Another one for today

As promised, here are the remaining projects I've completed over the past few months.

In late December, SVG Cuts.com posted this great file that I thought was perfect for the upcoming New Year.  Although there were more elements in the file, I chose to make a few Celebration bottles for my co workers.  As usual, my daughter also added her take to the bottles and here are our versions of the bottles.  I learned quite a bit about cutting the foiled/mirrored papers with this file.

                          This group of shoes were for a sweet little girl's "Princess" birthday party.  Lest you think they were quick, there were 28 of them and they were only ^ inches total in length ( can you say What was I thinking!).  I again used a modification of the "Wicked" show by Ellen Htuson for these.

This group of masks became part of centerpiece decorations for the Senior Prom at Edna Carr High School (in New Orleans).








Both of these were cut over a one week period and then assembled over a 6 hour period of time.  I could have never done this without the help of my wonderful (and also crafty) daughter.



That brings us to April.  The last Wednesday in April is Administrative Professional's day.  My colleagues and I wanted to be sure our AA's were recognized and gave each of them a gift card.  I found this cute cutting file among my collection and cut the boxes.  The paper is Graphic 45 Secret Garden collection (gotta love G45 paper).  The embellishments are from my stash.  I can't remember the designer of this file to give credit, so if you recognize the file please let me know so I can give credit.

  Hang on, I promise I'm almost done!

In May, SVG Cuts .com again captured my interest with a file featuring a hot air balloon.  This file was again shared with my scrapbooking group and they all did a great job.  Here is my take on the file, which was given as a gift to a lucky participant at the class.

This file just said white on white to me, so that's where I went with this one.  It is so pretty in person.

Finally, I have June.

In June (at least here in New Orleans) people begin thinking about their beloved Saints football team.  When I saw this file (la Maison) by SVG Cuts.com, I just knew we had to make this one.  Again I used Graphic 45 paper (French Country).

My take on the file -

And my happy class members -

If you look at this last picture closely, you'll notice two lamps on the floor (courtesy of my daughter).  They were created using a modification of the same file above, and feature the logo of the Louisiana State University Tigers.  The LSU lamps were the give a ways to two lucky winners from the class.   Our timing was great as the TIGER baseball team advanced to the finals in Omaha four hours after this photo was taken.

Thanks for spending time with me catching up.  It's been a long series of posts, but I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Remember, it's not about what you create or how often it's about how often you...........Have FUN!!!

Too Long

It's been a very long time since I posted. 
Just don't know why I can' t seem to stay motivated to share with all of you, but I'm working on an idea.  Don't want to share the idea just yet as I'm not sure I can keep the commitment.

Just because I've not been sharing doesn't mean I've not been creative; I'm just lousy at remembering to take photos so I can share with all of you.
I've been in two card swaps, a few classes and at least six monthly crop meets.  Each one of those were opportunities to create with a few pages, cards and pieces created, but alas, nothing to share (no photos).

I did remember to take a few photos of some of the things I've created, thanks to the generosity of several designers (I use svg files in my paper work).

The tile below was created as a gift for a co worker's wedding.

In September,  I cut several Wicked Witch shoes (courtesy of Ellen Hutson) to share my love of assembling 3 dimensional items, with my local scrapbooking group. Here is my take on her file.

Then in October, using cut files from SVG Cuts. com and My Scrap Chick. com, we created a fun table setting/decor for Thanksgiving.  Again this is my take (and that of my daughter) on those files.

I have several more photos to share, but will place them in the next post as I know it can get boring looking at photo after photo, unless it is a tutorial.

I can't say enough about the fun I've had sharing creating 3 dimensional works of paper art with my local scrapbooking group.  Thanks too to the devoted designers from the sites I've mentioned above.  My work may not prompt you to check out their files, but please check them out on your own and you'll see just how talented these folks really are.

Until next time, have fun and just ..................play
Dawn

Holiday gifts

I've been remiss in posting to my blog, but that doesn't mean I've not been creating.
I just finished a huge project for a very special friend and gave it to her this morning.  She was pleased and spent quite a long time looking over all the pieces in the project.
Now that is over I can begin sharing my other projects with you.
I am in an ornament swap in the local scrapbooking group, and I created these as my four to swap.  I've seen them demonstrated before, but I wanted them to be different so I added snowflakes and blingage.

