The power is ON!!! Must KETCHUP!!!

Seriously peeps! Three and a half days without power was something that we really did not expect! lol! Power started to come back on in our neighborhood really early this morning, around 1am... but we were left for last, we were starting to think that maybe they forgot about us, lol! But if finally came on around 10ish this morning! Such a releif! We were truly blessed that this was our only problem! Really made us appreciate the little things in life! How precious every minute is! and how spoil we all really are! hee hee! 

Now that we have done most of our errands today, grabbed some much needed groceries and a bite to eat! I've got a few crafty things to share with you :) SO grab a snack AND a drink, it's going to be a long post, I have a card and 2 - heArt Journaling entries!!! I really missed being online! But, priorities first! My boys will officially start school a week from today, 2nd grade orientation on Friday and Kindergarten orientation on Tuesday, busy, busy! Gotta get those sneakers too... digressing, sorry... here are my creations :)

This week, The Pink Elephant's Challenge is to do some paper piecing!!!
I heart paper piecing! and decided to use my Greeting Farm My Guy Stamp Set for it and My Mind's Eye DP...  

Such a handsome fella! I started this right before our lights went out, had to do the gluing parts with a flashlight, you can see that there is glue smudged everywhere, lol! shhh, don't tell ;)

I am entering my card into the following challenges that are still going on, lol!
I had created this card for 4 other challenges, but I wasn't able to post it in time ;)
- The Pink Elephant #114: Paper Piecing
- Crazy 4 Challenges #102: Male themed card
- Raise the Bar Challenge #72: Primary Colors (Red, Blue, Yellow)

Here's a close-up...

I will never forget this card! :)

Next up, I have my heArt Journaling with The Greeting Farm... 

Week 5: Pieces of Me
Assignment: Create a spread/page using layering and paper piecing techniques. 
Use any stamps you want, colors, etc.

There is a TON of layering going on here! LOL!
This was what I created 2 weeks ago, I just never had a chance to post it here on my blog...
First, I started to draw something, didn't like it, so I Gesso-ed over it...
I always like to add my DP with Modge Podge first! The DP and Stickers came from my latest TE Key Ingredients Kit! Once I saw these papers from Echo Park, I knew that I just needed to create a page about me and my bumble-y blog :)

Some close-ups...

What do you think!? :)

Week 6: Text Me! 
Assignment: Create a spread/page using mainly text and lettering! 
This includes numbers, symbols, handwritten or typed, phrases, etc. 
Use any stamps you want, colors, etc.

I started creating this piece on canvas at my sister house with some friends this last Monday :)
Originally, this lil awesome group was to meet up at my house, but with the power outage, we changed it over to my sisters... then, she lost power too! ugh! Everyone came to hang out anyways, and within 20 mins the power came back on! Yay!!!
I was able to get the majority of it done at her house...
and as you can see above, I brought it home to add some stickers, doodling and rub-ons via flashlight! lol!

Here she is! My "Pretty in Pink Me" on canvas!
First, I Gesso-ed the canvas, then applied my KandCompany DP with Modge Podge
and added the border of crackle paint by Tim Holtz...

I then started on my 'girl'... I used polka-dotted papers for her head, arms, legs and shirt.
I decided to use crepe paper for her skirt, super fun! but hard to stamp on, lol!

The paper itself had a ton of text in the corners,
I also used numerous stamps and Cosmo Cricket stickers and rub-ons all around...

I didn't doodle much this time, wasn't feeling it.
I really love all the rub-ons! I never had a thing for those and don't have anymore!
Must find some more asap! If you have any suggestions as to where I can purchase a bunch of floral, border  and butterfly rub-ons, please do let me know :) Thanks!!!

And here's a view at my messy desk, lol!
It was hard to find things in the dark, oi!

Thanks for sticking this post out with me!
I hope you're all do well! I cannot wait to catch up with everyone within the next few days!
I'm 'off like a prom dress'!!! Gots lots to bake and prepare for our shopping trip tomorrow :)
hugs xoxo 

"friend journaling"

Last week's heArt Journaling with The Greeting Farm... 

