Summer-time Altered Notebook

Welcome to another Conie Fong Art and Design inspiration project! Every new image I color makes me fall more in love the Conie's art. The faces of her sweet images are just precious. For my inspiration project this month, I decorated a notebook with the image that I colored.

This image is called Moonflower Lullaby. I have seen her colored in many variations, but I wanted to color her for summer. Plus, I wanted to give her dark brown hair. Dark brown is more difficult for me to color than light hair, mostly because my very dark markers tend to "go sticky" on me! I am determined to master the things that are difficult for me, including using my DARK markers!

I gave Moonflower hot orange and blue flowers and an orange dress. She is certainly ready for the hot weather!  

I printed the image at about 5" tall, which makes it big for a card. I am a little tired of making HUGE cards, so I went in another direction. I found a brand new, never used notebook in the closet and decided to alter it! (You have no idea how hard it is to find a NEW notebook in this house! I find lots of partially USED notebooks, however!)

I cut out the image using a large circle die and then picked through my papers to find some orange. Do you know how hard it is to find orange paper that is NOT Halloween?! In my stash, it is VERY hard!  

I remembered that the Graphic 45 Artisan Style collection had orange and blue in it. And I was in business! I simply cut some paper, matted with black cardstock, for the front of the notebook. I added a zig-zag border and some orange ribbons.

I matted the image with a large scallop circle and a plain black circle. The "notes" label is made from chipboard, which I colored with a black marker.

Thanks for looking! For more inspiration, visit the Conie Fong Facebook Group!   

I am entering my card into these challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge #62 - Floral
Really Reasonable Ribbon #167 - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #486 - Ribbons/Bows
Craftaholics R Us Challenge #27 - Summer
Craft-Dee Bows July Challenge - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow

Digital stamp: Conie Fong Art and Design Moonflower Lullaby
Copic markers: Skin/Hair/Eyes: E000, E00, E04, E11, E21, R20, R22, B34, B37, B39; Hair: E27, E43, E47, E49; Dress and flowers: V09, V17, YR02, YR07, YR68, Y0000, Y00, Y11, B32, B34, B37, B39, YG01, YG03, YG05
Other marker: Bic Black Mark-it
Printed paper: Graphic 45 Artisan Style
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Smooth Midnight, Hammermill 100# Digital Color Copy White
Dies: Spellbinders Grand Circles, Grand Big Scallop Circles
Border punch: Martha Stewart
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon Torrid Orange Grosgrain (1/4"), Tangerine Grosgrain, Bluebonnet Baker's Twine
Button: stash
Chipboard alphas: Maya Road David
Adhesive: ATG tape, foam squares, Scor-tape, Ranger Multi Medium, hot glue
Notebook: school supply

Really Reasonable Ribbon July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon July Blog Hop! You should be coming to my blog from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. (For the complete blog list, scroll to the bottom of the post.) After visiting me, hop over to the spectacular Ginny's Blog next! 

Here is a peeky at the RRR July Ribbon Club Assortment. This month the collection is called Perfectly Purple Mix. I like purple, but find it hard to match paper to it because purple can have blue undertones, or red, or be more on the pink/purple spectrum, or more on the black/purple spectrum. It's a purple puzzle! 

I had two images all colored and ready to go, but when I put them next to the ribbon club, one of the images had more of a pink-toned purple, and one had a very dark, blue-toned purple. Neither one really matched the ribbon as well as I had hoped! So, those images went back in the orphan image bin and I changed directions!

I knew (from days and days of sorting my paper) that the purples in the Graphic 45 Secret Garden collection were a perfect match for the ribbons! Happy day! I went with a fairly monochromatic look, and embraced the purple This is an older collection from G45, and I have tons of scraps. I confess, I finally tossed the small scraps and only saved those of a good size for cardmaking. {I know...GASP!}  

I used a Mojo Monday Sketch (#430) for my card design. I am so sad that they are no longer doing sketches. I love my collection of Mojo Monday Sketches! If you want to print copies, hurry, quick like a bunny, and grab them! Click HERE.

