Showing posts with label fancy pants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fancy pants. Show all posts

9.24.2015

Behind the Art with Felecia

Its time for my final project from the Inside Out Inner Child kit...I'm sort of sad to see this kit go.

Its been amazing for me to get back in touch with that little scamp...I'm a very serious person who has a very difficult time joking around about myself, so this month's projects have been freeing and touching and have kept me smiling from ear to ear!

For the final project, I wanted to remind that little one that no matter what, she is so loved...loved beyond reason, loved no matter what. 

Not long ago, I re-discovered a box of photos of me when I was a child. I have been thoroughly enjoying rediscovering these shots of me...and the memories that go along with them.

These two spoke to me...spoke to what I feel like my inner child would look like if she could manifest herself for real. 

The Authentique paper with hearts is just so much fun!  And I love the striped paper as a background. I used some journaling cards and a couple of the die cuts to get a bit of layering done to frame the photos. 

I used the Faber Castell brush pen to freehand some border lines for dimension and color. 


The Fancy Pants mixed alphas are perfectly playful for a title like this. It makes me think of the newpaper / magazine cut out pictures I used to make when I was a kid. 


As is my habit, I cut of the chalkboard label into to pieces to add to both the top and bottom and provide some grounding. for the rest. 


My journaling is a simple reminder to myself...you are loved. Be at peace.

As a final project, this is probably my favorite. It definitely speaks to my heart.

Peace, ya'll!


9.17.2015

Behind the Art with Felecia

Greetings, fellow explorers!!! Felecia here with my third project from the Inner Child kit...

This time I'm tackling my ever present dream of being a ballerina.

True to my whole modern woman I can do all things mentality, I wanted to be both a astronaut and a ballerina when I was a child.

Fatefully, my body betrayed me in both arenas...poor eyesight coupled with a very non-ballerina body means I'm neither a space explorer nor a prima.

STILL...these sorts of visions continue to occupy my mind even now. 

I LOVE the ballet...I know, I know, I know...modern ballet is treacherous, filled with individuals damaged both in body and mind due to the rigorous training and whip thin physique that is required. 

But watching those dancers soar is like nothing else on this world with the possible exception of space travel...so...

My inner child remains an amazing ballerina. 

She can do EVERY move...which, of course, makes me a PERFECT arm chair judge of So You Think You Can Dance and other assorted youtube videos. 

My approach to this particular project was fueled by finding some lovely cut out images on the web. 

I found them so lovely...so...I used them with my Cricut to cut from the beautiful Fancy Pants Flutter papers...

Then I went on a search for some old photos I knew I had of me and my sister dancing in our grandmother's living room. 




I built some color pools using a good amount of water and gelatos and then let them drip down the page as a "curtain" or backdrop.


The entire rest of the project is hand cut...no paper trimmer needed. With these projects, I really really really wanted to hand cut as much as possible so that the projects felt as though an actual child was building the layers. 


My inner child will always be a ballerina and will always be fascinated with the beauty of dance. I never want to forget this dream...not because it will ever be my reality, but because it keeps me focused on beauty and grace, on discipline and hard work, on the sometimes painful things we must endure to be our very best.

Peace, ya'll!



9.09.2015

Behind the Art with Jen

I don't know about you, but time seems to be flying by faster each year.  I think there's a conspiracy to speed things up... well, not really but I really wish I could slow it down a bit!  I feel like I'm only in my 20's still most days but I just turned 41 in August.  I have to say that I'm at my strongest, healthiest, and happiest I've been!  It's amazing that I'm in my 40's!  At least to me.
 This page was a celebration of my birthday.  It doesn't matter how old I will be, birthdays will always be special!  I am a kid at heart when it comes to celebrations!  I think you should have certain things for your birthday...  someone should recognize it's your birthday without being reminded, every birthday girl should get some cake or sweet treat, and it should be a day of the birthday girl doing whatever makes them feel relaxed and special!  One day out of the entire year should be dedicated to doing something nice for yourself!  It's nicer when someone else surprises you with greetings or cake but I hate waiting for surprises so I made sure to schedule some special treats that day.  I got my hair done and got a massage! 
 It's hard to be patient when you are kid and it really doesn't change much when you are an adult... except that you can go out and get your own cake and fun!  I wasn't disappointed when my husband and kids (and wonderful neighbors) got me cake!  I don't think a cake has ever tasted so good! 
 But more than the cake and gifts, a birthday is an end of a year in your life and a beginning of another year ahead.  I set new goals for myself and always reflect on my year.  This past year was one of change and good habits being set for the rest of my life.  I loved 40! 
 I know that being 41 will be just as fabulous if not even more!  I feel the winds of positive growth and change blowing!  I'm so excited to get started on new goals and new pathways to reach them!
What year made you feel the most optimistic or confident?  What determines a successful year of your life?


11.26.2014

Behind the Art with Jen

 This kit really inspired me to look at all the things I'm blessed with.  My boys are one of my greatest masterpieces! I am always wishing that they know the joy of my love and hard work.  Even though my childhood was a very happy one with everything I could ever wish for, I worked hard to get where I am with my life.  I am an over-achiever by nature... I have a hard time doing anything halfway.  I want my kids to have that fire in them but more than that, I want them to be happy.
I love this photo of my youngest with a dandelion.  He was probably 2 in this photo.  Such an innocent and easy time  in our life.  To him, any day playing outside is a happy day!

