Emily's "Art Deck of Me" - Final Six!

(click on images to see full size)

OK...spent a lot more of my day doing THIS than the laundry and housework I SHOULD be doing...but oh...it was worth it! (Damn I missed this project!! So excited we are DOING IT AGAIN!)

Week 43 Card "Scary": Paper front & back is from a 2006 Flavia Daytimer calendar page; Sticker letters are Making Memories; Bling is Me & My Big Ideas; Glitter glue is KindyGlizt Crystalina.

Week 44 Card "Home": papers & trim are leftovers from the Jennifer Stewart INSPIRED class (YUM-O!) - line is "noteWorthy" I think?; Rub-ons are Fancy, Aged Floral; bird rub-ons are Luxe - There's the Rub, Black Hearts; Sticker words are Making Memories; Journaling is Sharpie Fine Point.

Week 45 Card "Self-Realization": card was covered with masking tape, then rubbed with metallic acrylic Folk Art paint; Polka Dot paper is NoteWorthy; bird is free 'collage art' from artist Zorana ; Stamp is Hero Arts; Bling is My & My Big Ideas; Journaling is Sharpie Fine Point.

Week 50 Card "The Greatest Gift": Paper is from a 2006 Flavia Daytimer calendar page; Words and Letters stickers from Making Memories; "No." stamp is Brenda Walton alphabet stamp set for All Night Media; Organdy ribbon is from Morex; bling is Me & My Big Ideas.

Week 52 Card "ART": Tag is K&C Company - Brenda Walton Mira Tag Pad; letter stickers and rub-ons are Making Memories; bling is Me & My Big Ideas; glitter glue is KindyGlitz, Crystalina; ribbon is Maya Road; 'Creative' tag on back is from Kaleidoscope; Journaling is Sharpie Fine Point.

"Finish one before starting another...."

(click on the image for full size view...sorry the scan is so crummy...in a rush!)

...isn't that what mom taught us? Do we ever NOT have ninety-twelve projects started at once, though?

When I started the Emily Mini Art Journal group last year I PROMISED myself I would FINISH IT. And I was really good....until the end....somehow I missed 12 weeks!! But I took notes and kept a list of what the prompts were each week, and ideas for how I would do my cards for when the muse struck again....

And now...before we start this again tomorrow....I am determined to get my 2007 cards DONE.

With that...here are the first 5 (number 6 is still drying) of my last 12...no photos on these cards cause I am out of ink for the printer....and I cheated and used some NEW product....but ohhh it was GOOD getting back into these little 'canvases!'

Off to a graduation party.....will post the FIRST PROMPT first thing tomorrow!!

and off we GO!

Week 40 card: card was pre-prepped with purple paint and a glitter wash; collaged bits from magazines and my "scratch paper" - used Sharpie marker to journal...and those wonderful Making Memories little number stickers. Journaling on the back reads: " NOT ANYMORE! I am not afraid to cut, tear, rip, paint, splash, mess up, try new things when it comes to ART! I will not hoard my papers and embellies! I will stop being afraid to JUST DO IT!"

Week 41 card: Gold foil rubbed directly onto card (base was pre-prepared last year...not sure of the brand of this foil); Making Memories rub-on letters, word stickers are EK Success's Bookworks; gems are from the dollar bin at Joanne Fabrics ; ribbon was purchased by the yard at MLPA - sorry,don't know the vendor! Journaling ont he back reads: "If I had a magic carpet, I'd wisk us off to all the exotic places we've never been. India and Thailand would certainly be first stops. And all the tropical islands would be next!"

Week 46 card: Card is covered with pink/peach patterned paper (I forget the manufacturer...Aim--it's from my INSPIRED book...do you remember all the pink and orange?); "Dream" is cut from a word cardstock strip; votive pics are from the Tracy Porter catalogue; "Green Tea" perfume label is from my favorite perfume that Anthropologie no longer carries!! boo hoo; ribbon is Martha Stewart; Ribbon tape is Amy Butler; bling is My Minds Eye; sticker "bliss" word and letters are Making Memories. This is my favorite of this latest bunch!

