Archive for the ‘Layers of Color Challenge’ Category

Bird Books


When I go to a second hand shop, I head to the book section first. I look for old books about birds, the ones with the colored illustrations. Now that I have duplicates of two of them, I feel better about tearing up the pages. Today, from the pages of one book, I made two small books (each  3″ X 4″). I was inspired by Anna’s tutorial on making accordion fold books.

Accordion Fold Books
Accordion Fold Books

She clearly explained how to make this simple and easy project. I used pages from one of my bird books as front and back covers.The background is tinted with chalks and inks, stamped with Layers of Color Beaded Frames, Architectural Blocks and Gothic Crosses art stamps, and accented with opaque white gel pen.

Signature
Signature

I used textured wallpaper (also found at a second hand shop)for the signature (inside of book), which I spray painted and rubbed with colored ink pads.The paper is smooth on one side for easy writing.

Front Cover Hawk Book
Front Cover Hawk Book
Back Cover Hawk Book
Back Cover Hawk Book
Front Cover Bird Book
Front Cover Bird Book
Back Cover Bird Book
Back Cover Bird Book
 

After working on project after project for work, it felt great to learn something new and just create for fun with no particular purpose in mind for my artwork. I think I’ll make more books as Christmas and birthday gifts.

I enjoyed this artful experience. Thanks, Anna!


Penny Found


Coins are the theme at Layers of Color Challenge this week. Here’s my artwork. I hope this Gothic Arch inspires you!

Remember discovering a coin on the ground when you were a child, and how exciting that was? I would pick it up and sing, “Find a penny, pick it up!…all day have good luck!”. My children would call the shiny ones, “girls”. I still look for found coins, but instead of picking them up, I point them out to any nearby children, just to see their smiles shine!
Penny Found
Penny Found
Image from Dover, background paper from Shabby Cottage Studio. All stamps used are Layers of Color Art Stamps, Flower Child, Architectural Blocks, Fleur Heart and Renaissance Hearts.
Close Up
Close Up
Details include rick-rack, fringe trim, colored pencil, acrylic paint, stitched on heart charm, French coin replica from an old belt, and handwriting.
Details
Details

Huge Blog Candy Giveaway!


Cammie has a Heart to Heart Blog Candy Giveaway where she is encouraging us to make a “Thank You!” card for those who care for Alzheimer’s patients. Her cause is heartfelt and her story is touching. Layers of Color is supporting Cammie, and honoring World Alzheimer’s Day, by donating two art stamp sets (winner’s choice)! If you participate, I’d appreciate it if you’d list ‘Layers of Color’ as a manufacturer. Thank you, and good luck!

My Heartfelt Appreciation For All You Do
My Heartfelt Appreciation For All You Do

Here’s my contributing card:

It’s made with Layers of Color Beaded Frames and Garden Borders art stamp sets, Paper Whimsy image, a copy of a floral textile and a canvas background painted with acrylics; all placed on orange cardstock with a black envelope.


Oink Oink


If I was a little girl with pigs I’d both play “baby”, and roll in the mud with them! When we went to the county fair this summer we were able to pet the pigs, watch them race, and fantasize about owning them. Here’s my Layers of Color Challenge for “Farm Animals”…

Paper Whimsy girl and pigs from a children’s book.
Oink Oink
Oink Oink
3-D dots as buttons, lace, moss, metal tag and sequin waste are part of this mixed media piece.
Piglettes
Piglettes
Layers of Color Fleur Heart and Renaissance Hearts art stamps along with lots of stitching, acrylic paint, spray mists, walnut ink are also used.
Close Up
Close Up
Layers of Color Art Stamps are also used on the flower and leaf.
Details
Details
 

I recently discovered that in the UK there is a farm where they breed sheep pigs! Two for one. That’s right, pigs with sheep curls! I think the redheads are particularly adorable!


Weekend Retreat


We’ve been working so hard getting our new online boutique opened and running the business. It’s a blessing, but we’re overdue for a break. So the children are staying with Grandparents and my husband and I are getting away to the coast for the weekend! I’m looking forward to relaxing, deep breaths of sea air, leisurely strolls, candlelight dinner, watching the sunset, and peace and quiet. Ah, tranquility!

Pampered and Relaxed
Pampered and Relaxed

With this in mind, I created my artwork for Layers of Color Challenge theme, Summer Respite. I used floral paper, Layers of Color Garden Borders, Fleur Heart and Beaded Frames art stamps. I love my new paper flowers introduced to me by my friend, Heather (Prima Floral Embellishments).
Summer Respite
Summer Respite
I hope you too, enjoy your summer weekend!