Let inspiration take you wherever it goes

 

This is how it started.... LiveArtNow's youtube on paper mosaics I just fell in love with the mixed texures and placement...

No, but first, actually, I was so inspired by Rach0113's mixed media canvas and her incredible abstract canvases .... the colors, textures, technique she uses....  and even before that, I loved Kate Palmer's free flowing creative techniques... I actually see myself trying to become free enough, brave enough to try...




 but still...my heart and fingers kept longing for just a little more, some medium to create that would make all my senses just come alive...

So I wondered, what attracts me to art? What mediums, what colors, what textures is it that makes my eyes waken all my senses and makes my heart and soul really sing? 

Besides paper and fibers and buttons and colors and textures and metals... what else was missing?  For me it is rocks and glass... my first loves of art have always been glass and rocks...
So imagine how excited I was to travel thru the internet universe and stumble upon this incredible mosaic artist...how could I have not known she existed? 

Mosaics...I can use any and all mediums.... just look at what Sonia King  uses in her    unbelievably beautiful mosaics.  AND she's from Texas...Dallas,  right in my own back yard...

How did I not know?  So you can only imagine what my New Year's resolution is and I do mean I am "resolved" to try my hand, open my heart, let go of my fears...and experiment more...experiment more with mosaics.  I can't wait to get started...

I wish the best and most wonderful New Year for all of you. Be safe and happy... and let go of your fears and be creative...

Easy for me to say....know let's just see what happens...

Happy New Year,
Molly D

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas...and here's what I am working on...

    Well I am still having fun, learning how to use photoshop elements...so I decided to try my hand at making 2013 calendar cards I can use on my new calendar project.  What calendar project you say??? teehee...well I am not really sure yet.  But I am envisioning a scrapbook page layout type with these cards as part of the embellisment...and it will hang from a stand on my desk....hmmm...still in the imagination stage...but sure having fun playing with these beautiful vintage florals.

    I'll let you know how I am coming along...and feel free to copy and use these in your projects if you'd like.  Again, hope you had a wonderful Christmas and here's to a peaceful, posperous New Year to you all! 

Best wishes and have fun crafting,
Molly

More holiday decor..

This pic is just a little shot of my December and November calendar pages from my calendar video .  Man did the year go by fast..now I just have to fill the calendar in with my favorite pictures from this year and bind it...but now I'm just rambling....sorry.  Back to the  holiday decor...  I am having so much fun upcycling and creating holiday decor pieces, like taking the table centerpiece I had made, pulling out some of the roses and other flowers and filling in with balls in the new color theme I have fallen in love with, that coordinates with the K and Co papers.

Okay, this is probably one of those cases "you had to be there" type things.  I swear these are pretty in person...teehee. But my photography is not doing them justice.  Plus, I can't take full shots because I have been crafting all day instead of cleaning house...

 But what these pictures represent is the fun I 've had today crafting and making new holiday decor items to showcase the color theme I am going with this year...thanks again to the destash kit I bought from
Stephanie at stephanied2 on youtube . She is one of my favorite favorite favorite youtubers...so talented AND so funny...perfect!

Now back to the decor...the mosaic idea came from Linda at liveartnow on youtube . I made my first one on a 12 x 12 sheet of chipboard, but this one I decided to do in a frame I bought on sale at Michaels...I just love Linda's idea and think this will be one of my new favorite holiday decor pieces...

The rest of these pics are some more pieces I had fun making to carry the color story from room to room.  Now off to decorate the tree and tryyyyyy to get up the courage to clean the house so I can show you better pics when this whole thing is finished...just hoping it's before Santa pays his visit, and baby New Year says it's time to take the tree down already.... 

Here's the video I made of these items ...

Have fun crafting
Molly

Thank you Liveartnow! My Christmas Mosaic

Well I just love it!  I know art is subjective...but I just love this idea and I love the colors and the paper lines... I just love it!  And boy was it easy to make!  Thanks to the inspiration from
 Linda at Liveartnow's video . 

So I just used 12 x 12 inch chipboard, covered it with a beautiful aqua glittered paper from Michaels and then go busy...I ran scraps of chipboard thru my xyron and then covered them with scraps of paper from my new favorite holiday line from K and Co.  Then I just started "patching" and "piecing" the pieces together to fit the board.  Once I had adhered all the "tiles" I made for my mosaic I just dug into my embelly stash and had a blast just adding some of my favorites to the piece.  And I just love the outcome!

