What about me???

Jacob (in the forefront) just couldn't wait for Aunt Sharla to cut the top out of his pumpkin.  The girls were already digging out the insides of their pumpkins.  They were anxious to get to the seeds so they could save them to roast that night.

Fall Break - Pumpkin Carving

Featured are the results of a loooong afternoon at Nana's with lots and lots of help from Aunt Sharla and Uncle Chris.  It was Fall Break for all the Bruner grandchildren.  Their aunt and uncle took them for breakfast, a trip to the Philbrook Museum of Art, to the pumpkin patch, bought lunch and brought the pumpkins and lunch to Nana and Papaw's.  As soon as the subs were devoured, the kiddoes were out the door and claiming their pumpkins.  Uncle Chris opened carving tools and started demonstrating safety and then showing and guiding little hands at the work of carving.  From the youngest to the oldest (well, not really the oldest as he was inside lying down with a sick stomach), they all went at this adventure with gusto!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The sun was part of a tag I got from StampDiva
(stampdiva.com).  I cut the front part off.   Above the sun is a phrase....one in English and one in French (from French General).   ("Mon ame se situe au soleil."  "My soul lies in the sun.)


I just realized that this is the last photo I took of the album.........I forgot to photograph the back and it is beautiful!   Mary Mata has some collage sheets.   I cut a large picture to cover the middle of the back cover.....it was of an Italian goddess overlaid at the bottom with a piece of a lire and
up the side with a postage stamp.  Also at top was a beautiful sunflower.  The colors were cantelope, aqua, sepia and just a touch of pale sage.   Stunning!  (Maybe I can see Sandy when they get back and I can photograph it.)

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these papers from Scenic Route (no longer in business, but Sarah Milne, the designer has an
online shop....just Google her name).  The Paris faux postage is from Mary Mata.   The sentiments on the left paper were so appropriate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I loved using the Mona Lisa in this pocket!  Sandy will be in Italy on her tour.........I'm hoping for a postcard from there.  ")   I thought the library card might come in hand for jotting down a schedule, or places seen, etc.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is another Paris tag from Cavalini.   I need to do my own journal with those in it!  LOL

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The little butterfly marks the opening to the envelope.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The white page is a large envelope I added to the book.   I added two of these......more storage for Sandy to put keepsake papers and items.  I added a faux postage stamp.....my friend Judi gave me a booklet full of these little beauties (and a box full of other things!  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these pages!   These are the map pockets sewn into place.  I added the Milano postcard and the Paris tag.............they just made the pages!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Added a beaded flower to this page.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here the deeper pockets are sewn on and I have added a vintage Christmas postcard to the pocket for Sandy.   On her trip, she is going to buy a Christmas ornament from every country that they visit. 

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I used a map tag from Graphic45 and slid brown ribbon stitched in aqua though it.   I felt like it really added a lot to this page and the color was perfect.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love seeing the threads on the spine crossing over the brown ribbon!  One more signature to go!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Another page of water themed papers!  :)  I used deeper pockets for these pages as Sandy and I had a long conversation about postcards.........namely her buying me some (I sent some money!) and sending a couple of them from one or two ports of call.  ")   I'm sure she will have some long folded pamphlets, too, that will need deeper pockets.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here you see the map pockets with the brown pages before the pockets are sewn on.  Just couldn't resist using the map paper for her journal.  ")

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I really like the seashell papers with the luggage labels for pockets.  I also like seeing the brown waxed linen thread in the seam on this paper.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I decided early on that each signature would have pockets in the middle.   I also decided that they would sewn in.....to withstand many items being tucked into them.  I used many different colorful papers for the pages......I wanted this to be a fun journal for Sandy to have with her.  (This paper is from Scenic Route.....no long a company, but Sarah Milne is the designer and has an online shop.....just Google her name.  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I added three ribbons completely across the covers and spine od the journal.  I pulled the top and bottom ribbon inside the covers and glued them down.   I left the center ribbon ends free to use a tie for the journal.  When I began to sew the signatures in, I crossed over the middle ribbon and really liked the look of it.  I love this vintage French taffeta ribbon!   I have bought it several times (stampdiva.com) in a couple of the colors, but always come back to this lovely chocolate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is a view from the spine of the book.  I used the gold filigree paper trim to cover the middle section of the front of the book.  (shown in an earlier photo)

The Making of Sandy's Journal

I have taken two journal classes:  my first one at WaterWorks in Tulsa many years ago; and, one with Sara Hanlon in April 2010.  I first made my covers and spine and covered them as one unit in some very fibrous handmade papers.  I decided how many signatures I would have and proceeded to punch the holes through which I would sew them to the spine. 

