Ok....a 3rd one done....

I've been playing some more and created this third Journal for my ETSY store!!! I wanted to use the three flowers I had made over the weekend so decided what best way to use them then on Journals.......This one isn't my favorite but I think it is nice to look at.......I did use a rubberstamp on the phrase and the black swirleys this time........(I just gotta say I like the look of the Laser Printer more.....) The flower I made this past weekend I wanted to give it more of a glossy look so I took it outside and sprayed 2 coats of Kryon High gloss coating on it....then I sprayed with some Ameretto Mister to give it even a bit more depth.....and wiped excess off with a paper towel...I am happy with the way this turned out......


You'll notice I also used some silk flower petals with rhinestone brads as well for additional accent around the large flower and some artificial leaves in the bronze and off white colors...they have a bit of a pearlized look to them........the contrast is nice....I also used some heart shaped rhinestones above the bow and on the upper right corner of the journal......an edge of wallpaper border trim cut down and a strip of lace.......and of course my large cream wired ribbon wrapped around the journal.....




So this is the latest creation....do you like it??? I'll be getting this one along with the other 2 and a Thank You card I've created and whatever else I can get created posted on my ETSY store by the end of the week.......feels good to be creating ART again......


Ok, that's it for me now....I did ALOT of blog browsing today and viewed some AMAZING ART others have created...I think that is so much fun to just browse everyone's blog....You all are SO talented!!! I would like to THANK YOU for stopping by to visit with me!!! I do hope you will come by again.....I hope you all have a very blessed evening....until next time....

Happy Hump Day....

Everyone.....Oh what a BEAUTIFUL day it was here in Robards, KY....bright sunny and perfect temps.....as I sit here typing this I feel the breeze picking up and getting cooler as it blows through my ART Studio window!!! So nice to have the windows open, however, as rain is on it's way I shall have to close them soon.......

I needed to complete a swap for a Hand Made Cards group I belong to through Yahoo and the theme was "Hoppy Easter"....of course you know I had to incorporate my Cricut in some manner!!! :) So I went into my favorite Inkscape program and designed this layout with a couple of files I had converted to svgs as well as added the font....I had been wanting to create a front that was mostly cut away so I thought...why not, right!!! Here's what I came up with!!

So I thought I would share with you the design I created to cut this card with.....here's an image of it sized to the size I wanted and I did a screen shot so you can see it before you decide if you would like to have it.......

If you like this layout and would like a copy of the file click on the image above or here, it will take you to the download site.

I would like to THANK YOU for stopping by to visit with me and giving me the opportunity to share this with you as well as the file!!! I hope you will come by to visit with me again soon....Until then...

It's been a FUN day....

This has been a fun and quite day for me......My weekend had a happy and rough start however...Friday morning started on a VERY exciting note!!!! My oldest son, Billy.....had asked Craig and I if we would mind if he legally changed his last name to Craig's (my sweet sweet hubby!!) He share with us that Craig had been more of a dad to him then he's ever known!!! That TRULY touched Craig's heart and he very happily said SURE!!! Well Friday was the day it became official!! Horrah!!!! After court we went by the Social Security Office to fill out the paperwork to get his SS card changed......here's where the not so fun happened.... :( As we were walking out of the office klutzy ME stepped off the curb and didn't realize it and twisted my ankle rather badly and landed on my knee rather hard.......I'm ok, but my ankle surely is not....it's huge and painful....however thankfully I didn't break anything!!! I was SO embarrassed and hubby and both boys had to pick me up off the concrete!!! We all got a chuckle out of it once the pain subsided a wee bit!!!! So I've been taking it rather easy this weekend so far!!!

BUT....I've still had FUN!!! Notice my background here on my blog...I'm SO EXCITED to say I created this MYSELF!!!!! Wahoooooooooooo....I've been wanting to do this for a while and I finally decided to give it a whirl!!! I give ALOT of credit to the WONDERFUL site TheCutestBlogontheBlock because they are WONDERFUL to give instructions on how to do things like this!!!! I created my header over a year ago and just love it still.......so now I have my blog to match it....I will definately be making more backgrounds in the future!!!

