I think it's time for a blog overhaul..

I realize I don't post very often to my blog. The times where I do post, It's usually just a quick catch up post of pictures. So I'm thinking if I redecorate the blog and reorganize it then maybe I'll be more inspired to spend time here.  We'll see..

Playing Catch up.(.Again)

 Altered Coaster for "Off the Page" group on http://StampinDymonzScrapShack.info 

Challenge for the week was to use Polymer clay

July 2011 Tag Swap

StampinDymonzScrapShack.info

Theme: Domestic Goddess

Challenge: Use a witty sentiment

Image via Google

 July 2011 ATC Swap Club

StampinDymonzScrapShack.info

Theme: Fashion

I used Stencil Collection Pastels to draw everything except the Head it's a stamp

Then embellished her with pen doodling and textured paper

July 2011 ATC Technique Swap

Rubberstampchat.net

Technique: Acrylic & Alcohol

(learned from 48chic48 on youtube)

 Threw this in here...Made these during a Wilton Demo at Michaels..

 Altered Bottlecap Swap July 2011

Rubberstampchat.net

Theme: Artist Choice

I used a $1 stamp & shrink plastic, pre colored caps from Michael's, an Inkadinkado Inchie swirl stamp

Here's the finished cap, I added glossy accents and microbeads

 Made these butterflies following 2 tutorials found on the web

I'm so addicted to making these little fabric embellishments,

August 2011 Fabric Embellishments Swap

Scrapbook.com

Theme: Artist Choice

Altered CD Pictorial

Step 1: Sand the surface to remove the label and prepare for painting. (forgot to take pictures early so I had to snap it during the next phase but you get the idea, right..)

Step 2: Punch holes through the label side (to prevent cracks) with a Crop-A-Dile or Big Bite. You can put tape around the edge and punch through and it will prevent cracks as well but then you gum up your punch.

Step 3: Paint with your favorite acrylic paint. I chose Making Memories Celery. Then After its dry I did a simple blanket stitch around the edge to prepare it for crocheting a border.

Step 4: This was a simple scallop border pattern I learned from www.youtube.com/conicuts super easy and quick.

Step 5: I put a chipboard sticker from K & Co. Flora Fauna collection over vellum so you could still see the bones of the CD. I like the idea of knowing it's humble beginnings.

Step 6: Added Stickles & Studio G glitter glue to embellish the diecut.

Look at the dimension. So cool.

I decided it needed just 1 more thing and added some clear plastic drops to the butter fly body and pink flower center.

Monday Make up post..

Been a really long time since I've posted anything. So here is what I've been up to lately..

Foam Core Board: Magnetic Organizer

Dollar Tree Flower Arrangement

ATC swap (AC Moore):Theme Wedding Challenge use a rub-on

Bride cut from Forever Young cartridge, Flowers from Fiskars Stamp set.

Technique ATC swap on Rubberstampchat.net

Background is Shaving Cream with Acrylic faces over stamped in Stazon. Doodled hats.

 Tag: Asian Paper piecing for swap on Stamping Dymonz Village (scrapshack.ning.com)

Scrapbook.com Technique Embellish galore card swap
This one is from the General Male card group.

 Postcard Swap on AC Moore Forum
Theme: Red White Blue
Details: Painted chipboard in white then tore paper from DCWV posies stack. Star Heat embossed in white  with red stripes. Added punched stars with silver stickles. Title is sharpie.

 Technique card swap on AC Moore...4x6 perfect for slipping in a $1 photo album
This is a salted background. I used Ranger Rainbow ('em...) dye reinker in Terra Cotta then stamped with stazon.

 Father's day card 2011

ATC Swap on AC Moore: Theme: Animals/Pets Challenge: Incorporate Newspaper

Dollar Tree 6x8 Binder decorated for holding those free shelf hanger patterns and ideas.

Simple Necklace with glass beads

Wired Ring

Wire Wrapped Earrings

Scrapbook.com Technique Embellish Galore Card Swap, Celebration Group

Wire Writer, Birthday Cakes cart for packages

Fabric Embellishments for Scrapbook.com swap Round 1

I will try to do better in the next half of the year. I need to remember to post more on this blog.

Thursday Thought..

I have always know but today for some reason I have been thinking about how the world is a really really small place and that if you squint really hard you can see all the dots that connect us together.

30 Days of Creativity..Day 1, 2 & 3

Finally I get to start working on my 30 Day of Creativity from this post.  I planned to get started on May 1st and blog it all for the whole month but looks like I will have to play catch up a bit on this post.

Day 1: When you were a child, how did you express your creativity?

When I was a wee little one I love all things creative. My art teacher was a really funky, laid back and patient lady. I wish I remembered her name. She kept us busy with Tye-dye, string art, painting, drawing, paper mache..I was in pure heaven in her class. I'm sure it drove my family nutty to have to find places to display my masterpieces. Most of my pieces were marker drawn.  Which inspired my ATC above. I created this for a monthly swap on the AC Moore forum. The theme was Spring and the challenge was to include markers.

 Day 2: What colors are meaningful to you and why?

I love earthtones..This picture from photobucket really shows off the color pallette. Something about these colors really says "home" to me. They are comforting and energetic all at the same time. My fave is the red but currently I'm obsessed with avacado green. Growing up I loved all things blue, it felt rebellious to me. I was a girl and only wanted to wear blue.

Day3: What words or phrases do you find inspiring and why?

Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.~ Winston Churchill
    Enough said. Just enjoy the journey and you have it figured out.

All great achievements require time. ~Maya Angelou
  How can this not ring true..Always have to remind myself to be patient I'm still learning. Baby Steps.

Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish.  ~Albert Einstein
 Can't forget this one. I'm am not less or more than the world around me. We all do the best we can with the skills we have.


Now that I am all caught up with the first few days. I can't wait to get some projects started for the next 27 days.

April was the month of the Cave Dweller.

I must have been insane at some point in March or infected with the "Swap Bug".  If you haven't taken part in a swap before than you really won't understand the incredible pressure-contentment-excitement-satisfaction cycle that ensues. It's highly addictive!

I frequent a few talented and friendly sites. And, On occasion I will sign up for creatively challenging swaps. Swaps ranging from make 1 item and recieve 1 in return to swaps of mass production up to 12 items. Projects ranging from paper crafts to beading, inchies (1" works of art) to full 12x12 layouts.  Here are my most recent Cave Arts..

Easter Theme Inchies for Rubber Stamp Chat

 Mother's Day ATC for Stampin Dymonz ScrapShack

 Mardi Gras Tag for Stampin Dymonz ScrapShack

 Sewing/Quilting ATC for AC Moore Forum

 Birthday Card Club for AC Moore Forum

 March: Something Blue Postcard swap for AC Moore forum

 April 1:1 Card Swap-Mother's Day Box Card AC Moore forum

 April Tag Swap: 95% black + 5% color for 'ScrapShack'

 "Love Configured" insprired by TH Configurations boxes