Warming Up to Spring with a QKD Image

Today I'm trying to "think Spring."  The birds are slowly making their way back to the area, so I thought this pretty treat holder using Laura Macy's "Love Birds" was a good way to hurry the season along (especially when the treat is a packet of hot chocolate to warm up my insides).

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 lace 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 someone special this week as temps are supposed to drop to below zero yet again!!

Discover all the warm images QKD offers at the SHOP!!

A Squigglefly Recipe

This week Squigglefly offers crafters a recipe challenge: Use a Squigglefly image with patterned paper, buttons/brads AND twine.
I used Squigglefly digi image Tiger by artist Enid Barnes. The drawing is so life-like that you don't have to be an experienced artist to color it. I just swiped it with Copic YG04.
I fussy-cut it out and framed it with cardstock and then patterned paper (to match its eyes). For my base, I used a dollar store journal whose cover was Kraft paper. I covered the covers with Basic grey patterned paper. After popping on my image, I applied sticker alphas to read ROAR, then embellished with jewels and buttons. I finished my altered journal by tying bakers' twine to both edges of my front cover, as well as using coordinating fibers to the spine. 
Now to explain the use of the word Roar:  Some girls don't ROAR out loud; sometimes they can only ROAR in the privacy of their own thoughts.  I know a very quiet girl who could use some ROARing lessons, so to start her off, I made this journal for her, so she can ROAR all she likes on paper.  She is also a big Katy Perry fan, so the following lines are for her as well:

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire 

Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar.."

(lyrics copyright of Katy Perry)

Your turn to ROAR with Squigglefly's Recipe challenge.  All participants get a randomchance of winning free digi's!!  And if you haven't started your Squigglefly digi collection yet, pick up some FREEBIES.

Owl Always Love You

Today I don't have a card for you.  I have a lovely altered notebook that I created using a Squigglefly image and one of the sentiments that comes with it.  This cute image is called "Hooo Loves Ya" from artist Fawn Palmer, and it comes with not one, not two but FIVE sentiments!
I snagged a couple cute notebooks from the $1 bin at Michael's.  It already had the diecut white cover and the blue "under-cover" was so pretty that I used the same color for my image and sentiment (Copic B93).  I decided to fussy-cut my sentiment so it would fit where I wanted to place the words.
For embellishment, I added adhesive-backed pearls and doodled (and highlighted) with a white gel pen.  That's it!  Simple but very stylish.  So stylish, in fact, that my daughter, an owl-lover to the nth degree, now has possession of my altered notebook (with my blessing, of course).
This week's challenge over at Squigglefly is to use a Squigglefly image AND sentiment on your project.  And just like me, you don't have to make a card (although you go right ahead if you want to) LOL.

Floral Thank You Card

Today I made a card using "Florophone," a QKD January new release.  I can't tell you how many times I have printed this up with which to make cards.

Here, I colored my image with Copics, framed it with cardstock, and popped it onto some handmade paper I was given by a dear friend, Liz.  I plan on giving this card to her as a thank you for her generosity, and for thinking of me as someone who can use it. She gave me 3 foot square rolls of this and more handmade paper with which to play!  Lucky me!

I attached my image onto embossed cardstock and embellished simply with a jeweled flourish that I cut apart for the two corners.

For more inspiration, check out the Queen Kat Designs Facebook page.  If you're interested in this cute image, go to the SHOP.
Check out the Buy 3, Get 1 Free February Sale here:

A Love of Lists

I am a list maker.  I LOVE making lists.  

Not just your hum drum to-do lists, but lists that tell a person’s life story.  Lists like “the many ways my husband shows he loves me.”  Or “all the things I have for which to be thankful.”

One that really helps me pull my wretched self out of a deep pit of depression is “how many people whose lives I have touched (and who have touched mine).”

One year I kept a journal of lists and wrote in it at least once a week.  Luckily I am just enough of a hoarder to have buried the journal for a couple years.  I just re-discovered it while cleaning out my dresser drawers.  And upon reading my lists, I re-discovered myself. 

I remembered the things that made me happy not so long ago.

I re-discovered my passion for art and painting.

I renewed my dreams.

I re-evaluated my bucket list.

And most importantly, I reminded myself how much I LOVE making lists!!

I created the project above for the Path of Positivity's February Challenge on the theme of LOVE.  Since I LOVE making lists, I decided to make a journal cover for all my 2014 lists.

I started with a 4x6 index card notebook.  It has an acrylic cover, which works perfectly for setting the background of heart-themed patterned paper from DCWV.

Next I chose my image.  Since journaling is really just a conversation with yourself, I used a digi image called "Skellie Gossip" from one of our monthly sponsors, Ike's Art.  I used very little color (Copic E000) for my pair of bony companions, then fussy-cut them out.  I adhered a leftover diecut of patterned paper on the front cover of my notebook, placing a border of washi tape from Recollections on which my pair could rest their weary bones (pun intended).