I've also been cutting and sharing some of the 3-D files from SVG Cuts.com.  The ladies in our scrapbooking group asked to learn to make 3-D items, so in the process of finding easy to recreate files, I came across the work of Mary and Leo at SVG Cuts. com.  The files are quick, easy and great when working with a group with varied skill levels.
They are so easy and fun, I decided to use one of the free files to make treat boxes for my co workers.

Aren't they cute!!!!  My co workers will find them on their desks tomorrow.  I'll add a bit of candy just to make them even more fun. Just in case anyone is interested, I made 9 of these little guys. Cutting them out took one evening (I surf while I cut and sometimes get distracted), and the construction took about 2 hours for all 9 of them.
Thanks so much for visiting and for your comments.
Enjoy creating and more importantly......Have fun!!!!
Dawn

Circles

Yesterday I posted a layout that required I use at least 7 circles.  I also asked you to see if you could find the total number of circles in the layout.
The circles had to be complete and could be located anywhere on the layout.
Today, I promised to give you the total number of circles.  So........here is the total 27.
There are circles on the page, the brads are also circles, there are circles in the matting and even in the photos.  The photo with the glasses and strawberries has several circles and the photo with the hat has one or two as well.
This was a fun page to create and something that forced me to think outside the box for inspiration.
Hope you had fun looking.
Until my next post remember to............have fun!
Dawn

Challenge Five

This will be my second post for today, but I really wanted to be able to enter today's challenge before the deadline.
This was a fun quick and easy challenge.  We were asked to create a page or card using only paper and adhesive.
Unlike yesterday, I didn't try to over think what I was doing.  I decided on the theme and shuffled paper until I found what I was looking for.
I used black card stock from my stash, the Halloween paper is from one of the many great papers in our goodie boxes, and the accent papers are from my stash.  I cut apart one of the papers from the goodie box to use as a statement.  I then backed it with the green, added the bottom border, and cut out the ghost from papers in my stash.  A bit of glue and Voila' a card is born.
I also have positive news to report - I was a lucky winner yesterday, of some glue and spray.  I can hardly wait to try this as I've heard lots of good things about the product.  Thanks to Megan Elizabeth, her team and the Cropped event.  This has been fun.
I'll be back tomorrow to see how many of you guessed the correct number of circles on my circle project from Challenge Four.
Until then remember to.......have fun

Challenge Four

It took me a while, but I completed Challenge four for the Cropped event.
Challenge four required me to use circles, the color teal and seven.  I started with the photos I wanted to use, then added a sheet of teal paper supplied from the box of goodies for the challenge event and then I stopped!  My brain just froze trying to decide which direction to use for the page.  After shuffling paper for a bit, I decided to use more of the paper from my goodie box, strategically cutting out circles to be used on the page.
There are definitely more than seven circles on the page - see if you can find all the circles (they have to be a complete circle and not a portion).  I added Glossy accents, pure glitz and glitter liner to some of the words I'd cut from the paper to give pop to certain words and phrases.  The title is cut on my Cricut with design courtesy of my Gypsy.
Let me know what you think.
And remember to......have fun.
Dawn

Boo at the Zoo

It has taken me longer than I thought to complete this piece.  If you have read/followed my blog you will know that altered art is where my focus has been.  However, I am a scrapbooker at heart, and love to put layouts together.
This challenge was a scrapbook page with a twist;  create a layout from a piece of paper with nine individual blocks, each block being a mini layout.  The layouts could be individually themed or a central theme.
I chose a central theme and then created my layouts from there.  The cuts were all done with my Cricut and altered to fit the theme.  I'd like to tell you who the children in the photos belong to, but I cannot.  The photos were randomly chosen from several I have taken over the past several years as a volunteer for our local "Boo at the Zoo" event.
Thanks for taking a look at this challenge, and follow along as I learn a few new things and share my interpretation of them here as part of the CROPPED event being held this weekend.