Week 47 card: Patterned paper is Basic Grey's Stella Ruby; Olive green solid cardstock is Stampin' Up!; mini floral strip & 'carefree' sticker are Amy Butler; Rub on words and } are My Mind's Eye; Mini letter/number stickers are Making Memories (teal--so gorgeous!) Journaling on the back reads: "My Happy Place is anywhere I can carve out a space to create....preferably with Rob close by enjoying a book or movie while I multi-task!"

Week 51 card: Picture from a Somerset Studios magazine adhered to card; edges painted with green acrylic paint; purple floss is DMC; Journaling on back reads: "This week's prompt is "Made me think of you." This image so reminds me of my gram and pap. They always planted pansies and violas and the handwriting on the postcard looks a little like my Gram's. Always as the holidays approach, I miss you."

Week 48 - Emily's Art Deck Journal

Wow...I am SO BEHIND on the Emily art journal....but this one was easy for me. The prompt was "IDEAS" -- I immediately thought of the brainstorm I had late Friday night...journaling reads: "Nothing is worse than a blank white page and a looming deadline. Nothing better than a great idea just in the nick of time! I had Lynne's 49th birthday scrapbook all done EXCEPT for the cover. What to put in the little window? And then a perfect idea! I created a miniature version of the invite! Perfect. Whew."

Week 42 - Emily Art Deck Challenge - GRATEFUL

I am a few weeks behind again in the Art Deck challenge, but this week's came easily (mainly because I totally "scraplifted" Emily's idea!). The prompt was GRATEFUL and in keeping with Emily's suggestion, I have been jotting down something each day. So far this week:

SUN: Grateful for a day to create *heart* - Halloween costume for Mikayla & Sewing!

MON: So grateful for all my BFFs at work who make it all so much better.

TUES: Grateful for a surprise email from my mom : )

WED: Grateful for dinner date with Rob at Fioravanti (one of our favorite restaurants that we don't go to often!)

THUR: Grateful for Rob waiting for me at home at the end of the day - and today, with a SURPRISE (a Quilting magazine!)

Thanks for the great prompt, Emily! I am so grateful for you and your blog!

Lots more to be grateful for: for Rob leaving the porch light on for me on the nights I work late and it is DARK when I get home....for good books to read.....for lots of creative projects to work on.....for emails from sisters and friends.....for BFFs who listen patiently and lovingly....for nieces and nephews who make me smile and laugh with their stories and emails and text messages and phone calls and Facebook silliness...for good hair days when you really need them!.....for WEEKEND plans to look forward to.....for dinner plans with friends tomorrow night....for my cool new ORANGE cell phone with TEXTING KEYBOARD.....for a stack of fat quarters and fabrics waiting to become aprons!

Week 38 "I Wonder.."

Done! Thanks to the INSPIRATION I have been soaking in with my new copy of JOURNAL REVOLUTION - I have finished my week 38 card. I know I am GOOFY---but these CIRCLES are making me giddy. (It's a Target prescription bottle [no lid] dipped in paint. I feel so "freestyle!") Thinking the cap would be good to use to make double circles (a tad bigger than the bottle, right?) AND--that rubber color-coder ring they put on the bottles? that would make a nice THICK circle....try it!

Card sanded then prepped with two coats of Gesso. Red paint is MakingMemories; Clock face stamp is A Stamp in the Hand Co.; Art happens stamp is Catslife Press; Large alphabet is Brenda Walton; small alphabet is Hero Arts; Turquois ink is Stampin Up!; deeper blue is ColorBox Fluid Chalk Cat's Eyes in Prussian Blue; card edged with Color Box's Robin's Blue (direct to paper); pen is Zig Millineum in Pure Red.

