The Art of Translation

Gypsy Magick/ Oh Donna

2011-01-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Made with Gypsy Queen by Studio Gypsy
Font is Gabrielle by Dieter Steffmann

I made this for an 'all about me' challenge, and it has quickly become one of my all time favorite pieces. As I laid it out I realized how much it reminded me of setting up my altar. I went with that feeling, plugging into it and setting it up for use. Whether I ever use it or not remains to be seen - but if I decide to get good prints of my stuff, this will be the first one. And I'll hang it right next to my desk. Probably along with Donna:

There's not enough room for credits, find them here

Another ATC, and can I say how much I love this piece? It's my very favorite. It was incredibly fun to make. (I think my favorite part is the Alex DeLarge eyelashes). I kept wanting to make it bigger so I could fit in more stuff, but sometimes too much is more than enough. I need to learn that lesson.

By Starlight

2010-12-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

Arch template and paper, Tangie Baxter
Sky and moon from Halloween by Flergs
Clouds from Lullaby by Birgit Kerr
Diamonds from Freshness by Natali Designs
Font DreamerOne by Varian's Dreamfonts
Silhouette, unknown source

This is my favorite type of piece - one that ends up miles away from where it started. Serendipity is always a fine thing.

Music is my Religion (And so may be ATC's)

2010-12-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

Made with Helter Skelter by Studio Flergs
Font is Via-a-Vis by Peter Wiegel

My very first artist trading card, and I'm so tickled I could hoot. I have to admit I've been intimidated by the whole notion of ATC's - it's always seemed to be something only for the real artists, you know, the kind I'm not because I'm just some pretentious housewife playing on the computer ... blah de blah..

But the truth is it's simply a piece of art, and I can't go wrong if I listen to the piece tell me what it wants to be. Whatever the outcome it's still a piece of art. It might be bad, it might be tacky or cheesy or tragically lame, but it's my piece of art and if I like it we're right as rain.

Not So Scary

2010-09-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

I miss CT work, so when I got the chance to do a one kit job I jumped on it. How fun - and turns out the kit is exactly what I had been looking for a week or two back.

Not So Scary, by Lisa Minor (Designs by Lisa Minor) is a wonderful Halloween kit:

Here are my first two layouts:

Photo is a web orphan

Photo ganked from Sweet ReTreat

What really tickled me, though, was making these Halloween posters:

I'm planning on another layout (or two or three :-) - the striped and polka dot papers are calling my name. All in all a very fun kit, and way more versatile than I would have expected. It will be available September 28th at Scrapdebris

:-D

Mixed Media

2010-07-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

I'm fascinated by the idea of mixing as many art forms as possible (I sometimes think I can't be serious about writing a book until technology gives me a way to embed a soundtrack) - one of the things I love about digital scrapping is being able to mix words with visuals.

Hence these two pieces - scraps I made using poetry as the main idea:

Made with Pink Paradise by TMA Designs

This was my first poetry piece, although I didn't know it would be when I started. I started with the pictures (still shots of Butch Vig, snagged from the video for Only Happy When It Rains), and after everything was in place I realized I had no clue what to do with the large blank space in the center. I thought about leaving it, then happened to wonder how well a piece of poetry would fill the spot.

I think it worked wonderfully - although I doubt the scrapping community I presented it to shared my enthusiasm. Bless her heart, the kit designer (this was a CT piece) couldn't even leave a comment at all. I think she was horrified.

~*~

Made with Queen of Hearts by SKrapper Digitals (and an orphan web photo)

This piece started from the poem - the layout and photo came after. I kept wanting to add more elements to the piece, but the photo and poem are so strong together I didn't want a bunch of clutter to overshadow them.

A word about the photo - I found it online, with nothing but a title (Death by Rose Petals). If anyone happens to know who the artist is, please, please let me know - this piece is incredible, and fits the poem so well, I'd like permission to keep using them together.

~*~

The only bad news about this particular media mix is I need more poems that I think are good enough to work with. I need to either lower my standards, or get my ass in gear and write more poems.

Arteest, Round 2

2010-07-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is one of those layouts that starts as one thing and ends up as another. I didn't set out for it to be an element based piece, but once I started looking sideways at the pieces I realized what I could do with it. That's the other fun side of scrapping, asking myself 'what else can I make this piece look like?'

