More About the Girls

Saturday, April 6, 2013

AP April Challenge - Birds

It's time for another Altered Pages Challenge!
{Technically, it doesn't start until Monday, but I couldn't contain myself any longer!! So I'm getting a jump on it today!}

Haven't participated in a challenge yet?
It SUPER easy! Just hop on over to the AP Challenge Blog for the monthly details (2nd Monday every month); create a project using at least ONE image/product from Altered Pages; write about it on your blog & link up to the Challenge Blog!
It's that easy! 
C'mon...join in on the fun!
There's always a great prize package! And sometimes Jean adds more prizes for every day that someone links up their projects! WOW

"She was a nurturing soul"
Ok, so...I decided to approach the challenge a little differently this month & although the theme is Birds, I didn't really "focus" on the birds in my project...I wanted to play at drawing faces & creating a mixed media 11x14 canvas from there. This is my end result & I LOVE it! LOL!! If you want to see more, head on over to my personal blog - My Laughing Magpie! Or if you want to buy it, she's listed in my Etsy shop as well!

Supplies used:
Vintage Bird Cards AP 1790 (collage sheet)
Glitz Papers from Beautiful Dreamer Collection & tiny alphabet (background & title)
Gel Medium (adhesive)
Molding paste (hair)
Acrylic paints (all over)
Stamps (texture, background)
Colored Pencils & Inktense Blocks (face)
Found objects (hair accessories, necklace & broach)
Shredded paper (nest)

Hope you'll vote for me when the voting opens on the Challenge Blog!
Cheers!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Lovely Lavender...an Altered Pages Challenge Post

Altered Pages is celebrating the coming of Spring with their latest challenge - Lavender Thoughts!
I missed last month's challenge, so I wanted to be sure to get in on the fun this month! And what better way than an ATB! 
An Artist Trading Block that is! 
What IS an ATB you ask...its a chunk of wood that you can spruce up with whatever strikes your fancy & trade it with other artists like ATC's or simply keep it for yourself to admire! 
I'm keepin' mine! LOL!!

First I covered the block with a couple of pieces of Bazzill's Antique papers

Then I painted over that with a mixture of white glitter paint & the lovely Eco Friendly Paint in "Matte Eggplant" to make a lavender color. Next, I added the cute fairy on her butterfly from the Children on the Wing collage sheet & butterflies from the Victorian Butterflies sheet; the picket fence & some other little treasures from my stash. 

Finally I used some Glitter Silk paper & the "Strings of Pennants" die to create the "Fairy Garden" banner.

Don't forget to vote on/after the 15th for your favorite DT project & enter your own for this FABULOUS prize pack...
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Altered Pages Challenge #5: "Snow Dancing"

It's time for another AP challenge, using AP products...of course! Cuz they ROCK!!!

The theme this month is "Snow Dancing."

I am the first to admit that I am NOT a seamstress!
BUT, I LOVE to use my sewing machine when creating altered pieces & kinda feel that if it's just for me, I can get away with crooked lines!!
This one was inspired by our very own AP DT member, Tristan Robin Blakeman, who creates the most AMAZING altered fabric collage art!!! 
{Mine is nowhere near as lovely as his, but I like it anyway!}
I used an image from the "Vintage Ice Ballet" collage sheet sewn upon layers of linen, satin, some strange foil-like material, flowers, trim & mother of pearl buttons! I left a little pocket at the top so that I can slip a dowel through it later to hang.

I hope you will join in on the challenge this month! Jean is promising a big prize package with up to 10 products! The catch - more people need to sign up for the prizes to continue to grow! You can read more about the challenge here!
Thanks for stopping by today!

Cheers!


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Once again...

Here we go again...it's been too long since I've blogged anything & even longer since I have been creative!!!

While I have been in the midst of moving about 25 miles south of our old home, mom & Kim have managed to get creative with some fun projects that I promise to photograph & post here in the next couple of weeks!

