Link Up for Pink 2013 - Day 3

Hi!!!

I've seen some amazing projects posted so far at Link Up for Pink! If you haven't posted yours yet, you still have time!

Here is my project for day 3!

The sentiment, corner stamp, and heart all come from Unity Stamp Company. I really like the way the stamps are made and they have many great sentiments!
The paper comes from the Chantilly paper pack from Close to My Heart. I'm using this paper a lot because of the bright colors (and because I am desperately trying to use up ALL the paper I have in my stash, lol! I think I don't really need to buy paper for another six months. But I know I'll see something on sale or extremely cute and want to have it!

I hope that you have like my projects so far. Come back tomorrow to see my project for day four! Thanks for stopping by! ♥ 

Link Up for Pink 2013 - Day 2

Hello everyone!!!

As promised, here is my project for day 2 of Link Up for Pink! 

I wanted to do something a little different. I have a few Tim Holtz stamps that I had not yet used. I decided that this hot air balloon would be appropriate! The sentiment Thanks for Lifting Me Up comes from the Unity Stamp Company. I inked the edges using distress ink in Worn Lipstick. The paper comes from the Chantilly paper pack from Close to My Heart (I believe this particular paper pack is now retired). I added some bling for just a little sparkle.The card is simple but the message is strong. ♥

Come back to visit my blog tomorrow to see my project for day 3 of Link Up for Pink! Thanks for stopping by! 

Link Up for Pink 2013 - Day 1

Hello everyone!!!

Well school is in full swing and I have been noticeably absent from my blog. With that said, I have made it a point to make sure that I create items related to Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Just Yolie's Third Annual Link Up for Pink. You can find more info HERE!

You can also link up your project here on Diana's page. She is also hosting a link up party HERE!
I almost forgot to post my project as I was busy working on lesson plans for the next few days, but here is my project for day one of the link up. 

The stamps used are from the Kit of the Month stamp set from October 2011 called Faith, Hope, Love...Live by It. I really like this set and I really like the Unity Stamps!!! The paper comes from a retired paper set from Close to My Heart called Sweetheart.

Come back tomorrow for my project for day two of the fourteen days of Link Up for Pink!!!!!

Altered clipboard ♥

Hi everyone!

Well, the summer is winding down. Beach weather is almost gone...I'm not ready to give up my flip flops and shorts yet, lol!

Any way, I've been preparing for the past few weeks to go back to school. In an effort to stay organized when I am collecting anecdotes about my students, I decided to try something different. In the past, I would use a notebook to collect anecdotes. However, more often than not, I would put the notebook down somewhere and forget where I would last place it. Also, I would put my pen down and not be able to locate it for a while.

I decided this year I would us a clipboard and have several areas in the room with a little hook designated for the clipboard. This way, I could hang it in more than one place and still keep a track of it. I also decided to alter the clipboard in some bright cheery colors so I could easily spot it in my classroom.

Here it is!!

I first painted the edges of the clipboard black. I used three sheets of card stock from Die Cuts with a View (DCWV) from the Grade School Stack. I only had the 8 x 8 pad available because I was unable to find the 12 x 12 stack. That is why I wound up painting the border black. After the paint dried, I sealed it with a layer of mod podge. I also painted the entire back of the clipboard black and put a layer of mod podge on top of that as well.

After the  mod podge dried, I cut two strips of the card stock from two of the three sheets. I cut them at 2 3/4 x 8. The apple pattern and the top and the diamond patter at the bottom are the strips I cut. The middle sheet with all the stripes is a full sheet. I layered the apple sheet and the diamond sheet on top and adhered everything with mod podge. Once the sheets dried, I put a thin layer of mod podge to seal everything.

I took four ribbon and cut them in half, then threaded the ribbon through the hole at the top. I hot glued some buttons on the top of the board. To keep my pens in place, I covered two binder clips with some of the leftover paper using my ATG gun for the adhesive.

I hope you like it! I am working on some other projects for use in my classroom. Stay tuned for more projects...coming soon!!! ♥

Paper Girl Swap - PL cards

Hi everyone!!

I've been missing for a little bit. I've been working on paperwork for school as well as important paperwork for our home. School will be back in session in a few weeks, so I need to make sure everything is all good!

I belong to a Facebook group called Paper Swap Girls. I've been a part of the group for a couple months now. This month our theme was to create PL cards using a movie theme.

The card size is 4 x 6. I used some paper from Heidi Swap for the base. I had the perfect washi tape for this project! I used the Tim Holtz alterations die as the focal point, distressing the edges with distress ink. I used the Typeset stamp set from Close to My Heart and stamped the word 'Action' on the washi tape.
I think this turned out super cute!

