Cards with Cosmo Cricket Material Girl

The more I play with Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl, the more I realize how versatile this collection is.

This vintage design on the green paper can be so versatile. I used it on a card here that can be a friendship card, a birthday card, or just a hello card.





And I drew out the blues in this friendship card. I love the blue and cream floral paper. Gonna have to make an all blue cream card soon.





The stamp is from Stampin' Up! and the border punch is Fiskars.

It's been a busy month here. I hope to have more things to share soon. Have a great day!


~melanie~

Thanks Card on a Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone... or as I say on facebook "Happy Friday, Ya'll!".

I've been missing the past few Moxie Fab's Tuesday Triggers, but I'm happy to say I did one this week. Here's this week's trigger:



I was inspired by the color scheme and I tried to mimic the rose petals with lace and layered ruffles






Papers are from Basic Grey Koishi. Prima flowers, a doily, and some seam binding.

Off to eat lunch with a friend. Have a wonderful weekend!

~melanie~

Thanks and Congrats Cards

I got my order of the newest Webster's pages in last week. I couldn't wait for the 6x6 papers and stickers. This is what I made yesterday.


I used Webster's Pages 6x6 mini papers and alpha stickers, Stampin' Up border punch, seam tape from Etsy, Prima flower, 7gypsies sticker and pearl brad.



Supplies: Websters pages 6x6 paper, alphas and stickers; Stampin up Border punch, Pink Paislee Artisian Elements, and seam tape (from Etsy).

Another sunshiney day here. Thanks for stopping by!

~melanie~

Stitching a background

Last month, I fell in love with the Papertrey Ink Background stamps shown HERE (who didn't?) but with my work status (you know - returning to being a starving artist), my I had to tighen by budget. So, what's a girl to do? Hmmmmm.... I thought about it and decided to give my sewing machine a try. Yes, I machine stitched the diagonal strips. :)

Here's how it turned out.





I used Papertrey Ink's Blooming Button Bits stamps. The polka dot paper is from Collage Press and the border punch is from Fiskars.

Thanks for stopping by today!

~melanie~

My Obsession with Alice

As of late, I've had an obsession with Alice. I saw the new Alice movie last month and was "enchanted" with the artistry in the film...the costumes, the color (or lack of), the characters. It was all so "artsy". I wanted to see it again the next day, but didn't. Besides stirring the artist in me, I related to Alice in a strange way. Grown up Alice was "expected" to conform to society, she was expected to dress a certain way and marry a certain man and live a certain life. I tried this mold on for the past seven months. I took a corporate job, sat at a corporate desk, and brought home a corporate paycheck. But I was dying inside. After three months the artist inside of me was screaming to get out. Yet, I was so tired at the end of the day, that I couldn't physically do anything creative. After months of prayer and patiently waiting, I finally found my way out and couldn't be happier in my spirit.

The first thing I painted on my new journey - without consciously thinking about it - was - Alice. I was inspired by a recent issue of Somerset Studios magazine - their theme throughout the magazine was Alice. I picked it up on a recent trip to Texas, and I couldn't put it down. I also was inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts. But what turned me on to Kelly Roberts was this art post by Courtney Walsh. Courtney, you have no idea how much I was screaming on the inside while sitting at the corporate America desk bored out of my mind reading this post. I guess one just doesn't know how much we can effect the lives of someone else. Thank you for being the little white rabbit for me to follow. I didn't know it at the time, but it was the beginning of a journey.

So....I came home from our trip to Six Flags and opened my box of art supplies that the UPS man delivered the week before. (Yes, I haven't even opened the box because I knew once I did, there was no turning back) I followed the techniques in Kelly Robert's book and drawing from inspiration in the books and magazines, came up with this.







My main goal in this process was to "be free". I had to let go of any of my past artistic ways and just let things happen and deal with it. I used scrapbook paper (yeah - a new found use for my stash), a Martha Stewart punch, some stickers from a kit club (the butterfly), rubber stamp and ink, along with oil sticks, and acrylic paint. The words were an afterthought - I added them after I completed the painting shown below.

Which brings on my second attempt at mixed media collage. Again, here we go with Alice.







I used older Basic Grey papers, oil sticks, acrylic paint and a $5 12x12 multi-media canvas I found on sale. Love it when that happens.

