Beautiful Love Tin

I really enjoyed making the girlie grunge "Treasure box of Happiness"  last week, so I decided  that I would try to make more 3D items. I noticed that at  Try in On Tuesday, they had a challenge to "Alter a Tin". It is sponsored by the Craft Barn, think they would ship to US?  It is also is such a pretty pink color, that I'll enter it in Pink Saturday too.  Also tomorrow I will be posting about my giveaway, so please check back for the exciting details. Adding this to Pinkalicious Thursday.

Well, I started with a round mint tin that was pink already, so all I had to do was use a silver paint pen to sorta cover it. The fun part was the female beauty from Fripperies and Butterflies, where I used Twinkling H2O paints and glitter to detail her. This is the second time I used these luminous paints and just adore them. Made a headdress of rhinestones and pearls,  glued on silver german scrap trim from Artchix Studio, word snippets "Beautiful love", more glitter and a bell necklace with a white bow. Around the tin was pink german scrap and I added pink sheer ribbon and beautiful wings encrusted with rhinestones, pearls and glitter to the back. I took a photo of it standing up on our mantel, but it's just as nice flat too.
Hope you'll spread some beautiful love this week.
Take care, gerri



"Side view details"



Still Life

Just a short little post today.
Here's a small watercolor painting I did of my two favorite subjects...sea shell and flowers. (Actually it's scallops, a starfish and a poppy.) My painting class moved to Friday mornings, so as you read this I might be painting away! I really should think about what I want to paint tomorrow, so I'm not running around like crazy before I have to leave. When I get home I will visit everybody to see what they have created for Paint Party Friday. Can't wait.
Till next week  Paint On,
take care, gerri

Dream On

Well I can hardly believe it... it's a dream come true. Recently, I  hit the 100 follower mark and it has been only 7 months since I started this blog. What a wonderful experience getting to know all you lovely artists in the land of Bloggerville. I would like to celebrate  this with a giveaway.  In my stash , I am sure that I can put some interesting sparkley, glittery supplies together. I will post the pictures and details in the next few days. Please do check back.

Meanwhile, James Joyce said.... "A man's errors are his portal to discovery". Boy, was he right. I knew my printer was behaving badly and I printed the image below anyway! It was ALL a lovely hot pink, so instead of reprinting, I just painted over  it with Twinkling H2O paints and Stickles. It came out very bright , but I just went with the flow anyway. LOL. The delightful Southern Belle image is for a challenge at Soartful Challenges. The background has a printed border sticker that I painted over too. A US Almanac image from 1876 is also layered. I trimmed it with a deep purple organza ribbon, yellow ink kissed paper borders, fabric flowers from last summers lei, green ribbon leaves and added some yellow ribbon roses. The final touches included a transparent "Dream" and some little bees and butterflies.
Hope you will dream on this week.
Always, gerri

"Dream"



"Dreamy Details"



Friends make life blossom

When I saw this beauty from Graphics Fairy, I said Oh my, I must use her. I remembered there was a challenge for purplish stuff at at Reasonable Ribbon . I looked it up and it was Challenge #22 Violets, Lilacs and Plums, Oh My. She fit the bill  perfectly with her soulful gaze and pretty purple printed top.
This was a simple card with an inked kissed stripe background, rose ribbon embroidered ribbon and sequins. There is layering of  a different patterned purple paper with script and additional touches of lilac and plum organza ribbon. A touch of german scrap and the  stamped sentiment came next. She printed out so well, that I she didnt need any rhinestones or  glitter.
You bloggers are the friends that make my life blossom.
Artfully yours,
gerri

"Friends make life blossom."

