Happy Memorial Day!

{the following post is an "inspiration monday" project that i shared in 2013}

 repurposing your artwork can be as easy as 1-2-3!

first, choose a journal page or other artwork you've done that really inspires you.  scan it into your computer and print it out using a high quality setting -or- take it to a nearby office supply store and they will make a good quality copy for you.  then gather some of your favorite art supplies!

(since today is Memorial Day here in America,

i'm using this artwork that i did in 2010.)

now here's the 1-2-3!

1- use one of your favorite elements in your artwork..

(for example,  i really love this star in the artwork i'm using, so i cut it out.)

2- now take another element of your artwork and try to think of a new way to use it.

(for mine, i really like those red stripes, but instead of painting them,
i'm using red twine to give the suggestion of stripes)

(if you use a small hole punch on the edge of the paper,
it will create a notch that's perfect to hold that twine in place,
and it will help to keep the paper from tearing!)

3- look for ways you can use your supplies to update elements in your artwork.

(for example, i liked the border scallops in my artwork,
but instead of drawing them, i updated the look
 by using a scallop paper punch with this stamped sentiment)

now put everything together, and you have a brand new project inspired by artwork

 that you've already done....and it was easy as 1-2-3!

✰ ✰ ✰

this card is dedicated with gratitude to all those brave men and women who have served our country, those who have given their lives in the line of duty, and those who continue to guard and protect our freedoms.  you are our true heroes, and we honor you today....and every day!

✰ ✰ ✰

{supplies:  memorial day artwork, white and blue card stock,
 doodlebug twine, colorbox stamp pads, thank you rubber stamp, 
ranger archival stamp pad, scissors, adhesive, foam dots}

hello, sunshine!

 i'm so happy to celebrate the fun-in-the-sun of this summer

with my new stamp set over at Technique Tuesday!!

there are lots of great designs to help you
send some sunshine to someone special…...

and tell them how much they brighten your day!!

and p.s. …. thank you SO much for brightening my little spot in cyberspace
every time you stop by my blog!!  sending you lots of these:  xoxoxox!!


{for more information about this "hello sunshine" stamp set,
and other new sets including Christmas stamps,  please click here!}  

inspiration monday

the calendar says that spring is officially here later this week, so let's celebrate by making a little card using some rubber stamps and my favorite "faux watercolor" technique!  all you need are a few distress ink pads, a black stamp pad, a small piece of watercolor paper, some springtime rubber stamps, a waterbrush or paintbrush, and a black marker.
{i'm using fabriano artistico 140 lb CP paper and my new "grow happy" stamp set!}

first, divide the watercolor paper into three sections on the long side, 

and mark the edge with a pencil.

{my paper is about 8"x4", so i marked at 2-5/8" from each end}

now stamp your images using a water based ink pad.

{i used distress inks by ranger}  

touch a wet paintbrush to the ink to "paint" your image.  

the water will activate the ink and you can move it around to create a watercolor effect.  

if the image starts to disappear, you can fix it once everything is dry by dabbing your paintbrush directly onto the stamp pad, and then painting the details back in.

now stamp a cheerful sentiment using black ink….. 

and add a border, if you like!

place a ruler on the pencil marks, and use a bone folder 

to score from edge to edge across the front.

now fold the paper along the scored lines into three sections…..

and write your own happy springtime message!

now just tuck your sweet greeting inside an envelope and share it with someone special!
celebrate those warm, sunny, springtime days ahead!!  woo hoo!

{i found these little polka-dot glassine bags at michael's and the card fits inside perfectly….i just love it when that happens, don't you?!} 



{i used these supplies to make my card:  
fabriano artistico 140 lb CP watercolor paper,  "grow happy" stamp set, distress ink pads, black archival ink pad, waterbrush, micron pen, ruler, bone folder, pencil}

boo-fun

i was looking at the calendar yesterday.....it's almost october already!!
eeeek!  and when i think of october, i think of stuff that goes "boo",
in a fun, whimsical sort of way.....and nothing's more fun that some boo-play!

so i got out some boo-supplies, and turned this.....

into this!

and this.....

into this....

and this!!

i hope your weekend is filled with lots of boo-fun-and-whimsy!!  :))


{these projects were created using my new stamp sets from technique tuesday....woo hoo....along with card stock, patterned paper, stamp pads, embossing powder, twine, and paper punches}



in other fun stuff......
there's still time to put your name in the hat for the online class giveaway at creative workshops!  just click here.....giveaway ends on sunday evening!

and....my dear, precious friend martha is sharing some great news about her entrepreneurial son, zach!!  he has started his own company and has won some great awards here in jacksonville already!  if you'd like more information about some awesome upscale guitar accessories, please click here (we're talkin' fabulous guitar straps made in peru and lots of other terrific items!)

inspiration monday

 repurposing your artwork can be as easy as 1-2-3!

first, choose a journal page or other artwork you've done that really inspires you.  scan it into your computer and print it out using a high quality setting -or- take it to a nearby office supply store and they will make a good quality copy for you.  then gather some of your favorite art supplies!

