Guest Artist @ UNRULY PAPERARTS

I was recently chosen as guest artist for Unruly PaperArts blog to contribute a piece involving Buds and Blossoms which was their topic for the month of June. Incorporate nature in your art was the challenge. The piece that I entered was a altered canvas I made using a technique I came upon from artist Laura Liddell  where you using embossing powders to enhance the natural beauty of leaves and such. Below are some of the process pics I took as I was creating the piece but you can also view the entire post at Unruly Paperarts June 2012 issue Buds and Blossoms.  Take time to enjoy nature this month and try adding a little bit of art to it and see what you can make. Happy June !

XOXO Toni

If It's Important Enough, You'll Make Time For It

I have been in a creative slump for awhile now and not exactly sure why. It's very frustrating. I have all my arts stuff laying in my room all ready to be messed with and I start a project and for whatever reason I just don't feel it. Day in and day out I sit blog hopping to all my blogs that feed my creative soul with inspiration but not too much effort has been made to just sit...not think.... just play with art. OBSERVING BUT NOT PARTICIPATING. BUT.... one of my most favorite "cut to the chase" blogs "CreativeSomething" had a post today for whatever reason kicked my butt right over to the table and I got out an old book from the $Dollar store and gesso'd some pages together and started an art journal. Something I've been wanting to do for a loooooong time, but kind of afraid. You see, I'm concerned that someone might get ahold of it someday and think I was a little more looney then they had originally thought I was. CreativeSomething had a quote: "It is very important to embrace failure and to do a lot of stuff - as much stuff as possible - with as little fear as possible. It's much, much better to wind up with a lot of crap having tried it than to overthink in the beginning and not do it." - Stefan Sagmeister

Art journaling... where there are NO mistakes, just.... ok... not real fond of that technique, or probably won't try that again or OMG  that makes me wanna dance. I once read in another blog... sorry can't remember where but athletes always warm up before trying to run a race or play a game, and art journaling is much like that. Just put things on paper to get your mojo going and then off you go. So here is the first of hopefully many pages to come. 
Hurry Hurry those juices are flowing so I'm off back to my table to finish a baby shower gift that I started about a month ago...




xoxo Toni

Where in the World is My VAGABOND

Well my Vagabond is in sunny California along with my shabby chic dog "Bubba". I have to admit these both have to be my most precious purchases (Bubba and The Vagabond). Sizzix is asking "Where in the World is your Vagabond" and they are sending out the new gauge keys and the new limited edition travel stickers. If you haven't gotten one of these machines yet, I would so encourage you. xoxo Toni

The “Eyes” have it

My daughter just loves fake eye lashes. She has quite a collection of them. And being the frugal girl she is, she has a whole process of washing them in order to reuse them. The only thing is she has no where to keep keep them. I had this paper Mache box that I thought would be perfect once altered to her needs. Here is what I came up with.

The Lid

The Inside

Here are the steps I took in altering this box.

1. paint with black gesso

2. crackle medium used then painted over it with vintage white for a shabby chic look.

3. Painted all the little boxes and embellish them with G45’s Curtain Call paper

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4. Painted and RubNBuff used to age Dusty Attic corners, and frame for lid.

5. All pieces involved coated with Decoupage for protection.

6. Top of lid embellished with I Am Roses, Dusty Attic, vintage pearls, all of which can be purchased at my Etsy Store @ http://www.etsy.com/people/StudioGarageBand?ref=si_pr

This is entered in Simon Says Stamp and Show "Anything Goes" Challenge. Take a hop over to their blog for some wonderful inspiration. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed.

xoxo Toni

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