Silver Joy Tree

Have you seen something that you just knew you had to make something out of it. Well I saw the base of this tree at Hobby Lobby and knew I could make something out of it. But what? I didn't buy it--but it worked on me--all day every day until I went back and bought it.

I purchased 2 8 ft garlands at the dollar store. Took them home and stripped all the leaves off. Then I painted them silver on one side. Next I stamped a fern leaf in black on each leaf. After they dried I added purple paint on the ferns. I found the purple looking beading on sale at Joann's. I stripped the plants down and cut the foam beads up in small pieces.

Starting at the bottom using E6000 glue I added two rows of the silver leaves and two rows of the purple bead sections. Working my way to the top. Then I added silver ribbon and lavendar birds.

Hoping you enjoy my Christmas creation. The complete instructions are posted on the Rubber Road

Nancy

Double Embossing

This beautiful stamp comes from Stamps Happen,Inc. Let Not our Hearts Be Busy # 80297. The image was stamped on Ivory Swirls and Twirls by Paper Piazza. I stamped it with black StazOn ink and covered with clear embossing powder from Ranger and heat set.

Next I colored in the image with my Le Plume markers and allowed it to dry. Then I went back over what I had colored for the background with Metallic EZ Gel pens by Geddes. These gel pens remain wet for quite sometime, so I covered the ink with another layer of clear embossing powder and heat set.

I used my Christmas present (A Cuttlebug) to emboss the cranberry cardstock. Then added the stamped paper with Zig glue. To highlight the berries I added red diamond like little dots that are from Darice. Next add a beautiful red bow and you are finished.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Enjoy!

It's the Best Time of the Year

My new stamp set from Fire Cracker Designs. Don't you just love this elf. I stamped him with my black StazOn and then colored him in with pink, purple and green. Then I made a mask to cover the elf up so that I could sponge the front of the card with a seafoam green. Then stamped the jack-in-the-box colored it and cut it out. Used pop dots to add it to the card. Stamp the saying and added it to some purple striped cardstock and glued to the card. Tied on a seafoam ribbon. I, then used my Glaze pen to highlight the spots on his pants, the gold ball on his hat and the brim.

He makes me smile just to look at him. Enjoy!

Is It Hot in Here?

My new stamp from Stamps Happen Inc. What a hoot!! This stamp is just awesome! My best friend and I (32 years)went to Chicago for the weekend shopping and eating. And yes we kept saying Is It Hot in Here.

Stamps Happen has a great selection of stamps to choose from including the Dolly Mama's stamps which this is one.

Enjoy!

Blog Hop 12-01-09

Hi there and welcome to the second Clear Artistic Stamps Blog Hop! I hope you are enjoying your little tour of ornaments that the design team has prepared for you!

I created this ornaments using the stamp set A Crimson Christmas. I cut strips of tissue paper and added them to a glass ornament with decoupage. Pasting each one until the entire ornament was covered. Set aside to dry.

Stamp the poinsettia on pink copy paper and color with Gelly Roll metallic pens. Then glue to ornament and add pink beads in the center of each poinsettia. Tie a large bow of pink ribbon and glue to the bottom of the ornament.




Leave a comment on this and/or any other designer blog in this hop and you get entered for a chance of winning a grande prize of 9 stamp sets and 10 shimmerz paints:






One entry per blog, but for each comment your name will go into the drawing :) The winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 9th at the Cottage Studio .
Now hop on over to Lisa's Blog to see what she has prepared for you.

Enjoy!!

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month


As a 10 month Breast Cancer survivor I want to remind each of you to have regular check ups and mammograms. And don't forget your monthly breast self exam.

The pink rose is a digital download from Clear Artistic Stamps. I used chalks to color the digital download. The background was created using a stamp from CAS called Whispers in the Woods. This is an excellent all around use able acrylic set that should be a must have.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Belinda at CAS will be including 5 sheets of "delicate blush" shimmer paper with each order this month for free. Stop by Clear Artistic Stamps and download this beautiful rose and see what all they have to offer.

Get your "Pinks" wherever you can and don't forget those checkups.

