In the Mean Time...

Checking in.

*Warning: this is not a crafting post, but a personal one.

Not a lot of crafting to share. Doesn't make me happy, but this is all for the good of the family. My family.

You've noticed my lack of posting? Not for a lack of wanting, but mostly for a lack of time and supplies. Most of our worldly belongings are boxed up.

We are in the midst of moving across the country. Ugh.

The kids are finishing school. You know, field day, parties, last minute play dates, etc. I think the end of the year is even busier than the beginning!

...and we're renovating the house. There have been moving crews, foremen, painting crews, contractors in every room of our home...it has been a trying time. Almost all of our household goods left over a month ago. We've been camping out in our house. We did keep a small amount of 'necessary' items behind, but it has been tedious.

Currently, there is a crew painting the downstairs. Eventually, they will move to work on the upstairs and we will move downstairs like rabbits in their burrows, away from the noise and the dusty top world.

Then it will be time to clean: windows, carpets, appliances, etc.

Sigh.

I miss my studio. I miss my paints, papers and inks. I miss hanging out with my creative peeps and arting up stuff.

It's time for change. We're making some obvious changes with the move. Right now, it's hard to look forward to the wonderful things to come, but I know they are there, waiting for us to finally arrive and to begin the process of renewing, organizing and settling in.

Thanks for hanging in there! I should be back to *regularly* posting around June 21st. Until then check out these two challenge blogs:

 

Great inspiration and chances for prizes just for playing along!

I'll be sure to share a thing or two here when I get the chance...you know I'm still reading your blogs and who doesn't have Pinterest these days?!

Inky hugs,
Angi

Sentimental Sundays #152 - Mixed Media Canvas

scrap papers, stamping, metal word, star brad...

Mixed Media...it's such a simple pair of words and, yet, it covers such a vast area of the art and crafting world these days. My definition? Mixed Media is a piece where I use more than 1 technique, more than 1 medium and generally a few 'found' items.

(there's an old Polly Pocket piece hidden in my found items under the heart...)

paperclip heart, chipboard, washers...

This week the Sentimental Sunday challenge is Mixed Media Canvas/Portrait. We are sponsored by:

Just Some Lines

Just Some Lines Shop

For some this may be a new challenge...for others an opportunity to share some art! On this piece I used Nature's Child 1 - Beautiful, right? I love her expression. So thoughtful...

copics, sprays, glitter...

modeling paste, paint, ink, gesso...

lace, plastic bits, furniture tack...

metal spring, leftover flowers, buttons...

I hope you'll join us! I'll really enjoyed making this piece. Love being able to use those bits and pieces that are too good to be thrown away! It's a good thing I'm organized...otherwise I might be mistaken for a hoarder! LOL

Inky hugs,
Angi

Sentimental Sundays #150 - Tag You're It!

"Put duties aside at least an hour before bed and perform soothing, quiet activities that will help you relax." - Dianne Hales

I love this little bit of wisdom. Although, when it is taken in the context of me and crafting it makes me laugh! My daughter says I'm a noisy crafter...when I don't like something, when I do like something, when I have an a-ha moment...a sigh, a groan, a whoop or whatever, she can count on me being vocal about it! And crafting is my 'relaxing' activity!

The new challenge at Sentimental Sundays - Tag You're It! Sponsored by Dilly Beans Digitals Stamps!

Dilly Beans' images are fun, quirky and even beautiful...and I love tags...

So, here's another 'Dirty Tag' (see the tutorial here...) used with Dilly Beans Isabella Fairy.

Love when I can reuse items. I apologize for not getting a before picture...but the tag was originally primary colors - red, blue & yellow. Really...with a Great Impressions Stamps Creative stamp near the bottom edge. I covered the tag in Distress Stain Picket Fence and then sprayed a light coating of Perfect Pearls Mist Pearl over the top.

Originally, this tag was intended as a book mark for a kid...but I like the new tag better! What do you think?

Here's a close up of Isabella. She's colored up in Copics and Stickles. LOVE that the stickles does not make the Copic colors run! (...because the Copics are not water-based...)

It's hard to tell in the photo, but her eyelids are really purple and covered in stickles!

You can see the layers here... Normally, I print/stamp a couple of the images, but I didn't decide to layer her up until AFTER I had her colored, so I just cut the image apart and then layered by overlapping just the tiniest bit.

The sentiment stamp is from Inkadinkado - Good Day. One of my all time faves. There are just some days, I think I know exactly how Nathanial must have felt!

Today, though, I'm sure I made happy sounds! lol

Inky hugs,

Angi

Card Makin' Mamas - No Patterned Paper

Time for another Card Makin' Mamas challenge inspiration! This is the last week to link up your card using NO PATTERNED PAPER...

Challenge? Yes.

I love a challenge and since this one allows me to use whatever my creative heart desires, I was up for it!

...the light is a bit off...the panel under the flowers is actually chocolate chip!

I've got a busy schedule (more on this subject later) and didn't have time to take pictures for a tutorial, but lucky you, I was inspired by this video. I have had this Stampin' Up! stamp (Inspired by Nature) since it came out...LOVE IT! It's such a versatile stamp and the other side has long beautiful blades of grass...they shouldn't have retired this one...anyhoo, I was so inspired by Tami's video I essentially CASEd the design, but not all the techniques! I changed up the colors and used the En Francais background stamp for the text.

Follow the video. What I did differently: to 'stain' the background' use blending tool and Crumb Cake to ink up background - leave no white, but vary depth of color. Trust me...leave no white. When you mist the paper, you'll be glad you didn't!

I also used En Francais with Versamark to ink up the card base.

Here's a more 'loved' version of the panel...

This is just a card front. I'll attach it to a card base later. The last step with the coneflower panel was to lightly mist the back of the panel and then crumple it up! If this is your first time, I understand...you may feel uncomfortable, but JUST DO IT! Open it back up. Do you see areas that need more aging? Crumple the panel again, only this time be more conscientious about where and how you are folding, crushing, bending the paper to get the look you want. If you want the paper to be flattened, go ahead and iron it. The creases and folds will still be seen, but it will be easier to attach the panel.

I also tore the edges of the purple panel and used a distressing tool to soften them.

Off to make a few more cards...

Inky hugs,

Angi

Card Makin' Mamas - Spring Colors

Sunshine...I miss the sunshine! I'm done with winter blah and am looking forward to showers, storms and sunshine!

The Card Makin' Mamas Challenge is perfect for my mood!

SPRING COLORS

Do you think it's bright enough? lol  I wanted a color pick-me-up and some sunshiny bling for a cheery card. Who couldn't use more sunshine in their life?! Hope to see your card linked up, too!

Hope your weekend has been a great one!

Inky hugs,
Angi