My Art Journal "Deck of Me"...

So this week's prompt is "I Wonder" and since I am the violently curious type, there are just so many ways I could answer THAT. Have no idea where to start. So naturally, I am off on several tangents. One of which was to peruse some of the other deck of me-ers. Particularly liked this one; and this one; and this one ....and was inspired to take a photo of mine in their current "how will I keep these?" solution. These are a cheapie set of trading card sleeves/pages....if I decide to keep them in this format, I need to invest in less flimsy sleeves - and ANTIGLARE ones. But I love flippin' through them and seeing them all lined up together....like an ART QUILT! TFL!

Week 38 - "Draw Something"

Catching up with my posting - this one was tough for me. I LOVE to draw - but I am SO lousy at it. Rather, I am so inconsistent - because sometimes, every once in a great while, I actually draw something I like. But the next ten or twelve attempts? Not so much. So this card is about the one time I was doodling during a (very boring) meeting at work. I drew my engagement ring...and I liked it so much I saved it (inset). And though I haven't been able to recreate it, at least now my little scrappy sketch has a permanent home on this card! Thanks, Emily, for the fun prompt!

Painted the card with acrylic blue paint; drawing done with black Pitt finepoint artist pen and Zig Millennium Pure Pink pen on notebook paper; accents done with gold Pen Touch ink pen.

I'm Behind Again! Week 36 Emily's Art Journal

Catching up! The prompt for Week 36 was "Life is beautiful." No argument there. I went in a less serious direction than my original thoughts....I've been OBSESSED with the Russian Navy blue nail polish from OPI since seeing it in Blueprint magazine while traveling...and when I got home I was on a mission to GET IT. Finally scored a bottle in WEGMANs of all places (my local ULTA was SOLD OUT!)...OK...so there you have it. I think this "navy is the new black" nail polish is gorgeous. (Now who can tell me how to get two pics to post side by side??)

Photo is from the OPI fall collection brochure. Words from 7Gypsies paper; Rhinestones applied with Diamond Glaze; edges gilded with gold pen; Sharpie Poster Paint pen in extra fine, white.

Week 35 - Emily's Art Challenge - STRENGTH

This week's prompt was "Strength." After quite a bit of pondering on this one...I settled on this brief thought: "...strength - your own will surprise you when you need it most...that which you witness in others will inspire you."

Paper is KI Memories; rub-ons are Magnolia; chipboard "S" is Heidi Swapp. I used a regular blue ink gel pen (not very successfully!) for the journaling...I need to invest in some new MICRONS! Tab is from last year's Daytimer calendar pages...

Week 34 - Emily Art Challenge "Funny - ha ha"

Last week's prompt was "Funny, haha" - as in "what makes you laugh? what do you find funny?" There are lots of things that make me laugh, and that I find hilarious (much to the confusion of some of my friends and family, I am sure!) But the best laughs of late come from my nephews - two of whom we spent a weeklong vacation with last month. Eth is 14 going on 40 - his sense of humor is right up my alley. He made me laugh out loud at the most unexpected times during our vacation week -- and his BORAT imitation is my favorite. (Irreverence is funny. Sorry, moms!) Landon is always ready with a CHEESY GRIN - and his "eh-hems" and "PANTS!" inside jokes crack me up. Love you guys! Thanks for being such FUN travel mates!

xxoo

Sticker words Making Memories and 7Gypsies. "S" Making Memories "Heidi" alphabet rub-on; Black micron pen (date) and gel marker (used to color in the word "Joker"); white ink - Uniball Signa gel pen.

Week 33 - Emily's Art Challenge - 10 minutes!