Now kiss me goodbye

For the last week in April, the final challenge for Gingersnap Creations in the Far East theme is a color challenge of Red and Gold. (GC100). Come visit and join the fun. You can also see wonderful pieces from the other Design team members. Its been an exciting and fun time completing my first month on this Design Team. All the new friends I've met have been amazing and sooo supportive.
Well, for this week's project, it really is mostly red and gold. Yet, somehow it just needed black, so I added that too. The starting point was the red and gold patterned paper that I overstamped with the black cherry blosson. I framed it with some black shiny pattern paper and my base was complete. The vintage semi nude beauty image from Artchix Studio, has all her "special" parts obsured with glittered up feathered buttereflies. The word banner "Now kiss me good-by" is on gold and has red german scrap details. Some more red german scrap to top the piece was needed. Now for the sparkle....the gold flowers with the black rhinestone centers were actually clear. I used a Sharpie marker to make them gold. I use Sharpies to change the color of everything. I once used a black Sharpie to change the color of  a nice sized piece of fabric for a piece. LOL. A little decal crown and tattoo and sprinkles of glitter and I was ready to kiss this piece goodbye.
Kiss, Kiss ....
Good-by for now, gerri

"Now kiss me good-by."

"Check out my details."

Happiness is being With You

Woo hoo! Received my copy of  Stampers Sampler Catch Up Issue 2011 today and there on the wrapping  it said I was published. I tore thru the magazine and found three different cards. Two were current, but one was a couple of years old! I could tell the difference in my style and see my creative growth. I also noticed work from a number of my fellow bloggers. Congrats to you too!

The current pieces were based on a tape challenge. In the purple one, I used patterned tape for the background. I find my patterned tape at Michaels on clearance so, its only .50 for a nice sized roll. The second card has masking tape ruffles with an image  from Artchix Studio. So for both, I added vintage images, netting/lace, german scrap,  rhinestones, appliques for dimension and stamped sentiments. For the last piece, which I think looks very simple now, I created a  pale blue ink well template and stamped the feather quill. Layered pattern paper, more stamping and rhinestones to complete it.
Well, happiness is being with you , dear friends.
Till next time, gerri

"Happiness is being with you."

"You are truly special."

 

Happy Easter

Hope everyone is having a pleasant Sunday with their family today. Even if you don't celebrate Easter, it's always a beautiful day when you can be with family and friends.
Here are several very easy Easter cards I made using vintage images. I made about 25 this year. They start with a vintage image, under the photos you can see the image sources. Just added sparkle with Stickles, multi colored fiber, sequins and  rhinestones to the images and they hopped away. I also included  a shot of my dining room table with a few more cards and some colorful glitter eggs.
Have a hoppy day and don't eat too many chocolate bunnies,
gerri

Vintage Image from Vintage Holiday Crafts



Vintage Images from "Fripperies and Butterflies"








An Easter Card Assortment with Colored Eggs.

She lived for the moment

Now that all the Easter cards are done, in the mail and hopefully arriving on time.You'll see for this girlie clown piece that I used supplies that I had on my table,  like the Tim Holtz texture fades and the purple tissue from my Easter baskets. This darling vintage image is from Fripperies and Butterflies. They have a April challenge to use one of their Big Top images and of course, I picked the prettiest one. Moxie Fab World also has a Tissue Paper Magic Challenge, so I am submitting this.
The image had some faint coloring of yellow and pink, so I watercolored her to intensify the colors and bring out the details of her frilly costume. The background is several layers of paper and Bingo numbers from Tim Holtz Texture Fades. Around the edge there is  lilac tissue trim that is layered with gold stars, glitter heart corners and numbered squares. The accents were the glitter hat, rhinestone earring and the heart belt. I added the word snippet, just perfect for a performer..."She lived for the moment, of a bubble rising into the light." and fini.
Hope you are living for the moment,
Artfully yours, gerri

"She lived for the moment, of a bubble rising into the light."

