Gothic Arch part 5

Paint scraping technique. 

Another technique I like and will do again.  I'm not happy with the gold paper flowers - they gotta go but I'm not sure what to replace them with yet.

The image is a freebie from Dover clip art in one of their weekly emails.  I used foreign language book pages for the background.

Still thinking about how to bind the pages and am leaning towards mounting them on a heavier chipboard about 1/4" larger and painted dark chocolate brown.  I'll probably just use rings to hold it all together but haven't fully decided yet.

I've got #6 almost done - have changed my mind on it about a dozen times...you know how that goes!

Gothic Arch part 4

Arch 4 is color blocking and stamping.  Really like this technique, too!

I have a personal problem ripping books apart so to ease my pain I've started buying books in foreign language.  The pages in the background are Swedish, I think.

I used distress inks for the color blocks-they came out lighter than I expected-not sure but I think it's the gesso.  Used watercolor paint for the bird breast and inside of the heart.  Had to use Stickles on the crowns!  The butterfly is a rub-on and the stars are confetti.

Moving right along to number 5!

Gothic Arch part 3

UPDATE-I'm going to put myself out on a limb and link this one to a Gothic Arches challenge.  Click HERE to see the others!

Arch 3 uses the layered collage technique and this was a tough one for me.  I'd never tried this before and spent a little too much time picking out the layers then stressed over the ripping and gouging.  I really like how it turned out, though, and will do layering again.

I'm not sure that it's done, I feel that something's missing...

Roni's left the binding options open so I'm not sure how I'm going to pull everything together when we're done.  I think I'll wait until the series is done before making the decision.  Once I know how I'm going to bind them, I'll probably add more to each one.

#4 is started - having a blast!

Gothic Arch project, parts 1 & 2

Roni at Inkstains is such an amazing wealth of information and talent! I found her when I purchased her book on altered art.

She's doing a series of technique tutorials in a 10 page gothic arch shaped book.  Check out her blog for details and to join in.

Real life got in the way so I'm a little behind but am moving right along.

Arch #1 is a segmented collage...

Arch #2 is inchies...

One of the great things about Roni is that she encourages you to use what you already have-no need to go out and try to find products that nobody local carries-and she encourages you to do your own thing to make the project your own.

I've got #3 started...off to work on it :)

Thank you card

Just finished a special thank you card for my sister...Peg, if you're checking in-click off until you get this in the mail :P

Sister, Peg, and her husband, Ralph, were my wonderful hosts for a visit to their home in the freezing state of NH.  Peg and I grew up there but it's been many, many years since I've been back.  Now that I've been in FL for over 30 years, I can't handle the breath-taking cold of the north and don't understand why/how people live up there.  Bless all of you that do!

I was lovin this card until I decided to go overboard and add the sunshine - now I think it looks like an elementary piece. Oh well - learn and move on :)

Arden's Mini

I needed to work in bright, happy colors so I decided to do a girly mini for a friend's baby girl.

I tried some new products and techniques and am fairly happy with the end result.  I learn by doing and from my mistakes so I have to embrace them and push my type A personality aside sometimes :)

It was hard not to grunge and be messy but Arden's mom isn't the grunge type so I had to pull myself back.

I have loads of ideas floating around in my head but have to do 2 more quickie cards first....

Altered spiral notebook

I can't live without my spiral notebook at work.  It's with me at all times and I usually start a new one every three months.  Why, I ask, should it be plain and boring??  It shouldn't!

The girl image is colored with colored pencils and was a free download from e-crafting. If you're not a subscriber, you're missing out!  Wings are from Tim Holtz and stamped on newspaper.  I used some Prima flowers and a Sizzix die cut from an old dictionary.  Added some bling, Stickles, an old heart shaped doily and lots of Glimmer Mist.  The background paper is from My Mind's Eye.

I used Mod Podge as my adhesive and am, again, disappointed.  I want to love it but have bumpy, wrinkled results every time.

Overall, I think it came out pretty nice.