September 29, 2013

Steampunk Spells Halloween Album

What a fun time I had creating this jam-packed album!  Although I'm not into Halloween, each year I REALLY love creating an album using the annual Graphic 45 Halloween collection.  This year just might be the best one yet -- the Steampunk Spells collection is AMAZING!

This class will take place on Saturday, October 12, at Weekend Memories in Leesburg, VA.  I love teaching classes there -- the croppers (and owner) are so much fun!

I can only give a sneak peek today, as I haven't taught the class yet. I'll post a picture of the cover soon (it's still drying).



August 05, 2013

Friendship Mixed Media Canvas


Last night I really enjoyed creating this mixed media canvas in honor of Friendship Day.


I SO LOVE this Julie Nutting Doll Stamp!  Heck, I love them all -- they are so darn cute!  MUST HAVE THEM ALL!

I created this piece for my blogpost on today's Scraps of Color E:spire.  It was my first time using a 6" x 9" canvas and I must admit that I love working with this size canvas.  Can't wait to get my hands on another one (I'm giddy with anticipation).


I like the way her wings stick out the past the canvas.  The supply list, a couple of tips, and another close up of this project are posted on today's SOC blogpost

Happy (belated) Friendship Day!  Live life in full color!

July 30, 2013

And the Winner Is...

Thank you all for your very kind comments about the Advent Calendar that I made. I really had a great time making it and sharing it with you all.

Now for what you've been waiting for (drumroll please). The winner of the set of the newly released Tim Holtz Distress Markers is...


Blogger Shanta said...
Oh my what an awesome advent calendar!! Love it!! The colors are so amazing!!
July 27, 2013 at 10:03 PM
 Delete

Congratulations, Shanta!!! Please use the @ button under "Find Me Here" to send me an email with your address so that I can send this blog candy to you straight away.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to participate in the SOC blog hop.

July 26, 2013

SOC Christmas in July Blog Hop!



Welcome to the SOC Christmas in July Blog Hop! I am joining a group of very talented crafters to deck the halls with Christmas themed projects! Christmas is the season for giving, and this blog hop is no exception.

There will be giveaways on various blogs throughout the hop -- including this one!  Plus, there will be a SOC Blog Hop Gift awaiting one visitor. To be eligible for that prize, you must comment on all of the blogs by 11:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 28. One lucky reader will be randomly drawn and the winner of the SOC Blog Hop Gift will be posted Wednesday, July 31.

For my Christmas in July project, I created this wooden tree advent calendar.


Supplies: Fancy Pants - Home for Christmas; Kaisercraft - 'Tis the Season; 
Claudine Hellmuth Studio acrylic paint - Traditional Tan; Kylon - 18kt Gold Leafing pen

BLOG CANDY: 12 Tim Holtz Distress Markers that were just released at Connect-and-Create (aka CHA). Yes, the whole set! 

To be eligible simply leave a comment on my blog by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 28. The Blog Candy winner's name will be randomly selected and posted on this blog on Tuesday, July 30. Good luck!

Be sure to visit all of the SOC Christmas in July Blog Hop sites and leave comments to be entered to win SOC Blog Hop Gift.

Here's a list of everyone in the hop:

Michelle - that's me!

July 25, 2013

Fun with My Big Girl Crayons - Copic Markers!

Sometimes I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just need to slow down for a bit to collect myself and free my mind. So, that's what I decided to do.

At the Weekend Memories crop this past weekend I didn't teach any classes or spend a lot of time getting pictures printed or projects packed. Instead of stressing after a long, tiring week, I decided that I was going to spend my time at the crop doing something that I have loved since I was a child -- COLORING!

It had been so long since I'd colored anything. At first I was worried that I might be really rusty and someone would walk by and see how awful my blending or color combos would be. Then I got over it and printed out digital stamps from one of my favorite digital stamp illustrators, Krista at Saturated Canary.

Then I grabbed my big girl crayons (Copic Markers), my Daylight lamp, my Mac & headphones and headed to the crop to color.

Oh boy what fun I had! And it was so relaxing!

Here are a few of the things that I colored. First up is YoYo.

Hair: E35, E39, E47, E49, Y23; Skin: E11, E21, E51; Eyes: E31, E35, E37; 
Lips: R20, R22, RV39; Skirt: V04, V06, V09; Shirt/Scarf: BG05, BG09, BG13

This fun one is called Frizzy Jinx.

Skin: E00, E21, E51l; Eyes: YG03, YG17, G14; Hair: Y21, YR21, YR23; 
Red: R24, R27, R29; Green: YG05, YG07, G05; Brown: E50, E53, E57; Beige: E50, E53

And this last lovely is LaLa.

Hair: C1, C3, C5, C7; Purple: V12, V15, V17

Like I said, it's been a long time, so my blending is a bit rusty. But it was so much fun. I look forward to breaking out my big girl crayons to color again soon!

July 06, 2013

Creating Harmony with Bird Song

Last night the Scraps of Color Friday Night Challenge #1 was to use textured paper, mist, metal, and a stamp. Here's what I came up with:


This Julie Nutting Doll Stamp arrived in the mail yesterday (along with a few others) -- YIPPEE!  Thank you, Blue Moon Scrapbooking for your speedy delivery and free shipping. And a BIG thank you, Barb, for introducing me to this great online shop!


As soon as I saw the stamp, I knew that I wanted to use the lovely Bird Song Collection by Graphic 45. And this piece of embossed paper  form the Core Impressions Graphic 45 Timeless Collection by Core'dinations provided the perfect background.

Okay, so this isn't the greatest picture. What can I say, it was 2:30 a.m.
I'll take a better pic later & replace it.
Supplies used:  Prima Marketing - Julie Nutting Mixed Media Stamp, Graphic 45 Bird Song Collection, Core'dinations Graphic 45 Timeless Collection, Smooch - Tuxedo Black, Distress Paint - Antiqued Bronze, Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo, The Girls Paperie - Glitter Charms, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Marshmallow, StazOn - Jet Black, Archival Ink - Jet Black, Mod Podge - Matte

Off to play with my new stamps!

June 02, 2013

Fun Mixed Media Class

The ladies in the Mixed Media Canvas Class that I taught yesterday at Weekend Memories were a lot of fun! These talented women created some amazing artwork.

They were all given the same materials, but they each created something different. I love when that happens.

The following mixed media canvas artwork was created by a couple of the ladies who requested red kits:






The following mixed media canvas artwork was created by a some of the ladies who used the purple class kits:










There were a couple of other talented women who left before I had an opportunity to take pictures of their masterpieces.

Everyone said that they had a great time and that they were very happy with the class and what they created. This makes me smile -- REALLY BIG!

People at the crop really seemed to like what the class participants made because they asked when I'll be teaching it again. 

In fact, there was one woman who told me that I will be teaching the class at the next crop.  LOL! So, looks like I'll be teaching it again in July. YEAH! I can't wait!

Thank you to everyone who took my class. I so enjoyed getting messy with you!