070123 Archiscraps July Challenge

Distressed! Inked up, torn paper, grunge.

Julene gave us another intriguing inspiration this month!

My mind really enjoys tackling the unique creative aspect of the Archiscraps challenges. The imagery may immediately put me in mind of a certain photo. I can be influenced by the color scheme or even the mood of the image. Occasionally a story will pop to mind.

This time nothing specific was bubbling to the surface. I decided to look through old photos for a change of pace. When I found these favorites I couldn't believe that I hadn't scrapped them! 

I knew I had some stone paper that would be perfect - I could tear it & ink it up to recreate the stone walls - but could I find it?!? NO This kind of redirect always results in more creative solutions, and I love the end result!

 I really had no idea that this would look so dramatic!

 This is a series of 3 photos with a dimensional piece made from cardboard sandwiched in. I found the perfect sky back ground paper that looks old & grungy. I fussy-cut the ruined wall on the left photo & just the sky portion of the view through the window photo on the right to reveal the background paper. 

I discovered this awesome packing cardboard I had saved when I was hunting for my inks - it was perfect to imitate those stone walls! I sliced some pieces off & took a hammer to them to reduce the bulk, then inked them up & arranged them.

The final choice was a new-to-me 2002 alpha stamp set (that I thought looked vaguely medieval) used on the sky background to give the history of the place. I am entranced with the antiquity of England...

Super-fun challenge this month! Hope you join in. 

Post over at the Facebook Archiscraps Community Group

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

040123 Archi-scraps April Challenge

 

Use 5 florals & at least 5 circles

I just L-0-V-E what Julene finds for our inspiration each month at Archiscraps!

 Gothic Conservatory in Mexico by: @craftyglassldn

This immediately put me in mind of some delightful "Sprinklets" embellishments from Buttons Galore & More that I hoard for special projects.  The tiny pieces create the mosaic in the center of each of my flowers that I feel does ample justice to the inspiration ceiling motifs.

 

 

I used a Vicki Boutin ready to use mixed media background with a green color scheme for a page about the vernal equinox that has just passed. Living in Michigan the color green is much coveted by about now! I used a winter-themed stamp set called Forest Magic fom Immediate Media Company for the fussy-cut creatures.

Here's my full page:

  

The flying birds stamp represents our delight in the return of the birds. I printed a reverse image for the right side & fussy-cut both. I have plans for an autumnal equinox page using this same general design and some of the same products. There will be leaves instead of flowers, and the birds will be flying away in that one...

  

Sunrise view out front looking east, sunset view out back looking west.

I hope we have inspired you this month! 

Be sure to link up your creation on our Facebook "Archiscraps Community Group"

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

030123 Archiscraps March Challenge

 

Use a whale or sea theme.

Another fun inspiration from Julene's store of Archiscraps unique architecture!

It put me in mind of a childhood treat we often had - to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Be sure to share how this inspired you - post over at the Facebook Archiscraps Community Group!

Thanks for stopping by!

020123 Archiscraps February Challenge

 

Pink + a heart

Julene has really set a girly mood for us at Archiscraps this month!

My youngest grandgirly had a great time as a 1st grade cheerleader. 

Yes - they start them early! The girls got a brief spate of sessions to introduce them to the basics and then a trial run on the sidelines before their guest appearance. 

My daughter took the photos & got great close-ups! Her cousin gave her a lot of tips & pointers, and had been helping her learn how to do a cartwheel. I think we have a natural gymnast 💕

Plug into your girlie side & think pink! 

010123 Archiscraps January Challenge

 

 

Julene is starting out the first 2023 Archiscraps challenge with an uber-clever twist!

Incorporate some architecture on your layout! Perhaps in the embellishments, background, or even your photo. Secondly, twist the sketch to suit your photos, or even adapt it for a card!

I have a building in one of my photos - a chicken coop!

Post your version of this month's challenge at our Archiscraps Community Group on Facebook.

Thanks for stopping by!

100122 Archi-scraps November Challenge - Steampunk

 

What a fun "tiny house" eh?

Wouldn't you love to see how the owner dresses? Julene always manages to find interesting & engaging inspirations for us at Archiscraps!

