ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHALLENGE?

Three different main challenges have just been announced for March over at Bella Creations and each with an incredible prize package!  (see my sidebar).  Barely two months since Bella Creations was started by founder Lacee Broyles, the site is quickly becoming "the best papercrafting community site" on the internet already attracting several hundred talented members and some generous sponsors.  (Click on the title of this post or any of the highlighted links to go directly there!)

The Bella Muse Challenge is about taking an image posted by Lacee and creating a project around the image.  It can be any project, you are not limited to a layout or card.  This month's image is one sassy gal and here is my submission as a Design Team member;

This oversized "tag" at approximately 7x10 inches was inspired by a Lisa Pace project from her book "delight in the details".  I can't keep my nose out of that book right now!  Do you remember the song from your childhood "Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy?"   Come on over to Bella Creations and join in the fun!

This challenge is being sponsored by GeckoGalz and here is the incredible prize package offered this month;

GeckoGalz is a unique papercrafting supply store started by artist and designer Leanne Seed.  She offers all of the products that she loves when creating unique papercrafting items;  Ephemera sets in both digi files and prints, acrylic and digi stamps, fibers and embellishments to name a few.  You will  find new free images on offer each month along with a designer and member gallery of inspiration and tutorials!   Leanne's digi files are reasonably priced and with no postage these are a "double deal" - go and check out GeckoGalz!  Do tell Leanne that ``Sandi says hello!`` 

BLISSFULL ATC SWAP - JANUARY "WINTER THEME"

I am so thrilled to be part of Wendy's (monthly)  Blissfull ATC SWAP!  Even though it has taken me way too long to get a swap post done!  My first swap partner was Donna of Brynwood Needleworks, her gift to me "Snow Dancer" highlights her special artistic talent!  You really can't see all of the exquisite detail in this picture.   Above is her picture of mine to her against the card I sent it in.  Yes I am shameless - her photo skills are obviously greater than my own!  Just like Wendy, Donna is a generous and talented woman whom I am now fortunate to have made contact with. 

"TRY OUR FRESH EGGS" - GINGERSNAP CREATIONS VISITING ARTIST SUBMISSION

The last of my four submissions as one of the Visiting Artists for February at Gingersnap Creations  The challenge this week is to use Jewel Colours with Gold.  Ruby, amethyst, sapphire and topaz for me!

Why don't you check out the site and considering submitting your own project? 

What an honour it is to be participating at Gingersnap Creations this month.  I consider this to be the go to site to check out the work of  an extremely talented design team (past and present), interesting challenges and  wide variety of technique tutorials.

I used an 8x10 piece of chipboard to freehand my egg shape.  This is covered with a vintage sheet of music, which I inked with Milled Lavender and Concord Distress Inks.  I used several different colors of glitter glues to create lines of sparkly color on the sheet music.  A couple pieces of vintage yellow ric rak, amethyst velvet ribbon, purple pansy trim and red Bloomers create the base for my image and "garden". The edging is some red vintage gathered lace and teeny gold ric rak which I had in my stash.   The title and dragonfly are K&C0 (thanks Heather!).  The title comes from the milk bottle top (copy) I used in the "garden".

VINTAGE EASTER IMAGE - GIRL WITH ROSES (CIRCA 1900)

Time to move into Easter!  I like to put the images out in plenty of time for you to use them.  What I post are, unless I state differently, original scans of  vintage cards and ephemera from my own collection.  I do not enhance the images or fix the "chips and bites", I actually think the wear adds to the charm. (Though I am pretty sure my friend Heather would fix one for me!)  You may use these in whatever way you want, if you want to give me credit for an image that's great.  I would be absolutely thrilled if you sent me a picture of any project you use them in!

PINK FAIRY FANTASY - CREPE PAPER TREE

I posted this link originally in December but so worth posting again - here is the Original Crepe Paper Tree Tutorial!

http://creativechaos.typepad.com/creative_chaos/2010/12/my-entry.html

I used a 12" paper mache cone for the base.  Ruffled the crepe paper on my sewing machine with the baste and pull method.  I made it easy on myself and used double sided tape to hold the ruffles.  Note:  on another version I will put the ruffles closer together for a fluffier look.  The edges are "trimmed" with Platinum Stickles, I went over these a couple of times to build up a nice layer.  Some bits of flowers including teeny gold ones in the background, several colours of pink DewDrops, milnery bits, fussy cut black stamped fairies.  I've gone back and added teeny gold butterflys since taking the picture.   A good spraying of Pearl Glimmer Mist over everthing!  This just invites adding more and more!