Praierie Papier Ponderer

Happy New Year!

Usually when I try making resolutions I lose steam about one week into the New Year.  For many years I haven't given much thought to making any new ones...but this year I plan to make goals, not "resolutions," and journal them.  I've been wanting to start an art journal for awhile now, and actually started my first two-page spread a couple months ago (yes, that would be two months).  I felt totally overwhelmed, and very unfocused.  I decided to enroll in a couple of art classes...both of which begin soon.  One is being taught by the very talented Paulette Insall, and the other by equally talented Pam Carriker.  If you're a regular reader of any Stampington publications or Cloth, Paper, Scissors, you're probably familiar with their beautiful work.  I'm very excited to begin, and view these classes in addition to my graphic design studies to be the launch of fulfilling my 2009 goals...all of which involve creating art. 

I want to be more consistent, focused, and most of all, desire to find my "voice."  I've been feeling like I'm just kind of fluttering around (and if you'd see how I work in my studio, fluttering is an understatement--must be that ADD thing!), and not accomplishing all I should or desire.  This may sound a bit cliche', but I want to be free to be me, whatever that is.  I will equip myself with whatever tools will help me accomplish what I desire.  I will create more and think about it less.  I will spend more time in my studio and listen to my heart.

I need to write my goals down, and check them off as I complete them.  Hopefully, I will share with you the goals I've accomplished and how I accomplished them.  I'll also try to share more techniques and tips.

Thank you for being faithful readers, and for the encouragement you've given me.  It's been a good year for me...and I look forward to the new one!!!

I wish all my friends and family a very happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

Inky hugs!

Anita

Wares for Sale!

Well, I'm about ready to tear my hair out "whilst" trying to set up my little shop at www.anitascottage.com.  The site is up, and I've started adding alterable items for sale, but it's taking me forever.  The name of my little boutique is "Praierie Papier Cottage," and I'll be adding more and more alterable items and kits, so please be patient with me.

For now I'll just add a few right here...I need the space cause my shelves are getting more than a little full.  Should any of these items sell out (and they are going quickly with my SUDSOL pals), I can re-order so don't panic!!

This is my price list.  All items are shipped via the USPS.  Orders will ship priority, and for your convenience all orders are paid through PayPal.

I will include pictures of most items; they will not be true to scale:

4" square medium weight chipboard coasters (picture not available) - 100/$5.00

4" round medium weight chipboard coasters (picture not available)- 100/$5.00

Hinged top tins - 3 5/8" x 2 1/2" x 3/4" - 2/$3.00

8 oz. square clear top tins - 3" x 3 1/4" x 1 7/8" - 2/$3.75

4 oz. square clear top tins - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" - 2/$3.50

16 oz. round clear top tins - 3 5/8" D x 2 5/8" H - 2/$5.00

CD tins - 4 7/8" x 5 1/2" x 7/16" - 2/$4.00

This is what I have so far; more items are on the way...

To place an order, just email me at stampn@westriv.com with your list, quantity, name, and mailing address, and I'll reply with order confirmation and payment instructions ASAP.  And, thanks for looking!

*Prices and shipping are US dollars

After Christmas Sale at Artistic Outpost!

Artistic Outpost has a sale going on, so be sure to check it out!

The after Christmas sale runs from December 26th - December 31st!

Here's a listing of our sale products:

• NEW releases remain at "sneak peek" prices
  • Cutie Pie  $9.99 unmounted, $17.99 pre-cut on EZMount
  • Vintage Circus:  $9.99 unmounted, $17.99 pre-cut on EZMount
  • Fortune Teller:  $19.99 unmounted, $29.99 mounted pre-cut on EZMount
• 35% off the following stamp collections ($7.99)
  • Ave Maria
  • Christmas Stories
  • Chinese Proverbs
  • Distant Generations
  • Thai Buddha
• All remaining stamp collections $9.99
• 35% off Adirondack Pigment Inks ($3.49)

Please note that orders will not ship until January 2nd due to holidays.

Wishing You a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

 This card was created using another Firecracker Designs by Pamela stamp set called "Christmas Ornaments 2008."  I love Christmas ornaments, and had a great time creating this...I used a technique I hadn't tried before...using Heat and Stick powder and glitter.

