Let the Good Times Roll

Some crafters who used to only scrapbook have started art journaling and I must admit that I have jumped on the bandwagon too. I love the creative process of this art form. And while the hoarding of supplies can be just as great, I've found that when frugality is necessary there are some other options that will yield the same results.  One of those supplies is the stencils that are used for masking.  While they add much to the creative process, they can get a bit pricey since there is a constant parade of new ones coming out all the time.

So I started to create some of my own.  Using one of my diecut machines I have created a number of stencils that I enjoy using.  And they are very economical because  I used cardstock that I have in my stash.

The great thing about these stencils is that even though they may have been designed for art journaling, they can be equally creative on scrapbook layouts.  So my project this month uses one of my stencils I created on a scrapbook layout.  Here is the stencil I cut: Since the setting for the layout is a brick and mortar building, I decided to use this brick pattern.

So I start my layout by adhering the stencil on a piece of yellow cardstock and spraying it using a Dylusions ink spray.  You can also use any acrylic paint or color stains. Here is the layout:

So why not try using some masks on your layouts.  Remember they are not just for art journaling.

Wishing You A Wonderful

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Today, I would like to share a masculine card that can be used for any occasion. It is grungy, distressed and I REALLY like how it turned out!

I used Swagger by Fancy Pants. Now I will be the first to admit, I am not a huge fan of FP. I find it hard to work with their papers for some reason. However, I can see myself using every single page of this luscious paper! It screams MAN...mmmmhmmmm!

For some texture, I used stencils by Crate Paper and Prima. Once that was dry (I used my heat tool to speed up the process), I was going to add some white acrylic paint to some of the pattern paper. Side note, do not do this OVER your project while being distracted....yep you guessed it; paint everywhere. BUT it worked out because it added more interest and grunge to the project! Sometimes accidents are good! The arrows were fussy cut from the collection.

I used a sentiment from Close to My Heart. It goes with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. However, I hand cut the sentiment. I used an eyelet to make the occasion. The wonkiness of the eyelet added more distressing to the project. As said, some accidents are good! That's it!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project! Remember to like us on FaceBook! Kenya~

What are some of you accidental successes?

Try a little something different to inspire your creativity!

Each month in the SOC community we are challenged to create a layout that represents the season, holiday or other special theme.  Of course, April Showers bring May Flowers.  We can interpret the prompt as we choose and it moves our creativity.

I chose flowers. It's easy, it's pretty and simple to add to my layouts.  However, to change it up a bit, I decided to create a page in 6x12 format, instead of my typical 12x12 format.  I must admit, I am truly enjoying creating in this size and have started an entire album.  Crafting daily, I'm sure to get it completed this month.

Supplies used:  Patterned paper: Basic Grey; Flowers: Prima; Rub ons: Gen X.  Using up my stash!

Completing projects and using your stash

Hi everyone, I finally decided to try my hand at altering a photo tray. I bought this tray about three years ago while cropping with friends at Archiver's. It was still sitting in the bag I brought it home in.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. It's a bittersweet day for me but I have a lot of memories of my mom that I want to share with my daughter. Since my mother passed before she was born documenting the memories I have of her is a great way for my daughter to know her too.

Sadly I don't have many photos of my mom so I really cherish the ones I do have. I used a couple of photos of my mom and a couple with me and my daughter when she was a little girl. The patterned paper is Authentique (Grace Collection), the embellishments are all odds and ends from my stash. I also used some molding paste, templates and distress ink in a couple of the tray squares. I really love the B&W photos with the papers and colors.

Mom Photo Tray by Tena Ellison. Supplies - Tray: 7Gypies; Patterned Paper: Authentique;

Flowers & Lace Trim: Prima; Brads: My Mind's Eye; Distress Ink: Ranger-Tim Holtz; Key: K & Company;

Template: Prima; Misc chipboard swirl, ribbon & hearts.

 

And in keeping with my pledge to use more of the scrap supplies I already have, this was a great project to do. So don't hoard those long un-used items...get busy and create!

 

What items have you been hoarding or projects you've been putting off?





Proper Planning Prevents...

Constantly in a state of trying to get organized, I work hard at putting together detailed page kits with pictures, paper and embellishments.  I even go the extra mile and pull chipboard letters for my page titles in advance.  

So, when I recently decided to attend a crop, I was completely at ease knowing that I only had to grab a few of my trusty page kits and head out the door. 

I arrived at the crop, happily sat down to scrapbook, unpacked my page kit (which had been prepared months earlier) and then realized that I didn't remember what my title was supposed to be.  After playing a quick game of Soul Train Scramble Board, I finally figured it out.  Then, just shy of completing the layout, I couldn't think of what to write for my journaling.  So, I packed it up and promised myself that I would finish it when I got home.  For some reason, I find it difficult to compose while scrapbooking in a room full of people.

In order to remedy this (and alleviate my growing pile of "to be continued" layouts) I created kit cards.  This planning tool is intended to help scrapbookers record journaling and page titles in advance.  If you enjoy putting together kits, feel free to download and print onto standard copy paper. (For personal use only.)

FOR MOTHER'S DAY

I thought it would be nice to post a little early and create something to share with my scrap sistahs!  So, in honor of MY Mom and for all Moms and mother-figures everywhere, I've designed three...count 'em...THREE Mother's Day Quotes for you to use on your Mother's Day cards, pages, or gifts!

Here they are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So go ahead, feel free to copy, print out and enjoy! And don't forget to share your creations in the comment area below!!

Have a wonderfully marvelous Mother's Day from me to YOU!

~Karen

Got Art? Frame It!

I have always loved everything crafty from Embroidery, Scrapbooking, Cards, Papercrafts and now Paint.   Inspired by my sorority sister Deidre Pigues, I decided to create my own “Art Therapy”.  She gave us a piece of canvas and my imagination went to our 100th year celebration in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and this is my creation with the finishing touches.  I autographed the art and placed it in a frame.

Receipe Ingredients

Adirondack paint -  Snow Cap, Eggplant, Rich Black

Americana paint -Tomato Red

Folk Art paint - Honeycomb

Stickles - Golden Rod

Recollection- Bling

Notice the bling?

 

Princess… The Papercrafter?  Princess…The Artist? 

Do you have a favorite? Do you have it somewhere visible in your home or is it in a closet?  Let's celebrate our work!