80's Baby!

Hi there and welcome!

Stephanie here and man is this a very exciting month at Altered Pages.  You may have already heard, but this is worth repeating.  We are very honored to partner with IMAGINE Crafts for the entire month of June!   Make sure to check back all month long to see what these two talented groups create for you.

When I was going through my stash of goodies from IMAGINE Crafts there was a set of inks screaming at me to be the focal point.  I knew I had to use the Radiant Neon Ink Pads.  I loved the colors and they immediately took me back to the 80's...hence my title "80's Baby!"   You can see in the picture below I used the Electric Pink and Purple inks with small daubers to get a bright background to kick off this piece.

 

My project is a continuation of my creepy baby book, that you may have seen in a couple previous posts here  and  here , using the Arched Door Book from Altered Pages.  These fun little books are very popular and are back in stock after recently selling out!

 

While working on this the neon colors inspired me to load up my playlist of music with all my 80's favorites, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Stray Cats, and some Bronski Beat.  The ideas came rolling in and it even reminded me of a few concerts back in the day so I knew where to head with this and I knew I had to give these 80's rock star babies tickets to a show of their own.

 



I had fun creating neon tights, full length lace gloves and Madonna inspired jewelry in this project.  I hope you enjoyed this fun node the 80's, an amazingly fun time in my life, recreated with amazingly cool supplies and tools from IMAGINE Crafts  and  Altered Pages.

Supplies used from IMAGINE Crafts;
Radiant Neon Ink Pads in - Electric Purple, Electric Pink, Electric Green and Electric Yellow.
Staz On Midi in - Jet Black and Cloudy Sky
Ink Blushers
Small Daubers
Pssst! Sheer Shimmer Spritz - Sparkle

Supplies used from Altered Pages;
Arched Door Board book
My Head is Spinning collage sheet
Altered Paper Dolls collage sheet
Misc. embellishments

Thanks for stopping by!
Stephanie

Trending Tuesday Butterfly Tag

Hello there!  Welcome to Trending Tuesday.  The Altered Pages Design Team has a fun little excursion for you through stencils and collages.  This is the "trending" theme for today's hop.  I hope you have fun checking it out.  Make sure to stop at everyone's blog to see all the great examples that they have created using stencils and collage.

I have made a butterfly tag for you today.  I used the 6x6 Daisy Cluster Stencil and butterfly collages for my main theme. I also used Gelatos in the "Tropical" color family, a fun little stamp, turquoise beads to create dimensional flowers and UT embossing powder to give it a morning dew type of effect.

You probably are getting used to hearing us talk about our Gelatos...everyone just loves them and I am no different.  Here I used a very small amount of my Snow cone and Watermelon Gelatos.  I added a tiny bit of water to soften it just a touch.  I then simply used my finger over the Daisy Cluster stencil to add the paint.  

 

I stamped, in black Staz On, the "Altered" stamp.  I fussy cut my butterflies and mounted them with dimensional double sided squares.  This was an easy way to get the effect of them flying over the tag surface.  

   

I stamped the tag and butterflies randomly with clear embossing ink and embossed with clear UT.  All that was left was to add the flower bead accents and ribbon.  And, here is the finished tag.  I think this would be a cute little addition attached to a Springtime wreath, gift basket or gift bag.  

  

Be sure to get all your supplies at  Altered Pages.  You can find the specific supplies used in this post at the links below.  Thanks for stopping by!  Stephanie 

6x6 Daisy Cluster Stencil

Butterfly Collage
Tropical Gelatos
Dimensional adhesives

Explosion Box WIP

That moment when you realize it is FRIDAY! Yes, oh yes!

This weekend has exciting things in store and therefore today's post is going to be short and sweet and will showcase a work in progress. This is a WIP as it is going to be taught this weekend at an Altered Pages Event at Vintage Bliss, in Gilbert, AZ. I will be teaching a class on how to make an Explosion Box! 

I love this project because the possibilities are endless. It can be a totally fun greeting card. It could work as a vessel for gift giving or even a self contained mini scrap book. I am 100% for sure making these for just about every holiday...can you imagine Halloween?!?!

I will have a follow up post showing the finished project, pix of the gals having fun making it and all the instructions for you to make one of your own.