I have a couple projects in the works and I'll be sharing them with you very soon!!

No Place Like Home ♥

Hello everyone!

More journal art for your viewing pleasure!!!

I used the Artful Dwellings die by Sizzix for the homes. I used a brick stencil on the body of the houses and a Martha Stewart punch for the roof. I sprayed the background using Dylusions spray. I used the newsprint rubber stamp for the text back ground and harlequin stencil as well. The alphabet stamp comes from Close to My Heart. I drew circles and outlined them with white paint and charcoal. I painted the inside of the sentiment using Golden acrylic paint. I created this scene because I like relaxing on my sofa with a good book or watching a really good movie; at home!

Stay tuned for more art work: coming soon!! ♥

Altered Frame ♥

Hello everyone!!

I have many photos that I've taken and they are just stored in my computer (counterproductive I know, lol). Today I decided to print one of my many pictures and put it in a frame that I altered.

I purchased this frame from Michael's (it's one of the nicer wood frames. I used a coupon and got it for 40% off the original price). Here is what it looked like before I worked my magic, lol:

Now here is what it looks like after I worked on it. 

This picture was taken two years ago when I completed my Master's degree. I was definitely happy!!

I first painted the frame with acrylic paint from Golden. The paper is from Close to My Heart and the flower is from Prima. The banners on the top left were punched using my Big Shot and the Spellbinder's die Pretty Pennants. I used a scallop and circle punch for the "medallion" on the top left. The happy banner on the top right is from a clearance shelf at Michael's. I think the manufacturer is My Mind's Eye (although I'm not 100% sure). I used my Xyron 1" sticker maker to adhere the banners and medallion.

I really like the way this turned out. I'm going to have to print my pictures and put them in frames more often!

Stay tuned for more art work and projects: coming soon! ♥

Altered Magazine File ♥

Hello everyone!

I went to Target yesterday to purchase some items and I came across this magazine holder. When I saw it I thought to myself, how can I make it look a little more interesting.

Here is what it looked like before...

Although the chevron pattern was pretty cool, I decided that I wanted to look a little different. Here is what it looks like now...

close up of inside...

I already have some solid card stock inside of the magazine file to sit on my shelf. It looks pretty good there!
Thanks for stopping by! I have more projects on the way! ♥

Adhesive Foil Art ♥

Hello all!

During my summer break, I always try to learn new things. Whether it is a new crafting technique, a new skill or gaining some new knowledge, I love learning! I guess that is one of the reasons why I became a teacher (in addition to a love of nurturing and imparting knowledge).

After having a discussion with some other crafters in a group in which I belong, I decided to attempt a new technique - using adhesive foil and adhesive mesh tape (the one used for dry wall). I ventured to Lowe's as I was informed that I where I would find the necessary items. Both the adhesive foil and the adhesive mesh tape can be found in the aisle with all the other tapes.

I laid down the adhesive mesh, gears, heart and love down on the page. I layered the foil on the top, crumpling the foil before laying it down. I then used the tip of a quill tool to dry emboss around the shapes. Next, I applied a thin layer of black acrylic paint, wiping it off and leaving just enough to stain the page. Finally I used Viva Decor Inka Gold in Yellow Gold around the page.

I am really happy the way this turned out! The only thing I would do differently is pulling some paper through the binder so the black ink doesn't stain the edge of the page. Otherwise, I really like it! And I hope that you like it too!

Stay tuned for more journal art --- coming soon!!! ♥

Art Journal ♥

Hello all!

Since the summer is here and I have more "free time" on my hands, I decided that I wanted to create an art journal for myself. Since I have been really immersing myself in to mixed media art, I thought that it only makes since to create an art journal.

I created this 8 1/2 x 11 art journal using my Zutter bind it all. I purchased the chipboard covers on Amazon (I don't remember the name of the company). The o-wire is one inch wide. The paper inside is Recollections. 

I used Tim Holtz stamps, gelatos, acrylic paint,  Viva Decor Inka Gold, and Martha Stewart punch on the cover. The title "Art Journal" is one of the fonts I used from my collection. I printed the letters and "fussy cut" them.

This is the very first page that I have completed in my art journal. The title says "Life is a...Carnival". The background was done using Viva Decor Inka Gold and Tim Holtz stamps. The images and font came from a free digital collage. At the moment I do not have the link, but as soon as I remember where I found this page, I will post the link.  I love this page!!! Life can be a carnival, if we want it so.  I actually completed this page before I bound the book together so I was able to get the color around the entire page.

I hope you like what you see! I'll be posting the next page in my art journal soon!