I always seem to second guess myself when I work with a whimsical approach. There's a fine line between whimsy and stupidly bad and I don't always trust my eye to know the difference.

I like this one, like the urban-suburban mix of grunge and whimsy. It fits this house perfectly.

Arteest

2010-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Two layouts from a wonderful kit - Arteest, by TMA Designs (there will be at least one more, as soon as I can figure out how to finish it)

I have to say orange is not a favorite color of mine, but sometimes it just looks so pretty I have to use it. I love doing layouts like these - using papers as elements. It's like quilting, without the hassle :-D

And the blueberry bush is doing great ... because the man won't let me within three feet of it?

~*~

I keep using this cream canvas, loving the backdrop it makes for the rich colors of the kit. Again I used papers as elements, wanting to showcase the beautiful colors - turns out they matched really well with the photo.

I love journaling layouts - I really like being able to combine photos and graphics with stories (or poems, I'm having fun with that as well). It doesn't hurt that I have a pretty easy time talking about myself :-D

Never Enough Hours In A Day

2010-07-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

This piece was made with a mini freebie kit from Creation 23, a collaboration kit by Catherine Designs and Create Wings Design.

The title says it all - there never are enough hours in the day to do all the things I want, to make everything that pops into my head.

There's an inside joke with this piece - that I wouldn't have needed so many hours of the day to finish this piece if I had just used stock/internet orphan pictures like I first planned, instead of insisting that I take my own photographs of my own things. Stubborn ass artist, what a pain.

But I like the way it turned out. And I like that I finally found a way to use a small, quirky kit that's been gathering dust in a (virtual) drawer.

And Now For Something Completely Different

2009-07-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

And I do mean different. My first foray into Altered Art - may I present Delia's Answer is One

I have to send a huge basket o' love to Tammara at Pixel Music. This was made from her wonderfully inspiring (and free, go grab it) AA kit Pam Jam.

I think I'm in love, quite frankly. I already have two or three more spinning in my head. Including, yes, Napoleon and the chicken.

And now, back to our regulary scheduled program. For now :-D

Last Call

2009-07-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

For today, that is.

Lynn at TMA Designs has been a busy bee this month as well - kits and blogtrains abound over at her place.

The two I worked with this month are:

A New Creation

Nature's Inspiration

The finished layouts:

The last one was for another challenge - we were given a list of what the lo had to include. It was cool working from a recipe - it's another challenge I'll likely revisit.

So, I think I'm caught up now. Whew, now I can get back to scrapping :-D

Dream

2009-07-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

I'm having a blast with the kits from Sherah at SKrapper Digitals. The latest one is Dream:

Here's what I did with it:

These were a lot of extraction practice. I use GIMP, and while I love the 'intelligent scissors' action, it's still a pain in the butt for me. But the results can be so cool; I'll just have to keep practicing.

Which means I need to finish up here :-D

Back in the Saddle

2009-07-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

At least I'm consistent - I don't show up for weeks, and when I do I have an armful of pretties to show off. It's a priority thing, honestly. My computer time is limited, and I'd always rather be scrapping than blogging about scrapping.

The blogger's eternal dilemma - live life, or write about it.

Anyway, I'm here now, and yep, I have a whole bunch of things to show you. I was a busy lil scrapper during June.

I'll start with the biggest batch first (if my lovely lil heathen lets me :-)

Mandy has been rockin' over at DSM - these are her June kits:

And here are my layouts:

These next two are made from blog freebies (My Love For You and Julia; which may still be available if you dig through her archives)

That last on was for a challenge at DSM, a ten-things-about-me meme layout. I'm slowly getting into challenges; I love having a topic or theme to work around. I was always that way about writing, as well - give me a theme or a funky title and watch me go.

It's also a good thing for me to work with a deadline - although the month was so crazy I didn't finish the lo until the very last day. I hope to do better this month :-D

And on that note, time for the next entry ...

And the Fates get a back rub with their flowers ...

2009-05-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

They've been hooking me up good :-D

That guest CT spot I didn't think I'd get? Weeee doggiesssss! Sometimes I love being wrong.

Sherah at SKrapper Digitals was one of the first designers I fell in love with - this kit started it:

I have to admit I was somewhat intimidated by this kit. It's so awesomely cool (my style all the way around) I was afraid of working with it. It took me six months to come up with my first lo:

The next two took almost as long - I bought the kits at least two months ago (probably way closer to three).

