A craftsy amateur

Just as you are

2011-08-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

First art journal entry. You are beautiful just as you are

Thanks for looking,
Sonya

Cool jazz dude!

2011-08-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

I got this poster a while back from a sample at work. He looks good framed, and he is one cool cat!!

And here he is on the wall above my art table:)

Bible scripture Tags

2011-07-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

For Bible scripture tag book.

Happy trails to you,
Sonya

My lazy susan!

2011-05-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

A little bit of pvc pipe, a hacksaw,round boards,a lazy susan,and a lot of black spray paint! I wanted to get some pink flourish type rub ons for this baby, but just haven't got around to it yet. It's not perfect but it does the job. No more searching in the toolbox for markers and paintbrushes!

Happy trails to you,
Sonya

Got bleach?

2011-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

The last challenge set free from my drafts :) My favorite!!

Hang em' up

2011-05-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

Holy smokes I haven't blogged in 3 months??
Yet another SOS challenge

Fluffy

2011-05-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

White sale challenge at Sisterhood of scrap.

Have a wonderful day!
Sonya

Card challenge

2011-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Bad blogger! I have a few posts that I have stored in drafts, and I'll be posting them in the next couple of days. At this point I can't remember when the challenges were, but I know they are old news.

Card made for a challenge at Sisterhood of scrap.

Thanks for visiting,
Sonya

Calendar of events

2011-01-29T20:36:00.000-08:00

You gotta start somewhere!! I am putting together 5 of these 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 folders to document important events. I found this wonderful online calendar that was very useful for me. here.

For the calendars to put in my binders I went here. It's nice because you can add your own events to this. Kind of a pain in the butt to add the holidays, but well worth the time. When I clicked the print button it came off the printer for a perfect fit in these binders...after cutting them down from an 8 1/2 X11 sheet of paper that is.

There will be 5 years in each binder (with the exception of the last one) starting with 1988 the year my first son was born.

The next step I am taking is to go through the plastic drawers shown here, and in a previous post. I need to weed out the wedding invitations, birth announcements, ect. etc. and enter the dates in my brand spankin new calendar of events binders! If by chance I don't have the dates written on my photos I may be able to match them up with the event.....but that's a another story:)

Thank you for stopping by.
Sonya

Can't quite let go of Christmas

2011-01-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

Something I made for my Mom a few years ago. I had so much fun putting all the decorations on this beaded tree, but I would have gone broke buying more. Solution: buy some beads, paint them red, roll them in glue, then some glitter. Add a bell cap, and you have a frosted ball for your beaded tree!

It's gotten a little dusty over the years.

Here at home the Christmas tree is down and packed away, but I still have the lights on the banister. I can't seem to let go quite yet....It comes up so quickly,...but it goes away faster than it came. It's about time to wrap it up,...it makes me sad...

Autumn masquerade ATC

2010-10-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

I know... I'm a month late in posting. I created this for an ATC exchange with the Sisters at Sisterhood of scrap. So much fun, and I'm so happy to have had the chance now for the second time to do this! Warm fuzzies :) The sketch was drawn, scanned, and colored in Photoshop from an original by me here. The mask is a creation by Linzee777 at deviant art. So pretty!

Have a wonderful night,

Sonya

p.s. I fixed the nose in Photoshop!

Examining butterfly parts Prima style

2010-08-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

I love all the small intricate details of things. I like to examine the parts to see how it's put together. 7 parts to this beauty. It does look much better in real life. I scanned this one.

Prima Marketing butterfly. Pretty simple right?

This is my interpretation. My very first!

Step 1) I grabbed a coloring page butterfly from google images.

Step 2) In photoshop resized it to fit my card.

Step 3) Printed it off on white text paper

Step 4) Cut out the image.

Step 5) Used water color paints for the wings.

Step 6) Glue, glitter, and green stickles

Step 7) I had a hard time putting the abdomen, thorax and head together. I couldn't figure out how they had only one wire coming out of the abdomen, and two wires coming out of the head for the antenna. so I just hooked the antenna on a single wire, and with a pliers squeezed them together, and beaded the wire from the bottom. once beads are in place curl the bottom around the abdomen bead. (needle nose pliers used here)

I figured it out!! What they did on the brima butterfly is used only one wire. They just beaded it around the bottom bead and ran it back up for the antenna!!

Step 8) Curl the tops of the antenna with a needle nose pliers. I think I need a smaller gauge bc I had a heck of a time!

Step 9) Glue the abdomen/thorax/head to the body and let set overnight. (Glossy accents used here) add pop dot or whatever you wish to the back for adhering to card, scrapbook page or whatever you like:)

Hope you enjoyed :) Oh yes if you get a chance, visit the butterfly section on the Prima page. Be inspired! Make one today!

Happy trails,
Sonya

Precious gems

2010-08-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

I went to my Mothers house last week and she had a large suitcase full of jewelery. She told me to go through it and take out what I wanted. A great gift from my Mom! I love you. Inspiration for flowers and butterflies are coming soon.

Happy trails to you!

Sonya

Pearlescent and Bride and Groom

2010-08-16T05:26:00.000-07:00

These water color paints are awesome! I used plain white text paper to make my flowers, and painted them with the pearlescent paint. It gives the flowers a little bit of a soft metallic look.

