live inspired.

I am currently in love with Distress Oxide inks and Color Burst--truth.  I've always been in love with Unity Stamps Co.--featured here are  Hollyhocks by Donna Downey and Empowered Words--my all time go to Unity Stamp Co set:

 

live inspired. 

jane

More Than You See....

Happy Monday, Friends!

I like to try out all different kinds of projects:  mixed media canvas' of various sizes (although the 3x3 canvas' are my favorite!), 3D projects (I've got a cool one coming up this week!), cards, and today, I've got a few ATC (artist trading cards) to share.

A friend at work inspired me to try these again.  She's super crafty and runs creative expression groups with our kids at work.  This is the perfect format for art therapy/group projects--especially for people who haven't had much art exposure.  The small size makes the project doable and not very intimidating at all.

Both cards feature stamps from Unity Stamp Company--one of my favorites!

On the top card, I created a colorful background using distress inks, a stencil and a floral image.  For me, the ATC is a great way to feature a sentiment--so, I used my favorite (and, the one that inspired my blog name) I Am More.

The second ATC features a beautiful angelic image called, Chickadee and Me by Suzi Blu.  I paired it with a sentiment from one of my all time favorite go to sets for impactful words--Empowered Words.

Have a great day...believe that you can!
Be Awesome, Jane

Matching Socks...

For as long as I can remember, my kids have not matched their socks.  Truthfully, I think it started from sheer laziness and disorganization.  It's become somewhat like a signature, now, and I just wouldn't expect less.

As soon as I saw this cute set from Unity Stamp Co, I had to have it!  Unity is great about sales and generally offers a great sale every weekend...which may explain my {errr} rather large Unity collection?

I'm still practicing with the direct distress spots technique.  This was a little more difficult because of how close some of the sock detail lines are to each other.  I still like the end result.   This is an easy technique that produces a unique creation every time.  It's great to give up control from time to time and just see what you get!

I mean, after all, life really is too short to match socks and not have any fun!!  Be Awesome!  Jane

Scripted Tulips

I just feel like we all could use some flowers today.  It's snowing here again.  My 15-20 minute commute took me an hour because I chose to go through town thinking it was safer.  My feet are still freezing.  My car is buried and may not make it up the hill.  So....flowers it is!

This is one of the first images I purchased from Unity Stamps several years ago when I first fell in love in love with them.  It's called Donna Poppy Background. 

Using a script background stamp, I created a resist and then later water colored the rest of the card.  I've been into coloring more and more lately and find that my cards are becoming more about that than matting and fancy designs.  My mojo wanes, I find with lack of time and it's really just about getting back to basics lately.....

Enjoy, Jane

Struggle.

Struggle.  It's part of the story.....Happy Monday!!

There are a lot of milestones happening around here and, you know....sometimes, that's hard.  Learning to drive, figuring out that dating thing, making it through the trials of every day...I made this card for my daughter--just a little way to celebrate and remind her that there IS value in struggle.

I love this stamp set from Unity Stamp Co., Part of the Story because it's gorgeous and truthful and resonates with me for so many reasons!

I've been experimenting with the direct to paper distress ink technique.  I've come to the conclusion that I, for sure, need more of the spot sized distress inks!!  This is such a fun technique that produces such interesting and unique outcomes.  If you aren't sure what I am talking about, take a look at  Unity Stamp Company's Quick Tips (the button is right at the top of the store website).  You'll have to scroll down a ways to find the technique I'm talking about---try not to get side tracked---LOTS of good stuff there!

Go, be inky and struggle on!  Be Amazing--Jane

Panda Thanks....

Middle of the week!!!  We made it this far, we can keep on until the end of the week--right?

Even if you've been joining me here for awhile, one thing you may not know about me is that my favorite animal is the panda bear.  In fact, my very first stuffie was a panda I got from my Grandma.....clearly, I loved him fierce:

Naturally, anything Panda continues to catch my eye....especially that facebook video of the Panda snuggling--how great of a job would that be?....And, especially cute Panda stamps like the one, from Unity Stamp Co, I used for my project today called, Birdie and a Bear.  I'm warning you....Unity Stamp Company has some seriously cute Panda images...I'd go ahead and get the whole set, if I were you :)

Just sayin'--

Be Awesome!  Jane

Everything Matters

I love....no, I ADORE, this gorgeous Butterfly girl image from Prima.  I found my very own at Simon Says Stamp--just knew it had to be mine the minute my eyes lay upon it.

Creating the main image for this canvas took a good deal of time.  It was super putzy and full of fussy cutting--it was marvelous therapy!  I started with a book page and gesso, a few pieces of cardstock, designer papers and my best little scissors.  It's multi-layered and pieced together with much love and lots of dimension.

The canvas started as a bit of an experiment in repurposing a kiddie attempt at canvas making and the subsequent abandonment of said canvas. (If you are wondering, the canvas measures 8" x 10")  What's a frugal crafty mom to do?  I started with paint and then more book pages.  Added more paint, a stencil and gesso.  To finish, I added some wonderful images from Unity (and, the sentiment) and Stamper's Anonymous.  More dimension and texture from some groovy cork sticker thingys from Stampin' Up! and a bobble or two with some shine. 

It all makes a great case for hoarding....I mean saving random crafty stuff :)

Thanks for looking!

TTFN, Jane