For now, I have attached a bunch of teaser pics of the beginning process. We will be adding many layers of embellishments as well as plenty of pockets for cute little tags that can include photo's or little stamped or hand written messages. We will be adding (to name just a few) collage images, crepe trim, seam binding,  ribbon, pearls, charms and just about anything else our pretty little hearts desire. All supplies are available at Altered Pages, of course.  

I hope you enjoyed the baby stages of what is sure to be a blast of a class this Saturday! I promise I will post the end result and all the fun creating it. Have a GREAT weekend...I know I will.   ~ Stephanie

Dreaming of Spring

It's finally Friday!  I know I'm glad that the weekend is just about here.  I'm also glad that next week is Spring Break for my kiddos. So we will be out and about having some fun. 

The Altered Pages Design Team is partnering with Robin's Nest and the two teams are coming up with some fun and imaginative art for you. The thought of warmer weather, fun in the sun and and all these Springy lovelies from Robin's Nest and Altered Pages that are sitting out on my desk put me in the mood for an over sized Springtime tag. 

The background of my tag was made using my turquoise and yellow Niji Oil Pastels. You can find them here. I love how easily the oil pastels blend. I just used my finger to smudge and blend as I went along...super easy. I did add a bit of crackle finish over the top of that and it gave it a neat finish. I rather like it. 

I then began adding layers of torn paper from The Robin's Nest. You can find this oh so pretty pink paper here. I then added a bit of Glitz crepe trim in yellow and a cute little duckling collage image. You can find the yellow crepe trim here and the Springtime collage image here.

I then HAD to add some twinkle. Dew Drops are perfect for this. I added one to the tip of the umbrella and the inset of a flower. I also added them to the crepe trim along with a little scrap of yellow baby ball fringe. You can find the dew drops here. Robin's Nest has every color dew drop imaginable and they even have diamond shapes...so pretty. 

I added a bit of turquoise glitter ribbon for an extra pop of sparkle. Next, was just to finish it off with some ribbon for hanging and done! I'm not sure if this will be given away attached to a gift maybe or kept and incorporated into an Easter display. I have time to figure that out...wait, did I just say that out loud? 

I wanted to show you that I also decorated the back as well using more glitter paper from Robin's Nest as well as their cute butterfly glitter stickers. They also have the cutest rub on's. It made it so easy to add a sentiment to the tag. I have to say that I have worked with a lot of rub on's and these really are awesome! The package came with a popcycle stick so I did't need to grab any other tools. The best part was it actually worked...the first time...without fail or missing sections of lettering. I really love the Robins Nest "rubon". You can find them here.  You can see a couple other colors (blue and yellow) of the glitter paper in the backdrop of the pictures I have taken.  

    

All ready to give away...if I don't decide to keep it. ;-) 

Happy Friday and Happy Spring, almost! 

Stephanie

What's on your work space?

Happy Friday Kids! 
Stephanie here again with your Altered Pages Friday post. It's Friday. It's Friday! Yay! As always, be sure to check out the supply list below along with links to amazing deals at Altered Pages.

Can I just tell you in my art lately I have wanted to give myself the freedom to let things happen, let the art just flow, not worry if it was going to be perfect or not. I have a feeling most of you know what I mean. You too have probably said to yourself at one time or another just go with it. Haven't you? Haaaaaaven't you? Okay, so let's go with it.  

While preparing for what I wanted to do for my post, trying to work in this just go with it/freedom theme, I got the idea to only use what was already out on my work space in my studio. I thought I would just let the pieces talk to me as to where they were going and what colors they wanted to be. 

If you are like me you always have a few little stragglers left out from your last project. Oh, wait, this NEVER happens to you? Okay, me neither. Today, I got lucky and there were a lot of great options lying around, party hat collage sheets, Dylusions journal, tags, Dylusions inks, stamps...

do you get where I am going.

So, I grabbed these cute little tags that I had laying about and thought a moon with wings - LOVE IT! Then, I thought a moon with wings and a party hat - even better! Ideas started flowing, colors started moving to the forefront of my mind and I let it happen. It felt great. To be honest this page just developed as I came across each element - one at a time - a little of this a little of that and I think that is what makes it great.

I did all of this with what was already within arms reach. Obviously, it helps that I have a great source for all of my supplies in Altered Pages. The best part is I just let myself be free & I worked with what was in front of me. I was not worried about this being "the perfect page" and I have to say it works!  

In the end I am rather pleased with my little moonflies fluttering about in their party hats. It's a little, okay a lot, whimsical. I love the looseness of it. I love that I only used what was on my desk and I LOVE that I love it. The plan worked...how awesome is that? 