I embellished the patterns on the tape with black Skittles.

A few adhesive-backed jewels and a large heart charm almost finish off my project.  I just needed to bring out the edges of where the two front flaps join together to keep all my lists from spilling out.  I used black and Diamond Stickles for that and my altered notebook is complete.

What's going to be my first list of the year?  The people I love to LOVE-that would make a very good start to the new year.  Judging from my project, 2014 will be another banner year for my list-making love.  

Will you share something you LOVE with us?  Go to the Path of Positivity to play in this month's challenge.  The fabulous sponsors and prizes are:

   Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digitals for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.

    Three digital images from Ike's World for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

    Three digital images from Scribbles Designs, our guest sponsor this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

    One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.

     One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles as well.

Square Off with a New Squigglefly Challenge

Today I made a card for this week's challenge at Squigglefly.  It is a 6x6 square card to match the challenge's theme of SQUARE-SHAPED CARDS.
I used some leftover patterned paper for the background.  Then I colored up this awesome image from Squigglefly called "58 Impala" by artist Carmen Gamble.
I framed the image with black cardstock, which I also used to frame my birthday sentiment (I also used a negative piece of paper to frame my sentiment).
All that was left were the embellishments, which included Skittles, pearls. adhesive lace and a pretty green ribbon bow!
In the mood to make a square card?  Use a Squigglefly image on it and play in the challenge for your chance to win free digis!

Love Is in the Air

With Valentine's Day coming up this Friday, I thought I'd better crack the crafting whip and get some projects done to give to all my Valentine's.  The first thing I wanted to create was a canvas. I haven't done one in a couple of weeks, so I pulled out my homemade "modpodge," brushes and tissue paper and made a base for my canvas art.
Next I cut out a patterned paper heart, embellishing it and drawing a black glitter glue line (also homemade) around it.  Then I found the perfect alphas to spell out the word LOVE. Finally, I "had my way" with my canvas, adding sparkle, hearts and ink to finish it off.
For anyone thinking about joining the mixed media canvas craze, it's so easy and fun!  And below are recipes for my homemade modpodge and glitter glue:
modpodge:  2 parts white glue + 1 part water.  Stir and create!
glitter glue:   1 bottle white glue  minus  2 TBSP + 1 TBSP fine glitter.  Stir and start sparkling!

Here are the challenges I'm playing in this week:
OUTLAWZ SATURDAY PAPER ALA MODE CHALLENGE: Valentine's
PAPER TAKE WEEKLY Challenge:  Anything Goes
THE CORROSIVE CHALLENGE:  FEEL THE lOVE  
LOVE TO SCRAP Challenge:  WHO LOVES YA BABY?!
CREATIVE MOMENTS Challenge:  Anything Goes/Add Some Sparkle

Happy crafting, everyone!

 

Red + Pink = This Week's Squigglefly Challenge

This week's challenge over at Squigglefly is to use a Squigglefly image and a red and pink color combo.  I loved this Squigglefly digi image called "Tiger" from artist Enid Barnes.  As soon as I saw it, i knew it was going to be used on a Valentine's card for my hubby of 37 years.
I used pink chalk ink and dabbed it all over a gray cardstock base.  After coloring my image with Copics (V12), I adhered it onto red cardstock to frame it, then added it to my card with dimensional tape.
I had a piece of leftover hearts border from a previous project to use on the bottom of my card.  I added a red ribbon bow, then colored with a white gel pen a few hearts onto the card in random spots.  I also outlined the letters that spell out "Wild Thing."  Three tiny red pearls embellish my image.
On the inside of the card, I used Microsoft Word for the sentiment:  "You make my Heart sing."

And he does--my hubby, I mean.  He makes my heart sing and I am so happy he remains my one and only Valentine!

Hop on over to the Squigglefly Challenge Blog for some inspiration.  Hope you play in our challenge this week!

Thinking of Flowers on this Cold Winter Day

I have an altered art piece to show you today using the QKD digi image "Florophone."   I started with a cardboard container that had held Brie cheese.  After painting it, I used distress inks on a paper doily and added it to the top of my container.
I colored Florophone with Copics, adding a little sparkle with Stickles and Liquid Glass.  I used my circle cutting system from CM to cut out a frame for my image, allowing the flowers and butterfly to "escape" its frame.  Backing it with black cardstock, I attached my image to the container and the fun began.
A spray of mixed flowers adorns my art piece, while a cardstock sentiment finishes off the top.

To finish off the sides, I attached lace and pearls.   I haven't decided what to put into my altered container yet.  The possibilities include a set of altered round coasters, as well as circle-shaped note cards.  Any other ideas?  The container is about four inches wide.
Meanwhile, check out the STORE for more lovely images as well as some awesome inspiration!

