Do You Like Giveaways???

Hello Crafty People!!!

If you like a FABulous giveaway then you're in luck because Moments of Tranquility is offering not ONE but TWO giveaways in March. You still have time to enter so click HERE for details.

Good luck. :)

and

Now hurry before it ends!!!

Have a fabulous weekend and I'll be back next week with some exciting news, my second altered SMASH book and some vintage projects. 

See ya then!

Hugs,

Lisa 

Art From the Heart, Part I

Altered SMASH Book

Hello and Welcome!

I'm back today to share an altered book I made to record my son's K-12 learning years. A few years ago, I purchased several SMASH books and never had the time to doing anything with them except alter the cover of one book. These days I have more time to devote to projects which I like to call art from the heart because they are created for someone that's special to me. I'm in the process of making one for each of my children and for the purpose of getting at least one entered into the second challenge I'm entering my son's today. Here's a photo of both books before the altering process began.

{his is on the left and it's the mod style book}

My altered book was motivated by the following challenges-

eclectic Paperie's ePlay Challenge-Alter a Book!

A Vintage Journey Challenge #2-Say It With Words!

For the second challenge {hosted by the talented Alison Bomber} I spelled my title out with Tim's letters. A Vintage Journey challenge is heavily influenced by all things Tim Holtz so I've used several  of his products and I'll list them at the end of this post. For now here are a few close ups of the front cover and the inside jackets-front and back.

 

Tim's Picture Wheel die reminds me of a viewmaster and since my

son loved those as a child I used it on his book. :)

{the letters were fussy cut from one of his paper pads and 

glued to the back}

{see the large cog in the center}

I used the glittered glass tutorial  to create this look. 

It was die cut from Tim's grunge paper which you can find here.

My son was big into magic and cards as a 

child so had to include some on my cover. 

I used Tim's alpha tiles to finish my title and I fussy cut some rulers

from one of his paper pads and tucked under the alpha cards.

The hand stamp is from the S.A. Steampunk

set and I love the little Idea-o-logy wishbone. :)

On the inside front left cover I added this striped 

paper and an Idea-o-logy kraft glassine pocket to 

hold tickets, etc.

The tag-on the tag- is a cut out from G45 and I tied it 

off with Tim's jute string. I used Studio g alpha's to spell

out Brian's Stuff.

This is the page to the right of the inside front cover.

I added a library pocket and card which was 

distressed with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

The quote is from My Favorite Things and

I added alpha washi tape at the bottom.

{click to enlarge picture}

This is the inside back cover and I cut out bug

specimen photos from one of Tim's paper pads.

Every boy loves bugs, right. :)

The bee was die cut from grunge paper and again

I used the glittered glass technique {see link above}.

{the front cover again, in case you forgot what it looked like lol}

Graphic 45's ABC Primer 12x12 paper was used to cover the front and inside jackets and several cut-outs from the paper collection were also used. Each page and element was distressed with Black Soot Distress Ink and adhered with X-Pressit double stick tape for a smooth look. 

Here's a list of the products I used by Tim Holtz:

Distress Inks-Black Soot and Antique Linen

Alterations Picture Wheel die

Idea-o-logy Tiny Attacher

Idea-o-logy Wishbones

Idea-o-logy Jute String

Idea-o-logy Metal Mini Gears

Idea-o-logy Grunge Paper

Idea-o-logy Pen Nibs

Idea-o-logy Alpha Cards

Idea-o-logy Alpha Tiles

Idea-o-logy Game Pieces

{bingo numbers}

Idea-o-logy Kraft Glassine Tag Size Pockets

Idea-o-logy Lost and Found Paper Stash

Idea-o-logy Menagerie Paper Stash

Stamper's Anonymous Steampunk CMS107 stamp set

Whew, I think that's it!

I decided to join along in these challenges too!

Craft My Life All Crafts Challenge February/March 

Artistic Inspirations Challenge #84-Anything Goes 

Edited:

I'm a Pinworthy Mention at A Vintage Journey 

 {check out the challenge pinworthy 2014 mentions here}

Thanks Alison!!!

Thanks for looking and hanging in there! 

Have a fantastic day. :)

Hugs,

Lisa

Do Books Inspire You?

Well if they do, then you're all set for our new challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox. 