Here are links to just a few of the amazing things Altered Pages has to offer.
Dylusions Journal - lg.  Collage images Waterbrush  Dylusions inks  Assorted Tags and so much more!

One thing I want to mention when working with Dylusions inks they are water based. This is what I love about them. They have play. They are wet, stay wet for a while and can be reactivated with water. 

If you want certain aspects of you piece to be permanent just use an archival ink pad, a Zig pen or your favorite permanent such as Brilliance Ink Pad in black. 

Another little tip, if you want your pages to be pristine just gesso the back before starting a new page.

The back side of this journal page does show some bleed through.
I usually let that be the background for the next entry.

When I don't, though, I just apply a thin coat of gesso to the page, let dry and then give it a go.   Now, go play with your arts & crafts supplies!   Stop by 

AlteredPages.com for all your supply needs.
Happy crafting! 

Free as a Bird

Welcome to the Hop everyone! 

I hope you are enjoying the offerings today by the fabulous Altered Pages Design Team. 

My piece is showcasing products and supplies from Altered Pages and stamps from Pink Persimmon Stamps.

I was given the task of created something using the Parcel Post vintage stamp set. I instantly felt like maybe I could send myself somewhere using this parcel post...okay...I will, mentally anyway. It was funny really, about five minutes after deciding on a travel theme I came across an old broken pair of aviator sunglasses of mine. "Have shades will travel" was my motto now. The theme kept building and building in the back of my mind and I felt that I could be as free as a bird today. Ahhhhhhhhhhh...now I have my title. All this accomplished and I have yet to put pen  paper to paper and ribbon to paper and ink to paper, well you get the idea. So, here I have for you Free as a Bird. I hope you enjoy it. Make sure to continue on the hop and check out all the other great works by my fellow design team members. 

This was mounted on an approximate 6 x 7 chunky piece of scrap wood. I love using what I have lying around and repurposing as most of us do. I adhered and layered papers from Altered Pages in the 8 x 8 Glitz Uncharted Waters collection as well as the 6 x 6 Happy Travels collection on to the scrap wood. I just the little vintage airplanes in the Happy Travels collection. 

You can see her the Pink Persimmon Parcel Post stamp where I am sending myself From: Here To: Anywhere I want to go. I mustn't forget to bring my shades. 

My little birdie images from Altered Pages collage sheets are perfectly perched above offering words of encouragement.  I attached the Welcome to Today phrase to a little scrap of canvas that I had. I first inked the canvas a bit with a coordinating turquoise ink and finished it off with fabric flowers and a bit 'o bling. Bling almost always adds that perfect finishing touch. Again, thank you for taking the time to check out our hop. 

~Steph

Hello, Stephanie here hoping you had a fabulous holiday! 

I know the fun part of the holiday season is over and now it is back to reality. 

Reality can still be exciting, though. 

Like, the great feeling you get when you stick with the 

resolution you have set for yourself. 

Mine is getting healthy and staying that way, as is the case with 

many resolutions made every year. 

The difference for me this time is I am excited to stick to it. 

I hope you feel the same about yours. 

My project for the blog ties into my resolution and how I plan to succeed. 

I know I will not be perfect, so I will not force myself to be. 

However, there are little hidden victories everywhere.  

I will just keep my eyes and probably more importantly my mind open to them. 

My piece is called Hidden Victories. 

All supplies for this project can be found right here at Altered Pages.

I hope you enjoy it. 

I started with my brand new Dylusions Large Journal. 

I have to thank my husband as this was top on my Santa wish list.  

This was the first page in a new art journal. 

Wait, FIRST PAGE! No pressure......yeeaaaah right!!! 

I knew this had to be good and not just good in a "wow, that's really pretty" 

kind of good, but I wanted it to mean something, to me anyway. 

So, that is where the resolution idea first popped into my mind.  

I started the page by distressing it a bit with my  Tiara Gold Paris Trunk ink pad

I then tore and layered antique text and patterned papers from the 

Bazzill 6x6 mini patterned paper prints. 

I adhered the torn paper and then used gesso over the entire page. 

I did this to tone done the print and to make sure no corners would be popping up over time. 

I was going for a background with a hint of pattern and torn texture.  

You can see in this picture below the torn bits all over the page. 

They are much lighter here than first out of the package due to the gesso. 

