The Challenge is on!

Happy Summer everyone!  There are a few days left to get in on this month's challenge over at the Inspiration Emporium blog.  The theme this month is birthdays or celebrating so why not get in on the fun for your chance to win $50 to use at their online store.  Head on over HERE and check out my project which I hope will give you some creative inspiration when making your own. 

I feel there is going to be some relaxing creative time in my future with over two weeks of vacation ahead.  I am in much need of a work break and what better way to spend some vacation time than by getting a little inky. 

Recently I had the honour of making samples for Tim Holtz for this summer's Create and Connect trade show which was formerly CHA.  You have no idea my nervousness, excitement and sometimes overwhelming feelings to be a part of this exciting time and keeping everything a surprise.  I am sure the woman at the post office thought I was crazy when I picked up my parcel of supplies.  Over the next week I will be sharing with you my projects and photos of some of my favorite products released at this show.  So check back often for some holiday goodness.  There is nothing like a little Christmas in July! later. h

I'm on Tour!

Hey there, just wanted to let everyone know that I have taken to the road and am on tour with a guest blog post over on Inspiration Emporium's blog today.  I had a lot of fun creating this project last weekend and just enjoyed some 'me' time.  I have been thinking for a while about the perfect way to include a whole stack of pictures from a trip to Disney World back in 2011.  I love how it turned out so I hope you will take a few minutes and head on over and check it out.

 

All of the details are provided there so you can make your very own album too!  So, have fun with it and be crafty this week. h

Happy Weekend!

Wow, I think today was the first really nice day this year here and I totally took advantage of it.  I guess I thought we wouldn't get another so outside it was!  I got my outside furniture restained, my deck cleaned and organized, and my truck all nice and shiny! I am happy to report though that this weather is suppose to continue ALL WEEKEND! But here in the Maritimes, wait five minutes and it could be something else...I am just hoping that isn't the case this weekend.  Here in the Annapolis Valley the Apple Blossom Festival has been kicked into high gear today.  This weather is great news for those who have put countless hours into organizing and for those that take in the festivities.  I am in the percentage that enjoys staying as far away from the crowds as possible but truly enjoys the beauty of what this valley has and thrives on.

The farmers market has begun again for another year and there is nothing like knowing where your food actually came from and the people that produced it.  I love seeing our regular customers back each year because they have become friends, not just simply customers.  In saying that, the flour portion of this blog is going to flourish because I have to admit, this winter was a nice break from baking but I did miss it!  I can't wait to get back into the kitchen to play as well as in my craft room.

There is a few more hours to get your entries in for Inspiration Emporium's monthly challenge of Don't Quote Me.  Share with us on their blog your creation using your favorite quote and you could win 50 Emporium dollars towards your next order at IE.  I have combined the quote challenge with Tim's monthly tag challenge this month because I have vowed to complete every one of them.  (A little challenge I have going with a friend!)  There are so many quotes out there that hit a cord with me but there is one I keep coming back to and it is what I find myself repeating and reminding myself of often. It is simple yet so meaningful with everything going on in our busy lives.  We just need to slow down sometimes, breath, and take it all in!

 

I love the idea of using the Remnant Rubs randomly over the tag which acts as a resist to any ink or stain.  I also couldn't wait to use this stamp set (Time Travelers) and love how he turned out.

A few of the details:

So don't forget to get your creations uploaded both HERE and HERE for your chance to win. I hope you all have an amazing weekend and remember to enjoy the journey! h

A few of my favorite things

I hope all of you had an amazing Mother's Day whether you were spending it with your mother, thinking of your mother or being thanked for being a mother or in a mother role.  I did so with my mom on Saturday and had a lovely afternoon! I am thankful every day that I have the mother I do, love you mom!

Have you ever found yourself buying that certain something that you will keep for that perfect place in a project just because it calls to you? Over the years I have done that and even though I try to use them, I have to admit I have a little stash of things that were just waiting for that perfect home.  When thinking of my next project I thought what better way then to have these pieces all together in a piece I call 'A few of my favorite things'.  I was given a shadowbox frame a while ago and was told, not sure what you can do with this but you might find something.  It has just been sitting there for a while and my thoughts kept going back to it knowing it was going to take some serious altering (I know you all have those pieces)!

So, this is how this whole project started...

After some black gesso, various distress paints, and distress embossing powders this frame looks a whole lot different. 

There, that's better!

For the next step, I wanted to decide on the frame orientation and just how I wanted to place my extra configuration boxes in it.  I didn't necessarily need to do this but I wanted to know so when I covered the individual boxes in the next step , I wouldn't have all the tissue wrap upside down or on its side. 

In the next couple of steps you just let things go and do with little thinking.  All of the configuration boxes are covered using Tim Holtz's ideology tissue wrap and Ranger's glue n' seal and painted with various distress paints.  I wanted my paint to be an accent to the tissue wrap and not just an all over colour so I just played with the paints, my water mister and waterbrush. Once these were dry the fun of assembling came next.  A little trick to making this step a bit easier...take a photo of how you decided you wanted your boxes in the frame.  Once you are ready to attach your found treasures, have this on hand.  I attached everything in the boxes with multi medium and let set overnight before finally adding them to my shadowbox. 

 

Added dimension can be added by propping certain boxes up to various heights while leaving others flat to the frame.

 

Supplies: configuration boxes, shadowbox frame, black gesso, distress paints, distress embossing powders, glue n' seal, multi medium, foam brush, waterbrush, water mister, and found treasures. Remember if you are need of any of these supplies or others, stop on over to Inspiration Emporium and mention ink&flour to receive 10% off your purchases.

 

There you have it...a few of my favorite things.  I hope you are able to take some time and be creative this week.  Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments left on my last tag post and stopping by. h