Fall Scrapbook Retreat 2013

Amtrak Train Trip Album WARNING: Photo Intense!

I made a little album for my niece from our 32 hour train ride on Amtrak.  We had fun and this album commemorates it. 

OUR ALTERED TINS

We had our scrapbook retreat the last weekend in September and as usual it wasn't long enough.  We challenged each other to alter some Altoids tins.  Here they are:

Mary's  1 outside

Mary's 2 inside

Annette's 1 inside -A Memorial to Her Mother

Annette's outside -Her mother painted these switch plates - nice tribute

Cyndi's outside 1

Cyndi's inside 1

Cyndi's inside 2

Cyndi's outside 2

side of Cyndi's tin

Cyndi made 2 tins - outside

Cyndi's second tin inside

Ruth's inside

Ruth's outside

My Traveling Art Journaling Supplies on Amtrak

These are the supplies that I took with me on my 32 hour train ride from Chicago to San Antonio in August. It worked out really well. Gelato's, Gray Scale Pitt Pens, white crayon (for resist), eraser pen, pencil, water brushes, small drawing pad, white correcting pen, stylus for scratching and making marks and a 1 qt size Baggie to hold it all.  I had everything I needed!

I Found a Fun New Way to Doodle - It's Called "ZENSPIRATIONS"!!!

Talk about fun!!!  This is extremely addicting and enjoyable!

Find the book here.

GELLI PLATE FUN

I just purchased a 6 x 6 Gelli plate yesterday at Blick Art Supply. I love that store!!!  It was hard to stop playing with it. I made these beautifully textured backgrounds for future ATC swaps by using acrylic paints and various stencils. FUN!!!

Playing With Pastels

I haven't played with my pastels in a very long time.  I did this portrait relatively quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. First the sketch...

Not sure my son would appreciate this, but here it is all finished.

SUMMER OF 2013 - The Summer of Loss

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything since the beginning of July.

It's been a very sad summer for me and my family.   To start the summer off, our sweet 14 year old dog, a cockapoo,  Mr. Pookers, died.  Then a few days later my very good and dear friend, and also known as my mother-in-law, Lillian passed away after a struggle with COPD.  That same week, a favorite Aunt of mine died.  Then to top all of that off my father, whom we all thought would get better,  had a short struggle with colon cancer and passed away in early august while I was in transit to see him.

Needless to say, I'm grieving and in need of an emotional outlet.   I'm feeling very strong urges to play in my art journal.  I would've take pics and shared them with you but, my camera broke, so I haven't been able to upload any pics at the moment.

I'm just trying to keep my feet on the ground and smell the roses while thanking God for what I have and have had.

Arc from Staples

Re-organized Clear Cling Stamps

I had to do something to re-organize my clear cling stamps.  I didn't want to have to purchase anything, so I gleaned through what I already had around the house.  This is what I came up with. 

Originally I had stored these stamps in binders and also in a small accordion file.  That definitely wasn't really working for me, I couldn't find what I wanted and alot of these stamp sets were forgotten about.  So by re-organizing them I hope to use them. 

So, the first thing I did was I sorted the stamps by size and type.  For my Tim Holtz stamps I kept them on their cards that they came with and then placed them inside some cellophane bags that I had. 

After that, I found some large white envelopes that I turned into large pockets for the stamps that I had placed on 8-1/2 x 11 binder cards.  I stamped the images of the stamps that they contained on the fronts.

I already had 3 plastic cases for clear stamps that goes in a binder.  I stamped the images on a sheet of cardstock and placed it in the front of each case so I could easily see what's in them. 

I had purchased some Close To My Heart folders years ago, that I gathered up and placed the rest of the binder cards in, after making sure that all the images were placed on the card so that I could easily see what is there.

After re-situating these stamps, I placed them all into a turquoise colored large bin that fits nicely on my shelf. 

As for the smaller sets I found some cellophane bags that were the perfect size for the largest of the small sets so I decided to use those.  They'll work perfect as clear pockets.  I cut white card stock to fit perfectly inside these cellophane bags.  The size was 6 x 8-1/4.  After the white card stock was in place I filled each one with a stamp set.

I made indexes for sorting, and then I found this white basket that held the cards perfectly and now that sits on my shelf too. 

That was it, all finished!!!

Re-Purposed Paper Sorter

This is what it used to be:

This is what it is now:

Tags, tags and More Tags Mini

How I Store My Stamp Pads, Markers and Re-inkers

How I Store My Wood Block Stamps

My Workspace Video

An Heirloom Page

Heirloom page.

My new shoes... Aren't they fun!

Project Tote

Details can be found here at my Filo Freak blog. 

I finished my granny square afghan! I started this afghan about 8 years ago. Most of the time it just sat in a bag in my closet. I am determined this year to finish old projects. I love the colors in this afghan! Pattern and yarn were from Lion Brand.

A Scrapbook Page

Using my Gypsy, I cut out the words "Bright Baby Blues", using the Hanna Montana cartridge  I backed the front paper with the yellow paper and framed a couple of pics with it as well.  I added a couple embellishments, some journaling and called it finished.

Knitted Poncho

This is the knitted poncho that I made. 

A Conscious Effort to Finish Old Projects...

Spring here has been really sloooooow in coming.  Today, it's finally a gorgeous day, I took my dog for a walk and ate my lunch outside.  I even have the windows open in my house.

I'm getting the itch to clear the clutter again!  How have I managed to accumulate so much stuff?  I definately have a disease when it comes to shopping.  The funny thing is I hate going to stores, I internet shop and that's the problem, it's way to contagious and way too easy!

I've been going through a knitting phase lately,  I made a really pretty knitted poncho and a knitted cowl, recently.    While I was knitting those I decided that before June I would like finish some projects that I have started and never finished over the years.  So, that's what I've been doing now. 

Things that I have on my list to finish:

1.  A pair of crocheted slippers that I started 10 years ago. DONE
2.  A granny square afghan that I started 6 or 7 years ago.  DONE
3.  A crocheted cowl that I started last fall. DONE
4.  I need to finish a book I've been reading now way too long, Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead.  DONE
5.  Plus, I have lots of knitted and crocheted projects that I bought to make and never started so I'd like to get those done too.  In Process
6.  Clean out the 4 drawer file cabinet. (1-1/2 drawers done)  DONE

I'll add to the list as I come across new (old) items that I find around the house.

Playing in the Birdseed

I made this page last night. I really like how it turned out. All of my supplies are mixed together so I can't tell you manufacturers products. I really like how I stretched out using the letters. The "e's" in "seed" are "c's" and the "h" in "the" is a "y", and the "r" in "bird" is a "j". I think it looks good enough to actually read! Lol

My Latest Page

All papers and stickers are from Basic Grey.