Love you to the moon and back...

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today I'm sharing with you a mini canvas (2x2) I did a while back.  I love working on tiny surfaces, I love the detail work as you can see from the banner.  It is fiddly and a bit fussy but it calms me!  

For this little canvas I started with a wash for the background using Gelatos in a variety of pinks and purples.  I then added some drips of india ink straight from the bottle dropper and added some black gelatos around the side edges.  I cut out little triangles from some scrap designer paper and glued them to some scrappers floss and added some stickles.  A few more splatters, doodles and the added sentiment from Unity Stamps and it was all done!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

You are as happy as you choose to be...

Hellllooooo!  Me again, back with another post and some happy news!  I will be designing again for the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft design team this fall!  I'm so honoured and thankful to be picked again for this amazing team and to work with such a talented bunch of designers!  Cant wait to show you my creations!  

Here's a little 'teaser' using some Design Memory Craft Gelatos® on watercolour paper and paired with a fabulous sentiment stamp from Unity Stamps!

Such a fun and easy card to make!  The added sequins are a fun touch!  

Anyway, stay tuned for some Design Memory Craft goodness to come your way!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!

#bringbackourgirls Art Auction...starts today!

Hi everyone, the Art Auction is underway, already with an amazing amount of support!  Thank you to everyone for even just taking a look!  Also a big thank you to Jessica Sporn for organizing this...you are amazing!

Here's a little recap of whats happening today!

Here are some important links:

Girl Rising:  http://girlrising.com/nigeria-action/ 

(which is where the money raised from the auction will go) 

Art Auction: http://www.32auctions.com/bringbackourgirls to participate in the auction. 

A Call to Art Facebook Page

My Facebook Page

Here are the pieces I've donated to the auction:

'Friends' 7x13 Gallery Wrapped Mixed Media Canvas

This is a one of a kind mixed media 'she art' piece of artwork.  It is one of my favourite pieces, but couldn't help donate it for this important cause.  The saying "She knew she could count on a Friend" has been paper-pieced onto the canvas.  The girl was created using acrylic paint, gelatos, india inks, vintage papers, doilies & vintage book paper.  The background was created using gouache, acrylic paint, modeling paste, stencils, stamps, india inks, rub-ons, ephemera etc.  Sealed with a low-gloss finish.  Signed on bottom right.

Quote is a gentle reminder that even in the darkest times you know you can always count on a friend.

'She' Monoprint on 8.5x11 mixed media paper (80lb) using a Gelli Plate.

This one of a kind, 8.5x11 monoprint ready to be framed.  It was created using many many layers of acrylic paint & stencils.  I then added some painterly layers with more acrylic paint directly to the gelli plate to create an abstract image by building layers of brushstrokes and textures.  The sentiment 'She remained true to herself' is a Unity Stamp and reminds me to be confident and strong and to always do whats right in my heart!  You can never go wrong with that!  This piece will be signed before shipping.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Have a wonderful day!

Here is a list of all the amazing artist involved and a link to their websites:

Jessica Sporn   http://jessicasporn.blogspot.com

Linda Kittmer  http://lindakittmer.blogspot.ca

Ronda Palazzari  http://rondapalazzari.typepad.com

Marjie Kemper   http://www.marjiekemper.com

Judy Shea   http://thekeytomyart.wordpress.com

Glenda Hoagland   http://pilgrimsthoughts.blogspot.com

Astrid Maclean  http://astridsartisticefforts.blogspot.com

Lisa Pace   http://lisapace.com

Jackie Neal   http://creatingwithoutcrayons-jackiepneal.com

Claudine Criner   http://claudinesartcorner.blogspot.com

France Papillon   http://www.france-papillon.com

Kristin Van Valkenburgh  http://TwinkleTwinkleLikeAStar.blogspot.com

Marcia Beckett  http://marciabeckett.blogspot.com

Ruth Levy   http://lerusho.wordpress.com/

Sally Lynn MacDonald   http://www.SallyLynnMacDonald.com

Renee Zarate   http://renee-boltonhouse.blogspot.com

Natasha May   http://natashamay.blogspot.com/

Carmen Whitehead   http://www.serendipitystudiobycw.blogspot.com/

Seth Apter   http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

Marybeth Shaw   http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/

Amy Ingardia-Walker  http://creativelyquirkyathome.blogspot.com/

Kelly Warren  http://happyshackdesigns.blogspot.com

Julie Bernier http://juliebernierphotography.zenfolio.com/

Adrienne Hoban  http://www.allure-decor.com/

Krista van Tol   http://craftylittlepigtails.blogspot.com

Cheryl Grigsby http://cherylspaperartz.blogspot.com

Jill Meyer www.jillmeyer.com

Lisa Flaherty http://mypeaceofpaper.blogspot.com

Kerry C. Mitchell http://kerrycmitchell.com

Lizabeth Harrington http://www.craicarts.blogspot.com; www.facebook.com/craicarts.com

