A New Love: Mixed Media Canvas Art!

So, a few weeks ago I finally did a project I'd been wanting to do for a while... 

Thanks to Christy Tomlinson's wonderful tutorial here I was able to create this little piece of art. I knew that I would really enjoy this type of project and I was so right. I've loved using paint and rub ons and collaging scraps on my scrapbooking layouts for a while and this seemed like such a natural thing to play around with. I love the process and the result and have been dreaming up other things I can make. And this weekend I had the perfect opportunity to make an original piece for my niece who turned 10 yesterday. Her parents gave her a room re-do for her birthday and so my sister-in-law sent me the link for her new bedding which was my inspiration for this wall art I made for her new room! 

Here's the bedding set she got from Pottery Barn: 

And here's the art I created for her new bedroom! 

A little closer up view: 

And the card I made to go along with it. 

I am happy to say she loved it! And I'm excited to make more art soon! :) 

Celebrate!

So, not only is today World Card Making Day, but it's also my birthday!!! Yay! So, I thought I would share a birthday card today in honor of both celebrations! I used Teresa Collins Celebrate paper and a bit of My Minds Eye Alphabet Soup for matting the cupcake greeting, a bit of paint, mist and ink and of course what's a good birthday without some bling! :) 

I'll come back later this weekend to share my thoughts on turning... thirty-two! Right now it's off to get ready for a night out with my hubby!!! 

Layout A Day in June - I DID IT!!!

#29 You Make Me Smile Card & Make a Wish Card - A couple more cards to share. The first one I used up a bunch of scraps I had lying around my scrap desk. For the Make A Wish card I used the remaining rub-ons I had left after the Cutie Pie layout. 

And last, but definitely not least is this one #30 A Prayer 4 You - This was Ali inspired. I had printed this photo free from Walgreens about a month or so ago and thought it would be great on a layout. I don't usually do larger photos, but this one was quick and simple and I think the result beautiful. I also do not usually do computer journaling, but once in a while it seems most appropriate & this was one of those times. The journaling is from the Scriptures (Psalm 18:30-36). j

So... 30 days, 30 layouts {technically 28 layouts & 4 cards, but who's counting?) I made it, I did it, what an accomplishment. There were a few times I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but it definitely ended on a high note today when both my kiddos took over 2 1/2 hour naps so I was able to complete the last 2 layouts & card.  I will share some additional reflections & favorite moments from this layout a day project soon. Until then, I would love to hear from you... which layout(s) is your favorite and why? Thanks for joining me and I hope you'll stay tuned into my blog for more creative inspiration & encouragement! 

Layout a Day in June - #20 & 21

For #20 I decided to show a couple of cards I made this week... trying to get caught up! :) This one I made for my niece, Jeorgia for her first birthday! 

And this one is made using my new Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch! :) 

Then, for Layout #21 I did this eclectic mix of products for this page using a sketch from Twisted Sketches. I found this quote and thought it was so appropriate for a layout about myself as a good reminder to believe in myself and my abilities. "The woods would be a quiet place if only the birds that thought they could sing were singing." -Unknown 

Thanks Card

Here's a card I did for Twisted Cards #006 Challenge. It was a really fun sketch to use and I like the way it turned out! I used some of the leftover bits from my October Cocoa Daisy kit! 

Mother's Day Cards

My kids and I made these Mother's Day cards this week inspired by this post from Simple Kids blog. Noelle really got into this which surprised me because she is not usually interested in painting or coloring much, but she really had fun and humored me when I asked her to paint a little more (we had 4 of these to make)! She painted on standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper and then once she was done painting I cut the paper into smaller pieces to fit on top of a standard sized card. I ran them through the printer to print "Happy Mother's Day" on them and then I mounted them with solid cardstock! And voila, a cute Mother's Day card for the grandmas & great grandmas in our life! The great thing for me about this was I didn't have to stress about when I was going to find time to make 4 cards, I made it an activity the kids and I did together and then put a few finishing touches on it that took about 15 minutes during naptime instead of spending an hour or more once the kids were in bed! Not to mention these will be much more treasured I am sure! :)  

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Today is my husbands' birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetie! Here is a card I made for him using the September Cocoa Daisy kit! We are going to be celebrating today by attending a Matthew West concert this evening! We are excited!

Check back early in the week for a little peek at a project I've been working on over the weekend!