Joy of the Holidays

Have you started on your Christmas cards? I have one and am pleased to share it with you. The stamp is from Stamps Happen at Janlynn Corporation. I loved the design of the stocking. I colored it with an 18 kt Gold marker and silver marker and an off white Tombow marker. Enjoy!

What's Brewing?

The stamps I used are from Stubby Stampers> What is she brewing in that cauldron? Ahhh! Maybe Green Tea. Happy Candyween to you all!

Rubberbands and Your Brayer

Have you ever tried wrapping rubberbands around your brayer and then rolling it in ink? Well I hadn't so I decided to try something new to me. I used size 16 rubberbands from Alliance. We keep these on hand all the time for whatever. My first sample I wrapped 4 rubberbands around my rubber brayer. Then rolled the brayer in Autumn Terracotta ink from CTMH making sure that I didn't get ink on the edges of the brayer.



I first did long strokes to cover the glossy cardstock with ink then went back and only put ink half way up the cardstock. The stamp set I used is Autumn Memories from Clear Artistic Stamps. The stamp and the background remind me of the book Wind in the Willows.



For my next project I wrapped the same size rubberbands around the brayer and applied Desert Sand ink from CTMH. This time I made sure that the edges of the brayer were heavily coated with ink to create a different background on the glossy cardstock.



In viewing this background I saw some roads crossing and leaves being blown in different directions. So I have the perfect stamp set from Clear Artistic Stamps Whispers in the Woods.

In the fall nature provides us some of the most beautiful colors ever. I created a road lined with beautifully colored trees. I stamped some of the tree tops on plain cardstock and some on patterned cardstock and then cut them out. All of the tree trunks were stamped on desert sand cardstock and cut out.



Try this interesting technique and see what you come up with. Remember each artist has their own interpretation of what they see. Maybe you didn't see a couple of roads and leaves blowing in all directions. What did you see? Leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

It works as a Gift or a Decoration

I love candles and candles love me! Vanilla ones that is! I love to decorate them and group them together with the same designs in a large white china serving dish I bought at Dollar General for $3.00. Then I head for the Dollar Store or the Dollar Tree. Getting my drift here? This can be very reasonable and very appealing to the eye. These also make great gifts for the holidays, a new neighbor or even a new home gift.

The stamps I used are from a set called Autumn Memories from Clear Artistic Stamps.

Stamp a piece of tissue paper and then cut to fit the small candle that you see. Add it to the candle by heating with an embossing gun. Make sure that you do this in short bursts because you will burn a hole in the candle. The tissue paper will not burn because it is saturated with the wax.

For the larger candles cut three pieces of paper/cardstock to fit around your candle adding an extra 1/2" for gluing. Each piece of cardstock should be 1/2" smaller in width than the one before it. You can add all kinds of ribbons or charms for added decoration.

Give it a try and get ready for the Holidays.

Enjoy!

Nancy

Reinkers Are so Much Fun!

I love this stamp set from Clear Artistic Stamps. The stamp set is called Whispers in the Woods.

Mix alcohol and reinkers in small containers and spray over things you have gathered from your yard or the forest. These will dry fast and you can use them as quick backgrounds for any project. Standard cardstock or glossy cardstock work great. Here I have used glossy cardstock.

Enjoy!

Pearl and Decoupage

I absolutely love this stamp! The possibilities are endless and so are the color combinations. You will see this lovely Geisha all over my blog. For the background I added decoupage with a foam paint brush. Next, before the decoupage dried I added Pearl Ex in shades of black, pink, yellow and orange with a large paint brush. Then coat the entire project with clear embossing powder and heat set. Add colored paper which is overlaid with the stamped and colored image of the Geisha.

Wood Grain Technique

Have you ever tried the wood grain technique? This is my first try. I used a brayer to add a light blue and then I went back over the light blue and added the dark blue. The slats were created every 1/2", then I added the board lines and the old nails. The stamp set I used is from Clear Artistic Stamps called "Whispers of Dreams".This is a fun tech and you should try it.