I figured out one of the reasons I love being on a CT - I can't let the kits intimidate me. No sitting in the virtual file cabinet gathering dust. Take this kit, for example:

I've had this incredibly intimidating kit in my possession since Thursday - these are the first two layouts:

Not too bad, if I do say so myself :-D

~*~

Ok, that's it for now - it's *way* past my bedtime :-D

I owe my muse some flowers ...

2009-05-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

I've been on such a biscuit (hey, I'm southern we don't get on a rolls, we get on a biscuits), but I'll spare another graphics intensive post. Several smaller ones will do the trick :-D

I've finished up my first set of layouts for Mandy - this last lo is from the kit Baby Acres:

My lo:

Like so many of my recent lo's, this one is light years from what I started with. That's part of the fun, though - for me, anyway. Watching the progressive changes come about as I work - it's kind of like the writing, when the words seem to come through me rather than from me. I start out with an idea of what I want to do, and as I work the picture and elements tell me what they should be.

They are always right, too. They must be in cahoots with my mother. And my husband :-D

~*~

I hear tell of another mega blog train getting stoked to roll - my hd is going to go on strike, I think. Poor babies are both slammed full as it is. At any rate, there will be at least one lo coming from that, and Gods only know how many coming this:

Isn't this an incredible kit? Somewhere around 100 designers worked on the kit - it's over 2g, and man, the papers about have me twitching. That's the next kit to hit the table, I think.

After I make the next post, that is :-D

No, really, I can stop at any time! I swear!!

2009-05-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

I've joined another CT team - you'll now also have the pleasure of seeing wonderfulness from MandyMade. She's a wonderful designer with a great style:

Sweet Child of Mine

first lo from this kit:

This Old House

my lo

(which was the bloom of the day at DSG :-)

~*~

I've also applied two other places, one of which I know I won't get (I'm tied for last in the poll lol). The other ... well, I have my fingers crossed. We'll see. Things work out as they should. At any rate, since I'm betting sure I won't be influencing judging I'll post my lo's from the contest:

The Kit, from the Stone Accents Studio design team:

My lo's;

*Whew* I've been a busy girl, haven't I?

No, seriously, I can stop ... anytime I want. I'm not addicted ...

*snort* yeah, right.

Ok, now I have to go do all the chores i've been neglecting while I scrapped. I'll be back. With another big old honker :-D

One Big Honking Post

2009-05-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

I really prefer to do one post per layout, but I'm so behind I better not. Instead y'all get a sack of eye candy :-D

Best news first - Lynn is having a post NSD sale at all her shops (Been There, Scrapped That, Digital Scrap Garden, and Faith Sisters) until Monday, May 11th - 35% off all full kits, how cool is that?

I have to say, getting Leap Into Spring for less than $3.00 is a steal - I have another lo from the kit. It's so versatile - from boys to brightness:

~*~

This next lo comes from Lynn's kit Swabbie's Delight - available from Been There, Scrapped That for free (along with other mini's from BTST designers) when you spend $5.00 or more in the store.

~*~

Over at Digital Scrap Garden the collab kit for May is Honoring Mom - this is Lynn's part:

Would you believe this lo started out with lantanas? Not even close to a Mother's Day lo. It finished up so well, though, that I'm contemplating making a card for my mom with it:

This next layout comes from the April daily download from DSG - it was a collaboration between TMA Designs and Horsedreamn. This was Lynn's part:

~*~

Whew, I think I'm caught up - for the minute, anyway. There more lo's to come - but for now I have a Beastie to feed :-D

More Leaps

2009-04-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

How fun is this kit? I was up until 2 am this morning. Once the idea got rolling I couldn't stop playing.

Check it out:

This was so much fun to make. As soon as I thought about the tree frames I started thinking 'applique quilt' (because my background is fabric and thread crafts rather than traditional scrapping or paper crafts), and from there it all came together.

There has to be another lo coming from this kit (soonest, I hope) - so far I've done the boys and have had no chance to use pink/girly parts. I'm thinking ... Indian :-D

But first - a nap. For me and the Beastie :-D

Leap Into Spring

2009-04-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Another fantastic kit from Lynn:

It's so bright and beautiful, and very fun to play with. It's available at Been There, Scrapped That, Digital Scrap Garden, and Faith Sisters.