Bride and Groom card. Okay I need to work on the blending skills :) ER's scrapbook corner.

Have a great week!

Sonya

Glimpses of my artsy craftsy place

2010-08-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a glimpses of my arty craftsy room. I went to the salvation Army and picked up this little beauty! (Okay so it has to be cleaned up a bit.) There were games inside the drawers...I remember Chinese checkers in one drawer, but I can't remember what was in the others.

I took the games out and started to design it for my embossing powders, Perfect pearls, and other small stuff. Not a bad find for $3.50! And it's all wood!!

The stamp storage I was talking about in a previous post. I started this a few months ago. No more wood stamps for this girl! I love this system. Inspired by Patter's blog Triple the Scraps.

A few of my drawers. (Dresser drawers that is) The dividers in the ribbon storage drawers are only temporary, (card board) but it works for now.

This is a biggie! My storage unit that sits to the left of my computer. As you can see I have a lot to go through....not to mention my hutch. In the plastic drawers are some photos, kids school papers, receipts, report cards, academic awards, funeral notices, baptismal certificates,...just about everything but the kitchen sink. A big undertaking.....

but if I do a little bit each day I just may get r' done!

Have a wonderful Sunday, and thanks for stopping by!

Happy trails,

Sonya

My first Prima flower!

2010-08-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

I came across this video on you tube. So easy, and I was quite humbled. Easy peasy to make...who says you need a die cut to make circles?!!

Happy trails to you,

Sonya

Stamps Stamps Stamps

2010-08-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

So now that I am almost done going through my 20 + years of paper work, I've decided it's time to try and go through some of my crafting supplies. I started getting my stamps in the Univenture cases about three months ago by taking the stamps off the wood, and getting them into the binders. These Univenture binders are awesome. I originally read about them on Patters Triple the scraps blog.

So far I have gotten 11 wooden stamp sets unmounted and put into their permanent home. I'll try and get a picture posted tomorrow. This is what I have left to do.

Happy trails to you,

Sonya

Day at Archiver's

2010-08-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

I know! Me bad blogger!! I could come up with a bunch of reasons why I haven't blogged in so long but the truth is it has been a lack of enthusiasm. I will not tell a lie! I wish I could say it wasn't so... but it is.

Anyway, I went to Archiver’s on Saturday for the free make and takes. They had three stations set up for three different cards. Here are two I made. I didn't quite get the punch in the center of this thank you card, so I figured what the hay.... I may as well offset the thank you too.

Now I don't know about you, but I have a huge problem with making a mess when I heat emboss. I wonder if it's because I don't shake it off enough. I'm afraid if I tap it to much the stamped lettering may get messed up. Hence the reason for the little black spots.

I absolutely fell in love with this cute little flower punch. I was going to get one, but they were all sold out! Hey that maybe that's a good thing...I can buy my Son some school clothes with that money. I'm kidding!!

The other one I made was an ATC using Tim Holt'z distress inks, and a white paint dauber for the flourish stamp. I love the sentiment stamp. "Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering." :)

Happy trails to you, and thanks for not giving up on me.

Sonya

Simple thank you!

2010-08-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Less than 10 minutes to whip this one up! Clean and simple is good.

Happy trails to you,

Sonya

Isn't she cute!

2010-08-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

I needed a plain and simple card for my Mom who does so much for me, and my family! I love you Mom. I "heard" about digi stamps so I gave it a go. I came across
My Grafico and searched some of their freebies and came up with this little cutie!

I'll definitely be back to My Grafiti.com

First ATC swap!

2010-04-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

When I saw this challenge at sisterhood of scrap I knew without a doubt I wanted to take part. About 2 years ago I was surfing the web and came across some of the awesome artwork, and craftsmanship that go into one of these little cards.

Not only did I have fun making them, but it was fun to receive as well. So many different talents out there, and some awesome ATC's! Great job ladies! :) Let's do it again sometime.

Here is my final reveal.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sonya

ATC- sneak peek

2010-03-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hey all haven't updated the blog lately, oops:) Wanted to give you a sneak peek at the ATC I made for the an ATC swap at Sisterhood of Scrap Final reveal isn't until April 1st. I'll post the whole ATC then:)

Enjoy the rest of your evening!

Sonya

Sonya

I only wanted to see the new line!

2010-02-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Archivers to check out the new Melody Ross line. Very cool stuff! I absolutely love altered art:)

Archivers was packed and I had a hard time finding a place to park. I had forgotten there was a free make and take at the shop....no wonder! When I entered the place I directly went to the demonstration table to test out the new Melody Ross line. Just like the leather bracelets I remember stamping on in high school, except I was stamping on chipboard. I had to think about it for a while so I went and signed up for the make and takes, and wouldn't you know there was a wait! So while I was waiting i did a little browsing. I new I needed some We R Memory Keepers page protectors so I grabbed them. pkg. of 12X12, and a pkg of 12X12 with 6 4X6 slots. I ended up buying the Heidi Swapp Clocks set, some pearl stickers, and a couple things from the dollar bins.

