Hang In There

Collage Obsession provided an image this week if we wanted to use it and the theme was "Lazy Days", but of course I went in a different direction with this photo. This was so much fun because I made a huge mess, paper and gesso and fibers all over the place.

Ursula (pictured here) is trying to lift someones spirit... hummm... well you know what I mean. Well I hope she lifted yours. Thanks for looking :)

xoxo Toni

Keeping it Simple

Sunday Postcard Art challenge has a theme this week of "WHITE". This was really fun for me because I just love the pureness that white gives to a creation. This project was pretty simple but I think effective.

Using recycled cardboard I applied PK GLITZ White Pearl Embossing Powder. I then took a Tim Holtz Texture Fade "Postcard" and rubbed DI Pumice Stone all over the embossed side of the Texture Fade and ran my cardboard through the diecut machine. This left the embossed letters with just a hint of shadowing.

Altered my butterfly embellishment by covering it with white embossing enamel and then once cooled chipped away at it. A technique that Mr Tim shared in his wonderful book Compendium of Curiosities (love this book). Rubbed some white paint on top of my muse token to enhance the word "Simplify" and all finished. Hope you enjoyed xoxo Toni

It's All About Him

Happy 3rd Birthday Gingersnap Creations, and for their birthday theme it's "Copper, Ginger or Rust". I'm also entering this for Drunken Stampers challenge which is "All About Him". I used several products that I would like to give a shout out to. First, the background was created by smudging Black Soot DI all over it and then applying PK Glitz embossing powders in New England Autumn and Bronze Patina (PK's products are my very favorite glitters and embossing powders). Then just here and there I added UTEE in Copper. Used an old script stamp (can't remember where I got it). For the background colors of the picture I used Lindy's Stamp Gang MoonShadow in Crow's Nest Copper. The picture is a stamp from Oxford Impressions "The Family Man" collection. Added some jute that I tattered and inked up with Black Soot and some old copper embellies from my treasure chest. Hope you enjoy.

xoxo Toni

Project Runway

This tag was made for 2 challenges this week. First, Theme Thursday which is to create something "ORANGE", and Dragons Dream Tag It On, which their theme is "DREAMING HAUTE COUTURE".

I colored my tag then used Matt Gel Medium to adhere vintage pieces of pattern. Stamps were from Oxford Impressions collection "The Dressmaker". Used several sheets of pattern and diecut using Tim Holtz "Tattered Florals". Used a brad to hold all flowers together, gave it a good scrunch and distressed the edges with DI Walnut. Hope you enjoyed.

xoxo Toni

"ART" Journal

This week at Simon Says Stamp Challenge the theme is "Show a Word". The word I chose is 'ART'.

I picked up this little cardboard book at Michaels for $2.00. Fell in love with it because it had 100 empty kraft paper pages. Immediately I knew it would be perfect for me to keep my art journal, with all my little technique notes and such. But first I had to make it "ME". So I altered the cover with some mulberry paper and this beautiful ribbon, then added the brass letters , butterfly and flowers. Added a little key to the ribbon that acts as the book binding and.... ta da !

"Smile"

This week at Collage Obsession the theme is "Tramp". You were provided a image if you wanted to use it or just create something depicting a tramp :
The physical attributes of the Tramp include a pair of baggy pants, a tight coat, a small derby hat, a large pair of shoes, a cane and the famous small mustache. The Tramp walks strangely and uncomfortably because of the ill-fitting clothing; either he is wearing secondhand clothes, or they are originally his but he cannot afford new ones. The Tramp may have seen better days, but he maintains the attitude and demeanor of a high-class individual; as long as he acts like one he can believe that he is one, and is able to keep his hope that some day he actually will be again. (Wikipedia)
I created this piece by using an image I found on the web and printed it on Sticky Back Canvas, as well as the quote by Mr. Chaplin. Attaching it to a 6x6 canvas that I had painted black. Aged a picture frame with black flat spray paint, scratched it up with Tonic Craft Scratcher and stained with Walnut DI. Made a small tag to hang onto some cheese cloth stained with waterdowned Black Soot DI.