Clear Artistic Stamps--First Blog Hop

Welcome to Clear Artistic Stamps first blog Hop!
This week we are introducing our new Holiday Design Team and the release of 10 new stamp sets. Yes, 10 new stamp sets. Don't miss them-they are delicious! Our blog hop is a short 10 station affair and there will be prizes awarded if you leave a comment at each hop that you visit.

I am the 3D/Mixed Media Designer and I am introducing the new stamp called "Water Rose". See what I have Created with this beautiful set. It is a Treasure Box for any and all those things you want to save just for you.
The butterflies on top are searching for the yummy treats in the yellow roses. The butterflies are layered with pop dots so that they appear to be landing on the top of the box.

Here is the list of our Blog Hop stations:

Belinda
Heather
Nancy- You are here!
Wendi
Samantha
Lisa
Jean
Etha
Jeanne
Cottage

Start at the beginning or go for your hop from right here. Be sure to leave a comment on each blog so that your name can be entered into the drawing. First prize is the Limited Edition set "Thoughts of an Egret" and there will be other prizes as well.

Another Mini Altar

This Mini Altar was made for Tea. Just the thought of a tea house makes my mouth water. Oh the Teas, the food and the company. What more can you ask for? I love the tea cups and the tea pots. Just the atmosphere-now that is relaxation.

See how I made these Mini Altars with tutorials on Rubber Road Adventure. Just click on the RRA logo here on my blog. Make a cup of tea and enjoy the artwork.

Mini Altars

This is a new fad for you to try. Mini Altars can be made to honor anything. I chose to remember a time that I was at the ocean-which I absolutely Love- and expanded on the lighthouses I have seen in the past. I stamped the lighthouse colored with markers and cut out in an oval. Glued to the brayered mini altar after adding a piece of textured vellum. See that small sailboat? It's a button and I am sailing it back to my lighthouse. Hence the handwritten "I Return to Thee". The shell is from Florida one of my favorite places to be and my birthplace. Smell that ocean-Ahhhh!

Sing Praise to the Lord!!

I want to fill everyone in on my last surgery for my cancer. Two weeks ago I had my last surgery relating to my double mastectomy in July of 2008. I had some large masses of extra flesh under my arms and towards my back. The doctor said he hadn't seen anything like this. They were removed and biopsied. I did not chose reconstruction. The biopsies are back and there is no cancer in the removed masses of flesh. The incisions are about six inches long on each side--and painful but healing well. I do not have to see the surgeon for another 6 months. Isn't God Good!! All the Time?

God is good all the time--All the time God is good.

Have a Blessed Day.

My Girl

My Girl is a stamp from CTMH. Ain't she sweet? Use a make-up sponge to add those triangle highlights to the right side. Stamp and cut out My Girl. Don't cut to close to her, leave an edge all the way around so she stands out and glue her on. Add a rectangle of Anna Griffins paper to the left side. Rip and Tear that last piece of pink striped paper from CTMH and glue it in the middle. Don't forget to add the bling!

Bottle Art

Anyone interested in Bottle Art? There are a lot of things you can do with an old bottle picked up at a junk shop. I was in Edwardsburg MI visiting my sister and we went down to Bob's Antique Shop and found a slew of these old bottles. I used Cloisonne High Gloss Granules that I picked up at the Stamp convention here in town last year. The complete directions are on the Rubber Road Adventures and you can print them off there. I will do a quick run thru here for you.

I used Versa Mark as the base on the bottle to hold the granules in place until I could use my embossing gun to heat them and turn them into liquid. Some of the Granules I left a little lumpy to create texture for the bottle. The colors began to mix into each other as they were heated to create additional texture and focal points.

All of the material decorations were from things I had laying around my studio. An old piece of Christmas decoration, a tassel from an old bookmark, and a cork with old beads and ribbon tied on top.

You should really give this a try. But be careful you might just become addicted.

Enjoy!