The image was stamped using Versamark, then heat embossed with Heat and Stick Powder (Stampin' Up!).  It is very important to apply the glitter immediately to the embossed image in order for it to stick, so I had the jars of glitter open and ready...poured the glitter over the Heat and Stick powder, and then heated a bit again.  I was amazed...the glitter really does stick and does not rub off!  And no glue or adhesive mess either!  I cut out the ornaments, punched out the "holes" with my Crop-a-Dile, and tied silver cord in the holes.  The paper is Basic Grey, and the glitter is from Stampin' Up!.

This Christmas is a bit unusual for us...none of our children were able to come home for Christmas.  It's just Chris and I, and the dog and cat.  I was determined to not let this fact bother me...with no holiday preparations to make, and not having to wrap last minute gifts since they would be ordered online to save on shipping and postage, I was left without the stresses that usually come with the holidays.  That left me with time to reflect on Christmases past, and the wonderful times we've had with our family.  It also left me with time to reflect on the holiday itself, and why we celebrate it... it's about the birth of Jesus Christ, but it's also about the death of the promised Savior.  Without the death, the birth of the King would have just been another birth.  We enjoy the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and that is the best gift of all.  May you all know and enjoy that gift as well...have a blessed and merry Christmas!

Hugs!

Anita

Have a blessed and happy Christmas.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas Part Deux...

I don't know what my "problem" is, but it just seems that I'm not feeling very creative lately...my mind feels like mush, and I ache all over...okay, I know it's a fibromyalgia relapse, and I very much dislike when I feel this way...knowing that it won't last forever does keep me from feeling sorry for myself though...and who can feel sad with this cheerful looking elf!

This is another image from the Holly Jolly Christmas stamp set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela.

I stamped the image on Whisper White card stock (SU!) with waterproof Palette Hybrid Noir ink, and colored it with Prismacolor markers.  I cut the image out and mounted it on rectangle die cuts (Nestibilities). 

The patterned paper is Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding.  The custom brad was made with SU! Build a Brad kit (how cool is that!).  I also accented the elf's beard and hat with white Fun Flock.  The ribbon is from Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Anita

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas...

Today we had a heat wave!  It was -22 degrees (yes, that is 22 degrees below zero!) when I got up this morning, and by noon it was 9 degrees, so it warmed up 31 degrees!  No wonder I feel so unseasonably warm today! 

This Christmas card features a stamp set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela called "Holly Jolly Christmas." 

I stamped the image with white pigment ink (Whisper White Craft ink from SU!), and embossed it with tinsel embossing powder (I think it's Stampendous).  I "colored in" the Christmas bulbs on the tree with Stickles.  The card stock is Basic Grey Figgy Pudding.  The tags were cut out using Nestibilities dies, and the blue-dotted organdy ribbon is from Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts.  The edges of all the card stock was antiqued using Vintage Photo Distress ink.

Thanks for looking, and stay warm! 

Hugs,

Anita

Artistic Outpost New Release Sneak Peak Day 5 - Vintage Circus

Today is day 4 of Artistic Outpost's sneak peek for the three new releases (be sure to visit Artistic Outpost for the pre-release specials!), and today I'm featuring "Vintage Circus."  These images remind me of the Barnum and Bailey Circus specials that were on television (way back in the 60's - that doesn't date me, does it?).  Oh how glamorous it all seemed! 

  "Stuff":

Stamps: Vintage Circus

Paper:  Yoyo Yellow (SU!), green Core'dinations, Whisper White (SU!), Black Market Paper Society

Ink:  Palette Hybrid Noir, Always Artichoke (SU!), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)

Other "Stuff":  Yoyo Yellow marker (SU!), star Nestibilities, May Arts ribbon (Jacksonbelle Embellishments), arrow punch (SU!), rectangle die Nestibilities, Scattered Straw Distress Stickles

Aren't these elephants just the cutest!  Be sure to visit the Artistic Outpost blog for the other designers' art, and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs!

Anita

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek Day 4 - Cutie Pie

Today is Artistic Outpost's Day 4 of our sneak peek for the three new releases, and today I'm featuring Cutie Pie, a vintage Valentine's Day set...and aptly named I might add because the images in this set are so darned cute!

