Believe in Magic

Happy Monday everyone....just wanted to share an art journal page I created over the weekend based on the theme of "letting go" while learning to let go my hatred of my handwriting by journalling all over the background of the page.  It was so fun to get messy...I have only dabbled in art journalling and it has been a few months since I've done anything with it, but I LOVE using bright colors and adding texture and playing.  SO FUN. I encourage everyone to do it! There's a little less pressure (for me) when it's not a canvas and not everything has to be "just right." It's just experimenting to see what you get when you combine colors, mediums, etc. I made this based on two Facebook groups that I belong to.  Limor Webber's Mixed Media group and Mixed Media Mondays with Tracy Weinzapfel.  Check them both out if you haven't already, the are both filled with great people and beautiful inspiration.  Thanks for stopping by.  Please follow with Google and Bloglovin ~
Sarah

Live In Color

Hello friends...today I would like to share a canvas I created based on a challenge from 13 Arts about symmetry. They sell fabulous products for mixed media and art journaling.  Here is their moodboard for this month:

I was immediately inspired colors of the peacock and butterfly.  I wanted to create something symmetrical based on the theme itself but as I was creating this, I remembered a magazine article I read that said a woman's beauty is based scientifically on how symmetrical her features were.  There was much evidence to support this but the whole time reading I was shaking my head.  Symmetry is beauty but not the only beauty.  So I veered off the symmetrical path so to speak and wanted then to create something that was not completely symmetrical.  To rebel against the notion that symmetry= beauty.  I had so much fun making this, I think I am the happiest when creating with mixed media, color and texture.  I used paint, spray ink, gesso, stencils, chipboard, metal and of course modeling paste. I am also entering this in the One Little Word challenge because I love my Ronda Palazzari stencils! Hopefully my post makes sense to some of you...thanks for reading!

 

Close up of the texture

Sarah
Also entering in SWAT for masking 
Boy Meets Girl for texture

Halloween Fun!

Ok I am finally getting into the Halloween spirit (it's hard when it's 90 outside every day!) I have made a few ATC's, a tag, a canvas and a layout. In addition we have finally decorated and the girls and I have been baking some spooky Halloween goodies.  I don't think we are going to have a party this year, but may be going to see Selena Gomez instead ;) Here are the fun, silly, things I have created...see a trend with the vintage little witchies? They are my fav for sure. Have a great day!

These are two ATC's I made for a fun swap over at Scraps of Darkness kit club.  The girls over there are so fun and supportive of each other, not to mention extremely talented!~

Next here is a tag I made, also for a swap with Monica at Scraps of Darkness...great kit club I have been a member of for about 6 months.  They send cool papers & embellies to your door every month and make creating a breeze! This is like the third tag I have made so I have a long way to go....

I am going to submit this for the challenge at Frilly and Funkie where you have to create something Halloweenish without using orange and also for the Inspired By blog challenge.

Next is a canvas I made, trying to experiment with distress paint, collage and crackle medium. It didn't come out as I planned but think it is fun anyway, it's all part of the process... Making a mess and having fun and if you learn something...great!

Entering this into the Dreamweaver blog challenge and over at the Papercraft Star challenge. Both challenges are for a Halloween themed project. Last I am sharing a quick little layout I made of my girls from last year, dressing up as a zombie cheerleader and a zombie prom queen.  They are standing with their friend who was a regular ole princess.

Thanks for taking a look!
Sarah

Down The Rabbit Hole

Good morning to everyone! I recently purchased the "Mad Tea Party" papers (by Marion Smith) from the Flying Unicorn and while looking them over I was immediately inspired to make this altered box.  I bought this box at a yard sale about a year ago and it originally had a volleyball on the top and was a light wooden color.  So I finally gessoed it then covered it in black crackle paint.  It has been sitting around my craft room for about 4 months and I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it.  So, I get these gorgeous papers and I get this little idea....
This is the outside of the box.

This is my Alice in Wonderland story before she falls down the rabbit hole. I have added a cut out from the paper with a lace frame, some flowers and a clock key that is also used to open the box.  This is the top:

Next is the front where I fussy cut the roses and the bottle that says "drink me" and also the cute little sign.  The keyhole is metal and reminds me of when she shrinks down and goes through the keyhole.

 

Here are some pics of the sides of the box:

 

This is a quote from the book and the hare obviously represents the rabbit. Next is the back:

 

Now the inside of the box is supposed to represent Alice's experience in wonderland, both crazy and magical. I was especially trying to represent the Mad Hatter's world.

 

Some close ups:

 

These are little wooden spools where I added a "birdbath" on one, a compass and a little table and teapot. 

I actually made the outside of the box with one sheet of paper (cut very carefully) and the a few cut outs and the inside of the paper was one sheet as well. So I have many more creations to be made with my remaining papers. I just LOVE them! I also just heard that Marion Smith is coming out with "junque and gems" I believe they are called and I just cannot wait to get my hands on them! Thanks for checking out my latest creation, it was so fun to make, my own little whimsical word in a box! Here it is again...Thank you for looking!!!

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:

Eclectic Paperie for altering a box

Flying Unicorn for fussy cutting

SWAT for fussy cutting

Happy Fall!

Hi everybody, happy fall! Is it fall yet?  In Tampa it is still 90 every day so I tend to lose track of the seasons...one thing I really miss about living in MA is the beautiful trees when they are changing.  And the apple picking.  And wearing jeans and sweaters. And real actual pumpkin patches. And the chill in the air....where was I? Yes it is a beautiful time of year for many parts of the country. I was inspired by autumn colors to make this little canvas of my adorable nephew.  I have been wanting to use this pic on something for a while and I'm seeing these jewel tone colors popping up everywhere so it came together pretty easy.  Thanks for taking the time to read and look! xox Sarah

Here are a few close-ups:

Look at that face! I just love him to pieces!
I am linking up with the following challenges: (Because why the hell not?)


Frosted Designs
Boy Meets Girl
Twisted Tuesday Challenges
San Dee & Amelie's Steampunk Challenge (metal, numbers and clock for tic tac toe challenge)
Frilly and Funkie