Please forgive the poor lighting.  I completed this layout this evening and wanted to get it posted to share.
Until my next adventure....remember to.......have fun!
Dawn

Inconsistency

I think that fits the title of my blog posting habits.  I post in fits and spurts, rather than on a daily basis.  If you follow my blog you know it may be months between posts, but when I post it's usually filled with graphics.
This post is no different - I'm posting the first of my (hopefully) two challenge pieces for the "Cropped Event", being hosted by Above Rubies Studio (check out the badge to the right for more info).
The challenge called for using a card designed by Megan Elizabeth, as inspiration.  The techniques were: masking (the sun/moon), rolled edge on a stamp (the ship), stamping off (the waves), and ink blending to create a background.
Megan teaches these techniques as well as others in her DVD titled "1, 2, 3, Stamp".
I imagine by now you are thinking, enough already......get to the pics!  So without further discussion here is my submission for the first challenge.

The sentiment stamp and the ship are from a set of Technique Tuesday stamps called "All Aboard".  The swirls are from a set of Recollections called "Swirls".  As for the other ingredients, the inks are Distress inks, the ribbon and the patterned paper are from my "bits and pieces" stash.
I hope you enjoyed my attempt at this challenge.  Check back over the next few days as I will be loading the second challenge as well.
Until then.......have Fun!
Dawn

WHEW!!!!

Christmas is over and things are settling back to normal for most of us.  I've not had much to share of late as the items I was making were for gifts.  But now that they've all found new homes, I can share them with you.
My husband works in a predominately female workplace, so coming up with interesting gifts can be challenging.  This year he asked if I had any ideas, and it just so happens I did.  While on the t!m Holtz Cruise, we learned how to alter these fun watch parts.  I took this idea and made up a few watches of my own.

This is the watch we learned to make on the cruise.  The next 4 are the ones created for gifts.

It's difficult to photograph these little buggers, as they cast their own internal shadows no matter the angle.  Ah, well I hope you enjoy.
I also made for my daughter a fun holder for her distress ink pads (or any ink pad for that matter).  I started with a wooden cigar box with a sliding top.  Sanded it, painted it, ink stained it and added papers I knew she'd love.  I added gears and actual watch parts to carry out the theme.
Front

Right side

 Back

 Left side

 Top

My apologies for the angled photos.  Seems Blogger is not my friend tonight.
Ah, well,  I'm off to see what awaits me tomorrow.
I hope you enjoyed the photos and remember to ....have fun!!!
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

The END

If you've stuck with me thus far, thanks.  If you're just checking out my space, welcome.
I've managed to complete all 12 of the 12 tags of Christmas.  I have learned so very much and yet feel there is so much yet to learn.  Before I ramble too much I'll share tag 11:

This is my husband's favorite of all the tags.  I'm not sure why he likes this one so much, but I do know he is the king of  Christmas bling.  I improvised on this tag as well as many of the previous tags.  Since the tag was about the shiny effect, I decided to use the shrink plastic I had and make my own holly leaves (no die).  I'm still wary of my melt pot, so I chose to sprinkle the UTEE on the holly after it was shrunk.  The overall look is similar and I felt a bit like a kid again working with the shrink plastic.  Since my glossy paper is too short for a tag, I used picket fence on the manilla tag to lighten the surface and give me a bright blue background.  The remainder is pretty much per the technique on t!m's blog.
For tag 12 I had a bit of thinking to do as I wanted to create a variation of the original tag.  Check out t!m's blog for the exact details.  Here's my take of a shabby chic Christmas:

The colors are impossible to capture well with my camera, but I like the aged feel this tag evokes. 
This ends my journey for the 12 tags of Christmas, but not my creative journey.  I will continue to share my creations with each of you as frequently as possible.  I can tell you I have some items to share, but they will have to wait until after the holidays as they are gifts. 
Please try something new at least once a week....and....have fun.
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

A bit behind

I was doing so well....then.....too much to do and too few hours.  Ah well, I'm not that far behind.  I finished tags 9 and 10 on Saturday while at our monthly art crop.  I'm pleased at how both of these turned out and can say I will be using the mercury glass technique again.  I absolutely love the soft colors and glow they create.
Tag 9 was a challenge as I don't have any large background stamps...but I have learned to improvise.  The double embossed technique gives a luster to the tag that just isn't captured by camera.  The tag even feels "rich" because of the embossing.  I created the bird (dove) from the birdcage die and used bits and pieces of tattered tulle and nylon for the backing of the bird.  The branches are the holiday trimmings die.  Here is how this one turned out:

Tag 10 has to be my sentimental favorite.  It evokes candle light and grandma's tree at Christmas.  As involved as this tag appears it is fairly simple to create.  The multiple layers of color give it a rich depth.  Check out t!m'a blog for the technique to create the faux mercury glass ornaments.  Now for the tag:

I'll be back tomorrow evening with the final two tags.  This has been a great adventure and so much fun.  Remember to ....have fun
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

Day 8 Steampunk!!!