I wrapped the top of the card with Hyacinth Taffeta Ribbon. Then, I trimmed a length of the Delphinium Crosshatch Satin Ribbon and used Scor-tape to attach it to the top of the taffeta.

I made a large, loopy bow from the taffeta and glued it to the top of the stacked ribbons. Then, I made a loopy bow from Violet Burlap String and attached it to the top of the taffeta bow. I found a pretty (and sparkly) button in my stash, and added that to the top of the bows! {Yum, right?!}    

I love the vintage images for this paper collection. They remind me of old seed packets. I grew up in the country and my mom, and many of the other ladies in the community, ordered seeds - and traded seeds - so this collection reminds me of those days.

I stamped a message on the inside of the card, and it's all ready to go! The card measures 6" tall by 5" wide. Plus, the fabulously lumpy bow. {grin}

I am entering my card into these challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Challenge #199 Anything Goes, Optional Twist Monochrome
Always Fun Challenges - Challenge #14 Anything Goes
Hiding in my Craft Room - #308 Super Scraps Saturday
Inkspirational Challenge - #138 Word Prompt, Rural
CropStop July Challenge - Link Party #30

(Some of these challenge blogs are new to me! I have been out of the challenge game for a long time, so it has been fun to look for new challenges! I use Paper Playful to scout out new challenge blogs...and to reacquaint myself with some old "friends.")

Thanks for stopping by today! Now, hop over to Ginny's Blog to see what she has for you!

Here is the RRR Blog Hop Order in case you get lost!

Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings

Gloria - YOU ARE HERE!
Ginny

Judy

Cheryl

Bonnie
Karen

Kathy
Cherry
Linsey
Shelia

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon July Ribbon Club (Hyacinth Taffeta Ribbon, Delphinium Crosshatch Satin Ribbon), Violet Burlap String
Cardstock: CutCardStock Basis White, Brown
Designer paper: Graphic 45 Secret Garden (12x12 Beautiful Blooms, Sunkissed, Springtime; 6x6 Patterns and Solids Pad)
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Sentiments Collection 2 (inside greeting)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Button: stash
Border punch: Stampin' Up
Dies: My Favorite Things Stitched Circle Stax, Spellbinders Standard Circles small and large
Adhesive: ATG tape, hot glue, Scor-tape

Christmas Angel

Welcome to the Conie Fong Art and Design July Facebook Challenge! The challenge this month is to use a Conie Fong image and the theme - Christmas in July! (As always, the challenges are Anything Goes, but you get an extra point for using the theme!)

For my Christmas in July project, I chose to color the Angel of Christmas Stars image with Copic markers. I have been wanting to color this image since  I first saw it back in the early spring. I figured I would have to wait for November when everyone is doing their Christmas challenges! I am happy that the team gets to do some Christmas stuff for July! 

I printed the image at roughly 4" tall, onto white cardstock. I took the plunge and colored lots of red! (See the supply list for colors used.) I was so happy that my red markers did not bleed all over like they normally do! I am guessing it is the Hammermill cardstock! Or maybe, I am just getting better at coloring! {grin}

I really struggled with how to color the angel's wings. I printed a second image and tried out a few combinations to see which I wanted. I ended up coloring them "white." I used cool grays to get the look of white feathers. I am most happy with how her dress turned out. Coloring folds is still difficult, especially with all that red! 

Since I have been doing a HUGE studio reorganization, I had some great retired Christmas papers right at hand, so I dug into those for my card decoration. The card is 6" x 5" - not too terribly huge! 

I added a stamped sentiment to the inside of the card. Nothing fancy. 

I hope you had fun looking at my project today. My studio "do-over" is mostly finished, except for painting the walls. I decided to do all my sorting and purging FIRST, to make it easier to move things around for painting. My darling husband started the paint job today! As soon as it is all painted and cleaned, I will share the "new and improved" space!

Please play along in the Conie Fong FB challenge. If you don't have a Conie Fong image, you can download one for free once you join the Facebook Group! Click HERE for that.   

