so that I could use this card in the Outlawz Friday Alcohol Markers Challenge.  Their theme is to use your birthday gem color on your card.  My birthday is in April and my gemstone is DIAMONDS!


Next up is a snow-themed treat:  I made "melting snowmen" cookies!  I got the idea off of Pinterest, and ran with it.  I baked sugar cookies and let them cool.  Then I frosted them and added a marshmallow for his head, decorated with an orange sprinkle and some black icing dots for eyes and stray buttons.



Looks like the only snow I'll see is right here on the Blog Hop.  Weather in Chicago is, well, weird!  As I write this, we have had two days in the mid 60's, and it has rained all night.  Today, I woke to a skinny sheet of ice and snow and wind chills of negative 2 degrees!  My bones are aching, my hair is frizzy and the people driving around are loony tunes.

Maybe by creating the winter layout below, the weather will take the hint and get back to a real Chicago winter!
Next stop on the Hop is ROBIN.  Before you leave, how about leaving a little love?  I have a little prize for a random visitor who leaves me a comment.  Alright, crafters, on your way, and have fun while you're at it!!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Let's Paint the Town Dead



Are you ready for the Zombie Apocalypse?  I am with this new card I made for Forever Night Creepy Challenge Blog!!  Their newest challenge is to use Pearls and Flowers on a card.   I started with an image called Zombie Stella from Meljens Designs, one of this week's sponsors at Forever Night.

Isn't she cute?  All dressed up for her night on the town.  If you think you might meet her, better bring your shotgun!! LOL
I used patterned paper that looks like lace, colored my image with Copics and popped her onto the card front.  A tiny string of pearls frames my image, while a trio of flowers rests toward the bottom.  My sentiment, "Let's Paint the Town Dead" was printed using Microsoft Word.

My next card uses an image from another of this week's sponsors,  Limited Runs, called Chomp.  The set comes with two fish images: one is "alive" and the other, the one I used, is, well, not quite alive! LOL
I used a blue cardstock base and attached a piece of patterned paper to it.  I added a strip of background skulls on one side, and then I covered the whole surface with this wide, plastic woven ribbon.
I attached my Copic-colored Chomp image with dimensional tape, as well as my computer-printed sentiment, "Greetings from the Dead Sea".  I added some flowers with tiny skulls in their centers, and finished off the card with a few floating pearls.
This card will be for my girlfriend, with whom I visit and talk at our favorite meeting place, Red Lobster!

Do you love Halloween the way I do?  Come join us at Forever night Creepy Challenges Blog to inspire your creativity and satisfy the dark side of your crafting!!

Other Challenges this week:
Joyful Stamper Blog - Anything Goes!