In The Spotlight + Mini Challenge

Hi everyone... I'm in the spotlight this month at Anything But A Card and have been asked to share a little bit about myself and my artistic journey. I hope you will take a moment to jump over to ABAC to view my post and many other pictures of past projects. I have also challenged you to "ALTER IT". Take something and change it up. Give it a face lift, make it your own.

Here are a few of my altered projects that I have created: This is a printers tray that was altered to reflect things in my life that I'm thankful for.

 Next is an altered cookie sheet that was made into a Christmas countdown calender.

 This old whiskey bottle was alcohol inked and altered for a Cowgirl challenge I was involved in.

 Lastly is a paper mache mannequin that was altered.

I hope you will take the time to stop by ABAC and view my post with many other photos of altered projects I've created . So let's go through your house, find an item that needs to be redone and "Alter It" . Be sure to link up your creation so you can inspire other crafty peeps ... xoxo Toni

More Precious Than Gold

Hi happy crafters... this month at Anything But A Card we are focused on "Fools Gold"... create something using that wonderful color "Gold", be sure to link up with us so that we can also be inspired by your creation. Here is my take on this theme...

I decided to create an exploding canvas. I was inspired by this through ccartdesigns YOUTUBE which you can view that HERE. I just decided to create mine in the shape of a heart.  The photo was of my daughter and I on a frigid morning in Central Park, NY

Molding paste & crackle paste provided my canvas with the texture I wanted. Gold UTEE on the tops of the flowers gave them that gilded look.

Gold embossed rocks added that perfect handmade embellishment which went with my sentiment "My love for you is more precious than gold".

So many things you can do with an exploding canvas. Try your hand in it. Below is a tutorial on my process for creating this. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by !

This canvas is being entered in the following challenges: 

Flying Unicorn  - April Made With Love  -Anything Goes

Eclectic Ellapu- April Showers / Spring

Check out How to Create Explosion Heart Shaped Canvas by Toni Burks-Grijalva on Snapguide.

Sweet Dreams

Wew !!! It's April already, how the time does go so fast. This month at Unruly PaperArts our RAQ (Readers Art Quest) is focusing on "Animal Instincts" with a gorgeous palette for your inspiration.

Immediately I knew which pictures I wanted to create a layout from. My baby dog "Bubba" INSTINCTIVELY loves to sleep.... 

Applying many basic scrapbooking techniques, distressing, layering, spraying etc I achieved this layout for my photos. I used the Tattered Florals die for my flowers, and the tiny dew drops were alcohol inked with egg plant and ginger. Very easy and quick but I think the color palette gave it that punch. 

For some added texture I used Finnebairs's Art Basic Texture Paste White Crackle and used Prima's Bubble stencil. The chipboard pieces were also painted with the texture paste. 

I hope you decide to create with us and be sure to jump over to Unruly's blog for some wonderful inspiration. Link up your creation to also get a chance at winning this months prize ... a Gelli plate. 

Gelli plates are so much fun to use creating your own backgrounds for cards, layouts, tags. If you aren't familiar with this product check out their website for some cool info 

@ http://www.gelliarts.com/   

This project is entered into the following challenges: 

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Feature A Creature 

Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes With A Twist of Flowers 

Thanks for stopping by... happy crafting xoxo Toni