I'm still working on my grand daughters scrapbook. I make a new book each year, chronologically from birthday to birthday. This background was made by stamping with rubber stamps using acrylic paint. The letters were also painted and stamped on, then coated with Diamond Glaze. This technique is a great way to customize plain cardstock. In trying to create a 'film strip' of photos at the bottom, I free hand cut the paper to fit the photos. All of the papers and stamps are from Club Scrap. At 2 years old, after she figured out how to get on the bike...she just pedaled away. She was quite proud of herself.

I started working on a companion layout to this one I posted a few months ago. I stamped with acrylic on the polka dot BG paper and used paint to distress it around the edges. The photo mats were painted also, but the color in my photograph is a little off, not quite so minty. After I finished most of the LO, I decided I didn't like how there was so much dark BG on the large photo. I'd always admired photo distressing and thought I would try to create a kind of shabby/mystical look with this photo. I used paint around the edges and then masked closely to the image and splattered perfect pearls. I was going to add a little white paint, but decided to do some scratching on the photo instead. Overall, I think I like it. As this layout is going in my daughter's album, I hope she likes it. Have you ever altered your photographs? I'd love to see them. Can you leave me a link?

You are the brightest ornament in my life.. a Christmas layout of my grand daughter. After I had cut the copper circle I needed something to soften it up against the burgundy paper. I didn't have anything on hand, so I ended up pleating crepe paper and using Ice Stickles on it (which you can't see). The white flower was colored with distress ink and more stickles. I really enjoy doing these fem-me layouts of her, way to much fun...

On one of the forums I participate in, there was a challenge to make a dozen cards using supplies from your stash that you have had forever. This is a couple of the cards I made using paper that I never knew why I purchased. The top card is a double pocket card, with tags on both sides. Do you have supplies that you have had forever? I challenge you to make something from them...you may end up liking the end product.

Just a simple card share today. I don't seem to craft quite as much during the summer months, this lovely weather is keeping me outside. Michiganders have to enjoy the warmer months while they last. The stamps and paper are all Club Scrap. I hope you have an a*maz*ing week!

I've always been a flower gardener, but this is my first attempt at a vegetable garden. After a year of research, I decided to try the 'Square Foot' gardening method. I have two 4x4 boxes and one 4x8 box. The soil is what I like to call 'hybrid', 1/3 compost, 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 peat moss. Why am I showing you a photo of the dirt? Because my seedlings are starting to poke their heads, and this soil is amazing. I am growing 28 different vegetables in this small amount of space along with a few herbs. I'll be posting a few pictures through the summer and keep you updated on the progress. Do you garden? What methods do you use? Have any special tips for me? Please share.

I finished my 4 week online art journal class this week at My Creative Classroom. This second journal features french stitching to bind the signatures. I learned a few new techniques for my journal pages. My favorite would be the glue crackle, which makes interesting striations. This type of stitching allows for the journal to lay absolutely flat. I intend to use it as a travel journal for my trip to Greece this fall. I'll wait till I return to decorate the cover, as I'm sure there will be some wear involved as I use it. Have you ever used a travel journal? Do you have any tips on things to include?

As a previous violinist, this music always comes to mind when I hear the hummingbirds. They sound like bumblebees when they hover. I was enjoying my morning coffee on the front porch yesterday and was entertained by my friends. The hummingbirds returned to Michigan a little earlier than usual this year. When I read they had been spotted 2 days ago, I was quick to make their favorite syrup and hang their feeder. Within 24 hours they had found it and I was able to relax and enjoy their company this morning. So far, I have seen 3 birds. Now, it's a trip to the nursery for their fuchsias. Ahhh...life's simple joys. I am not a photographer and these were shot with my Nikon Coolpix. The collage was made in Picasso.

The Need to Create Lies Deep in our Soul...an art journal page with a feel for graffiti. As always, you can click on the image to see a larger view. The last step on this page was handwriting the words, how do you feel about adding your own hand writing in your work? Enjoy your weekend...

Three different stamps and ink colors were used on the background on each of these cards. The first card is 'glittered' which you probably can't see in the photo. A Faux Designer Paper technique was used to create the background of all 3 of these cards. When I first started stamping, I became a member of 'Technique Junkies', which gave me the tools I needed to use ink and paper in a more creative way. I created my own paper flower on the last card by simply cutting circles with decorative scissors out of matching paper, stamping on some vellum, crumpling them a bit and layering them up. The stamps and paper are all Club Scrap. I hope your week is Extraordinary...

I finished my first art journal through my online class at My Creative Classroom. It's been interesting taking an online course. I'm sure all of you have done this before, but it's a first for me. Easy, self-paced and I'm really enjoying it. This art journal is 5x7 and has 9 signatures, 3 pages each. So there are a total of 54 pages for me to play on. Basic techniques were used to create backgrounds and if I want to change any of them, well...that is what gesso is for. It is bound with a double running long stitch. I have one more journal to make in this class, using different techniques and binding method.

I hope all of you that are mothers are able to enjoy your special day with your children. My mother has been gone over 10 years now, and there is rarely a day that I don't miss her. I created this card for my mother-in-law, she loves flowers and wildlife and I thought she would enjoy this image of the hummer and flowers. I used watercolor markers directly on the stamp to create this look. The saying goes for nature as well as my MIL. Enjoy your special day moms.

I'm starting round 2 of an art journal round robin. I had started the cover on my journal and then ran out of time to finish it, before the deadline. I must have been in one of those moods when I started this one. Hilda's blouse is made up of a magazine ad of ladies panties...very colorful. Her bandana is pieces of decorative gilded paper. What do you think the text should say when I have the opportunity to finish it?

I had a friend visiting over the weekend and we managed to craft most of the weekend. We did a variety of projects, but today I'm going to share our altered boxes. Using a newsprint background, we did an embossed resist on the paper and then brayered ink. The boxes were then decoupaged with a satin finish. We didn't have time to do anything more with them. But I think I like mine, the small one, just as it is. It's not often that I get to craft with a friend and we just had a wonderful time. Do you have friends that you're able to craft with regularly?

The blog hop was a wonderful success, fun to see so much creativity. I used the random generator online to pick the winner of my house and it is Sian...please send me your mailing address and I'll get this out to you. You can send me an email at julie_shoemaker@msn.com

Welcome to the party! Thanks for hopping by my blog, I hope you're enjoying the party. Maria at Gallo Organico has orchestrated this blog hop for us and there are almost 20 artists participating. A month ago Maria challenged several of us to make a house out of the supplies that she provided us. So when I received the package, I knew right away how I would begin. So here's my house, the title is Burnt Toast, and the caption reads Eat Burnt Toast And It Will Make Your Hair Curly. If you would like to receive my little house, just leave me a message in the comment section telling me you would like to be in on the drawing. On Monday evening, I'll use a random generator to choose the winner. After I post the winner's name, please send me your mailing address. Let's keep this party hoppin'! Your next visit will be to Elizabeth at Hootings of an Owl. If at any time you get lost along the way, please feel free to go back to the beginning at Gallo Organico.