It's another trap!

Back in November there was an altered mouse trap swap over at the VLVS! swap group on Facebook. The swap was inspired by my mouse traps I did for the Halloween blog hop. I was truly honored that my work was the inspiration for this swap. I didn't do the swap, because I knew I wouldn't be able to get another package of traps in time. I later talked with DeeDee and told her I will be doing one and sending it to the store. I had 1 trap left from the last package I got back in September.

The theme of the swap was powerful women. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but after going one way I went another way. lol I started out with a base coat of black craft paint. Then I did a layer with crackle medium. after that dried I did 2 coats of magenta craft paint. Two coats because it was water down. After that dried this is where I made a right turn. lol

I wanted to use my Lady Silhouette so I thought hmmm it needs some sparkle. I had this heat and stick stuff that I got years ago, from a local rubber stamp store that is no longer in business  This is just like the Heat and Stick that is now out from Ranger. I had never tried it so I thought why not try it now. So I did. I used the clear embossing pad on the back of the trap and the sprinkled some of the heat and stick on it. heat set it and it was sticky. then used a white glitter from Art Institute  and it stuck nicely to the back of the trap. I then did the other side, but with a hot pink glitter.

I stamped the lady on the Kromecote and colored her with watercolor from Artist Loft. Cut her out and glued her on the trap with hot glue. I added a flower from Jolie's next to her. The quote is from the same plate as the lady. I stamped that quote on the matte side of the Kromecote. I trimmed it and edge it with the picked raspberry distress ink pad. I lightly did the inside with the same pad too what was left on the sponge. I attached that on the metal parts of the trap with glossy accents.


stamps used
Lady Silhouette
"if I'd observed all the rules, I'd never got anywhere"

Items used
Kromecote
Mouse trap
black craft paint
crackle medium
magenta craft paint
Clear embossing pod
Heat and stick embossing pwder
Art institute glitters
Glossy accents
hot glue
flower

GODDESS SPARKLE

OK I am going to say I had SO much fun making this. I was so inspired by the awesome and crazy Mark Montano, he put up a tutorial on altered cans. Hmmmmm, my wheels starting turning....I am starting a new job Monday, Its with the same company BUT its a new job.
So i wanted to create something pretty to put on my desk.
ARE YOU READY?

What FUN!

Close up

DON'T EVER LET ANYONE DULL YOUR SPARKLE

So lets get started:
SIDE NOTE: The first stamp " Listening Hearts Hear Angels Sing" is not a Viva LasVegaStamp, however it is on their site under other companies.

The "DONT LET ANYONE EVER DULL YOUR SPARKLE."
The stamp can be located HERE
For my 2nd Post of January I will showcasing the same stamp, but HEY! its the most awesome stamp.

Here is VIVA LAS VEGASTAMPS website and see for yourself all the other awesome sayings.

