Beautiful Lovely Delicate ATC

The last couple of weeks I've been sorting and organizing a jumble of arts and crafts supplies to put into a new storage cabinet.  As often happens with these types of projects, I think I have a bigger mess now than when I started.  But I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I took a brief break tonight to create this ATC using some small scraps that were too lovely to just throw away.  The background started with some Prima packaging.  The paper was coated, so I lightly sanded it (first horizontally, then vertically, to give it a linen look) before blending on some distress inks and spraying lightly with gold Smooch Spritz.  The main image was free clip art in a Stampington magazine and the text is from some vintage sheet music.

I haven't been creating much lately and it felt good to make something just for the heck of it.

Have a great day!

Supplies:
Cardstock ATC base; scrap of packaging from a Prima product; bundled sage and scattered straw distress inks; gold Smooch Spritz; clip art  image from Stampington; text from vintage sheet music; 7 Gypsies rub-on; Adirondack espresso and gold acrylic paint dabber; charcoal pencil.

Never Drive Faster...

I needed a birthday card for a biker buddy this week and wanted to use some transportation-related stamps from Artistic Outpost.  But after I wasted an entire evening trying to create my own background paper without achieving the look I wanted, I became frustrated and gave up.  I was running out of time if I wanted to get the card in the mail on time, so I switched gears and used some patterned papers from 7 Gypsies instead.

I used a stipple brush and sequin waste to provide a background for the sidecar.  As luck would have it, the brush had some leftover distress ink on it from an earlier project (salty ocean or mowed lawn, or maybe both), and when combined with pumice stone distress ink, the color matched the muted green of the 7 Gypsies paper.  Gotta love those happy accidents.

Thanks for popping in!  I hope you have a great day.

Supplies:
Black and gray cardstock by Bazzill; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; patterned papers by 7 Gypsies (Venice collection); stamps from Artistic Outpost; Tsukineko tuxedo black ink; pumice stone distress ink; black snaps by Tim Holtz; clear rhinestone (for motorcycle headlight); round and scalloped round Nestabilities; Martha Stewart border punch; pop-dots; Glue Dots.

Fly - Stampington Style

I recently splurged and bought myself some new art and card supplies from Stampington and Company.  I was just in the mood to try something different, know what I mean?   I'm also always looking for ways to combat my tendency to over-analyze (and thus over-work) my projects.  I love the easy, breezy, shabby-chic look that the designers for the Shoppe at Somerset are able to achieve, so I decided to try it myself. 

I'm pleased with the results!  I applied gesso to an old book page then stamped the birdcage with Stazon.  The bird was stamped and clear embossed for shine and texture.  I wanted to use the faux wood turquoise washi tape (one of my new purchases), but went with a complementary red color for the bird and mat.  I really like how it turned out, and it didn't take me all night to make it.

Thanks for popping in!

Supplies:
Black and turquoise cardstock by Bazzill; red cardstock unknown; page and text from two old German books; birdcage and bird stamps from Stampington and Company; alphabet stamps by Nostalgiques; ColorBox chianti pigment ink; Stazon black ink; clear embossing powder; turquoise washi tape by Hambly Screen Prints.

A Cold Shake on a Hot Day

Sorry that I've been MIA.  I had to go to Washington, D.C., for work and had so much to do before I left.  Some of it didn't get done so I've been playing catch-up since I got back.

It was hot and humid in Washington, so no one had to twist my arm to order this peach melba shake at dinner one night.  Based on its looks alone you can probably guess it was delicious.  I easily could have eaten another. 



I'm eager to get back to my art desk.  I was so excited about a project I started but then had to set aside in order to prep for my trip (and I was disappointed because it was something I wanted to take with me).  The trip disrupted my momentum and I need to get it back.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend.