Round Four: Angels (aka Pretty in Pink)

This month, I was honored to work in Kim Smith's book in our round robin journal project for Paper Traders.  Her theme was Angels and she specifically asked that we use renaissance-style angels in our work.  These pages turned out much pinker than I had envisioned but, I must say, they do look better in person than in the scan.

I used scrapbook paper with an old handwritten music ledger on it and then dabbed pink ink over the top using heart-shaped punchinella (sequin scrap).  The doilies and trims were originally gold but I rubbed pink acrylic paint on them using my finger.  The images were cut out of some lovely Christmas-themed scrapbook paper by Graphic45.  I trimmed the words with my gold leafing pen and added glitter to the angel wings using Distress Stickles.  As a final touch, I added the metal word plaque "Adore" and the key & keyhole charms at the top (another special request from Kim).  The poem on this says:

Away, away! To my love away.

Tel her I send her my love and devotion,

Wide as the world is,

and deep as the Ocean.

MyMemories free software giveaway

Oh, my goodness!  I am so excited to share this opportunity with you.  I have been invited to share a special deal on the My Memories Suite software for digital scrapbooking ...AND... one lucky person will win a free copy!

I have to admit that until I was asked to participate in this giveaway, I had not done much scrapbooking and had never done any digital scrapbooking at all.  I downloaded a copy of My Memories Suite this afternoon and made 3 pages in just a matter of minutes.  This is so easy to use and super fun - I just may have found a brand new addiction.  They have lots of freebies on their website to get you started and give you inspiration and I also discovered that it's just as easy to create your own custom designs too.

As a special for all of my readers, My Memories has provided a "Share the Memories" code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software plus a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value!  To take advantage of this special offer, go to the MyMemories Suite link here: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and enter this special code: STMMMS53179

Now for the best part - the giveaway!  One lucky person will win their own free copy of the My Memories Suite software.  I will draw a lucky winner on September 10th.  In order to be entered in the drawing please do one or more of the following:
1) Visit www.MyMemories.com and choose a favorite digital paper pack or layout, then come back here and leave a comment telling me which one you like best and why.
2) For an extra entry, you can follow the My Memories blog, Facebook page, or Twitter stream.  Just leave another comment letting me know if you've done this.
    Blog: http://blog.mymemories.com/
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

That's all there is to it!  Entering is almost as easy as using this terrific software.  And here is my proof of how simple it is to make beautiful pages in minutes:

And it's not just for scrapbook pages, either - you can make calendars, greeting cards, videos, and more!  So why not take advantage of a great promotional price and jump right in and join the fun?  =)

Vintage School Memories

The Paper Traders blog challenge this time is "Vintage School Memories" and I think it's such a fun theme!  I made this canvas by starting with some pretty scrapbook paper, which I scratched and sanded before rubbing with Distress Inks.  Then I layered a transparency over a page from an actual student reader printed in the 1800's... and added a few school-themed elements to finish it off.

These blog challenges are a lot of fun and open to everyone.  So hop on over to the Paper Traders blog and show us your stuff!

Dog Days of Summer

I loved this quote and had to use if for the "Dog Days of Summer" theme for the latest installment of the Paper Traders blog challenge.  I made this pendant by sanding a white tile domino, adhering the photo and words, then applying a generous layer of Glossy Accents.  When everything was dry, I wrapped some ribbon around the outer edge and added a bow at the top.  I used a jewelry bail to the back so that it could be hung as a pendant.

Run on over to the Paper Traders blog and take the challenge for yourself.  It's lots of fun and we'd love to see you strut your stuff!

Decayed Paper Technique

We had an ATC background swap in our Paper Traders group and my background was made based on Jill Geraghty-Groves’ “Decaying Background” technique as described in the March/April 2011 issue of Somerset Studio magazine.

SUPPLIES:
canvas or chipboard base
gesso
vintage text & images
sponge brushes
gel medium (I prefer matte)
baby wipes
scissors
sanding block
acrylic paint
crackle paint
alcohol inks
spray bottle filled with water

1) Use something sturdy such as canvas or chipboard for your base.  This is a very wet technique so regular paper or cardstock will not hold up to the process (I've done this with success on watercolor paper; this time I used a piece of tablet backing).  Prime with gesso.

2) Tear vintage text and images to desired shapes & sizes.  Apply with gel medium.

3) Once dry, I trim off the excess paper with scissors and then carefully smooth the edges with my sanding block.

4) Mix some gel medium with acrylic paint of your choice.  I usually use a neutral buff color.  You can use baby wipes to wipe the paint off of images that you want to show through.

5) Goop on crackle paint around the edges and let dry.  I used Ranger Distress Crackle Paint in “Picket Fence” and “Antique Linen”.  (Because I am using this piece to make into ATCs, I marked off the sizes for each card and put the crackle paint around those areas so that each ATC would have a crackled edge.)

6) Let your paint dry thoroughly.  It will crack as it dries.  The thicker the paint, the bigger the cracks.

7) After your paint has cracked, you can drip alcohol inks along the edge then spritz with water and it will run down the paper and into all the cracks.  I like to tip my background up on its edge with a paper towel underneath; then I run the bottle of ink along the top edge, spraying with lots of water, and tipping the piece to help the inks run and blend.  For this project, I used Adirondack’s “Eggplant” first, followed by “Latte”.  This step takes quite a bit of water and is very wet and messy.  Let your background dry thoroughly.

8) Now you can use your background as you want.

Let's Go Traveling... to Balboa Park

For our Round Robin Journal project on Paper Traders, I'm working in Janne Ryan's book this month.  Her theme is "Let's Go Traveling" and I chose to feature San Diego's own world-famous Balboa Park, which is one of my very favorite places.  I love the beautiful gardens and breathtaking architecture, the wonderful concerts and plays, and all the fascinating things to see and learn about in the multitude of museums.  Located in the heart of San Diego, it is a treasure of the city with many free attractions and free parking, too.  You can learn more about the numerous things to see and do here by checking out their website: http://www.balboapark.org/

The Gift of Time

This is the final week of the steampunk-inspired challenges on Gingersnap Creations.  This week was a color theme, "Leather, Iron & Brass" and this wall hanging is my contribution.  I have had a lot of fun doing these and it's been a real growing experience.  Each of the challenges will remain open for awhile so hop on over and join in the fun.