EPHEMERA....

OK....so I don't know about you.....but I had to look up the meaning of this word so that I was sure what it REALLY meant and not what I THOUGHT it meant, hehehehe!! and here it is..............

Ephemera.......a class of collectible items not originally intended to last for more than a short time, such as trinkets, posters, postcards or labels (and my addition Greeting Cards)! World English Dictionary

And that is the word of the day over at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Blog.........


So, I pulled out my drawer full of EPHEMERA and came across a BEAUTIFUL sympathy card, the gorgeous floral bouquet!! Now I have to say...it went just nicely with one of the papers from the Echo Park ~ Be Mine Collection. I then stamped using Fabulous Flourish and Victorian Velvet Distress Ink along with a verbiage stamp and Jet Black Archival Ink.

I covered the chipboard heart with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint, Spun Sugar Distress Stain and edged it with Black Soot. For a bit of pop I wrapped it with some wire mesh I had laying around.

Now, it wouldn't be me to make something without some type of Flower Cluster, would it???...hehehe! So I used my Eylet Circle die and a coffee filter, a little tulle, some hand dyed seam binding and an Accoutrement! Do you see the snazzy stick pin made by my wonderful friend Peggy Baker?? Add a few butterflies and some Prima Bling and I was goood to go.......OOOOPS did I forget to mention the edges created using the FABULOUS Distrezz it All??

And see the newest addition to my family....my frog??? ....hours spent looking and looking through this Antique Mall....such torture....NOT!!! it was way too much fun, enjoyed EVER MOMENT OF IT!


So.......here is your challenge.....EPHEMERA...I know you can do it!! Head on over to Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Blog and link up your creation and you could just win......

It's our turn.......

This week is the Reveal of Team B, which I am on, over at Let's Capture These Sketches!

Vanessa created this fabulous sketch.....the second I saw it the creative juices started flowing!!

I NEVER do layout about myself but decided to truly "step out of my box"!!!

I used all my "favorite" things/techniques on the layout....handmade flowers, ribbon, misting,

cardboard and torn edges...oh and we can't forget vintage buttons!!! and this FABULOUS paper by Cosmo Cricket that my AMAZING friend Cindy sent me!!

So grab some paper & embellies and "DREAM OUT LOUD"! Create a layout using this A~MAZING sketch then head on over to Let's Capture These Sketches and link up your creation!!!

I can't wait to see it!!!

well then......STRIPES it is!!

ALREADY FOLKS........

There's a new challenge up this week over at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge blog!!

and the challenge is...........drumroll please.......

STRIPES!!

now it's not too often that I will every say this......but for once...that which was in my head.....did not come out real well. YOU know what I mean....you see something in your head and you try to bring it too life......and don't get me wrong...it wasn't a total flop....it just isn't popping how it did in my head....

CAN'T ALWAYS WIN!!

Can I just tell you......
I DID get to PLAY with the NEW DISTRESS STAINS......I think I've died and gone to heaven!!!

NOW......my problem may have been that I was just toooooo DISTRACTED with all that went on at home this week leading up to the GRAND FESTIVITIES.....of the WINTER CARNIVAL DANCE!!

Here is my lovely daughter and her date......

Do you see her lime green rain boots!!??!??! That's my girl....

after all......
she did almost kill herself last year with her heels and the iced over driveway....

but she was all set, this time, for the sloppy, melting driveway!!!

sooooooo like up your creation....

and dooooo CHECK OUT THE NEW DISTRESS STAINS.......

cause.......THEY ARE IN STOCK at the Simon Says Store!!

Bring on the TAG!!!!

and who doesn't just LOVE MAKIN' TAGS!!! I have me a WHOLE pile of them!!

So I was WAY HAPPPPY when I learned this weeks challenge at
Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge blog was..........A TAG!!

With it being soooo close to Valentines Day....I couldn't resist using it as the theme of my tag.

NOW.....I have to say I even impressed myself with this flower!!
I used linen fabric and the Tattered Floral die and my WONDERFUL Distress Reinker Mixtures
(I can't wait for the 2 oz bottle to be released!!)

(2) large flowers colored with Aged Mahogany
(1) large flower colored with Victorian Velvet with end dipped in Aged Mahogany
(1) large flower colored with Victorian Velvet
(1) spindly flower colored with Victorian Velvet
(2) spindly flowers colored with Worn Lipstick
(2) medium flowers colored with Spun Sugar
(1) medium with a hint of Spun Sugar
(the 3 medium flowers were cut 2 x's each in every petal)

When flowers are drying, cumple them up a bit. When totally dry,  lather on a layer of Claudine's AMAZING Multi Medium. When they are almost dry...give 'em another crumple!!

Adhere layers together and there you have it!!!

Do you see that blingage on there??? another LOVE of mine.....Vintage Glitter Glass!!

I look forward to seeing your creation over at Simon Says Stamp and Show!! 

You could win this!!!

Simon Says Stamp

Shabby Shabby Shabby

From the moment I saw these stamps, created by the girlies over at IOD and sold by Unity Stamps, till the day they arrived in my hot little hands I was dreaming of what to create!!

and CREATE I did!! The base for the project is an Zutter 8" x 8" Canvas Art Board (love this product!!)

The House of 3 Mannequin is all dressed up in Picket Fence Distress Crackle paint, Spun Sugar and Vintage Photo Distress ink, along with some vintage jewerly and lace!! How about the Dusty Attic Gate.

The whole project is held together with Claudine Hellmuth's Multi Medium Matte.
Hung nicely with the Zutter Hang it Alls.



Now to find a place to hang this beauty in my studio!!

I love sketches.......

and am SOOOO EXCITED

to be a part of

DESIGN TEAM!!!!

be watching and ready to play along!!!

Do you EMBOSS????

I do.......about anything I can get my hands on!! cause if you know me....

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TEXTURE!!!

I began by painting the frame with Charcoal Black paint.

Then I collected different mediums to emboss...

Cork

Metal

Grungepaper

other mediums used...

cardboard

Sticky Back Canvas

and

Fragments

Ink....

Black Soot

and what to emboss with....

Victoria embossing folder

and ummm
Collage & Notebook texture fades!!

the more I look at this.....
the more I think it's missing something.....

I will need to amend my post to fix it!!

Any ideas what I think is missing???

so what do you like to emboss???
I would love to seeee it!!!

Link up your creation over at Simon Says Stamp and Show!!
and did I say....
you just could win free goodies from the Simon Says Store!!
does it get much better than that???

New Kit.....

New layout designs.....

Dixie Pieces February Kit......and oh the fun it is!!!

My challenges this month will include flowers.......SURPRISE!!!
I created the flower on my card....but you don't have to!

Complete challenge by 11:59 pm, February 28th
and upload your designs to our facebook gallery for one chance to win
...the BE MINE Collection from Echo Park Paper!
upload your design to the Dixie Pieces gallery for a second chance to win!!

Can't wait to see your CREATIONS!!

whoooo hooooo!!

Just a bit of braggin' if I may!!

Go check out my tutorial on Scrapbook News and Review.......

JUST SAYIN.......