Dedication

On July 13, my cousin lost his only son in a car wreck.  His son was a US Marshall and a County Deputy Sheriff.  Tom & Sandy had already booked a European cruise and tour and I'm glad they did not cancel it..............I feel like this will be a healing process for them.   In light of the cruise, I made a journal for them to take to write in, stick pamphlets, postcards, etc into pockets.  They are taking the cruise with some very close friends who have always been there for them.  I dedicate this journal to their son, Jeff and his remaining wife and two little sons.

Card published in RubberStampMadness 2010

I love Catherine Moore Character Constructions rubber stamps.  So many art dolls to make!  ")   This little jewel is from her Bird and Paperie collection.  I think this little doll has the prettiest face.  I stamped her head and cape on grey paper and cut out and laid aside.  I stamped the arms and top of her costume with black ink onto light orange paper and cut out.  I next attached the arms to her body and then the top of the costume to the cape/head.  I used a petal from a discarded artificial poppy for her skirt; I attached the skirt to the back of the costume.  Next I cut two 1/4" strips of black/white striped paper about 2 1/2" long and folded accordian style for the legs.  I free-hand cut the boots from black cardstock and attached them to the ends of the legs.  For the card, I used a grey with white swirls to give the illusion of the wind blowing.  (That seems to be one of my childhood memories of Halloween!  LOL)  I attached a paper spider web with spider in the center to the upper left-hand corner of the card.  I cut the top row from a Bingo card and attached it to the lower left side of the card and added an orange, decorative brad to the upper corner of the Bingo strip.  Then I attached the doll to the card slightly over the spider web and with her feet on the Bingo strip.  I hand drew a scroll and wrote the message on it with a black Micro pen.  I edged the card, the message and a paper Bingo button with orange ink.  I attached the message to her outstretched hand and tucked the button under her other arm.
I was thrilled when Roberta Sperling called to tell me that the card had been chosen for the Fall 2010 issue............I felt it was a very good submission after having my cover art chosen for the Summer 2010 issue.

Just a Peek!

Just a peek at one of our houses in the Haunted House Halloween Banner Class that will be taking place Saturday, September 26 at 10:30AM...........cost of class is $25....call to reserve your place today:  246-9674.

New Class

Haunted Halloween House Banner                     This is the class that I will be teaching at Croppertunities on Saturday, September 25 at 10:30AM                                                          Come on out and have some fun with us!   The cost of the class is $25............which will include 9 houses, all papers and embellishments and the coils to hook the banner together with the Zutter Cutter......a great bookmaker, too!   Call today to reserve your place:  246-9674  !!!

Art House Co-op Sketchbook Project

If you love working in art journals, try this challenge by Art House Co-op.  You choose a journal and a theme (or they will assign you one) and you can also pay to have it digitalized....they will send you the journal and you have until January to work in it.  Thousands of journals will then tour the US and finally end up at the Brooklyn Art Library where they can be viewed on line.  I entered with my son-in-law (who actually encouraged me to do this) and I am very excited about it!  Can't wait to get the book and start working in it.  Try it!

Finished card

This is the finished project.  I truly enjoyed working on this card.  The projects that our art club has embarked on this year have been challenging and great fun.  Everyone had such neat ideas for this round.

Back of Bingo card for Sara

I cut a piece of cardstock to cover the back.  I swiped the cardstock with Celadon, Robin Blue and Amber Clay.  Then I colored the "B" with Tangerine, Robin Blue and Ochre.  I attached the letter to the upper left corner of the panel and used a black pen to finish out the word  (...ingo).  I used the stamped image of the head at the bottom of the panel.  I used punched birds and a punched moon to finish the panel.  Finally I wrote the sentiment to Sara.  

