Mixing and Aliens, Oh my!

Playing around with mixed media is very relaxing to me so whenever I can, I like to play in the Splitcoaststampers mix-ability challenge as well as various other "mixing" challenges.  This week's mix-ability challenge is to DRIP color.  The two mediums I chose were a clogged bottle of glimmer spray and MFT Sno Cone reinker.  I knew that someday I would figure out how to get the ink out of that bottle!!

I took off the spray nozzle from the glimmer spray and  dripped it down the paper with a little help of  blown air from a straw and then I dripped Sno Cone reinker in between the dark legs..um drips. this is what I came up with.  Tell me, doesn't this look like something out of a scary sci fi movie?  Alien legs, dozens of them!  

After putting aside the panel for about 24 hours this is how I decided to use it:

No more alien legs, instead a very down to earth, sea and air panel!!!  

Thanks for looking!  

I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes

Word Art Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Flowers: MFT Die-namics Layered Rose.

Flourish: MFT Die-namics Medium Fancy Flourish

Label - Spellbinders Label Four

Ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon Seam Binding

Speedy Fox & Friends 175 - Frame It

Happy Saturday everyone!  Do you have fun plans for the long weekend?  The kids and I will be enjoying some UN-scheduled time at our house.   The first fun item on the agenda is Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge.  Our challenge this week is to "Frame It" This one is wide open to interpretation!  To see the awesome projects my teammates came up with and for details on entering the challenge please visit Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC right HERE.

 I "Framed" my mixed media with a gray Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangle frame.  

I created the background  by painting cardstock "baby pink".  Using Modeling paste I stenciled the flowers.  I added a bright pink Gelato and some gesso.  I spritzed Steel Blue on the panel but didn't like it so I painted over the top!

The butterfly was stamped in Steel Blue and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder and colored with a Gelato 

I used the following stamp sets:

Big Cupcake ,

Today Tomorrow and Always,

I played A Mixed Media Color Challenge 

AND:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Paint - Anything Goes

Birthday Boundary Card

I have a long list of crafty projects for the month of August and a masculine birthday card is on the list.  I decided to play along with several challenges to create this card today.

Catered Crop was my first stop and their challenge is to create a project using a MAP.  That started the juices flowing.  My BIL and his family enjoy canoeing trips in the Boundary Waters of MN so I googled and came up with a cool map.

I scored and folded my map to give it a more realistic look.

My color inspiration was today's Color Challenge at SCS.  After a few changes here is what I came up with:

Using yesterday's Technique Lover's Challenge, at SCS, I stamped directly on my map (DP).

For the inside I once again pulled up the map but this time I muted the map to give me more of a light background look.  I continued the footprint theme and added a "Happy Birthday" banner.

Blog Challenge entered: 

Catered Crop -  Map It

Ingredients: 

Paper: Misc Card Stock

Stamps: Unity Itty Bitty - Adventerous, Clear Dollar Stamps - Formal Sentiments, Happy Trails

Speedy Fox & Friends 174 - Twisted Easel

Happy Weekend everyone!  It's Saturday and that means we have a new Speedy Fox & Friends challenge for you!  This week's challenge is the twisted easel.  I decided to put a little spin on the twisted easel and make circular twist!  I found my tutorial HERE. 

For all the details to play along and to see some fabulously twisted inspiration please check out Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC blog right HERE.

Stamp set used: 

Mix-Ability

I decided to play a long with Splitcoaststamers MIX30 challenge today.  I had lots of things on the agenda but the challenge caught my attention and well, the next thing I knew I was playing with ink and gesso!

The mix challenge was to add fabric to our projects.  I have a beautiful piece of butterfly fabric that I have had for awhile.  I cut out two of the butterflies and layered them on a mixed background.

The background:

 TH Distress inks misted with water then paper pulled through the ink.

 Dylusions ink Spray with a stencil

Gesso

Distress inked eges

Have a great weekend!

