Digital graphic embellishment...

I've mentioned before that I've been learning some new techniques in the area of Digital Scrapbooking/Art. This morning I was able to follow a tutorial in my Digital Scrapbooking magazine (Aug/Sept 2007 edition), and create a digital graphic of a bookplate. This can now be used on a digital scrapbook layout with a photo centered in the middle or anything else. The step by step instructions were great and I enjoyed the learning process. Now I understand a little better and can now experiment with some different shapes.

Decorative Heritage Box...

This is my final project from the Anna Corba DVD. A decorative Heritage box. Taking text pages from an old book I brushed on an acrylic wash in 2 alternating shades to make striped paper to cover my painted paper mache box. I used the striped pages for the sides and for a border for a photo of my Grandfather and Grandmother on their wedding day. Along with the photo on the top, I added a few paper flowers and some rubberstamping.

Decorative glass...

Another project from the Anna Corba DVD. I took pages of text from an old book, decoupaged them to the outside of the glass, added a decorative trim, paint the bottom stand with acrylic paint, and add a wire ribbone bow.

The glass looks elegant all by itself, but I thought it was the perfect place to put one of my Anime Bears.

On ebay now....

Collage Plate...

Here is a glass plate that was collaged with old text pages and various different tissue papers using matte gel medium. This is another idea from the Anna Corba DVD I mentioned yesterday. The text page comes from "Romeo and Juliet" and features a rubberstamped heart. I used a gold leafing pen around the edges.

Vintage Hanger...

I love the library. I've always been a big reader and there are so many books out there to read. Libraries also have craft DVD's. I checked out Vintage Paper~Crafts with Anna Corba. She has some wonderful projects to try. My first one was "Vintage Hangers". I sorted through the closet until I found my only wooden hanger. Following Anna's easy instructions, I rubberstamped on the frame, added a wire bow, faux flowers accents, and finally added a rubberstamped tag. Simple but nice.

New Prototype face for doll...

The last couple of days I've been working on a new face design for my EggZactly© Doll series. In the past I've used German glass eyes with white circles of felt. They weren't as expressive as I would like, so I decided to hand paint the eyes. I like this look much better. Now I'll sew up another doll and design a costume.

January and a monthly photo of my Cat..

January is off to a fast start. I had a cold for the first week of the year and didn't feel that great :( Then I've started to work on my business stuff which has been keeping me busy. In my free time I've been learning about Digital Scrapbooking with a great CD called "The Scrapper's Guide to Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0". It is a goldmine of information, instructions, and some really cool templates and digital scrapbooking elements (designed by Julie Mead). I used the templates to make a Monthly Photo Calendar of my cat, Boo Boo Kitty. I sized the final layout to fit in a blank cd case that can also serve as a desk calendar. Each month I'll try to remember to post the layout. :o)

Buttons and Roses...

Another Primitive "Folk-art" like acrylic painting on a stretched canvas. I began with a layer of patterned tissue paper, an acrylic wash, then outlined some of the pattern strokes peeking through. "Rose" had to have a cream color dress with miniature roses strewn about. When finished I sewed on gold colored buttons for the finishing touches.

Happy New Year!...brrrrr..

Happy 2008! May this year be one of joy and great creativity!