I finally got called for my make and take project, and fell in love with this VersaFine onyx black ink. So I bought me one of those for $8.99.(yikes)

Just when I was about to leave I thought of why I originally went...so I went back and got a stamp set, and a stamp handle.$ 52.38 later I was out of the store. Darn good thing I got my tax return:) Here's the card.

I never knew you could use Versa mark with no embossing powder! The background is versa mark, and I think the punch for the bottom was a fiskers border punch. Stamps were Archivers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sonya

Baby Shower

2010-02-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

My Neice Megan is having a baby boy, and her shower is two weeks from today. I found a package of 20 napkins with this image on it at the Salvation army for 25 cents, and my card stock is big scraps from work. No complaints for that price...it's the part I like the best. I used the saran wrap technique for this card.

Before the weekend is over I hope to post the make and take I made at Archivers . Also I got an inspiration for a storage system by visiting Triple the scraps blog. Patter is one awesome organizer!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend wherever you may be!

Polka dots and lines

2010-02-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

Long time no blogging. I have been working a lot of overtime lately! bad excuse...it's the only one I have. Anyway I went to Wal-Mart a few days ago and picked up a white, and black Elmers paint pen. Tried it out on these two cards and loved them:) I used textured paper much like bazzill cardstock, and went over my doodles 2X. The black still showed through the paint just a little. I'll try it on regular cardstock to see if it does the same thing.I had fun working the doodles. My stitching lines could probably use a little work:)

Thanks for stopping by, and not giving up on me.

Sonya

To much cookie dough!

2009-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

I went shopping at Sam's Club yesterday and bought a 5 pound tub of chocolate chip cookie dough along with other groceries. I intended to bake them today, but ended up eating about a pound of it, (okay maybe a little more) and the oven had never been turned on...maybe tomorrow...

Here are six cards I made last night. I tried Tim Holtz's distressing technique on my owl card, and loved it! Distressing techniques rock! I think I'll be using this technique more often:)

Thanks for stopping by,

Sonya

Saran wrap cards

2009-09-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

A couple of cards using the saran wrap technique.

Saran wrap technique

2009-09-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

I can't remember where I came across this technique. It was probably one of the bazillion you tube videos I watched. I tried it and loved it.

What you will need:
1. Saran wrap
2.2 pieces 8 1/2X11 medium weight card stock or something that can take the heat of an iron
3. scissors
4. folded blank card stock
5. An Ironing board(I don't own one so I used my washer covered with a towel:0)
6. A decorative napkin (not pictured here)

Place the saran wrap over your folded card stock. As tough as it is to keep the saran wrap from folding over on you, make sure it's flat and wrinkle free on the card stock. You may ask for help on this one...or you could just try to hold it with both hands and use your teeth to get the folds out like I do:)

The next step is really important! Usually decorative napkins come in two or three ply. Make sure you peel them off! Trust me, I forgot this step on one of the cards I made and it didn't work. Doh!

Place the napkin over the saran wrap. For the striped pattern I felt through the napkin for the edge of the card stock to assure that it was aligned straight.

Carefully place your card stock over the napkin trying not to move it.

Using a medium,or cotton setting, on your iron (this was a cool iron for the pic)apply pressure to the card stock and slowly move back and forth.. to and fro.. whatever you wish, but the one thing I do have to tell you is if you have any saran wrap sticking outside your card stock try to avoid it please:) I did this and had a tiny mess on the edge of my iron. Now that's as good an excuse as any. Oh honey I'm sorry I can't iron your dress pants, because I got plastic on my iron;0

I didn't picture the next step, but as soon as you think your napkin adhered to your card stock, carefully peel the bottom and top layer away. It will be HOT.
Once your layers have been peeled away cut the excess from your card. For a cost saving measure, before you start any of this, cut the napkin down as close as you can to the size of your card.

And there you have it! Embellish as you wish, and have fun:D
Thanks for stopping by,

Sonya

A sketch by yours truly

2009-09-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

My first sketch since high school where I failed miserably. Quite honestly I didn't know I could do this. It took about three hours to sketch, and my inspiration came from this very talented woman on the web Tam aka Willowing.

So the nose is a crooked, and the eyes are a little disproportionate, but I don't think it turned out all that bad for my first attempt.

The most challenging part of the sketch for me was trying to bring the life out in the eyes. As it is in photography the same applies to sketching "it's all in the light." The parts that protrude will have more light source. Hence the reason for shading. This was a wonderful learning experience for me!

See you next time,

Sonya

You will be missed!

2009-08-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

In Memory of David W.
January 18, 1938-August 11, 2009

God saw he was getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him an
Whispered "come with Me".
With a tearful eye we watched him suffer
And saw him fade away.
Although we couldn't bear to loose him
We could not bid him to stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands laid to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

Dad I love you, and one day we will meet again!

Organizing Digi Kits

2009-07-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

I finally started organizing my digital kits! I wanted to be able to open one folder with every Background and every element in it instead of having to open several folders to grab what I want.

This is how I am doing it. I created a notepad document with the prefix name of the designer that created the kit. first name initial and then the full last name. I clicked copy.