Barbara Lanza www.barbaralanza.com

Jamie Dougherty www.jamiedoughertydesigns.com

Doreen Kassel www.doreenkassel.com ; www.http://doreengay-kassel.blogspot.com/

Nancy Baumiller http://crowabout.blogspot.com

Valerie Roussel https://www.facebook.com/CreativeLaureline

Susan K. Weckesser http://mysweetearth.blogspot.ca/

Kay Wallace http://kaywallaceartjournaling.blogspot.com

A Call To Art....online art auction for #bringbackourgirls

Hi Everyone, please find information below on an important art auction I'm involved in starting tomorrow where I'll be raising some "artsy noise" in support of the rights of girls around the world to have an education without fear of violence.  May 15 is the one month anniversary of the kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian girls who were in school.

On May 15th, we're hosting an online auction at 32auctions.com/bringbackourgirls.  All of our proceeds will be donated to Girl Rising, to support the worldwide struggle for safe education for all girls and women.

My FACEBOOK LINK

to get involved see fb link below:

A CALL TO ART FACEBOOK PAGE

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see you tomorrow!

             

Watercolour Journal Cover...

Hey there crafty peeps!  Today I've got a fun watercolour journal cover project to share from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft.   I've used Art GRIP^® Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, some Gelatos® and Glaze to create this fun Journal cover. 

Check out the Design Memory Craft Blog for the full post.

Also they are having a design team call, you will LOVE this opportunity so check out all the details {HERE} if you're up for the challenge!

I've also used a Unity Stamp (enjoy.explore.believe) and some fun sequins from Pretty Pink Posh! #prettypinkposh

My funny little girl I drew with pink glittery hair...

Here's the video!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!  

Addicted to Gelli? yep....

The Gelli Plate that is!  If you don't already have one you must treat yourself to one of these amazing art printing plates!  Using this plate is like instant gratification!  Once you pull one print, you'll just want to keep layering and adding etc...Even my 6yo daughter has fun with it!  Here are a few of my 'playing around' prints I've made.  Seriously, I have no idea how I lived without this before!  :)

This one turned out to be my favourite.  I used acrylic paints, a bunch of The Crafters Workshop Stencils and a Unity Stamps sentiment stamp.  

This is a simple print using some iridescent acrylic paints by Pebeo!  Love that stencil from TCW!!!

And this is a 'ghost' print (the second print from the one above)

These beautiful prints can be made into cards, used as art journal backgrounds, or simply framed as is!  

For more info about the Gelli Plate check out their Youtube channel.  I have more projects to post, they'll be coming soon!   

Thanks for stoppng by today!

Chalkboard tag with Gelatos®!

Hello Everyone!  I'm on deck again over at Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Blog.  I've got another little slideshow video tutorial to share on how I created the above tag.  I used some of the Textural Accents (Chalkboard Paint and Gesso) to create the chalkboard background and then discovered that drops of gelato; when dry, really 'pop' off the paint creating an amazing contrast of colours!  

Head over to the Design Memory Craft Blog and check out the video!

Thanks for stopping by my little piece of the blogosphere today!

Have a good one!

Playing along with:

Unity Stamps

Paint Party Friday

Creative Everyday

Art Journal Journey

Mix it Monthly

Dina is in da house!!!

Well, not the actual human version lol (how cool would that be?), but I finally have her amazing new stamps now so I'll settle with that!  I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd show you another one of my favourite moments from CHA, meeting Dina Wakley!  This amazingly talented and inspirational woman was one of my favourite peeps to meet walking around the floor!  Its so much fun meeting the people who's work you admire and inspires you!  I asked her if she wouldn't mind signing my art journal...She said 'absolutely', took my journal opened it to a blank page and LOOK WHAT SHE DID!  Omg I was thrilled, (and just may have gasped with excitement along with some of the other ladies at the table).  It was amazing how effortless she made it look, seriously people, she did this page in only a few minutes!  Now I have an original signed piece....wow!  Not only was she a doll to talk to she's also very down to earth, she's one cool chick!!!  Thanks Dina, you made my day!!!

