12 Days of Tags, day 2

I feel like a marathoner...running to get this posted before I head off for the 'real' world.  Usually the time  benefit us Pacific Time zoners, but not with these challengers. Tim Holtz's tags are always an inspiration. Today I've kept the theme, but mixed it up a bit, using 3 or 4 year old Basic Grey Christmas Paper that I think was a Michael's special.  I used a mixed sheet that had an elegant deer frolicking across floral fields.  I cut a second piece for the deer, used Pewter crackle paint, popped on dimensionals. I added a pearl necklace and a felt floral headdress.  On the right side I stamped the "PEACE" with TH walnut stain and lightly embossed.  The left side top has a Christmas script with postmark inked with TH pumice stone directly to the designer paper.  For my bottom interest, I used the fence diecut in a lovely Basic Grey aqua blue that I stapled (tiny TH stapler, of course!)  Greenery from a Martha Stewart punch was place behind and through the fence.  The #2  is just above the fence.

So is anyone else running a hectic pace today?  I am off...have a fabulous day.

Blessings for today
Susan

12 Days of Tags, day 1

It's December, can you tell me how we could possibly be in the last month of 2011!  I could be decorating the tree, or baking, or even cleaning the house, but what am I doing?  Playing in the Tim 12 Days tag challenge. I've enjoyed seeing the past years inspiration...so I thought I would give it a go.  I'm not much of a technique junkie so this will be a bit out of my comfort zone.

For this first tag, I did emboss, distress, sand, glitter, die cut, and staple.  I liked what Tim wrote in his first posting of this years challenge:  "when it comes to shopping, there is no doubt none of us need anymore reasons to buy more stuff - so USE what you HAVE!  of course if that just doesn't satisfy the urge,"..!  I did rummage through my stuff and mostly used what I had.  I do confess I did buy the pinecone/needle die recently, what with all the after turkey day coupons...I had a feeling it would come in handy.


Ellen Hutson  is spring boarding off the Holtz challenge with her own more feminine side of 12 Days.  I think my card fits nicely right in between.  I used a vintage cherub image from River City Rubber that I inked with TH distress old paper , colored with Copics, added a bit of stickles on the window panes. My NOEL is hand stamped from the Calamity Jane Alpha (Technique Tuesday) and coated with Martha's snow glitter. The snowflakes are both dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and the more ornate snowflakes are from Stampers Anonymous stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Winter Wonderland embossing powder. Those cranberries are tiny felt trim I inked with Adirondack Cranberry. 


I hope you'll play along these 12 days...it'll give you a chance to step away from the chaos and do something artful...and let me know, I'd love to see what inspired you.


Blessings today and always 

wander through life

Greetings out there in blogland, it's been another long season where my hands have not been inky, but dirty with earth from gardening.  Now that the weather has turned, I find myself anxious to return to my studio for creative fulfillment.  Today I am playing in SCS's color challenge to use the colors kraft, white, and green. The Card Positioning Systems sketch 242  fit well with my idea.  Credit for the doughnut image goes to Suat Eman Free Digital Photos.net.

'As you wander on through life,
Whatever be your goal,
Keep your eye upon the doughnut,
And not upon the hole'

Mayflower Coffee Shop, Chicago

I've had this wonderfully positive quip for awhile waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. And how true it is...a positive message wrapped in yummy sweetness...can't you just close your eyes and pause just a moment...that yeasty smell filling your senses...warm, the perfect softness as you take a bite.  I don't know about you, but I need to remember to focus on all that is WHOLE, and true, and good.  And that, my friends will save me 600 calories, cause no one can eat just one!

Thanks so much for stopping by, if you found me again today.  I'd love to hear how you've been and especially how you are wandering through life.

Blessings,
Susan

A Cameo...

I've been thinking on the latest big Moxie Fab Challenge for quite awhile now, you can find it right HERE.  The call was to create a cameo in an innovative way.  Like Cath, I do remember my grandmother wearing a beautiful brooch in which the cameo was two tone coral.  It was exquisite.  I know many people love to collect these miniature works of art. And of course, those of us a certain age probably remember sitting for a silhouette that went home to hang in the bedroom wing hallway.  I pondered on all these ideas before going to my studio to blank paper and inks.  Funny where the muse will lead, if you are patient.


And so here is my take on The Appearance of Cameos Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

I'll bet almost everyone will recognize the silhouette  and instantly have an image of Da Vinci's most famous painting smiling at them.  While my talents do not include carving gems to create intricate portraits, I hope you will see the beauty in your face and let YOUR art wash away the dust.

Thanks for stopping by....

1st Blogged Altered Project for Flashback Friday

hey gurls, I had to dig deep to find my first altered project.. Flashback Friday 8.0 Challenge 

.

 This was created for an Inspiration Challenge over on SplitCoast Stampers for 12/19/08.  I found the template in the resources on SCS...a very handy place, I might add.   I remember I enjoyed creating the 3D tote.   And now that I am revisiting it, I might just have to 'whip' up a few more for that hearty day comin' up!

Thanks so much to Karin for the challenge and to Amy for this everah so fun Flashback!  Be sure to check out this modern retro challenge...

oh, to be Queen for the Day

This past week I was chosen as the 46th Queen for the Day over on SplitcoastStampers. It's been a lot of fun seeing how people interpreted my style.  I think in all the time I've been paper crafting, my style has ebbed and flowed more depending on my mood than anything.  Most of all, I strive to remain true to my ART.   Don't forget to click to enlarge the photo...I wouldn't want you to miss Maude!

I wanted to create a card to celebrate what it is to be Queen for the Day.  The quirky TV show from the late 50's-60's is considered a forerunner of the 'reality' type series.  I recall my mother watching when I was a young girl...I learned to tie my shoes one afternoon while she was enthralled with the story.  There was an applause meter, a crown, a throne, and prizes galore.  Even as a girl of 5, I thought a washer and dryer was a lame gift, though I did like that red velvet robe with the fur trim!

The I Brake for Stamps Stage Stamp is a favorite of mine.  Here I combined it, again, with B Line Designs 'movie house' image.  Playing on the big screen is Art Impressions 'Maude' and my quip is from
Prickley Pear.

So for everyone who shared their art with me, I thank you very much.  I hope you enjoy my tribute!

EYEing you...

I adore Inkadinkadoo's Kid's Quotes line of sentiments...out of the mouth of babes so to speak.  And this one from Cameron Koch, age 4 paints such a picture in my mind!  Can't you just image a pair of glasses with springs on the lenses, going boing, boing, bong back and forth?  So when I saw the  Moxie Fab World  Tuesday Trigger with it's colors, textures, and shapes...an idea was born.

I used Stamp Francisco's optical lenses image placing tiny hearts over the eyes and then using UTEE to make the 'glass'.  The cupcake liners in the challenge photo inspired me to crimp my pink/orange panel.
along with the white scalloped felt edges.  I added the pretty gold ribbon for a bit of elegance of that scrolled paper.  PTI's Sweet Blush is the card base.

The layout is Card Patterns Sketch Pattern 101.  My friend, Amy Tsuruta  inspired me to give the sketch a try.  I must admit, I find sketches intimidating!  I am thankful for her encouragement.

This card also fits City Crafter Challenge Blog #42  All You Need is Love, to include the word,
 Love or hearts on your project.

Last week I mentioned that my husband and I will celebrate 24 years of wedded bliss on Valentine's Day.  Well, Cameron's quip is exactly right...my husband will look up at me and that connection still
leaves me 'twitterpated'!  MY eyes turn into little hearts for him.

Thanks kindly for the gift of your comments.

Blessings