SUPPLIES:
1. Rinsed out soup can. Or any other can you have, drink mix can, vegetable can.
2. Rubber stamp of your CHOICE.
3. I selected favorite poems that spoke to me.
4. PaperFlowers
5. Ribbons
6. Brads
7. Inks,Sprays or Paints you love. I used twinkling H2o's and Radiant pearls and some Mica Mixers
(FYI- Here is a tutorial on how to make the ALTERED PAPERFLOWER.)
8.MIRACLE TAPE
9. Scrapbook Paper
10. Embellishments: Charms, buttons,glitter etc
11. Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Select your pretty Scrapbook Paper. Cut it to fit around the can. Put Miracle tape on the backside of the paper, i put it one the entire piece. Thats what I LOVE about Miracle Tape, it comes in Sheets!
At this point make your Altered PaperFlowers and let them dry.
2. Attach it around the outside of your can. The inside of my can, I put a few drops of Alcohol Inks in there and let it swish around. Mark Montano spray painted his.
3. I then selected poems, there was two that really spoke to me, because I am careful with copyrights, I also cut out the author of the poem and put it with the poem. I used Miracle Tape to put these on the can.
It sounds super easy and it is, placement took me forever as to me composition is very important to a piece, it has to be pleasing to my eye.
4.Stamp your sentiments on a piece of Scrapbook Paper. Attach to the top and each side of the can.
5. Now its time to use your sprays and inks or really whatever you want to use.
I chose my color scheme and just started spraying. It didn't think, i just wanted color, i wanted sparkle. I wanted this to inspire me at my new job.
6. I attached my flowers, and used some pretty ribbon to highlight the flower. Its ALL in the details, the brads in the middle of the flowers match and then it seems a little dark to me, SO i chose some green ribbon to compliment the purple.
IT'S SO PRETTY!
FYI- Anytime i accidently misjudged the tape and it hung over so therefore it was a sticky place on my art, just sprinkle some glitter.
7. Well if you have ever worked in an office, you know how easy pencils and pens walk off a desk. SO hmmmfph NO ONE is going to get away with taking my pencils LOL I even decorated them!!!!
8. REMEMBER TO MAKE IT YOURS, USE THOSE BUTTONS, CHARMS, BRADS , YOU HAVE BEEN SAVING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. BECAUSE YOU ARE SPECIAL!
My desk is going to look so Sparkily Goddess Love Shiney Glittery, its going to be full of great energy.

Take care my art friends.
I SO love all the inspiration on this blog. I don't comment like I should, I am a rebel sometimes, I don't mean to it just happens, But I admire each of you.
SO this is dedicated to ALL of you. And the poem I used on my can is located here, Let me know if it speaks to you, as much as it did to me
I AM BECOMING BY JAYNE RELAFORD BROWN

L.
ANg

Snarky Cards Just For Fun by Pinky!

Good morning VLVS friends!

Pinky here today with some FUN snarky cards just for kicks!

I love the creative snarky stamps from VLVS, they are perfect for today's

stress release, and attitude adjustments. 

Imagine the giggles your friends will have when they receive a

handmade card with a fun sense of humor attached!

I used the same formula for both cards, just stamped them differently. 

For the Chloroform card:

1. Trim out 4.5X6 Patterned paper.

2. Trim out 4X5.5" Patterned paper. 

3. Layer paper and adhere using Miracle Tape.

4. Stamp Viva Las VegaStamps sentiment on white cardstock. 

5. Spritzed stamped sentiments using Studio Calico Mist Huey's Mister.

6. Layer sentiments onto cardstock.

7. Trim out 9X6" white cardstock for base. 

8. Use bone folder to crease card base. 

9. Using Miracle Tape- adhere card front to card base. 

For the "Weiner" card I:

1. Trim out 4.5X6 Patterned paper.

2. Trim out 4X5.5" Patterned paper. 

3. Layer paper and adhere using Miracle Tape.

4. Stamp Viva Las VegaStamps image onto card front. 

5. Stamp Viva Las VegaStamps sentiment onto patterned paper.

6. Layer sentiments onto sticker.

7. Trim out 9X6" white cardstock for base. 

8. Use bone folder to crease card base. 

9. Using Miracle Tape- adhere card front to card base. 

10. Add embellishments.

11. Using Pearl Pen or Liquid Pearls, add pearls to apron and card. 

Products Used:

Item 18764 Plate 1412  

Housewife 1 3/4 x 3 3/4 

Item 18770 Plate 1412 

It's Not A Party 1 x 1 1/2

Item 18570 Plate 1419

Does This Rag Smell 3/4 x 2

Miracle Tape 1/2" 

Papers: Basic Grey, October Afternoon (Weiner card). 

Scraptastic Kit Club Chasing Pavements (Chloroform Card). 

My Mind's Eye embellishments (Weiner card). 