WEEK 4 - The Girl in Me

Assignment: Create a spread or a page using the concept of hand-drawn girls. I want you to actually draw a character in your book!!! It can be sketchy, cartoony, realistic, or even stick figures. 
Tip:Try a different medium that you've never used before.

Did she just say HAND DRAWN?!?!
Oi, this was really intimidating! I haven't drawn anything of the sort since I was in high school!
I had absolutely no clue as to what I was going to do... then, I got a text from my sis letting me know that one of our wonderful scrappy friends b'day was that weekend, and then the ideas just clicked together :)

I decided to use my first canvas! and Gesso-ed it the night before...
the following morning - play time!!!
I Modge Podge-d scraps of The Girl's Paperie DP all over it... 

It took only a few minutes to dry, I don't use much and I don't cover the whole front with Modge Podge, just the edges to make sure that everything is somewhat laying flat - I wanted to have as much paper as I could to draw on and be able to erase any mistakes ;)

Next step, draw my girlie...  
She was inspired my scrappy friend and a few artists pics that I saw online :) 

Watercolor Crayons!!!
I just discovered how fun and versatile these crayons can be! Loving them!!! 

A few minutes for the coloring to dry...
STAMP TIME!!!
I used The Greeting Farm's Blush Hello, Blush Heart and Splotchy Stamps;
A sentiment from TE Moka Lani Stamp Set and 2 other stamps sets, sorry, but I don't remember where or the names at the moment, lol! Old age, geesh! 

BTW, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink is what I stamped with! It worked, but took a while to dry on the spots that had Modge Podge on it... added some fabric ribbon and ric rac for the edge of her skirt!

Did some doodling too!!!
Another first! and SO much fun and I can see this becoming very addicting!!!
Very :) 

Added some die-cut flowers and dew drops too :)

All fun, bright, cheery!
Just like my scrappy friend
and I truly hope that she loves it just as much as I do!
I cannot wait to create one for myself ;)

Thanks for stopping by again!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend xoxo 

heArt Journaling Week 3... Gratitude

thank you... 

Last weeks heArt Journaling with The Greeting Farm... 

WEEK 3 - Gratitide 

Assignment: Create a spread/page using the concept of Gratitude, appreciation, and thanks. This could be a spread listing your appreciation for anything/anyone. Use any stamps you want, colors, etc. Not necessary to use any TGF stamps, this is YOUR journal, do what you want cuz you rule that journal! Tip: Try adding lots of layers. 

And I did add a whole bunch of layers, lol!
I am definitely not a free hand painter! This tree started off very branch-y and spooky looking! Layers of different paints and such, and I was finally happy with what it looks like now... same thing with the paper heart; it looked a bit plain, added some journaling, then I tried to stamp something in it, but it came out too dark and smudged! So I tried painting over it, didn't work, made it worse! Ugh, lol! Ended up using these ticket stubs to hide it ;)  I had a TON of fun creating this... 

The left side of the page... I have to admit, I am very thankful for my life!
No matter what happens to me, I am thankful and happy to be here, to be able to share with my family and friends, to be a part of their lives... so happy to just be alive :) 

On the right side,
I added my "family tree", I am SOOO very thankful for my sweet boys, hubs, parents and little sister! I could never imagine my life, not one minute of it, without any of them by my side! They are my tree of life! A huge part of my existence :)

I Modge Podge-d the paper heart, acrylic paints, added some Prima flowers and Thickers...
I also used The Greeting Farm's Blush Heart, Splotchy and the lil birdie from the Sunshine Kit!

This week's theme is to hand-draw a girl and use a medium you've never used before!
This should get very interesting :)
I just got some Gesso and a new pen/marker to do the journaling with...
Fun :) :) :)

Thanks much for letting me share today!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)
xoxo 

heArt Journaling Week 2...Sandy Sunshine

Here's my heArt journaling post :)
These posts are going to be a bit wordy, so please make yourself comfy and enjoy :)

Last week's heArt Journaling with The Greeting Farm...

Week 2: Sandy Sunshine 

"Create a free-spirit spread (two-pages) using the concept of Sand, Sun, Beach, etc. This could be a tribute page to a past vacation, or some sort of paradise, beach-related.... Use any stamps you want, colors, etc." 