Now this was a fun tag to create.  I love the steampunk look and the feel.  I did change a few things, but not much.  I really can't tell you how  much fun these are to create.  It took me less than 2 hours to create mine tonight.  I did discover that grungeboard is not my friend when it comes to cutting.  Can you say hand cramps????? Maybe I need to sharpen my scissors. 
Although I followed t!m's tag closely tonight, I think his idea for a gear wreath could be fun on a card as well as on this tag.  I have been dying for an excuse to use my steampunk stamps for a while now so this was a great way to show just how versatile they are.  Enough with the chit chat....on to the tag.....

I hope you'll take time to at least try some of the techniques t!m shows on his blog each day.  Even if you don't make a tag, try the technique...you nefer know....you might just.....have fun!

Until tomorrow,
Dawn

I can't believe it

I can hardly believe it's day seven already.  This is one of the prettiest tags I've seen so far.  I really like the soft vintage look and this tag hit it on the mark. 
Once again I found myself improvising, but I'm finding improvising easier as I've learned to look at
my supplies in a much different light. 
Having worked with Kraft glassine before, I knew we were in for a fun tag when I saw the list of supplies.  The techniques in this tag are easily adaptable for many types of projects, even cards.


 This is my version of tag #7

Too tired tonight to make more than one, and will need to start tomorrows tag by cleaning my workspace (and no I won't post a picture of it right now) and then on to the tag.
Until tomorrow.......
Dawn

Day 6!!!

I can't believe I've managed to keep up with all these tags.  The techniques are so much fun and they can be used to create so many different things.
Today's technique used metal, acrylic paint and embossing powders.  Curious?  Check out t!m's blog for all the great details and then give it a try (www.timholtz.typepad.com).
I enjoyed today's technique that I actually made two tags.  These tags are quick, easy, fun and gave me a few ideas for cards for the near future.

Here are the two tags:

These tags are near impossible to photograph due to the embossing.  The top tag is much more masculine and vintage looking.  The bottom tag is just plain fun.
So come on....check out t!m's blog every morning and give it a try.  Even without the same items he uses you can get great results and.......HAVE FUN!!!!
Till tomorrow,
Dawn 

Tag Five

It's official.....I am beyond frustrated.  t!m's alcohol ink technique just wouldn't work for me.  I made three good attempts, but no matter how I tried the alcohol ink remained sticky and impossible to stamp over.  I'm not sure if it's our humidity or my technique.
I was able to complete a tag and achieve a semi adequate result on a fragment.
I an watching and waiting for tonight's tag.  You can follow the progress with Mario on Twitter or Facebook.  The tease pictures are always fun as is the friendly banter.

Now on to the tag:

Once again I chose red as my color palette.  I stamped then embossed the pinecone and branch.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.
The fragment is colored with sailboat blue alcohol ink and then the color is removed as directed in t!m's blog.  I plan to keep experimenting with the technique and hope to get it down soon.  I really like the result.
Until the next tag......
Dawn

Still at it!!!

Another day another tag.

While I was thinking about how to create today's tag, I finished my holiday cards which I will be mailing next week.  I'm sharing them here today in addition to my  tag.

The stamp is "Christmas Collage" by Stampin Up.  It is a multi piece set which leaves many options.  For this card I used the base stamp (done in Sepia archival), the poinsettia, holly and saying (done with t!m Holtz specialty stamp pad technique and distress inks).  All stamps were stamped on cream card stock.  The holly, poinsettia and words were then fussy cut (did I mention I really don't like to fussy cut), thin pop dots were placed on the back then all were adhered to the base image.  I added Rock Candy Distress stickles to the red areas of the fussy cuts.  A drop of Champagne stickles was added to the middle of the poinsettias.  The word Joy was colored with a Garnet Copic marker.
Although time consuming, I really enjoyed putting these together.  I hope those receiving them will be equally as pleased.