"Frilly Details"

A touch of Spring

For Painting Party Friday , here's the watercolor I made this week at my painting class. I've been painting for a little over one year and still have alot to learn, but enjoying it all the same. We bring items to paint to class so I am always running about before class to find something. LOL. The daffodils are from our garden, the blue vase is a vintage find and the striped runner was ripped off our kitchen table. The vase is just the right height  to fit daffodils and I love the color combination of yellow and blue. We have many varieties of daffodils in our garden from bright yellow, to peach, to white and my husbands favorite, where the cups are yellow-green trimmed with red-orange. I've included some current garden shots to share with you too.

Hope you are enjoying your Springtime, where ever you are.

Always, gerri

"Daffodils in a Blue Vase"

 

"Our  Springtime Garden"



Easter Bonnet with all the Frills Upon it

Worked on my Easter cards this week and had a lot of fun working with all the pretty colors and sparkley things. I will post them on Easter, so check back. At Bella Creations there was a tag challenge where you had to use this striking vintage image of a lady in a hat from Gecko Gals. I made the tag, then decided it really needed to be a card, so I could send it out to a dear friend. I also entered it at Creative Belli #115 Eggs /Bunnies and Get Creative "Spring"
On the tag, I edged the photo with sequins then glued on a lot of fabric flowers . The flowers were from Hawaiian Leis from a BBQ quite  awhile ago. LOL. (You know how I love to repurpose stuff!) I added lots of Ranger Stickles and tiny confetti eggs, a stamped bunny covered in glitter and the Happy Easter stamped sentiment. Inserted some sheer ribbon for additional shine, added a rhinestone earring. Put the tag on a patterned card and my darling lady was all set with her Easter bonnet.
Have a sparkley week.
Artfully yours, gerri

"Happy Easter"

Waitin' there for me

"I'm glad I found you waiting there for me.", that's how I feel when I read all your wonderful comments on my blog and I just had to tell you! This saying was the spark for this week's piece for Gingersnap Creations random challenge called Fans. (GC99). Come visit this group, there's so much to see, do and learn.
The pretty Asian transparency  is the base of my creation and is from Artchix Studio. I layered it over patterned paper and just love how it adds additional layers and depth. I stamped the fans from Inkadinkado on the patterned paper and added some shiny folded paper behind them. Some brown german scrap edged with blue frame the piece. The glittery medallions topped with reproduction Asian coins are actually blue snow flakes, but you can't tell!  Oh, and don't forget the tiny rhinestone earring and she was complete.
And dear friends....I'm glad I found you.
Till next time, gerri

"I'm glad I found you waiting there for me."

"Fan detail"

A Treasure Box of Happy

Today I am happy and pleased to be one of the Special Guest Designers for the Grungy Monday challenge over at lovely Linda's StudioL3. You can find out all the details of how you can enter this challenge at her site. In the past, she has been so gracious to offer the weekly Compendium of Curiosity challenges  and now she is coordinating the wonderful Grungy Monday challenges. Both these challenges are based on the products, techniques and the incredible creations of  Tim Holtz,  my all time paper artist idol. My fellow guest designer joining me this week will be the talented Clare. Please check out Linda's, Tim's and Clare's sites for their fabulous inspiring art. And if you want more Tim, (and who doesn't) you can also join the All Things Tim  discussion group at Yahoo. Gloria, the list mom  has a folder where you can add photos of your Grungy Monday pieces and have fun discussing and reviewing them with other Tim lovers!  This week the challenge is all about "Texture Fades and Distress". Oh, if you do not have something specifically used in the video,  use your creativity and substitute something delightful  from your stash instead. 

So, after watching the video I got out my only two texture fades..... Bingo and Patchwork. I said "Bingo" when I spied a little woobly wooden box that I had been saving for a future altered project. Using Victorian Velvet Distress Ink, I followed Tims instuctions. Fate was with me when the side of the box fit 3 rows of the Bingo card exactly. I brushed them with some gold acrylic paint and glued them to the box. My style is "pretty" grunge, so I added some blue german scrap for sparkle. Then using german scrap ovals, glued in Graphics Fairy ballerina images attaching them to pink velvet ribbon. It was then time to start the pretty feet and topper. I have boxes of buttons and found translucent yellow, pink and clear. I used blue Alcohol ink to color some of the tiny clear ones. Some gold jewelry findings and a shiny paper fan were used to stack them all up. I assembled the feet and topper and my precious treasure box was complete.
Hope your treasure box this week will be filled with lots of "happy".
Take care and please do come again, gerri