To be completely honest, I am not a "real beach person"...
I don't like the ocean, can't swim... I don't like to layout in the sun and bake, I get too hot and antsy, no patience to just lay there and I am not the type who can fall asleep there either...
That is why the left side is all dark and messy! The scary windy waves that have a mind of its own; you never know how big that wave is going to come crashing down, even when you're just standing on the edge trying to get your toesies wet! Sometimes one comes rushing in and your soaked from the waist down, ugh! and don't even get me started on that pulling feeling {shiver}

HOWEVER... :) 

I do like the beach for it's "romantic walks", "bring a book and a blanket", "watch the sunrise and sunset" type of beach girl ;) During the spring and fall months :) It's picture perfect! and the sand is my comfort zone... 

this is why I made the right side as bright as possible, with happy words of encouragement and wonderful memories :) 

"You are right where you should be" 

I really enjoyed using my pencils to create a rough sketch and then my watercolor crayons, but I can't seem to get the hang of these crayons. I feel that they are not vibrant, enough color for me... 

I then found and dusted off this Unity Stamp set called "Where You Are" and my October Afternoon 8x8 pad and just kept cutting, Modge Podge-ing and stamping! Everything tied together perfectly! and because I love to work with bright colors, I used my acrylic paints again :)  and I am happy with what I accomplished! 

Some peeps have asked about art journaling supplies, so here's what I did to build a small stash to start with... I went to Michael's with my coupons - they have their own art supply brand now, I bought their acrylic paint set of 12 small tubes (I have never painted before, so this was a good set to start and experiment with). A package of their multi-paint brushes. A medium size bottle of Modge Podge and then I used my coupon on the set of watercolor crayons and then again on the book. 

FYI! Memento Inks take a looong time to dry over Modge Podge, 

you really want to use something like Staz On so you don't smudge and stuff! 

And that's it! Everything else that I've used or will want to use is already in my stash :)  See! There was no excuse not to give art journaling a try ;) and now, falling in love with it :) 

Thanks for letting me share with you today! 

Have a fabulous and happy weekend :) xoxo 

When Pigs Fly! and heArt Journaling...

It's Friday! It's Friday! Yippee yay :) 

(If you're looking for Riley and Company's Release and Blog Hop, 

please click HERE or scroll down! Thank you!!!)  

*Um, it's been a while since I've given you an extra long post, hee hee, so sit back and enjoy your cup-of-whatever and hang in there with me ;) 

I just haaaad to sit down yesterday morning and play with my July Key Ingredients Kit! 

I also knew that I needed to play with some of my neglected Greeting Farm stamps 

and seeing this week's Mystery Monday Challenge is to 'case or be inspired by' Mercy's card, 

I just had to do it!!! 

I also picked out some new-to-me challenges to play along with: 

I used Card Patterns Sketch #125, although, I do think I went a bit over the CAS look ;) 

and I also used The Ribbon Reel Challenge #7 (Chantilly Lace Color Challenge): to create a card inspired by their photo using White/Cream, Aqua, Pink and a Flower with Ribbon/Lace... I substituted the flower for a button since I didn't have a flower that matched and I was a bit too lazy to die-cut my own, lol. Hopefully this won't negate my entry... Ok, so here is what came together...  

I had to dust off my "Fly Away" Stamp Set and ink him up quick before he floated away! 

I have fallen SO in love with My Mind's Eye Lime Twist papers!
This kit contains their Life of the Party DP, 

and if you've noticed, I've been using their Out of the Blue pad like crazy too! 

I paper pieced the heck out of this stamp, lol! 

The piggy and the balloons are all individually cut out, and some of the balloons are popped up for dimension... the only things not included in this months kit is the lace and pearls! 

I hope you likey! 