Vacation Thank Yous

We had a great vacation to Nebraska. My hubby's 54th Anniversary of Graduating from Fullerton High School. I made these two cards to Thank friends for such a great time there. Used my technique on the right side pieces of paper called "Reinker Splash".
On the right side of each card I used a coordinating color to the main focal point. The dominant colors are pink on card 1 and orange on card 2. The reinker splash on card 1 picks up pink in the image by adding drops of red and blue reinkers. Card 2 used orange and blue for the reinker splash. The orange for the stamped image and the blue for the Mulberry paper under each stamped image

I couldn't for the life of me figure out if this image is looking forward with her head turned -or- is she looking over her shoulder and we see her back. Hmmm!

Birdy ATC

Using my new stamp set from Hampton Art, I created this ATC for a swap. What an awesome stamp set-it comes in it's own tin, red rubber mounted to use with Acrylic Blocks. RS4394 Wings. If you like Birdy things-believe me you need this.

The saying on the ATC : The art of flying is to throw yourself at the ground and miss. I hope it works! Enjoy.

My Domino Dancer

I can't wait any longer! She will preview next week on the new addition of Rubber Road Adventures. This is an on line Ezine. The directions will preview with Mi Anca the Domino Dancer. If you haven't used dominoes in any of your projects-now is the time to start. Don't you just love her hair? Kinda' how I look in the AM.

You're the Cream in My Coffee

I had so much fun making this card. Once you read what I did to make it you will say "Huh?". Come on now-it was a lot of fun and pushed outside the box. First of all I took old coffee and poured it into a cookie sheet. Then using 67# white card stock, I crumpled it to appear old, then soaked it in the coffee. Once it was fully colored I carefully removed the card stock and laid it out to dry. I added fresh coffee grounds in various patterns and allowed it to soak into the paper. Once totally dry brush off the coffee grounds and cut to size. Add some brown ink to the edges and glue to your card. Using a leftover piece of the coffee paper I painted it with Acrylics to resemble cream swirling in a coffee cup. I used a brown and white paint for the cream. Once dried I added a strip to the front of the card. Underneath the Irish Coffee square I drew a cup of-you guessed it- Irish Coffee. See photos.
If you are thinking about making this maybe you could make yourself a cup of Irish Coffee and who knows what you will turn out with. Emmmmmmmmmmmmm it smells like coffee, too.

Oriental ATC

Time for another ATC! She ,the stamp, comes from Sparkle & Sprinkle. I first stamped her in black and then added clear embossing powder over the black and heat set. Coloring her was really inspiring for me. I used US Art Quest Watercolor Palettes Stargazers and Jewels. These paints are fab-o. If you like water coloring these are a must have. They are Pigmented Mica and Pearlescent & Metallic Colors. I started with a base of Burgundy card stock and added a portion of Faux Oriental money. I purchased this at an oriental grocery. Once the glue was set I spritzed with Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist and allowed to dry. Under the pretty lady is a piece of torn paper from an oriental newspaper. Which I also picked up at the oriental market. Then glued all together and added an oriental coin.

What fun this was. Can't wait to be involved in another ATC Oriental exchange.

Nancy

Dinner Thank You

I like this card so much I said Awwww when it was finished. Nothing like bragging on myself. The flowered paper is from Hot Off the Press paper company. The basket stamp is new to me, it is from Stampin Up 2003. I used a piece of fiber paper to line the stamped basket and another piece of paper from Hot Off the Press to line that one. The little frame I bought at a garage sale the local stamp store had.

What a great deal the stamp store garage sale was. I took in some stamps that I don't use very often (hardly ever) and put reasonable prices on them. Well they sold and I have $70.00 in store credit to feed my habit. Isn't that Awesome? Thank You Stamping Day and Night.

The little Thanks if from an old Stampin Up promo set. The pink ribbon is from Close to My Heart.

Enjoy!

Teapot Get Well

Have a sick friend and need to send a card? Create this simple but elegant Teapot and Tea Bag card. I love Raspberry Tea, you should try it sometime. It is from the Bigelow Tea Company. Yum! Even if they don't like tea what an elegant way of saying-I am thinking of you. They will feel better just because they received your card and get well thoughts.

Southwest Adventure

I made this card for the Technique Junkie 1 on 1 for March. The technique is called Faux Felt. You can view the Technique by subscribing to the Technique Junkie magazine. Basically you crimp the "dickens" out of your cardstock and then seperate it into individual sheets. Hoping you like my Southwest Adventure. Enjoy!

