Help [ME] Ronda

Weekend Creativity

I just cannot help myself but to be creative a little bit each day.  it's in my blood.  I have been a little under the weather so i have just been resting on the couch this past weekend.  I am a girl who is use to doing things so just sitting still is so hard for me.  Blessedly i had a bunch of 6x6 watercolor paper prepped with different items on the background just waiting to be used. 

On this piece, i started with a layer of punched text and gesso.  i then used watercolor crayons to create this fun background.  I added a few more layers of colors on the punched heart in the upper left corner to give it a little more oomph.  I cut the to go cup from patterned paper and added the doodles.  I really like the black pen around the cup including the words of hopes, dreams, & passion.  I journaled a bit more around the cup with some thoughts.  I added some brads and chipboard numbers.  To finish it off i added a few more doodles with black ink. 

Hello Elle's Studio

Honored & Blessed to be this month's guest at Elle's Studio.  I have been in love with the shop for a while now.  They recently released new paper lines that are just so adorable.  Their tags are easy to layer on a scrapbook page, art journal page, mixed media piece, project life page, or even cards.

When i saw all those pretty little tags laying on my desk, i knew i would have to use them in a dramatic way.  Insert my Hello Page.  I've had this photo on my desk & mind for a while now.  Since Andrew has been home nearly 3 months now, that day feels even more special to me.  When i first saw the box of lovely labels i knew i wanted to just have them hanging on my page. They are so adorable and so full of color that they screamed to be the center of attention. So i added some gesso & watercolors to my page and then layered the labels all across. I turned the photo b&w and snugged it between the labels. The stamp was so easy to add right above those printed words on the patterned paper.

My son Anthony decided last year to change his look completely. Now he wears dress shirts and bow ties to school. I love seeing him so stylish and being bold in his personality. This is one of my favorite outfits he wears.

This page came together so effortlessly. I started with the awesome Day to Day paper and added a layer of gesso & paint. Next i layered the book paper with the day to day tabs. The tidbits completed my page. i love the tone on tone look but wanted to make sure they got noticed too so i stitched around them. I popped up the "My favorite" so it would stand out as my title.

It was so nice to spend a weekend away in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. With Elle's products, it's so easy to build layers. I love how the lines go together so seamlessly. i repeated the stamp three times around the page and stitched around the heart stamp. I love the little tidbit circles and decided to stitch an arrow pointing to the stamp sentiment.

Make sure you stop by Elle's Studio blog this week for a giveaway of my favorite products from them plus a copy of my book, Art of Layers!

Artful Multi Layers Canvas

This Artful Multi Layers Canvas could quite possibly be my favorite piece to date.  I always love doing mini canvases: see heartstrings, a measured heart, beauty everywhere, find your place, joy, & little bird.  There is something so magical about these little pieces so when i started creating my Sizzix blog post, i was leaning towards creating one.  as i went to grab a canvas, they all came tumbling down off my shelf.  i started thinking how fun it would be to do multiple pieces when this piece popped into my head.

mini canvas love + cascading mini canvases = multi layers canvas

an idea was born that captivated me.  I laid out all the pieces on the 9"x12" panel canvas.  Once i decided on a few details, sketching things out, writing down notes, i started creating. Each canvas could be a mini work of art on it's own.  Together they tell a story, one with many layers of texture, paints, colors, embellishments, and die-cuts.  For more details on each piece, make sure you check out the sizzix blog.  Here are closes ups of all the pieces.

InLinkz.com

My Authentic Funny Man

Some days are just great as a parent.  and some days, well let's just say you worry more than others.  i remember the day this little man was born bringing such joy to our family.  Yes you could call him a momma's boy and i totally loved it.  But he started growing up and had to tell me that "i'm sorry mommy, but i've changed my mind.  You cannot pick out my wife."  We had some spotty moments when he passed through the teen years but our bond has grown stronger.  He is the person who makes me laugh the most, quick witted & comedic in a way that brings much joy to my life.  He gets me.

