Bugs and Mothers Day

Hello everyone!

Bugs and Mothers Day?  Ewwwwww! Right?  Well, let me explain. I wanted to create a bunch of Mothers Day cards and started with some scraps of Tim Holtz idea-ology wallflower and Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime and Botanical Tea.   Next was a card layout idea I pinned. Thanks to Jacqueline at Jacqueline's Craft Nest, Suzanne Czosek, and Moxie Fab World for this fabulous inchie card idea. 

But what about the bugs you ask?  Not a bug in sight. Yet. Wait for it. I took the Wallflower and G45 papers and started cutting my inchies and gluing them to my card fronts. I liked where this was going. I punched some layered butterflys from the same papers. Used the Sizzix Tim Holtz thinlit labels die to cut some layered  labels for my sentiments.  As I assembled my cards I realized that one card in particular might not make the best Mothers Day card. You see there is one paper in the Wallfower pad that has an almost scientific look that I just love. I came to realize that some may not love it so much as it's covered in various bees and bugs!  And the sentiment says when I want to see love I look at you. So no "real" bugs involved here. Hehehehehe!  I think the card is cool and I know two Moms in heaven who would like it too. Happy Mothers Day to my Mom and sister Denise! This bug card is for you!

While this bug card may not be for all you Moms out there one of these other may. Happy Mothers Day !

Tim Holtz Idea-ology papers:

Graphic 45 papers:

Some detail shots. The butterflys and some elements received some added sparkle with a clear Wink of Stella pen work. 

These were fun to make.  A good way to use of your scraps. 

I'm off to get ready for National Scrapbook Day.   I will be spending the weekend with my Northern California friends at the new location of Chico Scrapbooks. Look for updates on my Facebook page, SY's Studio. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon

CHA 2016

Hello! 

Hope your Sunday is going great!

I am down in Anaheim at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Mega Show.  This is an annual event for retailers to see  and order the new releases. So much to see and look at!

I love that I get to come here with Jodie at Chico Scrapbooks and be a part of the excitement. Big hugs and thanks Jodie!

These are long days but it recharges all of our creative batteries for the upcoming year. 

I'm not taking as many photos as usual but are a few shots. 

On the way. Must have our airplane selfie, right?

A favorite stop is the ideology booth!  So much to look at with all the vintage goodness. Thanks Paula for taking good care of us. 

We also stopped by the Graphic 45 booth. Always a joy to see their set up and new papers. 

Getting ready for another full day on the CHA show floor. Stayed tuned for more updates. I will also post some pics on my Facebook page SY's Studio. 

Have a wonderful day. Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon

Halloween Fun with Graphic 45

Hello there!

I wanted to thank you for all the visits and comments on my mono print shadow box. Your support and sweet comments made my day and mean the world to me. 

Another Halloween project to share. This time I used the new G45 Rare Oddities.   Classic Halloween colors with some interesting and odd images. I used the small matchbox as my base to create a shadowbox wall hanging. 

It starts out as a dimensional hanging shadow box. 

With a surprise inside!

Did you spot the image from the first photo on the middle tag?  These three tags are linked with ribbon and attached to a clip to attach to the matchbox. They were created to be folded and stored in the box when not being displayed. This is not the best photo but this is so long it was a challenge to photigraph!

Here you can see the clip used to attach to the tags extender to the box. 

Close up views of the tags. 

I think this will look great hanging from the mantle to bring some spooky fun during the Halloween season.  Have you started any Halloween projects?  I'm really enjoying getting mine done early so that I will be able to enjoy them all season long. 

I posted this one on the Graphic 45 Facebook page for the August challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon

CHA Winter 2015 -Graphic 45

Happy Friday!

Back with another review from CHA. Today it's all about G45. 

The Graphic 45 booth is always decorated to the nines with lots of eye candy including the costumes that the G45 staff wears. Just a fun place to hang out. 

The new releases include Home Sweet Home, Precious Memories, and Artisan Style. Super excited about the new staples:  mixed media albums and shadow boxes. Also exciting is the re-release collectors edition of Once Upon a Springtime and ABC Primer. 

Here are some peeks at my favorite projects in the G45 booth. 

My favorites are the mixed media album and the Artisan Style. Really crushing on the architectural style stamps. Looking forward to creating some home decor and mixed media with these. 

Which of the new Graphic 45 releases is your favorite?

I have a few more lines to share so stay tuned for more posts. 

Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon

CHA Winter 2015 Classes

Happy Sunday,

I've been back a few days from CHA.  I took Wednesday to decompress and rest and then it was back to work on Thursday.  So much to share with you!  I'll spread it out over several posts.

Today I wanted to recap the classes that I took.  One of my favorite things about CHA are the educational opportunities.  It's a chance to learn some new techniques and use the latest projects.  These classes help store owners create samples to share with their customers and provide ideas for future classes.

Our first class was at Prima Marketing.  Jodie, the owner of Chico Scrapbooks, is a member of a independent retailers group, Crafters Home.  We were bused to Prima Headquarters and were lucky enough to have a class with Anna Dabrowka aka Finnabair.  I was in mixed media heaven!

We started with a canvas and added papers, paste, metals, and flowers.  Here is what my canvas looked like before the black gesso.  Yes, I said black gesso.

I did not get any photos of the next steps as I was so into the project that I forgot!  Gesso, sprays, and some wonderful beads and glitters.  What a fun project.  Thanks Finnabair and Prima!

Sorry for some of the slightly blurry photos here.  I was quickly taking shots of the finished canvas last night as I left it at Chico Scrapbooks to inspire our ladies.  Chico Scrapbooks will be doing a similar project in the near future!

Next class was with Graphic 45.  While I didn't have time to finish my project it was great to get to play with the new G45 mixed media album!  Our project was designed by the lovely and talented Annette Green using the new Home Sweet Home collection.  I will be posting the finished project at a later date.

I was lucky enough to get into Tammy Tutterow's sold out class.  We created an Art Pocket Binder to hold pocket, tag, and atc art projects.  Almost done with this one.  Always a pleasure to play with Distress and Idea-ology.

Such fun to meet you in person Tammy and take a class from you.  Your art is such an inspiration.  Thank You!

My last class at CHA was with Andy Skinner.  Grungy, painty, and messy fun.  Learned some new techniques with Deco Arts paints and products.

We learned Andy's Antiquated Applique techniques.

Lots of distress, rust, crackle, and texture going on here!

Thanks Andy for all the prep work you did for this class!

My finished project.  Doesn't it look like rusty, distressed metal?  But it is so light as most of the pieces are chip or foam board.  Cool!

Another big thanks to Andy, Deco Arts, and Stampendous for all the wonderful products we got to take home.

What a wonderful opportunity to learn some new techniques.  The ideas and products will keep me inspired for a long time to come.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Look for some more posts on CHA.  I'll share my favorites from Prima, Graphic 45, Sizzix, and of course Tim Holtz.

Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon