Using Promarkers

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Okay first things first and that is to catch everyone up on the blog giveaway.  First of all I noticed issues with the way I had scheduled Mr. Linky, so please if you entered earlier please check to ensure your name is still there.  I will give you a link below or just click on the blog candy image on my blog. 

Additionally, once you add your name to the link you will not need to do it again...the only requirement after that is that you leave a comment on any one of my monthly post each month for the next 3 months. I may post 3 times in one month but you only have to comment on one of them or all 3 if you'd like as long as you comment at least once a month.  Hope I've cleared up some things.

Here are the groups again and the winners of each group so far.

Group A: (winner did not claim)

Beaded Circles; Romantic Rectangles; Decorative Labels One

Group B: (Marjetta claimed and received)

Classic Scalloped Circles; Standard Circles (LG); Lacy Circles
Group C: (Debra Laine claimed not yet received)
(contact memascrafts2@gmail.com before Wednesday, Oct 7th to claim your prize)

Fancy Tags; Fancy Tags Two; Floral Ovals

Group D:

Classic Scalloped Ovals (LG); Lacy Ovals; Classic Ovals (LG)

If you need to add your name to the list leave a comment first and then go add your name to the list using Mr Linky by clicking HERE.

So what have I created for you today?  Well I finally got away from the boxes for a minute and thought I would create a card and maybe even enter a few challenges.  So without further ado.

This was a fun 5.5 square card to make as I followed a YouTube video on how to color using Promarkers. Lucky me had the exact same image so I could follow along (not as good) but I gave it my best shot.  I need to get a few of those ultra fine tip nibs.

The markers used to color the floral arrangement were: Pine, Bright Green, Forest Green, Mulberry, Plum, Fuchsia Pink, Yellow and the Blending Pen.

Thanks Kimberly for a fabulous and easy to follow tutorial on using Promarkers.  I am a Copic girl but I've been known to bounce from one media to the next.

I added a few Prima flowers splashed with gesso, a few pearls and created a border using Cheery Lynn's "Border Carnivate" which I have had for more than a year.

I continued on the inside with paper from the same Bo Bunny "Smoochable" collection that I know is more than a year old.  
I made two pockets to hold one tag with a pre-stamped message and another one for a personal message.

On the flip side of one of the tags is another pocket large enough to hold a small token or a gift card.

I used a Stampin' Up punch to make the little tabs at the top of the tags and the stamped images are all clear stamps from Fiskar.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Cheery Lynn Design - #204 Anything Goes (10/02)
Come and Get It - Clear it Out Use A Stash Item (10/03)
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes (Pink) Use Your Stash (Purple)
OSAAT - #246 Anything Goes w/leaves (10/03)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #18 Anything Goes (10/02)
Robyn's Fetish - #283 Rectangle or Square (10/02)

That's all for tonight. I look forward to any comments you decide to share.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs from Texas

Lesia

Unloved Box

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For your entertainment!  Click Here

Hope you enjoyed that video.  It was filled with memories of days gone by for me.  I can remember how we used to all go to the roller rink and disco boogey.  I even taught my boys how to do the limbo on roller skates.  Ahh the days of youth and flexibility.

And now back to the art of crafting and altering boxes.  This one started out as an old dusty cigar box that I thought would be great to hold small items such as a watch or IPhone or IPod and I was right.

The paper is from my stash and so are all the embellishments. My goal is to use what I have and try not to find myself in a checkout line with a buggy full of stuff I really don't need, but the paper is a new collection and the colors just jump out at me.  How do I accomplish this...carry minimum cash...no credit card...no debit card...and the greatest deterrent my grand-daughter.  Nothing gets past her.  Okay here we go.

First up is a poor discarded unloved cigar box that needed a little TLC. No fear, help is on the way.

Does anyone remember this brand of cigars.  I remember my father and a few of his buddies used to be big fans of this particular brand.

The paper is Bo Bunny but please don't ask which collection because that would most likely give me one heck of a headache.
The flowers are all recollection and the little wooden gears are Prima (I think they were).  I forgot to write down the items I used and it was trash pickup day so out all the little things went.

This is the inside of the box.  I tried to give it an old worn distressed look by using my sanding block to scrape off some of the acrylic paint I used to paint it.

The cool thing is all I had was two 12x12 sheets of coordinating paper and I was able to cut it so that it covered the entire box...well all but the bottom which I covered with plain black card-stock.

Here you can see how I added a small wooden divider which made it possible to hold a watch and an IPod.  I also added some small wooden balls on the bottom to act as feet so the box would have just a bit of height and not sit flat. 