Loved this challenge from Emily - you were to take 10 minutes to create your card. I opened my "stash box" and picked through for a few collage-y type things I have been "saving" (for no specific purpose, of course - just my regular pack-ratting) - and asked Rob to "time me." I stopped when the 10 minutes were up (except to add my date and "No. 33" stamp--uh-oh --did I break a rule?) The hardest part was getting the words together from the set of stickers I was working with (I wanted to write "time is up!" - but there was no "up" on the sheet....) In the end, I like the way it came out - even though I know if I hadn't put a time limit on it I'd still be sitting there agonizing -- "should I add a gilded border with silver or gold pen?" "should I add some rhinestones or glitter glue accents to her hair or gown?" "think I could fit this chandelier cut-out at the top?".....

Photo is from a magazine, the quote is from a catalog; border is collage art (printed onto matte photo paper) from Sally Jean's book "Pretty Little Things;" rhinestones glued on with Diamond Glaze; sticker words are Making Memories "Travel" set.

Week 32 - Emily Art Journal - "Quiet"

This week's prompt was "Quiet" - something surely treasured by moms with young babies and kids of all ages.....for me, not so much. People always find it hard to believe---but I don't like complete silence, nor do I require it for sleep. I most certainly was a city dweller in a former life! I'll take the bustle of a big city over a rural or suburban setting. One of these days!

This one didn't photograph or scan well...but no do-overs so we are stuck with it!

Paper border is self-adhesive matt from Rhonna Farrer, rub-ons are Chatterbox; "quiet" white rubons are Making Memories (blue metallic pencil rubbed over the letters, then scrubbed with paper towel to remove color from letters...hard to see in the photo. works better with metallic rubon paints). Gray marker is Stampin' Up!

Week 31 - Art Deck Challenge - "No Regrets"

The journaling on the back of this card reads: "Some souls by instinct to each other turn."

I read that in a Victoria magazine newsletter years before I met my husband....and it stayed with me. I had it engraved in Rob's wedding band, and if couples have "taglines" - this is the perfect one for us.

Nine years together, seven years married---no regrets that you are the one I will grow old with. xo

Art Journal Challenge - Week 30 "Counting my blessings"

This week's prompt is "count your blessings." Perfect timing, as I had been working on a "grateful" page in my art journal (I recommend this online class by Donna Downey). Had been journaling about some sad/difficult things....felt better when balanced with the positive and light-hearted. Sorry this scan is the best I could do...the actual pages are much brighter!

Green satin fabric scrap from my Emily pack; bling and number rub-ons are Heidi Swapp; Paper is from Amy Butler pack. Photo is from my art journal [Fabrino Artisico watercolor paper (try Dick Blick for bulk prices); pages painted with making memories scrapbook paints; "grateful" written with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens--fine point, then gone over with brush tip pen, then outlined with Caran d'ache Neocolor II and Derwent Aquatone watercolor crayons; 'i do love you' stamp $1 at Michaels; circle dots stamp by 7Gypsies. Instructions for binding your own art journal at the amazing Teesha Moore's website. ]

Also grateful for all the inspiration and generous sharing from all the artful bloggers I follow and those who are participating in this challenge. Thanks for all your kind words you post, and for sharing your work. Extra thanks to Emily for bringing us together!

Art Journal Challenge - Week 29 "PERFECTION"

Getting caught up....Week 29 prompt was "Define Perfection." Right now, I am SO looking forward to our upcoming vacation...a week away for our annual family funfest- this year in Mexico. Journaling on back reads: "Nothing better than having something to look forward to. Vacation in paradise...that is perfection. *heart*"

Week 28 - Emily's Art Journal challenge - What is Your Goal This Week?

Yeah!! Emily is back! (how gorgeous are those photos of Miss Yindi? So sweet.)

This week's prompt was "what is your goal for the week?" I always have PLENTY on my to-do list...but I focused on what I wanted to CREATE this week. So... my goal for the week was to finish the projects on my list before the weekend is over. Looks like it is going to be a long night...I only completed ONE of the four so far and it's SUNDAY again already.