**Inspired by a Book**

For my project I altered the top of a box that's been in my stash a while. The starting point was a MS Eyelet Lace around the page border punch and from there I added the pre colored image-The Music Practice, gorgeous blooms, a little bling, and some winged things. It makes me want to get all my boxes out and alter them now. :) 

So what book inspired me....well it's actually a play, A Midsummer's Night Dream, by William Shakespeare. In his day plays were not published but over time his literary works have found their way into bound form. The inspiration from the play is the magical forest in which much of it takes place. The flute player in the play is actually a guy who has to pretend to be a girl and you might be asking why, well here's your answer.

Nay, faith, let me not play a woman; I have a beard coming. 
    A Midsummer Night's Dream (1.2), Flute

A carpenter named Quince and his fellow workmen, Snug the joiner, Bottom the weaver, Flute the bellows-mender, Snout the tinker, and Starveling the tailor gather in Quince's house. The group has heard that Theseus is to be wed and they want to produce a play in his honor. Quince, the director, announces that the play will be "The most lamentable comedy, and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisby" (11-2), and he announces who will play which part. Flute's comment above is funny and apt because in Shakespeare's time, and for nearly a century thereafter, women were not allowed on the English stage. Boys whose voices had not changed were dressed in drag and forced to battle the challenging lines spoken by Shakespeare's great heroines. 

Here's a bit more trivia for you since we're talking all things Shakespeare today---did you know he personally invented over 1700 words which we commonly use today. It's true, click this link HERE to go to a page where you'll see the words he invented and where they were first used in his works. 

Pretty cool, huh? Thanks Willie :)

Now for my favorite quote from A Midsummer's Night Dream -

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!"

It totally describes my petite daughter who is often treated like a child due to her small stature, she's quick to set anyone who makes this mistake straight. ;) Believe me, she's fierce!

SPONSOR

The Paper Shelter 

Prize is a $20.00 gift certificate.

A big thank you to TPS for providing the DT with images to create with. 

I'm entering my altered box in the following challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon  Challenge #91 - Welcome Spring and Ribbon or Trim

Challenges 4 Everybody #39-Anything Goes 
Eclectic Ellapu: Pink Team (Wings) Purple Team (Flowers and Butterflies)


Thanks for dropping by today! I hope you're inspired to play along with our Inspired by a Book challenge. Have a great day everyone!

Hugs, 

Lisa 

Memories Last a Lifetime

Can you believe it? This is a two post day and I can't remember the last time that happened. :) I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to play along with a brand new challenge, A Vintage Journey, that is strongly influenced by the creative genius Tim Holtz. You can find out all of the details by clicking the link and you'd better hurry if you want to join in the inaugural challenge as it closes Thursday.

I have used several products from Tim's Idea-o-logy line, stamps, Sizzix Alterations Eiffel Tower embossing folder, and his awesome Distress Inks-Vintage Photo, Black Soot, Barn Door, Wild Honey, Antique Linen. Also, I fussy cut the man with umbrella stamp and popped him up on foam dots.

The photos and March calendar were fussy cut from

Tim's paper line and the key was die cut from his grunge paper. To achieve a metal look I gave it a coat of black gesso, let it dry then inked a stamp with a random pattern with Perfect Medium and stamped over the key. I used Ranger's Perfect Pearls in metallic colors and brushed it over the key. The medium helps to act as a resist and to help the Perfect Pearls adhere. I gave it a light coat of hair spray to seal. It looks like aged metal which is the look I was going for. I stamped Tim's fab journal stamp in Vintage Photo on white paper, distressed it with Antique Linen and tore the edges to give it a worn look.

In case you are wondering what this man is doing in Paris, he's there to visit his parents graves and a visit to the Eiffel Tower is always included. After all, that's where they met and fell in love...

 I'm entering this tag in the following challenges:

A Vintage Journey-Anything Tim Inaugural Challenge

(tons of Tim stuff on this tag)

Through The Craft Room Door-Always Anything Goes

All Crafts Challenge February/March

Aurora Wings Challenge *NEW*- Anything Goes

Craftin' Desert Divas: Craft It Up & Link It Up Linky Party #27

(used ribbon and twine on my tag)

The Shabby Tea Room #210-Anything Goes

 As You Like It Challenge-Favorite Coloring Medium and WHY

(I love to color with Distress Inks because of the depth they add and the color choices are perfect for any project. I couldn't live without Tim's fab inks.)

Thanks for looking and hope you have an awesome day!

Hugs,

Lisa

B is for Butterfly

 

 

 

Hello!