Yeah, now this is the perfect gift for a young teen.  Not sure if a boy teen would like it because it has the flowers but it does have masculine colors and the wooden gears are masculine so maybe I could get by with giving it to a young teen boy.  I'm not sure..I'll just see how it goes.

Well there you have my little creation for today.  I hope you liked it.

Thanks for stopping by 

Sending hugs and kisses from Texas

Lesia 

Wooden Boxes

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Whew, I'm still at this box thing and to some degree it is so worth it to use all this paper I've been hoarding.

Its amazing how many different paper packs I have in this one room...I wonder if I have crossed over from being a pack-rat to a mini hoarder. I tell my friends that if they see me becoming a hoarder to please get me help but I'm not sure they're listening to me since they too seem to be hoarders themselves.

This little box I found at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section, why it was there I'm not sure because it looked just fine to me so of course I purchased it and added it to my other boxes...until now.

I'll start by showing you the top of the box. The paper is the Bo Bunny "Country Garden" collection.

I did a little fussy cutting to give dimension to the butterflies and added a metal clock as well as a couple of metal corners. The chipboard "Believe" was painted using acrylic paint and then dabbed with a bit of distress ink.  I outlined the edge with a bit of trim to enhance the print on the paper.

The second photo gives you a clear view of the front of the box. 

The little label holder says "Country Garden" and works great as a drawer pull.

Having the drawer pull makes it easier to open the 4x6 drawer.  It will hold your standard photos perfectly.

The inside was painted white and then lined with more of the Country Garden collection. I tried to use just the paper designs with blue hues. 

 And one of my new found habits is to include a matching card with any altered art that I do. 

Doing this ensures that a card will be available regardless to whether I give it as a gift myself or sell it to someone.

I've also gotten into the habit of making an envelope every time I make a card.  It does save time in the long run although in some cases a handmade envelope just doesn't happen (smiles).

And now a peek at the inside of the card. The left side has a bit of print but I can't make out the words.

The right side has a pre-printed space for a personal note which I think is great.

So that it is all for now.  If you haven't added your name for this month's giveaway click here to do so now. 

Remember each month I will be giving away Spellbinders dies (3 each month) until I run out.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs from Texas

Lesia

Boxes Galore

Mema's Online Store - Click Here

Hello Everyone! I'm back with a bit of altered art. I recently found myself focused on boxes.  I have altered shoe boxes, phone boxes and paper mache boxes. All sizes and shapes and I have about 6 more to go and I hope this mojo I've got going on will continue through the rest of them. 

Anyway I am going to share a round one that I altered with you. I am really pleased at how it turned out and how quickly it came together.

Oh and did I mention that for each box I altered I decided to make a matching card with any leftover paper so that if given as a gift there will be a card to go with it. Pretty darn cool...don't you think?

So sit back with a bit of tea or coffee and check out my photos. I took about five pictures from various angles to give you an idea of the overall look.

This first photo has the box tilted forward so you can see the complete top.

The word "Lasting" is in chipboard that I left raw but splashed a little gesso here and there to make it pop. 

I thought this was appropriate to imply that the contents or the memories inspired from the contents are long lasting and worth keeping.

Here the lid is off to the side and the card is shown to the left of the lid.

No worries I have the card from another angle as well.

I wanted to show off the bottom of the box as well as the lace around the rim, so here you can see just that.

At the bottom of the box I added what I called elastic lace just because of the way it looks and feels.

The flowers are a mixture of Prima, Recollections and Wild Orchids. I also tucked in a chipboard piece that I inked with Walnut Stain.

Again here is a full view of the box with the flowers lace and trim.

I not only used a very intricate lace around the rim, I also added a trim piece from Offray that had dangling pearls which I thought was perfect and elegant enough for this particular paper collection from Heartfelt Creations.

Lastly is another view where you can see the card and it's greeting more easily.



Other items used were distress inks, gesso, acrylic paint and a hot glue gun. The greeting on the card was a stamp I picked up at Michael's from the dollar bin.

This alteration was so much fun and I'm ready to start anew. 

I couldn't share all my alterations so to make sure I didn't bore you to much I thought I would share just the one this time...but beware I might just return with more. 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to enter your name below along with your comment for a chance to win "Group C" of my blog candy. 

Have you forgotten about the giveaway?
Click Here for a reminder of what is up for grabs and of course the rules.

So there you have it.  Add your name and leave a comment.  Easy Peasy!

Cats and Dogs

Mema's Online Store - Click Here 

Hello Everyone...I am back to share a little project that I did as well as to announce our first two winners of my blog giveaway.