I am entering my card into these challenges:
Marker Pop Challenge #124 - Christmas in July
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - Anything Goes
Weekly Christmas Card Challenges - Optional Theme Ornaments
My Time to Craft - Challenge #349 Christmas in July (closed)

July 2017 Facebook Challenge Rules
Welcome to Conie Fong Art and Designs' challenge! We can't wait to see your creations and hope you have fun playing along!

This month's theme : Christmas in July - Deadline July 31, 2017 at 11:59 PM CST (USA)

Rules:
Anything Goes or Christmas in July.

3 submission limit per person.

Use any Conie Fong image.

Your project needs to be uploaded into the designated Facebook album (click HERE) in order to be considered for any prizes. Projects that are posted on the main wall will unfortunately not qualify. Once you do upload your photo, comment on it so that we can all view, comment, and admire it!

Your project must be a new creation that has not been previously shared on any social media sites before July 2017.

MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN!

Winners and Prizes:
1. Artist Choice Award: 1 winner to receive 3 digital images
2. Top Winner: 1 winner will receive a $10 gift (random winner to be generated by Random.org)
3. Random Winners: 3 random winners will be selected by random.org. Each winner will receive one image of their choice. (Winners posted July 5th or shortly thereafter.)

Digital stamps: Conie Fong Art and Design Angel of Christmas Stars
Clear stamps: Clear Art Stamps Seasons Greetings (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: unknown
Copic markers: Skin: E0000, E000, E01, E11, R20, R32; Hair: YR21, YR24, Y17, Y32, Y35; E21, E23; Dress and Flowers: T0, Y13, Y15, BV24, BV25, BV29, R24, R27, R29. R89, C00, C3; Wings: C00,C1, C3, C5; Background and Globe: B0000, B000, B00
White pen: Sakura Gelly Roll
Enamel Dots: Simple Stories DIY Christmas, Your Next Stamp White Sugar and Sparkle Gumdrops
Button: Gloria's button hoard
Printed paper: Basic Grey Wassail, Teresa Collins Noel, Heartfelt Creations Festive Christmas, My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly
Cardstock: Hammermill Digital Copy 100#, CutCardStock Basis Brown
Dies: My Favorite Things Fishtail Stax and Layers, Tonic Studios Mixed Edge Rectangles
Adhesive: ATG tape, foam tape, hot glue, Ranger Multi Medium
Sketch: Mojo Monday #496

Pardon the Mess!

For those of you who have stopped by to see the Graphic 45 June Folio projects, I apologize. I am putting the monthly projects on hold for the summer. We will catch up again in a few months. Frankly, I cannot manage any large projects just now, because my studio...

...is a colossal mess! Not only am I reorganizing and purging, but we plan to paint the walls! It is not easy to move so much stuff in order to even get to the walls!

My studio space is very large, and is an open "loft" space in the upstairs. The area separates the master bedroom from the three guest bedrooms and bath. I have always shared this space with our homeschool. However, now that the last child is ready for college, I can claim the whole space for myself! {insert evil laughter here}  

I am purging homeschool items, and reorganizing my craft items (again). Plus cleaning and dusting things that...I am not sure when they were cleaned last! I am also trying to decide if I need more storage, or if I just need to PURGE some of the hoard! 

My goal is to get things set up in a way that makes the most sense for how I use each item. The space is generous, so there is no reason why I cannot have it function better! 

Once I finish, I will do a little video to show it off. I will have some small posts over the summer, but no larger projects until I get this mess sorted! Wish me luck...I am going in! 

With Love

If you are looking for my Gypsy Soul Laser Cut project, please click HERE.

Welcome to another Conie Fong Art and Design inspiration project! I am having so much fun coloring these sweet images!

This sweet image is called Butterfly Princess, and she can be purchased with or without sentiments and extra butterflies, plus you can purchase her with or without wings! I love that Conie gives you options!

I printed the image at approximately 5" tall and made her into a 7" x 5" card.