I am entering this into:

A.R.T. Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge 173 - House

Woohoo!  It's Saturday!  My favorite day of the week when school is in session!  Saturday means it's time to chat about Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge.  Our challenge this week is to add something to do with a HOUSE on your project.  Check out Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC blog right HERE to view the beautiful ways my teammates have interpreted this challenge!

For my card I chose to use a birdhouse for my "house"!

For the inside I stamped just a partial birdhouse and again I tied it  to the branch with a ribbon! 

TFL!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Stamp Sets Used:

Honor and Glory

Tweet That

Ingredients:

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Tweet That, Honor and Glory.

Paper: Basic Grey Lucille, Whip Cream, Misc brown.

Acces: TH Distress Markers, Die-namics - Branch with Leaves, ribbon

A Mixed Media Color Challenge 5 - Be Still

I am playing along with A Mixed Media Color Challenge for my art journal pages.

I planned for Tuesday to be my "Art Journal" day this week but my body had other plans!  On Monday night I had another bout with vertigo.  It wasn't one of the worst I have had but it was bad enough to make the next few days fairly miserable.  Tuesday evening I rested and thought about my art journal page.  As I became still, thoughtful, and prayerful a picture of a flower garden in a walled enclosure came to mind.  

My first step was to poem a prayer.  You can barely see a hint of writing underneath the blue paint. (mid right side of page)

My next step was to dry brush some gesso, then I stamped "MFPS a  - Cracked Hello" in "MFT Steel Blue" all over the page.  I then misted "Crushed Grape Dylusions" spray using a stencil.  At this point I decided that I didn't care for the random dry brushed look and I went over the entire page with the gesso.  To my surprise the stamped background popped right up through the gesso!  I think it gives a great look for my "wall" since I don't currently have a brick stencil! 

 I didn't get step-by-step photos because I was so absorbed with the process of creating the page, I forgot to photograph along the way!

I used MFT Die-namics Leaf Filled Flourish three times and strategically placed flowers over the connection spots to create an impression of a vine.  MS 3 in 1 Hydrangea and butterfly punches were used to fill in the vine.

I can't remember what scripture was floating through my head when I pulled out my stamp "Psalm 46:10" from Verve but when I saw it, I thought it was just right.  When vertigo occurs, I have to still my attitude and slow my body and allow myself to learn whatever lessons I need to learn at the moment.  The scripture also applies to the hidden poem/prayer.

Thanks for looking!!

Art Journal Page entered in to:

A Mixed Media Color Challenge 

MFPS a HC - August Blog Hop Day 4

Aug. Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
 Featured Aug 13th

Pocket Watches

Featured Aug 14th
Joyous Season

Featured Aug 15th 
Country Charm 

Featured Aug 16th

Wealthy Fish

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on Aug 17, 2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 10 PM EST on Friday Aug 16, 2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Lucky You"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"Take Time Mini"
                                                      

 Welcome to the last day of the hop! I hope you have enjoyed all the inspiration this week!  Today's feature is "Wealthy Fish".  

 While I was working on this card, I remembered that a very dear stamping friend gave me quite a bit of treasure and these wide staples were part of the stash.  I thought they added a bit of interest to the card. 

 The inside:

For my second set I found an art piece on google as my inspiration.  I went with steel blue ink and TH Fired Brick.  I misted one of the cards with steel blue mist but left the first card clean.  Which one do you think looks better?

Thanks for looking!

Don't forget to leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win today's feature and I hope you will hop along to see the beautiful projects created by the rest of my talented teammates!

Here's the Design Team: Patty
Lois
Jane C
Debbie
Pam
Pat G
Thrfity Stamper
Marilynn

Karen K

Bonnie

Kathy
Angela
Cathy C
Toni
Sue W
Janine
An'Jenic
Shirley Q
Marks Finest Papers, a Heinrich Co.

