Mixed Media with Less Mess!

I've got some things in the works.  I'm editing a tutorial right now which will likely be shared on my YouTube channel and blog.  This is going to be easier than it looks....

I'll fill you in on it later, so I'll tease you with this sneaky peek!

Here's a card that was published in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's January 2013 issue.  It was a card I created for someone at work.  It's probably one of my most favorite cards and I created it with a specific person in mind.  Usually when I do this, I'm able to infuse a lot of personality into the card and I always love what I end up with!

Believe it or not, this is a hybrid card.  When I say hybrid, it's really not that difficult.  You don't even need a computer program, just a trusty camera!

Can you pick out the digitally generated part of the card?  Even in person, it's difficult to tell!  Here's the secret...

All I did was create that background (the one with the yellow, blues and greens) on mixed media paper.  You can use watercolor paper or even some white cardstock.  I brushed on some watercolor in several colors and ended up with a 11" x 14" background (watercolor paper).  I then photographed the background and cropped it to a more manageable 8.5" x 11" digital image.  From there you can print it out or even use it as digital paper when creating a digital project.  I've used this very same idea to create this scrapbook page (published in the January 2013 issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine):

This wasn't the same background paper as above.  Here I played with a dauber-topped mist bottle and some dark mist.  I created this new background that I photographed and turned it into digital paper to make more projects.  If you saw the SNR January 2013 issue, I have another hybrid card using this background.

I love this because your artwork adds an something extra special to all your projects.  It's truly one of a kind artwork you can continue to bring in to several different projects.

So there are two ways you can use personal artwork to give your projects a mixed media feel without all the extra time and mess!  I love love looooove it!

And for more ideas on using your Crop-A-Dile in more projects, check out my steal of a class.  The card above uses a technique from the class.  I've got lots more just waiting for you to learn about all wrapped up in my jam-packed class at The Art Studio!

Stash CPR: Breath new life into your stamps and Crop-A-Dile

Hugs,

Mo

We're Gonna Party Like it's Your Birthday!

So do you have the song stuck in your mind yet?  If you don't, maybe now you do!  Today I have a card to share that was published in the January 2013 issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  I've got some fun layers of ink, stickers, chipboard, stamping, heat embossing, and stenciling.  Of course, I've got lots of bright colors as well.  I can't seem to create without a splash of color.



And if you're curious about a supply list, just click on the photo to get to my Flickr gallery.  Direct any questions to my email momostamper(at)yahoo(dot)com.

What have you found yourself using lately?  Have you been creating your own backgrounds or using fun patterned paper?  I continue to play with paints, media, and mist so hopefully for those of you that love that stuff, you'll get to see my shares soon!

Misty Drips and Gesso

Not only am I lucky enough to be an instructor at The Art Studio, but I'm blessed with talented peers from which to draw knowledge and inspiration from!  I recently took Heidi Myers Mists: Not Just Point and Shoot class and it has opened the door to new possibilities for me!  (Note: It says registration has closed but it's SELF-PACED so you can access all the materials at once, just buy!)

Here is a sneak of a project featured in the September 2012 issue I just created.  I was able to apply some techniques I learned in Heidi's class.  I am in LOVE with this creation!  I can think of so many offshoots to this project and I can't wait to get in my craft room after this post to play with misty goodness some more!

And I am EDGE OF MY SEAT excited about Kate Koch's class:

 

Class starts August 11th!  Here's a CLASS DESCRIPTION:

All right. Raise your hand if you know what gesso is. One, three seven, eight...that’s it? I kid. Sort of. Gesso is one of those silly paradox types of products. Paper crafters tend to see gesso as something only a true artist (whatever that means) would use and true artists (let me know if you have a definition of one) tend to think what paper crafters do with it is ridiculous.

Well, that’s what I was recently told by an art school professor who was flipping through one of my scrapbooks and couldn’t get over how much gesso I use and in “such absurd and non-traditional ways.” Pfft. What’s traditional? Doesn’t being creative with a product that’s basically a primer make me a true artist? (Let the record show that she didn’t have an answer for that one.)

As I watched her thumb through the pages and scratch at things with her fingernails (can’t imagine how she’d take it if I went around scratching on her carefully placed fine art wall hangings, but I digress), I realized I’m one of those paper crafters who likes to do ridiculous things with gesso.

Want to slap this crazy label on your forehead? If so, then this class is perfect for you and it’s taught by a true gesso fiend. Now I can’t make you a list of all the things you’ll learn in this class cause then what would you need to take it for, right? But what I can tell you is that it’s more than just a primer or an adhesive and my obsession goes way beyond swipe and paint.

In Gesso: It’s More than Just a Primer, I’ll teach you the basics and how to apply it correctly (cause it really does matter!), simple uses for it, the way it was intended to be used (to make Ms. Prissy Professor Pants happy) and then get you thinking way outside the proverbial box.