I also worked on an ATC Swap I'm in with a yahoo group I belong too......I used my cricut to successfully cut chipboard for the first time today!!! did the multicut and it worked like a charm!!!! I created the basket from a jpeg I have then cut it with the cricut......I then took some scrap paper and crumpled it and used some distress inks to color ironed out and then cut into small strips......I weaved the paper together to give the basket more of an authentic look......then I took some really pretty pink fibers and wrapped around the handle........I raised the basket up off the card with foam dots so I could put the eggs in the basket....the eggs I created in SCAL by using the oval shape...cut chipboard for the eggs then layerd with some decorative paper.....I think they turned out super cute!!!!

I then of course created my phrase in inkscape and cut with SCAL with my cricut....layered everything over some decorative cardstock and have chipboard behind for it to have some substance to it!!! I'm tickled with the way this ATC turned out and think it gives an amazing message!!!!!



I have several more things to work on tomorrow......looking forward to another day in my ART Studio!!!! Don't forget to turn your clocks forward!!! Yippie more sunlight!!! Ok, I'm off to go nite nite.....I want to thank you all for stopping by to visit with me!!! I hope you all have a blessed Sunday......until next time!!!

Happy Sunday Everyone....

I hope you've all been able to enjoy your last day of a long holiday weekend.....Tomorrow it's back to regular schedules!!!

I have a friend who is feeling very poorly and her spirits are down after having surgery and a few complications since then......so I felt I wanted to make her something and send it to her to hopefully help lift her spirit a bit!!! So here's a card I came up with along with a page saver.








I'm quite happy with the way it all turned out and I pray it brings a smile to her face. If you feel led, please keep Judie Howard in your prayers for strength and faith to hold strong!!! She is an amazing person and a beautiful ARTist!!!

As always I want to THANK YOU for stopping by to visit with me again....Please come again...until then....

I've been playing....

With my WONDERFUL new Cricut Expression I SO love this new toy......boy do I still have ALOT to learn!!! :) I was up until 2:00 a.m. this morning playing with paper.....I did create 3 more cards for swaps I'm signed up for in a wonderful group called www.craftycardcreators@yahoogroups.com!! I thought I would share them each with you!!!

This first one is for the "Sunflower Card" swap.....you need to use sunflowers somewhere on the card......I started with a blank piece of white cardstock and went from there!!! The words on the card I did with my CE!! Aren't the colors of the overall soft and warm feeling...I used a versamark stamp pad on the background words then used some pearlized chalks brused over the versamark words....I also stippled the edges with some colored ink pads as well as a bit of distress ink pads.....the base of the card does shimmer if you see it in just the right light!!! I of course made an accompanying envie to go with it...AND I cut the envelope out with my CE! I am LOVING the envelope feature of the Plaintin Schoolbook cartridge....so COOL!!!




The next swap I had to create a card for was "Challenge Color - Red & Gold"....humm, what was I going to do for this one.......I did a double layer of the letters with my CE with 2 different papers and layered together.....I adheared the letters to some of my red crayon paper I had previously made and used a decorative punch for one edge of the paper and lined some of the paper I used for envelope behind it!! In the top layer of the card I stippled some Mahogony Distress Ink around the perimeter of the card and stamped with a gold pigment ink pad the swirleys and embossed a bit with ultra fine embossing powder gold......gives a little rich color pop on the card.....the card needed something else SOOOOOO, I decided to cut with my CE a tree image from the Chrismas Noel cartridge....I first took some gold foil wrapping paper and glued it down to some white cardstock...that was the paper I used to cut the tree image from.....then I decided to wrap some ribbon around it to finish it off and wrap ribbon around the top layer of the card as well....



I wasn't sure what I would think once completed...but I LOVE the way this card turned out...it has a bit of an elegant look to it don't you think!!!

The last card for today was for the swap "To Lift Your Heart Card"......you needed to incorporate the phrase into the card in some manner...The colors I decided to use here are WAY out of my box!!! I'm not a turquoise color person but WOW once I decided on the colors the card REALLY catches my attention!!!