I found this stunning example of steampunk style, just for your enjoyment:

Link HERE

I wish I had the ambition to try this! The video is very good instruction, by the way.

Here is my version of steampunk style. I began with the fabulous "Wonderland/Adventure" b-side  background paper from Asuka Studio/Memory Place. Then I hunted & gathered  all sorts of stamps, gears, and vintage images from my stash.

The perfect card quote sparked my idea, "I cannot imagine the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker." - Voltaire

My answer comes from the Bible & became my title, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

The photo is an enhanced image of our night sky out back.

Another inspiring challenge from the Archi-scraps Challenge blog! Be sure to post your version on the Facebook Archiscraps Community Group.

Thanks for stopping by!

090122 Archiscraps September Challenge

 

Archiscraps October Challenge: use rolled paper

Another challenging challenge from Julene!

I thought I might tackle some rolled paper beads, but wasn't very excited about that. I headed to YouTube & searched "rolled paper" & found  DIY Easy Rolled Paper Rose Tutorial

 

And what subject would I document? 

 Please visit her on Instagram @franciscanunes_heartmakes 

And what else could I use for my foundation paper but a CKC forgery? The paper behind my photos & journaling is a sample paper I created in this class.

I'm really curious to see what YOU come up with! Be sure to post over at Facebook Archiscraps Community Group

Happy Scrapping!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

080122 Archiscraps August Challenge

 

 

Archi-scraps August Challenge: use this color scheme

 

Isn't that ceiling incredible?!? I loved the idea of using transparency in my take on the challenge. I have some water-activated ink transfer tissue paper I've been "dying" to play with, LOL!

 

A friend gave me these & it's the first thing I thought of for the challenge. My colors won't be a perfect match but my photos contain some other colors, too.

I started by working on the background, using the greens for the "ground" & the blues for the "sky".

I laid out pieces where I wanted them with some overlap & misted it heavily with water. I was thinking the color would transfer to the mixed media paper but not so much... I loved how it looked when it dried so I just used the textural tissue paper once it dried. (I'm hoping the finished page never gets wet!)

Next I used the warmer colored tissue for some stamped feathers. The color looks pretty intense but as you can see below it's a lot more subtle when dry, & you get some bonus pretty tissue scraps!

After a lot of fussy-cutting I added the photos & feathers to the background. I had the perfect stamp & sentiment for the title header. I used a leftover page of stamped but uncolored feathers for the info for each cousin. Aren't they cute? <3

Isn't that yummy texture added to that tissue? I'm undecided about cutting off the ends of the feathers. I don't use albums to store my pages but boxes & I think they'll fit... 

I can't wait to see how people interpret this one! Be sure to post over in the Facebook Archiscraps Community Group page.

Thanks for stopping by!

020122 Archi-scraps February Challenge

 

Roses & squares

This beautiful deco design inspires our Archiscraps team this month!

I started with this newly acquired 49 and Market Peace & Joy - North Pole paper for my background. I actually bought two for the b-side.

I had already decided to paper piece with this Julie Nutting stamp,

  along with multiple stamped roses, but once I got going with my placement I knew I needed a different balance on the left side.

The Sizzix leaf die was perfect to build a wreath along with a pack of Prima flowers.

 

 I used the Felicity Jane tiny heart in a square stamp to dress up the corners of the patterned paper. I don't think you would have guessed if I hadn't told you!

 After placing all the elements I needed just a little subtle something more on the background & used a few of the AC Bible journaling stamps.

The Proverbs 31 passage is a challenging one. Starting at verse 10 it sets out God's thoughts on what makes a virtuous woman. I used to dub her "that woman" with derision because I felt I could never measure up. There are lots of things in my nature that rebel against these precepts. No excuses. That rebellion is against my Saviour. I don't want that, so I asked Him to teach me. It has been a life's work, and I'm still alive! Meaning it didn't kill me, and there's still much work to do - with the Lord's help! 

John 3:30 says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." 

I add, Until I am invisible. May you see Christ in me.

 

Try your hand at squares & roses this February! Be sure to share with us at the Facebook Archiscraps Community Group

 

Thanks for stopping by!