Denim, Lace and Pearls

Here’s my altered project using some old Levi jeans that I don’t wear anymore.  I was told to cut them into shorts and wear them around the house.  My creative side lead to my favorite project…a mini album.  The theme is Denim, Lace and Pearls.  I must admit it was fun designing, but putting holes through the denim and chip board with my crop-a-dile was fierce. Thank goodness I still had my eyelet setter.  That’s why it’s hard to let go of old tools. 

This is how I got started.  I LOVE Sookwang double stick adhesive.  It was included in a goody bag that I received when I attended a crop by Tiare last year.  My scrapping sistah Lakeisa saw me using the last strip and gave me hers.  That’s why I love crops.  We always share!

 This is how I covered the outside chipboard with the material.  The inside pages had denim on both sides.

Below are views of the album.  (See close up view of the cover) Love this scripture It is more Blessed to give than to receive.  Acts 20:35.  The blue/white lace is over the satin lace and on the wide lace that's attached to the denim. It's a lot of layering, but I love the look!

All of the items used in this mini are from my stash!  

 The left side is an interactive page for lots of photos attached together with the altered paperclip,  The right has a pocket from the binding of the jeans used to store tags, photos, journal tags, etc. I took a strand of pearls and added to the satin lace and tied a knot of lace to put behind the denim flower.

 Both left and right are interactive pages.  The denim material was used to make flowers from Tim Holtz tattered florals die cut.

I found this mini file envelope by 7 Gypsies in my stash and put pearls and a flower bud on it.

 This view shows the right side above opened.  Kind of like a gate fold page to store photos.

 Back cover using the pocket from the jeans and another flower designed with Tim Holtz die cut.

Can you imagine the possibilities of using denim on your projects?  I'm going to look around and see what else I can alter or use with the left over denim.  In the meantime, if you have something you would like to challenge me to use it with let me know.  I LOVE a challenge!  Thanks for your kind comments and love you show on my projects.  Hope you are inspired!!!

Papercrafting Princess

Tags for a Mission

Each summer my sweet Sistah Felecia Foster goes on a mission trip.  This summer she is traveling to Ghana West Africa.  Felecia is going to several schools so I made 100 tags for the children so they can have a little inspiration for their books.  I managed my paper scraps by pulling out those pads that were almost empty.  What made it exciting was using scriptures and words of inspiration decorating the front and an additional scripture on the back.  I pulled out die cuts, ribbon, lace, chipboard, punches, embellishments, ink and stamps.

Close ups

Close ups.  I made over 25 of the one in the middle for the boys with burlap.

Just imagine the difference we can make with a Boys and Girls club, Vacation Bible School or camp right in our own city.  Are you considering using your crafty ideas to help a group this summer?

It's Summer Time!  Let's share our talent and creativity.
Princess

Happy Mother's Day

My mother looks forward to my crafty gifts on Mother’s Day.  This year I altered a chalkboard for her kitchen.  Mama Minnie is old school and believes in cooking a Soul Food Sunday dinner at her home regardless of Mother’s Day or any special holiday.  I picked up this chalkboard from Michael’s and added décor to compliment her kitchen. My mother is a decorator so I had to make it pretty and add some lace at the top.

Here’s a close up of the bottom. The items are all from my stash.  Chef Phoebe digital image by Robert Jackson was added. She is whipping up the batter for some hot water cornbread!  Although my mother does not wear that attire, I thought she was too adorable and added the perfect sentiment from Basic Grey.

Here’s a close up of the top.  Finally used the Jolee silverware and tied it to some twine to hang.  Then I found the stickers to add another perfect sentiment for the top.  She can add her menu to the front or back.  

Well it’s time to wrap it in a box for delivery.  Did you make your mother something crafty?

Black Girls Rock!

Black Girls Rock!  Ask Hakeem.  Why Hakeem?  Over at Scraps of Color we are featuring Hakeem in our EMPIRE Take Over Challenge.  Robert Jackson is taking us for an amazing ride.  I thought why not show that a brother can stand in the background to let his Sistahs shine!  Did you see BLACK GIRLS ROCK?  It was A+wesome.   Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King were phenomenal!  They have such great energy.

So you may say, where's the tutorial or where's the technique?  This is more than a card.  It's inspiration for us to take our stash and connect with a girls group in our community to create something.  It's a tech world, but studies show those who are crafty and use their hands to create live longer.  It's because we are always thinking outside the box. Go ahead make a difference my Crafty Sistahs and Bros!  Let's express ourselves with heART.  Whatever your style is...make it yours and share with the GIRLS!

Sharing a the quote by Michelle Obama, our First lady of the United States of America, "I know there are voices that tell you you're not good enough.  Let me say those words again:  BLACK GIRLS ROCK!".  

Happy Sisterhood Month

I’m celebrating the love of my sisters in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,  Scraps of Color and Sisters in Craft Land. This canvas painting was inspired by my president of Memphis Alumnae Chapter.  She is a compassionate president.  Our chapter is over 600 members and she personally handles every request no matter what the issue before she delegates.  Have you checked on a sistah lately?  

There are so many sweet gestures to express your love and concern:

• Leave a comment on a sistah’s blog
• Send a RAK (Random Act of Kindness)
• Call a sistah you haven’t heard from in a month
• Plan a lunch or dinner outing    
• Send a card, especially one that you created.

Let’s do something to brighten a sistah’s day!  Be Blessed....Princess

I

GO RED!

Today is National WEAR RED DAY!  GO RED FOR WOMEN!

So I was inspired to create some tags.  I decided to add digital images by Robert Jackson that was just right for the event.  He had a few healthy living digis.  You can find them here.  He has already added images for Valentine's Day and Black History Month.  It's February right?!!

 This is the start of my effort to pile it on with embellishments.  Love making these tags.  It's a perfect way to use your scraps.  I'm adding some African American stamps.  Yes I recycle them after receiving mail for Black History Month projects!  Look at what I've started with (Sizzix die cut elephant, Forever Young cricut die cut, African American stamp, definition, word, and mini Martha Stewart elephant)

Check out these cute images?  I'm dealing with the first one now, but I did something about it this morning. Believe me when I say,  "Exercise does the body good!"  I'm patiently waiting for my next career and definitely want to be in shape.

It's February.  Do you have your Black History projects together?  Why not grab some die cuts and items from your stash and make tags?  They make the perfect gifts.

Happy Heart Day!
Princess

Altered Chalkboard Easels

While organizing my stash I found some 3D stickers that I purchased years ago.  I’m talking over 10 years.  While strolling the $1.50 aisle at Michael’s, these cute mini chalkboard easels caught my eye.  At first I was thinking about different themes, but I went back to my original plan and this was my creation. The receiver will receive two pieces of chalk wrapped in Tim Holtz jute.  

The Card Connection (Embroidery theme)

 This was a quick and fun project so you know I’m going to get a few more to alter.

 It's better to paint the frames when you put a coat of Gesso on it first and then add your acrylic paint.  I went to my stash for a few embellishments to add to the 3D stickers.

Jolee stickers (crocheting theme)

Easy, peasey....Don't you agree?  I spent under $5 for the mini chalkboard easels and chalk. They will make great gifts.

Happy New Year

Princess

Overwhelmed during the holidays?

Overwhelmed during the holidays?  Take a little time and plan ahead so you won't get stressed.  I would like to share a cute and fun project I put together using a few of Robert Jackson's digital images.  This is how I feel right now.  It's a busy day and I'm already running behind time.   What's the plan for the day?  What will I wear? How many days before Christmas?  This is a great way to keep it together and you can place them right on your refrigerator.  Hey we go there to get water and something to eat...right?  It's a great place for the eye!  They are refrigerator magnets made with clothes line pins.

  Here's a quick look at all of them.  I started with five to keep me on track for the 25th, Things to Do List, Shopping List, Holiday socials, Dishes to Make and of course my prayer list.  

 It was really easy spraying them with Tattered Angels Brick Red glimmer mist.  Of course you can use acrylic paint or paper.  I needed something quick and easy.

 After I colored the images, I added Tim Holtz tickets, Mary Stewart snow flake punch and a few other embellishments to make them cute.  Oh the possibilities right?  I'm really looking forward to shopping for the ingredients to make Belgian Waffles for our Christmas morning breakfast.

Are you inspired?  What are you doing to stay on track for the Christmas Holiday Season?

Butterfly Kisses

This is the season of ‘Thanks’ and ‘Giving’.  I picked up this large paper mache mailbox from Hobby Lobby and altered it with purple butterflies.  I was inspired by my soror Vanecia Kimbrow, who shared her amazing story about Living Life with Lupus.  This mailbox is a ‘Thanks’ for breaking the silence; I was enlightened by her testimony.  She has vowed to Keep It Moving so I hope she will treasure the mailbox and fill it with Happy Mail.  

After I applied Gesso over the box, I used acrylic paint to make it look rustic.  It was partially covered with Die Cut with  A View Floral Foliage Stack.  The lace was originally white so I applied Recollections mist to make it purple.  It was embellished with purple feathers, flowers, bling and butterflies.

Will you be making gifts or buying them during this ‘Thanks’ and ‘Giving’ season?

Thanks for stopping by

Princess

Putting Left Overs To Good Use

If you have not joined Scraps of Color what are you waiting for?  If you are on Scraps of Color and are not joining an event you are missing a lot of excitement!  I recently joined a few swaps and the ladies are creating awesome high end projects!  First let me share what I've been working on.  My inspiration started with Tiare's Art Party.  Although late coming in, I was determined to make it.  This canvas journal was left over from a kit.   The cover was painted and I selected paper to stamp a few clocks, used modeling paste with a brick template on the middle left, sprayed some Tattered Angels mist all over and distressed the edges.