On the back of the tag, I used the Tangerine, Celadon and Ochre to color it.  I stamped the bird
with brown ink and used a black pen to write the sentiment.

Altered Bingo Card for Sara

This is the Bingo card that I altered for my friend Sara in our art group.  I started with ColorBox fluid chalks (cateyes) and colored in the background.  I chose: Amber Clay, Parchment, Celedon, Robin Blue, Ochre and Tangerine.  I stamped the Post Card w/birds onto a pale orange cardstock with black ink.  I used a cotton swab to color the breasts of the birds with the Tangerine.  Then I cut a postalz sticker to fit the postage stamp area of the image.    I stamped and cut out 2 images of the paperdoll.  I glued the wings to the card and glued the first image over the wings.  I cut out the post card image and attached three sides with 1/8" WonderTape, leaving the right open to make a pocket for the tag.  I cut the tag out of cardstock and used Parchment, Tangerine and Robin Blue fluid chalk to color it.  I cut out the stamped wings image and attached it to the front side of the card.  I used a black pen to write my sentiment.  The chocolate ribbon was then tied to the tag.  Next I attached the second paperdoll image with dimensional tape directly over the first image, allowing the feet to "stand" on the metal trim that I attached over the bottom of the card.  I used the Robin Blue chalk to color the wings and Crimson fluid chalk to color the cheeks.   From a small bingo card, I cut out the number 4 and "B" column heading and attached it to the card with the tiny Tim Holtz paperclip.  Finally I added the flower with the button center to the hands of the paperdoll.

On the road in Arkansas

Well, we ran away from home July 24.......our 45th wedding anniversary was July 23.....we thought we deserved some time away.  ")   We literally just wandered around western Arkansas.....north to south.   It was so relaxing!  We were gone for five days and nights and are ready to go again!.......anywhere!   We loved the beautiful Oachita National Forest, Oachita Lake, and many of the national parks in this beautiful state.  We drove to the top of Magazine Mountain...highest in Arkansas....centrally located.  Lots of winding roads and fishing streams.  We even visited a CCC site that was well documented and had almost every foundation left from every building that had been there.....housed 200 men back in the 30's, 40's........but they tore it down in 1947 (really sad that they did.....it's really some interesting history for that state).  We visited many, many rock shops.....even found crystals lying around in some of the state parks (just tiny ones).  Met some very interesting people......which we love to do.  ")   It was a great trip for us and we returned very refreshed!  Also checked out some fishing sites with cabins that we may go back to visit very soon.

Great class!

We had a great class Thursday night.  There were seven ladies in the class.  I'm so glad they are excited about adding rubberstamping to their cards.  We had some really creative ideas floating around.  They were also ready to tell me some other techniques and items that they are interested in making.   Lots of neat things happening in this area for scrappers and stampers!

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

SUMMER BLOOMS RIBBON-SLIDE CARDS
This is the third card we will be making at the card class Thursday night.  Introducing many of the participants to rubberstamping.....and some to card-making.  Hoping for a big class.  ")
INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold a piece of 8 1/2"X 5 1/2" decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Punch out a 2" circle and use reverse side to stamp sentiment with black ink.  Use a craft knife to cut a slit 5/8" long about 1/4" in from top and bottom of the circle.  Cut a piece of blue gingham 1/2" ribbon 6" long.  Slide ribbon through the back of gthe circle.  Use a tacky glue to glue the ends over to the inside of the card....leave open until dry.  Attach the gold butterly slight over the ribbon.  Add tiny gems to the dots around the large flowers and one to the center of the little black flower.

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

SUMMER BLOOMS RIBBON-SLIDE CARDS This is another card that we will be making in the class Thursday night at our local scrapbook store, Croppertunities, 12 West 2nd St, Sand Springs, 918-246-9674.  After the class, I will be posting instructions.                                         INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold an 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" piece of decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Using the reverse side of the cardstock, stamp a butterfly with VersaMark inkpad and cut out.  Outline the wings of the butterflies with clear Stickles and let dry.   Also, cut out a 2 1/2" X 1 1/2" ribbon slide.  Use a corner rounder at each corner of slide.  Using a craft knife, cut a 5/8" slit at the top and bottom of the ribbon slide.  Next, cut a 1/2" blue gingham ribbon 6" long and slide through the back of the ribbon slide.  Attach the ends over onto the inside of the card with a tacky glue.  Do not close card until glue is completely dry.  Glue one of the butterflies to the upper right-hand corner of the card.  Fold the wings of the remaining butterly up along each side of the body and attach directly over the other butterfly with glue dots.  Add large amber jewels to the centers of the three large flowers at the bottom of the card.  (I chose to put the jewel on the left directly on the ribbon.)

