Top Ten Blog Hop of 2015

Can you believe 2015 is coming to an end? This year has flown by!  I couldn't even catch up!  My blog posts were few and far between but I swear that I am going to try to do better this year... a sort of resolution.  I accomplished so much this year in my art and also in my life.  So many changes, so many positive choices, some mistakes and lots of laughs!  

For this blog hop, you just need to leave a comment on each of the posts (links below) up to 24 entries!  

We are giving away an $80 USD to the online store of the winner's choosing. To be entered you need to leave a comment on my blog by 11:59 pm CST on January 3. Then hop around to as many blogs as you want! Christine will choose a winner on the 4th and then I'll post it later on the 4th here.  You can get up to 24 entries for commenting on each blog.  Many of us have individual giveaways too - so make sure to check out those requirements. I will have details on my individual prize at the bottom of this post!

2015 was a crazy year for sure.  Time flew by and I found myself scrambling to finish projects but I also made some of my favorite art ever!  Sometimes deadlines help get me moving and creative juices flowing! Here are my top 10 favorites this year:

 This is an encaustic piece that I won 1st place at the New York State Fair Art Exhibit this year!  I love this piece an plan to create more in the series! It's made on drawing paper, beeswax, Pan Pastels, oil pastels, Gold Leafing, charcoal, and Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Pen.

 An art journal page with lots of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft products!  Love the Cicada stencil from UmWowStudio!

 Another art journal page with lots of Steampunk Gelatos colors! 

 There are not many scrapbook pages here this year... I just love my mixed media projects, but I do love the colors and techniques on this page.  My gorgeous friend, Nicole from NicoleJames Photography took this photo.  It's a symbol of womanhood to me... strong and soft.

 This little mini album was so fun to make with UmWowStudio's tag book and stencils.  LOVE the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft products on here too!

 Even though my Ustream video cut out due to an electrical storm that cut my power during the filming, I still love this mini canvas!  Someday I'll re-tape the process.  I just haven't had the time lately!

 This tote bag was a favorite of mine to create and I love the mediums and stitching that I did on here!  It's gorgeous and I always get complements wherever I wear it!

 This box was made for the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft and Graphic 45 blog hop... I love this ATC box so much!  All the little details with mediums, Gelatos colors, and metal accents!

 Another Ustream project... a canvas bib necklace.  Love wearing this!

Another project that I did for a blog hop on Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog... clutch purses are so fun to make.  I think I'll be making more to match different outfits!

These last two are more encaustic work that I love.  I make the above when subbing for a professor at a nearby University this summer!  I was so honored to be asked and enjoyed the time to make art with students who inspired me! The below was a gift to my mom and dad for Christmas.  Empty nest symbolism but the colors were so soft and the nest was from a photo I took of a nest in the Adirondacks this summer.

So a few more than 10 but that's okay... I love looking back at how much I did accomplish this year in art making.  Even if I didn't share it all here, I love reviewing the past year and looking forward to a new artsy year!  Leave a comment here and on the other blogs and you could win a gift certificate of $80 for a store of your choice!  I am also giving away a Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Steampunk Gelatos set!  

Comment here by 12:01am on 1/5/16 and I'll choose one lucky winner!  Check back on 1/5/16 at 8pm and I'll post the winner!  Happy New Year and happy blog hopping!!

Blog Hop List 2015

Christine Meyer http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Mendi Yoshikawa http://snippets-of-mendi.blogspot.com/

Cathy Harper http://alteredplayground.blogspot.com

Nicole Nowosad http://justnicks.blogspot.com

Chantalle McDaniel http://copasetique.blogspot.com/

Becki Adams http://beckiadams.blogspot.com/

Wendy Antenucci http://antenucci.blogspot.com/

You are here---->Jen Matott http://arttalk-sigmagirl.blogspot.com/

Katrina Hunt http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Michele Kovack http://chelemom.blogspot.com/

Kelly Holbrook http://kellyrholbrook.blogspot.com/

Rhonda Van Ginkel http://snapwhiz.blogspot.com/

Jennie McGarvey http://jenniemcgarvey.typepad.com/

Suzanna Lee http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Monique Liedtke http://moniquesscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Haggerty http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com/

Marcia Dehn Nix http://onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Keppel http://www.myclutteredcorner.com/

Kelly Jean Guzlas http://www.kelsterjean.com/

Melissa Elsner http://www.theprofoundbrunette.com/

Shannon Morgan http://designsofapaddymack.typepad.com/

Juliana Michaels http://www.17turtles.com/

Monika Wright http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/

Audrey Yeager http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/

Graphic 45 and Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

Check out this blog hop project with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft and Graphic 45!