Koi:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Wealthy Fish
Paper: Black Licorice, Origami Paper, Recollections - Essentials Distressed
Acces: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circles, Corner Chomper, EK Success Decorative Staple Bars, Cuttlebug -Tiny Bubbles EF

Bamboo:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Wealthy Fish
Paper: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - 140 Lb Premium White.
Acces: Steel Blue mist

MFPS a HC - August Blog Hop day 3

Aug. Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured Aug 13th
Pocket Watches

Featured Aug 14th
Joyous Season

Featured Aug 15th 
Country Charm

Featured Aug 16th

Wealthy Fish

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on Aug 17, 2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 10 PM EST on Friday Aug 16, 2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Lucky You"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"Take Time Mini"
                                                      

I thought it would be fun for the cow to chew on one of the pretty flowers so I stuck one in her mouth!

For my second card I used "cas(e) this sketch #15".

For the inside I stamped the little pig on gingham and added a computer generated sentiment!

Thanks for looking!

Don't forget to leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win today's feature and I hope you will hop along to see the beautiful projects created by the rest of my talented teammates!

Here's the Design Team:

Patty

Lois

Jane C

Debbie

Pam

Pat G

Thrfity Stamper

Marilynn

Karen K

Bonnie

Kathy

Angela

Cathy C

Toni

Sue W

Janine

An'Jenic

Shirley Q

Marks Finest Papers, a Heinrich Co.

Recipe:

What's Moo? 

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Country Charm

Paper: Natural, Misc White and Green. MME Dolled Up

Acces: Die-Namics - Picket Fence, Flat Bottom clouds, Fresh Cut Grass, MS 3 in 1 Hydrangea Punch

Hogs & Kisses

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Country Charm

Paper: Natural, Misc White. MME Dolled Up

Acces: Die-Namics - Picket Fence, Fishtail Flags.  MS 3 in 1 Butterfly Punch

MFPS a HC - August Blog Hop Day 2

Aug. Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured Aug 13th
Pocket Watches

Featured Aug 14th
Joyous Season
 

Featured Aug 15th 
Country Charm
 

Featured Aug 16th

Wealthy Fish

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on Aug 17, 2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 10 PM EST on Friday Aug 16, 2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Lucky You"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"Take Time Mini"
                                                      

Welcome to day two of the hop!   If you follow me much you know I love to create my winter cards all year long so I was excited to see this beautiful holiday set.

  I created a one layer card by stamping the branches randomly at the top and bottom.  I sponged TH Broken China Distress ink, added some gems and then flicked white paint on the branches.

 For this card I actually DID mix medias but it doesn't look like what we think of as mixed media!  The sky beyond the trees was created by water coloring with markers.  The deer was colored with pencils and then a paint wash over the top.  The cardinal was colored with Copics.  To finish off this card I added punched branches beneath the fawn.

Thanks for looking!

Don't forget to leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win today's feature and I hope you will hop along to see the beautiful projects created by the rest of my talented teammates!

Here's the Design Team:

Patty
Lois
Jane C
Debbie
Pam
Pat G
Thrfity Stamper
Marilynn

Karen K

Bonnie

Kathy
Angela
Cathy C
Toni
Sue W
Janine
An'Jenic
Kate Z
Shirley Q
Marks Finest Papers, a Heinrich Co.

Pine Branches:

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Joyous Season.

Paper: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - 140 Lb Premium White.

Acces: Gems

In the woods:

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Joyous Season.

Paper: MME - All is Bright, misc Red CS.

Acces: Gems, MS Fern Punch 

MFPS a HC - August Blog Hop Day 1

Aug. Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured Aug 13th
Pocket Watches

Featured Aug 14th
Joyous Season
 

Featured Aug 15th 
Country Charm
 

Featured Aug 16th

Wealthy Fish

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on Aug 17, 2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 10 PM EST on Friday Aug 16, 2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Lucky You"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"Take Time Mini"
                                                      

Hi and welcome to the first day of the hop.  We are showcasing "Pocket Watches" today.  