Happy holidays!
Molly D

December Mini with papers from K and Co. and My Minds Eye

Oh my gosh, I knew I loved this paperline and the colors, but man oh man, I really really love it after working with it for a few new holiday projects.  First, I made a little mini to set on our coffee table for the holidays, ( just hafta load it with pics, teehee)  and it showcases the color story and feel I will be using to decorate and wrap with this holiday season ----  I'm calling it Country Estate...taadah....
a rather fancy solid name for the colors peacock, olive, dark reds and metallics.  I have bought some beautiful ornaments and floral pieces in those colors and hope to stay on my crafting kick long enough to get this whole house done up in holiday finery.  I know, I know...it's just that piece of rum cake talking, but a girl can dream....well anywho, hope you like the mini!   Have fun scrapping, and check back soon for my next holiday post...I'm on a rum cake high I think...teehee!  Video is posted below - Enjoy!

Happy holidays
Molly D

It's beginning, just beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well here's a little video I did of a few hauls for the holidays!  I was looking for a fresh theme for my holiday decor and thanks to Stephanie at StephanieD2 I found it and I love it...now all I have to do is get going and get it done!  Fingers crossed!  I will keep posting as I get things going...first up will be a mini showcasing the beautiful K and Co.  papers I got from Stephanie!  Love 'em!

 Plus, found a great new ribbon supplier on ebay:  katheysattic .  Bought some beautiful May Arts ribbons from her and was sooooo impressed by the packaging she did, I almost forgot to look at the ribbons. I mean really, each and every piece of ribbon was wrapped on a tag, that had been stamped with a gold crown and laced at the top with gold trim, and then inserted in it's own zip top bag.  and then if that weren't enough, Kathey used the cutest peppermint tissue paper to line the box.  I can't wait to place another order from her...life's simple pleasures!  Well happy crafting to you all and keep on the look out for my newest holiday mini!  And a special shout out to Stephanie for sending me that wonderful collection of holiday goodies! Have fun, Molly D 

  

Holiday Recipe Swap

 What was I thinking??? I joined a Holiday Recipe Swap at The Scrap Beach . Okay, I love scrapbooking, but cooking? I do buy recipe books and stalk recipe blogs, but actually cook, not so much. 

But I couldn't pass up this swap.  First it was being hosted by Irene Cordova, who is N-credible! and the ladies on the beach...such talent.

So here it is...my recipe page...

 

It is a very simple 6 x 6 folded pocket insert.  I covered it with the beautiful papers from the vintage holiday recollection stack from Michaels.  Then I just made some tags and used good ole Adobe Photoshop elements to make the recipe cards and print out the beautiful vintage images from my favorite two sites:

 

http://vintageimages.org/ 

 and http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

  Then just added a few tags, a snip or tow of ribbons, a little baker's twine, some bling and a few die cuts and hours later...done! 

P.S.  the most important part!!!!! The incredible and I mean incredible recipes , you cannot go thur the holidays without, from a must see blog:  http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/



Happiest of holidays to you all and a special favor please...say a prayer for Irene's family, her husband is in the hospital and could use all of our prayers...so if you believe....please take just a minute and offer up yours for Irene's family.  Thanks!

Molly D



A Freebie! here's a vintage tag I made trying to learn PSE

 

Okay, I am having so much fun, trying to learn Photoshop Elements...thank heavens for youtube videos and loads of digital designers out there who share their time!  Plus, of course the beautiful artwork from The Graphics Fairy is the jumping off point for my inspiration.                            

 

So if you would like to use these few of my first attempts at tags and envelope templates...please feel free to, just right click and save these jpeg files and use for our own crafting. If you have a blog or youtube and you use these in a project, I would appreciate a mention and or link to my blog...

 

And yep, I realize they are primative, but I have to start somewhere...teehee..

This little template below is an envelope and the insert that would go in it.  just cut out and fold up and voila, fingers crossed, it's a very sweet set.  Now, if I'd have really been thinking, I would of could of made a Christmas set, duh...  Oh well, next time...now back to playing.

 

 

Have fun creating!

Molly

Just an attempt at learning photoshop...

Oh my gosh, I am having such fun, learning to play with Photoshop elements...

Here's an attempt at layering and "blending" several pieces of artwork together...
I didn't have a theme in mind, just started playing with some artwork and this is what I came up with.  Now, I just hafta get busy making some Christmas tags and recipe cards...oh joy!

A special thanks to all the wonderful people who have uploaded video tutorials on how to work with Photoshop Elements...such as ScrapGirls, DigitalDesigners and so many more...plus, thegraphicsfairy.blogspot.com for all the wonderful free vintage artwork...

Have fun crafting,
Molly

What a great Christmas tree tutorial!

Oh my gosh, I have been up most of the night, playing on the internet to soak up inspiration for the holidays ahead, and I came across this great tutorial for making glittered trees...

