A Little Sneaky Peeky...

Well, it has been a challenge getting back into the groove of work after vacation.  I am really working on finding a way to bring the spirit of freedom I so strongly felt on vacation into my everyday life.  I'm not exactly sure of how to do this, other than being sure that I stay aware of my choices and not fall into the habit of a daily grind without creating and drawing my attention to moments of rest, inspiration and CREATIVITY!  

I'm preparing for my open house where I will launch the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter catalog along with some ready made projects and some make and takes for those who come.   I love sharing everything about this passion so I will have supplies out for my guests to just play and create with as well.  What I know for myself is it is great to follow a project at times, but sometimes the best learning and creativity is born from just messing around and giving yourself the freedom (there's that word again) to just have fun!

Here is a sneak peek of a mini album I created with the new Cricut Artiste cartridge {Z1790, $99}, the album pages dimensional elements {Z1791, $4.95}, the La Belle Vie Workshop on the Go {G1048, $29.95}, and the Bonjour {B1414, $9.95} and Jardin {D1528, $17.95} stamp sets.  Of course I have TONS of supply left from the Workshop on the Go set, and I just LOVE the stamp set included with that set.   I also embellished with some supplies in my stash, some CTMH and some additional do-dads as well.  Most of you know I am not a purist or committed to any one brand of, well, anything (except mayonnaise...I'm a Best Foods girl all the way). 

Thank you for looking and make the most of your day!
Deb

It's That Time Again.....

Time for the new Close To My Heart Catalog!   I gotta share that this one is my favorite so far.  I love pretty much everything about it!  I am especially happy that the individual color paper packs are back (they are a staple!)   But I am in love with so much of the new product as well.  I could go on and on, but instead of doing that, I thought I would share some of my work from the paper lines that are being carried over from the last catalog, and also share my date for my launch party for the new catalog which will be August 11th (although the catalog is available to purchase from on my website, or your consultant on August 1st)!   I will have some make and takes, projects for viewing, and of course yummy snacks!  Also, if you live near me, and want a catalog, let me know and I will bring one over to you! 

Above I used the CTMH My Creations Card Box (Z1647, $4.95) and the Pemberley Paper Line (X7148B, $9.95) along with some extra embellishments to create this card box and set of cards (below).  I still have left overs for more cards or layouts (below also) so the paper pack goes a long way (especially if you are a paper conservator [sounds better than miser] like me).   For the feet I used little ball feet from the craft store (under $1.00 for the package) and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and the pewter finding on the top is from CTMH (Z1487, $4.95) which comes in a package with several other pewter pieces.

These are the four cards in the box close up (sort of).   You can't see it, but I used one of my favorite products- Stickles to add soem extra flair and eye catching bling.  These are very simple cards that I made SUPER quickly, using the paper pack and the Pemberley Stickease Assortment (X7148C, $4.95). 

This is a layout I did with the same collection of my son and a friend of his (face covered cause I didn't get a chance to ask if I could post her pick) of them when they were little (picture below) and then one of them more recently (above).  It too is a very simple page (not a lot of foo foo), but sometimes I really like a streamlined look.   There is more dimension in person, and of course, I am a fan of something handwritten on most pages (not all) and in this case it is the journaling to the side.

A couple more layouts below using the Victory Paper Pack and the Florentine Paper Pack:

 My son's fourth grade play on California Missions.   I really wanted to focus on the pics so this too is a very quick and simple paper piecing page focusing on my "farmer."  It used very little paper (1 1/4 sheets) from the Victory collection (X7150B, $9.95)  I also used the Cork Alphabet (Z1450, $5.95) and Milepost shapes (Z1464, $4.95).

This is one of my favorite collections, Florentine.  I scrap-lifted this layout from the previous catalog and made some of my own changes.  I used the Florentine paper pack (X7153B, $9.95) and the coordinating Timeless Charms (Z1689, $5.95- you get a pack, I only used two), Opaques Adhesive Gems in pearl (Z1336, $2.95), Sparkles Flourishes (Z1744, $4.95) and Glossy Accents.   I don't think the pearls or glossy accents show well in the photo.

Well there is a little sneak peak of some projects..... my make and take sneak peaks will be up soon as well!

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

Inspiration Rocks!

I'm not sure if it is vacation, or all of the wonderful sources of inspiration I've been getting, or a combination of all of the above, but I have been doin' some art!

My latest project was inspired by many.   The style is Julie Nutting (she does fabulous paper-piecing fashion dolls- see her book Collage Couture).  I first learned of her style from Gabrielle Pollacco (Such A Pretty Mess.blogspot.com).  Gabrielle inspired me to just play and layer to my hearts content for the background and foundation of the piece.  The bible verse came from our last service at Blue Oaks Church-  "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."  Proverbs 13:12  and then I added another "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Ps 130:5 which spoke to the theme of my piece.

The theme was inspired by my own heart, (and my fascination with frog princes.  I was shopping in Richards and found this charm- I knew I had to do something with it!).

