Guess What Time It Is?

That's right... it's time to let those industrial creative wheels rollin'... As many of you know I ♥ Steampunk... and the challenge this week at "Sandee's & Amelie's" is creating a steampunk masterpiece using "Shades of Grey, Blue & Rust". And also at Simon Says Stamp the challenge is "I Ought To Use This More".

The two items I Ought to Use More are: canvases (I have a ton and seem to hoard them) and my Oxford Impression stamps, I adore their details

Project titled "When you run out of steam ... make ART" It was my birthday yesterday turning another year older doesn't bother me in the least, in fact I appreciate where I have come from and what I have learned thru the years and treasure what is happening in my life right now at this moment... but yesterday I was feeling really down, and depressed and my body ached and I really just wanted to stay in bed. My daughter (aka... BFF) recently moved to NYC and though I am super happy for her, I am missing her more than I ever imagined. Some days I quite frankly have no energy to do anything and I know it has a lot to do with her being gone.

Don't let me kid you .... we talk once maybe twice a day... yea I know what your thinking... get a grip lady ! When she told me she wanted to transfer her job from California to NY I quite frankly was so excited for her. I have always encouraged her to follow her heart, experience life and my door is always open for her to come home to. We've both agreed that if NY becomes her new home, I will in deed move there because I need to be with her and my future son-n-law (no one in mind as of yet) and my future grandchildren.

Some days are good, some days aren't so good... today actually was better... so see I know it's just a matter of missing my girl. Alright, enough of that... back to my project. Art can really revive me... I put on my music or favorite movie and next thing I know its several hours later.

For more wonderful inspiration, and if you ♥ Steampunk, be sure to drop by Sandee's & Amelie's challenge blog and have some fun.  And if you want to challenge yourself to something new every week... check out Simon Says Stamp... they never disappoint.

 

For a detailed tutorial on how I accomplished this canvas, check out my SNAPGUIDE tutorial below or visit my SNAPGUIDE website for more inspiring projects. http://snapguide.com/toni-burks-grijalva/guides/

Check out How to Create Mixed Media Steampunk Canvas by Toni Burks-Grijalva on Snapguide.

A Special Gift for A Special Someone

This month is my mom's birthday and I wanted to make her keepsake of family photos. I decided to use Maya Road's Clutch Purse mini album. This clutch provides a lot of room for many photos. I made the photos into wallet size and was able to fit 34 photos in it.

This is the inside which also was decorated with pearls & metal embellishments.

"I Am Roses" always work perfectly when spraying for your own custom colors.

I hope my mom will enjoy this mini album which is packed full of her family's memories. Happy birthday mommy... I ♥ you

 Below is a step by step tutorial on developing this mini album. For more projects check out my SNAPGUIDE website : http://snapguide.com/toni-burks-grijalva/guides/

Check out How to Make Purse Mini Album With Faux Leather Technique by Toni Burks-Grijalva on Snapguide.

It's Art Journal Time

Calgon take me away... or better yet... Art journal take me away ! When I'm stressed, depressed, overwhelmed or I need something to jumpstart my creative days, my art journal always seems to come to the rescue. Sometimes I can spend hours on a page, yet other times I only mess around for 30 minutes or so. 

 

As a crafter sometimes its hard to get rid of the silliest things, and old inked, painted paper towels seems to be one of those for me. I tend to have a pile sitting around to use on my collages, journals or layouts. That's what formed the base for this journal page. I first added a layer of white gesso and then applied my recycled paper towels to the pages. Added some doilies for texture. Using Golden's modeling paste, I created more texture with my circle stencil. Next applied some more color with my Gelatos. Last but not least, randomly stamped some images with black STAZON. Using metal plumbers tape, I cut out the letters "ART" and then finished off with the quote on my tag.

 

It was just enough creative warm up to get me in the mood for a day of scrapbooking. I find, sometimes you hit a creative block and you just need to work on something that has absolutely no boundaries and that is what my art journal does for me. Happy creatimg. TFL xoxo Toni

Happy Mothers Day

It's time to celebrate that special person in your life that you call Mom and what woman doesn't love flowers. I decided to create a vase that can hold your pretties. Very simple but effective...