Anthony also has his share of struggles, especially with ADHD.  so very smart but ADHD in a traditional classroom doesn't always work.  He's getting older and i can see him working hard at becoming a man.  His grades this year have been up & down but i have never seen him work harder (albeit in short bursts).  The mama bear in me always wants to protect him but he's at that age where i have to gently let go. He is trying to decide his path for after High School.  He is unsure of what he wants to do.  We just try to reaffirm that we know he's capable of great things and that he will find his own path.

 

 

Weekend Creativity

My weekdays always seemed to be filled with creativity whether it is work or personal.  it's just in my bones.  weekends are no exception either.  usually it's more personally creativity as i try to take weekends off, sometimes i am more successful than other days.  this weekend i did work a tiny bit on a new upcoming online class.  it was mostly editing and writing so i decided after reading in my favorite spot in my house, the library, to bring my computer in here as well and finish off my work.  i love being in this room surrounded by books and art.  it inspires me.

Last weekend i taught up at Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park.  Cheryl has all kinds of stamps all over her store that sit on homemade shelves from old wood collected from old buildings.  You cannot help but to feel creative in her store.  While i was there i couldn't help but to snatch up a stamp or two. 

I spotted these two wooden stamps in the shop.  Mind you i could have purchased a lot more but these two were screaming the loudest.  The Hill Flowers stamp is a Penny Black stamp.  I love the way they look all grouped together. 

Little known to me, the tree stamp i love so much is by Wendy Vecchi & Stamper's Anonymous.  I had to take them for a test drive this weekend so i stamped it repeatedly on my mini notebook pages.  isn't it gorgeous.

weekend creativity for me usually includes cooking and/or baking.  This weekend both kids were home.  Family dinners are a must around here, allowing us time to catch up and just be together.  We made homemade tortillas & beef taco seasoning for soft tacos.  i love having my own homemade taco seasoning in the pantry ready to go at any time.  Don't the spices look so pretty before i mixed them up in the glass jar?  Andrew loves the mix so much he's taking some home to Doha. 

Another weekend project is this carved camera.  I am still adding in some details but i am loving how it is coming together.  i drew out the camera and then transferred it to be carved.  I am ever so grateful that Julie showed me how to do this.  it's a way to see my own creations come to life.  i cannot wait to finish this piece.

so did you tackle anything creative this weekend?

Got Washi?

It's Washi week over at My Mind's Eye.  i have to say these little rolls of color bring me such joy.  It's so easy to add a piece here and there into art journal pages, mixed media pieces, tags, cards, & scrapbook pages.  But have you thought about using it for other projects? 

My Washi Tape Paper Lantern is up on the My Mind's Eye blog with a step by step on how to create your own.  it's super easy and a fun way to add color to these adorable lamps.  You could use washi tape on any lamp shade. While you are there, check out what the other DT members have done, brilliant uses of washi tape!

Here are some other fun Washi tape projects i found on pinterest.  Seriously blows my mind and makes me want to start some more washi projects. 

Washi Tape Chargers & Cords.

Source: deliciousspaces.blogspot.com on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Easter Wreath

Source: tatertotsandjello.com  on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Bunting

Source: etsy.com  on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Keyboard

Source: blog.hgtv.com on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Gift Wrapping

Source: erinzam.com on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Ceramics

Source: projectsticky.com on Pinterest

 

Washi Tape Inspiration Board

Source: hearthandmade.co.uk  on Pinterest

 

What can washi do for you? 

For you Pillow Box

I have had this Tim Holtz pillow box die in my stash for quite some time just waiting to be used.  With Easter right around the corner i wanted to send out some gifts to very special people in my life.  even though i purchased the gifts, i wanted to share a part of myself by creating the gift boxes. 

So i finally broke out my die along with some watercolor paper and the new Tim Holtz distress paints to create my first pillow box gift packaging.  it was my first time using these paints.  I really like the fluidity of these paints along with the way they set.  Think of these as a cross between distress stains and paint dabbers.  Extremely cool. 