 

What's in the box?  Come see on the blog!

UmWOWStudio and Hazel & Ruby Blog Hop

Today, I'm hopping with UmWowStudio and Hazel & Ruby! This is my last UmWowStudio project for my DT term. I love their chipboard embellishments as well as the stencils, flair, and confetti!   For this project, I used a UmWowStudio ATC window frame and a small jewelry box.  Here's how I did it!

 

 Yes, that's a nest inside the box peeking through the window!

I got the Hazel & Ruby 12 Inch DIY Decor Tape in Wooden Grain and Pass The Tissue Chevron Newsprint.
I covered the lid with the wooded grain tape.  It is huge and I can't wait to use it on something really large but for this project, I just covered the lid.  It was super easy and smooth to apply!

 Looks just like wood!

 Then I used the tissue paper to cover the sides of the box.  I applied Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft's Gel Medium to the box and smoothed the paper on then I brushed another coat over the paper.  The tissue paper was light and easy to cut! Love that chevron print too!

 Once dry, I drew markings by laying the UmWowStudio ATC Window Frame onto the lid and using a craft knife to cut the opening in the lid.

 The top part of the window has a piece of painted and stamped paper and the window has a transparent photo adhered before putting them together with the lid.  UmWowStudio Star Confetti was painted with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft's Texture Luxe™in Silver before adhering to the frame.

 The word was created by adding the Hazel & Ruby Greetings Words Stencil Masks over the tissue covered side.  Then, I painted it with Faber-Castell Design  Memory Craft Gelatos® colors in Metallic Blueberry and Margarita Mix.  I also used the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft's Texture Luxe™in Silver through an UmWowStudio Confetti Star Stencil as a finishing touch!  

  

This little box was so fun to make and now  I have a fun piece of art to display!  Thanks UmWowStudio for having me on the DT and for Hazel & Ruby for their generous product!  

Get more details about the hop here.

Find Hazel and Ruby:

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Find UmWowStudio:

Shop | Blog | Facebook

Hop Along with May Arts and Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

There’s a May Arts & Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Blog Hop going on this week & I hope you’ll check it out! I was given some fun new ribbon from May Arts to work with... the 2.5" open weave ribbon and multi-size bead strands.

Stop by the blog & make sure to leave some love & then visit The May Arts Blog! :)

It's a Blog Hop! Spellbinders + Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft= Fa la la!

It's a Blog Hop!  Spellbinders + Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft= Fa la la!  I was lucky enough to get some fun dies to play with in my project. Here is the pretty holiday card I made with these fun dies...

 I got the Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator Elegant Labels Four dies.  They are not only pretty but layer beautifully to create gorgeous cards or projects! This holiday card was super easy to put together with the help of this set!

 I used DCWV Adhesive fabric paper to make the tag on top and wove a fun holiday ribbon through the openings.  So easy!  Stamp a fun sentiment on it with some of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft's Stamper's Big Brush pen and you top off the card with a gorgeous look!

 I also used Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft's Stampers Big Brush pen to stamp some of the word stamps on the cork.  I used some text paper printed in red for the bottom die layer.

 Underneath it all, I used Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® colors in Metallic Mint, Lime Green, Green Tea, and Iced Chai.  

Don't forget to hop along with the other fun designers... Check out the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog and Spellbinders blog!  There are prizes involved!  Leave me a comment here and I will pick a winner for a set of Steampunk Gelatos® color set on Monday, November 24th by midnight.

Materials:
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® colors in Metallic Mint, Lime Green, Green Tea, and Iced Chai
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Chrome Green  and  Scarlet Red.
Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator Elegant Labels Four die
American Crafts cardstock
7 Gypsies paper
DCWV adhesive fabric paper and cork paper
Stamps: Studio Calico
Bling: Queen & Co. & Prima Marketing
Ribbon: May Arts
India Ink and Gold ink

Fall is here!! Um WOW!