Check out the back cover, which was inspiration from my blog Papercrafting Paradise.  Guess what?  There are 16 pages in all so you know a Sistah is inspired to complete it right?  I used watercolor pencils with this one.  It seemed a little difficult even with a coat of Gesso.  Maybe I'll try the acrylic paints on my next page.

Let me go back to what I was telling you earlier, because it all started with this blank canvas by Recollections.  I participated in the Altered Prima Journal swap and my partner Tia B's color was pink.  This kit had lots of pink and cute chipboard embellishments to work with.  Everything was used except the canvas journal.  So do you think I put the left over canvas in good use? 

By the way, this was the Altered Prima Journal made for Tia B.  Kevin Hart may say "Turn it Up", I say pull out those kits and "Use it Up"!

Thanks for stopping by, 

Princess

Organization works when you're in a hurry!

I came across this pastel paper pad by K&Company and all I had left were a few stickers and die cuts.  The patterned paper on the front and back cover of this mini is from the cover page of the paper pad.  I used it's entirety!  I used all the die cuts on each page.  What helped me with the rest is that all my embellishments were organized by color so I went straight to each bag and pulled it all together.  

I'm working on some organization tips.  Before I go to another project I clean my area.  When I've just about used all my embellishments, I may have a few left.  Instead of putting it in the package I color code everything.  It makes it easy to find and put together especially when I'm making mini albums.

 The purple rosette lace was already cut and fit just nicely on the page.

Look at all the tags for photos and journaling.  I even added a strip to make a border...No paper left behind.

 Look at the pink fiber...My last from my Webster Pages stash.  It fit perfect on the flap.

 The pink rattles are so old I can't begin to tell you how long it's been, but it found a place on the pages.

 And my last stash of lavender lace fiber by Recollections.  Let it go and use it up!

Do you have a system or organization tip you practice when you need to create a project in a hurry?  I would love to hear it, because I have several impromptu request and could use the advice.

Come on and help a Sistah out!

What's In A Blog Name?

I took another project off my 'Crafty Things To Do List'.  I've been wanting to make a plaque with my blog name on it, but today my Design Team post is a Canvas.  I'm satisfied!  I thought I would play with a few of my Faber Castell products that were still in the package.  After watching a few videos, I took the plunge and this is what I created representing my blog name.

Recipe ingredients:
Faber Castell gelatos
Colorbox Chalk ink
Tsukineko chalk ink
Stazon ink
Studio 71 canvas paper
Prima Bloom Girl
Canvas Corp - canvas
Recollections stamps, metal and stickers
Webster's Pages fabric sticker and flowers
Prima and Recollection flowers
K & Company Sea Glass chipboards
Making Memories mesh
Martha Stewart butterfly punches
Provo Craft alphabet stamps
Stickles - variety
Copic and Bic Mark it markers
Kimberly watercolor pencils

Here are just a few products I pulled out to get this canvas started.  I decided to use my film strip stamp, inked it on acetate paper and added a clock stamp to it.  The prayer was cut in strips to capture it on the page filling it with lots of embellishments to create the tropical decor. 

This is how I made my banner using Studio 71 canvas sheet.  I poured on the gesso then added my gelatos and sprays.  After it dried, various stamps were added.  I cut some in strips and added it to the canvas.  Butterfly punches, a heart and the banner were cut with the paper.  Chalk inks were added to the ends to define the paper.

This is My Scrapbook Prayer that Tiare featured in  Scraps of Color E Magazine years ago that I wrote in 2008 after attending a Scrapbook Extravaganza.  It is still dear to my heART!  I love the Prima Bloom Stamp....A 'Natural' Beauty just like me.

Do you have a blog plaque or sign in your Craft room?  If not, I hope I have inspired you to create one.

Love,

Princess

Vacation Bible School

Next week is Vacation Bible School at my church and we were asked to bring prizes for the children to ‘Go Fish’.   Remember the song, “I will make you fishers of men if you follow me”?  When they bring a new guest to join them Tuesday through Friday they ‘Go Fish’ and select a prize from the Treasure Chest.  First I went out and purchased a few activity books and pencils and a couple of games.  I wasn’t satisfied until I went in my room, looked around and there was my inspiration….6x6 Hanging signs!!!  They can place them on their door or in their room.  Five were made for my Design Team post.  I will be posting five each day this week on my blog!  They each have a scripture and part of a hymn we use on Sunday.   Our theme is 'The Amazing Road Trip.'

Are you and/or your children attending VBS or a summer program?  This would be an excellent idea.  Everything came from my scraps of paper and embellishments that I’ve set aside and refuse to throw away.   I wish I could have given them the supplies and see how creative they could be to design their own Hanging sign.  Hope I’ve inspired you to create a few and if you have created them before….Do it again!  Oh the possibilities.  I can't wait to paint!!