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.

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.

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.

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!

I was crowned on Mother’s Day by my eleven year old daughter with a special paper crown she made using the new stamps I designed. Grandma was crowned, too. We treasure our original headpieces handmade with love.

I was inspired to use the paper crown theme for Layers of Color Challenge. I chose to make a paper crown using mostly stamps for decoration. I made a crown for the collector of blue and white ceramics and French Toile. I used blue ink with Layers of Color Garden Borders and Architectural Blocks stamp sets on poster board (leftover from my child’s school project). It’s enhanced with navy blue sharpie and blue paint on the inside. I photographed it on a glass cake dome.

I thought I’d also share this paper crown that I made quite awhile ago. I used a stamp that I designed for myself (which is now Layers of Color Fleur Heart stamp set). Textured wallpaper is the base for the crown and the cut out 3-D leaves. The flowers were made with punches and bent into 3-D shapes. I enhanced it with colored markers and added a little bling with glitter glue. It sits in my studio on top of a glass house that holds a vignette with photos of my family.

Jessica made this incredible royal work of art! She stamped Layers of Color Renaissance Hearts and Fleur Heart stamps on pages from a book, then cut them out and adhered them together to form a crown. Her beautiful embellishments are regal white feathers, altered bottle caps and golden shimmering ribbon. Ooh la la! And whom did she crown with this majestic headpiece…her elegant black poodle! Imagine what fun she had photographing her proud poodle prince!

I ponder in my heart the beauty of the three of us inspiring each other, creating with love and sharing the gift of art…mother and daughters. I can’t help but lift my praises to God, the Original Creator for blessed moments in my life like this, where I treasure all that I see, not because of what is material, but through the deeper meaningful relationships that grow from it. Thank you, Lord.

Wednesday Stamper has challenged us to create using the word, Art. I made two moos this morning. I pondered as I was creating… art isn’t about the object, it’s about the interpretation.  Of course, I used all Layers of Color Signature Art Stamps.

Friendship is the theme and Skinny is the game over at Layers of Color Challenge Blog!

Jessica and I are both participating with stamped gifts we created for our friends using Layers of Color stamps. Jessica created a Birthday card with her Skinny and I created a knob hanger. My Skinny says, “If Friends Were Flowers, I’d Pick You!”

A romantic theme for the month of May on 4X4 Friday; Vintage Wedding and Arty Girlz has an open theme this week! I created a mixed-media piece using Layers of Color Architectural Blocks stamp set, beaded sleeve trim from a recycled dress, inks, pencil, chalk and markers. I glued some of the beaded trim to his tuxedo as an elegant boutonniere. I also used the stamps for the background to photograph the 4X4.

I’m married to my best friend, and I’d say, “I Do!” over and over again. Speaking of friends, that’s our theme on our challenge blog tomorrow. Every participant is entered into a drawing for a FREE Layers of Color Architectural Blocks Clear Stamp Set! So be sure to come join us Saturday, May 3, 2008! (Get there from Challenge button on header banner.)

This is a mother and daughter shared blog, today’s creation is made by Laura, the Mama.