I was so inspired by this, I thought you might like to see how these sparkling beauties are made too!  The wonderful site I stumbled upon was:
"from my Craft Room.blogspot.com" creations by Norma.  And what a talented crafter she is!

So here's the link for how to make these wonderful accents!  Hope you enjoy and thank you Norma for sharing your talent with us all!


updated link to glitter tree tutorial

Have fun crafting and happy holidays ahead!
Molly

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Here's the finished tag and charm I made for Irene's swap over at the scrap beach.  These were so much fun to make and of course shopping for all the charms was great fun, too!  Now the only trouble with this project was I can't quit humming..."have a holly jolly Christmas...."  lol.  Not a bad problem to have, I guess.  Now off to make 5 more of these bad boys...teehee. Say a pray I don't loose what little eyesight I have left! 

Be sure to check back soon, I am trying to make some more digital sheets to share with you all.  If you have any themes for the holidays you would like me to feature just let me know...I am having fun teaching myself to use photoshop to make embellies....and thanks to  http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ I have lots of free vintage graphics to play with! 

Have fun crafting and here's to a magical holiday for us all!
Molly

Have a holly jolly day today....

Well, it is the most gorgeous fall day...so what better way to celebrate the season change?  Well make Christmas crafts of course!  I joined a swap at thescrapbeach.ning.com and it is a fun one!  We are to each me a tag or display for a dangle charm that represents a holiday song.  My choice was "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.  The darn thing has been stuck in my head ever since I signed up...lol.  So here's the bead and charm supplies I have pulled together, plus the digital pieces I have made for the song...well wish me luck, I'm off to create...

And here's to all of you having
a Holly Jolly day today!

Have fun creating
Molly 

Thanksgiving Recipe Cards for Swap

I was excited to join a Thanksgiving recipe card swap at "Creating the Crafty", a ning site that is one of the very best places to inspire and share your crafty projects.  But what was I thinking???? My husband is the "chef" in our family, I usually stick to old time favorites.  I mean I make a great, and I mean great, mac and cheese.  Really, it has 2 full sticks of butter and of course about 2 lbs of cheese...  Of course vegetables and basic meat dishes, but mostly just good old fashioned stand bys.  But when it comes to appetizers...now your talking! At our house on Thanksgiving....I will probably make at least 6 to 8 different appetizers to have on the table before during and after the main meal....I just love the variety.  Okay, for someone who doesn't like to cook...these are two of my favorite favorite "appetizers".  So of course now it was just a matter of making a cute format to showcase them for this fun swap....yikes...the pressure!  So anywho, here's what I came up with...


I used some beautiful graphics from The Graphics Fairy , did a little work on Photoshop to color and crop it, add a distressed print background and then just typed my recipes.  Whew...if you think Pinterest can eat up your time, stirring your imagination...try playing on photoshop....teehee.




The Petaloo flowers are from MBTreasurita .  I just added a little Stickles here and there, some K & Co. borders cut up to make some embellishments and then a little bling. 













But don't let the sparkle and artwork fool you...these recipes are rib sticking, lick lipping good

 Hope you enjoy! 

Have fun scrapping!
Molly

October Design Package from MBTreasurista

How exciting!  I got my October Design package in the mail and couldn't wait to use some of the embellies Misty sent.  Her shop, mbtreasurista.com is getting filled  with such fun and right on trend paper lines, embellies and trims. including great prices on Graphic 45 newest Bird Song and Halloween collections.

Here's a quick video of the fun items and a really quick project I made right after opening my package.  I can't wait to use up all the other wonderful items she sent...

 

Hope you enjoy the sneak peek video, now scoot on over to Misty's shop and get your own package heading your way!  Be sure to visit with the following designers for your first sneak peeks, too!

Leslie
Katie
Deb
Kelly
Molly

Brigitte

 

 

Have fun crafting,

Molly

Inspiration...now I just hafta get up and go craft...

It's a beautiful fall morning here.  perfect weather, husband out on the deck, waiting with a cup of coffee for me....and I decided just to check the computer, for just a moment...a real quick peak...to see what was new and creative on youtube...

Well one thing lead to another...and I stumbled upon this incredible, gorgeous, imaginative piece of art:




 It is from a wonderful blogger:
Creative Operations

She has lots more pics and how to's on her site. So if you are looking for some creating inspiration, just like me...be sure to check out this wonderful wonderful site...

Now I must get up and go get that cup of coffee! 

Have fun today...
Molly

Teach Me Tuesday at MBTreasurista's

I had a lot of fun making these cute and super easy Halloween Treat boxes for my entry into http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/  Teach Me Tuesday.  I hope you take a minute...jump over to Misty's blog at     http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/ to see just how quick and easy these boxes go together! 