 

 We have a brand new challenge for you at Top Tip Tuesday and it's

 

Metal or Faux Metal

 {visit the TTT blog for ideas on how to create faux metal}

 

I went with a metal butterfly charm on my mixed media tag and altered it slightly with a Faber-Castell Pitt pen to tone the brass down a bit. If you want a totally different look you can alter metal by...

 

Tip-Any metal element can be altered by applying a coat of gesso then a medium of your choice (acrylic paint, Faber-Castell Pitt pens, alcohol markers, Perfect Pearls or Splash of Color Twinkling H2O's to name a few).

 

 

 

I used Tim's Dabber Resist method and stamped the poppy image by Donna Downey on my tag. Broken China, Squeezed Lemonade and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink's were used to color the background using the blending method. Strips of Recollections washi tape were adhered to my tag in random places and shaded with Faber-Castell Pitt pens. 

 

 

For a pop of color I mixed Liquitex Glass Beads with several drops from a Ripe Persimmon Distress Reinker and applied it to my torn piece of corrugated paper. Black micro beads were sprinkled on the top and the strip was dried and glued to my tag. The "B" is an actual Scrabble tile rescued from an old game with missing pieces and the various alpha letters are by Studio g. I used a new (to me) stencil - Mini Art Is - by TCW and applied modeling paste over it. The grid marks were created with punchinella and I used Festive Berries Distress Ink to apply. Ribbon from my stash, a metal butterfly charm and Kaisercraft rub ons add the finishing touches.

 

 

 

SPONSOR

 

Care 2 Stamp

 

Prize is a $15 Voucher Code

 

 

 

That's all for me today, please drop by my teamies to see their creative inspiration.

 

 Have a terrific week!

Hugs,

Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

many thanks

 (art journal page dedicated to Michelle, MIM's awesome leader)

 





***Make It Monday Linky Players***
Please read

  

I'm afraid I have some sad news to share with everyone who regularly joins our weekly linky party at Make It Monday. Michelle has decided, after much consideration, to close Make It Monday. Her plate is very full these days and with three growing boys ages 10, 9 and 8 she finds herself needing a break from the administrative duties of MIM.

 

So.....this is the final linky party. You have one week left to link up, comment on other entries and perhaps be our last Winning Commenter and Featured Entry. Michelle will share the Winning Commenter and Featured Entry next week, as usual, and the DT will be by to visit your blogs this week and leave a comment.

Good Luck!
 

 

Now, for my art journal page I used a digital image-Girl With Flower-by our current sponsor, Lee's Digi Shop at Etsy. If you aren't familiar with these images you must click the link and check them out. So cute! I used Faber-Castell Gelato's for the background (which is pink for Michelle) and added washi tape to create the grassy knoll she's standing on. I did add a few random pieces elsewhere and using a CW stencil I created my tree with birds. The clouds were also on the stencil so I again used modeling paste over the stencil and added some color with acrylic paint. The image was colored with Copic markers and adhered with mod podge. Then I added the cardstock sticker with my sentiment - many thanks - and distressed the edges with black soot distress ink.

 

The sentiment is my way of thanking Michelle for asking me in July of 2012 to join the fabulous design team of MIM. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I'm so grateful for this wonderful opportunity.

Thank you Michelle, for everything, you've been a wonderful leader!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So who are my last Pick's of the Week...

(in numerical order)


#42 Vintage ATC's {Lorraine}

Lorraine created this paper wreath for her daughter's "World Traveller" baby shower.
I love it and what an amazing grandma she'll be. :)
Check out all of the shower embellishments and fun shower food too on her blog.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us at Make It Monday!


and


#151 Lorraine C M

 

 ~Woman with Orchids~

Her card is so elegant! 

I love the image and scroll background

with pearl embellishments. :)
She has a wonderful close up of this stunning image on her blog.

Thanks for sharing your talent with us at Make It Monday!

 

 

 

Well, that's it....my final post for Make It Monday.

To my teamies I just want to say how much each of you mean to me.

This is the best DT ever and I mean that. You're such an incredible group of ladies and it was an honor to craft alongside you. Thanks also for the support and love you've shown me especially during the past year.

{I heart you all}

I'm going to miss visiting the beautiful creations each week in our gallery. I want to personally thank each of you who participated in the weekly linky party for the incredible inspiration you shared along the way. You guys are crazy talented!!!
Michelle did say that if things ever slow down to where she could start MIM again she would but that will definitely be some time down the road............and only a possibility.
Family has to come first, always.
 

