Tea For Two

I have always been musically motivated and driven, but sadly I play no instrument. Music effects and affects me immensely. A favorite song can turn my frown upside down and vise-verse pretty much quicker than anything else. As I was making this card for Artistic Outpost's February Stamp Release, I sang Tea For Two (Doris's version) in my head over and over. I do this with almost every thing I make, and the song starts even before the title of my piece comes to me. I knew instantly that I would use this card for this week's "making melody" challenge at Our Creative Corner, hosted by the wonderful Holly Kean. Music can be such a motivating thing in life, why not in your paper crafting too? Take inspiration from a song and work it into any paper craft project you'd like. Just make sure your post includes the song title (and if possible the artist) that inspired you! If you are lacking on mojo or are slow to get started, then visit the other OCC design team member's blogs and prepare to be inspired. 

Linda Coughlin- The Funkie Junkie

Vicki Burdick- It's a Stamp Thing

Sue Butler- Scrumplescrunch

Ann Marie Hile- Stampin' Anne

Wendy Janson-  It's All About Stamping
Marcy Kaminski - En Papillote Arts
Holly Kean- Kean On Paper
Irena Kowalczyk (aka Rudlis) - Love, Life and Crafts
Meihsia Liu- Simply Paper Crafts
Tui Nathan- Stampin Time
Lori Rider- The Diva Stamper
Kristin Tierney- Lilly Beth Boutique
Sharon Wheet- Designs by Sharon

Supplies: 
Making Memories: Black Tie Ribbon
Cake Kitchen Papers: Vintage Kitchen Notes (Stationary with Silver Spoon)
Form My Stash: black cardstock

London Elements Stamp Set	London Underground Stamp Set	Spun Sugar Distress Stain	Jet Black Archival Ink	Core′dinations Nostalgia	Perfect Pearls Mist
Ink Blending Tool	Pumice Stone Distress Ink	UTEE - Clear	Black Soot Distress Embossing Powder	Big & Bossy Empossing Ink Pad	Stickles - Diamond
Crackle Accents	Glossy Accents	Uniball Signo Silver Pen	Prima Say It In Crystals

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

The Rite Of Spring...Punk?

Hello crafty people! I've been really busy doing this project (and having too much fun doing it) for Artistic Outpost's Customer Referral Theme Challenge for March. The theme this time is SpringPunk. Just what is SpringPunk anyway??? Think of the typical Spring type images like butterflies, birds, flowers, etc. mixed with the edginess of SteamPunk, and there you go! All you have to do to win a fantastic prize, is to make a little something with this theme AND use Artistic Outpost images in the making, then upload your project to the Artistic Outpost site. You have a whole month to get it completed, so really go for it and have fun!

I decided to make a chunky ATC, as I have never done one before, because I had so many ideas swimming in my head for this project and I needed all the space I could get. I decided to use these two AO stamp plate sets for this because they had all the elements of Springtime that I wanted, Whimsical Melange and Serenity.

There is nothing like the smell of fresh cut wood...I think I could cut wood all day! This was cut ATC size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

The banner flag image was stamped in Walnut Stain and heat embossed with gold on Graphic 45 SteamPunk Debutante floral paper.

All of the images were stamped on Graphic 45 paper in Distress Inks. The leaves and flourishes were heat embossed in gold, and the grid images in silver. I also painted all the edges of the wood block in Espresso Acrylic paint.

The block was really pretty just like this, but what a nice canvas it made.

I used Gold Alcohol Ink to stain the wire beads. I strung the washers, crystal beads, and wire bead on a regular nail and then hammered it into the block. I did the handle basically the same way.

This was after a clean up, believe it or not. I misted white cardstock before heat embossing the sentiment and butterflies. To make the larger butterflies, I used 2 smaller ones. I used the gears from the Jolee's butterflies only. I could play all day in this stuff...this project was so fun for me!!!

 

 

I am also submitting this piece to Simon Says Stamp and Show's Challenge of "Idea-ology".
Supplies:
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 Inch wood block
From My Stash: blue beads, wire, gold leaf charms, round wire beads, tiny gold washers, handle piece, nail

Graphic 45 SteamPunk Debutante	Whimsical Melange Stamp Set	Serenity Stamp Set	Alterations Tag & Bookplate Bigz Die	Paint Dabbers - Espresso
Paint Dabber - Gold	Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink	Ranger Gold Embossing Powder	Ranger Silver Embossing Powder	Rusty Hinge Distress Ink
Walnut Stain - Distress Ink	Fall 2011 Limited Edition Distress Ink Trio	Broken china - Distress ink	Blue Patina Perfect Pearls Mist	Alcohol Ink Applicator
Idea-ology Corners	Idea-ology Hitch Fasteners	Idea-ology Swivel Clasps	Jump Rings - Idea-ology	Idea-ology Mini Fasteners
Idea-ology Long Fasteners	Idea-ology Game Spinners	Sprocket Gears - Idea-ology	Idea-ology Pen Nibs	Idea-ology Washers
7 Gypsies Industrial Gears	Eyelet Outlet Gear Brads	Prima Avon Roses	Jolee′s SteamPunk Butterflies	Spare Parts Metal Letters
Spare Parts Watch Face Icons

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!