From there I open up the folder of the particular kit and paste the prefix name. If there was an "element" in the file name I deleted it altogether and replaced it with the prefix name as I already know that it's an element. Other than that I almost always keep the full file name as it may contain important information. Most are self explanatory though.

I couldn't imagine being a designer having to name each and every element. That's got to be a tough job in itself!

Then I replace the _O_ with the next number of the designers previous kit that I finished renaming.

I am doing the same thing with the text documents, Terms of use, etc.

From there I created an excel worksheet. The sheet also contains a website or blog if the designer has one. And the pixels per inch.

Ba da bing ba band done! Well not really, but I am trying to rename at least two kits a day. I haven't gotten to the alphas yet. yikes....

Peace out,

Sonya

June 15 blog prompt

2009-06-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

e e cummings once remarked, “I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.” Do you find that more people today are living beyond their income? Are you?

Yes! With today's society it seems as though a lot of Americans live beyond their income...and they are not alone...

This is it! No more instant gratification!! I have forgotten what it was like to work hard to buy the things I want. Instead I have these evil things called credit cards. How easy going into a store handing over a piece of plastic to pay for the purchase without thinking about the consequences. We are so far behind in credit card debt that it seems as though we will never get out. Well no more buying unless I have the cash to pay for it.

Sometimes it seems absurd to me that I'm the one who pays all the bills. I say hmmmmm which bills should I pay this month? I'm gambling with our money. Both me and my husband work to hard to gamble it away.

Thank you so much for reading this blog entry. I do feel a lot better getting it off my chest.

And now on the lighter side of things. I was searching the internet for starting to budget according to what we make and I came across this AWESOME website called Christian PF. I have been reading it ever since I found it.

Sometimes I cry when I think of how foolishly I have been spending. But I know that God is on my side and in Him I can get things turned around.

On my way.........

The future-a card

2009-06-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

This was suppose to be a graduation card, but after it was all done I didn't like the quote. Looks like a wedding card.... I'll try again tomorrow.

Thurday June 11 Blog prompt

2009-06-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

"Are you grateful for right now?"

Not as much as I should be. Lately I have been taking things for granted. I have a lovely home and a wonderful family to share it with. With the ecomomic times the way they are either me or my husband could loose our job and it would be stripped away in a moments time. So I stop and look around to realize how truly grateful I am. Now this comes to the June 1st blog prompt.

“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” ~Dr. Joyce Brothers. How well do you listen? Are you intent or preoccupied?

Lately I have been preoccupied and I haven't been listening. Just caught up in my own little world.

Mother Teresa once said that "Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart. It's been awhile since I have REALLY listened.

Peace out,

Sonya

June 1st blog prompt

2009-06-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” ~Dr. Joyce Brothers. How well do you listen? Are you intent or preoccupied?

I used to be a good listener. But it would depend on who I was listening to. Some people just ramble on about this, that and the other. None of which is all that important to me.

One thing that drives me a little crazy is when someone rambles on and they pause between the long winded blather. I manage to say a few words, and they continue on with the blather! I'm sitting there thinking. Did she just hear what I said?

Pretty soon the blather goes in one ear and out the other. I think next time when I say something between the blather I'll yell at the top of my lungs DID YOU HEAR ME!!??

May 27th blog prompt

2009-05-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

As time goes by I forget the wonderful memories I had as a child. Until I read a blog prompt from DSP. Wednesday May 27th's blog prompt...

Blog Prompt - "Today is National Grape Popsicle Day and tell me about your favorite Popsicle or ice cream treats as a child."

What a wonderful prompt! As soon as I read it I recalled this memory.....

I'm not sure how old I was at the time, but I remember visiting Grandmas trailer home in Wisconsin. We would often go to the next door neighbors and play on the swing set, but we always had to keep an eye out for those vicious Boston Terriers named Penny and Spike. Little ass holes they were.

If they came into Grandmas yard barking with those ugly little fangs showing Grandma would get the broom out and shoo them away.

On with the prompt:

One weekend day we were playing on the swing set. Penny and Spike must have been in the house because we didn't hear the annoying bark from the vicious ones!

The picnic table was covered with a red and white checkered table cloth. There was a box of ice cream, and graham crackers. My mom would remove all the cardboard from the box of ice cream and precisely slice it in squares to fit between the graham crackers.

She always had a big glass of warm water for dipping the knife to make slicing the ice cream easier. They were piled up on a plate. Ohhh so good!! The ice cream was a little soft so it would squish out the sides of the Graham cracker.

The best childhood treat for me:)

Now what did I do with that grocery list?......

1 Corinthians 13:13

2009-05-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

A card for my Cousins wedding.

Thanks for looking

SCRC209-Grace

2009-03-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

Week 10 for Patter's challenge was the word Grace. Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

I like the way this one turned out, except for the spacing in the text. Other than that it's simple, and brings my attention more on the words than the design. I need to spend more time reading my Bible. And on Sunday I listen to Dr. Charles Stanley. I know nothing replaces being in Church on Sunday, and one of these days I'll get back there:)

SCRC209-week 10-Grace

The satin heart in the middle of the ribbon knot is from Ali. Thank you Ali! This worked out perfectly on this layout:) I can't remember the paper I used, except that it was from my scrap bin!