Please keep scrolling to see my first HeArt Journaling entry with 

The Greeting Farm's new inspiring art journaling class :)  

Card Details: 

Stamp(s): The Greeting Farm "Fly Away" Rubber Stamp Set 

TE July Key Ingredients Kit: 

My Mind's Eye Lime Twist "Life of the Party" DP, TE Snow White CS, Maya Road Wooden Button, Baker's Twine, Ribbon  

Accessories: TE Medium Scallop Border Die, Recollections Pearls, Lace, Small Circle and Scallop Circle Nesties

Heart Journaling with The Greeting Farm - Week 1: Spread Your Wings

For our first week, we were told to use "Wings" as our inspiration...
we could use butterflies, airplanes, angels, birds, etc.
Anything that is wing-ed!
We were also told to go out of our comfort zone...
that is something that I truly struggle with!
Just ask my sister! LOL! She'll vouch with how anal I am with my crafty supplies! How clean and organized everything is! I won't even let her use my stamps! I stamp them for her, so I can clean them off right away - me no likey any stains anywhere, oi! Now if only I could be SO thorough with my housecleaning and boys ;)

Moving along...
Here's what I started out with... 

It's been a very looong time since I've picked up a pencil to draw anything freehand... I doodle here and there, but I always hold back... long story for another post someday...
I started drawing my girl who I originally planned to be a butterfly-fairy and had chosen a very uplifting poem to go along with her... when I started to draw her wing, it just wasn't coming out very fairy-ish...
She then turned into an Angel... she's sad and happy at the same time - she's looking for guidance, for her balance between the happy and sad in her life right now...
I then used some water color crayons to add color, distressed stickles and liquid pearls to really make the wing look like tears...

I stopped there on the first day...
the next day, I thought that she need more color!
So I pulled out a very cheap set of Acrylic Paints, old brushes (if you look really close, you'll see a ton of hairs stuck in the paint, lol, oops!) and found some crystal effects...

Some close-ups... 

the bright red is actually a magenta,
I couldn't get the right settings on the camera to capture the real pink to this color,
it's quite lovely in person...

I really love how the water-y the crystal effects made the teardrops look.

As you can see, I totally went out of my comfort level in SO many ways!
"Wearing my heArt on my sleeve!" 

I am really looking forward to this week's inspiration challenge!
Thanks SO much for sticking with me on my post today!
Enjoy your TGIF!!! {hugs!}

{me}

Art Journaling?! Really?! How brilliant!!!

Ky's new blog, "Art - It does a body good" is a blog for art jounal-ing challenges! I've been wanting to create a scrappy/artsy/journal/diary of myself for my kiddos and thought that this would be a fab way to finally get some pages done...

Here's how Ky explains it all:

"What's an art journal? It's anything in a book form that you use to create art. It can be a ring-bound sketch book, a composition book you've altered, a book you've hand bound and used recycled cardboard for pages, a novel you've converted...just about anything that resembles a journal! I prefer to see a story told in the pages, and sometimes that requires writing, but that's just a personal preference. You can choose the materials and techniques that suit you!"

The very first challenge is to create a journal page based on someone's interview (yes, you can do a page about yourself!)...

I interviewed myself ;) and here's what I came up with...

I did try to do some journaling around, but I did it in pink and it's not coming up very well in the pic... and I'm really not sure if I did this right - I'm guessing that anything goes as far as what art is, but I could be wrong...

My interview:

- I'm just me... my boys are my love and life forever (when I say 'my boys' that includes hubs too!}

- I LOVE pink and lacey things...

- I love to stamp...

- I'm never in pics! I'm either taking them or in the background...

- I chose a book that I cannot tear pages out of! I have a bit of an OCD problem and with the slightest mistake, I will start over - but this is about me, mistakes and all, smudges and mispellings too! {Yes, you will find them all on this page too!}

This is the book that I am using... I have been holding onto this book for over a year now wanting to do something like this! I want to find some fabric and paint to fix up the cover. I already have some pretty lace and flowers, I am really looking forward to getting this going as a momento to myself and hopefully, one day for my kids and grandkids :)

I don't have any paint nor too much supplies on hand at the moment, so I went with what I had on hand, which was my inks, pens, Washi Tape and stamps (The Greeting Farm and Unity)...

I used The Greeting Farm's Layout Sketch found here! 

That's it for now! I hope you likey!

I look forward to trying to create some Saturday time just for me and my 'me book' :)

Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of your weekend!