Croppertunities, July 15, 6:30PM

I'm teaching a card class at our local scrapbook store.  My husband's nephew and niece just bought it!  Not many rubberstampers in this group, so I'm starting with some basic cards.....I have already taught one class (Father's Day) at this store and we had a great time.  So, I'm looking forward to teaching there again.                                INSTRUCTIONS:  Fold an 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" piece of decorative, double-sided cardstock in half.  Use a green inkpad to edge the entiere card.  Use clear Stickles to outline all the black flowers and set aside to dry.  Punch out a 2" flower from a scrap of yellow cardstock.  Use a black inkpad to stamp the bird image in the certer of the yellow flowers.  Outline the flower with clear Stickles.  Using the reverse side, cut a 1 1/2"X 1 1/2" square and stamp the sentiment with black inkpad; trim the corners with the rounded corner punch.  Edge the square with green inkpad.  After the Stickles is dry on the flower, use a craft knife to cut 5/8" slits at the top and bottom of the flower.  Cut a 1/2" blue gingham ribbon 6" long.  Slide the ribbon through the back of the flower ribbon slide.  Use a tackly glue to attach the ends of the ribbon to the inside of the card; let dry completely before closing the card.  Add a clear jewel to the little red flower in the lower right-hand corner and to the tiny black flower on the left side of the card at the top.

Beautiful Summer Night

Our first-born and her husband celebrated their first anniversary by throwing a party for family and friends.  These are the lights and lanterns they had strung above their deck for the "after party" with close family.  It was an intimate setting and everyone had a great time............esp. our Uncle Bob (77yrs) and Aunt Susie!   Uncle Bob is the youngest of 5 brothers in my Dad's family.   He is the only surviving member of his family....and he is a heart-transplant survivor of 19 years!   He is also quite the character!   Pretty much says what he wants to say to whom he pleases.  I love him dearly, and Susie.  My husband, girls, and sons-in-law love him dearly.   I'm thankful for the great night we had with them.

Queen of Hearts - art doll

This is the art doll that I made for Jan for the June art swap.  I love altering playing cards and decided this would be a good body for this doll.  I first used alcohol ink on the card to get the gorgeous dark pink (raspberry).  I used the Catherine Moore Character Construction rubber stamp Venetian Tea Party lady for the face.  I stamped her face over a heart and cut the heart out and attached it to the back side of a white slide mount to frame the face.  I used Sarah Milne's (Scenic Route) Loveland collection for the hearts.  I cut out a large heart to cover the body of the card.  To this I added eyelets for the arm attachments and the keyhole and key (Tim Holtz).  I used the Tim Holtz swivel clasps for the arms.  I attached hearts to the "hands" and added heart charms to the right side.  One of the sentiments on this paper was "i {heart} you".   Lastly, I added the gold crown and the gold scepter (cut from one of the gold trims I bought at StampDiva.)

Miss House Wren - art doll

This is an art doll that I put together  practicing for an upcoming swap in my art club.  I love Catherine Moore's Character Constructions rubber stamps that consist of beautiful faces, body parts, clothing and accessories.  I chose Miss House Wren because of her beautiful face.  I stamped her 2X:  once on a white tag and once on decorative paper.  I colored the face on the white tag with pencils.  I cut out both faces and  attached the tag face over the other.  Next I stamped the torso of the Venetian Tea Party lady on striped decorative paper.  I cut out the torso and attached the face to it.  I stamped the arms on one of Catherine's Belle Jardiniere papers of a tree, placing the arms overthe limbs with leaves.  I cut these out and attached them to the blouse of the torso.  Next I stamped a bird cage (Stampers' Anonymous) over a large robin on one of Catherine's papers and cut out.  I glued it to a heavy piece of cardstock and cut it out.  I attached it to the waist of the torso.  I stamped the legs from the French Laundry #14 set onto the same striped paper as the blouse.  I cut these out and attached them to the lower part of the torso.  Next I cut out and glued the bird in the cage to a sturdy piece of cardstock; I punch a hole in the top of it and a hole in the right hand.  I used  a gold thread to tie through both holes and it hangs at her side.  I cut the nest and the small bird from Cavalini's Bird & Nest sticker set and attached them to the doll as shown.  I used the tiny bird and "d'oiseau" from the French Laundry set and stamped them on tiny tags that I glued together for a "front/back" to tie to Miss House Wren's hat.  I tied varigated green threads through the top of her hat.  I added a touch of lace at the top of her blouse.