I chose to print the image without her wings and concentrate on coloring her beautiful hair! I don't normally color blond hair, I guess because we are all dark haired folks in this house. But, I just thought she would look sweet with yellow hair and pale skin. It took me about an hour to finish all that hair!

Thanks for looking! For more inspiration, visit the Conie Fong Facebook Group!   

I am entering my card into these challenges:
Always Playing with Paper Challenge #86 (a sketch) (closed)
Always Playing withe Paper Challenge #87 (color - aqua, orange, hot pink) (closed)
Color Inspiration Monthly Link Up #23 (closed)
Crafty Addicts Challenge #37 Anything Goes/Summer Colors (closed)

Digital stamp: Conie Fong Art and Design Butterfly Princess
Copic markers: Skin: E000, E01, E11, R20, R22; Hair: YR23, Y11, Y15, E31, E33, E35; Dress and flowers: G03, G05, G07, G09, R30, R32, R35, R37, Y13; Butterfly: YR00, YR01, YR02, YR68; Bear: E01, E41, E42, E43, E44, E47; Background: W00, W1, W3, BG0000, BG000
White pen: Sakura Gelly Roll
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Rubber stamps: Tim Holtz Simple Sayings
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon Pink Burlap String
Printed paper: Graphic 45 Cafe Parisian Floral Souffle, 6x6 patterns and solids; Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Christmas Vixen
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Smooth Midnight, Hammermill 100# Digital Color Copy White
Dies: My Favorite Things Jumbo Fishtail Stax and Layers, Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangle
Sugared brad: unknown
Heart clip: unknown
Adhesive: ATG tape, foam squares, Scor-tape, Ranger Multi Medium

Dishwasher Tags

If you are looking for my latest coloring project, please click HERE.

This is my last project post as part of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts team. It is hard to say good-bye! I want to thank Gina for the opportunity to design with her amazing chippies over the past few years! I have enjoyed it immensely! 

My project for today is one that I have been dreaming of making for quite some time. A few years ago one of my scrappy pals, Lori Williams, made a set of clean/dirty tags for her dishwasher. I have long admired them and wanted to make a set of my own. (For more information on Lori's project click HERE.)

For the base of my tags, I used two of the large tags from the Tags in a Box Extra Tag Set. These tags are nice and big, approximately 8" tall and 4" wide. I created two tags, one to place on the dishwasher to let my family know that the dishes are CLEAN (and in need of being put away), and one to indicate that the dishes inside are DIRTY (which means they can feel free to load their own dishes). 

I used the vintage homemaker themed paper by Graphic 45 called Home Sweet Home. This is an older collection, but I have been saving some of it for this project!  

Let's make some tags!

Use a black pen, ink, or paint to color the edges of two large tags from the Tags in a Box Extra Tag Set and two small (3 1/4" x 1 5/8") tags from the Small Tag Set. I found that if I first painted the edges of the tags with white gesso, that the black pen "stuck" to the tag better.

Select two frames from the Waterworks Shape Set. I had two sets, so selected two of the square frames. Trim one of the faucets from an extra frame. Then choose a propeller (fan shape) from the Propellers Set. Sponge all the elements with silver or other metallic ink. Allow to dry.

Trim decorative paper for the front and back of all the tags. Attach the paper with a gel medium. Brush another layer of medium over the surface of the paper to seal it. Allow to dry. 

Use sticker letters (or chipboard letters, if you wish) to spell out "CLEAN" on one of the small tags, and "DIRTY" on the other. I used some old sticker letters that I found in my stash. Brush another layer of gel medium over the top of the letters to seal them. Allow to dry. 

Assemble the first tag by gluing the waterworks frame to the top of the tag. Trim out a decorative sign from the paper and glue inside the frame. (I "went wide" on this photo so you can see the fussy cut image, along with my scissors. Fussy cutting elements from your paper gives you tons of extra embellishments!) 

Glue the "CLEAN" tag to the bottom of the larger tag, as shown. Fussy cut an image from the paper and attach it to the right side of the waterworks element.  

Add a decorative brad to the fan shape and glue it to the upper left corner of the small tag. Tuck some postage images, cut from the paper, under the fan. Add a decorative strip to the bottom of the large tag.  