Until next time! Keep on creating~

Pinky Hobbs- Viva Las VegaStamps Design Team

Looking back

I always like to do a layout looking back on the previous year and had alot of fun making this one. I used the Viva Las VegaStamps Lady on rocket stamp

and she is also found on this fabulous Plate

because how fun is she??? I know right? Here is my layout using this fun stamp

and here is the close up of the rocket lady

Supplies used:

Lady on rocketstamp from plate or

Lady on rocket single stamp

Miracle tape

Various scrapbook papers & embellishments

Versafine ink

Staedtler watercolor pencils

I hope you enjoyed seeing the Lady on Rocket stamp and until next time,

Glenda

Singin' in the Rain

The husband and I grew up on opposite sides of the country. He’s from California and I am from New Jersey. I enjoy cool weather, whereas he wants the heat on when it’s 73 in the house. I would sleep with the windows open every day and night while he wears sweats 365 days a year. There is however one type of weather that we both love – rain. We agree there is nothing nicer than staying in when the weather is damp and gloomy. A log in the fireplace, hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches – the husband makes the best grilled cheese ever – and we are exactly where we want to be.

One of the things I love about being on the design team of VLVS is looking through their incredible variety of stamps. I went in search for stamps to make a card for the husband. I didn’t want it too cute, and it had to be meaningful for the two of us. When I saw these stamps -Vintage Man With Umbrella and You make even the rainy days special. I knew I had found what I was looking for.

This has to be one of the easiest cards I have ever made.
Got it completed in less than 10 minutes.
Who said the longer something takes the better it is? Not this gal.

Supplies

White Cardstock
Kraft Paper
Patterned Paper
MS Heart Punch and a scrap of red paper
Miracle Tape
Vintage Man With Umbrella VLVS
You make even the rainy days special. VLVS

Directions
I took a 5 1/2" x 8" piece of cardstock, folded it in half and set aside. For the cover I cut a 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" piece of Kraft paper and stamped the Vintage Man With Umbrella. I layered this with a 2 3/4" x 3 1/2" piece of red paper on top of a and 3" x 3 1/2" piece of patterned paper. I adhered to the cardstock using Miracle Tape. I then stamped the You make even the rainy days special.sentiment on the bottom of the card. For the inside I layered with Kraft paper and white cardstock. I topped the cover off by gluing on a handful of mini red hearts.

The husband has my heart. Who has yours?

It's In The Bucket!

The holidays are over, Happy New Years!!!  Time to check out the discount bins to see what is marked down to 80% off!!!

See the gift bucket???  It is a Christmas "steal" that I bought from the Christmas discount bin!!!  It looks like peppermint, but perfect for Valentines Day!!

This is a FAVORITE stamp of mine now!!!  You can use it as it is, or you can cut it apart and do many things!!  

HEARTS - image 409

Happy Valentines Day - image 6974

For this project I used the hearts as a background and cut some out to add as accents.  I layered a punched paper with a border, used a laminate chip and speckled MicaColor water color paints, added an image collage and heart!  Embellished the collage image and added other ephemera.  Added "Happy Valentines Day" at the bottom.

Now is the time to go check out discounts and stock up on items you can craft with or use for gifts.  Think outside the box...er....the bucket!!!

Cre8tively Yours - Lea

And They Call It Puppy Love

Valentines Day is right around the corner!  Now is the time to create art to celebrate.
We lost our beagle Woodstock just before we moved to our new home in 2011.  It was sad.
This art is dedicated to Woodstock.  This can also be for for all the young love out there!!

VLVS Images:

4714 Dog Sitting
2779 Be Mine
8569 Love You
409 Hearts

Miracle Tape

1.  Found a sketch pad decorative paper as my background.

2.  Used an embossing folder and embossed words on red swirl paper.  Highlighted words with pigment ink.  Cut and adhered with Glue Dots.