Inchies

This is a batch of inchies that I made for my friend Pat.  In our art group, she is the one to whom I forward the faux family albums.  Pat lives in England.  I always try to make or buy a little something to put into the package for her.   I really had a relaxing, fun time creating these little pieces.  I used a lot of Graphic45 papers and oodles of Glossy Essentials to make them.  I decided to use some of the epoxy embellishments that I have stashed away............it really added a 3-D appearance to them.  I love it when I am enjoying the art that I create!  ")

Summertime Fun!

Well, it's summertime and the livin' is wild!  I have grandchildren all summer.....mommies have to work.  The little guy on the left is my Mason (5yrs) enjoying the last day of Vacation Bible School.  We had a great VBS last week........mind you, it had me exhausted!  I took all 5 of my gkids with me.....they really had a blast!  Of course, I worked in the Arts & Crafts room.....got to see all of them that way.  ")    But, it is time to get back to the art table and catch up on some serious rubberstamping, collaging, and painting!

June inchies - step #2

After the Glossy Essentials was completely dry on the inchies, I edged each one with my Copic marker, YR07 Cadmium Orange.  As a final touch, I added a tiny blue epoxy bubble to each one.

June Inchies - step #1

Here are the inchies that I made for personal swaps for the month of June.  Graphic45 is at the top of my list for fantastic papers!  These little darlins came from the Boardwalk collection.  I used the 8"X8" pad to get these little jewels.  The page has 36 images, positive and negative views.  I used my watercolor pencils to color in the water and the sky.  I used orange, pink, and purple for the sky; and, of course, I used a turquoise for water.  After laying down the color, I used my aqua brush to blend the colors.   When the inchies were dry, I covered each one with Glossy Essentials and set aside to dry over night.

May inchie - RED

This is my inchie for a personal trade in the month of May.
I painted a strip of grunge board with Studio red.  I cut this into 1" squares.  I then edged around with a fluid chalk red pigment pad.  I covered each inchie with tulle.   Using a black inkpad, I stamped script over white paper flowers.  I folded the flowers in half and then in thirds and secured each one with a scrap of pink grossgrain ribbon.  I attached the flower to the inchie with glue dots.  I made a tiny tag and used a red inkpen to write "RED" on the tag and used the red pigment pad to edge all around.  I punched a hole in the tag and used red thread to tie onto it.  I tied the other end of the tag to one of Tim Holtz's tiny pins and pinned it through the tulle on the inchie. 

I did spritz red Glimmer Mist on the flower and tag of my own inchie, but not on the others, as I like it best without it.

