Paper Craftin' with Erica

Art Journal - Lesson 3 and Lesson 4

Our third lesson in Art Journaling class by Marit included using Gel Medium and tissue paper.  It was SO fun.  It's my  new favorite product!  I sprayed white tissue paper with brown, orange and green alcohol ink and adhered it with heavy gel medium (glossy).  After it dried, I painted a few spots peach with acrylic paints.  Then I sponged some distress ink here and there.

I'm a big fan of Obama and the changes our culture has made to accept race without discrimination.  I'm not African American, but I am gay and know what it's like to fight for equality.  Anyway, my journaling reads... "Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King, Jr. could walk.  Martin Luther King, Jr. walked so Barack Obama could run.  Barack Obama ran so our Children can fly!"

For the fourth lesson, we learned about colors.  I really enjoyed this lesson.  We were instructed to take a picture and paint it with complimentary colors.  I tried a "face" portrait; however, it didn't work out so well for me.

So, the picture I used was a bouquet of lilies and daisies that Brenda got me for our anniversary a couple of years ago.  They are my favorite flowers.  The blue and purple flowers are the lilies.  The red flowers are the daisies.  The yellow spots are the baby's breath (and highlights).  I also lightly airbrushed (with my Copic ABS) the background with blue (for the top) and green (for the bottom).  The flowers in the corners are rub-ons.

Marit has another art journaling class starting on May 3rd.  You should definately check it out.  The only artistry I've every been good at is scrapbooking and paper crafting.  However, now I truly feel like an artist.  XOXOXO

Art Journal - Lesson 2

The Lesson 2 theme of my Art Journaling class by Marit is Silhouettes.  I kinda like it, kinda don't.  Every time I look at it, the only word that comes to mind is "childish."  It seems too kid-like, but I guess it's not necessarily bad.  This is definately out of my comfort zone, but I'm managing.

I sprayed the background with a light purple Glimmermist.  I put down chipboard hearts, a swirlie and an AND sign... and then sprayed over with a darker purple Glimmermist.  I traced the edges of the silhouettes for added depth.  Then I added embellishments and a journaling spot.  I added chipboard and glitter chipboard embellishments for a 3-D effect.  Enjoy!

Art Journal & Blog Candy Winner

Okay, so I've started an Art Journal.  Thanks to Danielle, I'm taking an Art Journaling class by Marit.  It's a little difficult because it's really out of my element, but I'm having fun.  The class started a few weeks ago, but I'm behind because I signed-up late.  Anyway, here is my first page.

The size of my journal is 7 x 8 1/2.  The lesson was "Journaling" and we were prompted to sit by a window and write.  I couldn't decide at which window to sit, so I wrote about my house (which has a lot of windows).  I cheated a little, but DID use "windows" in my project.  The background is painted with acrylic paints and a brayer.  I then sponged distress ink in a few places.  The "home" letters are chipboard.  I painted them with crackle paint and then inked the ridges when dry.  What do you think?  I was pretty happy with the outcome.

Anyway, the winner of the blog candy is........... Dar!  Woohoo!  Merceydeis insisted on drawing the name for this blog candy, too.  When she pulled it out she said, "What the heck is a dar?"  So cute!  I had to explain that Dar was short for a lady named Darleen.  Anyway, I have your address, Dar.  I'll get your candy out to you as soon as possible!  Congrats!

I hope everyone is doing well.  Are any of you watching the Olympics?  What's your favorite Olympic sport?  I favor the figure skating, snowboarding and luge.  Don't forget to check out Danielle's blog to see her art journal.  It's amazing!  **HUGS**

Almost Sisters

I finally completed a scrapbook page!  Scrapbooking is my favorite papercraft, but I've been so caught up making cards and altering items, that I pushed my scrapbooking to the corner.  Well, I worked on quite a few pages and feel very much accomplished.  I am so excited about how this page turned out.

My BFF came from Maryland to visit us (we're in Wisconsin) last summer.  They stayed with us a for a week and we had a blast!  Their little girl, Morgan, is so cute.  Merceydeis and Morgan had so much fun together.  Merceydeis likes to hang out with the little ones because she likes to "be in charge."

Anniversary! Blog Candy! Lots of Goodies!

