Featured Artist ReNae Allen

Please welcome Featured Artist ReNae Allen  to the blog today.  She has really been inspiring us on the Artsy Addicts Facebook page lately with gorgeous card designs. I know you guys are going to love her post today. Make sure you visit her blog for more inspiration: www.crabtree-creations.blogspot.com and don't forget to leave her some comment love here.....

 

 

My name is ReNae Allen and I LOVE to create! As a child, I would beg my mother to buy me crayons, watercolor paints, and Play-Doh. I was always happiest if I was making something! I'm a lot older now, but that love has only grown!

About five years ago, my daughter Ashley took me into a stamp store and I immediately caught the paper crafting bug!  The first card I ever made was a Christmas card. I used some paper from Graphic 45, old  buttons, and vintage lace, and my shabby style was born!  I still make cards that same way, using lots of interesting elements to add texture and interest.


 



My First Card

Whether I'm stamping the focal image myself or using a pre-made image, I always begin making the card with the image first. The next thing I do is find coordinating papers that play well with it. I'll take papers that look good together, and I'll set them on the table along with all the other embellishments and I start playing around, throwing things together to see what looks best. It's not an exact science, and I never know what I'll end up with. I let the paper, buttons and lace do the work.

Just start playing

 

 When I design I've always used the "rule of three" which is having three different areas on my project where the eye can rest before moving to the next place. This makes the card more pleasing to the viewer as it guides the viewer's eye across the page. The other design element I love to use is texture. I use a variety of textures on my projects from shiny gemstones that sparkle and catch the light, to soft or scratchy fabrics. Layering also adds a lot of texture to a project. Popping a focal image up on pop-dots, and layering the paper are two great ways to add texture and dimension.

Love You Card

For today's cards, I used Penny Black stamps, and Tombow and Memento markers to ink them up, then sprayed a water mist on the inked stamp, before stamping them on to watercolor paper. (I have a step by step tutorial on my blog, using this technique: http://crabtree-creations.blogspot.com/2014/05/stamping-with-watercolor-markers.html Once I stamped my images, I built the cards around them using all the goodies I could find, -- I even made stick pins!



Happy Birthday

close up

Orange Tulips

 

Close Up

 

Happy Everything

   

Close up

I hope you like the cards I created today as I had a lot of fun making them! I appreciate Tonya and Peggy's invitation to be a guest designer on Artsy Addicts. It is such a great place to be inspired, and to inspire others, Everyone is so supportive at Artsy Addicts and it's a very positive and creative environment!  

I just want to add that the most important thing about designing any project is that you make something that YOU like. Don't worry too much about what anyone else thinks!

 

Creating  what makes YOU happy is perhaps
the most important design element of all.

 

Supplies Used in Todays Project: ("Embellish" Patterned paper: Darice, Cards and pearls: Recollections, Colored cardstock: Bazzill, Lace: Webster's Pages, Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts.)

You can see more of ReNae's cards, projects and tutorials on her blog at
 www.crabtree-creations.blogspot.com .

Tips for Masculine Layouts by Tonya Gibbs

 

 

Well this is my last post of the month, and I issued everyone a challenge to create masculine  projects. The scrapbooking industry is full of products for feminine designs and it is sometimes a challenge to create for the men in your life. All month Peggy and I have been sharing some great projects, that I hope have inspired you. Today I thought I would recap some tips on how I set out to create Masculine layouts.

 

 

 

1)  Dig around in your stash for items that have a neutral theme and color.   I like to select colors that are blue, red, neutrals (grey, tan, brown, black, white) and green.  Not that there is any kind of rule to sticking to a color, I just find that these colors help my focus stay masculine.

 

2)  Look for embellishments in your stash that are not gender specific, like the Dictionary Tissue Tape from Tim Holtz, Star Sequins, and chevron designs, notebook paper, cameras, arrows, tickets, labels, wood veneers and tags. Metal accents are awesome for Masculine projects.

 

 

3) Select papers that lean more on the masculine side.  Like the Heidi Swapp No Limits papers - which were actually travel papers, but you can't tell after it was used and the Echo Park Note to Self (which has a lot of things you can fussy cut to add interest to your layout).

 

   

 

 Here is a process video of me making the layout!

 

 

Here is the finished layout. 

 

 

My son's girlfriend said to me yesterday "I like that this layout is very masculine, but still has a lot of sparkle!"   Don't be afraid to use sparkle elements or even flowers on a masculine layout - just don't over do it!  

 

 

I hope this post has helped you with ideas on creating masculine projects.