Sadly, that’s all I can tell you but if you gather some stencils and some glitter and some sparkly stuff and some embellishments and some photos and oh heck, just sit in the middle of your scrap space and be ready to reach for anything and everything cause if gesso can stick to it (unfortunately, it doesn't stick to everything), you’ll learn how to slap it on there and do some mighty cool tricks with it.

I guess you’ll just have to jump in to the fray and find out if it’s worth the hype. Now, as with my other classes, I put a strict student cap on my classes so if you want in, then click on that Save My Spot button now and make your voice heard. Otherwise, when you do get around to buying that “kooky girl’s gesso class” and you click on the button, you may see the words “Class Sold Out” and you’ll be wishing you had listened to me in the first place. Go ahead, I dare you. Press the button.

SAVE A SPOT, because it will fill up FAST!  Katie will be there in the Group Area of the class helping you with whatever you need.  Take advantage of her presence, she's a wealth of knowledge!

Oh, and I hear you need to get a gigantic bottle of gesso for the class!!!  I  know I need to go BACK to the craft store for more!

Ha ha...I know....LONG POST, but I can't say goodbye without some quick eye candy, right?


(click on images for supply lists if you're curious)

Had some digi fun scrapping about my niece and nephew.  Gorgeous kids.  They're growing so fast!




This one's a hybrid scrapbook page about how the Kao Clan has this awful ugly FACE we make.  It seems to pop up when you least expect it!




I love this paint-splattered card made with stickers and rub-ons!




And, we can't forget my roots....ha ha...a traditional scrapbook page with lots of prints and a burst of red!

All creations were featured in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine this year!

Just finishing out the rest of my summer trying to get all our old stuff out of the house!  I'm hoping to get a garage sale going in the next couple of weeks!  I seriously don't care what I sell everything for, just that I get it OUT of the house!  It would feel sooooo nice!

I hope you're having a great Summer so far!

A Winner and Eye Candy!

Hi Folks!  I have a winner of the free seat to my online class Scrapbooking with Punches and Die-Cuts!  Barb Turpin, if you don't already know, you won!  Thanks so much to everyone for your interest!  Class starts August 3rd if you'd like to sign up!  You don't have to be there the first day or any of the days I actually post the class.  I'll be there for questions and feedback and for at least a couple weeks after the class  finishes up!  You will have access to the class material for an unlimited time so it doesn't go away after the class ends, it will be there hanging out for you!  :)

And because I haven't posted anything to look at for awhile, here is some creations full of love.  The first layout was created for one of my bestest buddies ever!  Oh how I love this girl!  She and her Hubby have continually inspired me to strive and work at my marriage.  For those married, it's not that easy at times, it takes lots of work!  Am I right?  These two serve as a constant reminder of how to stay thoughtful, how to understand each other, and an example of immense loyalty.  I love these two with all my heart.

My dear S and T if you're reading this, I love you guys so much!  Thank you for bringing both of those beautiful babies into this world.  I love your two rug-rats with all my heart and am so honored I am blessed with you all in my life.

I Wish You Love by Maureen Esquillo-Kao Supplies Patterned Paper: Luxe Designs, My Mind’s Eye; Overlay: Luxe Designs; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts; Journaling Card, Tab: My Mind’s Eye; Flowers: Petaloo; Button: Nikki Sivils; Mists: Lindy’s Stamp Gang, Maya Road; Label Maker: Dymo; Other: Felt hearts, rhinestones, flowers, ribbon

And this next card was very fun to create.  I think my favorite part is the dotting of liquid pearls behind that glittered fairly.  Such a fabulously textured card!  For supply lists of the next two creations, just click on the photos and you will be brought to my Flickr account which has supplies listed!

This third project is actually a hybrid layout.  Most of it is digitally created and I went in and added buttons and bling, liquid pearl smatterings and some fun flower trim!  If you don't want bulky pages, this is the way to go!  And in this day and age of skimping and saving, digital creating is a viable option.  Buy a digital kit and you can use it over and over and over.  Think of all the moolah you can save!  Create hybrid or fully digital layouts.  I'm so happy I explored Digi!

All three projects were created for the March 2012 issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Have you tried digital creating?  If you've been intrigued and haven't started learning, what's stopped you?

I hope you are all having a fabulous week.

The newest issue of Scrapbook News and Review is available!

My class is starting this Friday and I am beyond excited...but nervous as well!  Wish me luck!  Wish me more students while you're at it (wink wink)!

Hello Love Bugs!

Okay, I have somewhat of a breather.  But still crazy busy...April was a tough one!  But then again, it's just about June so I think I've recovered enough to just realize this!  Where did May go????

The next issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will be publishing any day.  Due to the tornadoes in MI which delayed some things, we've got a double issue publishing and that is April/May 2012 issue.  It's full of tons of fun!

