Spring Has Sprung

I've been very busy the last few weeks, but managed to put together this tag using supplies that were laying on my craft table.

I used vintage sheet music that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist, a vintage bird image, watercolor painting scrap, old buttons, and other old papers.

I tied a pale pink lace through the top and added a piece of old ribbon at the bottom.

We are getting much warmer weather here, and the trees are in full bloom. Pretty soon, I'll need to get out and start planting the gardens. I hope spring has arrived in your neck of the woods!
 

Lessons

This past Saturday, I taught my first class at The Crafty Scrapper. We had a great time and I'm looking forward to teaching again. Just have to come up with my next project.

I have a few projects in progress, so nothing new to share until I manage to get something finished! However, I can share a card that was recently published in the Create Vintage magazine. This card uses a combination of patterned papers and a beautiful image from Crafty Secrets.

I also used some Glimmer Mist to dye the seam binding bow, and added a stitched border around each layer of paper.

Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

I have reached so many crafting goals in the last few years. This year, I am hoping to return to a design team. And not just any design team. I would love to be a part of the Graphic 45 design team! I have loved Graphic 45 since they released their first collections. I find myself hoarding their products. But, I did manage to make a few projects with them :)

Here is my first round audition.

First up is a card that was recently published in the Create Vintage magazine.

Graphic 45 supplies used: Once Upon a Springtime "Once Upon a Springtime" and Playtimes Past "Child's Play" papers
Other supplies used: Background paper: Pink Paislee; Rub-on: Pink Paislee; Stickers: Cosmo Cricket; Tulle, Trim, Pearls: Craft Supply

Next I have a layout I created about my first day of school. Don't you love my knee socks and sandals? I don't care what my husband says, '80s fashions were the WORST! I tucked journaling about my memories of kindergarten behind the photo, written on a piece of old handwriting paper.

Graphic 45 supplies used: An ABC Primer "Alphabet Soup," "The Three Rs," and "Grammar School" papers; An ABC Primer Chipboard Die-Cuts 2; Chipboard Button Staples
Other supplies used: Background paper: Glitz Design; Cardstock: Recollections; Ribbon: May Arts; Ink: Ranger; Other: Baker's Twine, Old Paper

My friend Julie taught me how to make paperbag pockets. I created one for a Christmas gift.

Here is the pocket and its contents.

I dyed some seam binding and wrapped it around a Graphic 45 postcard image. Then I used a stick pin to attach a couple of Graphic 45 tags.

This tag ended up being my favorite part. After generously inking and spritzing the tag with distress inks, I used the brick road stamp and black embossing powder to mimic the brick building in the paper image. I added a few layers of UTEE to the "Compliments of the Season" piece to make it really stand out.

More hand dyed seam binding and a couple of vintage ornaments top of the tag.

For this tag, I used layers of paper, including vintage sheet music - one of my favorite supplies. I added metallic Inka Gold paint to the chipboard button to give this tag just a little glam.

Graphic 45 supplies used: Christmas Emporium "Joyous Noel", "Believe," and"Santa Express" papers; Christmas Past "Victorian Greetings" and "Christmas Past Tags" papers; Flower Staples; "Magic of Oz 2" stamps; Trim Staples
Other supplies used: Diamond and Rock Candy Stickles; Ink: Ranger; UTEE: Melt Art; Embossing Powder: Ranger; Stick Pin: Maya Road; Baker's Twine, Jute Twine: Craft Supply; Ornaments: Vintage; Seam Binding: Hug Snug; Sheet Music, Crochet Trim (on tag): Vintage; Paint: Viva Decor Inka Gold; Sewing Machine: Singer

Next is a project I created using an old box and baby photos of my parents. I created a hinge using tissue tape.

Here's my dad.

I tucked lots of little flowers, mushrooms, and other goodies around the photos.

And Mom.

Each photo is mounted on an old quilt square.

