Joi@RR

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Thank You Helen: Scrap Around the World

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Hello to all my sweet artsy blogging friends!!

Hope your holidays are off to a great start.

Just about a year ago, I made my first ever scrapbook page for Scrap Around the World. I was so intrigued by all the wondrous visions of loveliness coming from their design team that I would spend hours looking at them all and watching videos.

I was so shy and unsure of how to do anything at first... but I was determined. And honestly, I had this tiny tiny spark of a dream that I would one day see my creation on the wall of fame at Scrap Around the World. It just seems almost as good as getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard - doesn't it???? At least to me.

So when I read that this was the last SATW challenge... truly - I was a sad gal. I know it's the right thing and understand totally why it has to be but... there are so many super fine things about SATW. For one thing... it was one of the best organized and well done challenges I have met up with yet. Inspiring, motivating, impeccable scheduling, timing and follow-thru. Professional. And for another... it offered such fine inspiration and teachings.

So for me... this last Scrap Around the World page just HAD to be about SATW. It's a thank you... to you all with love!

I began with 12x12" Craft n Craftin 'Rose' glitter cardstock and accented this with the same cardstock in 'Champagne Gold'.

I modified the SATW banner a bit by adding Helen's picture etc and used Lindy's Stamp Gang Brushed Nickel Glitz Spritz on it and another piece of cardstock in a matching size.

Although it's not nearly as wonderful as the mood board... I tried to copy "The Future is Bright" part of it just by hand drawing. Then drew in the colors with Faber-Castell Pitt Pens.

The chipboard was embossed with Ranger Emboss It Dabber and Lindy's Stamp Gang Midnight Pewter.

Again, Lindy's Stamp Gang was used in Flat Fabio Rizzo's Rowdy Red to spray the Prima flowers to match. I tried a more pinkish color but it wasn't dark enough to match the rose colored cardstock!

The flowers were made into a nosegay type embellishment with some vintage lace I cut off of an old wedding dress.

I tried many things to accent the edges of the cardstock but nothing seemed just right so... I got out my gelli plate and made some pretty paper - tore it and attached it randomly to the edges. I already started tearing it when I realized I had forgotten a picture!

To make the paper I used:

Gelli Plate

Pebeo Iridescent Violet Blue & Fluorscent Pink

A Noodle Brush!!

Prima Finnabair Stamp 960889

The Crafters Workshop 'Art Is' by Jaime

I added the paper to the edges with DecoArt Decou-page. I had already done the edges of the other pieces and put the layout all together when I decided to add the matching paper to the outside edges as well as some lace I had in my stash. I realize the paper torn paper edges are a little different but I enjoyed them!

Here are a few extra pictures of the finished project. For me, this one wasn't as much about perfection (which is my ususal issue!!) as it was about saying thanks bunches to SATW! When I think of Helen, for some reason I think of lace, glitz, sparkle and always flowers so I wanted to make my project with all those things!

The picture of the girl with her hand on the glass seemed so perfect - saying goodbye but with the knowledge that we are all still here and will always be blogging friends and artists :)

Thanks bunches to for stopping by again to spend time with me especially during this busy holiday season. I soo sooo sooo appreciate your comments. My reply button is still not working but truly know I am thrilled hearing from you.

Hugs, j.

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Happily entering in the following challenges:

Scrap Around the World

Final Challenge

Fabulous Finale - Mood Board

Thank you Helen Tilbury and all of those who helped you to make Scrap Around the World a life changing opportunity for us all.

Best wishes to all of you and the new More Than Words Team too! Hugs...❤j.

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Thursday, December 10, 2015

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE KING Mixed Media 20x24 Canvas

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Christmas is fast approaching and for me...

it's the very special celebration of the birthday of Jesus.

I love to sing (in fact used to solo with Up With People!!) and my favorite solo at Christmas is: Twas the Birthday of the King.

My Mama sang it before me and I carried on the tradition. Wish I knew how to include a little audio for you!!! But here is a picture... as you can see... I get quite into the spirit of the song! Singing praise and worship songs of any kind is instant joy for me!

I said all that.... to say... I loved painting this picture because I sang that song the entire time - along with other Christmas songs!

Here is my version of "The Birthday of the King".

The following products were used:

I began with some texture - adding glass bead gel to the canvas.

Working on the sky was quite the adventure. Here is a picture I snapped along the way! My first color was the very dark DecoArt Prussian Blue Hue. Then it going back and forth from the DecoArt Titanium White and the blue until I made a night sky.

Here is how the painting looked at quitting time the first day.

The next time I began adding stamps and stencils. The sky stencils were the big star in the center and the tiny stars - both stencils were by Plaid. I got them in a lot of old stencils when I first started painting a year ago - just to have something to work with! You can see the other one in the picture above.