We (my little family) are off to Maui today for our annual timeshare week & when I get back, it's time to unpack the studio! Just in time to take off again for a family visit over Christmas!

I am itching to get my fingers & brushes wet!
I have so many painting ideas in my head...hopefully they will come to fruition soon!

Hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season with loved ones!

TTFN!

Cheers,
 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Still here...sort of!

Just a quick note to let you know that we're still here!

I am in the annoying process of packing a house we've been in for 16 years & moving 35 miles away! BOY do we (I) have a lot of stuff!
So, not much time for blogging lately, or art for that matter!

I promise to post more of an update on the "Larger than Life" class I took in Oregon last month with Alisa Burke & the great time I spent with my friend Rachel Carlson. Time with family & friends.  And moving pix & the new home.

Cheers!

Monday, October 8, 2012

SpOoKey Blog Hop Winners!

Time to announce the winners from the AP Fall/Halloween blog hop last week!!!!


First the Collage Sheet Winners are:

Nicie Ibarra said: "Hi Becky, I just LOVE all of your projects!!!! Can't pick just one! :)"
and
Debi said: "Becky, you may think project overload- i think more please!!! I just love the Keep Calm Ride On - made me smile, thanks for the chance to win, Debi- you newest follower x"
Please email Jean Moore to collect your collage sheets!

AND THE WINNER OF THE DOMINO BOOK KIT IS...
DRUM ROLL PLEASE...
BARBARA RANKIN!

Barbara, please email me your snail-mail addy & I will get it off to you ASAP!!!
(please note that i am getting ready to go out of town & HOPE to get it off to you before I head out! Otherwise it will be in the mail mid-next week!)

Congrats to all of you & thanks for Hopping along with us!
Be sure to check out the latest AP Challenge on the blog too for more great prizes & to play along with us!!

Cheers!
 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Save the Ta Ta's!!!! - An Aaltered Pages Challenge

Hello & thanks for stopping by today!
It's time for another Altered Pages Challenge!
This time around, it's all about the PINK!
PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

This is my good friend Kathy today,
Dakota is constantly nibbling on her!
She is an amazing woman! She's a "Frenchy." Meaning, she was born in France, but you'd never know it until you hear her speak French! She's one of the most down-to-earth people I know! She's generous, kind, funny & a FANATSTIC cook! She's an awesome mom & I assume, wife, cuz she & her hubby Tim have been together a long time!! Several years ago they moved to the mountains & she got a horse...2 horses, 2 cats & 2 dogs later...She teaches riding lessons to all the kiddos (including Maggie) & is simply enjoying life now. But it wasn't always so...
 
She was 1st diagnosed when she was in her early 40's. She went through a tough surgery to remove & reconstruct the one breast (no chemo or radiation). All seemed clear until she had JUST hit her 5 yr mark & was diagnosed in the other breast. Surgery again, but this time chemo & radiation was needed...during her last round of chemo, we invited them to come to Maui with us...
No hair, insert for her bra & swims suits, tired, sick feeling, but along she came for a much needed break from all the cancer chaos! She's had a much tougher time coming back from this one but it's been almost 2 years now & she's doing awesome (as you can see from the silly horse pic above!)

So, I dedicate this post & my PINK project to my good friend Kathy! May you have many, many more healthy years with us all!!!

