STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE: ANYTHING GOES!

Hello, All, and a big WELCOME to my most recent followers!  

I might be straying just a bit from art journaling again today, but the Stampotique Designers' Challenge for this week is "anything goes," and, therefore, I wanted to do something a bit different.  Hence, this ATC.  The second, and more personal, reason for this ATC is that I have decided to create a treasure box (of sage advice, trinkets, and photos) for my new granddaughter Angelina May.  Angie is just a bit over two years old, and has been with my son's family since she was 3 months old.  She was officially adopted on May 8!!  

So, to the ATC I have created for Angie's treasure box!  Whether you choose to interpret this literally or figuratively, it is a warning of some coming days:

For the technical side of things, I used alcohol inks (not sprays) and a blending solution to create the background.  My image is a Stampotique Originals' stamp called "Spyke," one of my favorites! 

Thanks for stopping by.  Comments are always much appreciated!

Joy to you!

CREATING A WRITING JOURNAL

Today, I created a project completely out of my comfort zone, and even, perhaps, out of the realm of art journaling!  You may recall that I am exchanging art projects with Susan from New York.  So far, we have created and exchanged themed tags, but this month, Susan suggested that we make writing journals.  "What's a writing journal?" was my question.  Susan's answer was to direct me to a YouTube tutorial by Diana Trout (find it here).  Although Susan and I agreed to stray somewhat from this tutorial, the binding instructions were invaluable.  

Front and back covers

 Inside front and back covers

I chose these papers because I know that Susan loves all things vintage. The inside front cover contains a pocket into which I slipped some of my favorite images from the G45 papers.  Inside this bound 8-1/4" x 6-1/2" writing journal are 20 blank pages for jotting down thoughts or making lists or, perhaps, sketching ideas for journal pages! 

Supplies used:

• Graphic 45 "Ladies' Diary" papers for cover and inside embellishments
• 10 sheets of copy paper, cut to size, for blank inside pages
• Linen binder's thread
• Beeswax to coat thread
• #22 tapestry needle
• Ruler
• Awl (or "pokey" thing) to make holes in papers

If you leave a comment, I will know that you were here!  Thanks for stopping by!

Joy to you!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE: SUMMERTIME

This week's Stampotique Designers' Challenge 99 has Carol Fox challenging us to think Summertime!  Here's her inspiration:

"I love the summer time. I love to spend time outdoors especially in the garden where you can sit surrounded by the sights and colours of summer. I used this as my thoughts for this weeks challenge. Whether its the bright summer colours that inspire you, the flowers or just the general lazy feeling you can get from an afternoon in the garden, take this summer and make it into your own work of art." 

It was a bit difficult for me to think Summertime when Spring has not yet totally arrived in New England!  But, thoughts of Summertime certainly make me happy.  Our campground is all cleaned up and set up, and we have had our first campfire.  However, memories from longer ago reminded me of that childhood chant at the end of the school year, which always signified the beginning of Summer:

No more teachers!

No more books!

No more teachers'

dirty looks!

I used "Girl with Lunch Box" from Stampotique Originals for my image and stamped her on a book page.  I began to use letter stickers to add my "chant," only to discover that I was two O's short of completing my page--hence the ellipsis (for now)!  This ended up being a fun project and took me back in time...which is always a nice trip!  Here's my journal page:

Glad you stopped by today!

Joy to you!

SWEET CUPCAKE INSPIRATION CHALLENGE

This week Stampotique Originals is sponsoring a challenge on the Cupcake Inspirations website.  Since I am such a Stampotique geek, I couldn't help but follow them to this challenge.  What I found was a fun challenge site that provides a picture of a cupcake they randomly find on the web and challenge you to take the colors and create your own art.  Here's the cupcake and the color challenge:

I am a big Graphic 45 fan, as well, so today I decided to make a tag with G45's "The Ladies' Diary" collection.  Although you may think I have used burlap, all my tag layers are actually paper!  I fussy cut one of the G45 ladies in her rose and green gown along with some coordinating flowers, added a bit of bling, and the word "Beautiful," also from the collection.  I added a Dylusions background stamp for texture and some pink leather strapping.

So, there you have it:  expresso, chestnut and rose and a beautiful tag to send to my sister while she is recuperating from surgery!

Thanks for stopping by today to see what I'm up to in my studio.  I would be pleased if you would join as a follower, if you have not already done so, and then leave a message so that I will know you were here.

Joy to you!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' COLOR CHALLENGE: SDC 98

My favorite day of the week again!  The Stampotique Designers' Challenge is up and is all about color!  Polly is our DT Host this week, and she has chosen a great challenge.  Here's what she has to say to motivate us:

I love Pink, whether it's a bright fushcia pink or a pretty rose pink - and teamed up with Turquoise well, they sure do make a bold statement!! This colour combination creates a bright, cheerful and a beautiful feminine palette that also reminds me of the 1980's and what a fab decade that was for music!! So break out the pinks, turquoises and not forgetting a splash of black and white and join in with this weeks challenge.

I love to use my Dylusions ink sprays, so I reached for Bubblegum Pink and Vibrant Turquoise and started randomly spraying in my 6x9" watercolor journal--this time without Gesso as I wanted my inks to soak into the paper.  Next, I created some "drippage" by letting my Liquitex titanium white ink run down the paper to create horizontal lines.  I used rub-ons for my sentiment and a bit of "see through" washi tape to anchor my Stampotique Originals stamp called Mary.  My background was too dark to stamp directly onto my page, so I stamped my image onto a textured white cardstock using Teal Blue ink by StazOn.  A date stamp, and done!

If you have always wanted to try something "artsy," this is a great place to jump in.  Anything goes, even an art form as simple as crayons.  The only requirement is to use a stamp...any stamp!  The Design Team Members are great for encouraging us to use what we already have and just to have fun...so come have some!

Here's my "answer" to this week's challenge:

I am glad that you came by today.  I would be pleased if you take a moment to leave a comment so that I will know you were here!

Joy to you!