 

 "Stuff" I used:

Stamps:  Cutie Pie (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Core'dinations, Daisy D's, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Palette Hybrid Black Noir, Distress Worn Lipstick

Other "stuff":  white crepe paper, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stump, sponge, dotted organdy ribbon (pink and cream), 1/4" pink gingham ribbon, buttons (all buttons and ribbon from Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), Tiara Glitz Stickles (for the tiara of course!), corner punch (retired SU!) large glue dot, heart shaped Nestibilities (scalloped heart)

The crepe paper ruffle was made by folding a strip of crepe' paper about a third of the way so that the single strip looks like two ruffles; I ran a strip of adhesive around the perimeter of the scalloped heart and gathered the ruffle as I went around the heart with it, just kind of scrunching it as I went.  I used a sponge to tint the edges with Worn Lipstick Distress ink as well as the edge of the patterned Valentine's paper.  Three buttons were layered and tied together with the gingham ribbon and adhered to the card with a large glue dot...a pointer for "threading" buttons together...thread a large needle with the ribbon and sew through the top hole of the button, and then bring the needle back through to the top, trim off excess ribbon, and tie the ends with a square knot...so much easier than trying to stick the ends of the ribbon through by hand.

The image was colored with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol (mineral spirits) and a blending stump, cut out with a paper snips, and mounted to the front with foam tape.  The piece is 6" x 6", so it gave me more room to play create.

Be sure to check out the Artistic Outpost blogfor links to the other designers' art, and for info and special pricing on this fab new stamp set, go to the Artistic Outpost store!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Anita

Artistic Outpost New Release Sneak Peak Day 3 - Fortune Teller

Today is Day 3 of the sneak peek for the new releases from Artistic Outpost, and today I'm featuring the Fortune Teller set.

  "Stuff":

Stamp Set:

Fortune Teller (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

Barely Banana and Whisper White (SU!), Romani (Basic Grey)

Ink:

Pretty in Pink (SU!), Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress)

Other "Stuff":

Black Diamond Stickles, Glossy Accents (both by Ranger); sponge for antiquing, ribbon (May Arts - Jacksonbelle Embellishments); rhinestone brads (SU!), Eclipse masking tape (Eclectic Paperie); corner rounder punch (SU!)

To create the stamped images, I masked the crystal ball with Eclipse masking tape.  This stuff is amazing!  It's like having a big piece of Post-It, and can be used over and over.  It is available in several widths, and for this piece I used the widest...I stamped the crystal ball on the masking tape, cut it out and then stamped the image on the WW cardstock.  I placed the cut out image over the one on the cardfront and stamped the woman over the masking.  I removed the mask, and filled in the "glass" part of the crystal ball with Glossy Accents.  I outlined the ball first, and then filled the rest in, evening it out with my finger.  I filled in the base of the crystal ball with Stickles, and let the piece dry overnight before completing the card.

The Fortune Teller set is amazing, and has so many versatile pieces included...Robyn really outdid herself this time!!!  To tell the future, a gift exploited for fun or fortune, has been had its place in the folklore and legends of most of the world's cultures.  In this full 8.5" x 11" collection, it features images of this "gypsy" art including a large background vintage almanac, a fun crystal ball with words sized to fit just right in the middle, and many mystical elements and words.  Entire collection comes in both unmounted red rubber OR mounted on EZMount cling foam, trimmed closely, and "mounted" onto a clear plastic printed index sheet.

Check out the new release specials here; and links to the other designers' art here.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

Anita

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek Day 2 - Vintage Circus

Welcome to Day 2 of Artistic Outpost's Sneak Peek!  Today I am featuring Vintage Circus...

 

"Stuff":

Stamps:

Vintage Circus

Paper:

Whisper White (SU!), Core'dinations, Daisy D's

Ink:

Black Noir Hybrid Palette, Distress Scattered Straw and Frayed Burlap, Encore Copper

Other "Stuff":

Distress tool, copper hardware

The circus image was stamped on WW cardstock, and using a sponge I applied the Distress inks.