SCRC209-Trust

2009-03-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Eeeeyikes! I haven't been keeping up on the scripture challenge. Not to mention me bad blogger! Week 8 for Patter's scripture challenge was the word Trust. For this challenge I chose two verses from the NIV Bible.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

And one of my favorites Proverbs 3: vs 5&6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I don't know how many times I have asked myself why my Dad being such a healthy man got cancer. Before he got cancer he was the kind of man who could never sit still. He enjoyed taking trips on his on his scooter. Cleaning up the yard, and visiting neighbors often. Now he can barely get around and he is under the constant care of My Mom. So why? is a question that is totally beyond any human understanding. And the only thing we have is to trust in God!

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

SCRC209-week 8-Trust

First beeswax collage!

2009-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to have done my first ever beeswax collage! I was intrigued with beeswax collage when I first visited Jack and Cat Curio's Blog and that was over a year ago!

Finally I jumped in and created a collage! I got a wonderful gift from Paula at work! A great big brick of beeswax which must have weighed at least 4 pounds. So Paula if you happen to read my blog entry on this I THANK YOU!

Saturday afternoon: My dear sweet hubby brought me to Hancock fabrics to buy a Clover Mini Iron. It's an essential tool for beeswax collage. Then we hopped over to Michaels Craft store to get a cheap paintbrush set.

This is how it went today: I found this wonderful tea book while I was rummaging for vintage type images. So this is the book I'll use for...oh lets say an art journal...although I don't consider myself an artist in the least. I have much to learn! There are an abundant amount of resources on the internet, and for this collage I learned from Suze Weinberg on You Tube.

I melted about a pound of beeswax off the brick by putting it in my crock pot on high temp. I had my supplies ready which included the image and a decorative napkin for the background. When the beeswax was melted I was ready to go. I used a cheap paint brush for dipping in the beeswax and then stroked it over the cover of the book. It dried rather quik! I placed the napkin over the beeswax and used my clover leaf iron to remelt the wax and adhere it to the cover. Problem: I kept going over it to make it as smooth as possible but kept getting air bubbles.

Then I applied the picture, let it dry, and found some embellishments to add. I brushed some Brilliant Gold Pearl Ex and Super Bronze around the edges. If I was to do this again (and I plan on it) I would use Perfect Pearls. Both Pearl Ex and Perfect Pearls "contain Mica particles" (the metallic shine) but Perfect Pearls contains a "resin binder" which I'm assuming would adhere better than Pearl Ex:)

Well that's about it for today! I promise I won't "talk" so much next time:)

Have a wonderful week,

Sonya

SCRC209-Glad

2009-02-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

Week 7 challenge from Patter's challenge was the word Glad

SCRC209-Week 7-Glad

Beginnings Acrylic transfer

2009-02-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

Ever since I can remember I've been amazed with the works of mixed media and collage artists, and always wanted to try to create.... True inspiration struck me when I stumbled upon Willowings You tube video.
First encounter with Blick art store: I was looking for some Pearl Ex for a card I was working on. I remember going in one day after work. I asked the cashier where I could find Pearl Ex. She asked me "what kind of medium it was." she could see the look of confusion on my face, smiled, and asked me what kind of material it was. What can I say? Archivers or Michaels were my usual stops, and it has always been scrapbooking supplies I was looking at!
Then after viewing Willowing on you tube I just had to go to Blick for a second time. This time I knew what I was looking for. I didn't have a lot of money to spend so I just bought a few things to get me started.

This is what I created. One mistake I made was brushing the Gel medium over the collage when it was finished which gave it a cloudy appearance.

I want to make an art journal and to be consistent I decided to go 8 1/2X11 on water color paper. I'm not sure what type of album this will go in....maybe a spiral bound? One thing about mixed media and collage is it doesn't have to perfect! Just do it! Experiment! Create!

Sonya

Stamp Storage SU

2009-02-19T20:09:00.000-08:00

Okay I really have to work on my photography skills! Underexposed, and out of focus! Sorry about that!

Little did I know that SU stamps had the name of the set on the sticker sheet. Eeeee gad I threw them away after mounting the stamp and putting the sticker on...... Oh well such is life. So here is my idea on storing mounted SU stamps.

I wanted to stack them up in my square cubes but how would I know the set just by the name? I wouldn't! So I set the stamps wood side down on my scanner, scanned them, and printed them out at about 3/4 inch X 5 to 7 inches on a full sheet label. (needed the width) If there were only a few stamps in the set I started to fill in the blank space with tan paint in PSE. I wasn't striving for perfection in this, I just wanted to get an idea of what stamps were in the containers:)

Peace out!

TLC207-Cut It Out

2009-02-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

Yet another challenge at SCS! TLC207-Cut it out can be found here. A thank you card for my Mom who sends over supper for my family at least twice a month. I work until 7:00 p.m. and cooking is the last thing I want to do when I get home.

I'm thinking my boys should have supper all ready and on the table for me when I get home. Baaaa ha ha! Usually it's "Mom pizza is ready!" God I love my boys!!

TLC207-Cut it out

The flower was from an old wallpaper sample. I had a hard time cutting the intricate detail in this flower. The green border...that was easy! You might not be able to see it but I cut two layers for the flower, and used pop dots for the second layer.

