Limor's October Contest

I am so behind this month with everything!  Nothing has been scrapbooked, only a few cards made, a half dozen art journal pages ... hopefully November will provide more creative opportunities.  Meanwhile, I've been soaking in the tutorials and the camaraderie provided by Limor and Tracey on Monday and Tuesday evenings.  

This month's challenge on Limor's Blog is so fun ... anything goes!!!!  The only requirement was that it include a spray.  It would be great if we could use one by Lindy's Stamp Gang because they are the sponsor for the contest, but not necessary.  They are on the top of my Christmas wish list this year.  They have beautiful colours in flats and shimmers, plus this cool powder pigment stuff called Magicals that blows my mind. (I hope my hubby reads my blog so that he knows how seriously I want this stuff.)  

Here is my entry - I have to admit that I love it!  It turned out all girly and pretty. Exactly how I like things to look.  

The sprays I used were Smooch Spritz by Clearsnap in Limolicious and some gold colour with the name missing.  I sprayed them through cheesecloth and I love the effect ... I can't wait to try it again.

Thanks for looking at my project,
~Esther T

World Card Making Day

In my world, I truly do believe that every cloud has a silver lining.  Yesterday was World Card Making Day, and I was so sick.  The silver lining was that instead of running around like crazy, I was able to spend part of my day playing with paper and glue!  

One of the scrapbooking magazines that I love to read is Scrapbook and Cards Today.  They had a daylong celebration that was updated every hour.  They have lots of prizes up for grabs so I encourage you to check out their blog and comment on the many inspiration laden posts.   Their first post for the day gave a recipe for a card.  It included 3 pattern papers, 2 colours of cardstock, a red button and a pretty flower.  Since today is my sister's birthday, I made the card for her.

Jess Kinderstampo also is hosting a challenge on her blog.  This is a great blog with archives full of inspiring images and videos.  I've made lots of cards and gifts and mini albums based on her tutorials.  Her challenge is the kind that makes me happy as it leaves everything up to the creator.  She just wants you to make a card.  How awesome is that?  

For this card I used a digistamp image that my daughter has been asking me to use since I coloured it months ago.  I found the image here.  I also used some of my Starform stickers just because they make me happy.  My daughter was absolutely delighted with the card and is looking forward to the next party to which she's invited!  

Thanks for taking the time to look at the cards.

~Esther T

SEPTEMBER MIXED MEDIA CHALLENGE

I've been totally fascinated lately by the world of mixed media.  It is so diverse; there is no limit to the type or style of products that can be used, and (at least in my case) there is no determining how things are going to turn out.  

One of the blogs I've been following belongs to Limor Webber .  She teaches a ustream class every Tuesday night, and also posts a tutorial on youtube every Friday.  For September, she posted the following challenge. (Cut and pasted from her blog - I've added links for the sponsors ... they have been so generous!) 

SEPTEMBER MIXED MEDIA CONTEST RULES:

SPONSORS:

1. UNITY STAMP COMPANY
2. VIEWTAINERS

3 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THIS MONTH AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL WIN 5 UNITY STAMP SETS AND A PACKAGE OF 6 VIEWTAINERS VARYING IN SIZE FOR ALL YOUR CRAFTY GOODNESS. THE OTHER 2 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THIS MONTH!! EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE 5 STAMPS SETS FROM UNITY STAMPS

THEME: "GIVING BACK"

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Create a project of your choice -Canvas, Art Journal, Tag, Card, Altered item etc.
2. Project must include at least 1 Recyled household item ( Example: Toilet paper roll, soda can, bottle cap, cereal box etc)
3. Include at least 1 stamp in your project ( Of course we would love to see you use Unity Stamps but not required)
4. Theme: this project must be for someone in your life that could use their spirits lifted or someone you just knew this would make a difference with if they received somthing from you.  It could also be someone you know that has been active in your community and making a difference, you decide.
5. Have a blast!!!!!

Contest Ends on Sept 30th Midnight MST.

HOW DO YOU ENTER: EITHER MAKE A VIDEO RESPONSE TO MY CONTEST VIDEO OR SUBMIT YOUR BLOG POST TO MY BLOG POST ( SAME AS THIS PAST MONTH)

So ... here I went!

1. I chose a canvas. This is what it looked like covered with paper.

2. I used the front of a dye package for my recycled item.  I had no reason at the time, it just seemed like a good idea.

3. I chose Autumn Leaves stamps for my project - I don't yet have any Unity Stamps ... they'll be on my Christmas list for sure!!!!

4. Here's hoping that my friend likes this - if not, I hope she pretends she likes it before stuffing it in a closet somewhere and never telling me the difference!  LOL  She deserves all that is good in life ... whether that includes my creations or not I don't know, but in every life uncertainty must fall!

5. This is my 5th attempt at mixed media, and I've loved every minute of it!  Who knew I could get paint, ink, and glue all over my hands and still have fun? Maybe next year I'll convince myself that a well kept garden is a work of art and not get grossed out by soil under my fingernails!  Well, here is my result ...

I've decided that faces are not my forte, but I had a lot of giggles figuring that out.  The challenge was in getting her to NOT look like a psychopath!  I should have done red hair and pretended she was Queen Elizabeth the 1st!

Supplies by:
Canvas Corp LLC, Bo Bunny, Artists Loft, DecoArt, Clearsnap, Prima, Making Memories, stuff from my stash ...

Thanks for looking ~ Esther  

Bliss

I love playing with Autumn themed papers and embellishments.  It's my favourite season, and there's nothing that I don't love about it!  The cooler days and nights, the colours, the fresh crispy apples, new potatoes, and big, orange pumpkins, the list goes on and on.

When the Scrapbooking Cafe Online Blog posted a challenge that asked for a fall - themed project I was thrilled.  AND, I had the perfect photo to use in a layout!  Last fall there was a rainstorm that flooded our side yard.  The kids and I walked home from school and the deep puddles were irresistible (not that we ever try to resist them) and the splashing and playing ensued!  By the time we were finished I had to pour the water out of the rubber boots, and there wasn't a dry spot to be found on any of us.

Supplies:
Paper - Recollections
Leaves and Rub-ons - Making Memories

 

Introductory Post To See If I Can Do This

You should look outside your window to see if you can spot any flying pigs!  I didn't think that I would ever create a blog because I didn't want to create a blog!  I love reading what other people have to say, and the inspiration I absorb by looking at their creations is invaluable, but ...  I question why anyone would want to see what I've created based on that inspiration.  

Now, there are so many challenges out there that require the entrants to use their blogs or (horrors) youtube!  That would be so far outside my comfort zone as to give me a tic thinking about it!  For one thing, I heard my own voice on an answering machine, and I don't have a deep, sultry voice like I thought I did!  LOL  Instead, I sound like a 16 year old girl leaving a message for her parents!  

So far, I've been getting along using my gallery at scrapbook.com, but that doesn't cut it for some challenges, so here we go. Deep breath ...  

The title of the blog says it all - I gather inspiration just about everywhere I go.  Whether it's a colour scheme from nature, or a famous impressionist; a scripture verse from my daily devotions; a tutorial from youtube or ustream; lyrics from a song, or one of the off-the-wall things I hear from my kids - it's all fodder for my creations!  I do promise though - if I get my inspiration from you, you will get the credit.  

That's all I have to say for now - it's almost time to get my kids from school!