2 Awesome Embellishments you can make

Being unemployed I have to art on the cheap using what I already have. No complaints tho as I have to think a little more creatively. I have recently discovered Jennings644 on Youtube and LOVE her creative ways to make things yourself... "Come on Ladies, you don't have to go buy it, you can do it yourself". She is sooo supportive and giving of herself. A real treasure :)
So along those lines I decided to use the watercolored book pages as seen in an earlier post in a different way.  I found this video and adapted it a bit...

As you can tell, I'm a bright color lover. But these flowers can be done with pastel colors, sprays, stenciling (purple on using Punchinella) and of course you could distress the edges etc.

I happen to like the matte watercolor look and find it easier to watercolor the page while still in the book as opposed to after it's cut.

If you don't feel like watching the video...her's a basic step by step...

The second embellishment is a sort of collage look tile. First I drew my grid lines. These are 1 1/4". I used rubber stamps and archival black in to stamp heavy weight chipboard. I like the look of the chipboard background but I'm sure you could color it 1st if you prefer.

Then I used Prismacolor colored pencils to color the images and a bit of the background. I then covered the tile with a medium coat of Crackle Accents by Ranger. Once the Crackle Accents was dry, I used Vintage photo Distress Ink and an cosmetic sponge to sponge the edges and rub some into the cracks.
I am NOT completely crazy about Crackle Accents. I'm sure it's me but I never get consistent results. If anyone has any suggestions, I sure would appreciate it!!

I really like these and use them on cards and in Mini Books.

Chalk Technique on "The Cheap"

As a new card maker I'm trying out all the different techniques I can get my hands on.  I didn't want to invest in a set of chalks in case I didn't like the result sooooooo... I noticed some bright color eyeshadow palettes at the Dollar store and wondered if it would work.

 I used them to color in a stamped image using one of those pointy cotton swabs for make up application.. I like it and the slight shimmer is really pretty.
I have also tried the eyeshadows with the Versamark stamped image technique with good results. It seems  less absorbent paper is best so the Versamark sits on top and you get a more detailed image. Also I have found that it's best to tap the "chalk" onto the Versamark stamped image or it will smear. 

Cards and Art journaling from 2011

Just realized today that I had taken a bunch of 2011 pictures and not posted them!
First some Art Journaling pages. I've been trying to photograph them before I do my personal journaling on them.

Some painter's tape with paint on it left over from another page.

The backgrounds are my new favorite vivid color tool- Color Slicks by Crayola. They're water soluble before they dry.

In honor of my friend Kerri. I just find squirrels incredibly funny!

The hearts in this pages are a foam stamp made from diecut foam from my friend Laurel :). The rays type stencil is the center of a plastic paper plate holder from the thrift store. And 1st time using my homemade spray inks.

Next some cards...

As you can tell I've kind of gone "Embossing" CRAZY. I'm a beginner card maker and still trying out all the techniques :)

My 1st Attempt at a Shadowbox- Home Sweet Home

I found this wood box at the Salvation Army for .99. It actually originally held puzzle pieces. I have been dying to try the Elmer's Glue crackle technique and I'm quite pleased with the result.

The prayer lady on top is actually a salt shaker :)

I edged the sides with words cut out of a large print book.
I used papers from 5&Dime and Tim Holtz . The small souvenir spoon is from a European trip my Grandmother took.

The miniature cat represents my Orange Tabby Punkin. The torn letter is my Mom's handwriting and we always enjoyed a cup of tea together.

The branch id from one of the tree's at my childhood home and the sewing notions are from Mom's sewing basket. I finished the bottom off with a piece of an old folding ruler.

This is one of those projects that I will continue to add to until I feel it's REALLY complete but wanted to share it with you. I'm more of a "Clean and Simple" person and don't really go in for heavy "grunge".
Questions and comments Welcome.

A Mini book and New Journal

I LOVE Mini Books! I wanted to make one I could use often and I picked up this 6X6 Cosmo Cricket "The Boyfriend" stack on clearance for $2.50! You'll remember from a few posts back, the 6 1/2 X 9 1/2" box of envelopes I got at the thrift store... so I decided to try to use them as my base. I folded a 1/2" up and 3 1/2" over.



I attached these together on 3 sides, forming a small pocket and a large pocket. The covers are 2 pages of the $1.00 mini books they used to sell at Micheal's. Covered all with the patterned paper and added tabs, index cards, paper pads, flash cards, vintage school book cutouts and clips. I am VERY happy with it!!

   A New Journal

I am completely HOOKED on my new re-purposed hardcover book Journals... so I made another one! Used some paint and metallic gold paint and my homemade stamps to decorate the covers. Here's some recently completed pages:

A friend Judi and I have been experimenting with layers of paint and masking tape. Painter's tape seems to work best so far :)

Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments!!

New Journal Pages

Just some random journal pages I've completed lately.

 The checkerboard design is a foam stamp I made. Red and black is oil pastels, something I love but don't use enough.

An experiment using primary colors red, blue and yellow. The candy box is a tip in with journaling on 1 side and a tribute to my friend Joyce R. She has taught me to look for inspiration in EVERYTHING!!

I think this is my favorite journal page ever. It's just ME!
I used Leslie's ghost writing technique of journaling with sharpies and covering with gesso. Video Tutorial Some of the writing bleeds thru but not enough to read it. The big poppy is a new rubber stamp I just got and LOVE.

Dollar Store and Thrift Mini Haul

Went scouting for supplies at the Dollar Store and found a couple of goodies.

I'm THRILLED with this sink drainer thing-rigid plastic and PERFECT as a stencil!
Got this non-sparkly Black eyeshadow to use for shading in my journal and it works GREAT!

Loved the texture of this rug mat. I cut it into circles and squares to spray through.
And just a crochet doily to spray through also.

THRIFT STORE

Some Flash cards-LOVE the Shadow Alphabet stencil-a Carved wood frame for 75 cents and a Box of white envelopes.

They are 6 1/2" X 9 1/2". Think I'll try to make a 6x6 junk journal from them.