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.

MOMENTS

I am so thankful for my ART, because it can lift my spirits in a moments notice. This morning was kind of dreary and didn't really have that pep in my step so thought I would check out the theme over at Studio L3 with lovely Linda for Grungy Monday. Tim's techniques can always get me out of that funk. A really quick project but his watercolor technique washed that gloominess away. We all get really busy and overwhelmed, but sometimes all we need is that "Moment" for ourselves. Now I gotta go, cause my bubble bath is waiting for me. Hey it's ok to have more than 1 moment in a day...xoxo Toni

Spirit in the Sky

As a visiting artist this month at Gingersnap Creations this is my contribution for inspiration for this weeks technique theme "Scene Stamping". This was a challenge for me as I am really not a "stamper", have never mastered the whole pressure and rocking and all that is involved in a nice crisp image, but hopefully you get the idea from my piece. My stamps were from Beeswax Stamps. The background was made using glassine paper and rubbing Walnut DI on the top lightly to give it that faux suede look. My image was stamped and then I used an assortment of Lindys Stamp Gang stains to color my picture. Added some fibers for texture in the sky; hence the title "Spirit in the Sky" and brushed a nice coat of beeswax over the top for a warm and aged effect.

On my right side bar I have most of the challenges I do participate in. I would encourage you to check some of these out. The talent of artist involved and the inspiration of themes suggested will open up a whole new world of art and creativity for you. Honestly don't think I would have ever tried the stamp scene technique, but really glad I did. Hope you enjoyed and thnx for stopping by. xoxo Toni

Hitching Post

Howdy Y'all.. it's Wednesday and you know what that means... new challenge over at Gingersnap Creations. As part of being one of the visiting artists this month, here is my contribution for the theme "TWINE"....This little filly isn't picky. Whether it's a young whippersnapper, a city-slicker or an ol' coot, she's gonna wrangle herself up a man. The image was from Oxford Impressions as well as the sentiment, stamped and distressed on sticky back canvas. Sign was made from old pieces of wood and broken stir sticks. The ring was a dollar store purchase and rusted up a bit. Thanks for dropping by and sitting a spell. xoxo Toni

Our Vintage Affair May Card Challenge

Hi everyone... happy May and it's that time of month for our new challenge at Our Vintage Affair. It's our card challenge, and believe me, this was a bit of a challenge for me as I'm really not much of a card maker, but right on time for Mother's Day. Part of the card challenge is to make a "napkin fold" card, in which you can view this wonderful tutorial @ StampARTic. And this months's sponsor for us is A UK based company and some of the products they sell are Ranger, Tim Holtz, Martha Stewart, Viva Decor, Copic Pens, Crafty Individuals and the list goes on and on. They will be offering you prize money to spend at their store. YIPEE . I really did have lots of fun making this card and here are a few extra shots of it: The card closure was made using flowers from "I Am Roses" and background is stamped and embossed with Lindy's Stamp Gang Mica Magicals. The card then pops open to display your message inside. Here is the card opened completely and I had a collage of myself, brother and baby sister copied and placed inside for my Mom. Drop by Our Vintage Affair to see what the other DT ladies created... Such wonderful inspiration, and give this card a try. xoxo toni

Love.... A Universal Language

This must be the week for "hands" because three of my favorite challenge blogs have that very theme. Theme Thursday, Wednesday Stamper, and Simon Says Stamp. So this is what I came up with. I've had this wonderful old ephemera with sign language that I am so sorry but can't remember where I copied this from. It seemed fitting to dedicate this piece to the "Freedom Riders" 50th Anniversary. A brave group of Americans that help pave the the smoother road that we walk in today. Even though hatred and prejudice are still alive, they helped us to come a long way. I thank you and applaud you.

The paper I used was from my new stash of Tim Holtz Kraft Resist paper. I then used several different mixed media products:

The heart was made with Molding Paste

The frame was bright orange originally which I painted with black Gesso and then used Rub and Buff in Patina and Gold

The crackes of the corrugated cardboard were filled with Golden Glass Bead Gel in which I colored it with Alcohol Inks in Stream and Cinnamon

Then several of Lindys Stamp Gang products were used to give it that old vintage patina'd look.

Voodoo Violet Purple Starburst Spray

Magical Micas in Dark Chocolate Truflle, and Opal Sea Oats

MoonShadow Spray Treasure Island Aqua

Micas in Atomic Green Gold and Starlight Salmon

Thank you for stopping by....Wishing all the mommies in the World Much Love ,,,xoxo Toni

The Wild West at Gingersnap Creations

I have the honor and privilege of being chosen as one of the "Visting Artist" for the month of May at Gingersnap Creations. A blog challenge that I frequent so often for art inspiration and tutorials.... there are some wonderfully creative people at GC.
So let's start the Hoedown Y'all... This month we're headed west ...... The Wild West. Yep that's our theme, and this week the technique we'd like you to do is "masking."My image was a stamp from Oxford Impressions from the "Cowgirl Blues". I used Tim Holtz "Weathered Clock" Alteration diecut and cut out my own mask using Ideaology Mask Sheets. Reckoned I needed to distress things up abit so I used Faded Jeans and Vintage Photo for the base colors and the images were stamped using Brown Timber Stazon. Whoa Nellie !!!! what's that I found but a bunch of old pieces of copper, so I did a bit of sanding on them and stapled some on the tag. And the clock hands were embossed with copper UTEE and then chipped off. Take time to mosey on over to Gingersnap for all the deets on this months challenges. for some unbelievable talent and exciting inspiration. xoxo Toni

Angels....help our garden grow

Happy May Day to all and hope everyone is getting some sunshine in their little section of the world. Over at Our Vintage Affair it is time for the May layout challenge, and the following sketch is provided for inspiration to your layout and only one requirement this month and that is to use 3 different laces. This challenge is open till May 20th in which one lucky scrapper will win ........ Whoo Hoo !!!! Aren't you just loving those pretty flowers!!! My layout featured my two furry four legged children Bubba & Noelle out at our garden. It's our very first and we're so excited !!!! So far I've harvested some lettuce, strawberries, and a couple tomatoes (yummmmm). So much fun to be able to go outside and pick your veggies... In my journaling I listed everything that we planted and hopefully are going to enjoy!!! Take a hop over at Our Vintage Affair to see inspiration from all the other wonderful girls on the Design Team. I am also entering this into My Time To Craft Challenge, which happens to have a them "Perfect Pets" and well, mine are perfect . Lots and lots of entries for this theme so be sure to drop over there for more wonderful creative inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by, get outside and soak up some Vitamin D... Happy Creating!

ARTFUL BAG ATC SWAP

This month at Artful Bag Challenge, it was ATC swapping time, and I was soooooo excited to get to trade with Julie Forest (from Juls Art Niche)... I am such an admirer of her work !!! The ATC, of course, had to feature a bag, purse, clutch, satchel, whatever you may call it. Julie's Atc was "Bold" and beautiful. (I can totally see me rockin a purse just like this...hahaha), and then Julie being so clever, added a special little treat. When opened, the purse exclaims "Walk on the Wild Side"... love it Julie... thank you! The colors are vibrant, and just pop!!!! My Atc I sent Julie had to do with Mary Poppins... I have ALWAYS loved her big carpet bag, and so I tried to copy that by making a purse using G45 Fashionista and paper transferred it to sticky back canvas. Spray painted a little umbrella and "SPIT SPOT SPIC AND SPAN, Practically Perfect" (well not sure about that) but Julie did say she enjoyed the ATC... very fun challenge. Great time meeting new friends from across the globe. Pop over to Julies blog for some awesome inspiration.