Have fun,
Molly

  MBTreasurista

            is having a

 "Back to Shool"

  Blog hop today

 Sunday, Sept 16th, 2012

So follow the links below and have fun and good luck to all of you! There is alot of hidden blog candy to be won and the grand prize is also hidden on one of the designers blog so please make sure to leave comments and to follow all the blogs. Here is whats up for grabs for the grand prize:

$20 gift certificate to the MB's Treasurista store!!!
http://mbtreasurista.com
*Must "like" the MBT Facebook page-
*Must be a MBT blog follower and comment on the hop post -Blog
*Must* follow and comment on all the designer's blogs:


Misty- http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/
Leslie- http://ScrapOfArtDesigns.blogspot.com
Katie- http://memories2keepsakes.blogspot.com/
Deb - http://www.craftytexaswoman.blogspot.com/
Kelly - http://walkelmol.blogspot.com/
Molly - http://iloveminialbums.blogspot.com/



My entry for our hop is this darling file folder, (thank you Heidi Swapp for the inspiration!) I used a manilla folder for the base and covered it with some cute papers from the  Neopolitan paper pad from Recollections. But the cutest additions to the project were the nylon butterflies I received from Misty's shop! I attached them to paper pennants I made and strung them on some of the paper raffia I got from mbtreasurista too! And yep...the darling orange and white ribbon flower trim on the front is from the shop as well...they all work so well together to add a very sweet charm to this easy project.  

I used more of the soft ribbon flower trim on the inside as well and had fun punching a print border with my new leaf punch.  I cut down another file folder to make a mini one for the inside front cover, perfect to tuck a little keepsake from school.  The last page has a waterfall collection of photo mats, so you can really pack a lot of memories into this little folder!

....have fun scrapping!

Molly D

Fall Layouts...with Basic Grey's Curio collection



 The challenge was to use the colors: brown, moss green and orange...What challenge?  Well MBTreasurista's September color challenge, of course! Here's the link for this challenge...be sure to join the fun...
http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/2012/09/mbs-treasurista-color-creative-challenge.html

So I pulled out my stash of Basic Grey's Curio line (don't worry, there's still a back up supply in the vault) and got to work.  I love these colors and this challenge was great fun.  My first pages were very tailored, my usual style. I made the flowers for the top of the page using some fall raffia from Misty's store and a few chipboard and diecut pieces from the Basic Grey line. 

 
 The flowers were easy and have the fall feel of dried flowers I was looking for.  The embellishment with the butterflies off to the side is actually from the packaging from the card kit I bought on sale from Basic Grey.  Together, just too easy and yet gave just the right look.
                                                        

Next, I used some beautiful upholstery trim I bought years ago and one of my favorite Prima blings with lace and flowers, a few chipboard pieces from the collection and fell in love with this vintage looking page. 

I was at a weekend getaway crop, with some incredibly talented friends.  They were all working on beach and Disney and fun girly girl pages, but me...well of course I was having so much fun with my vintage looks and fall colors.

 On this page, I took some light gold lace I had, sprayed it brown with Lindy's Stamp Gang spray and it perfectly matched the lace printed on the paper.  I made the pearl center, following a tutorial on Cynthialoowho's channel. 

I am still trying to have the perfectly layered looks of embellisments that I see on so many layouts from great artists, like Gabrielle and Stephanie.  I just admire their creations so much and am so inspired by their art.

Back to my more simple style, I layered some borders on the edge and die cuts along the top.  Then used the gorgeous brown braid trim from https:/mbtreasurista.com and the look was just masculine enough.  (I know, about the flower, it is a printed paper flower from Prima, and it is masculine if I want it to be....teehee)

 The last 12 x 12 layout I did with the Curio line this weekend was this one with the "fancy" cutting.  I just tore the paper for the two corners, then cut out several more and popped them up to hang over the edge of the picture.  And of course I could not get thru the weekend without a butterfly somewhere...teehee.

I had a few scraps, oh who am I kidding, I had lots of scraps, so I made at least one little card with a border punch, some lace and a beautiful die cut.  But my favorite part of the card is the gorgeous died ribbon from abbyandellie an incredible little shop on etsy.  I know my card doesn't have a title yet, but I'll just pop on a computer typed greeting when I need it...

Well thanks for stopping by, and be sure to visit Misty's blog and join the challenge!
Have fun scrapping!
Molly

I'm trying something new...

Okay, I am trying to learn new things here on blogger.  I sure hope this works...Take a look above and you should, fingers crossed, see a new tab that says "Things to Share"  I just posted some holiday journaling tags and hope to hear you can use them.  I will be adding things here in the future if you like or want...just let me know...

Thanks and here's to the start of a great holiday season,
Molly