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com



Resources: 

Heidi Swapp  - No Limits Paper collection
Heidi Swapp - Confetti Stencil 6x6
7 Gypsies Paddington clear stamp
7 Gypsies - Postale Index Cards7 Gypsies - Naked Index Cards

[PDF] 7 Gypsies - Library Drawer - Tabbed Dividers - Naked Tabs

My Mind's Eye - Everyday Funday kraft - Everyday Fun stamps
My Mind's Eye - Find Your Wings & Fly - Stamps

Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - dictionary tissue tape

Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Tiny Attacher

Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Alterations Frameworks Border Die Chevron

Studio Calico - Wood Veneer Hearts & Arrows

Studio Calico - Wood Veneer School Days Speech Bubbles

Ranger Ink - Archival Ink Vermillion

Cosmo Cricket - Glitter Adhesive Sheets  Red, Blue, Silver

Fiskars Circle Punch - 1.75 Inches

Marvy Circle Punch - 2 Inches

Washi - Red Chevron

Prima Wood Veneer Camera

Black Sharpie

EK-Success-Notebook-Border-Punch
EK Success Zig Writer
Clear Glitter Nail Polish
Star Sequins

Grid Line Index Cards

Labels

Color Box Pigment Stamp Ink Silver

Color Smart Pigment Stamp Ink White

Hampton Art - 7 Gypsies - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Varsity
Hampton Art Rubber Stamp A Day To Remember Numbers
Echo Park  Note to Self



Memorial Day Inspiration "Flying Flags" by Peggy Lee

This past Monday was our Memorial Day Holiday, our family

always celebrate with watching the Memorial Day Parade.

My hubby marches every year...

My heart is always full of joy, grace and grateful to all who are and have served.

Thank You to them all, even the ones who are left behind will they serve.

I love to take a photo of the flags flying every year!

I wanted a way to gaze upon it's beauty and be reminded everyday...so I created this 

Mixed Media Scrapbook Layout of the Flying Flags!

Love the USA!

I used drywall tape as a stencil, I laid it down and scrapped 

stucco over it, then pulled it up...it leaves great texture!!

I also used some other stencils as well.

I did some random stamping, sprayed and splattered

my favorite mists, color washes...and gesso watered down.

I found some metal letters in my stash...perfect for this layout....I am going to frame this

layout and hang it on our wall to honor my hubby and our family members who have served.

Thanks for stopping in today,

hugs

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

Baby Shower Card by Tonya Gibbs

Hi everyone, I have a simple little card to share with you today.  Our theme this month is masculine. So I thought I would share a simple little baby shower card that I created using the scraps from the "Spread Your Wings and Fly" kit to create a card.

 

This is the outside of the card.  I only used scraps from the paper collection. Small pieces of scraps when torn on the edge, create a nice washi tape look.  

 

 

I decided to decorate the inside of the card with the remaining scraps.  This card and design could easily be used for several occasions by simply modifying the greeting.  Don't forget to post your masculine projects in the Artsy Addicts Facebook page.  I can't wait to see what you create!

 

Thanks for stopping in today. 

 

Tonya Gibbs.

http://www.psychomoms.com

My Hero "Father's Day Card" by Peggy Lee

Good morning everyone, with Father's Day upon us soon in just a few

short weeks...I wanted to share with you all one of my cards.

I used a stamp set called "My Hero"!

Started with a white card base.

Stamped the airplane in chocolate ink (second generations stamping).

I also fussy cut out the images from the Skylark paper packet...

Inked all the edges with chocolate ink.

I popped up the images with tucking the banners to give

depth to the card...like the banners are flying.

As I type this blog post I remember my father who has been gone 

for  many years...I so miss him, love him more deeply!!

I try to share memories of him with my daughters, telling them stories

that he would share, songs he would sing....

I believe even though he is not with us, He Is!

Thanks for stopping in today,

hugs

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

Supplies:

Close To My Heart

Stamps, paper, embellishments

Masculine Cards with Tonya Gibbs

Father's Day will be here before you know it!   I know everyone struggles with masculine cards, so today I'm going to show you two versions of card from one sketch.  

I found this sketch on Pinterest from PageMaps.com  it seemed so simple, and I thought it would make a nice "any" occasion simple flat card that could be mailed to anyone.  Change up the colors to feminine and it would be a great design for a woman as well.   I really love simple versatile sketches. 

 

 

So I thought I would make two of these cards. The first is with some scraps left over from a DCWV Tattered Time paper stack.  The gears are super masculine, and if you didn't want to leave the card flat, you could add a few metal gears in a cluster above the sentiment.

 

 

On this version I used only Washi Tape, kept the tapes black and white, then stamped the sentiment  in red so it would pop. 

 

 

I hope this inspires you to create a masculine card.  If so, please share your card designs with us on the Artsy Addicts Facebook page.

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

 

 

Garden Rose Card by Peggy Lee "Tutorial"

Happy Monday Morning to you all, it's Peggy Lee here

sharing with you all my mixed media card "Garden Rose" Card!

Using Marion Smith Designs Stamps

Garden Rose Stamp and Textured Edges Stamp.

Tutorial

I started with watercolor paper.

Using Archival Ink in black stamped the Garden Rose image

several times.

Card Base 4 1/4 x 6 size

Did more stamping on the card base for background texture.

After I stamped the images...I grabbed a few Tattered Angels

Glimmer Mist colors...started water coloring painting..using a small brush.

I painted several parts of the other stamped images..to but cut apart.

To add to the center of rose to give depth.