{Sheesh! Sorry to get so wordy, but I wanted to share how breast cancer has touched our family, as I'm sure it has yours or someone close to you.}
*****
For my PINK project, I altered a Barbie! Have you ever done this? It's challenging, but SUPER fun when it's all done! 
(You can catch a glimpse of  my Travel-Steampunk Barbie HERE)
First, I sprayed her with a primer (very important step & be sure to cover her hair w/plastic wrap or it'll be grey!); then I covered her with tissue paper to add some dimension & texture - plus this allows you to "cement" the doll into the position you want when she dries (I only had polka-dot tissue on hand!!); cut out images from the following COLLAGE SHEETS & glued them to her body:
(That was a little challenging when printed on cardstock. So I reprinted them on regular computer paper & they were easier to manipulate.)
added bright pink paint to her entire body with my fingers; added PAPER FLOWER wings & flowers here & there; mixed light pink paint with gel medium & mussed up her hair (let dry in this crazy fashion!); 
 applied a spray adhesive to her body, then sprinkled with PINK German Glass Glitter. Then I embellished her head with some eye-pins, beads & breast cancer ribbon charms;
 her "SAVE THE TA TA'S" sign was made from some GLITZ "Beautiful Dreamer" paper scrap & letter stamps; covered the spool with more GLITZ paper; nailed & glued her to the spool & then finished by embellishing the spool a little. My only regret? I wish I would have put her arms up over her head with the sign!! Maybe the next one! :)~
SO, here's YOUR part of the Challenge:
Create ANYTHING in PINK! Really! ANYTHING!!!
Jean has so graciously offered up some really great prizes for those that participate in creating some thing PINK! {visit the challenge blog for more details!}
Think PINK GRAND Prize Package!
When you're done creating ANYTHING PINK & post it to your blog & link it up on the Challenge Blog. We (the DT) will vote for our favorite project & the Grand Prize winner will be announced on the AP Challenge Blog & 3 lucky runner-ups will get a COLLAGE SHEET of their CHOICE!! {The only rule for this challenge is that the project must be created FOR this challenge (can be combined with another if you have obligations to meet!) }

So, c'mon! What are you waiting for?
Go get PINK!!
OH! I almost forgot!
We'd also like you to VOTE for your FAVORITE  PINK project created by a design team member!
So be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog & vote!!
"TA TA" for now!
 






Thursday, October 4, 2012

It's TiMe for a SpOokEy, CrEePY FaLL Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Altered Pages Halloween/Fall Blog Hop!!
WARNING! WARNING!
BEWARE OF PROJECT OVERLOAD!!!
You've been warned...I went a little overboard for this hop & wanted to apologize for any overwhelming qualities on this post! LOL!!

First of all, let me get the specifics outta the way...
Hopefully you've joined me here via the Altered Pages BLOG & have started from the beginning cuz each of the designers are giving away a Halloween-themed digi-collage sheet to TWO winners, courtesy of Altered Pages (THANKS JEAN!!) by leaving a comment on each blog & becoming followers!
In addition to that, Jean is also giving one lucky winner a Pink Scissor Mouse, so be sure go back to the beginning & leave a comment that you finished the hop & left comments/follow along the way!

AND...could it get any better?!!
YES! It CAN!!
I am also giving away some blog candy...a kit to make my "Skeleton Stomp" Domino Book that is for sale on the Altered Pages website (contents vary slightly)!!! Just be sure to leave a comment telling me which project you liked best & you'll be entered in a random number drawing for it! YAY!!
...now let's get down to it!!!!
I simply ADORE this time of year with all the GORGEOUS color around us! Not to mention how fun it is to decorate & dress up for Halloween!!! So that's pretty much why I went WAY overboard for this hop! I just couldn't stop myself!!!

So, this is my "hall tree" where we usually hang our coats, but since I don't have a fireplace mantel, it's become my substitute for displaying collections like this!
See what I mean?? Craziness, huh?!
{There are a few things up there that I had created a month or so ago & you can read about those here: (the green dressform) & HERE (the little skeleton tin)...}
For this Hop, I started with an image from the Wicked Witches collage sheet that I simply cropped out & added to the saying "Keep Calm & Ride On!" (I even made one with a turkey from the Gobble Gobble sheet that says "Keep Calm & Gobble On" to change out next month!