For this card I cut the letters and the envelope with, you guessed it...my CE! The image is one I had in my image files....I printed it onto white card stock.....then I stippled the border with a truquoise dye inkpad and the center I stippled with more of a sage/yellow color...trying to bring the colors from the letters and envelope onto the top layer of the card.....the turquoise really makes the card pop!!! The indian angel is 3D and you'll notice her wings are actually bird feathers.....but don't they look realistic!!! I used some ultrafine snow glitter on her halo!!! I truly feel, even if I do say so myself this card is breath taking!! So so happy with the results!!!

Ok, so now you've seen what I was doing til 2:00 a.m. in the morning!!! Today I hope to finish of a couple of items I need to make for swaps and I have 4 page savers I have an order for...Then I want to work on some items for my ETSY store which is very outdated...I need to put some TLC into my store!!!

I REALLY want to THANK YOU all for stopping by to visit with me...I have had so much fun sharing with you what I've been doing!!! I look forward to sharing more and more!!! I hope you all have a FANTASTIC day today!!! Talk with you soon...Until then...

It's Already Sunday....

I can't believe how fast this weekend has gone by!!!! I FINALLY took some time for me last night to play in my ART Studio.....I so wanted to create something other than a card last night, though I do have several swaps I must work on soon......But, I decided I wanted to create another Collage.....I started with an 8x10 blank white canvas......Here's what I came up with...

As you all know I LOVE flowers and love to give things a 3D look.....Well my Collage was no different.....I spent ALOT of time on these flowers on this piece of ART.....I have layers upon layers and I must say I am very happy with the way they turned out!!!

Close up on the Phrase I chose for this creation.....I used Distress Ink, Emossing Ink and Distress Ink Embossing Powder on the phrase as well as on the side pieces of the phrase piece...I used a sizzix die to cut out the latch pieces out of white cardstock stippled with distress ink, coated with distress embossing ink and covered with distress embossing powder...made it look like rusted metal doesn't it?....Kinda feels that way too....

The leaves on my creation are made from my crayon papers....once I punched them out I then have a stamp with veins on it so I used some brown stazon ink to put the veins on each of the leaves..worked out rather well....I took some bronze colored wire to create a vine affect.

I love the look of the window cards I've done in the past so I decided I wanted to add one to my creation.....I created the room view in which you see through the window and I love how cozy the room looks.....

The other corner of leaves....

I took an angle shot of the entire piece to show you all the dimension of the piece....the background I covered with gesso, once dried I covered with some Memories Mister once dried I covered the entire piece with stucco.....that was fun fun fun!!! Once dried I put a layer of wood stain on....then stenciled on the vines.....carried the stenciling onto my window and shudders.....

I really tried to force myself out of my normal zone on this piece....I would not allow myself to browse through anything.....just sat and thought and came up with ideas!! I am totally thrilled how this piece came out.....I am going to place it in my store.....It would make a beautiful wall hanging or stand in a base......

Ok, now you know what I've been working on all day.....I've been rather quite online and this is the reason why......I was totally in a zone and it felt good!!!

I did take some time away from my ART Studio and made some hummis and pita chips for hubby and I to have for lunch.....Oh my goodness it was YUM-O!!!! As Rachel Ray would say!! It's actually because of her cooking show the other day that made me want some....It's the first time I've made it and I WILL be making again......And good for you too....well, except for the fried pita bread!!! LOL

Ok, I hope you 've all had a Super Sunday....I again want to THANK YOU for coming to visit with me....thanks for looking at my creation!!! I hope you will come back again soon!!!! Have a blessed remainder of the evening and Monday!!! Until next time....

This Flower Inspired Me....

I got to come home this afternoon and spend it in my ART Studio....I had created a card yesterday using a flower that I just had the best time working with....So today I got the desire to create a Mural......The overall dimension is 8"x10".....I REALLY love the way it turned out!!! It involved ALOT of cutting and layering but the affect came out wonderful on the flower I believe...there's alot of depth on the flower because I layered at different heights portions on the flower.....I've shown some angle shots below so you can seeall the layering to give an awesome 3D look....