 

I decided to use the verse that was simmering inside me from church and just see what happened.  I knew I wanted to create a something pretty- one of the paper women, who somehow emmitted calmness, hope, trust and some longing.   This piece is a little whimsical, yet, for me is serious.  It speaks to my overall longing to have that special mate (who hopefully is not a frog) to share life with, but also my happiness with life should that not happen, and my trust that what the Lord wants for my life will continue to unfold as long as I continue to surrender. 

I used lots of paper layering, rub-ons (SO happy to be using my collection!) glimmer mist, because who can resist that stuff, doilies, paper, paint, charms, lace, flowers. 

The dimensionality doesn't show well in the photos, but in person, you can really see the many layers and dimensions.  

Thank you for stopping by, and yippee for me..... two posts in the same week!  That's what vacation will do for ya!  

Deb

Hello My Friends.....

Hello My Friends.  I hope you are still here with me....  I feel like most of my posts talk about how long it has been since I've posted.   Needless to say it has been a very busy few months.  I just finished creating several gifts for a colleague of mine who is getting married next week.  Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph them before I gifted her with them!  Oh well.....  I have been doing other crafty work too. 

I participated in a tag swap at Following the Paper Trail with Laura Denison.  The tags I received were AMAZING!   Such talented artists out there.  I loved all the tags I got, and for different reasons, but the piece I am showing today features one tag in particular that spoke to my heart created by Carol Boudreaux.  Not only is it gorgeous, but the quote which reads, "The butterfly counts not months, but moments, and has time enough  (R. Tagore) is particularly meaningful to me.   With multiple projects going on at work and feeling pulled in many directions at once, I have been super stressed lately and really just feeling like there isn't enough time to do everything I need to do.   Then I got this tag.   I just stared at it for a long time... and then it sunk in.  There IS enough time.   There is always enough time.  It might mean re-prioritzing what is important, or maybe it means not taking myself so seriously.  I knew I wanted to do something special with it, but didn't know what.

So, while perusing the web, I was at Gabrielle Pollacco from SuchAPrettyMess.blogspot.com and I saw her BEAUTIFUL multi-media works on canvas.  I've always wanted to do one, but have always felt lost.   Thanks to her FAB tutorial, I became inspired.  I would like to say I planned all along to use the tag, but I didn't.  It just sort of happened.  I was just playing, trying to get the hang of the layering, and not having the paper buckle, etc.  I was going to attempt to copy Gabrielle's BoBunny canvas, but I just ended up going in my own direction.  That's the creative process for you!

WHAT I DID:
I used a 12x12 canvas and covered it with several pieces of torn paper.  I struggled with the paper buckling but as Gabrielle says, the heating tool helps with that.  I used many rub ons, did a lot painting with acrylic paints, used masking of chipboard letters for the work GROW and just kept layering.   I'm not sure that I am done even still.

I also used lots of Glimmer Mist (which I had not used in a while).  Here is a closer image of Carol's tag:

Gorgeous right?!  I also spent some time on the heart charm.  It was the wrong color so I painted it white and pink and then used a script stamp with archival ink for the vintag-y look.  I got a version of this idea from someone on YouTube who did that with keys.  I love making them I will try to find her site again.  It is so fun to do and adds such dimension. 

So there we have it!  Please check out Gabrielle's site.  She is a wonderful teacher and very talented artist!  I will find out if Carol has a site, currently I only have her email.   Have fun everyone!   Oh, and I am on vacation and looking forward to some AWESOME creative time!

Debbie

My latest attempt at You Tube.   I must read the camera manual, as well as educate myself on this process!   Try to enjoy, but you might want to take a Dramamine first!    Sorry.........

YIKES!

Ok.  I have no excuses.   It has been a very long time.   How did March go by with no posts?  Anyway, I have obviously not been posting, but I have been crafting.   Here is a group shot of my latest projects (that I have.... some went out as gifts recently).  I will try to do You Tubes on the ones I like the best.   I was inspired by many which I will go into detail more in the You Tubes, but for now, here is the run down of the inspiration from the projects pictured below:   Laura Denison from Following The PaperTrail and her Stack the Deck Binding system!   Kathy Orta from Paper Phenomenon and her envelope mini with Tyvek binding reinforcement, Jim from the Gentleman Crafter and his quick one page box (which I added a mini-mini too), a kit from The Button Farm (that was super fun to put together), and of course, some of my very own idea's!    Thanks for stopping by!   See you soon!    Deb

Still here.....

Hi Everyone
Well, I have been busy, but have not yet taken photo's or You Tubed my latest.   I did another mini, and a mini-mini.  I will post soon.   I am also trying to figure out a website......    that is taking longer and is more challenging for me.   I am confident I will figure it out though.....   if anyone has any tips that can make it easier I am open to hearing them!    I plan to have a page of "Spring Cleaning" items for sale-- gently used items or even new items from my craft space that I am no longer or just never used.   Also area for projects made for sale, and of course, a space for any custom requests.   In addition to an area that will be devoted to a special area very important to me which is Life Books for children in foster care.   I will feature some that I make and donate to foster care agencies I am aware of, as well as create custom ones for individual kids/families.   I can't wait to share this new adventure which takes me deeper into my love of papercrafting and documenting, as well as mixes with my life as a clinician, foster parent and advocate for children in foster care!    More to come soon!

Hugs
Deb