Altered Bingo Card for Pat

This is the Bingo card I altered for Pat, my swap this month in my art group.  Pat specified that she wanted these Jenni Bowlin pink Bingo cards.  I first inked the edges of the Bingo card with a pink inkpad.  Next I used a cotton swab and sepia inkpad to add an aged look around each square.  I had the doll in mind already, but really wanted to leave the Bingo numbers visible.  I really thought about tearing papers and making a background, but that seemed to defeat the whole "Bingo card" idea.  I looked at Fifth Child Studio's blog and viewed some of the cards that Sara has altered.  I was thrilled to see (and read) that she chose to leave most of the Bingo card visible as a Bingo card.  So, after being inspired by some of her works, I continued on my altering journey.  I love the epoxy square and heart in the middle of the card.  I have had it for some time and knew this would be the place to use it.  The doll is put together from some of the rubber stamps from Catherine Moore.  I stamped this dress on several decorated pieces of paper to see which I thought would look best with this color theme.  I added a sticker heart border to the bottom of the dress and then used the peel-away portion of the sticker border at the top of the card.  I thought these red foil wings just really made her a stand-out doll.  ")  And, of course, she needed something to hold in her hands.  My first inclination was that it should be a heart.  But, while rummaging around in my embellishments, I spied these Bingo buttons, also from Jenni Bowlin.  It was just the perfect item.  When I tied the red string on the button, it just seemed natural to hang a heart charm from it.  (I did not have red string, so I cut a piece of string and dipped it into a bottle of Liquitex Naththol Crimson acrylic ink.)  I added two hand cut hearts from a reversable paper diagonally across to the "free" heart space.  (Notice that I used one side on the first heart, and the reverse side on the second heart.)  I chose this beautiful ruby red tatted lace (bought from Croppinsville) to decorate the left side of the card.  I stamped the word "Doll" on the right side of the card.  I then computer generated the quote and printed it out.  I cut around the quote, edged it with pink ink and adhered it to the lower left of the card.  I thought she needed a little hat, so I cut the little chapeau from a piece of ruby red felt and attached it to her head.  Last of all, I randomly added single heart stickers.

Learn to pause........(luggage tag)

This is the back of the tag..............I love the quote!  Sara has added a strip of bird images at the bottom side of the tag.  And, of course, she has handwritten her "thanks" on the card.  Thank you, Sara, for a great learning (and artistic) experience!

Luggage Tag from Sara

I received this luggage tag from Sara yesterday.  I will be adding it to the ribbons on my train case.  I love this diecut birdcage ....from grunge paper, no less.  ")  She has painted it turquoise (!) and then sponged some brown and orange over it for a patina look.  The sweet little bird inside is done in brown and turquoise paper...the wing put on with dimensional tape and it has a little silver bead for the eye.  I love the feathery background that Sara has stamped behind it.  She has used her sewing machine to sew the sides of the cage to the tag.  Thanks, Sara!

Top of train case

I love my train case!  I was so worried that the finished project was not going to look good.  Collage is something with which you have to keep tinkering.  The trick is not to over do it...........or leave it lacking in so many areas.  I think I always fear that I'm adding more than is needed.  But, I must say I am satisfied with this finished project.  ")  Here you can see some of my medallions:  BIRD, the blue bird and the piece of music "At Sunset".  I notice that I have about four faux postals on the top of my case, but they really seem to be the blending pieces.  This was a challenging project (and you know how I love a challenge!) and I am so thrilled that I tackled it.  ")  Sometimes I look at a project and say to myself, "Oh, I could do that."
And. then, when I have jumped in feet first, I get a little nervous that maybe I can't do that.  LOL  But it is always good to stretch your creativity....spread those wings a little farther out...........   Happy Creating, everyone!

Highlights from top of case - left

I instantly fell in love with this image of the little girl's face and knew I wanted to color it in and place this large, round TH fragment over it.  I cut out one of the diamonds from my foundation paper and added it just above the image.  The green butterfly above and the bird below this image really tied my theme together.

Highlights from top of case

I knew I wanted to put this little bird lady from Catherine Moore on my case.  I stamped her twice, once on blue paper and then again on blue/green patterned paper.  I cut the dress from the patterned paper and attached it over the other image.  I stained the Scrabble letters with Tim Holtz's Spiced Marmalade reinker and his alcohol ink, Citrus.  Then I attached the letters to the top of the case.

Right side of case

I think immediately you see that I added the gold foil bird instead of another butterfly.  I like for my work to have an unexpected element along the way.  ")   (not unexpected because it is a FOIL bird, but because it's not another butterfly around the edge)  The images I had chosen for this side had lots of browns.  I looked back through my papers and found this "Do not remove" label that Sara had added to my folder.  I loved it!   I used it to tie the side to the back of my case.   I later found the brown train ticket with some others I had at home and used it on the lower left.  I used a coral ink to blend this side together and a touch of brown on the upper right.  I really like the way this side looks.  ")

Back of train case

I love the look of this!  The Terra Cotta ink I used to blend my areas together is like a ray of sunshine!  I added this reclining lady to the center of my collage on the back to give the impression of being in an enclosed garden.  (notice the garden plan on the paper behind her)  Once again my diamond paper is peaking through ....lower left... and was my foundation paper.  I loved using the train ticket on the lower right........one of those "aha!" moments.  ")  You can see the butterflies continuing around the top edge of the case.