Again, my goal was to practice the mixed media collage process again. I know that there is something unique to me that hasn't surfaced yet - a new set of series, but for now, I'm sticking with Alice. As I was thinking about my obsession with Alice, I was reminded of this song that I "found" when I was a nineteen. I found a tape (it was actually an 8-track tape and yes, I had an 8-track player in my car - so you can probably pinpoint the approximate year) that had this song on it. Want to hear it? It's worth the laugh because of the hair in the video. Here goes: Living Next Door To Alice

Thanks for stopping by today. Sorry to venture from my usually papercrafting posts!


~melanie~

Birthday Cards

I took a little bit of my "painting" time and made some cards yesterday - just to play! I DID receive a wonderful box of new scrapbook supplies from my favorite store, Emmas Paperie, right before Easter. There is nothing to motivate me more than new goodies!

I also picked up a copy of the new Paper Crafts Go to Sketches and LOVE IT. I used sketches from the book for my cards, although I did deviate a bit here and there.

I used the Basic Grey Kioshi collection on these.





I just LOVE the little birdie!



(Sorry - I had to remove this card!)


This is my first time using the scrunchy seam tape ribbon. I found it on Esty and used my flat iron (it's not just for hair) to smooth it out a bit.



All the rub ons used on these cards are from Karen Foster.

I hope you are enjoying beautiful spring weather. We have some long lost friends coming in from Michigan later this week. I'm cooking them some gumbo. Meanwhile, I need to get back to my art studio - I have another commission to work on. Have a wonderful week!


~melanie~

Sunshine, Easter and pppssttt!

After the quite unusual snow we had 9 days ago, we are now enjoying wonderful springtime weather. I see many yards full of crazy blooming wildflowers and dandelions and know that it would be long before we smell fresh cut grass on every corner. Can you imagine it??

I know I'm jumping ahead, but since I have NO Easter cards made, how about a summer card?






I used Jenni Bowlin Homespun mini-papers pack for this (I just love mini-paper packs!), an older Melissa Frances vintage label, Piggy Tales chipboard, Adorn-it alphas and Prima flowers.

And I may not have an Easter card, but I do have an Easter page. This is from an egg hunt my little one had a school last year.





I used JilliBean Soup papers and corrugated alphas (YUM) that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. The green alphas are American Crafts, Prima Flowers and SEI Stickers.

And one more PPPSSSTTT - that I should have mentioned sooner. There is a giveaway over at CupCardsToGo! that ends TODAY! CupCardToGo will reopen in June. Bookmark the site (save it to your google reader), and get on over there NOW and leave a comment on the give-away post.


~melanie~

I've been creating...but....

I HAVE been creating.
But
...its not paper craft stuff.
I pulled out the paint and canvas last weekend and have been like a mad artist as of late. Want to see what I've been doing?

First - a long overdue painting for my chiropractor. Not a good photo, but I didn't think ahead and bring my camera - hence a fuzzy cell phone pic.



The verdict? He loved it - and so did the staff (that's good b/c they will be facing the reception area and have to stare at it the most). It's 24" x 24" on stretched canvas with 1.5" deep sides. It was so much fun to do.

And some of my most fun and most popular pieces - my funky New Orleans pop art pieces. They are both 16" x 20" on 3/4" gallery wrapped stretched canvas. These haven't been sold yet.... but will go up online soon.



Title: New Orleans Jazzy Shotgun House No. 1



Title: Garden District 305

I have some new scrappy goodies that I can't wait to play with, but I need to get more art work done. Oh - and I forgot the most important news - I resigned from my job before spring break - so I'm now a permanent fixture in my studio. I've had the most freeing week of all doing what I love. And it's SPRING!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week.

~melanie~

Spring Snow

We woke up yesterday to snow. Yes. Snow.
Snow in the south.
Snow in the south the 2nd day of Spring.
hmmmmmm.
It snowed for at least 3 hours. Temps not low enough for accumulation. But it was pretty to see. I spend a few hours working on a painting and looking up and watching the flurries. All the while going "Snow??? really???"

And in case you did or didn't catch that - yes, I'm painting again. More on that in another post.

Here's a little something for today.





Background papers and ribbon are from Jillibean Soup. Label and "pea" papers are from Cosmo Cricket.

Oh - and guess what I've heard??? I don't know if I'm supposed to say anything so ssshhh.... but I hear that CupCardsToGo Card Kit Club will be re-opened soon!!! Again...ssshhhhhh!!!