Mamma always says that the back should be as pretty as the front.  While she was referring to my embroidery stitches, i still keep it in mind in all my projects.  If you want to see how i created this little pillow box, hop on over to the Sizzix blog for a step by step post. 

InLinkz.com

Create Daily: White Paint Resist

A resist is always a good technique to keep in your arsenal.  A while ago i showed you a white pen resist.  Today is about using white paint.  It's simple, easy, and readily available.  By using it as my first layer, i created these beautiful hearts in the above page.

First using a small round brush, i painted hearts on the background.  Can you see them?  Some of them are closed, some are open hearts.  Make sure you paint some off the page too.

Next using watercolors, spray inks, distress inks or all of the above to paint your background.  As you can see the white hearts pop against the color but in a subtle way.  i like how the white takes on a little color but not overly so.  it is more part of the background rather than just a layer on top. 

so have you created something this week?  Anything goes...doodle, scrapbook page, art journal, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inlinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

the winner is....

Karen Haworth said...

I have registered on your site and liked your facebook page. I would like a class to get me over my fear of a blank page. I love art journaling pages but don't know where to begin. I like my crafting to be neat and tidy and I think that getting messy and not fussing would do me a world of good but where do I begin?

Karen please email me your address with the subject GIVEAWAY WINNER.  i will get you your autographed copy of Art of Layers, your I AM mini album kit, plus your coupons for the online classes.

As for the rest of you, a thank you newsletter is coming your way very soon with a free downloadable.  If you haven't signed up for the newsletter yet, do so now.  You don't want to miss the free goodie!

Learning to Carve

Julie came to play.  After her long days of photos for her new book , she came to stay the night.  Or so she thought.  With the snow storm that's hitting the east, Julie is here to stay for a little while longer.   It's been amazing to have my friend here, creating together in the studio.  Paint, draw, carve, spray, play.

So with the master in the house, Julie willingly and lovingly nudged me into carving my first stamp.  i got a one on one lesson with Julie who is such an awesome teacher.  i admit i think i found a new addiction.  i am so thrilled with the results of my little feather.  My training will be complete once i try my hand at a word stamp. While she completely enabled me, i did it right back to her with the world of spray paints.  

Once the stamp was carved of course i had to play with it.  i had this art journal page mostly completed so i decided to stamp my feather right in the middle of the page.  i dipped my brush into some black paint and wrote next to the stamp. 

This was a canvas piece already in the works.  i had been playing around with it all day adding spray inks, paints, gesso, and fabric patterned paper.  i love how it all came together.  i added the feather stamp and then painted over it.  i stamped again and then stitched.  i think it shall become a cover of an art journal. 

Have you carved your own stamp?  Are you anxious to get Julie's book?

Love You Tag Trio

i made this Love Tag trio as a homemade Valentine’s gift for my husband.  inside there is a gift card and coupons with gifts of my time.  i think with all the things in the world, time is precious.  The greatest gift of my love i can give him is my time.  Coupons include date night, his favorite meal, etc.  You can see how i put the base of the tag trio on the My Mind's Eye Blog.

i layered pieces of patterned paper from the 6x6 pad.   i punched a border around the bottom piece and then layered a colorful patterned piece on top.  On top of that, i added a piece of book text and vintage thread.  i punched a heart die cut, added a brad and pin, and inked the edges.  The enamel dots were perfect to add color around the tag.

i love to tie my tag trios closed with twine.  To keep it in place, i used a piece of washi tape to secure it to the back.  i stamped the sentiment and added the heart sticker.  My Mamma always said the back should look as pretty as the front.

On the middle tag, i added a piece of patterned paper with words cut from the 6x6 patterned paper.  i adhered it to the tag with a small bit of decorative tape.  Under the piece i added my favorite picture of the two of us.  On the right side is a gift certificate tucked into a pocket with a layer sticker.  i like that he can take this tag trio back to his apartment as decor to sit on his dresser as a reminder of my love for him.  

Here's a link to another tag trio i created using stencils to emboss the tags.