POP Challenge #11 is All About LOVE

This year many of you know that my family grew when my son got married to a woman with a family.  My total number of grandkids grew from one to five!
Now the house is filled with laughter when they are over.  The girls and I craft together.  The boys help papa cheer on "da Bears" during football games (and now that the Super Bowl is over, "da Hawks," Blackhawks, that is).
Mac & Cheese is a constant side dish. There might be more mouths to feed, but there are more hands to clean up the food and dishes before dessert is served.
There are so many more presents to buy for, but more fun shopping for them.  Candy is more handy, but I get to craft more favor bags and treat holders.  The Wii is getting a workout, but when I join in the fun, I get a workout as well.
How do I feel about all this?  I LOVE it!
I love having kids in the house again.  I love making cookies and cooking for a crowd and playing cards and board games.  I love dressing up and going trick-or-treating again.  I LOVE having a bunch of grandkids, and as my altered wall art project says, "If I had known grandkids were so much fun, I would have had them first!"

I snagged a barn-shaped shadow box from my local Goodwill.  Here's the before picture (I always forget to take a before picture, so this is the best I could do).  After applying several coats of acrylic paint for a base, I printed the sentiment from Microsoft Word and adhered it to the "rafter" of my barn.
I added embellishments to it and then zeroed in on the photos I wanted to use.  I gave them depth by building different thickness layers of cardboard and foam board before adhering them.


I used a cute digi image from Scribbles Designs called Heart Doodles 2.  Coloring it with Copics and Spectrum Noir markers (BG10,72; Y15; and PL1), I added some diamond glitter glue from Studio G and a few leftover skittles to bring out the sparkle,
I popped the image onto embossed paper and distressed the words KISS, KISS.

Once my wall art was basically finished, I threw on the charms, flowers, jewels, stickers and tiny seashells into each boxed-in photo to help tell each photo's story.  For example, the one (lower left) with my grandson Frankie and granddaughter Bella and cousin on his arms. That photo was taken at my son's wedding reception, and they had chosen a beach theme, so seashells embellish it!

I wanted to show my LOVE for my grandkids with this photo collection for this month's Path of Positivity Challenge, which (surprise, surprise) asks for your projects and posts on the subject of LOVE.
Challenge runs from Feb. 3 – March 2. 
You can use any stamp or image, or none at all.
You can create an art project, card, layout, or write about what you truly LOVE.
It's all up to you!

This month, the sponsors and prizes are:
   Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digitals for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.

    Three digital images from Ike's World for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

    Three digital images from Scribbles Designs, our guest sponsor this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

    One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.

     One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles as well.

Tell us what YOU love for your chance to win these awesome prizes.  And please let us know how we're doing in the comments section.  See you there!

Added bonus: Sandy of Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog (and guest sponsor at POP) has a special challenge: BLING IT ON!  USe a Scribbles Designs digi image and load on the bling for your chance to win free digis!  I know I am!!

2014 New Technique Learned: Watercolors

One of my 2014 Crafting goals is to challenge myself more. Well, a PDA group I am in, Journal Mania Discussions, is doing just that.  The first challenge it issued was to make our own art journals, which wasn't a challenge for me. but the second challenge was!
I had never used water colors before, so this new media was an unknown.  And as I experiment in it, I find that control is the last thing that an artist has with water colors. You never know what and where the water will take you!
So, I have been practicing my newest passion. I use $1 paints from WalMart and those kids' brushes you can get at the dollar store that come 12 in a pack.
I am not showing my first horrid experiments, as I don't want to scare anyone away from my blog. But practice makes, well, there is no perfection in art, so I'll say it makes for better backgrounds. I've only dabbled in making water color backgrounds...so far.

I think I am loving the green, blue and pink mixes I get, so my covers, inside and out, sport that color combo. I used alpha stickers to title my journal, although I ran out of a couple "Rs" and "Os."
I like green, blue and yellow combos the best, though, and even tried painting on a paper doily, and made it into one of my water color journal pages.   My journal is roughly 5x5 inches. Sometimes a larger "canvas" can be overwhelming.
So here are a couple more pages that I water colored, trying to get different looks going. Every time I think I know what the page will look like, water, that tricky devil, takes me by surprise.

Here's another page I'll show you.  I tried to make a more colorful one resembling a rainbow, but kept dropping paint on the other colors until I finally said "okay, let the drops fall where they may!" I don't like it as much, but it's a learning journal. Hee hee!
So now I have a bound water color journal full of backgrounds for the next step. I haven't decided whether to draw some zentangles and let the colors I already painted decorate my finished projects, or if I should add more color to them after I draw the tangles. What do you think?
Whatever your art media is, always leave some time for a new technique. You never know when you will find yourself in another wild passion! Get carried away--it's worth it!