This one did not scan well...the paper is MUCH nicer IRL! Paper is Amy Butler; tab is from K&C Company's Essential Pink File set; Pink ink is Stampin' UP!'s Pink Passion; DMC floss colors 718 and 470; pink rhinestones from a Cocoa Daisey kit; Pen is Faber-Castell PITT artist pen (superfine point, black)

Week 27 - Ali Edwards' Prompt - for Emily's Art Journal

The prompt for this week was from ALI EDWARDS (sitting in for Emily)...and it was "Junk Mail." Of course, I love Ali's interpretation. How does she do it so effortlessly? In her hands, a piece of junk mail and some paint (I am guessing that is yellow paint?) and a pen and it becomes a work of art. Love her style. So...I set out this week to find something useful among the STACKS of junk mail that enter our home each day. How can there be NOTHING I can use??? Finally settled on the DELL catalog...the paper isn't the best quality for this project...but the colors were fun. What is it about the NAMES of colors that are so interesting to me? I think that would be the most fun job. Sitting around NAMING colors of products....appliances, fabrics, car paint, nail polish (the OPI colors?! YUM), crayons, paints, EYE SHADOW, LIPSTICK.....how fun. Who has these jobs and where do I apply??

Week 26 -Emily's Art Challenge-"Celebrating Daughters"

A fitting prompt from Emily's friend Margie, after the arrival of Miss Yindi Willow (how beautiful is that name?)...."Celebrating Daughters."

This photo is of my six lovely nieces....journaling on back reads:

"I am not lucky enough to have children of my own....but I am lucky enough to have four sisters and one sister-in-law who have been blessed with a total of 11 children between them....six of which are my beautiful nieces. All very different -- all very special to me -- all fun to be around -- all bright and funny - all of whom I'd be proud to call my own. Love you, girls!"

Congrats to Emily on the arrival of her second beautiful daughter....and to my cousin Garrett and his wife Dana on the arrival of their first yesterday! (baby girls galore!)

Background paper--Flavia note paper; sticker tabs and words --KI Memories; "love" sticker-- Wonderful Words; black micron pen ;(not sure of the manufacturer of the little circle stickers letters-they are made to fit on brads--Making Memories, maybe?)

Week 25 - Emily Art Deck Challenge CAUGHT UP!

Week 25 - caught up again (except the one week I skipped---I will get back to it as soon as I dig up the photo I want to use for it....)

But back to this week's prompt. Tara Whitney acted as "guest prompter." Tara is a photographer and aptly, her prompt was "use a photo that means something to you." (I'd love to have her photograph me and Rob together....check out her work, you will agree!)

So....lots of pics I could have chosen...but I decided on this one of my hubby....cause I just love it and it makes me smile whenever I see it (it's on my desk at home). It was taken in March the day we toured the model home in the neighborhood where my sister- and brother-in-law are building their new home. An all-around great day. Exciting to see the gorgeous home Lynne and Lar are creating...and so good to see Rob smiling and enjoying the day with his family after a string of stressful months. Love these moments.

And now to BED! Caught up again, finally! Surprised you, huh, Nik?! LYB!

Black Micron 03 pen; K&Company sticker letters (right Aimee?) [edited Jul 1...oops! just noticed the typo]

Week 24 (almost caught up!) Emily Art Deck Challenge

LOVE THIS PROMPT!! This was perfect timing.....prompt was "remember when..." and it just so happened that my sister Jackie, niece Mikayla and their friends, and Rob and I went to Hershey Park on the 16th ..... and amusement parks always remind my sisters and me of "back in the day" when we went to KENNYWOOD PARK every year for our school picnic. (And yes, you kind of have to scream the word. It's that exciting.) The best part was on the way to the park, when we first saw the KENNYWOOD SIGNS!!!!!!!! which pointed the way.

The THUNDERBOLT roller coaster is pictured on my card...along with the yellow KENNYWOOD sign. Can't help it. It just always makes me SMILE.

Red marker and "No." stamp by Stampin' UP!; rhinestones by My Mind's Eye.