I used one of my new rubber stamps for the message on the mural and I love the saying....
"Survivor - I have lived, laughed, loved and lost. I have cried, mourned and grieved, hoped, prayed and healed. I have found strength and true beauty. I am a survivor" . What a beautiful phrase!! One to live by for sure!! Anyway, I just wanted to share with you my ART...I will be placing this in my ETSY store @ http://www.pennyduncancreations.etsy.com/ . Thanks for stopping by to visit with me!!! I pray you all have a very blessed evening and Tuesday!!! Until next time....

Happy Saturday....

What a beautiful day we're having here in Robards, KY!! The sun is shining and it's a gorgeous morning!!! I'm also SO excited because I've completed the order I had for 10 items......and an extra item to boot!!!

The first items is the last 2 of three of these type Christian Page Savers......I really like how they turned out.....I know they are different for sure but I'm thinking perhaps that's why people like them....the wooden piece at the top is a wood tile which measures approximately 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" in size....I punched a piece of my crayon paper into the cross shape....rubber stamped a word stamp over on it just to give it some activity with a stazon purple ink pad.....took a rhinestone and placed in center of cross.....the I modge podged the tile several layers worth....once dried I strung some wire through (the holes were already there which was nice)....and some beads...twisted the wire to achieve the look I wanted added my fibers to the top and the ribbon to the bottom and my crosses with a large bead to finish them off.......

The next item I needed to create were 2 pairs of earrings with purple accent......As you know I am stuck on leaves for right now....I just LOVE leaves!!! ;) So while searching the craft store I stumbled upon these and they just shouted...YOU WANT ME!!! So, I did....I then decided to give an added touch of some purple glass beads...so I strung these and added the 2nd layer to my creation....I love the silver accent that swirls through the large purple bead!

Then my last creation last night were the next set of earring with Swarovski Blue Chrystals.....I decided to take some silver wire and wrap through the top and bottom of the Chrystal and twist together on the backside...I REALLY like how these turned out......all the black accents on both the leaf and the chrystal blend PERFECT together!!! I'm thinking this pair will go into my store!!!


So...that was my night......felt I accomplished much! Today I will be preparing my packaging for these and some other items I had previously made for my store and hopefully get them posted this morning!

My oldest son, Billy, came over last night to spend the weekend with us....He, my youngest..Dylan...and his best friend went to the high school football game...WE WON....and they ended up bringing another of Dylan's friends home to spend the night...Needless to say my house is FULL this morning!!!! I'm sure I will end up making breakfast for a bunch of boys sometime this morning....then I plan to make my homemade Taco Salad for dinner tonight.....It's a special request I've gotten from both of my boys!!! :)

Anyway....I want to THANK YOU for stopping by to visit with me again!!! I so enjoy sharing my ART with you and it means SO much that you enjoy checking it out!! I pray everyone has a wonderful Saturday and I will chat with you later!! Until nex time......

Happy Tuesday!!

And Good Morning to you all.....I was able to get my paper fix last night and had quite fun.....I have an order for 5 cards which I'm now working on......thought I would share with you the first one I've completed...This is a Birthday Card for someone's mother...Have not yet put the phrase on the inside...will do that this evening....


but the flowers started as a black and white image from my computer....I sized it to the size I wanted...printed off onto white cardstock....before I started coloring I decided on the background paper I would want to use....the base of the card is brown....Anyway, on the flowers I colored them with my water color pencils....This is something that is also a first for me and I will definately be doing again....I absolutely love the softness of the color....I used a bit of colored pencil on the tips of the flower petals...then I take a water brush and wipe the water color pencil to cover the entire petal.....really cool look....I used green water color pencil on the leaves and stems and brown on the center of the petal....but after that I put some elmer's glue in the center of the flower and took some brown yarn that I had chopped and chopped into fine dust and used that in the center of the flowers to give them a fuzzy feel.