See the depth of adding layers to your stamped images.

Also added some more texture with gesso and stencils.

LOVE THIS TEXTURE

There you have it a simple mixed media card...just using stamps, ink,

glimmer mist and gesso!!

Give it a try, I know you will love it!!!

Thanks for stopping in,

hugs

Peggy Lee

http://pegbaker.blogspot.com

Supplies:

Marion Smith Designs-Garden Rose & Textured Edges Stamps

Tattered Angels-glimmer mist in Cranberry Zing, Olive Vine & English Ivy

Ranger-Archival ink and liquid pearls in bisque

Stampers Anonymous- Tim Holtz Dot Fade Stencil

water color paper

gesso

Varsity Layout by Tonya Gibbs - May Challenge

Hi everyone, wow can you believe that school is almost out?  Where did the time go? Seriously It was just fall in my mind.   My son, Brighton, is a Jr. this year and I'm going to spend some time in the next year crying - no seriously - documenting his high school story!   I know it is hard to sometimes create Masculine Layouts so I have a few tips to kick start your creative process.

 

First of all GRUNGE makes masculine layouts come together so easily.  And what better way to get grunge then Mixed Media.  Just like little boys - the messier the better! Texture is my next hint!  I think you can't have too much texture on a boy layout!  

 

 

Second - stick to masculine colors.  Like Blues, Greens, black, browns.  Since my son's high school colors are Blue, White & Red, I decided to use them for my focal color pallet.

 

 

I typically avoid flower clusters and stick to masculine paper elements.  7Gypsies Vintage Varsity line was perfect for this layout - since it offered so many 'sports' themed elements that could be fussy cut and used for layers. 

 

Here is a process video of me making this layout.

 

 

 

 

I challenge you to post some masculine projects this month in the AA Facebook page.  From little boys, to grown me, it is a challenge sometimes to work with their photos, but they deserve to be documented too!    With Father's Day in a few short weeks, this will kick start your brain into thinking masculine!  

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today,

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com

 

 

Layout Supplies:  

• Canvas Corp - White smooth Cardstock
• 7Gypsies - Vintage Varsity 8x8 pad
• Stamper's Anonymous & Tim Holtz - The Ultimate Grunge
• Tattered Angels - Silver Glimmer Mist
• Faber Castell - Design Memory Craft   PITT Big Brush Artist Pens in the following Colors:
• Black,
• White,
• Cold Grey I 230,
• Cold Grey IV 233,
• Phthalo Blue 110,
• Dark Sepia 175,
• Deep Scarlet Red 219
• Faber - Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos in the following colors:
• Dark Blue
• Silver
• Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Glaze
• The Crafter's Workshop 6x6 stencils in the following Patterns:
• Mini Numbers
• Mini Well Rounded (this is the grunge stencil)
• Mini Wonky Circles
• Liquitex - Full Body Gesso
• Prima - Distress Tool
• Pearl Ex -  Interference Red
• Score Tape
• Scotch - ATG
• Scotch - Mounting Foam
• Idea-ology - Tim Holtz - Grunge Board Numbers
• Idea-ology - Tim Holtz - Sanding Block
• Cosmo Cricket  - Silver Glitter Adhesive Sheets
• Studio Calico - Wood Veneer Speech Bubbles
• Studio Calico - Wood Veneer Abroad Cameras
• Clear Glitter Nail Polish
• EK Success - Square Binding Edge Punch
• Stars - Rhinestone buttons
• Index Card

April Artsy Addicts Challenge Recap

In April, I issued a challenge in the Artsy Addicts Facebook Group for you to use this sketch to create a project of your choice.

Don't forget to Pin it for future reference.  If you decided to follow this sketch make sure you #ArtsyAddictsAprilChallenge, then share your creation with us in the Facebook Group. 

This was the sample that went with the sketch....

We had a few people participate, and I wanted to share their projects along with the admin projects with you today.  Please stop over at their respective blogs and give them some comment love!

Devon's Divine Designs

Look at this fantastic thank you card Devon created with  papers she found in her scrap pile.  I love her soft color choices. And the feathers were a nice festive addition.

Here is a link to her blog post giving all the yummy details. 

Annmarie Colbert - Annie's Stamping Corner

 has  created a festive Birthday card using Graphic 45's Bohemian Bazaar Collection. This collection was released a few seasons ago. Way to go - using that hoard vault goodness! 

Here is a link to her blog post giving all the yummie details! 

Admin Peggy Lee Baker  - Creative Scraps by Peggy Lee

shares with us her creation using a nice pink and green combo with a few mixed media touches!

Here is a link to the AA post where she shared the yummy details!

Here is a link to her blog!

Admin Tonya Gibbs  - PsychoMoms

Here were my takes on the sketch.

Here is the blog post with all the yummy details.

Here is the blog post with all the yummy details.

This is a great sketch for a simple easy to create card design.  The challenge was intended to jump start your creative mindset.  Thanks to everyone who participated. Make sure you check my post on Friday for the May Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping in today, 

Tonya Gibbs 

http://www.psychomoms.com