I'm Back .....

Well it's been almost 3 months since my last blog and I almost forgot my blogger password...lol Putting in so many long days and hours working through the holdays didn't allow for any crafting time. I would sit at my table and just stare. I made a few Christmas cards, glittered up a couple gifts, but for the most part was just too stinken tired to do any serious scrapping. But the new year is right around the corner....literally.....Looking forward to things slowing down a bit and then I can start scrapping and crafting again. Even though I didn't have time to do any artsy stuff I frequented some of my very favorite blogs over the season and they kept me inspired and excited to get going again. Tomorrow being New Years Eve I am going to take the time to clean up my crafting area.

With lots of new pictures to scrap and more energy than I had a week ago I can't wait. Thank you to all my blog buddies for keeping me going. Can't wait to get back with my favorite challenge blogs and some new ones. Cuz its TIME 2 B CREATIVE !!!

It's the Thought That Counts

In my earlier post I showed a gift I made for a friend of my daughter who has just become a teacher. I had some more G45 ABC Primer paper left from that project so I wanted to add a little something with her gift.
Awhile back I had purchased some of these little wood containers for a dollar at Michaels and they also had these little sewing kits for the same price that fit perfectly. I painted the box with Tattered Angels Glitter Glam "Stilletto", then covered the inside and outside with ABC Primer paper. Added some velvet and satin black ribbon to the middle. The rose was dipped in clear UTEE for a glass effect, and some vintage pearls from my Etsy store were added. Many times you don't have to spend alot on a gift for someone... check out those dollar bins at the stores and let your creativity flow.. You will be surprised in what you can make. TFL xoxo

LIFE is full of speed bumps

Awhile back I made this Art Angel and I would just like to dedicate this to all my artsy bloggers out their that are carrying a heavier stress load than normal.

Lately I have noticed on several of my crafty friends blogs that life is throwing them some curve balls. We all know this happens, it just seems like so many are facing health, financial or family situations right now. Many have dropped out of challenges due to overwhelming stress in their lives and even the design team I am on " Our Vintage Affair ", is having to take a break due to "stuff"going on in several of our lives. Arts and crafts to so many of us is our relaxation but sometimes situations do not allow for them.

It wasn't too long ago that I didn't have any desire to get out my scissors, inks, or paper. Kind of scared that maybe I was no longer interested in doing this thing called "art"I did notice that I always seemed to go back to visiting everyone's blogs and checking out the newest tutorials on YOUTUBE therefore I knew it was just a slump I was in. I am so grateful for bloggers I have gotten to know, and they always seem to leave a comment right when I need it the most. So when your too tired to do anything crafty, when you have absolutely too much on your plate to take a bit of time to paint anything don't fret. There is a season for everything, and know I am thinking and praying for all you wonderful artist that have inspired me and I know you will be back real soon.Hugs and kisses Toni

Anchors Away Lucca

This is my entry for Alter It Monthly which their theme this month is beach, ocean, shells etc. I purchased this frame on the clearance table for $2.99 @ Michaels and altered it up for a baby gift for a friend of mine that is a 1st time grandma...congrats Louise !!! (My dog Bubba had to get in the picture of course).
Lucca's nursery is decorated in the nautical theme therefore that sparked the inspiration for the frame. There is something special about a homemade gift so I hope they like it. I'm sure it will be perfect with the sailor hat and outfit I got him to have his picture in. God Bless you baby Lucca !!! xoxo Toni

A Little Birdie Told Me

CANNOT believe it is already August. Where has this year gone ???? And to think I woke up in the middle of the night to a LOUD thunderstorm. All I can say is thank goodness for air conditioning.
It's that time for Our Vintage Affair's monthly layout and this month we have chosen the theme "Birds" the layout above has been provided for inspiration. Our sponsor this month isand the winner will get their wonderful collection of papers "My Friend Birdie"
Here is my design team inspiration...
I used paper from DCWV collection The Tradewinds collection and of course you recognized Mr T!m's birdcage diecut embossed with clear UTEE for a glossy texture. The flowers I used are from I AM ROSES cherry blossoms #153 and sprayed with Lindys Stamp Gang spray in Bachelor Button Blue and Blue Beards Blue Moon Shadow spray. The branches I used can be purchased from my Etsy Store Studio Garage Band. This challenge will be open til August 20th. Thanks for stopping by and hop over to Our Vintage Affair for some wonderful inspiration from the other design team members.

Hi everyone and hope y'all have been having a chance to get your "Art On"... It's July Card/Altered Project time in Our Vintage Affair and the theme this month is Wedding. Our sponsor this month is . They are a UK based business and and the prize is a £20 voucher to spend in their store!!
My project is an altered heart box made for my parents. They just celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary (a miracle in this day and age)...
The shadowbox is from House of 3 which have some beautiful products. I first applied the crackle method to the box frame and then proceeded with the fun task of embellishing.
The flowers, black skeleton leaves and butterfly are all from "I Am Roses" and sprayed with Lindy's Stamp Gang "Pretty In Pink" Starburst Spray and leaves are sprayed with "My Mojito Green" Starburst spray. The "Say It In Crystals" on the front of the lid can be purchased at Studio Garage Band Etsy Store. Key hole is made from grungeboard and painted black highlighted with Antique Gold RubNBuff. This challenge will close on July 25th in which some creative crafter will win $$$ for new goodies. So get to work on something lovely for our wedding challenge. xoxo