I colored a seperate sheet of flowers and cut 3 of them out...backed them with aluminum so they would be moldable....and placed them as a 3D effect on the card......I then took several of my dye inkpads and stippled the background around the flowers to match my background paper.....punched the corners and placed raised dots on the back.......I then rubber stamped and embossed the image onto the background layer...I gotta tell you a REALLY cool trick I learned off the internet and it WORKS!!! Take a used dryer sheet and rub all over the surface of the paper you are wanting to emboss.....When you stamp and sprinkle the embossing powder over it........you'll see once you pour off the excess powder there is VERY LITTLE left over on the surface of the card!! I use this technique every time and it's wonderful....now I will have to take a loose bristled brush to flick away a few strays but NOTHING like before.....Try it sometime, I bet you'll love the trick!!


Ok, back to the card.......I then took a sheer ribbon and wrapped around the card then took a smaller piece and tied a knot on the ribbon that wrapped around and angled the edges.....I love the look....and LOVE using black and white images to create just the color scheme I want!!!! I of course made a matching envie, which completes the card!!!


Tonight I will be again in my ART Studio playing with paper...trying to work on the remaining order I have and who knows what else!!! I want to again THANK YOU for stopping by to visit with me!!! I pray everyone has a wonderfully blessed day!!! Take care, till next time!!

Happy HUMP Day!!

Hello everyone...been a few days since I've been able to post...been busy trying to complete an ATC swap I was in and I had an order for a card!! The ATC is for a swap I'm involved in with ATC_World@yahoogroups.com the title of the swap is "Shuttered Windows"..I came up with this idea and though I LOVE it...it about whipped my butt!! The ATC is definately 3D and even has real curtains..and window panes!! :) Isn't it cute!!








Now This next piece of ART is for an order for a card a friend requested for a cousin of her's that lives in California....She left the creation all up to me and this is what I came up with.....To me it shouts Fall is coming!!! I did an angle shot as well because there is alot of intriqite work done on the flowers and butterflies as well as the birdhouse and leaves....I love things that show texture....the flowers and butterflies I backed with aluminum (soda cans actually) and cut them out..this allowed me to shape them the way I wanted them and they would hold their shape...worked wonderfuly! Additionally on the flowers I wanted the fuzzy feel on the center of the flowers...so I took some brown yarn and chopped it up real fine...then used come Matte Accents by Inkabilities made by Ranger and covered the center of the flower and put some of the fuzzy yarn there...It looks and feels amazing!! I layered the birdhouse and all the embellishments over a layer of wallpaper then two different colors of cardstock.....the base of the card is brown....I printed the inside paper with the same wallpaper design...as I scanned it and printed it...then I made a matching envelope!! Turned out quite nice I think!!




Also thought I would share with you some ideas that popped in my head the other night......The first was my Dymo label maker.....I like how you can make the raised words...however I never really liked the colors available....SSSSOOOOO, I had this brilliant idea of using my alchol inks to cover them in a marble type pattern....then I sprayed with a matt fixitive and it worked wonderfully!!! Take a look.....

Then...since that worked so well I decided to take an aluminum can and cut it apart to use the inside of the can and I stamped with Stazon ink a dragonfly.....dabbed the background and edge with alchol inks...painted the wings and dragonfly with pearlized paints then took some Glossy accents by Inkabilities made by Ranger over the wings to give it a shiny look......

BUT.....my creations with the aluminum cans didn't stop there.....I thought..."hummmmmmmm..wonder how it would do embossing the aluminum"....so I got out some of my brass templetes and tried using a stylus to emboss the metal....didn't work well...THEN...a light bulb went on!! (Yes that does happen from time to time....:) )....I tried using my Sizzix die cutting machine (you know the one you probably have sitting around collecting dust as mine did) and it is AWESOME!!! Take a look at what I dabbled in.....I flipped one of them over so you can see it is really a soda can!!!


See, I have this friend named Angie who is WONDERFUL with recycling things into her ART...so it's got me thinking and rethinking everything I touch anymore!!! LOL...so I thank Angie for giving me the desire to want to THINK of what I'm throwing away!!!!

Well, guess that's about all my updates for this evening.....I need to get those things posted into my ETSY store that I was supposed to do on Sunday.....I want to thank you all for stopping by and visiting with me.......I do hope you come again...leave me a message if you want...I LOVE seeing them......And most importantly...I pray you all have a safe evening and a blessed tomorrow!!