"Treasure Box of Happy"

                                                     

                               

Somebody Dreams

Finally, it's spring. I'm thinking about butterflies in our garden and that's what inspired me to do this hanging piece. I had in my stash a glossy red butterfly picture from the cover of a clothing catalog and used that as my starting point. There are a bunch of challenges I am using this for including:  Grungy Monday "#03 Adirondack Color Wash" at lovely Linda's Studio L3 that is based on the amazing Tim Holtz's techniques. I am also using it for my Bella Creations group "Make your own bling: and  Shabby Tea Room #57 Doilies and Lace.
Once I had the butterfly wings, I knew I needed a female image and went to Graphics Fairy and found this striking beauty. This is a pretty big piece at about 9" by 9". I sprayed a doily with Pesto Adirondack color wash. It was the only color of that product that I had from that famous warehouse sale, last fall. LOL. I used it to spray the lace to match too! For the other turq lace, I used a Sharpie, one of my favorite craft tools. The bling was created with Liquid Pearls. I made the little rosettes by twisting ombre ribbon on to double sided tape.I layered her all together and added the phrase "Somebody dreams of me." and my little creation was ready to fly away.
Dream of someone special this week,
Take care, gerri



"Somebody Dreams of Me"



"Dreamy Details"

She Paints Sea Shells at the Sea Shore

Well, today is my first submission to the Friday Painting Party site. I've been taking watercolor lessons for a little over a year. This is the first time I am showing my work, to anyone outside class or my family. I've come along way and am now confident enough (well almost) to share them with the world. The subject is sea shells. I have collected them ever  since I was a little girl so, I thought they would make a nice composition. I painted them a number of times so you will see them again...and again. My painting is below but I've also included a pictures of a part of our master bathroom where a portion of my collection is kept. They are in a big basket, so I can enjoy them everyday.

Enjoy the sounds of the sea no matter how close or far you live,
Always, gerri

"She paints sea shells at the sea shore"

"Sea shell details"

Amerika: Land of the Free as a Bird

Well, as some of you know I have been taking watercolor classes for about a year with a fantastic art professor in her local studio. On my blog, you see that I do love to paint vintage images that I print from my computer. Yet, I  have always wanted to truly combine my paper collage cut images with a true watercolor painting. In the piece below using the April collage challenge from Green Paper , I believe I am on to something!
The little girl images were my starting point and I painted them  using my wonderful Claudine Hellmuth brushes (that I purchased at the Ranger warehouse sale last fall!) and set them aside. The street scene started with the Green Paper center church piece and then added other buildings from a freebie from Tartx, along with some black details. Attached them to a background and added the sweet postcard from a prize package I won over at Bella Creations. Note the spelling of America (Amerika). Watercolored a flowery water scene over top of everything. The girls, stamp and the goldfinches were applied next. I painted a pretty sky and layered the whole thing. Just a tiny bit of bling with the gold german scrap around the edge. Interesting enough, with the painting, I felt I didn't need to add any rhinestones or other bling.
Hope you like my new combination experiment.
Remember to live free,
Yours truly, gerri


"Amerika...Land of the free as a bird"



"City details with watercolor sky"