Doesn't take many ingredients for this project:

 

Mason Jar... or jar of your choice

Burlap Ruffle Ribbon

Linen cloth ripped in 3/4" x 24" strip

Burlap material 2" x 24" in length for flower



(You can also embellish with lace, ribbon, pearls, etc. )
Frogs Lid insert for mason jar (purchased from craft store located by the mason jars)
River rock or pebbles of your choice (purchased from craft store)
Glue gun & glue

Glue your burlap ribbon around the center of the mason jar. Then take your strip of linen material and adhere that to the middle of the burlap ruffle. This is where you can add your own special touches of pearls, lace, gems... etc.

Next I made a burlap rosette following the YOUTUBE tutorial from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4aVbtdKwyw... I didn't provide step by step because it was too difficult to photograph while my hands were holding onto the material. I then cut a piece of linen in the shape of a leaf, pulled out strings from the material to give it a fringed look, and glued a sweet little butterfly on the flower.

Next I added river rock to jar to help secure your flowers in the jar... this is really not necessary but I love the organic look of the rocks inside the jar.

Next add your Frog Insert to your mason jar lid. These are really nice for holding your flower bouquets in place.

And the last step is to add your pretty flowers. Lastly, I had some wooden tags that I simply painted with chalkboard paint, let dry, ran some jute through it to hang on gift and using a chalkboard pen I wrote my sentiment.

That's it... a pretty little something for that wonderful lady in your life called "Mother"... Everyone have a spectacular day, I know I will... I don't have to work so I get to spend time with my Mom and so looking forward to it. xoxo Toni

 

Below are some of the items I used to create this project as well a couple of suggestions that would be perfect to use on this project, and all can be purchased from my Etsy shop @ https://www.etsy.com/people/StudioGarageBand

Linen

Burlap Ruffle Trim

Burlap Ruffle with Rhinestones

Lady Bug

Steampunking My Walls

 

 

I found this cute chipboard mustache at my local craft store for $3.99 and decided it needed  a home on my craft wall. I had recently seen this cool technique on Lost Wax YOUTube and decided this would look great for this piece.

I first painted the entire piece with a coat of black acrylic paint. Then I chose a foam also purchased at the craft store that already had the sticky back on it. Very easy to use and sticks really well. The YOUTUBE video actually suggested to glue the pieces on. Cut your pieces in random shapes and sizes and apply to your mustache. The foam is very pliable so it went around the curved edges very well.

Once again,  the YOUTUBE video suggested using epoxy glue for the rivets, but I decided to use black 3D puff paint. Allow this to dry over night.

Then coat the entire piece one again with a coat of black acrylic paint and allow to dry completely.

 

The last step I used Rub N Buff in pewter and antique gold to highlight over the top of the rivets and randomly swiped the mustache for "old vintage" look.

Fun and easy project to go on the wall next to my next project I'm making "Keep Those Creative Wheels Turning" .... stay tuned

 

Happy Creating :-) Toni

 

SENDING SOME LOVE FROM HOME

This accordion style mini album is for someone very special in my daughter's life... a very good friend that she met in college and they have remain in contact. He is in the Army and currently in Korea and has been missing home very very much. My daughter gathered lots of pictures from college days and current pictures they exchange back and forth and decided she wanted to send him something he could put on his desk or dresser. Something to help bring home closer to him.
Here is my process:
I first cut 5 sheets of chipboard, 5 strips of 1" cardstock that was scored down the middle. I used the card stock to attach the chipboard squares and this also provides more stability for bending back and forth.

Next I covered each with black card stock

The paper line of my choice was DCWV Timeless Treasures, I used the Distress It All to distress the edges. I find when using my Distress It All, it works better when you combine several sheets of paper at once. I then inked all edges with Black Soot DI.

Next I gathered several embellishments that were to be used. I find this is easier for me when doing a project like this, rather than stopping and searching for items of my choice. I just put a bunch of goodies in a can and go from there.

I really wanted it to be a fun album for him, so I included some interactive pages. This 5"x5" 5 page accordion album fits over 50 photos !!!

So here we go with a page by page blow... the photos don't really do the pages justice but maybe it will provide some inspiration for your next project.


PAGE 1



PAGE2



PAGE 3



PAGE 4 WATERFALL CARD

PAGE 5

PAGE 6 FLIP OUT BOOK HELD WITH MAGNETS



PAGE 7

PAGE 8

PAGE 9

PAGE 10 POP OUT BOX

 

I hope Marcus enjoys his little gift from home and Marcus we always keep you and all our wonderful soldiers in prayer. Thank you for your service... we ♥ u

 

Happy Creating

Toni