Graphic 45 supplies used: Once Upon a Springtime "Pixie Post," "Once Upon a Springtime," "Fairy Folk," and "Butterfly Kisses" papers
Other Supplies Used: Tim Holtz paper; Quilt Squares, Safety Pin, Sheet Music, Typewriter: Vintage; Flowers: Prima, Fancy Pants, Shabby Chic; Pearls: Recollections;  Trim: Webster's Pages, Maya Road; Punches: Martha Stewart, craft supply; Fabric Photo Corners: Melissa Frances; Tissue Tape: Tim Holtz; Diamond Stickles; Mushrooms: Craft Supply

Next is my "Home Sweet Home" hanging, featuring Graphic 45 fairies.

I created the background paper using watercolor crayons. The hanging is mounted on a piece of distressed cardboard.

Graphic 45 supplies used: Once Upon a Springtime paper
Other supplies used: Papers: Die Cuts with a View; Stamps: Martha Stewart (butterfly), Inkadinkado (bird); Watercolor Crayons: Staedtler; Punches: Martha Stewart, Marvy Uchida; German Scrap: Craft Supply; Metal Frame: Tim Holtz; Typewriter: Vintage; Tulle: Craft Supply' Paint: Ranger; Other: Stick, Vintage Seam Binding, Paper Scraps, Vintage Lace


I loved The Magic of Oz collection. I used it to create a paperbag album. It's hard to see in the photo, but I also added gold embossing powder to the yellow brick road for extra sparkle.

Here are just a few of the inside pages. I mixed images from the old book, the movie, and Graphic 45.

Here are a few of the tags I tucked inside:

Graphic 45 supplies used: The Magic of Oz "Journey to Oz," "Poppy Fields," "Goblin Gazette," and "There's No Place Like Home" papers; A Proper Gentleman "Man About Town" paper
Other supplies used: Paper: My Mind's Eye, Vintage; Stickers: Cosmo Cricket; Label Maker: Dymo; Rhinestones: Queen & Co.; Flowers: Prima; Embellishments: Pink Paislee, My Mind's Eye; Glitter: Stickles; Typewriter: Vintage

And finally, I love to make tags. When I have a little bit of time available and leftover supplies sitting on my craft table, I make tags. "A Star Is Born" features a fabulous Graphic 45 image, Tim Holtz film ribbon, and lots of textured fibers.

Graphic 45 supplies used: Communique "Communique" and "Communique Tags" papers
Other supplies used: Flower: Prima; Ribbon: Tim Holtz, Vintage, Craft Supply; Label Maker: Dymo; Acrylic Tag: Clear Scraps; Ink: Staz On; Stamp, Brads: Craft Supply

Well, that's it. Wish me luck!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you have a loving day with your sweetheart.

Here's a card I made for mine. The background is a piece of Jenni Bowlin paper layered with a scrap of Bo Bunny Dots paper (leftover from the Christmas cards). I cut a heart from an old tablecloth scrap and layered it with an old wallpaper scrap.

A metallic paper medallion, tag, floral pin, and some stitching complete the card.
 

Soar

For this month's art journal challenge, we each selected one word and created based on it. The word I selected was "soar."

I started with the bird image and let that guide the color scheme. I added pops of yellow throughout.

I included a poem that I wrote a few years ago, but was left untitled. This project prompted me to title it "Soar."

I typed the poem on old paper so it would blend with the pages in the old book and the tattered old wallpaper I added to the background.

Valentine Twinchies

This month's twinchie theme was Valentine's Day. I made a few different styles and was able to use up some of my scraps from card making.

Valentine ATCs Received

Back on this post, I shared the ATCs I made for artJOYstuff's Valentine ATC swap. Here are the ATCs that I received.

Unfortunately, this little cupid is not signed, so I do not know who made it.

This sparkling beauty was made by Sylvia at Little Treasures.

This one is from Geralyn Gray.

And this pink beauty is from Dorthe Hansen.

Lastly, this beautiful ATC is from our swap hostess, Kimberly.

I had so much fun creating for this swap. I'm off to display my new ATCs!