So, Brenda and I celebrated our 7th anniversary a couple days ago.  I got an addition to my diamond collection (an anniversary ring) and I bought her a 5 carat diamond bracelet.  I also made her a little something.  Here it is...

 

   

I used the More Mimi paper collection... again.  I just can't get enough of it!  I covered the coasters with patterned paper, rounded the corners, sanded the edges and then inked.  I threaded the hanging together with Mimi Ribbon and the crossed the top together with Mimi Hardware.  I used, miscellaneous flowers, chipboard letters, and hardware.

Now, on to the blog candy!  I've got a great package put together consisting of a huge alphabet stamp set, the 12x12 Kaleidoscope Brites cardstock collection, and the latest issue of Serendipity Street.  The letters are large, about 1 to 2 inches in size.  The cardstock collection comes with one sheet of each design, one sheet of small cardstock alphabet stickers, one sheet of large alphabet stickers, and one sheet with an assortment of coordinating die-cut cardstock tags and embellishments.

 

   All you need to do is leave a comment and become a follower of my blog via Google (e-mail subscription is optional).  Scroll down and find the Google Friend Connect box and click Join This Site.  That's it!  Easy peasy!  You will get an additional entry if you add a link to my candy on your blog (either via post or sidebar).  If you do, let me know when you leave a comment so I can give you credit.  I will draw the winner on February 20th.  Good luck!

My Status in the Paper Craftin' World - Life Updates

For those of you who know me, I run a group home system for adults with chronic mental illnesses.  I have been there for over eight years and have been truly blessed for the opportunities, superlative income, and treasured moments.  Our system has three facilities, but due to the economy, we closed and sold one of them.  It was a 4-bed, but there were only two clients residing there at the time.  Both females, one of them has been in our system for over eight years and the other for three years, so we have grown to know them very well.

A few months ago, we decided that after the facility closes we would bring the girls into our home.  See, we have a huge house (4500 sq ft) and purchased it with the intention of someday serving our own clients with disabilities.  However, after settling in, we became very spoiled with all the room and didn't stay true to our original wishes.  With the rough economy and the system's budget cuts, our job security is low.  We could become unemployed at any time.  So, it was the perfect time to accept additions to our family.  They were so delighted when we offered our house to them, relieved that they didn't have to leave us.  It only took about 30 days to become certified AND we still have one bedroom left (yes, we have five bedrooms).  Although it sometimes feels like I have three kids (instead of one), the girls are great.  Since we were spending all of our time at work (not to mention being on-call 24/7), it's not that much different.  I am happy to say that things are flowing smoothly.

Anyway, because of the closing of one of the facilities we had to cut down on staff.  I was able to give the business a break by cutting my wage in half.  It also works out for us because what I'm not making as a full-time employee, I'll be making up in 'adult family home' income.  The best part is.... that I get more "me" time!  I am able to put in 15-20 hours per week and I can do it all from the comfort of my own home.  So, what I can do, and what I have been doing, is working for an hour, playing for an hour, working for an hour, playing for an hour, etc.  Because of this, I have found more online grounds for inspiration and actually have time to participate in challenges, swaps, etc.

You may have noticed that I've been visiting your blogs more often.  That's one of the perks of having "play" time.  I also recently realized that, with my Feedblitz account, I can subscribe to any blog.  All I do is type in your blog address and then I receive an e-mail each time you post.  How cool is that?!  I've subscribed to my favorite blogs and will now be able to visit and leave messages more frequently.  It's much better than running around to each blog.  Your articles come right to my inbox.

Less stress.  More crafting time.  Life is definitely good.  See ya around!  **HUGS**

Homemade Valentine Gifts

I made the cutest Valenine gifts this year.  I originally started it to post a tutorial on my Associated Content site, but I got so excited with the turn out that I just couldn't stop making things!  For starters, I made an altered candy tin, a decorative pillar candle, an altered mini notebook, a greeting card and wooden gift bag.  (Click the picture to enlarge)  I created a "Valentine" swap in one of my CafeMom groups and I'm excited to send out my other gifties (which I'll post later).

If you'd like to see more pictures, please click here.  It's a slideshow I created.  If you'd like detailed instructions for each project, please click here to visit the tutorial I wrote.

 

Stay tuned for some blog candy around Valentine's Day!  XOXOXOXO