More Encaustic Fun Cards

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Be Brave!
I'm not sure whether to call these lessons from the craft room or lessons from Loki :)  That little kitty is teaching me something new each day!  I am amazed at how brave he has been.  When the vacuum was turned on his ears immediately went back, but he didn't run.  He got curious instead.  He investigated a bit (mostly with his ears and eyes...he didn't get too close) to see if he needed to be concerned.  Somehow he figured out that he was safe and he just sat down to watch.  He's been the same way with Buddy.  Learning little by little that Buddy is not a threat to him.  He doesn't run when Buddy comes in the room.  Now they are even sharing space on the couch.  Yesterday, Loki's tail even touched Buddy's paw and both of them just sat there.  Amazing!  I can learn a lot from Loki about what it means to be brave.  The lesson that you don't have to run when something is new or different or even a little scary.  Instead, figure out if it is something you need to be afraid of....like trying a new technique like encaustic fun with your watercolor wonder crayons :)  You don't need to be afraid - you will be safe...and you might even learn to love it! :)
If you visited my blog yesterday you saw a card and a video on how to have encaustic fun with your Watercolor Wonder crayons!  Today I am sharing a few more cards that I made using the same technique in the video.  For the sunflower card I stamped the Sunflower background stamp on watercolor paper after coloring the stamp with Watercolor Wonder crayons and spraying the stamp with water.  I then added some encaustic ironing to the sunflower and cut it out.  Next I created an abstract flower on a piece of Whisper White card stock using my encaustic technique and then cut it out and sponged the edges with Melon Mambo.  For the second card I began by stamping the flower from Summer Silhouettes using Staz-On and then added some additional embellishments and lengthened the stems with a permanent thin marker.  I then did my encaustic technique and added some dazzling details.  Here are some close ups of the encaustic flowers:

 Now go be brave and give it a try!!!!! :)  Have a wonderfully creative weekend!!!!

Encaustic Fun With Watercolor Wonder Crayons: A Video!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Can't Force It
We have been enjoying the company of our new kitty, Loki, since he joined our home this weekend :)  Here is a picture of him on my messy craft room table :)

He's been incredibly curious, but also quite cautious.  He loves hanging out downstairs and sleeping in the closet :)  Coming upstairs though, is a bit scary.  He seems to feel more safe coming up at night (hence the darkness out the craft room window).  I tried to carry him up a couple of times, but he quickly returned downstairs.  What I realize is that I can't force it.  Loki will come upstairs in his own time - when he wants to - when he is good and ready.  The same is true for your art.  You can't force it.  You can show up at your art space and then you can wait - until you are good and ready.  And then the creating will begin :)
Today I want to share a video with you on how to use your Watercolor Wonder Crayons to have some encaustic fun!  Enjoy!!!!

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Organza Painted Flower Barrettes

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Need To Crack Up Every Once In Awhile :)
I've been working on videos for Papercrafter's Library and decided to do a video on how to use Watercolor Wonder Crayons to paint on your skin.  Michael was a willing accomplice! :)  He was responsible for painting one side of my face.  He looked so serious as he was painting - and I couldn't see a thing.  When he was done he looked at me and said, "I don't know if you actually want to use this in a video!"  I went to the mirror and almost cracked up :)  On my face was the craziest looking something I had ever seen.  He had wanted to make a flower, but, as he suggested, what he had created was a flower that looked more like a screwed up NY Yankees emblem!  Needless to say, we washed it off and started over and the second flower was more successful :)  But, the cracking up didn't stop there.  Here is what happened next...

Today's Out On A Whim Wednesday project was a birthday gift I made for a friend (she happens to love purple and glitter)!  I cut out circles of white organza fabric and then cut into the circles every inch or so to create "petals."  I then used a candle flame to heat the individual petals (trying not to burn myself or light the house on fire).  The heat curls the petals.  Once each circle was done, I layered them together and sewed them to secure them in the center.  I then added a center ribbon flower using hot glue.  Once all the layers were together, I sprayed the entire flower with a mixture of purple fluid acrylic paint and water and let it dry.  Next came a layer of sparkle glaze and then attaching it to a barrette base.  It was fun to see her put it in her hair the minute she opened the box! :)

Happy New Year! Inspiration Journal

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  As The New Year Begins, Your Life Is A Blank Book....What Are You Going To Fill It With?????
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!  Welcome 2013!!!!!!  For today it seemed fitting to share another Inspiration Journal with you that I created using Springtime Vintage designer fabric.  I used a fabric button kit to create the matching button :)  This is it - the first day of 2013 and the year presents itself as a blank book.  What will I choose to fill the pages with?  What will life author for me?  Yes, your life is a blank book right now...how will you decorate its pages?????  Wishing you a wonderful and fulfilling year.  May your goals for yourself be reached!  May your days be filled with health, happiness, peace, prosperity, love and creativity!  May you give and receive love every chance you get!!!!!!  Happy 2013!!!!!

Flirtatious DSP Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  As The Year Comes To A Close, Be Grateful For All That You Have Experienced And Welcome What Is To Come
It's been quite a year - marked by laughter and tears; love and pain.  As the year comes to a close I want to appreciate what I have experienced - all of it - because this, all of this, is life.  I don't always like it.  Sometimes I love it.  Sometimes it angers me.  Sometimes it pains me.  Yet I always appreciate that I am alive.  That I am being blessed every minute by the ability to breathe and walk in this world.  May I welcome whatever will unfold before me.  I am happy to say that whatever unfolds will be shared with a new 4-legged friend.  We welcomed a little gray tabby boy into our home over the weekend.  It has already been an adventure!  Pictures to come :)  May your year come to a beautiful close and may the year before you unfold in health, happiness, fulfillment and creativity!
Today's card was a custom card requested by a friend.  I combined die cut letters and numbers with Flirtatious designer paper.  The stamped sentiments are from Curly Cute and Wacky Wishes.  I hope you like it! :)  Happy New Year!!!!!