It's been a sad few days for us on the DT since we learned of her decision. This was a unique challenge blog and it was loved by many but I've been told that when one door closes another one opens. I'm looking forward with anticipation to see what the crafty world brings my way and for my teamies as well.
Take care everyone and please don't be a stranger....oh, and one last time please visit all of my DT friends to check out their amazing creations. :)

 

Hugs,

Lisa

My favorite season...

 

 

***Autumn or Spring***

 

 

Every spring and autumn we run this challenge at The Squirrel and The Fox and it's time again. It's a popular one and even though we are going into spring here in the US {hopefully} I have to honestly say that autumn is my favorite season. I love the colors and warmth of autumn and I have used them on my art journal page featuring our current sponsors image-Autumn Collage Digital Stamp by Sweet and Sassy Stamps.

 

 

A note from Linda-challenge post may be late due to a terrible storm that left her area without power but it will be up as soon as she can post it. Either way you can start your paper project and link up when it goes live.

 

 

I used Twinkling H2O's on the free butterfly digi and bits of

washi tape that were distressed with Faber-Castell markers.

 

 

 

I love this postcard image and I'm so grateful to Sweet and Sassy Stamps for sharing it with the DT to use. Check out the other digi's my teamies used on their amazing makes. :)

 

 

 

SPONSOR

 

 

Prize is 4 free digi's of winners choice.

 

 

 

 

That's all for me today, thanks for the visit and have fun with the challenge.

 

Hugs,

Lisa

3, 5, or 7

 

 

3, 5 or 7

 

 

That's what we are looking for on your paper projects at Top Tip Tuesday's newest challenge. I am hosting this one and we want to see 3 of something, 5 of something or 7 of something. What that "something" will be is totally up to you. Perhaps it's 3 flowers, 5 buttons or 7 gemstones. If you want more info just check out the challenge blog and the DT creations will help shed some light.

 

 

Our sponsor is Zlatoena's Design and I'm using Bloom 4 U Rabbit. I colored my bunny black in honor of a special bunny that my children had when they were little. They loved rabbits and we had quite a few over the years. This particular little guy {Mr. Bunny} was so sweet and so cuddly. Miss him so much! 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor and Prize

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zlatoena?ref=si_shop

 

 

 

Prize is 2 Digi images of winners choice.

Thanks for providing the DT with images to create with!

 

 

 

 

Okay, now hop on over to Top Tip Tuesday and check out Deneen's amazing tutorial plus the creations my teamies made to inspire you. We also have a guest designer, Lyn, and you'll want to see her adorable card as well.

 

Have a terrific week and we hope you'll join us for our 3, 5, or 7 challenge!

 

Hugs,

Lisa xx

 

 

 

 

 

possiblilty begins with imagination

Time for a new linky party to open at Make It Monday and we have the delightful Time For Tea Designs back as our sponsor. I love the image *Circus Hoop* they supplied me to create with. 

 

To create my project I altered my chipboard base with a coat of gesso, applied a piece of patterned cs and sprayed it with black magic by Tattered Angels and marbled black by Dylusions. Then I tore a sheet of ad paper by Bazzill into random pieces and glued each down with mod podge. A Faber-Castell Pitt Pen was used to shade and Liquitex crystal beads mixed with Adirondack gold acrylic paint adds some texture. Next I sprinkled MS's florentine gold micro beads over to add more dimension and color and to highlight I used various distress inks-black soot, vintage photo and tea dye. The digital image was colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out. Blooms from my stash, Tim Holtz philosophy tag and playing card, G45 metal butterfly and a wood Studio Calico butterfly complete the details. I'll set it on an easel and place it on my desk.

 

 Here are a few photo's...

 

I used a craft stick to apply the crystal beads,

no fancy tools necessary.

 



The blooms were highlighted with Twinkling H2O's. 

 

The metal butterfly was distressed

with Vintage Photo and a Spare Parts

vintage brad was placed in the center.

The wood butterfly received a coat of

acrylic paint and a script roller stamp was

used to add some detail to it.

 

 

 

 

My PICK OF THE WEEK is...

#201 Scrap Ellen

 

 

Her card is gorgeous but there's more to it so visit her blog to see for yourself.

She has lovely eye candy on this card. :)

Thanks for joining us at Make It Monday and for sharing your talent!

 

 

 

SPONSOR

 

Time For Tea Designs

 

 

Prize is winner's choice of 3 digi's.

 

 

 

Thanks for dropping by today, please visit my teamie's and check out their creations. 

We'll be by soon to visit your blogs.

 

Have a great week!

Hugs,

Lisa