Behind the Art with Felecia

Hey, everyone!!!  I hope this post is finding everyone working on your own True Story.

For my next project from Inside Out's True Story kit, I focused on using the Just Add Color papers from Bella Blvd. I LOVE black and white papers and how adding just one color can really pop every single paper and pattern in the project.

My project is about my sweet sister Kellie...we've lived at least 1/2 way across the country from one another all our adult lives.  BUT she recently moved just 30 minutes down the road from me and we've been having a great time writing a new chapter to our story - one where we have family dinners and lots of phone calls and sharing special moments.

This picture was one we took on a recent trip to California...a moment of huge fun I pray we have a lot more of!!

I wanted to put as many patterns into this as possible...to reflect the extreme fun.

I've been doing quite a lot of layering behind my photos using a cut-by-hand technique I learned from Ashli Oliver. I am very timid when it comes to layering, especially in a messy way. I'm much better with neat and tidy square arrangements, but I've not felt satisfied with that technique lately. So, I've been experimenting with alternatives. Gettting a little bit messy and unsquare...its more like my REAL life...and the art should reflect real life, don't you think?

The bits and pieces in this kit are so amazing. This little ticket was just the perfect addition to my silly selfie. 

I love having a new chapter in my story with my sister - a funner and more involved chapter...

Peace, ya'll!

Behind the Art with Felecia

Hello, my wonderful friends!  I am well entrenched in January and really getting some focus around how I want this year to shape up. I don't always start this process in December because I sort of like to wallow in the Holiday season and don't put a tremendous effort into starting the year with any bangs. For me at least, purposeful steps toward change make more progress than trying to change everything all at once. 

I'm a planner...sometimes to such an extent that I find myself in bondage to it, but THAT is not what this post is about! 

I love planning...I like to know what there is to do in a vacation spot, what sort of meals I should buy groceries for, how to dress for a particular day and when I need to work from home so that I can be at a school event or something.

I love lists...they make me happy. Especially the part where I get to put a check box next to one of my items and call it DONE.

I also like planning in a more vague way...goal setting, if you will, except that proper goal setting involves a date and usually mini-goals. 

But I like to put some  things out there...I want them in front of me...that way I have a direction to point myself in when the planning doesn't pan out...

So, for my second layout using Inside Out's FORWARD kit, I chose to document my list of "things to do" in 2015.

I ADORE these celebratory, multi-colored bubbles. They make me HAPPY!  I'm also experimenting with some dimension (don't everybody faint at that admission!) I want to try lifting and layering in a way that works for me and my style.

I used some gold twine from my stash and a couple of aged gold doilies. I also ran some gold mist over the beautiful numbers. 

Each layer was treated to a nice massage - some bending and edging and tearing and inking - to help create dimension and a nice platform for my goals. I really thought about these and wanted my bits and pieces to reflect that I "touched" them a lot...

My list also reflects my word for the year - simplicity. One or two words, a direction to go in, a place to focus my attention for making my life a healthier and more peaceful place to be.

Peace, ya'll!

Our New Kit - CONTENTMENT!

Buy the CONTENTMENT Kit!
Click here to go to our website and grab your limited edition kit before they're all gone...
 
Are you at peace with your world, grateful for your blessings? Or like most of use, do you struggle with the balance between what you have and what you desire? Explore this with this month's brand new kit, CONTENTMENT.

This kit includes paper from Basic Grey's delicate and floral Plumeria line, Teresa Collins' luxe fashion-inspired Fabrications Canvas collection and more. Three alpha sets, including the innovative new American Crafts Dear Lizzy matte finish thickers in a lovely grey script font, plus an intense and shimmery Smooch Spritz ink and kitchy Jenni Bowlin receipt journaling cards will get you thinking about what's in your emotional bank. You'll love Cosmo Cricket's new 'faith' tiny teext phrases filled with meaning.

Symbols include wire hangers with heart centers, a 'love at home' title card, Bella Blvd's purple floral buttons and Basic Grey wax seals to confirm and validate your emotions, and pearls and gems to cherish.
Join us!

KIT CONTENTS:

12 Sheets Patterned Paper

Basic Grey Plumeria Cleopatra        
Basic Grey Plumeria Flowerette      
Basic Grey Plumeria Velvet Bloom 
Basic Grey Plumeria Yellow Wallpaper      
Basic Grey Plumeria Grandma Jane
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody Happy - Decorate
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody Like - Ledger       
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Dolled Up Day - Worn     
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Red Brocade
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Floral Garden
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Plum Damask
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Petite Flowers

Embellishments:

American Crafts Thickers Splendid Smoke 
Basic Grey Plumeria Alpha Stickers
Teresa Collins  Fabrications - Canvas  Rhinestones, ½ package       
Basic Grey Plumeria Elements Stickers       
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text Faith       
My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline - Fiddlesticks  Home - Title 
Bella Blvd Button Market Purple Flora       
Maya Road Chipboard Hand and Heart Mini, 5 pcs
Maya Road Metals Trinket Love Hangers, 2 pcs
Jenni Bowlin Die Cut and Perf Papers Receipt, 3 pcs
Basic Grey Plumeria Wax Seals, 2 pcs
Prima Miss Godiva Lilac, 3 pcs

4 Sheets Cardstock:

American Crafts Straw        
American Crafts Eggplant   
American Crafts Boysenberry         
American Crafts Surf

Color:

Smooch Spritz - Pearlized Accent Ink Spray - Frosted Grape

Technique:

Crafters Workshop Stencil – 6 inch Lotus Blossom 

CHA Day One and Countdown to The DREAM kit

Hey everyone! Rachel here live from the Craft and Hobby Association Winter trade Show and Convention in lovely Anaheim. What a fun first day we've had meeting with old friends and new...and planning for what you'll see in our upcoming kits.

Tammy, Melissa, Sofia (our Teen Design Team Coordinator and SFTIO Executive Asssistant) and I had a fantastic time hanging with the lovely ladies and gentlemen at American Crafts, Lily Bee, Jillibean Soup, Maya Road, Crate Paper, October Afternoon, Authentique, Cosmo Cricket, Bella Blvd and many more...and we're only about a third of the way through our list! We can't wait for tomorrow! Here are some pics of the day and the things we loved most so far.

And as promised, we're counting down to the release of our newest kit, DREAM. Three days until we can share DREAM with you in all its delicate, deep and dreamy glory... Here's a closeup of the DREAM kit...can you pick out the products in this sneak peek? Name three items by manufacturer and you'll be entered to win our February countdown giveaway...Tim Holtz' Wings and Crown Metal Embelishments, a recent subscriber bonus. Make sure to submit your guesses here in the comments today and on the posts for the next two days of the countdown and you can walk away with these goodies! This giveaway ends at Midnight Pacific time on the 31st.

What do you see?

And ANOTHER way to win...if you start a new subscription or renew your current one on the DREAM kit release date, February 1st, you'll be entered to win a a huge set of paper and embellishments from four collections courtesy of our friends at Authentique. Make sure to come back each day and go for the win!

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

Love,