I also made a set of bottles using the Macabre Page Image  as my template to create some spooky labels:
Witches Brew
Ravens Blood
Siren Song Elixer
 The Siren Song Elixer is my favorite!!! I used  a couple collage sheets of some VERY saucy women & a little bit of German Scrap!! (Laying Down on the Job & Erotica)
The Ravens Blood one has cutouts of ravens here & there from the Poe's Raven sheet.
Last is my MOST favorite!
I have never made Tussie Mussies before, but decided to give it a try! 
If you look closely, you'll see that I used ENTIRE collage sheets as patterned paper for the cones!! How clever am I?!! LOL!!
I used four different sheets to make the cones:
Here are some close-ups of the embellishments themselves:
Whew!
On top of all that I made a wreath too...you can see it HERE!
That's it, REALLY!
Hope you had fun looking at my projects today! Don't forget to leave a comment about what you liked best so you can be entered into the contests!

OH- ONE MORE THING!
We are starting another challenge on Monday, 10/8 with an AWESOME prize pack, so be sure to check in on the Altered Pages Challenge Blog for more details!
Cheers!
Don't forget to keep hoppin' around!















Tuesday, October 2, 2012

So much going on!

In addition to the Altered Pages Fall/Halloween Blog Hop coming up this Friday...
here
We are also having our second challenge on the blog starting Monday, 10/8!
This time we are all about the PiNk since October IS Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Be sure to check in on the Challenge Blog to see what we've created to inspire you to join in on the fun!!!
AND to further entice you, Jean is offering a great PINK PRIZE PACK for challenge participants!!!
On a personal note, obviously, I am busy working on projects for hops, challenges, kits & some fun things in between.
One of those fun things is traveling on Friday, 10/12 to Seaside, Oregon to take a one day workshop with Alisa Burke, called "Larger Than Life!" I am so excited to take this class from her...I have been a longtime admirer of her work & can't wait to meet her & learn form her!
details HERE
On top of taking this wonderful class in the AMAZINGLY beautiful town of Seaside in the Pacific NW...I also get to see my gal-pal Rachel Carlson!!
She's gonna pick me up & spend the entire weekend with me in Seaside & then a day in Portland too! YAY!! I can't wait for her to show me around, hang at Canon Beach with her & just catch-up on some much needed girl time!!! She's such an amazing woman - spiritually & creatively! She's even an extra on GRIMM from last season & this season too! How cool is she?!?!
I know that she will make the trip just THAT much better!
I can't wait to share my trip with you all!
That's it for tonight...been staying up to late the past few nights & I'm gonna finish watching Parenthood & tuck myself in for the night!
Cheers!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

SPoOkEy, CReEpY, FaLl PrOjeCt InSpiRaTioN HOP!

Join us for a day filled with inspiration to fill your home & life with Halloween & Autumn fun!
The Altered Pages Design Team has been busy since August creating fun things to help inspire you for the upcoming FABULOUS fall season!
We hope that you will hop along on
OCTOBER 5TH 
to see what's in store for you & to put your name in the "witches" hat for some prizes too!

I've been creating-up such a storm that I MIGHT be posting things on BOTH of my blogs!!
So, I sure hope you will come check it out! 
I may even have a giveaway...hint..hint...

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

A Steampunkie Kinda Day!

Earlier this month, I mentioned that I was having a girls weekend at our family cabin...well I am FINALLY posting the pix of the project we created together!
(SO sorry for delay, I'm sure you've been on the edge of you seats! LOL!)
all lined up
We started with paper mache dress forms from Michael's (these did not have an attached stand like the ones available at JoAnne's!) & covered them in foil tape from the hardware store. Then we embellished with found hardware items & some fun purchased pieces.
Stacey's Butterfly Girl
Kim's Angel
Nancy's Butterfly Girl
My crazy girl
I had been holding onto that "Good for one screw" token (it's really a car wash token on the back!) & thermometer for the longest time! Glad I finally found a use for them! I love her crazy wings - made from copper strapping!

That's it!
Be sure to check out my latest Steam Punk creation during
Leslie Rayhe's Very Fall Steam Punk Blog Hop
this Saturday, 9/22  
where I will also be giving away some BLOG CANDY on the My Laughing Magpie Blog!!!
check it out HERE on 9/22
PS: I might be offline for the next several days recovering from surgery, so please accept my apologies in advance for not responding to your comments right away!
Cheers!