Gothic Arches & CC # 12/ "Pushing Up Daisies"

Tackled two challenges on this piece. Gothic Arches theme is "Daisies" and we are now in week #12 for Compedium of Curiosties challenge which is "chipped enamel", which I love this technique..

I also used Tim's shabby chic technique on the tombstone to give it texture and stone-like appearance. The image in the frame is a lenticular sticker which gives it that eerie look. I have used the "worn enamel" technique before and it continues to be one of my fav's. Tim's book is a must have if you are into altering pieces. I just love participating in different challenges. It drives you into different directions, encourages me to use products that I tend to forget about. And all the other bloggers involved are priceless .... TFL xoxo

Studio L3 "CC #11" Blended Batik

Where has the time gone... we are already enjoying technique #11 which is Blended Batik... OMGosh how much fun is this... Too cool Sir Tim !

Jump over to Linda's blog for some amazing art inspiration... 88 pieces of art inspiration joined this weeks challenge. HUMMMMMM I would have been 89 but I was a tad late in posting my entry. Well gotta go and look at everyone's batik beauties.... xoxo Toni

Alter It Monthly "Music"

For the month of August Alter it Monthly has a theme of "Music". Their sponsor this month happens to be The Altered Element which has amazing items for your altered projects. You have to hop over to their website and take a lookie.

My altered piece I submitted happens to be a tribute to my sweet heart of a brother Tracy G.... an amazing and brilliant guitarist & music writer. At first glance he looks rough and intimidating, but "Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover".

The foundation of my altered piece was an old music book salvaged from a junk store. A niche was created to house many very special photos of Tracy from long ago to now.

Quote by Tracy G given during a radio interview.

As far as the randomness embellishments, this was also created for a art scavenger hunt, where we were provided a list of items to find and make something with it. Some of those items were, feathers, washers, nuts & bolts, metal, wire, paper clips, old postage stamps, concert tickets, popsicle sticks, and a whole bunch more items.

Enjoying the Journey with ATC's

Tomorrow is going to be my very first ATC swap hosted at Stamp Your Heart Out in quaint Claremont Village. My special artsy friend Sandra talked me into participating in this and I have to admit, I really had fun making these little cards. Started off with old cardboard and embossed it with Tim Holtz textured fade , used walnut stain for my base. Then sprayed it with Lindy Stamp's Treasure Island Aqua, it provided a wonderful patina effect.

Embossed the edges with PK Glitz embossing glitter "Bronze Patina". Then glammed it up with some vintage movie film from Studio Garage Band's Etsy store and some handmade labels made out of grungpaper which is also sold at their store.

Thanks again Sandra for the push to get involved with this.

Studio L3 Challenge/ CC# 10 Distressed Stickles

Good morning everyone, over at Studio L3 we are on CC #10 and we are stickleling (is that a word ??) up things the T!m Holtz way. I just love bling and sparkle, but sometimes, oh... many times you I want that subtle vintage glassy look to your projects. Distressed Stickles is that perfect product to use. I used Scattered Straw, Faded Jeans, Brick Red, Picket Fence, Rock Candy & Milled Lavender.

Take a hop over to Studio L3 and get ready to be inspired by some amazing artists.

**** Note: just as a little heads up... Ranger has just released Distressed Stickles in the matching colors of the "new" Distressed Ink Pads. The entire set of 12 are going to be sold at Studio Garage Band Etsy store. If you are interested, you can visit their store and send them a note and they can place you on the pre-order list for these sets. Product should be received in the Etsy store no later than 9-3-10 ***

So Cal Shop Hop 2010

Today had so much fun running around with scrapbook buddies and hopping from one store to another spending $$$$$ of course. When you think you have it all, try visiting stores you have never been too or going to those that you haven't visited in awhile... Woosh.... head rush.

We laughed and laughed and ate, then laughed, and spent money and laughed some more. Only went to 5 stores, but by the look of the trunk of the car, it appeared that we had visited a whole lot more. First stop 1) Scrapbooking Made Simple, Santa Clarita, wonderful owner Stacey took so much time to teach us new techniques, and was so generous with freebies for us. Off to Craft Connection, also in Santa Clarita. Small but jammed with Tim Holtz 7 Gypsies and some cool 70's paper that will look great in my highschool layouts I'm getting ready to do. Then off to a HUUUUUGE store called Remember When in Valencia. A private crop is already in planning stages. Yes gang, it is definitely worth driving all the way to this store for a crop. Accu-cut center to die for, and product galore!!!!!

Then we headed towards home, and stopped off at Pages of the Heart and Scrap N Yap both in quaint Monrovia... had to spend what little cash we had left. Just love that I have scrapbook buddies to share this wonderful hobby with. Looking forward to more fun right around the corner...

Studio L3 "CC #9" Distress Crackle

Over at Studio L3, wonderfully creative Linda Ledbetter is hosting a great challenge for all you Tim Holtz lovers... and you know who you are :) This week the challenge is page 42 in the Compendium of Curiosities technique book.

If you want a ton of art inspiration, you must jump over to Studio L3's blog. Participants there are unbelievable. My tag this week is called "Get a room"... hummmm my couple is a bit taken with each other. Used Tim's grungeboard for the key hole, some of his Lost and Found paper found it's way onto this tag and also incorporated a fragment. The crackle colors I used were Vintage Photo and Rock Candy, but if you want to know how to do this, get out your book and follow Tim's instructions...and remember "Distress to take away the stress".. xoxo

Theme Thursday & Three Muses

Well I had to pair these two challenges together, after all "Halloween" for Theme Thursday challenge and "Doors" for 3 Muses challenge, how perfect is that. You never know what's behind THE DOOR...... I got my inspiration for this piece from the spider which is called Black Magic Woman and is sold at Studio Garage Band etsy shop or Studio Garage Band blog. And what is behind the door you ask, well it's "Cold Ethel" body parts also sold at Studio Garage Band. How fun are these. The stamps are all from Oxford Impressions the "Wicked" line. Oh and by the way, "Cold Ethel" does come with a head, I just chose to save it for another project...BWAHAHAHAHA

GOTHIC ARCH CHALLENGE "Crowns"

The theme at Gothic Arches is "Crowns"... I dug into my old school stash of scrapbook goodies and found all of these embellies. I've really been trying hard to USE my craft goodies instead of hoarding them...TFL.... now off to blog hop and see everyone else's wonderful crown creations... xoxo

Studio L3 "Compendium of Curiosities #8"

I had alot of catching up to do for this blog challenge as I had been waiting for my book to come in the mail. Over at Studio L3 they are working on Challenge #8 which is distressing grungeboard or grungepaper... (both smell phenominal to me). Let's turn to page 39 and follow Mr T!'s directions. I'm keeping all my tags ringed together in my "Curiosties Collection". There is soooo much knowledge in this book. If you haven't gotten it, and you love to get messy with inks and stuff, it is definitly a must have on your bookshelf.

GOTHIC ARCH CHALLENGE "Owls"

Gothic Arches has a theme of "Owl" this week. This is on the whimsy side with a touch of bizarre, hench Mildred. Maybe it's the hot weather this week that is to blame for my warped sense of humor. Stamp used for chandelier as well as Mildred are from Oxford Impressions. 3 Muses's theme last week was "Odd Bird" but I didn't get these pics downloaded in time for that theme. Off to work on their challenge for this week's theme of "Love is Blind"