Now..........On to the tag!

Until today, I only thought my creative resources were being challenged!  I absolutely loved the tag t!im Holtz created for day 4, but I went with a warmer palette.  Once again my supplies were challenged, but the fun in creating these is using what you have on hand and learning the techniques.

Once again thanks for visiting.
Dawn

Yes, I'm still here.....

Like many, life definitely got in the way of my blog.  I can't promise I will be any more consistent, but would like to share with you what I am currently up to.
After watching for two years, I have finally decided to attempt to participate in t!m Holtz's "12 Tags of Christmas".  This is a personal challenge for me as I have been far too remiss in my art of late.  I have managed to complete the first three tags. and will begin with the day one tag:

I was able to closely mimic t!m's tag with this one.  I was "missing" a few of the dies he used, however it's the challenge to use what you have that was fun with this tag.



Now on to tag two:

I had a bit more of a challenge with this tag, but am very happy with the way it turned out.  I am really liking many of the newer products, and am finding the distress stains to be extremely versatile.


On to tag three:

I absolutely loved the technique t!m used for this tag, but alas, I had none of the stamps or embossing folders used, so what's a girl to do?????  Improvise!  I used the ink technique taught for this tag and created a tag which was similar in look and feel.

The tags are not the only things I have been up to, and I will be sharing those with you as well over the next few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and thanks too for the comments.
Dawn

Happy almost Friday!

I must admit I don't have any new goodies to post tonight, but I have been blog hopping and have come across some amazing blog candy.  I'm attaching a picture of the candy here and hope you will join me in wishing Barbara a Happy Blogaversary!

Hurry on over and check out her blog.  http://anartsoul.blogspot.com/ 

End of another Year

Well, it's the end of another year and I thought I'd share with all of you what I've been doing over the past month.  Yes I know I should share as I'm creating, but sometimes I just can't stop to post a note here.  At any rate here are the items I've worked on.  Be advised....this post is heavy with photos!!!

A bag and tag shared with members of my local crop group.  The bag was a 6 for 6 swap.  I used a file from Penny Duncan for the topper and just made a very simple applique type bag.  The charm is made from repurposed clam shell packaging, alcohol inks and a few beads.

Honey's birthday was in the middle of December and he requested NO GIFTS!!!!!  Since I couldn't let his big 60 pass without something, I used another Penny Duncan file (modified for my needs) to make him an exploding box birthday card.

Also on tap was a special gift for the mother of a friend who had a special angel looking over her recently.

For Christmas Hunny always likes hats (he's taken to wearing fedoras of late), so rather than buying him one (kind of like buying a handbag for a woman) I made him a Fedora card with a gift certificate enclosed.  I had some fun with this using flocking, velvet ribbon, feathers and best of all Make the Cut for the file.  If you'd like the file, leave me a comment with a way to contact you and I'll be happy to send it on to you.

Whew.  If you've stuck with me this far, thanks so much.  I've done a few other items, but I think those might have to wait for another post.
Hope each of you has had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings Happy Crafting to all.
I don't have a New Year's resolution (can't manage to keep the darned things) but I have decided to keep an accomplishment journal.  I want to try to log at least one accomplishment each day.  My hope is to be able to look back at them and review all that I've accomplished rather than on a list of things I set out to do and didn't complete.  Here's hoping you too will have a year filled with accomplishments.

Consistency

Well if nothing else, I am consistently behind in posting to my blog.  And to top it all off, I'm posting my Halloween items.  Oh, well, I will keep trying and one of these days I'll be ahead of the holiday.
The items I'm showing were all made from pieces of paper from my stash, so I have no idea where they actually originated.
The cards were designed and created in Make the Cut.  I just looked for a coloring book page for candy corn and went from there.
The Halloween book is from Design Studio and uses George and Basic Shapes (the basic pages), Paper Doll Dress Up (the spider) and October 31st (all other shapes).
Once again, thanks for letting me share my creations with you.

                                        Card Fronts


The Halloween book shows photos from our fun at a local Halloween event.

                                          Front

Page one

Page two

Page three - the glitter on the roof is covered with Glossy Accents, to keep the glitter from being everywhere.

Back Cover

I hope you've enjoyed my Halloween review.  Thanks for looking and for your comments.
Dawn