Charlie Chaplin wrote the instrumental in 1936 and then lyrics and a title were added in 1954. The singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they "Smile".

What's Cookin' ???

Our Vintage Affair altered project for March starts today and the theme is "Kitchen" - anything related to kitchen topic, it might be decorated spoon or any other kitchen item, or recipe book, or just a picture with a lady cooking. This months sponsor is The winner of the challenge will win the whole set of 6 papers from the newest 3ndypapir collection "Sweetheart and a spot of Guest Designer for the upcoming challenge! Congratulations to Anne Gro, this month's guest designer. Please stop by her blog to view her wonderful creations.

For my kitchen altered project I used a huge clothespin that I purchased from Michaels Crafts Store and altered it to hold my recipe cards. Using my G45 Domestic Goddess paper I cut the paper and used DI Walnut to distress the edges. I then applied Modge Podge to adhere all the paper in their proper places. Then embellished with tiny rosettes from I Am Roses, added some lace trim and black pearls from Studio Garage Band Etsy Shop. And topped it off with white feathers to trim one of the ladies hats. Very easy and fun ! Hop over to Our Vintage Affair to see what everyone else is cooking up!

I'M CUCKOO !

This week at Kard Krazy the theme is "Birds of a Feather and at College Obsession the theme is "Many" (so I used many feathers).

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was created using Oxford Impressions "Steampunk Elements" line. And my birdcage was made using Copper UTEE Background of tag was made using DI Pine Needles and Old Paper then sprayed with water, distressed the edges with Walnut. Hope you enjoyed.

xoxo Toni

He Aint Heavy He's My Brother

Simon Says Stamp theme is "Show Some Metal" and CCC #35 FINALE (or is it????) is Design Details on page 67 of "The Book".
I love things with dimension and textures and inks and paints and and and .... when I was done with this, I had blisters (from my glue gun), cuts and scratches (from the wires) and ink and paint everywhere.... mmmmmm so much fun! Picture is of my very talented brother Tracy G. For some "heavy inspring music" drop over to his website.

Using Golden Gel Medium, I coated a black gesso painted canvas to adhere the picture. The title was made using pieces of metal that were formed around Grundgeboard letters, some were attached to twinchie canvases for added interest.
Hope you enjoyed !!! Now go get messy !

xoxo Toni

Spring is in the Air

This weeks theme @ Drunken Stampers is "Faux Wood", they suggested to....Ink it up, emboss it, color it any way you would like. I have had this piece of faux wood paper for a long while and decided it was time to be used. I chose to make the flowers from the wood. I distressed the edges of the tag and embossed it with Gold UTEE also using the UTEE for the stamped words and splatters. The flowers were sprayed with Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays (from top to bottom) Amaryllis Burgundy, Creme Brulee, French Lilac Violet, Tibetin Poppy Blue, Dark Chocolate Truffle, all the center flowers are Bayou Boogie Gold.

This piece qualified for a few more challenges so it has been entered in the following:

Gingersnap Creations # 92 Jewel Colors + Gold

Three Muses "Spring"

Dragons Dream Tag It On "Buttons and Bows"

Enjoy each moment of each day... hugs and kisses Toni

Pssst The Secrets Out !

Ok.... The secret is out and I can finally share some exciting news. I have the pleasure of being chosen for the "Our Vintage Affair" design team. I am so excited to work with these fabulous ladies from all over the globe. Every month there will be new challenges anywhere from scrapbook layouts & cardmaking to altered art. If you have a love for the vintage style you will definitely enjoy this blog challenge.

The brand new challenge that begins today is "All About Buttons", there is also a sketch provided but not necessary to use.

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The sponsor this month is and the winner will win the entire new "Sweetheart" paper collection. Hop over to their blog @ 3ndypapir.no for some wonderful inspiration and to view this beautiful set of vintage style papers.