Glue a few paper flowers to the tag, as well as some twine. Coat the entire project with more gel medium to seal it and protect it from getting wet.  

You may add more or less decoration to your tag, as you desire. Match your tag to your kitchen decor. 

We will repeat the process with the other tag.  Glue the waterworks frame to the bottom of the tag. Trim out a decorative sign from the paper and glue inside the frame. 

Glue the "DIRTY" tag to the top of the larger tag, as shown. Glue the extra faucet to the top of the tag, making it look like the word "dirty" is dripping out of the faucet. Fussy cut an image from the paper and attach it to the right side of the waterworks element.  Add a few postage stamp images to the lower right of the waterworks frame. 

Glue a paper flower to the tag, as well as some twine. Coat the entire project with more gel medium to seal it and protect it from getting wet. (My son told me that I was being "ageist" by putting the little old lady with the "dirty" sign! giggle giggle)

You could make one tag double-sided, with "clean" on one side, and "dirty" on the other, but I chose to make two tags so that each tag had one flat surface.

If your dishwasher has a magnetic surface, glue magnets to the back of each tag. My dishwasher has a decorative wood front, so I added some hook and loop tape to the back of a large clothespin. I can attach the appropriate tag to the clothespin as needed.

Thanks for looking!

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts:

Tags in a Box Extra Tag Set

Small Tag Set
Waterworks Shape Set
Propellers Set

Other:
Decorative paper: Graphic 45 Home Sweet Home
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon ivory burlap string, natural burlap string
Sticker letters: stash
Large clothespin: Recollections black chalkboard
Marker: black sharpie
Silver ink: Delicata
Adhesive: Liquitex gel medium, Ranger multi medium, 3M foam tape, hot glue

Really Reasonable Ribbon June Blog Hop

Welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon June Blog Hop! You should be coming to my blog from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. (For the complete blog list, scroll to the bottom of the post.) After visiting me, hop over to the spectacular Ginny's Blog next! 

Here is a peeky at the RRR June Ribbon Club Assortment. Don't you love this Ocean Breeze Assortment?! To tell the truth, I live 8 miles from the ocean and almost never go there! I do love the colors of summer and beach themed colors are so soothing. I enjoy looking at the ocean, but I don't really like to touch sand or actually get into the water!

So...after all that, I did NOT make a beach themed project. I instead, I used this image of hellebores, colored in the peach color scheme for my card. I colored the flowers over the winter break, but never found a chance to use them on a card. The peach polka dot ribbon is the perfect match for the peach on the flowers! The ribbon is called Moonstone Swiss Dots Grosgrain. I made a few cards with this ribbon, and used up every scrap of it! Time to order some extra! 

This card is a big dude, at 8" x 8"! I love this big size so that my images have room to shine! I have had a few questions about how I make an 8" x 8" card. Let me just say, I do NOT purchase jumbo-sized paper! I simply cut one piece of cardstock to 8" x 8" and a second piece to 8" x 8 1/2". I score that 1/2" strip to make a tab (or hinge), fold on the score line, place adhesive on the tab, and attach the two panels together. And presto, you have an 8" x 8" card!

As for how I mail these big cards...well, they are best hand delivered! But, to mail them, I suggest a box or padded mailer of some kind. Padded mailers can be found in 8 1/2" x 11" and there are also boxes out there that measure slightly bigger than 11" x 8" x 2" which work perfectly. Wrap your pretty card in tissue paper, insert in the box or mailer, and mail away!

I wanted the dotted ribbon to shine, so I added a bit of Gray Solid Baker's Twine to the dotted bow. Then I topped the bow with a resin dot (12 mm Mixed Pastel Round Flatback Resin).

