Sometimes, it is just the quote ....

I keep a little journal in my purse at all times.  If something inspires me, I sketch it or write it down for later.  The other day this quote really struck me - I had to keep it!  When I am not at my desk playing with paint and fun stuff, I work as an Activity Coordinator at an Assisted Living. I love what I do and I love all my residents, they teach me about life everyday..  So, when I saw this quote, I thought that 'treasures' was a good way to remember those residents.  

I started with treasure map that I printed out from google images.  I actually just printed it onto plain white printer paper.  I used gel medium to glue it down and smooth it out onto my wooden block.  Then I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and Cardboard Spray to age the map and block.

Some stencils with coffee colored archival ink to add some texture ...

And on the front of the block, I used Canvas Corp Brand Kraft E-flute paper.  I roughly painted the block and the paper  with cream colored chalk paint. Then I printed out my new quote onto tissue paper and using gel medium, gently glued it down to the fluted paper!

Some vintage ribbon, a little blue paint,  a couple buttons and twine finished this project off!  I love it.

The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #31!!

Hello!!  Happy December!!  So glad December is here ... oh, it is the prettiest month to me!! I am always so inspired by the images that we see around Christmas ...  trees, snow, little cabins in the woods, Santas, Stockings hung by the fireplace. They all just all give me goosebumps!! And another event that gives me goosebumps, is The Monthly Mixed Media Challenge!!! So much fun and a great way to try each month to be inspired to create!! Come play with us!!

Our Awesome sponsor this month is Eileen Hull!!  I love her tagline, three dimensional art ... with heart!! Seriously, love that!! And she has an awesome looking new book out, Die Cutting Magic!! The book has more than 100 projects to create with her die cuts!! Amazing!! Plus she has provided our challenge with our prize this month, one lucky, random winner will be chosen to win her Loaf Pan Die, which in my opinion is AWESOME!! 

And here is my project!! I honestly, have never have created real 3-D art before. So to be honest, I was a little daunted at the task, but sometimes stretching ourselves can produce the most fun results!!

I made a little Christmas tree scene, that now resides on my favorite Christmas shelf in my kitchen!!  

I started out with Eileen Hull's loaf pan die cut.  It was super easy to glue together, and was very thick and able to stand up to inks, glues, and my not so very gentle hands!! I started off with a wood grain roller stamp and ink to give the loaf pan the look of a piece of wood.  Then I wrapped some American Crafts ribbon along the bottom.  

Then I filled the loaf pan with crumpled paper.  I really had to work at this step and I know that seems silly, but I wanted to have the right height and amount of 'snowy' ground in the pan.  

Once I had the right amount of snow, I added in the trees and a little Christmas color banner between them!  I also used part of another Eileen Hull Die Cut, for her box and made it into my Merry Christmas sign.  I used a Tim Holtz rub-on for the wording!! (wish I could write like that though!)

Of  course, as usual I forget to take pictures of the last few steps but I coated the tissue paper with white crackle paste.  I was looking for snow texture and had tried a couple of different things, but the crackle glaze was by far my favorite!! A star for the tree, a rub-on with a special wish and an awesome button from the Funkie Junkie and I was done!! LOVED playing with 3-D!!

So please, come and play with us on our Merry and Bright Challenge!!