My interpretation of the challenge is this Friendship Card.

The image I chose was from Graphics Fairy . The mat for the image is Claudine Helmuths Sticky Back Canvas and stained with Lindy's Stamp Gang "Gator Gumbo Olive" stain. Mixed Medium Gel was applied to the image and then to the sticky back canvas. I hope you will stop by "Our Vintage Affair" to be inspired by all the beautiful art. xoxo Toni

From Trash to Treasure

One of my favorite things to do is go looking for treasures at the local thrift and junk stores. I came upon this adorable little purse and new it would be perfect for the Artful Bag Challenge, This month the theme is "EMBELLISH". It SCREAMED Steampunk!!!.

I then dug into my wonderful stash of laces and ribbons and searched through my cogs & old watch parts.

I then wanted to add some danglies and charms and realized that would fit right in for :

Gingersnap Creations #90 challenge "CHARMS"
Studio L3 CCC #34 "Dimensional Fragments" on page 63 of "The Book". Such a cool technique, I will definitely use this one again and again.
Bling It On, a brand new challenge blog with this weeks theme, "Anything Goes" (with the added option of a charm) .

The precious little steampunk child on this charm was on a collage sheet that I purchased from Inka @ Altered Artifacts Etsy Store.

I hope you enjoyed :)
xoxo Toni

What Becomes of a Broken Heart ?

This week's theme at Art On The Darkside challenge blog is "Broken Hearts".

I used several mixed media's here. The frame was purchased at Michaels for $1 and I painted it black, then dry brushed it with white gesso. To make my broken heart, I shattered sea shells and colored them with Red Pepper Alcohol Ink and used Gel Medium to apply it to my frame. Used Tim Holtz fragments to make my "fragile" letters and added charms for interest.

The right hand corner is Claudine Helmuth's Sticky Back Canvas (can be purchased at Studio Garage Band store) and I used the transfer technique which is so much fun. I found it here on YOUTUBE. I then finished off with some beeswax just for a added bit of texture .

How do I believe you mend a broken heart... put yourself out there to love again. Hope you enjoyed :) xoxo

Free as a Butterfly

Gothic Arches Challenge this week was "Butterflys".


This gave me an opportunity to go through old scraps of cardstock and pick out different butterflys to cut out and embellish with the new colors of Stickles which you can purchase @ Studio Garage Band Store.

I then randomly attached the butterflys to wire to give that "in flight" look. My arch was sprayed with Lindys Stamp Gang "Tiffanys Blue " Starburst Stain Spray.


The quote I used is from Charles DickensIf you get a moment, take a look at Gothic Arch Challenge. There are so many wonderful artist there and so much inspiration. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy xoxo

"Once Upon A Time"

Gingersnap Creations #89 is kings and queens and I kept this really simple. The stamps I used are from Oxford Impressions "Castle Keep" collection. Inked up the tag with Lindy's Stamp Gang moonshadow spray "Violaceous Violet". Have a creatively wonderful day ! xoxo

Everyone Screams for Ice Cream

I am new to The Artful Bag Challenge but it is right up my alley, means I am such a purse addict.... love love love them. This months theme is to take something an alter it into a bag. So I chose my Baskin Robbins ice cream container and spoons.

This was such a fun challenge and it gave me a chance to use my new G45 paper line "Curtain Call". There is alot of details on this so I took a few pics. The clasp was a fun old garter I purchased at a junk store. The inside was decorated with snipits of Curtain Call and then Mod Podge was applied to seal it all down. (Kind of hard to see but you get the idea.)

The spoons were used to attach the handle, which was braided Curtain Call paper.

The little spoon I used to be a handle for the mirror, which is tucked away in a little pocket.

And the lid got blinged up with Prima flowers, pearls, peacock feather and Curtain Call die cuts.

Hope you enjoyed!! Hop over to Artful Bag Challenge for some fun. Next month is going to be 'EMBELLISH".... xoxo