Not So Mellow Yellow

Yellow has always been one of my favorite colors. It has a sunny disposition and the ability to make me happy. This week, I used yellow to create my stamped and embroidered sampler because we are celebrating the color yellow at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

To start this project, I pulled some of my favorite yellow products. My base squares are made from watercolor paper with a sunny watercolor wash from my Distress Markers. I added some doodles from Prima Flowers "Free Spirit" Cling Stamp Set. These stamps have quickly become one of my favorite new sets. The sampler photos are from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Found Relative Portraits. I love using old photos and these "photos" are durable and able to withstand additional wet or dry media added to them.

And then I added some ephemera and stitching with embroidery floss.

And some more stitching!

So much fun!

Show us your yellow.  Link your "yellow" project to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and you could win a $50 gift voucher to shop at Simon Says Stamp. Simon has received a new and updated look on their site, so be sure to check it out. Your project could also be chosen to be featured in our Designer Spotlight!

Ranger Watercolor Paper

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Found Relative Portraits

Tim Holtz Wild Honey Distress Marker

Tim Holtz Mustard Seed Distress Marker

Ranger Inksentials Triangular Collage Glue Stick Adhesive

Prima Flowers Free Spirit Cling Stamp Set

Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad Soft Granite Mid Tone

We R Memory Keepers Yellow Floss Sew Easy

We R Memory Keepers Piercing Mat Sew Easy Pink

We R Memory Keepers Needles Sew Easy 4 Pack

7 Gypsies Paper Tape

Yellow makes me happy!

April Showers...Altered Trading Block

Rain, Rain Go Away...I'll make an ATB today!

Artist Trading Blocks. Have you seen them around?  There are so many GORGEOUS blocks at The Artists on the Block. These little blocks are crazy addictive to make. No right. No wrong. Just create! Today I would like to share this Artist Trading Block that I made with Sizzix dies from Eileen Hull. I used the Blocks/Cubes 3-D die from Eileen's collection.You can visit Eileen's blog here. Be sure to leave her some love, as she just broke her ankle this past week. OUCH!

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed that I don't use a lot of flowers.But for this project, I knew that I'd need a flower die. I used the Eileen Hull Sizzix Flower 3-D Wrapped die.

Here's how I made the umbrella...

I cut the "flower" from BasicGrey Fresh Cut paper with my Sizzix. Then I gently scored the scallops as shown. I inked the edges and glued the ends together. I added the handle by wrapping washi tape around a small piece of floral wire. (The wire makes the handle easy to form) And then I added a bead to top it all off. Viola!

The little stamped boys were stamped with a stamp from 100 Proof Press. I added the buttons to the photo to show scale.  Sometimes its easy to forget how tiny these are. Don't forget to check out the Artist On the Block for more inspiration!

Big Stamp

This week the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge is "Big Stamp".  I know what you're thinking....Where's the big stamp, Michelle? Trust me it's there.  In fact, there's two background stamps.  You see, I had a lot of trouble with this challenge.  I had convinced myself that I needed to cover something in it's entirety, or use a large stamp to cover a large space.  It just wasn't working for me, so I returned to my art journal. I explored using white space, or empty space instead. I used my large background stamps as a means of making marks instead of taking up space. This is what evolved.

I created a mixed media college with vintage elements and elements that had a vintage, or grunge feel. If you look closely, you'll see the stamp markings. I even created the tiny heart tag with a background stamp...just not the entire thing.

It was an excellent reminder that not all space needs to be covered.

What do you do with a "Big Stamp"? Link your project to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Show us your project and you could win a $50 gift voucher to Simon Says Stamp. Your project could also be chosen to be featured in our weekly Designer Spotlight.

InLinkz.com

Wings

This week the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is to create something with wings. A "Winged Thing"...An ethereal butterfly? A Winged cherub? I chose an airmail bird.
There's an entire underground network of people who exchange art via the postal system. Some exchange faux postage, postcards and have mailart "calls" for themed artwork as well. The one rule that remains constant is that there aren't any rules. My envelopes won't gain notoriety from those esteemed artists, but who doesn't love getting mail?  Something fun to brighten a mailbox.

I adore postal elements and I love those airmail labels!  They make everything look so "official". The address label and cancellation marks are from the same Hero Arts stamp set, while the bird is from the Tim Holtz Bird Feather set. Originally, I wasn't certain which stamps to use so I pulled some stamps and my Envelope Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers and sat down to create.  I made certain that there was enough space to add a "real" stamp and place for the recipients address. Other than that, no Rules. I love that!

What "Winged Things" inspire you? Show us your project.  Link it to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and you could win a $50 voucher to Simon Says Stamp. Your project could also be featured in our weekly Designer Spotlight,

InLinkz.com

so...what have you been up to?

I was sick. The flu. Ick! It zapped all of my creative energy. Actually, it zapped all of my energy. So I curled up with my blanket and my ipad and I spent several days doing nothing.  Which sounds wonderful, But when your sick, it's not wonderful. 

I've been wanting to do some redecorating, but I wasn't sure which direction to go in. I love vintage, but not too vintage. I love bold colors and contemporary pieces too.While I was ill I discovered that interior decorators refer to my intended style as Industrial Chic. Who knew that I had a style? :) Here's some inspiration photos that I found on Pinterest. Did I mention that I love Pinterest? You can find me here.

As soon as I started feeling better, I went shopping. I'm not wealthy, so I'm going to have to transform one piece at a time.  My first purchase was two of these cute bar stools. I am thrilled with them!

I have a few ideas for some crafty home decor pieces with vintage flair. I'm excited to get them started. Except a trip to the ER on Tuesday set me back a few days. As I recover, I'll plan my future projects. Meanwhile...what have you been up to?

Bookbinding Tutorial

My Japanese Washi Tutorial is on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog today. I designed it to incorporate all of those cute Project Life cards. You can see it here.

Hope you like it!

:)

Washi Book

This week the theme is Journey for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. If it's talking about your own creative journey, process, life in general, or your next vacation, we'd love to see your project. On Wednesday of this week, I'll Journey into bookbinding as I share a tutorial for Japanese Washi Bookbinding on their blog. Here's a sneak-peek...

Link your Journey themed project to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and you could win a $50 voucher to Simon Says Stamp.  Your project could also be chosen to be featured in our designer spotlight!