See you around!

Crimped Envelope pocket Card

2009-02-14T16:11:00.001-08:00

This was so fun! You'll find the tutorial on this technique here. And for a display of all the pretty cards using

Corner stamp: Stampin'Up Friendship Blooms.
Stamp on envelope: Stampin'Up Lexicon of Love.
Heritage picture: From an old collage book.
Quote: Printed from my puter
Reads: The smallest act of kindness
is worth more than the grandest
intention. ~Oscar Wilde
flower: Sandy Lion essentials.

SCRC209-Peace

2009-02-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

SCRC209-Peace-week 6

This is my 8X8 layout for Patter's challenge for week 6. I still haven't gotten around to the week 5 challenge which is change. As I read through the scriptures God wasn't leading me in any paticular direction. Soooo I'll have to get back to that one:)

The layout- I got a little carried away with the stickles on this one but it was ohhh so fun! Though I don't like having to wait n wait for the stickles to dry before I can work any further. (I punt as I go)

Stamp was borrowed from a dear friend of mine Stampin'Up Cottage Rose set. Thanks Eileen:)

Thanks for visiting,

Sonya

SCRC209-wait

2009-02-09T21:21:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 4:5 (New International Version)

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The backround paper was from a booklet for a sales promo at work. Stamp is by the Northwoods collection. I could have done without the inking on the sides; the background is clean and bold, but it was already done and I wasn't about to do it over:)

SCRC209-week 4-wait

SCRC209-Beauty

2009-01-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

Oh where does the time go? The week 3 challenge word for SCRC209 was the word beauty. I always use the NIV (New International Version) because that's the one that I bought several years ago and is sitting by my bedside.

I've been using Bible Gateway to look up passages on the word of the week and find myself wanting to read the verse God is leading me to in context.

It has been about 4 years since I've read the good Book, and I thank God for Patter who is bringing me closer to the Lord. Slowly I'm remembering what is was like to be born again in the Holy Spirit.

SCRC209-Week 3-Beauty

SCRC209-Kindness

2009-01-23T23:39:00.000-08:00

Week 2-kindness

Titus 3 vs 4-7

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Beauty is the word for week three. Hopefully I'll post it by tommorrow night.

Candlelight

2009-01-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

I can't remember when this photo was taken, but I like the way it turned out. I've been going through my photos and there are only a handful that I think are exceptional. This being one of them.

The Christmas decorations are all packed away, but I still have my winter snowmen out. Here in Minnesota it's suppose to be 3° this Tuesday. Well hey now I wouldn't mind a bit if Spring time came the day after Christmas:)

Peace to my visitors, I appreciate you stopping in!

Sonya

SCRC209-Faith

2009-01-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to be part of the Scripture challenge at Split Coast Stampers. Lord knows I needed this desperately. I'll be working on a 8X8 album to set out on an end table or somewhere in my home where I can easily find it.

Not only this challenge but 2 more Faith based challenges at SCS ! No one can ever be to bored here!

This is the first page that will go in my album. SCRC209-Faith

Bible verse

Thanks for stopping by,

Sonya

Season's Greetings card

2008-12-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

Do not try this at home!! I put gold stickles on every dot
on the background. Bad idea or what?

Image copyright of Stampin' Up

Thanks for stopping by:)Sonya

Non-acid free tape woes

2008-12-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

This is my Sons Baptismal certificate from 21 years ago. I taped it in a scrapbook I was working on at the time. I wasn't thinking about what I was putting down, the only thing I knew was that I was putting double faced tape on this precious document. (I never knew there was acid free tape!!)

When I pulled it out a couple years back this is what I came across. I felt sick to my stomach, and saddened by the situation. Six ugly marks on his baptismal certificate that was sealed by the Church. But what could I do? The damage was done!

If I would have known then what I know now.
I added the lovely red marks for identity purposes:)

SC24

2008-11-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

SC24

This card was done a few weeks ago. Very fun sketch. I can't remember what PP I used on this card, but I know it was from the Basic Gray collection. I used a full sheet label for the Merry Christmas. Pretty slick since I don't have a lot of word stamps. Can't remember the font I used though. If anyone who comes to visit knows what PP this is give me a holler back:)
Peace, Love, and all the good stuff,
Sonya

TLC189 Mini Pizza Box

2008-11-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

TLC189 Mini pizza box

This challenge was so fun. I was feeling a little nostolgic when I created this. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to put in this mini pizza box yet:) You can see the link to the challenge on the top of this thread....but me being the pictorial kind of gal I am found a wonderful tutorial here Stampin' Pretty.

Thanks for stopping by!

I miss scrapbooking!

2008-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

I looked through the album I had started more than a year ago. (or two years ago?) This is one of the layouts from Labor day weekend and the state fair 2004. I completed 10 digital layouts and I have a long way to go..... Forgive me but I can't remember the credits on this layout. I used to have a folder in my computer with all my layout descriptions and credits listed in notepad. (can't find it now) Chances are the elements are from one of the talented designers at DSP since it's been the only place I've bought my kits from. Hopefully I'll get some time to get back into it this winter. (and work on credits:)

Talk soon,

Sonya

Senior portraits

2008-10-26T23:03:00.002-07:00

A few weeks back I took my neices senior pics. I shot about 110 and out of them there were only a few that were exceptional.