So the Ranger order from CHA finally came in at The Scrapping Bug and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on them and play!  These stamps make me so happy!!!  For the giant tag below I used Dina's new Media stamp set 'Face in the Crowd'...and lots of Tim Holtz distress paint and Crafters Workshop stencils etc...

I was really just playing around with a bunch of new paints and stamps, no plan in mind, I just cut loose and had fun!  The tag below was made using a Unity Stamp, some TCW Balzer Bits and the same Face in the Crowd set by Dina and my new Silk Acrylic Glaze paints.....they are so dreamy!  I loooove them!  

The Scribbly Bird stamp set from Dina is probably one of my favourite sets....because you just have to 'put a bird on it'....lol!  

 I used some acrylic paints, glossy accents (for the branch) and just played around!  So much FUN!

Well there you have it, my Dina post!  lol...I'll post some other pics soon where I've coloured up some faces with the 'All the Gals' stamp set using copics!  These stamps are very versatile and can be used with any medium!

Thanks for stopping by today, have a great weekend!

Supplies used:

Whipped Spackle Jar 100 ml (#770318)	Gesso (#770302)	Heat it - Craft Tool	Claudine Hellmuth - Studio Paints - Modern Red
Craft Tags - Manilla Tag #5	Ranger Craft Tags #10 - Manila	Stamper's Big White Pen (#770013)	TH Layering Stencil Schoolhouse
Stamper's Big Brush Pen LIGHT BLUE (#770007)	Ranger Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Broken China	Tim Holtz - Distress Paint Salty Ocean
Tim Holtz- Antique Linen

InLinkz.com

Watercolors...Love 'em!!!

Happy Saturday everybody!!!  I have a quick little post today showing you a fun watercolor piece I did in my watercolor journal a while ago.  The stamp is from Unity and I used my beloved Peerless watercolors!  

This panel is about 6x6 and was done by stamping the adorable image using Archival Black Ink.  Then I just had some fun with all the beautiful colours in my Peerless pack!  I drew in a little border and filled it in with some black and white acrylic paint pens.  After I trimmed it down I used the leftovers and cut out some hearts and added them to the top of the tree.  This was a fun piece to make, it can be put on a card, or in an art journal or right now its just sitting on a little easel on my desk!  Love it!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Supplies Used:

Playing along with:

Virginia's View - Watercolors

Paint Party Friday

More Art Tags from 2013!!!

Hello Bloggers!  So I think this is the last of the forgotten art tags of 2013!  It was a very busy year for me and sadly I just didn't have the time or energy to get "bloggy with it"!  BUT 2014 is a different story and I'll be back in action soon, YAY!  

This first tag is one of my favourites.  I used a bunch of acrylic paints, stencils, india ink, and a cool metal frame from Stampin UP painted with some white Tim Holtz distress paint.

I love this sentiment!

I ran this tag through my Cuttle Bug maching to emboss the surface.  Before I laid the tag inside the folder I added some distress paint so it would create a cool coloured background.  I then added more paint and went over the whole raised surface with some white distress paints.  I love this dry embossing effect!

 I did the same thing with this next tag and dry embossed it with a number embossing folder.  I added lots of paints and sprays, and a sentiment stamp to finish it off.  

This tag was made using some back ground stamps from Unity, different colours of sprays and inks, a cute fairy stamp from Unity, Faber-Castell Gelatos, and a sakura giltter pen to add some shimmer!

 I thought I would try to cover an entire tag with some Giltter Ritz that I have in my stash (that never gets used).  I forgot how awesome this stuff is!  Once you apply the glitter, simply burnish with your finger and the result is a glorious shimmery glittery finish you won't want to stop looking at.  The coolest part is that it feels like brushed suede and the sparkles will not rub off!  Added some glitter Thickers to finish!

This was a fun tag to do, lots of sprays, some fun Claudine Helmuth foam and clear stamps, washi tape and glimmer mist! 

 Not sure if you can see the sparkly goodness but its so pretty to look at in person.  You can never have enough sparkle!

 Well there ya go!  There will be many more to come in 2014 along with some journal pages, canvases, cards etc...I hope you enjoyed and found even a bit of inspiration!  Now go make something ;)

Thanks for stopping by!