It Moves My Soul!

Monday is mine at Sparkle N Sprinkle!

I decided to make a 6x6 canvas collage using a ton of products from this awesome company.

Did you know they make their own glitters, embossing powders, glue, and stamps?

They just added 8 new SUPER THICK embossing powders to their line...perfect for Spring and the holidays.

To make it even BETTER, they are coming out with more new (secret) products soon...so cool!

Please visit the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to see the details of this canvas; what I used and such.

Enjoy!

Watercolor Pencils are not just for water anymore!

Watch the Tutorial Here

Hi! Welcome to my studio!

Today I am using a beautiful stamp set just released this month at Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Violets for You

I really love the vintage "feel" of this image. Violets are an old fashioned flower.

To create this card, I used two sets of Nuvo Watercolor Pencils:

Brilliantly Vibrant 

and

Hair and Skin Tones

Instead of water, I blended with 91% rubbing alcohol, using an aquaflow brush filled with it. I wrapped a piece of washi tape around the brush, to differentiate it from my waterfilled brushes. 

First, I heat embossed the image on kraft cardstock, using white embossing powder.

I colored the images with colors from the hair and skin tone set, as they are more muted, and give that vintage look. I used Pinot Noir, Strawberry Milkshake, and Ivory Rose for the Violets. The only color I used from the Brilliantly Vibrant set was green, in two hues: Lemon Grass and Imperial Jade. I also added some Caramel Popcorn to the leaves to tone them down, and the brilliant colors were a bit too bold.

 

I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Claire Ink in Pinecone. It stamps so clear and clean. I just love it!

The bottom of the "note" is torn and brushed with Nuvo Mousse in Indian Gold.

I also used it at the top.

I layered the  note on the background, and added a twine bow. The finishing touch is Nuvo Vintage Drops in Chocolate Chip and Pioneer Green.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ

Dragonfly Dreams

The Corrosive Challenge

A Bit More Time to Craft

Classic Design Team

Please check out our online store, and create your own lovely palette of colors, using Vintage Drops and Nuvo Watercolor Pencils, along with your choice of our lovely stamp line.

Happy Holidays,

Home is Where the Love is

Mixed Media is my love...lately.

I have been creating 12 x 12 canvases this year, and enjoy it so much. 

So now that I am a part of the Sparkle N Sprinkle family, I get to create with the amazing embossing powders, glitters, stamps, and glues we create, not to mention Tearific Tape, and Tonic Nuvo products we sell...the list goes on and on.

For this 6x6 canvas, I challenged myself to think outside of the card box, so to speak. In doing so, I actually moved into my own comfort zone!

Here is what I used for this project:

By Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Vintage Country Home Digital Stamp Set

You Hold the Key Digital Stamp Set

Journal Mixed Media Rubber Stamp Set

Music Background Rubber Stamp Set

Copper Flame Chunky Embossing Powder

Glitzy Gold Cosmic Embossing Powder

Caribbean Embossing Powder

Cayenne Embossing Powder

Platinum Detail Embossing Powder

Pear Embossing Powder

Brushable Glue

Static Free Bag

Also Available at Sparkle N Sprinkle

Nuvo Vintage Drops in:

-Bohemian Teal

-Saddle Bag

-Pioneer Green

-Dusty Rose

-Postbox Red

Nuvo Embellishment Mousse in:

-Persian Red

-Spring Green

Mother of Pearl (made into a mist)

Light Mist Spray Bottle 2-pack

Versafine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

Nuvo Marker Pen Collection in

Rich Reds (I used Tiger Lily 374)

Cookies & Cream ( I used Garlic Clove 472)

Nuvo Dual Tipped Blender Brushes

I also used a piece of a vegetable bag as a stencil.

I hope this inspires you to try mixed media canvases...

Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to create a canvas like this one.

Happy Stamping,

Retro Summer with Gecko Galz

I've never been to Hawaii, but I love pineapple...does that count?

With all that's burning there right now, I thought I would pay tribute to their

beautiful state...and the delicious fruit that comes from there.

I do have a pineapple plant I am growing from the top of a pineapple. I have actually seen pineapples growing in my neighbors' yards...so cool!

Being a transplant (like most of my friends here in our community) from the north, I am truly captivated by the flora and fauna here in Florida...the birds are amazing too!

Anyway...

the above card was created with some of the newest images from Gecko Galz. The background is from the, First Class Package paper pack. 

My gorgeous lady is from the, Aloha Digital Collage Set. She is framed in black to match the framed sentiment, which is found in the, Quotes to Live By set. 

I made a flower using a soda can and alcohol ink, with the Tattered Floral and Tattered Poinsettia dies by Tim Holtz. The dry embossing folder is by Tim Holtz's Alterations. It's embossed with a polka dot folder from my stash, and has Stickles by Ranger in the center. I also put Stickles on her lei, but they are difficult to see here. They look great in real life though!

The cardstock is "vintage" CTMH...years old!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Crafty Gals Challenge #167 Summer Colors

Little Red Wagon Challenge #449

That's Crafty Challenge Blog - All in a Summer's Day

Enjoy life today...and have fun!

Garden Time with Gecko Galz

Hello! Welcome to my studio.

Here are a couple of cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other card is in the previous post.

This first card I simply adore. The little girl image from the Garden Time digital collage set is irresistible. A bit of Stickles in silver adorns her hat, gloves and shoes. I paired her with a seed packet image from Pretty Seed Packs, to which I added a few Glossy Accent puddles. I also distressed the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink by Ranger.

The background is from the Kensington Gardens ATC set. I dirtied it up with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. I used some old CTMH cardstock to create the card base. What I like about their cardstock is the white core. I don't know if they still make it that way, but this is "vintage cardstock," as it is about 18 years old!