I know you're anxious to see if you were a winner and I'll get to that but first I want to share my little accordion album that I am dedicating to my four legged friend, Gizzi (Yorkie-Poo). I've started trying my hand at altered projects and so far I have altered paper mache letters and boxes and the book boxes by Graphic 45. 

Today I am altering one of the media boxes that has a window and using a technique for creating the frame that I learned from watching Becca Feeken of Amazing Paper Grace.  This technique shows you how to use your dies to cut out a frame that works perfectly around windows.  Getting the frame even on all sides is the hard  part.

I think once I add the photos (size 3x3 or 3x4) this will be the cutest darn thing and I just had to share.  There are about seven photos so be prepared.

I used both the 8x8 and 12x12 paper packs from the Raining Cats and Dogs collection.  I absolutely love this paper and have waited until now to actually use it.  Yes call me a mini hoarder, but it is time to stop buying and use what I have on hand.  I know I'm not the only ones with this problem...you know who you are so don't judge me (giggling)

I altered one of Graphic 45 Mixed Media Art Boxes for this project and was inspired by Arlene (love her work).

I painted the box with Black Acrylic paint and inked all my pages with Black Soot Distress Ink.  On the front I used one of my newest Marianne Creations leaf dies and a few Petaloo and Prima flowers a friend gave me. She knows how much I love these brands so she dropped off a few packs and of course I just had to use them.

When you open the box which is held closed with a magnet there is a little pocket so you can add whatever photo you want to show through the window.

Note: When adding paper and paint remember that there is a magnet so you don't interfere with its ability...I did and had to add another magnet...bummer drag.

Here you get a glimpse of the accordion album half-way out of the box and then totally removed from the box.

I tell you this was a real fun project and with this gorgeous paper I couldn't stop once I started with it. Everything just coordinated so well, but that's how Graphic 45 designs their paper collections.

Finally I can show you the mini album where I plan to showcase my little furry friend!

All the little squares are photo mats which are ready for me to add the photos (just have to print to the proper size).

Lastly is the back of the box...had to add my name somewhere right?  Very simple and clean.

I hope you've enjoyed my little project and will leave a comment...but now its time to announce our blog candy winners.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Clear it Out Challenge Blog - Anything Goes "Stash" (9/13)

Fantastic Tuesday - Anything Goes "Make it Cute" (9/7)

Try it on Tuesday - Try Something New (9/11)

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes (9/7)

Without further ado (since I did keep you waiting) the winners of my blog candy giveaway are:

Group A: (from the "Its A Giveaway Month" post sign up list)

Congratulations to Marjetta, Entry #29

as selected by Random Generator and Mr inLinkz

Group B: (from the "Gift Set" post comments)

Congratulations to Wedgie our 8th commentator who wrote

A beautiful project!
Thank you for sharing with us at Sweet Stampin this week

Ladies please send your mailing address so that I can get your winnings in the mail. 

Email me at MemasCrafts2@gmail.com before Tuesday, September 8th.

Next week I'll be back with a chance to win Group C as well as Group D 

so be sure and check back in with me.

Wedding Bells

Mema's Online Store - Click Here 

Blog Candy Giveaway - Click Here

WOW!!  I feel like I have been absent for a really long time and it really hasn't been that long. This past weekend was a blast with launching parties and beginner parties going on back to back and everywhere.  I think I have eaten more food in one weekend then I have in the last 90 days and it was fun!

I'm just going to share a few photos of a Mini Album with matching Card I created for a co-worker with a last moment's notice.  I think it turned out okay although I didn't have enough time to really coordinate the inside and add all the embellishments I would have liked. I had to use what I had on hand and not be real concerned about using different techniques and all.

Oh well let me go ahead and share already and give you a chance to leave your comments.

I think I'll share the card first because I actually do like the look and feel of it.

The embossing on the paper is very elegant and is more of an eggshell white or wicker white.  I'm not real sure what the manufacturer called it.

I simply added pearls, velvet ribbon with lace, and flowers from Wild Orchids to finish the front.

The inside has designer paper with no greeting so that there would be lots of room for other co-workers to write their congratulations message.

Oh did I mention this was for a young co-worker that is getting married within a week.

Next is the last minute mini album and since I didn't have actual wedding paper I used three words that I truly believe that if incorporated in every marriage there would be less divorces in the world.


Again I used the same embellishments to match the card and to keep it simple so that the beauty of the embossed paper would not get lost.  The paper actually has a smooth and soft feel to it which promotes the feel of a wedding.

Okay that's all I have for tonight.  Feel free to leave your comments below and I'll be back next week to announce the winners of Group A and Group B of my blog candy/giveaway.