I started sketching out my veggies, some garlic here, carrots there

and a, as Bob Ross would say, a happy little artichoke there. 

I then went in with my Dylusions inks using them in my 

paint palette just like watercolor. 

I then added a bit more text pages to cover the artichoke just a bit. 

He represents the hidden gems for me to keep a look out for.

I loved the idea of adding the word "Resolution." 

But, wait a minute...right now I am just starting out as

most of us are with our resolutions. So, why complete the word. 

Those of us that made resolutions are just at the beginning. 

We are still working on completing that goal. 

So, here Resolution is open ended and ongoing. 

To finish it off I added a bit of fun to my veggies and lettering with my white chalk pen. 

So, I leave you on this Friday wishing you health, happiness and fun in 2014. 

May you have many little victories along the way. 

~Stephanie

Joyeux Noel

Happy Friday everyone and thank you for stopping by the blog today!  

Steph here with a cute little Christmas frame project for you.

The focal point of my frame is the cutest little Christmas gnome. 

Poor guy has slipped on the ice and is sliding across the snow on his little bum. 

I love the contrast of the "Joyeux Noel" and the look on his face 

indicating he is not so joyous at the moment. 

Please take a minute and scroll through the pictures and be sure to check out the 

supply list at the bottom of the post. 

I hope this little guy puts you in a Joyeux mood! 

Lately, I have been mentioning what great gifts some of our projects will make. 

Well, I actually have the person who is going to receive this all picked out already.

I am so excited to surprise her with this on Christmas. 

She will be able to add a photo of her little gnomes and change the focal point of the frame. 

All supplies for this project were obtained from Altered Pages. 

The frame comes as a blank wooden "canvas" ready for your imagination and creativity to bring it to life. 

The papers are from the "Joyeux Noel" set from Glitz.

The collage image is one of many great images from Altered Pages as well. 

I used a couple different versions of fibers as well as paper flowers and glass glintz...

all from Altered Pages. 

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you have a fun, joyous holiday season.

Be careful on that ice & snow!!! 

Altered Pages web site

Wooden picture frame

Glitz papers

Christmas and winter collage images

Elf on the brain...

Welcome to today's post.

I know it's a bit early, but..........

I have elves on my brain. So, I thought why not spread some elfish cheer around. 

I have for you today an upcycled bottle project. 

I just love altering bottles. I think the possibilities are endless, 

not to mention they're just plain FUN. 

First, I chose a bottle that I thought was a bit different. 

It is the prettiest blue hue, not your typical green or clear.

It was originally a bottle of German white wine. 

I can't remember the name, but I do remember that it was yummy. 

You can see above that I added layer upon layer to my bottle.

I started with Christmas tissue from my supplies and kept adding from there

using my Hello December 6x6 paper pack from Glitz 

and collage images from Altered Pages.  

I found the cute little elf cheering with a bottle collage from Altered Pages. 

I thought how perfect is he? He is obviously enjoying his beverage and

his little pants are just the right color blue to match the bottle. 

I then added some blingy trim from my stash to the upper rim of the bottle 

along with pretty vintage garland bursting out of the cork. 

If you are going to be so kind as to give your upcycled project as a gift, 

be sure to take the time and make a cute little coordinating card.

You have all of your supplies out now anyway, you may as well. :-)   

Happy Creating! 

Stephanie 

Evil Libations

Hello again ghouls and boys...

Today's 31 Days of Halloween Hop offering is a chilly bottle of evil libations to wet your whistle. 

 I started my project with a wine bottle that I just really loved the shape of. 

It is a very thick, sturdy glass and I felt that it will stand the test of 

time being brought out year after year for Halloween. 

Of course, I found amazing collage images at Altered Pages. 

I also used some eerily fun images from Smeared and Smudged. 

Such a great selection at both .coms. You really need to check them out!

You can see in the picture below that I started with text pages, graphic 45 papers and collage images. 

I built them up laying here and there. You can find a sampling of amazing collage images here. 

After decoupaging all papers I added the cork back to the bottle. 

I then wired up some fun little resin skulls and poked them right into the cork. 

After allowing ample dry time and all layers were complete I finished off 

my dastardly concoction with colorful fibers tied around the neck of the bottle. 

I then embellished with gears, crystals and a key. 

You know to lock up the liquor cabinet when we are all done partaking. 

Happy Halloween!!!

Stephanie S.