When I started playing with this background I really had no idea where I was going!    I stained the card stock with Spiced Marmalade and Dusty Concord.  Then I laid down a stencil and applied an oak spray.  That was really pretty but too stark and wouldn't allow for stamping due to the darkness of the stenciled areas.   I added Gesso  and sponged over the entire panel with Mustard Seed Ink and then stained more Spiced Marmalade.......and that's how the panel came to be.  I think the end result is a great vintage look and works well with MFPSaHC "Pocket Watches"

 

For the inside I stamped off once on scrap paper so that I was left with a soft stamped image.  I love how the sentiment is designed so that it's easy to mask and place the first half on the front and the second half on the back! 

Thanks for looking!

Don't forget to leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win today's feature and I hope you will hop along to see the beautiful projects created by the rest of my talented teammates!

Here's the Design Team:

Patty
Lois
Jane C
Debbie
Pam
Pat G
Thrfity Stamper
Marilynn

Karen K

Bonnie

Kathy
Angela
Cathy C
Toni
Sue W
Janine
An'Jenic
Kate Z
Shirley Q
Marks Finest Papers, a Heinrich Co.

Let's Get Together:
Stamp: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Pocket Watch.
Paper: Strathmore 100 lb, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake.
Acces. TH Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Concord stain, Walnut Oak Mist, TH Mustard Seed distress ink, gesso, ribbon, Die-Namics Fishtail Flags

MFPS a HC - Special Feature

Happy Monday!  Today is a fun Monday because it's blog hop week at Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC and I get to share August's special feature and mini set today!

 "Lucky You"

I stamped the cat on the oval, then I stamped just the coin and embossed with gold EP.  I stamped the paw once more, cut it out and glued it on top of coin.

I used the Mix-ability challenge at SCS to blow media around the page.  I started with blowing water color and Lemon Drop reinker.  When it was dry I placed drywall tape down and sponged Fired Brick Distress ink.  At this point I found that I liked the look better vertically than horizontally.  I stamped the time piece image randomly,  added a bit of gesso in the middle and vintage photo on the edges and  with that I unfortunately obscured my opening process of blown watercolor and ink!! 

The film strip is from "Now Showing".  I stamped on vellum then brushed color on the strip with lemon drop dye ink reinker and red water color.

Thanks for looking and I hope to see you all this week as I share new releases with a chance to win a stamp set!

Cat:

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Lucky You.

Paper: Origami paper, misc. white and black CS

Acces: Spellbinders Classic Ovals and Classic Scalloped Ovals, Ribbon, spiral clip

Time:

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Take Time, Now Showing.

Paper: Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Aged Cranberry, Strathmore 100lb, misc. yellow.

Acces: TH mini gears, MS Butterfly Punch, Spiral clip, ribbon.

Speedy Fox & Friends 172 - Plaid

Hello bloggers!  Happy Saturday to you! I am wondering how your week has been?  Ours was interesting, we had school orientation, then the first day of school followed by our daughter having an outpatient surgery.  I have to say, I am just a little bit wiped at the end of this week!  Thankfully all the events of this week are behind us, it's Saturday and that means we have a new challenge at Speedy Fox & Friends!  Our challenge this week is to use plaid on your project!

I am sharing a little sneaky peek with you today of one of the sets you will get to see more of next week, during blog hop week.

 I stamped the branch twice on green DP and cut it out.  I then stamped the sentiment on Spellbinders Label 4.   

To see more beautiful PLAID inspiration and to get all the details on playing along with this week's challenge please visit Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC .

Thanks for looking and I hope you will stop by all next week for MFPSaHC Blog Hop!

Recipe:

Stamp - Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Joyus Season

Paper - Echo Park Season's Greetings, Misc. White, black and Red CS

Acces: Spellbinders Label 4. Red Ribbon, red gems