3.  Enhanced sketch pad decorative paper with Copic Markers and rub-on's.

4.  Stamped images with Black StazOn ink.  Used Copics to shade dog (a tan and grays), and colored behind the words: Love You.  Be Mine I kept white.  Cut these all out and adhered with Miracle Tape or Glue Dots.

The little heart is part of the below stamp.  I've used these hearts on many projects.  Whole as it is, and by cutting out some of the hearts

I thought this doggie was so cute as all the VLVS doggies (and cats) - there are so many to choose from.  And, yes - I have a beagle image too! 

From simple to intricate...Valentines are all the same.  They come from the heart and tells some one you care!

Cre8tively Yours, Lea

A new journey journal page

Hi, A new year a new journey for 2013. Hope you all had a great turn of the year and wish that all your new dreams will come true.

Here is another art journal page, I love making them.

Step 1: make a background. I dragged gesso over the page with a creditcard, do this randomly and don't cover the whole page. Then take different colours ink and sponge onto the page. As you can see there are darker abnd lighter spots, the darker spots are the spaces where there is no gesso.
Step 2: choose a stamp for the focal point. I choose the men in balloon basket stamp nr. 19009.
Step 3: lay the stamp face down on your work to decide the place where you want it to be (tip: you can stamp the image onto transparant sheet and use this as a guide to decide where you want the image to be).
Step 4: Stamp the image of the men in balloon basket onto the page. And compliment this image with the Hot air Ballon with flags nr. 19006, do this three times. Stamp with Stazon Black.
Step 5: Take a tree stencil and sponge with a lighter colour green.
Step 6: do the same with a darker colour green but replace your stencil a little to the right or left.
Step 7: (top photo) sponge the trees a little with white ink and tiny parts with black ink. Give the little balloons some accent colour with a pink glitter gel pen. And finally stamp the text Time Flies 19008.

Stamps used: men in balloon basket 19009
Hot air balloon with flags 19006
Time Flies 19008
All these stamps can also be found on plate 893
Stazon Black

Warmly

Hermine

He's a Strange Bird

Supplies:

Viva Las VegaStamps! image used: 

Bird With Worms-Item 18982 Plate 883

Wild Paper 300 lb 8x10

Black Marker 

Dylusions Ink Sprays-London Blue, Pure Squeezed Orange, Bubblegum Pink

Stazon Inkpad-Midnight Teal 

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Acrylic Paint-Purple Palette, Dab o yellow

Faber-Castell Big Brush-White

I'm not sure where this idea came from, lol.  I was trying out some paper for a review, and had smeared some yellow paint (there was another color in the brush, that I forgot to keep note of) and sprayed with Dylusions. 

I stamped one of Mary Vogel Lozinak's wonderful images, Bird with Worms, and was wondering what I wanted to do next. 

The expression on that bird's face.... I'm not sure if it's one of indecision--"Which worm do I eat first?" or guilt-"These worms is so cute. But I'm going to eat them, anyway!"  At any rate, he looks like he might be calling on strange forces to help him out.  So I grabbed a black marker and echoed the shape of the bird.  Because ultimately, he's calling on himself for answers.

The paper has a deep tooth so I was able to let the paint show through in some places just by using lighter pressure.

To marry the light and dark portions I dabbed on some purple acrylic paint and then spotted white around the stamped image.

Check out the VLVS! Store for all your stamping needs and the  VLVS! Blog for new projects and news every day. Follow VLVS! as the VLVS! Forum - VLVS! FB - VLVS! Pinterest - VLVS! Twitter.

A Happy New Year ATC

Happy New Year, stampers, artisans and friends! :)  Here's my ATC to celebrate the occasion.  For this I stamped Lady With Drink on Kromecote cardstock.  Once she was trimmed out, I layered her onto stamped/colored a background of music.  A Happy New Year was stamped onto patterned cardstock and layered onto a card backdrop that has been misted with color and stamped with dots using Plate 1430.  For a final touch, I added a bit of acrylic paint as border for the card and a single star gem.

Happy 2013!