The sentiment is from the Charming Words set...lots of perfect words for any mood. 

The vines were cut with a die set called, "Trailing Ivy" by Creative Expressions. I added some Distress Oxide Ink and Glossy accent drops to provide some real life texture and color. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. I also enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop.  Every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

I am entering this card in the following challenge...
Hiding in my Craft Room # 339 4/17

Have fun,

In the Garden with Gecko Galz

Hello! Welcome to my studio.

Here are a couple of cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other card is in the next post.

This second card reminds me of my best friend. She loves plants. This gardener image from the How Does Your Garden Grow? digital collage set, sets the mood. A bit of Stickles adorns the flowers. I also included a butterfly from the same set. The love letters image from the Postal set, is accented with more Stickles. I also distressed all the edges of the elements with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink by Ranger.

A little tag from, Tag You're It and some melted ribbon from my stash dress up the corner of this card.

The background is from the Kensington Gardens ATC set. I dirtied it up with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. Some strategically folded patterned paper creates a sort of, clapboard siding, reminiscent of a house where this woman lives and tends her garden.

The sentiment is from the Charming Words set...lots of perfect words for any mood. 

The vines were cut with a die set called, "Trailing Ivy" by Creative Expressions. I added some Distress Oxide Ink to provide some real life color. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. I also enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop.  Every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

Challenge entered with this card:
Hiding in My Craft Room #339

Have fun,

I Love Spring with Gecko Galz

This is one of two cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other one can be found in the next post.

I have been having fun with the Artsy Domino Digital Collage Sheet by Gecko Galz. So much variety and COLOR!

I also used a butterfly from Butterfly Dreams. I coated it with Glossy Accents, and attached it with the same. I used one of the Tim Holtz Alterations Die sets that I got for Christmas. I ran a piece I printed on cardstock from the Playing with Marbles ATC Collection. Behind the cutouts, I used some Marabu Mixed Media Art Spray in Cherry Red. It's an acrylic spray paint and it's so cool!

The Postmark is from the Birdie Darlings Set. I simply cut it out of one of the images. I used some Stickles to create the cancellation lines. 

Finally, I used the Charming Words set for my sentiment. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. However, I enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop. Right now Easter stuff is on sale, and every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

Have fun,

Paris Birds in the Spring

This is one of two I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge.  The other one follows in the last post.

I used the following Gecko Galz products. I just LOVE these vintage images!

Butterfly Dreams Collage Set

Birdie Darlings

C'est La Vie Mini Paper Pack

Junk Journal Page Header Craft Kit

Join The Gecko Galz Paper crafting Challenge Group for some really awesome fun. 

Visit the Gecko Galz Etsy shop, especially on One Dollar Wednesdays and now for Easter deals.

That's all for now...happy shopping and vintage crafting!

A Love for the Past

"Thoughts of Love" featuring Gecko Galz 

Gecko Galz Products I used in the above card:

Ladies of the Court Digital Collage Set

Very Vintage Junk Journal Kit

St. Peters Square Mini Paper Pack

Hello and welcome to my studio.

It's a fresh new year!  We all have a clean slate...a chance to start again. 

In my life, and here on my blog, I have found the need to spend the next year being as purposeful as possible.

As I pondered this idea, I came up with some questions for myself. Here they are:

"What am I passionate about?"

"How have I been gifted?"

"What can I share that my family, my friends, and my followers need?"

After giving these matters some thought,  I concluded the following...First, I am passionate about the past. I am drawn to historical fact and fiction. Stories of times past draw me in...causing me to explore further. Historical sites intrigue me. I realized that I also enjoy saving and repurposing items from the past...making them useful once more, if only as décor in my home.

Secondly, I am an artist. I have been told I have an innate sense of design. I am thankful for several wonderful teachers in my younger years, who have helped hone my gift. 

These two facts bring me to the final conclusion that I can share my designs and art with those who might share a love for the beauty of our past, or who are just discovering how history is reflected in our own lives. 

So here we go! My year will be focused on using historical references to create not only art, but repurposed items which have a history of their own. I will endeavor to give them new life, new purpose. 

This excites me!  My work will not be all that different from years past, but will definitely be redefined and more purposeful. I have been self-directed toward a definite purpose. 

Items I repurposed on the above card

Aluminum drink cans (flowers)

Necklace (flower centers)

Doily

If you find that you are also looking for a directed purpose, I hope you will take a few moments to ponder the questions, 

1. What is my passion?

2. What is my talent?

3. What can I share that others can use?

Let me know what you come up with!

I hope you enjoy what you experience here this year.

Cheers to 2018!

My Vintage Winter Necklace

If you know me at all, you know I am an avid repurposer. Why just the other day our chef was cutting up asparagus, and I scored a whole handful of purple rubber bands!

So what if they have sku numbers on them...they're PURPLE!

Anyway, I have a necklace to share today. I made the tags from a metal tin...the one my Prismacolor Pencils came in.

After cutting the tags with tin snips that I got at a yard sale for 50 cents, I sanded the edges with a file, and punched holes with a nail.

 This is the reverse side:

I then printed off four images from Gecko Galz' Baby It's Cold Outside Collage Set. I made them the same size as the tin pieces. Then, I glued them in place with Glossy Accents, and did a double coat of the same on each side of the tags...one side at a time, giving them a day to dry.

I love how they turned out.
 I am entering this necklace in the following Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge #269

Be sure to visit the Gecko Galz Blog, and take a peek at all the DT blogs. Vintage digitals at their BEST.

Stay creative,