And, I know so many people say things like, where did time go? March already? Etc... Etc... But seriously - March is almost over?? I'm still getting over the fact that February came and went so fast.

Have a great day!!
~melanie~

Back from our Mini-Vacay

Wheww- back from Texas! We spent all day yesterday at Six Flags. We got there before it opened, but apparently they let you in anyway - and some of the rides were even open. Woohooo - it was fun getting on rides with short lines - or even no lines. Little Miss Priss was very selective on what she would or wouldn't get on - but we did manage the milder roller coasters (mini-coasters). Here are a few pics and I'm off to recoup!










Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

~melanie~

M M M Material GIrl!

I have to give photos credits... did you notice my new blog banner? I had to give up the snow photo (no matter how cool it was that it snowed in the South) when the azaleas are blooming (yeah - I know!!). About two weeks ago my daughter wanted to take a nature walk to take photos with her new digital camera (she bought it with her birthday money). I asked if I could use one of the geese photos for her blog. :) She was more than happy to agree.

So.... on to other things...

Sometimes you just have to create just to create, right? Here's what I did with some my Cosmo Cricket Material Girl. I love the 6x6 paper pads - they are great for cards.

(card set removed for publication)





The felt alphas are from Making Memories. The felt flower is from my stash.



The stamps are from Paper Trey Ink (Blooming Button Bits).

Packing my bags tonight - Six Flags, here we come!! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by.

~melanie~

Tuesday Trigger!

Just a quick post to put up my Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger card. I just LOVE this week's green and white and toile inspiration.

I was going through my stash (you know - the one where I hoard things I love and then they are not-so-new anymore) and saw this wonderful Graphic 45 paper with the newsprint ads on one side and the floral print on the other. Thought it was perfect for this challenge.




Gotta run! Have a wonderful week and thanks for dropping in. :)

~melanie~

Spring Break is Here!

Can you believe it? I still have a snow photo on my blog banner, but it's Spring Break in the south! Kids are out of school for a week and we are heading out in a few days for a mini-vacay! I can't wait! Looks like we'll be heading to Six Flag Arlington. Anyone else going that way??

Here are some things I made over the weekend. The first is a card I made using Jillibean Soup's Old World Cabbage Stew on White collection and the white Corrugated Alphas.



I used Krylon Short Cut spray paints on the alphas. Flowers are from Prima. The green twine is from Jillibean.

One more Jillibean project for today.







The papers are from the Chicken Noodle on White collection and Soup Staples (Kraft); letters are the white corrogated alphas. The papers used on the the butterflies and the brown mini-alphas are from Cosmo Cricket. The bird sticker is from My Mind's Eye. The metal frame is an older Making Memories frame I've been hoarding. The crystals are from Prima and the other chipboard elements are from Crate Paper.

Enjoy your day and I hope you see signs of Spring in your neighborhood today!

~melanie~

Stamping a Smile

Such a busy week this week with not much creative time, but I'm hoping to keep my blog updated.

Here's a little something made entirely of cardstock (I rarely do this!) - but thanks to stamps and colored ink, it's fun.





I used some stamps designed by Kelly Panacci available here at Hampton Art. I used Friends I for the flowers and You and Me for the sentiment. I stamped the flowers in different colors, cut them out, and mounted then with foam adhesive. I used the cricut for the scalloped squares, and the Cuttlebug for the background. The border punch is from Fiskars.

Have a wonderfully "sunshiney" Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!

~melanie~

Fabric Flowers and Texture

I played with texture a bit this weekend in between hosting a birthday party at my home and house cleaning. I was rummaging through some of my older kit club finds and came across this fabric flower. Yes - I was hoarding a fabric flower. I was also hanging onto some felt Heidi Swapp butterflies. After uttering "thou shalt be used" (well, I really didn't say that) I ended up with this:






Supplies: Bazzill cardstock, (used cricut to cut the scalloped white card), baby yellow chenille, fabric flower and brad (kit club), yellow ribbon (Bo Bunny), patterned paper for leaf (Cosmo Cricket), felt butterflies (Heidi Swapp), red alpha letters (Adornit).

It's going to be a very busy week. Gotta help manage the office while the boss is out of town which means I won't get my two off days to create with this week. I'm sad when I'm not creating, but maybe I can sneak into my scrap room if I'm not too wiped out in the evenings. Have a great Monday!


~melanie~