 

Hi friends!  It's been so long since I blogged... I almost forgot how to log in to my own blog!  So sorry about that long absence.  Life has gotten crazy and it just wasn't a priority!  I want to try to make it a priority with more posts.  Here is one for UmWowStudio with a project I created using their layered chipboard pieces.  I adore these so much and really need more!  Being on the DT, I plan on using more of these adorable sets!

 

 The Layered Leaves Chip is so perfect for all Fall projects!  I love the shape and the sizes you get in this pack.  Did I mention how much I love the thickness, durability and smell of these?  Yep, you heard me right... smell.  Like a cozy fire on a cold day... Sigh. LOVE it!

 

I love the natural color of all the chipboard but for this project, I needed to cover it with color and primed the whole thing with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso first.

 Then, I added lots of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® in the Steampunk Set.  I also added some Banana and Mango too.  But mostly I made Gelatos® sprays and dripped pure color down the board.

 Love how these adorable leaves stack and create a fun dimensional embellishment to my projects!

 I added an UmWowStudio flair from the Vintage Flag set and glued "Fall" from the Alpha TWO set  to the flair.

 I colored some Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle with an Iced Coffee Gelato and applied it through the UmWowStudio Damask Mask.

 The Iced Coffee Gelato has a bit of shimmer to it by itself but I also sprayed some Iced Chai on there too for more sparkle!

 Adding more color to the leaves gave it a bit more drama!  With the Gesso, the colors stand out far better than just on the kraft colored paper.

Want to see more projects with these layered chip?  Just go to the UmWowStudio blog and check it out!

Supply List:
UmWowStudio Layered Leaves Chip
UmWowStudio Alpha TWO 
UmWowStudio Vintage Flag set
UmWowStudio Damask Mask

 Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso
 Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® in the Steampunk Set
  Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle
Gelatos Mist Maker Tool Set
DCWV Burlap Paper Stack
Cardboard
Beacon Adhesive- Fabri Tac
Ribbon
Unity Stamp- Grace Girl

ComposiMold and The Mixed Media with Gelatos kit!

Hello my artsy friends!  I am sharing my necklace that I made using our product feature, ComposiMold and the Mixed Media with Gelatos kit that I designed for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft!  Since I have created the original artwork in this kit, I decided to challenge myself and create a wearable piece of artwork.

 

 ComposiMold was a new product to me but I immediately knew I wanted to create something with wings.  I loved how easy it was to use... just heat, stir, and pour over items (make sure the items are adhered to the bottom of the container before pouring).  I put the mold in the refrigerator to cool faster.  You know me, I hate to wait!
 Here's what it looked like when firm and removed from the container.

 I took the Cold Porcelain clay from the Mixed Media with Gelatos kit and mixed some with the Gold Champagne Gelato® and pressed it into the wings.

 I used some of the map tissue paper to cover some beads that just weren't that pretty!  I used the Textural Accents Gel Medium to adhere the paper.

 Next, I spread I light layer of the Whipped Spackle with the palette knife on a section of the wood veneer board and then placed the stencil over the layer and added more Whipple Spackle. 

 Once dry, I added the three Gelato® colors and stamped with Stamper's Big Brush pen over a rubber stamp. I coated the entire thing with more Textural Accents Gel Medium.

 Here is a good photo of the texture created with the Whipped Spackle.

 I cut out the main shape and adhered it to the back of a chipboard doily shape from UmWow Studios.  A gear, brad and the molded wings were added.

 See that bead I covered?  So cute!

 I used a hinge and stamped on it with the Stamper's Big Brush Pen.  Just a fun accent.

I can't wait to wear this with a fun outfit and show off these colors and fun products! I have a blast creating this unique wearable art and I hope you enjoyed it today!  Leave a comment on the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog about how you plan to use both products, and you'll be entered in a giveaway to win a set of the ComposiMold and the Mixed Media with Gelatos Kit. 

BUT also, I have a Mixed Media with Gelatos kit to giveaway here!   You have to leave me a comment on my blog here for a chance!  I will choose my winner on Friday, July 18th at 8pm.

Supplies:

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Mixed Media with Gelatos kit

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Pen in black

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Textural Accents Gel Medium

ComposiMold

Chipboard Doily: UmWowStudios

Gears: Tim Holtz

Brads: Prima Marketing

Beads

Hinges

Jump rings: Prima Marketing

Chain: unknown source

Beacon FabriTac adhesive