A Corner of Heaven

This week at Gingersnap Creations the supply challenge is to use Mists. (GC98). Continuing with the Far East monthy inspiration, I wanted to make a serene peace and when I saw this Buddha stamp from Inkadinkado, I had my inspiration.
Using a tree limb mask, I sprayed a mist of Ranger Distress Ink and Perfect pearls in the sky blue and a rosy red. I stamped the birds and the lilac paper lanterns, also from Inkadinkado. I misted another paper with golds and green and double stamped the Buddah to create a bronze statue feel. Found some shiny tags with calligraphy  in my stash, so I put acrylic paint on them to soften them. I threaded some vintage metal thread between the tags and lanterns. Over painted the background birds and the Buddah with pearlized white paint for depth. Added the shimmer ribbon folded edge. Made the little word snippet banner with "A corner of Heaven". Now for the fine details, yes there are pearls and little flowers. The fun thing is that these petite flower decals are actully for your nails! LOL. I found them in a clearance rack and knew I would use them for my art!
Enjoy your corner of heaven.
Till next time, gerri


"A corner of heaven."




"Serene Buddah detail"



Are we there yet?

Thought I'd continue with the hot air balloons trend today. Did you know that  my first job out of college was in the corporate office of  a big NYC dept store. In that building there was a similar mural to the one below! It was in a large conference room and it  highlighted where all the branch stores were located with vintage balloons! 
Well, this piece was started with with an idea for the Cheerful Stamppad where challenge #15  is "Are we there yet?". Thought the vintage ballon guy was saying just that. LOL. I am also entering it to Moxie Fab World  "In my beautiful balloon challenge" too. I started with a black and white image from the Dover book on Transportation. I layered the colorful transparency of ballons from Tartx. This was all put on music note paper that I used Fiskars scissors to edge and rubbed with Ranger Archival ink. I made the rosette with music paper, just by layering circles and stamped the center with "Bonjour" and adding some ribbon. The corners are stamped with architectual details and colored in with pencil. Cut out the ballon images and added the bling, metal corners and rhinestones. Voila , it was done.
Artfully yours,
gerri



"Bonjour"



"Rosette detail"

"Decorative corner"

Floating on Air

Vintage hot air balloons are oh la la trendy. I have always been a lover of them.  I even live in an area that is known for them.  There is a big local balloon event  held near us each summer. You can even have one land next to your house....  it happened to us awhile back. LOL.
This week, I did something different and made little balloon notecards for a friend. They are tres simple with a French toille background paper and balloon images, which I already had in my stash. Each one was stamped  with a different sentiment.  I added some Tim Holtz tissue tape, ombre ribbon , netting (of course like on the balloon) and a bit of bling.  I also made a matching gift box that says "Thinking of you", and I was "C'est fini". Over at Moxie fab world  there is a  "Card sets challenge" for note cards, so this is my entry.

Another reason to be floating on air is that dear Cindy at Whimsical  Musings Magazine did a feature on my work for her excursion into the beautiful week. Its a wonderful weekly online magazine for those who enjoy art, repurposing, and decorating. Drop by and take a look.
Till next time.
Take care, gerri

"All the details"

Beneath the Dark Waters

This collage is my submission for Grungy Monday # 02  over at  Studio L3. These challenges celebrate the techniques and products of the fabulous Tim Holtz. This week's topic was using "Distress ink with Studio Multi Media" and  we watched the technique as a video. Its  so wonderful to hear Tim's voice telling you what to do!
This is a collage instead of a tag because I needed  a much bigger surface for all my ideas. LOL. We are to make it our own and I always do... making it my style of  "pretty grunge". So after making foam stamps from some underwater die cuts of shells and seahorses, I stamped them using Studio Multi Medium. On top of that I stamped a french script stamp and  shell stamps from Cavallini, dabbed on Distress inks  and the background was done. The central image of the piece is a vintage sea beauty from Artchix Studio.(see my side bar). The kelp was fun and was made using distress inks, markers and  Fiskar scissors. There are also layers of sea shell images, my swimsuit cutie, rhinestones and some transparent coral and shell images too. The sentiment says  "She saw the future that lays beneath the dark waters."  The finishing touch was a  tiny green "sea" tag  and a glittery glass star fish.
So what does your future hold beneath the waters?
Till next time, gerri

"She saw the future that lay beneath the dark waters."



"Dark Water Details"