The stamps used on this painting are all Rubber Dance Art Stamps.

And no - my acrylic block isn't dirty at all but my pad below sure is!!! Heheheh! I mix my paints on it and never clean it thoroughly until I'm finished!! For the swirls in the sky - using this stamp - I used DecoArt Media Titanium White Antiquing Cream - just turned the stamp over in the cream and then added it to the sky.

Here you can see I added the stamped swirls and some shading to the hills and valleys.

I wanted texture on the hills and valleys too!

After the small stars were dry I highlighted them with DecoArt Radiant Red Metallic Lustre. And a bit on the big star too!

Then I began adding the town of Bethlehem! I drew the palm tree with my ever present Faber-Castell Big Brush and Pitt Pens. The palms are with Prussian Blue Hue. The trunk with Naphthal Red and Quinacridone Gold (which is more red than gold).

I love trying to use my stamps in crazy ways so I made the city with the help of more Rubber Dance Stamps!

Then I painted in the little town as my imaginations saw it!

Now if you laughed when you saw my sheep - it's ok because they are very unique!!! But at least I was brave enough to draw them. I should have had a sheep stamp - you are so right! Well... ok - a manger scene stamp would have been great too!!!!!!!!

The last accent was to add DecoArt Glamour Dust. If you haven't tried it - you should. But then, I love glitz and glam and sparkle so it ends up in a LOT of my projects!

I am blessed to be able to paint picture of how I imaged Bethlehem might have looked when Christ was born.

Even the sides are fun to do and to see!!!

Happy, blessed, and especially meaningful Christmas to you all.

With Love, j.

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Excited to enter this painting in the following challenges:

Rubber Dance Art Stamps

Nov/Dec Challenge

"Tis the Season" for the Star of Bethlehem!

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Our Creative Corner

Wish Upon A Star

I wished on my star....

for you ALL to have a Blessed Holiday Season!

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Craft Stamper Magazine

Take It Make It Challenge - December

Sharing the Season

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The Artistic Stamper

Creative Team Blog

'Christmas' Challenge

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

I DID IT!!! LAST ONE! Tim Holtz 12 Tags 2015 December

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I did it!! I did it!!! I did it!!!!!!!!!

#12 of Tim's 12 Tags of 2015!!!!!!!!

When I began in January... I had sincere doubts I would get to do all twelve due to health challenges. I am so grateful to be typing this to you now.... saying that I MADE IT!! I did it!!!!

I'm grateful and blessed!

I guess I should put them all out in a row and get a picture.

Didn't even think of that... hmmm - ok... hold on.... ok.. done!

Here they are... yeah!!! Wow. Can't believe it!!!
And all before the deadline... but I will admit...
a couple were like one minute before the linky closed!!

And here is the December Tag!!

I totally loved doing this one. Painting on the burlap was just tooo fun and looks so neat too! First I cut the burlap to match my tag!

I used a stencil that came in a lot of old stencils so it has no name.

I followed Tim's instructions - put the burlap on a paper towel and sprayed with Ranger Distress Spray Stain Fired Brick.

While that was drying I began cutting out the leaves with my Vagabond. I didn't have the set Tim used in his tutorial so I improvised with a leaf die I already had on hand!

Quickutz Leafy Vine with Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Cardstock.

Before I cut - I sanded each piece!

And here are my leaves... then I began putting together my wreath!

The wreath has Ranger Stickles in copper and crystal ice. I used some an old necklace from my stash that had some jewels attached to the chain for decor of the wreath. I also had some star charms and some rhinestone bling!

Oh and the bow.... didn't have the die so just followed Tim's pattern from his tutorial and cut it out as best I could. I have never made a paper bow before like this - challenging!

The red balls are silver filigree balls I painted with Ranger Watermelon Alcohol Ink!

Hubby sliced me a piece of cedar wood from the ranch and I added a small picture/sentiment from Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas Paper Stash. It's the red square at the bottom left in the picture below. I fussy cut out the ivy and added it to each side of the Christmas Greeting sentiment! I added Stickles to it also!

And of course the edges of the wood as well as all the paper/burlap etc are all done with Ranger Distress Inks.

And that about sums it up.

This is the back with another piece of Tim's Christmas paper on it!!

Thanks bunches for sharing my excitement. And yes... I did it fast - early - just so I could be sure and complete my set of 12!!!

Still smiling big.... Wow. I did it. I made it. Heheheheh!!!

Hugs to you all! j.

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I would like to share this project with:

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Tim Holtz

12 Tags of 2015

December

Thank you so much Tim and Mario for this monthly challenge. For me (just doing this type of art work for a little over a year) it was exactly that - challenging. I was so humbled and thrilled to be one of your winners early in the year. Sorta too the pressure of perfection down a notch or two for me!!! It's been WONDERFUL being with you. Merry Christmas to you both. XO j.