Check out the Artistic Outpost  blog for links to the other designers' art, and the Artistic Outpost store to order (be sure to note the bundled specials!).

Thanks for stopping by, and come again tomorrow for another sneak peek!

Anita

Cutie Pie- New Release from Artistic Outpost!

 

This is a sneak peek of one of Artistic Outpost's new releases on 12/15 - Cutie Pie!

I'm on my way to work, so will provide more details later!

New Releases from Artistic Outpost!

Artistic Outpost is thrilled to bring you THREE new releases for December! You won't want to miss out on the samples are designers have been creating - be sure to check back later to check out what I've designed!   Also new with this release, these new plates are available in both unmounted red rubber or mounted on EZMount Foam Cling! Special Bundle Pricing information is also included below!

Cutie Pie

Adorable images inspired by children's Valentines from the 1950's including a majorette, a football player, and a beauty queen.  The three main images average three inches in height perfect for your cards, ATCs, or other mixed media projects.  Entire collection comes in either an 8.5" x 5.5" unmounted sheet of red rubber OR mounted on EZMount cling foam, trimmed closely, and "mounted" onto a clear plastic printed index sheet.
 
Special price:  $10.00 - umounted, $18.00 - mounted

Vintage Circus

 

Everyday is a circus in the Artistic Outpost studios. All we are missing are the wild animals and the three rings.  This collection features vintage images from circus posters and advertisements from the 1900's.  For our cardmakers, the main circus collage measures 3.75" x 5", a large stamp perfect for creating backgrounds.  Entire collection comes in either an 8.5" x 5.5" unmounted sheet of red rubber OR mounted on EZMount cling foam, trimmed closely, and "mounted" onto a clear plastic printed index sheet.
 
Special price:  $10.00 - umounted, $18.00 - mounted

Fortune Teller

To tell the future, a gift exploited for fun or fortune, has been had its place in the folklore and legends of most of the world's cultures.  In this full 8.5" x 11" collection, we feature images of this "gypsy" art including a large background vintage almanac, a fun crystal ball with words sized to fit just right in the middle, and many mystical elements and words.  Entire collection comes in both unmounted red rubber OR mounted on EZMount cling foam, trimmed closely, and "mounted" onto a clear plastic printed index sheet.
 
Special price:  $20.00 - unmounted, $30 - mounted
 

 

 

Special bundles on UNMOUNTED stamps collections ONLY:
Cutie Pie & Vintage Circus - $18.00
Cutie Pie, Vintage Circus, & Fortune Teller - $36

Click here to visit the Artistic Outpost store!

Thanks for stopping by!

Anita

Claudine Hellmuth's Holiday Village

One thing I appreciate about the art community of scrapbookers, stampers, mixed media/collage,and so many others is their generosity and gifts of sharing what they know. 

Claudine Hellmuth designed this absolutely gorgeous, easy-to-make paper Christmas village that features the use of product from her new Studio line:

 

Isn't this the cutest, most whimsical Christmas Village you've ever seen?  Claudine has full step-by-step instructions on her blog, including a downloadable PDF of the house template.  I love how she says that she "whipped this up!"  Yeah, I can see that happening with me...it takes me at least an hour to make one card for Pete's sake! 

Also be sure to check out the videos on her blog demonstrating her new acrylic paint line!

Have fun, and thanks for stopping by!

Anita

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas 8 and 9!!!

Goodness, I can't believe I spaced off posting yesterday's tag...

I'm loving all the new techniques I'm learning, and can't wait to actually post my own tags...I'm hoping to get some time this week...meanwhile, enjoy Tim's, and be sure to check out his blog and leave a comment here for a chance to win one of day 9's marvelous giveaways!

Tag 8

 

Tag 9

 

Don't forget to leave a comment!  Oh, and before I forget yet another thing, be sure to stop by tomorrow for some exciting news! 

Hugs!

Anita

Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas Day 5, 6, and 7!

I am absolutely loving these tags...and have fallen a bit behind in posting them...but here are tags 5, 6 , and 7...it's still not too late to leave a comment on tag 7 for a chance to win one of Tim's wonderful giveaways!

Tag 5

 

Tag 6

 

Tag 7

 

For an opportunity to win one of Tim's Day 7 giveaways, click here.