So, on to the lo - I love this one so much :-D

We were recently blessed with a visit from our oldest daughter, Mary, and our grandson George. He was quite excited to meet Jonathan, who he calls his baby Uncle. Jonathan was quite happy to finally have someone closer to his size to play with.

This is the first time I've tried opaquing a picture for a background. It took me a few tries to get a look I was happy with ... now I just need to figure out how to blur/fade edges. Oh hey, a mask would have worked for that, wouldn't it? Ah, too late now, of course - but that's ok, there's always the next lo :-D

Speaking of which, if this kit is going to produce a quick page from me, it will come from the next layout. No promises, but I'll see what comes out on the other end of the file :-D

Golden Blues

2009-04-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Isn't that a beautiful title? Very evocative. The kit is just as wonderful:

It's part of a mini-kit collaboration over at Digital Scrap Garden, and only $1. What a deal.

I really do love this kit - the colors and style are so elegant, yet it keeps a good sense of simple beauty. Here soon (which translates into 'when I get enough time to get completely caught up') this blog will be sporting a new layout using this kit - and hey, if you're interested, I might even come up with some extra backgrounds if anyone is interested.

Until then, here's my first lo:

My older sister Diane and I, circa late 60's. I would love to get my hands on some dresses like that - something about the organza and trims tickles me. I'm a total fiend for fabrics and lace ... which is why I've become a digital junkie so quickly. It's like playing with fabric, without the mess.

I decided to do another quick page with this layout - you can download it here.

Ok, off to the next post - I have a couple of handsome lads to show off :-D

The Quick and the Funky

2009-03-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

Another Vintage Funk lo ...

Would y'all be interested in a quickpage? I've decided to try my hand at a few, and y'all get to be my guinea pigs :-D

Tell me what you like about it, or don't like. And let me know how this file sharing site works.

Download here

Ok, that's all I have time for now - our oldest daughter and grandson are coming in tonight. Let's hope it's not possible to overuse a camera :-D

Happy scraps, y'all

April Showers

2009-03-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my newest layout - Puppies and Piggies, made with Lynn's entry kit for the Faith Sister's contest.

First, the kit:

Isn't it wonderful? You can download it here - and if you really like it, you can vote for it here.

Ok, now on to Piggies and Puppies ...

My daughter Brieanne (the taller one) and my niece Amanda, taken in 1988 while Brieanne was visiting my sister. They spent a lot of time wearing piggy noses and puppy slippers.

I thought it would be kind of cool to add the recent photos - if for no other reason than to show how they've grown. I like how their expressions seem to go with the layout - like they are amused by the old picture.

If I can figure out how to make this a QP, I'll come back and post it - until then, happy scrapping!

And go vote for Lynn :-D

Vintage Funk

2009-03-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Mathematician's Assistant has a new kit out, and I couldn't help but love it, since I'm a vintage funky thing myself. The rich colors are so fun to play with.

Vinatge Funk is available at Digital Scrap Garden. You can also pick up a quickpage here, and an add-on here.

This is my first layout for this kit:

Yes, I am a big fan of That 70's Show. It has made me laugh so many times - at myself as well as the characters. Kitty's hair-do, Jackie's clothes that could have come straight out of my closet ... the show is one big time warp for me.

I had to laugh when I came across this photo of my sister and me. The couch matchs the kit colors so perfectly! Harvest Gold, can you dig it, man?

The tile papers also remind me of vintage Florida patio style - if I can find the right pictures, that will be my next layout.

Until then, happy scraps :-D

From the Beginning

2009-03-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, finally. I've been trying to get this blog going for a week now. Life decided to interrupt. Why am I not surprised?

So, anyway, welcome to my scrap world, where I'll be posting my layouts, scrap bits and anything else scrap related I find interesting.

I CT for Lynn, The Mathematician's Assistant. She's a wonderful designer, and has been so cool about helping me learn - everything from what a drop shadow is to how to use Gimp.

I'm around the forums, too. So to speak. Maybe I should just say I'm a registered lurker on the forums? I'm really bad at keeping up with forums and such. At any rate, on the forums I'm Blueberries.

Ok, I've babbled enough - my lil Beastie seems to be rejecting the notion of taking a nap, so I better close this post and start the one for Lynn's new kit!