My Father and Mother are Timeless

It's July layout time at Vintage Affair and the following sketch was provided for your inspiration. The only request is that at least 1 flower is made my little o'l YOU.
Our guest designers this month are Gosia and Ana Brisas... take a moment to drop by their beautiful blogs and leave them some love.
This challenge is open until July 20th... so take some time from the heat, go inside to your cool crafty spot and make something beautiful to share with us at Our Vintage Affair.
The picture I chose of my parents was probably around their dating years... and I just adore these pictures. I used my die cut gears as masks and sprayed the background paper with my Lindys Stamp Gang Moonshadow Spray in Treasure Island Aqua for that aged patina'd look. Painted all my gears with black glossy acrylic paint. Framed the pictures with Prima "Say It With Crystals" Purchased at Studio Garage Band Etsy Store. Stained and hand crinkled seam binding with Moon Shadow spray also. And last but not least follow'd YouTuber Rina Ballerina's instruction for her take on Prima's Gatsby flower. Stay cool, go run through a sprinkler or jump in a pool... xoxo Toni

A Season For All Things

I've been in somewhat of a funk lately... I mean a creative funk... y'all know what I mean. I stare at my craft table and nothing ignites. Doesn't really worry me because it has happened before and I know with me I just need to let my creativity simmer and then something or someone sends me into full steam ahead.

One of my favorite things to do for inspiration is blog hop or check out tutorials on YOUTUBE. I belong to a web based group called Creative Souls, where some remarkable artist share their passion for art and mixed media. They had this posted on their blog and it really intrigued my creative spirit. Maybe your going through the same. If so, hope this helps. If you are at a full steam ahead with your creativity then "Go Get Your Art On" !!!! xoxo

To Daddy With Love

Hope everyone is able to get a little crafting time in to wash away this June Gloom.
It's card layout challenge time at Our Vintage Affair and this sketch has been offered and the technique requested is stamp your background.
The sponsor for this month is... which is generously offering 20 UK dollars to spend on product at their store. Some of the leading companies that they stock include Stamping Bella, Ranger, Tim Holtz, Crafty Individuals, Martha Stewart, Nestabilities, Copic Pens.
I decided to make a card for my daddy for Fathers DayMy father is a musician and plays many different percussion instruments, drums, timbales, congas so I went with this as my inspiration. The paper used was from DCWV "Performance". Stamped the background with gold UTEE.
Had some packing materials from Tim Holtz Ideaology and made shaker balls filled with gold German Glass Glitter.
This challenge will close on June 25th.... (wait a minute, whose birthday is that... mine hahaha), So go sit at your favorite scrapping spot and give this challenge a try!!! Until we meet again xoxo Toni

Shop Til I Drop

This was a very fast and fun tag I made to match of to several blog challenge themes this week.
3 Muses theme is "The Written Word", and my back ground is made up of sales receipts of mine collaged, then inked with Vintage Photo as well as the play money which was inked with Brushed Sage which met the theme for Linda's Grungy Monday #10 "Distress Ink up something".
Gingersnap Creations theme this week is "At the Mall", and last but not least is Wednesday Stamper which has a theme of "Numbers". Thank you to the hostesses of these wonderful blog challenges.

So much time is involved in hostessing a "challenge blog". From organizing themes to posting comments on followers websites, but I truly appreciate all the challenges I am in involved with. Even though this one tag applied to several challenges each blog took me into a different direction with my art. If you haven't participated in a challenge before, give it a try. I have several listed on the right side of my blog. Sometimes we just need a little inspiration and one of these challenges might do the trick. Now go get creative ... xoxo Toni

Our Vintage Affair Blog Candy Winner and June Layout Challenge

Hi everyone... wow where has the time gone... Can't believe half the year is already gone by. We've got alot happening at Our Vintage Affair this month. First this months layout theme is "GRANDPARENTS" and here is a template for your inspiration . The winner will win a spot as guest designer for the month of July and also some wonderful Prima & Websters product. Also it's time to announce the winner for my blog candy .

DRUM ROLL PLEASE ..........and the winner is SANDRA !!! Congratulations Sandra... please drop me a line with your address and then I can mail off this delicious blog candy for you. Thank you for playing with us at Our Vintage Affair and have fun being creative with your product.
Now my inspiration for this months theme "Grandparents" this is a rare photo of my grandfather and grandmother. Both I never had the opportunity of meeting.
My grandfather fled his responsibilities of husband and father when my mother was itty bitty (probably between 1 and 2 years old) . My mother grew up never knowing her father and probably just as well because her grandpa whom raised her like a daughter was a WONDERFUL daddy to her. Taught my mother so much. And then when my mother was 17 she lost her very best friend (my grandmother) from medical complications. I am so thankful that my daughter has been able to grow up knowing her grandparents. They have taught her so much and they are truly the love of her life. Now it's your turn. Go rummage through those old photos of your grandparents and do something beautiful with them.

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

This week at Gingersnap Creations the theme is "DENIM, RUST & DUST", so for my creation I dug into my treasures from a favorite junk store in my area. Got this old whiskey bottle for $1.00 and gave it a good wash with Ginger alcohol ink. Then stamped my image (from Oxford Impressions, Cowgirl Blues collection) onto tissue paper and adhered it to my burlap with Modge Podge. The tag is made from wood and inked up with Denim and Vintage Photo DI's then stamped with "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" (from same stamp collection as image). Added some beads and crinkled seam binding and then topped it off with a bottle topper that can be purchase at Studio Garage Band Etsy Shop. For that added denim piece, cut off a pocket from a pair of old jeans.
It has been so much fun being a visiting artist over at Gingersnap Creations this month. There are so many talented artists that participate in this blog challenge. I would encourage everyone to drop by this blog for wonderful challenges every week. They provide amazing tutorials and they encourage you to use different supplies that you might not normally use as well as suggest techniques to try out. Thank you Gingers for your hospitality.