Jewel of the Orient

Isn't she sweet? I painted her with my Tombow markers and then used a waterbrush to soften her dress and the flowers. Using the waterbrush helps to make the material to appear as soft as silk. A tea bag charm has been added for just a little spice and a large see through gold ribbon for the background of her image. Enjoy!

Pastoral Eagle

I made this card for one of our Pastors. Not sure what to send to a pastor? I thought long and hard about this myself. I thought, I am sure they are all religious. Should it be funny? No not this one. I wanted to let him know about the beautiful sermon her gave on Communion. It compared the taking of communion to a bride in biblical times drinking a cup of commitment wine with the groom to be. How marvelous--Have you ever thought of it that way? Well I never had! But from now on I will. The sermon was so impressive my hubby and I both had tears in our eyes. Sooo-my card was religious in nature. We sang a song about eagles lifting us up and it seemed so appropriate for his card. I wanted this one to be really different so I used an onion bag and sponged the background for the eagle. The eagle stamp is from Gray Wolf Designs out of Michigan. I love his stamps.

Thank you Pastor Jon Swanson for such a beautiful interruption of communion.

Nancy

ATCs

Have you ever created and ATC? Don't know what they are? They are Artistic Trading Cards. Yes, this is my newest endeavor. They are fun, can be just as challenging as a card. Card sizes are 4.25" x 5.50"--ATCs are 2.50" x 3.50". Smaller yes but just as involved and can be more challenging. Each ATC has a theme and the theme for this group trade was Women. My first interpretation for an ATC is for your viewing. Let me know what you think of this "little" woman.

One More Balck & White

I just love black & white. Crisp clean and eye popping. This is the last in my Monday Mailer series. The stamps are from CTMH and are no longer available. Sooo sorry--I really like these Fairy sets.

Feathered Friends

Another Monday Mailer in Monochromatic (Black & White). A tribute to our feathered friends in Retiform. This consists of marking off the cards in assorted sizes and masking off the surrounding areas so that only one square/triangle at a time is stamped on.

Shades of Blackness

Do you know how many shades of black there are? And shades of white. I made this card for a Monday Mailer swap and it is supposed to be only Black & White. Love this Oriental rabbit.

Watercoloring Markers

This is a new technique for me. Color in your block stamp and spritz with a fine mist. This allows the colors to combine and create other colors as well. This tech could be called the rainbow tech because it allows the colors to shift into the next dimension of the shade of color you started out with.

Happy New Year

I want to wish everyone a happy New Year. I am praying that 2009 will be a beneficial and healthy year to all.

Updating you on my health here. I have finished all my treatments! Yeah for Me! Oh Yeah! The chemo and the radiation are all gone away. I have been going to treatment everday for 33 days, 5 days a week for radiation at 11:20. So at 11:20 AM this week just do the happy dance for me. I still am burned from the treatments and they are painful but knowing that now all they have to do is heal is a real blessing to me.
I will be on a drug called Tamoxifen for 5+ years to reduce the hormone that causes breast cancer in my body.

Now the "real" healing can begin. The thoughts of what the next round of treatments will do to my body will vanish. My strength will be returning--one day at a time--no more being so tired that I can't even think of how to function. I am to start exercising 10 minutes a day- 5 minutes at a time. How exciting- I hate exercising- I mean if I were walking through Savannagh GA's Forsythe Park now that would be exercise and enjoyment at the same time. It would be like a small portion of heaven and improving my health together. Right?

I am also looking forward to all the new projects I have signed up to make. ATC's, Monday Mailers and my projects for Rubber Road Adventures (Domino Dancer) and my next project for Create A Card Club. And of course TJ 1-on-1. Also, the challenges for My Paper Moon.Working in my studio is one of my favorite things to do. Today I have a renewed sense of strength and am ready to delve into some unknown creation.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and concerns. I could not have made it through this trying time in my life without my God, my husband,my family and my friends.

Thank You & Thank You, again.

Have a Blessed New Year

Nancy