Creative Belli Sketch Challenge #94

It's time for another Creative Belli Challenge. 
This week our challenge is to use the sketch below and make it patriotic.  Creative Belli is all about inspiring you to use some of those old, neglected supplies you have laying around.  I used this patriotic paper I have had for years and the PTI stamp set I have had for probably a year and never used.   So here is what I came up with :

DP  : Carolee's Creations, Basic Grey

Stamps : Papertrey Ink

Lace unknown

Ink : Versa Magic Night Sky

We would love to have you join us!
Hop on over to the Creative Belli Blog right now and check out what the rest of the DT came up with and how you can take the challenge!

Here's the Sketch:

While I was in patriotic mode, I decided to create another card using one of Creative Cuts and More's window cards.  CC&M produces a fun selection of window cards using various shapes.  You can check them out  HERE.   You could have alot fun creating with these!

Card : Creative Cuts and More

Stamps : PTI, Stampailities (word star), Limited Editions (title)

Ink : VersaMagic Night Sky

Thanks for stopping by!!

Layers of Color SALE!!

Good Morning.  Are any of you shopping this weekend??

Well then you will want to know about a fabulous sale over at Layers of Color Blog.  Hop on over and find out more about the SALE and an Operation Write Home Blog Hop!  OH, and you can also get a FREE digital image of the sentiment I used on my projects below, from Layers of Color.  It was beautifully designed by Nina Brackett - Crafting in Croatia. 
It reads "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord"  Ps 33:12

In a gesture to support our troops, 10% of all sales this 3-day weekend will be donated to Operation Write Home.  Laura over at Layers of Color is sooooo generous.

Here are a few projects I created using Layers of Color "Gothic Crosses".

I love patriotic holidays because it reminds us to take a moment from our hectic lives and remember those who have and do defend this great nation. They sacrifice so much so that we can be free. And we often take it for granted.

Technique : Stamping on Clay

I created this first Gothic Cross project using sculpey clay. I had lots of fun doing this. And I have to tell you, I am no expert. I'm just one of those gals who just does it. So when the sculpey stuck to my stamp, I tried spraying it with cooking oil. Worked perfectly! I'm sure there is a better way to do this, but hey, it worked for me.  So begin by softening your clay.  Roll it through a Pasta Maker to flatten.  Stamp your image in the clay.  Use and X-acto knife to trim it out.  Place on a baking sheet and follow package direction.

We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful country and need to continually pray for those who defend it and for God's protection.  We also need to pray for our leaders.

 I used a swirly from Layers of Colors "Nature Walk" on the background.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Altered Journal entry for July ...

I recently joined an "Altered Journal" Club at A Small Cleverness (rubber stamp store here in town). When considering doing this I of course googled and found all sorts of altered journals. It seemed to be a way an artist could express themselves with their art in a journal vs canvas or some other format. Well I am certainly no artist, but I love learning new techniques and trying new mediums and thought an altered journal would be a way for me to collect in one book different uses of techniques and mediums.

My daughter and I have taken a great interest in politics this year and I decided to do a patriotic theme to express our love for this country and what we believe in politically, while exploring different techniques and playing with different mediums along the way. I am learning alot by reading various books by mixed media artist and by taking classes at A Small Cleverness. My daughter and I have decided to join the club together (this makes it even more special) and will meet with other members monthly to discuss our entries for the month.

Entry 2 Page 1

Entry 1 Page 2

I wanted to experiment with transparency, so I worked with glazes and tissue paper for this entry. Page 1 : Photo copied music sheet for "The Star Spangled Banner". Painted over with a beige glaze. Stamped stars on white tissue paper, cut and glued over music paper. You can see the music paper through the tissue and glaze. I used tissue paper on page 2 to add texture. I applied with modge modge a little at a time, scrutching as I went. The tissue paper was too bright, so to make it look old and blend with page 1, I coated with same glaze. I like a collage look, but have never been very good at it, so this is about as close as I've every come.