HAPPY BLOG-VERSARY TO ME!

MY BLOG TURNS 3!

Its hard for me to believe that my blog has turned the ripe old age of 3. 

I would have never imagined that I would keep and maintain this blog running for 3 years.

Thank you to those that have been with me since the start and to all that have decided to follow me.  I couldn't have ever dreamed that people would like my art and be so encouraging.

I'm working on getting a blog candy give away put together so stay tuned and 

THANKS EVERYONE! 

Anything Goes - Halloween Chaos

This week over at Simon Says Stamp and Show, the challenge was

Anything Goes!

So I decided to use my tags that were created for the Halloween Chaos Swap on

The All Things Tim  Yahoo Group.

Each player was to make 12 tags and get a incredible collaborative piece back from the wonderful swap hostess Stacy Cook.

Below are the tags I created.

Each tag is made using almost Tim Holtz products exclusively with the exception of the poison bottle stamp which is from Graphic 45.

I embossed, sprayed and inked all my tags. Covered the grunge board skulls with Rock Candy and used Hobgoblin tissue tape across the bottoms.

After stamping out the bottles I painted them with Distress Ink markers.

Using Tim's new Mini Blueprint stamp set I stamped spiderwebs on vellum for a finishing touch. 

I absolutely cant wait to see the finished piece from Stacy.

Altered Cigar Box

OK, So I know you are saying what does Sea Shells have to do with an Altered Cigar box.

Well my partner on this exchange said they liked everything to do with the beach so since I can't take them to to beach I am bringing the beach to them.

This is the top of the cigar box.

 Sea shells arranged in the center of the lid created a focal point. I covered the whole box in decorative paper and tissue tape then ran a piece of contrasting ribbon around the outside.

As you can see I also included round wooden finials on top and barrel shaped ones on the bottom to mimic the look of an old boardwalk from times gone by.This is the view from the back.

Notice the light house 

 This is the view from the front adorned with a sail boat.

And this is the inside. I told you I was bringing the beach to them. Blue Sky and warm sand adorn the inside of the box. I also included some loose shells just for fun. 

The lid is hinged with chain since I used real shells on the top to stop the lid from flipping the box over since the shells are so heavy.

And of course I had to a tag and some vintage beach photos for the new owner to play with. 

I hope they enjoy it as much as I did making it. This was my first altered cigar box, but somehow I don't think it will be my last.

Technique 10: Tissue Wrap Flowers

This week over at Studio L3 the Challenge is:

Technique 10: Tissue Wrap Flowers

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 37

I used this challenge to make a monochromatic tag, yes there is a tag behind all that you are looking at.

It's been a while since I created a monochromatic piece and using the black and white tissue wrap inspired me to do so.

The dancing ladies is a stamp from Lost Coast Designs that just makes me smile. The tissue wrap flower and tidings bow seem to mimic the dancers headgear.

Here is a close up of the flower. I know many are posting that they had difficulty in making them look like flowers. I must confess this is my first attempt and I came out perfect.

 Almost like a paper carnation.

I think that I will use this piece as art to abandon for someone to find. 

Click here to read more about Art Abandonment.

Kindred Souls Tag Swap

I'm participating in a swap on the Kindred Souls Art Group and this is the first swap we have had. It's a one on one tag swap and complete artist choice of design. Feeling my roots a little I decided to go completely Asian in images and designs. I hope the recipient enjoys is as much I as did creating it.

What you see behind the tag is a glassine envelope that I embossed to put the tag in.

Patriotic Tag Swap

Its a PATRIOT Tag Swap over at ATT and what could be more Patriotic than our own 4th of July Celebration. That's what I used as my inspiration for the swap and these are my tags.

 A view of all 3 tags that I'm swapping.

I even embossed the glassine envelopes to put them in :)

Compendium of Curiosities 2, Challenge 9

This week the Challenge over at Studio L3 is

Technique 9: Pocket Watch

Tim Holtz: A Compendium of Curiosities, Vol. 2, page 35

I used this challenge to create a Patriotic piece to celebrate the upcoming 4th of July here in the 

USA!

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. Now I just have to find a way to display it.

Until next time....