One thing I need to look into is the focal length, and the how far I'm standing from my subject when I shoot. So here is what I will be reading Focal Length .

Focal Length 112, cropped, cloned in scene above head.

I'm not quite sure what I was framing in this shot...I thought the bench might add something to the photo but I was dead wrong. Benches are for a two person shot in my eyes. Wouldn't you agree? It looks like something is missing.

Focal length 75mm Post crop

Peanut butter cookies

2008-10-26T23:03:00.001-07:00

Not much going on today. However I did find the time to make Peanut butter cookies. I usually end up burning the last batch due to multi tasking, but this time I saw it through until the last batch was out of the oven:) This recipe was from my Grandma Helen. A wonderful treat with milk or coffee.

Peanut Butter cookies

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs unbeaten

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2-1/2 cups flour

1. Cream shortening, brown sugar. granulated sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix well.

2. Roll into 1 inch balls and press down with sugared fork on greased cookie sheet.

3 Bake at 350f for 12-15 minutes

That's it! Very easy recipe! I usually double my batch in a very large bowl and use 1 cup shortening and 1 cup butter.

Engagement photos

2008-10-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

I was flattered when my Nephews Fiancee asked me to take their engagement photos. It's hard for me to believe that someone had the confidence in me when I lack experience in photography.

Having a good camera doesn't mean that you'll get good photos. Having a photographer that knows what they're doing does. I'm still learning and I hoped they would like at least three of the 50 photos I took.

It's hard to tell how the photos will turn out when you don't know what your doing. Given the fact that I should know what my in camera settings are for some reason I wait until I upload to lightroom to study the settings. Not a good thing to do!

With that said here is how the photo shoot went....I kept switching the mode from Auto to P on my Nikon D40. I should have taken the safe route by keeping it on auto, at least that way the shots would be consistant at least as far as the auto setting goes.

Skin tones changed in different lighting situations. Would have been more consistent if I wouldn't have changed the modes between shots.

1/80 sec at f/5.3, ISO 200, Exposure program: Normal, metering mode:pattern

1/125 sec at f/4.8, ISO 400, metering mode: pattern, no exposure program

1/125 sec at f/4.5, ISO 500, metering mode:pattern, no exposure program .
I love this shot! Very fun!Edited in lightroom screen capture below. Gotta love them presets:)
Note: study EXPOSURE!

Thanks for stopping by! Now I need to get off my butt and print out this entry just in case the lawn mower man decides to pay a visit!

Storage idea!

2008-08-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Organization has been a constant battle for me, and the need for a clutter free home has taken priority.

I have things that have been sitting around the house that I can't quite part with, but I would rather not have the "stuff" cluttering up my home. So I had an epiphany! I'll take pictures of every single item and place them in boxes for the storage shed, then print out thumbnails on a full sheet label.

It worked out well. When I go out to the shed, rather than guessing what's in the box or having to read and wonder what the item looks like, I have photos that show me what the contents are:)

Photo equipment

2008-07-17T01:18:00.000-07:00

I think I'm all set for the photo equipment for now. I got what I thought was important for an amateur. Here they are...

The Camera Nikon D40. An Entry level camera. If I was to give advice to anyone buying a new camera, I would say read all you can about it before purchasing. Seriously.. find out what kind of lenses you can use, how they mount, what kind of metering system it has and how does that meter compare to other cameras you may be interested in, how many focus points does it have, and what are they.

I find myself reading the reviews on my Nikon D40 now. Quite honestly if I had to do it all over again I would have bought the Nikon D300. However I do think this camera will be a good learning tool for me, and I'm going to try to get the best shots I can from my Nikon D40:)

Nikon SB-800 speed light.
Sekonic L-308S Light Meter, and gray card.
Sunpak 800I UT tripod. Regularly $75.00 on sale for $49.00!

The backdrop. I went to Jo-ann fabrics and bought 8X10 peice of cotton fabric and tye dyed it with Navy and black Rit. I like the way it turned out...and at only $17.00! Now I just need to work on the light and camera settings to get the right exposure.

Thanks for stopping by!
Sonya

You want how much for a backdrop?

2008-07-17T01:12:00.001-07:00

I searched the internet for backdrops and couldn't believe some of the outrageous prices. Most places charge 100 to 125 for a 10X20 Muslin and up to 450 for an artistic Background! So I went searching for backdrops for free. This paticular one was from my mom. It was a sheer curtain she had hanging in her living room. To dark for my subject as his hair blends in with the background. I'm thinking Home Depot for a canvas drop cloth, and some rit dye, or JoAnn Fabrics for Muslin.

No catch light in these eyes, and that shadow!:(

Como Park

2008-07-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 1st 2008. Como Park was packed! I wanted to get close to the conservatory so I didn't have to walk a mile to get there. I waited in line for a parking spot for about 15 minutes.

Once in the conservatory and oblivious to my camera settings I started shooting. Here are some of the shots I got.