Left side of train case

Well, of course, I just had to use the birdcage on my case.... after all, the theme is  Birds!  ")  Notice the butterflies around the top edge of the case.  I made this the pattern for my case all the way around.  You can really see my ribbons in the indentions here.  I love the green in this bird and found it also in the butterfly that I collaged in this area.  The berries and faux postage really compliment each other and I used a coordinating ink to blend these areas together.  Here you can see part of the diamond paper that I tore and used as the foundation of my collage work.  Just had to put that nest below the cage.  ")

Collaged Train Case - front

I took a "Train Case" class at Croppinsville in Collinsville a few weekends ago.  The class was taught by Sara Hanlon of Fifth Child Studio.  Each participant had their own case to collage.  My theme was birds and butterflies.  I think most of the participants put fibers on their handles when they finished, but I had this material that I had dyed for a project.  I tore it into strips and added various types of ribbon.  I attached the nest with the eggs to the netted ribbon.  I made several medallions using images and words with Tim Holtz's fragments.  I tied a medallion to each end of a piece of heavy string and then tied these strings in with the ribbons. 

I started my case by painting the bottom with Studio's Landscape Green.  I chose images of birds that had greens and blues.  I then added browns and oranges.  I had three indented areas around my case at the opening.  I chose a blue ribbon with green and brown circles for the larger middle indention.  For the two smaller ones, I cut cardstock with thin stripes of greens, blues, browns and oranges.  I added butterflies, faux postage and words to my collaged images.  I sponged inks into areas to tie the images together.

Sara is a great teacher and is so patient!  She offers so many images and a folder full of choices.  One thing she said over and over was that she was "all about choices". 

Cover Art for RubberStampMadness Summer 2010

How exciting is this?!  I was thrilled to finally get my copy of the Summer 2010 RubberStampMadness with my artwork on the cover.  I can honestly say that I really worked hard on this piece.  In fact, I did it over in a completely different color scheme.  My first try was in oranges, but, then, I realized that this was going to be a summer issue...........and my piece was looking a lot like Halloween!  LOL   So, back to the drawing board I went and here's the final piece.   I started with a sheet of water color paper and spritzed it with Glimmer Mist Sea Glass.  Next I printed a practice sheet of calligraphy that I had scanned from a book I bought at a secondhand bookstore.  I am an aphabet addict!  I had over half a dozen rubberstamps of differing styles of alphabets.  I stamped them in various colors of ink and then laid them out over the printed calligraphy sheet.  I finally decided on the three you see here.  I also have alphabet cards that I had used with my grandchildren and chose to have A & Z.  I used alcohol inks to color these cards.  Next I brought out my very large letters to stamp the A, B, and C.  I have a rubberstamp that has lines similiar to those on practice sheets for elementary students.  I used papers that had graduated colors for these letters, but first did a light stamping of a jacquard pattern behind the letters.  I started layering all these images on my page to see what else the page needed.  Other images I chose were:  the ink pen, the pencil, pen nibs, the hand with the quill, and the ink bottle.  I stamped them all with a black inkpad and cut them out.  After adding these, I thought it needed a spot of color and "X marks the spot" came to mind.  I remembered my decorated alphabet and stamped the "X" in red.  I cut the X out and added it to the page.  I studied my page for several days and kept thinking about being in school and learning the alphabet.  I then had the idea to add the little girl sitting with an open book.  After I stamped her on light blue paper with black ink, I used a black pen to write in the "A" and the "B" on the pages of the book.  I cut her out placed her on the alphabet in the front.  Last of all, I made the decision to add the small a, b and c to accompany the larger letters.  I had also hand lettered the alphabet across the top of the page in a 1/4" border.  Roberta called me when this was being prepared for the final print and asked if I had any objections to loosing that top 1/4" that included the handlettered alphabet.  Well, of course, I had no objections!  ")   I am very pleased with the final copy.