The flower image is a digital stamp from Power Poppy (Hellebores), which I colored with Copics. The sentiment is from a Power Poppy clear stamp set (Olive and Oak Expanded). I created a fun background for the image using a "watercolor" technique with the Copic markers. To achieve the look, scribble your Copic colors onto an acetate sheet. Pick up the color with a water brush that is filled with 70% isopropyl alcohol. This dilutes the color, making it easy to brush over the paper, giving you this very muted, watery background. (Make sure to do the background FIRST, and allow it to dry before coloring the image.) Let the background dry, then wet a textured rag with blending solution (or more alcohol). Press the rag onto the background, creating a texture. Let the paper dry fully, then color the image as desired. 

I used a bit more of the Ribbon Club ribbon on the card. I used the Ocean Blue Diamond Satin to make "stripes" on the card. I doubled up the satin and the dotted grosgrain as well. I added a piece of the Peony Crosshatch Satin Ribbon to the top of on of the flag shapes.

I am entering my card into these challenges:
Mojo Monday 500 Contest (closed)
The Crazy Challenge #250 Use Flowers (closed)
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #150 Flowers (closed)

Thanks for stopping by today! Now, hop over to  Ginny's Blog to see what she has for you!

Here is the RRR Blog Hop Order in case you get lost!

Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings

Gloria - YOU ARE HERE!
Ginny

Judy

Cheryl

Bonnie
Karen

Kathy
Cherry
Linsey
Shelia

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon June Ribbon Club (Moonstone Swiss Dots Grosgrain, Ocean Blue Diamond Satin, Peony Crosshatch Satin Ribbon), Gray Solid Baker's Twine, 12 mm Mixed Pastel Round Flatback Resin
Cardstock: Hammermill Color Copy Digital Cover, CutCardStock Basis Grey
Designer paper: Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter Walrus; Graphic 45 Cafe Parisian Confectionery, Portrait of a Lady patterns and solids, Vintage Hollywood patterns and solids
Stamps: (Hellebores), (Olive and Oak Expanded).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Enamel Dots: Simple Stories DIY Christmas
Button: stash
Dies: My Favorite Things Fishtail Flag Stax/Layers; Tonic Studios Mixed Edge Rectangles
Markers: Copic 
Adhesive: ATG tape, multi-medium, hot glue, Scor-tape, Glossy Accents

The End of an Era!

Definition of era
1 
a : a fixed point in time from which a series of years is reckoned
b : a memorable or important date or event; especially one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing
2
: a system of chronological notation computed from a given date as basis

After 18 years of homeschooling, we are at an end of an era! Our last student is graduating next week (officially, on June 16th). We began this journey in August 1999, with a 2nd grader and a preschooler. Our last child had yet to be conceived! 

We homeschooled in three different states (North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California), under three different laws, using a myriad of materials. We met many people, saw many interesting things, took many trips, and read a GREAT MANY books. After countless hours of time, toil, and tears, and after much laughter and fellowship, our journey is over. It is so bittersweet. 

Our last "little homeschooler," who started formal education in 2004... 

Nathan 7th grade, Laura 4th grade, Jonah preschool

...has fulfilled his requirements and is graduating! (And for the record, our little man, is now the tallest of the three children. He is 6' 3" and growing!)

After much hard work and time spent perusing his varied interests, Jonah is ready to tackle the college system! He is enrolled for fall at a local community college, where he will begin his general education requirements. He follows in the footsteps of his brother, who went on to attend University of California (at Irvine) and sister, who currently attends San Jose State University. May he learn from their mistakes and successes!   

Jonah - high school graduate at age 16 1/2

Jonah has graduated a year early, making him our youngest graduate! He is a mature young man, who is ready to move to the next phase of his life. I am confident in letting him fly from the nest. My husband and I did our best to educate him, raise him in the fear of the Lord, and ready him for adulthood. Now, it is up to him! 

As his teacher, I am ready to retire my white board and Excel spreadsheets! 

I confess that homeschooling high school was not nearly as much fun as homeschooling the early grades. (I admit that our "field trips" were a lot easier to handle in the last few years!) However, it is wonderful and astonishing to watch Nathan, Laura, and Jonah all grow and succeed! Watching them grow into adults is a most amazing journey!

I don't know what journey will consume my next era, but I put this one to rest with a proud and happy heart!