Such a long time

Wow I cannot believe it has been a month since my last post. It seems like so much has happened and changed. Right around my last post we were headed for Florida and South Carolina for a much needed vacation and family event. Unfortunately Hurricane Sandy hit home while we were away and family tragedy struck just before the family gathering so it was more of a stressful event than relaxing as thought. We wound up with family gathering for a loss rather than a birthday celebration. When we finally arrived home a week later there was much to clean up and although our house and small development was spared any major damage or flooding the areas around us were not. Family and friends lost homes and belongings. I remember my first drive through one area heading to a friends house it was such a shock. all the debri around and the garbage piled high on the sides of the roads. not a pretty site. Many areas were without gas and electric for such a long time and some still do not have it. It was nothing fun to come home to. 

Things now are returning to what they call a "new normal" I guess it is about as normal as it will be for quite awhile. It is so hard seeing places we grew up in completely destroyed. I felt so guilty being away during the worst of it and then again with being one of the lucky ones when we returned. Most time since has been focused on clean up and trying to help where possible so no time for crafting. In fact I did not even walk into my craft room till last week. It was in the same messy state I left it before vacation. But with my darling husbands birthday fast approaching and an idea for a gift in my head my daughter and I had some work to get done. So into the craft room it was to brew up this villians themed hat made of paper. My husband loves Disney villians and while away saw some beautiful hats on display so we decided we would make him our own version for his birthday. Here is how it turned out. 

 the frame of the hat is entirely paper. It is then coated and layered with photocopies of various villians and layers of paint, crackle, gloss, Gaffer tape, sprays, inks, glitters and such.

My daughter and I had alot of fun making it and are really pleased with the result. My husband loved it. It felt so good to do a little crafting again.

Well now I gotta run, More to do around here but I will be back soon I promise....

Thanks for stopping in and have a great day. Angela

Challenge for the Stamp Man

The challenge this month at the Stamp Man is "Butterflies" so going with the mask theme(for some reason I am on a mask kick although this one was actually made before the one in the prior post)

I creates a paper mask and used layers of napkin backings from my napkin collage kit then embossed them. the butterflies are vellum embossed and colored using distress inks. The colorful butterflies are from my US artquest napkin collage kit. Don't forget to check out the Stamp Man challenge. It runs till the end of the month. thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

New Challenge and DT call at TIOT

I must say it has been quite awhile since my last post. Sorry they have been few and far between. My Mother in Law is finally on the mend and things are returning to normal or as close to normal as possible. My MIL still needs someone with her all the time in case of another episode should come on. this will probably go on until they can get a pacemaker in. so probably not completely normal till then but I did make it into my craft room for a few min this week. Just in time for the new Try it on Tuesday Challenge and the theme this fortnight is "Halloween"  I decided to make a mask for my daughters Halloween costume. Here it is:

I do not know why but I have always loved masks. they seem to mesmerize me. This one is started with thick card then sprayed with Dylusions Granite ink. The pattern is created using a template and Dylusions Mica spray.It is then layered with clear embossing powder and melted. The cobwebs are done using Tim Holtz Halloween stamps and white Stazon ink. 

 the decorations are done using used kitchen roll(used to sop up the Dylusions ink). I brushed it with embossing ink then embossed clear. one in place I then added layers of Frantage black powder and melted in place. I like the effect almost like snake skin. the bats are hand drawn , inked black and embossed with black embossing powder.

Here is a closeup of the webs and bats. the mask itself is pretty sturdy as to withstand an evening of Trick or treating. Everything has been double secured in place using Glossy Accents. 

Now onto the DT news. the Try it on Tuesday DT is looking to add some new members to our team. If you love crafting and haveing fun doing it then TIOT is for you. We are looking for crafters with different styles and mediums to join our existing team. If you would be interested just join in our challenge this fortnight and put the letters DT after your name in your entry. We hope to see you there. 

Thanks for stopping in and have a lovely day. Angela

Still here....

Wow I cannot begin to tell you what a crazy month this has been. I am really hoping October will be much better. As I write this I am once again fighting a sinus infection complements of the fall weather and wonderful allergens in the air. Time has just seemed to get away from me with the start of school and start back at work along with all the other daily trials and tribulations.  Today was the first day I have been in my craft room in I don't know how long. Of course I had to put everything away because I left it such a mess then just piled atop it for the last month...It did feel really good though to get inky once again.  

This week over at TIOT is the next challenge for the month and the theme is lots of layers. I had started this a bit ago but only got as far as stamping a few images and gluing the book pages together. Today was the day to finish it up.

I loved these fairy stamps when I saw them and wanted to do something whimsical. The background is layered with torn book pages , stamped acetate images and gesso. The outer frame is pattern paper by Basic Grey. the butterflies are also stamped and colored using promarkers. 

Now if you head on over to TIOT you can see the rest of the teams wonderful projects and enter yours. Can't wait to see you there. 

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

New Stamp Man Challenge

Its time for the next challenge over at The Stamp Man and this fortnights theme is "Summer Sizzlers - Use Hot Colors" Here is my DT project:

I had made this card for a friends birthday. For my card I used Distress inks for the colors. The butterflies are stamped from Tim Holtz Springtime stamps then colored with Distress inks and embossed. The edging used Tim Holtz winter sketchbook for the branches and urban tapestry for the leaves.  

Now its your turn to show us your Hot color creations and link them up over at The stamp Man blog where you can also find some more wonderful inspirational projects from my team mates.  We cannot wait to see your creations.   

Thanks for stopping in and have a great day. Angela

back from holiday

We are finally back from our holiday. It was quite an adventure taking not just our daughter but her friend also to Disney. We are not quite used to having 2 Tween girls around. One has always been quite enough. But when all was said and done they had a great time. Of course mom and dad need a vacation from the vacation. LOL.

On a creativity front things have been pretty dry lately. School starts tomorrow so hopefully the days will be mine again. Yippee.... I am still keeping up with the Paper Secrets SYAO challenge if only by the skin of my teeth. We are into week # 31 now. It was really hard being away and then just getting back but I managed to finish this weeks challenge. Here is my take on the sketch:

Sorry about the photo. It is late and the flash kept over lighting sections. this was the best shot I could get. 

For my items I used: 5 handmade flowers(using Washi tape(the little budded ones)), papers - BoBunny(5) and MME(2), Handmade banner(bunting), fabric(sheer), Ribbon and Twine.   I also used Doily, gems and Prima flowers.  For my technique I used Border Punch.

The pictures are of one of our former Fosters Niki who came back to stay overnight while her new forever family went to a wedding. It was so nice to have her visit. She is such a little doll.

Well thats it for now. Hoping to have a bit more time back after tomorrow. 

thanks for stopping in and have a fantastic day. Angela

SYAO 29

This weeks Paper Secrets SYAO entry. 

For my list items I used: Chipboard(letters - altered), Ribbon(brown satin), Pattern papers(MME-3,misc-1),  Staples and buttons(MME).  For my technique I used Distressing.

The pictures are of my little nephew Albert at a family gathering. He was so darn cute going in the box after the ball then trying to carry it out.

This is for SYAO week # 29.

On a side note, I just realized the date and realized I did not pull the winner for my August Blog candy. So very Sorry. Now without further ado the winner of the Prima pack is:

Alison (Butterfly)

Alison,   Please email me your mailing address and I will get your package out to you. 

A big thanks for all the wonderful comments and hello to all my new followers. I look forward to getting over to all your blogs shortly. Sorry summer has just gotten the better of me with the kiddies off of school and so much to get done. I will be by shortly though I promise. 

Have a wonderful  day . Angela