(today is Memorial Day here in America,
so for my project,  i'm using this artwork that i did three years ago)

now here's the 1-2-3!

1- use one of your favorite elements in your artwork..
(for example,  i really love this star, so i cut it out.)

2- now take another element of your artwork and try to think of a new way to use it.

(for mine, i really like those red stripes, but instead of painting them, i'm adding stripes to my new project using red twine....)

(and if you use a small hole punch on the edge of the paper, it will create a notch that's perfect to hold that twine in place!)

3- look for ways you can use your supplies to update elements in your artwork.
(for example, i liked the border scallops in my artwork,  but instead of drawing them, i updated the look by using a scallop paper punch with this stamped sentiment)

now put everything together, and you have a brand new project inspired by artwork
 that you've already done....and it was easy as 1-2-3!

✰ ✰ ✰

this card is dedicated with gratitude to all those brave men and women who have served our country, those who have given their lives in the line of duty, and those who continue to guard and protect our freedoms.  you are our true heroes, and we honor you today....and every day!

✰ ✰ ✰

{supplies:  memorial day artwork, white and blue card stock, doodlebug twine, colorbox stamp pads,
thank you rubber stamp, ranger archival stamp pad, scissors, adhesive, foam dots}

inspiration monday

a few days ago i spied this pin over at pinterest and loved the idea of weaving the ribbon through the paper.   but instead of wrapping presents (as in the pin),  i decided to get out some of my papercrafting goodies and use that inspiration towards some cards......

and before i knew it,  there was stuff everywhere,  and
not only did i have a couple of fun cards,
 i also had a huge,  happy,  papercrafting mess!  woo hoo!

the original pin shows the weaving in more of a belt buckle fashion,
so i wove this ribbon through the paper in the opposite way, giving it a totally
different look!

then, i decided to try another card,  this time using baker's twine.
but instead of weaving it in a traditional way,  i went in a bit of a different
 direction and used the twine to weave through punched holes
and just attach all the pieces together....

and it was all inspired by a pretty present over at pinterest!



{card supplies:  neenah solar white card stock, rubber stamps by technique tuesday, embossing folders by paper studio, bazzill paper packs in patina and fire hearts, red gingham ribbon, white embossing powder, versamark stamp pad, red and charcoal chalk ink pads, white uniball signo gel pen, doodlebug twine,  small adhesive pearl,  foam dots, assorted paper punches, 2B pencil}

green thumb

one.....

two....

three....

four-leaf-clover!
(i sure wish i had this green thumb out in my garden....heeheehee)

have a great weekend, and a happy st. patrick's day on sunday!

{supplies:  white card stock, hand-carved thumbprint stamp,
chalk ink, pitt artist pen, derwent inktense pencils, 2B graphite pencil, glue dot}

inspiration monday

many times,  inspiration will whisper a little idea in your ear.....

{like maybe seeing your artwork become rubber stamps!}

and before you know it,  your idea becomes a dream.

{and you want to jump up and down with excitement because

your dream has gotten even bigger with an invitation to join 

the technique tuesday family....oh.my.goodness!!}

and when you become a full-time dreamer,
reality is just around the corner.

{and you would pinch yourself over and over again,  but you don't
dare put down those sweet packages of rubber stamps because the reality
 of them feels so good in your hands!!  yippee!!}

and once the reality of your dream has settled in,
you start playing and creating.....
because the whole experience from beginning to end is definitely
too good to be forgotten!!!



******
i am absolutely ecstatic to announce that my artwork has been licensed by
technique tuesday, and is currently being offered as rubber stamps at
scrapbook.com and the shop at technique tuesday!  woo hoo!

in the past, some of these stamps were sold individually in my etsy shop,
but now you can purchase them in these wonderful stamp sets!

if you'd like to read more information, here are some direct links:

my design page at technique tuesday

important stuff:  here and here
live laugh love:  here and here
i made this:  here and here
2good 2be 4gotten:  here and here
color your world:  here and here
simplify:  here and here
spread the light:  here and here
great idea:  here and here


{disclosure:  in good faith,  these are retail outlets and
 i receive a commission for each of the above sets that are sold}