Slowly Getting Back in the Groove

Hi Everyone.

I've been away from the blog a bit as I recuperate from hip replacement surgery - every time I type or write that I feel so old! I know lots of people younger than me that have had this surgery but it still makes me feel old!!! Everything is going well - lots of good days, only a few tougher days. The pain is minimal, just uncomfortable - the incision line is right where I sit, so getting comfortable is always a challenge. I felt so much better immediately after the surgery - that's how much pain I was in before. I'm now 2 weeks post-op and doing well. I'm looking forward to getting in better shape and stronger as soon as I can get to the gym. I've had lots of positive support and canine therapy which has made the recoup process easier. I'm almost done with my Lovonex injections (a blood thinner) and I actually enjoy physical therapy - it feels great once it's over!! So, that's what I've been up too these past few weeks!!

I've been away from the studio so I've been dabbling in my planners - journaling my surgery process. I haven't created anything and I'm anxious to get back! I have lots to create once I return home and I WILL get back to posting my projects soon! 

I wanted to show you the doll tags I've made so far with this year's Simon Says Stamp Card Kits. My goal is to make one each month from the awesome card kits!!!!! Here's the three I've made so far ...

January Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Doll Tag - more details here.

February Simon Says Stamp Card Kit - more details here.

March Simon Says Stamp Card Kit - more details here.

These tags are so much fun to create and it will be nice to have one for each month this year. 

I'll be back in the studio soon - hope you are all doing well!! 

One Sketch + One Kit = a fun Scrapbook Page!

Howdy Bloggers! I'm up on the Noel Mignon Blog today with a layout based on a fun sketch from Let's Get Sketchy. This month the Noel Mignon Design Team is teaming up with Let's Get Sketchy. We are creating pages using two of their sketches all month long. Here's my page using the last bits and pieces from Noel's "Picture Perfect" Classic Kit.

Here's the Let's Get Sketchy sketch my page was based on.

I have lots more closeups of my layout on the Noel Mignon Blog and info on a chance to win a Noel Mignon Kit by participating in this month's Let's Get Sketchy sketches. For details  click >>> here.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!! I'll be back soon with more crafty stuff!! 

All Dolled Up for Spring

Hello Bloggers. Happy Sunday to everyone! I want to share a tag I recently finished using up some bits from my Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit. I created a few Easter cards with this lovely kit which you can see again in my posts here and here. I wanted to create a doll tag with the leftovers from March's kit, which I have done with each Simon Says Stamp Card Kit so far this year. You all must know by now how I adore Julie Nutting's Doll Stamps. Since it's Spring I chose Julie's "Audrey" doll stamp since she comes with a spring hat!! I dolled her up with a spring outfit and hat to match and here she is 

I love her bunny skirt and matching hat. Her hat reminds my of when my Mom and Gram were young and hats were quite the accessory!! I died seam binding ribbon with Ranger's Distress Markers - the effect on the seam binding ribbon is more subtle than Ranger's Crinkle ribbon, (I prefer the Crinkle Ribbon) but it'll do in a pinch - you can still see the two toned effect. Her skin, hair and cheeks were highlighted with watered down Gelatos. 

Here's a close up of the bottom of the tag - I used Lawn Fawn's Grassy Border die to create the grass. 

She makes me happy - the bright Spring colors and the fact that it's the third tag I've created using Simon Says Stamp Card Kits!!

Thanks for hanging out and I'll be back Tuesday with a scrapbook page using Noel Mignon's latest and greatest kit!!! Ciao for now. 

"Trailblazer" Classic Kit Sneak Peek

Hey Everyone. I'm going to keep this short ... I'm up on the Noel Mignon Blog today with a layout featuring the latest Trailblazer Classic Kit. I am in love with this kit - it's ideal for travel photos and the color palette is yummy! Here's a peek of my layout.

I have lots of close ups on the blog and info about grabbing one of these kits and info about the current kit subscription! Stop by the blog for more details and to check out our latest challenge this week! 

Have a great Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!!!!!

12 Tags of 2016 Continued

Hi there - Happy Monday! It's Spring here in New England, so what does that mean ...  why, snow of course!! Snow, wicked winds and hail. Snow, yesterday and today. Not alot of snow, but enough to make it slick under foot and make commuting a pain in the butt! Oh yah, and it's cold again. So what to do ... CREATE!!

I finished a layout, which I'll post tomorrow. I also photographed my January and February Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2016. I've already posted my March tag - you can see post that here. January's tag was done while I was at Crop on the Cape 2016 with my Artsy Fartsy Girls. Here's January's tag based on Tim's.

Here's my January Tag 

I like the foil taped background technique.

My new fav technique is using Picket Fence Distress Crayon to add color to metal embellishments - it's so much easier than paint!! 

I really loved February's tag - the colors and gold embossing are gorgeous. I worked on February's tag right after the crop with one of my Artsy Fartsy girls. Here's Tim's tag

I used my own photo to personalize the tag. Tim's new tag-sized stencils are perfect and were used on this tag. Here's my version

I love this photo of my Grandma and Aunt - they are both so young and all dressed up! Hats were so in then!! This close up shows the lovely gold embossing. 

The ribbon is so vibrant - it was stained with Candied Apple Red Distress Spray Stain - one of the new distress colors from 2015. 

Well, I'm officially caught up on my 12 Tags of 2016!! I'm gathering my supplies for April's tag which features a technique I'm anxious to try. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Monday!!

Welcome April!

Hey everyone! Welcome April! You know what the first of the month means ... a new challenge on the Mixed Media Monthly Blog. This month our challenge is Dimension.

This is always one of my favorite themes. I created a tag this month using products from our AWESOME guest designer, Wendy Vecchi. I used one of her stamp sets to create the focal point of my tag. Here's what I created 

I added dimension to my project in several ways. I used Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium "Crazing" to achieve the crackle effect. I scraped the collage medium through a stencil and then let it air dry. Once dry I colored areas of the tag with Distress Crayons and blended them with a with a wet wipe. I stamped the flower image with archival ink onto watercolor cardstock. I then water colored it with distress markers.

The flower center adds great dimension as well - I colored a Tim Holtz Idea-ology Gumdrop with alcohol ink. I colored crinkle ribbon with distress markers. I used the Picket Fence Distress Crayon to color in the metal typed token.

Our sponsor this month is the fabulous Stampers Anonymous.

Stampers Anonymous is offering prizes for a few lucky challange participants - check out the blog for more details.

Thanks so much for stopping by and we look forward to seeing your projects!! 

Happy April!!!