  
I thought this stencil was perfect to go along with the puffy star stickers and the "wish" symbolism. I adore the sequins from Fancy Pants too! 
 
 The pocket upside down holds my journaling card.  Life is hard... being persistent is important and I want my kids to know that you have to work hard through challenges.  It's how you deal with the negative times and the disappointments that make your future positive. 



 So many lucky moments create my life... my wish is that my kids know such happiness even when live gets hard!

11.19.2014

Behind the Art with Jen


 My kids love each other so much.  Yes, they argue and annoy each other but they would do anything for each other right now!  I hope they know how lucky they are to have a brother.  When I catch them being sweet to each other or offering to help each other, my heart is so happy!  I love that they play with each other.  I know there will be a time when the older one wants his own space and will grow out of the interests that they share but for now, I'm lucky!


 I scribble/ sketched the heart with a Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist pen and some splatters with the Shimmer spray. 
 Journaling around the heart gives the page movement and frames the beautiful photo of my boys!
  I am a lucky Mom!  I love those sweet kids and love watching them grow up together!


11.12.2014

Behind the Art with Jen

 I love Autumn!  It is a time of change and color!  So, when I saw these embellishments and papers in this kit, I was smitten.
 The colors of Autumn are so rich and delicious!   A trip to a pumpkin patch was a perfect opportunity for photos with lots of rich color.  I feel so fortunate that I live in the Northeastern part of the country where the four seasons render colors all their own.  It is an amazing time each season!
 The textures of the fall show up with this kit.  The woodgrain, burlap, and cork are perfect for this seasonal page.
 I added some India ink, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso, and some twine to add more texture.
 Nature has the most perfect canvas and each month is a masterpiece!

11.05.2014

Behind the Art with Jen

As much as I love dressing up for Halloween, I love dressing up to educate my students in my art classes!  I went as a Day of the Dead Mexican Sugar Skull last Halloween.  I painted my face and created a headband of blossoms to celebrate not only our Halloween holiday but also the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos.  I love the meaning behind their celebration... to honor those that have passed before us.  To remember and celebrate our loved one's lives.  A couple days of dancing, eating, singing, parades, and family sounds like a great way to remember our heritage.  While I am not Mexican, I can appreciate a holiday that celebrates the life of others even while they have died.  Keeping their memory and accomplishments alive is part of the remembering! I'm so lucky that I get to dress up at work to teach kids cultural art!!
JenM1114GoodTimesTo make this page, I started by adding some Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso to this Fancy Pants patterned paper. I love the energy of the triangles but it's a bit busy.  The Gesso toned down some of the optical energy.  I used the back of a paintbrush to scribble in the Gesso too.  It just gave some fun lines and texture to the area.
IMG_4540Then I used Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle through a Crafter's Workshop skull stencil.  When dry, I used Gelatos® colors in Banana (from the 50's Diner set), Watermelon, Margarita Mix (from the Tropical Set), and Red Cherry to create dripping color over the Whipped Spackle.  I created some puddles of each color on my craft mat and used lots of water and a brush to create drips.
IMG_4541The Gelatos® colors Metallic Melon and Raspberry were added by making puddles of color and water on the craft mat and putting the paper face down in the puddles.  I let some of it drip by holding the paper at an angle.
IMG_4543Once all of the color dried, I put the stencil back over top of the skull and used a Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Essential PITT Artist pen to outline some of the shapes.  This gave it a big more definition.
JenM1114GoodTimesdetailThe sequins were applied with some Gel Medium added in some areas to "glue" them down.
JenM1114GoodTimesjournaling
I love the colors and symbolism of the Dia de los Muertos holiday and had a blast recreating some of the energy and fun here!  I'm so lucky to be an art teacher and have the opportunity to dress up like this at work!  It's educational and just darn fun!
Materials:
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gel Medium
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Essential PITT Artist Pen
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® colors Metallic Melon, Raspberry, Red Cherry, Banana, Watermelon, Margarita Mix
All papers and embellishments are from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out  "Lucky" kit for November 2014.
Stencil: The Crafter's Workshop

11.01.2014

Welcome to Your LUCKY Day! Our Newest Kit is Live!

Warm, autumnal color and shimmery, glimmery design fill this kit with a radiance you won't be able to resist...

I'm thanking my LUCKY stars for being able to be part of your creative journey. You'll see some art from ME on that for certain this month!







Beautiful paper and embellishments from Fancy Pants Designs, We R Memory Keepers, American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin and more.

Most of all, a chance to explore what makes you lucky, whether you're lucky or blessed (or both...or neither), how much hard work is associated with what we call 'luck', and in what ways fortune has smiled on you in your life.

You'll learn from your past and discover where YOUR lucky star is, and what wishes YOUR want to make to take your life to the next level.

Click HERE to learn more and reserve your limited edition kit now.

Take charge of your future the fun and meaningful way!



8.04.2013

More Pics of the ENCHANTMENT Kit

We're still experiencing some technical difficulties on our website, so here are some lovely looks at the August ENCHANTMENT kit:

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