I couldn't leave without getting a shot of the Merry-Go-Round. Cafesjian's Carousel. Funny that I got a shot of one of the same horse they have photographed on their website, and I took it before I looked it up! Very interesting history facts!

Bucket List

2008-06-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

I watched The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers and Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole. In short it's about two men who have cancer. They end up in the same room at the hospital that Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) happens to own. Edward Cole starts a bucket list of things he wants to do before he dies....crumples it up and throws it on the floor. Carter (Morgan Freeman) picks up the crumpled piece of paper and asks what it's about...Edward tells him.... Carter decides to add to this bucket list that Edward has started. When both of them are in remission they decide to go on their adventures together...what the heck Edward Cole had billions of dollars why not?

The movie was okay, but more than likely it's one that I wouldn't watch again. However it did get me thinking on the things I want to do before I die. So......

I started a bucket list of my own. Most are beyond my reach as I don't have a billion dollars:) I try them dang lottery tickets but it's just not happening! As I think of things I'll add to the list. Hopefully there will be more that are within my reach. If any of these items on my bucket list are accomplished I'll check it off the list.

Thanks for reading:)

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

2008-06-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

In 2004 the doctors only gave him a few months to live. God had other plans and Dad is still with us today. I am truly Blessed to have a wonderful Dad that would do just about anything for anyone.

One childhood memory I will cherish forever is when we used to sit in the front stoop of the old house during a thunderstorm. The rain would fall and the world was fresh..... everytime the thunder would utter it's loudest sound, Dad would say "The Angels must have got a strike."

Happy Fathers day! I love you Dad!

From your daughter

Sonya

I love Sepia tone!

2008-05-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

When this shot was taken the resolution in my Kodak camera was only set at 230. Don't know why because I don't use the camera that much. My Son took the picture, and I edited it PSE 4 and applied the Sepia tone in Picasa photo editor. Then I used elements and background from Beths Faith, Hope, and Love kit for a simple frame. I like the way it turned out. When I get home from shopping I'm going to try printing it out for framing.....wish me luck:)

"Paint Jam"

2008-04-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

I received a link to this video in an e-mail from my dear Neice.
My son Ryan watched it with me and he thought it was a dragon...
me...I surely couldn't tell what the heck it was. Can you? It's
got sound, so sit back and enjoy:)

Edited to add 6-15-08: I couldn't tell what it was until he
turned it around at the tail end of the video. I was amazed!!
Thanks Kristin:)

Spring snow

2008-03-31T22:59:00.000-07:00

I was thinking spring was in the air when I heard the Robins chirping Saturday morning. It was a lovely day and it gave Brian a chance to clean up the yard. But then wham!!!...We get socked with another 6 inches Sunday morning, and it kept on snowing throughout Monday. Hey at least it gave me a photo op.

Peace, Love, and all the good stuff!

Sonya

Photo of the week-2

2008-03-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

Photo of the week

2008-03-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Frustrated with Lumapix!

2008-03-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

I am so frustrated with Lumapix! I purchased FotoFusion about a year ago and it worked great for a while. I loved how quik and easy it was to create digital layouts. Just choose the pics you want and plop them on the page. I didn't use it for a couple months, and when I did want to use it again I had problems. The program would crash every time I tried to use it. I got a hold of customer support and they were quik to answer my questions, They told me they were working on an update...... Three months had passed before getting the update. Way to long for an update as far as I'm concerned.

Whoo hoo finally what I had been waiting for! I got the message in my e-mail saying the update was here so I downloaded it, and to my dismay it did the same thing as the previous version. "FotoFusion has encountered a problem and needs to shut down." What the heck kind of update is this I thought. I am sick and tired of dealing with it so I decided to do my digital layouts from the software I got in my mailbox. It works fine as long as you are not connected to the internet......and just what the heck is a Dot Scrap anyway?

My review: The concept of FotoFusion is wonderful but the development is just not up to par. Bugs and updates take to long to fix. Maybe Lumapix should hire some developers from Adobe, they would get the job done:)

Sonya

Selective coloring take one..

2008-02-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

I finally tried a little selective coloring. And this is what I came up with.
The coloring on the leaf is a little darker than the original, but I'm happy
with the results. Thanks Emma and Carolyn D for the masking tutorials:)

The Artful eye...

2007-12-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

Playing around in Photshop!
Flower Doodle brushes by bsilvia.
Pretty Script brushes by Jenn's Sanity.

Photo Blog- August 19th

2007-08-26T00:49:00.000-07:00

I was sick of reading the manual for my Nikon D40 so I packed up my camera and took a drive. I went to a nearby lake and got a few shots. From there I drove to the Anoka County Airport. Most of the entrances had been barricaded off, but as I drove around the outside I found one that wasn't so I drove in. I found that most of the hangers were closed down. Driving some more I came across an old army plane so I drove in to get a closer look. What an amazing plane! I'm thinking it was a cargo carrier back in it's day, and I hope to go back one of these Saturday's for the vintage tours.

As I was leaving I saw the American flag flying half staff and I wondered why? After reading the news I found out that 7 people were killed in Bagdad from a string of bombings.

We are Blessed. Continue to pray for our servicemen and women, and the families of those who serve.