The projects I'm sharing below were featured in the January 2012 issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine scrapbooknewsandreview.com/

All projects are tied to my Flickr account so if you'd like to peek at any supply lists, they are there for your viewing pleasure!  Just click on the actual photo you want to look closely at!


Here's some fun with burlap and felt!



I'm delving more into Hybrid creations.  It sure does come in handy and It really can save you a few bucks!  I'm serious!

I used Photoshop Elements to design the large photo inside with the look of paint splatter, stamping, and washi tape!  I just added some fun embellishments on top of that for some texture!



This was a fun Hybrid creation as well!  The call was for Funny Faces and BOY does the Kao family make em!  If you peek into pretty much any family member's Facebook page, you'll see SOMEONE making a face like this!

I love my cooky family!




And, of course, I can't forget a card creation!  This one was easy.  I just stamped onto some patterned paper and called it good!  No coloring necessary because the pattern and color provided enough visual interest!

I hope you all had a wonderful week and a BELATED Happy Mother's Day to you!  I hope that was a fun day!  I spent the morning with my DD at the Seattle Color Run 2012 and it was AMAZING!  Hopefully we'll get there next year as well!  I'll be sure to share the photos REAL soon!

Here we go now!

Okay, I SERIOUSLY need to do more posts...I KNOW!

But spring is right around the corner and that means more sunshine and softball for my girl!

My little boy rascal is also asking to take some sort of "HI-ya" class AKA Martial Arts.  LOL!  Lord knows, that kid could use some serenity and focus!  I HAVE NO IDEA who he get's his personality from!  He he....

Well, I've got some long overdue shares!  Ready for some eye candy?

I've been dabbling in different things ever since I've become a part of Scrapbook News and Review.  One thing I see myself doing more of are ATCs.  They're small, quick, and can pack a punch when you do it right!  I like practicing my techniques and use leftover embellishments when I make a hoard of fun stuff.  Last year I made a bunch of buttons and butterflies, painted them with acryclic paint and decorated them.  I added a layer of clear lacquer for that shiny epoxy look.

You could also use UTEE but I find that it tends to crack, so if that's not a look that you want, then I'd stick with clear lacquer.

The next few projects below have been featured in Scrapbook News and Review's September 2011 Issue.

This ATC is actually more of a hybrid project.  I used some digital vintage prints, cut them out and pasted them to my ATC.  For some fun and softness, I wrapped some yarn around it.  I love the splash of color.  I love this butterfly!

I was feeling a bit clean and simple, and so out came this creation from my brain.  I wanted to use up some numbers...extra ones from my sticker stash.  To complete the card, I wrapped around some baker's twine.  So super dee dooper easy, right?

I may have shared this layout previously because I created it for a prompt over at Candy Shoppe Designs a few months ago.  Boy do I love these ladies.  We've seen each other live and grow since teenagers.  Now we've got kiddos of our own and I'm sure we will be comforting each other through some crazy times in the future!

And this week I'm featured as the Staffer of the Week at Scrapbook News and Review.  I get to share 6 of my favorite projects and a fun tutorial!

Some of those projects I'm not allowed to share on my blog just yet, but if you hop on over, you'll get to see them now!

I'm currently dabbling in sketch creating and used one of my sketches to create this layout.  If you go to SNR, you can save it to your sketch files for use in the future! (Click on Staffer of the Week above.)

And last but not least, SNR currently has a few calls out looking for:

1) Instructor Call

2) Writer Call

3) Staffer Call

4) Educator Call

For more info on these calls, go HERE.

It's truly an honor to be a part of this family and an amazing journey of spiritual, personal, and creative growth.  I really do love my SNR family!

AND...APRIL Artwork Calls are up as well!

Mo's Playlist

1. Common, 2. He's a very rock star!, 3. Usher On Good Morning America, 4. WGA_Alicia2.jpg, 5. Madonna (Composition #2), 6. pinkiamnotdead, 7. EOS_0034, 8. John Mayer, 9. John Legend 2.0, 10. Justin Timberlake, 11. Sade, 12. Switzerland Montreux Jazz Festival

I've been having fun with this mosaic maker!

The prompts for BOTH All About Me and The Pink Ninja's worked TOGETHER!

I had a lot of fun making this one......

For All About Me, the challenge is "One Little Word".....I chose the word "listen"...although I didn't use it in my title....I'm always breaking the rules....lol!

But it did prompt me to create this layout...and that's all that matters right????

Because in the end...there really aren't any rules!

And that's the way I like it!  (wink, wink)

I just saved my creation I made using "mosaic maker" and then printed it out.

I cut it up into strips.

played with paint,,,played with the computer,,,played with a transparency,,,,so much fun,,,,

I also created my FIRST 8.5 x 11 layout!......LOVE!

The Pink Ninja prompt is called "PLAYLIST".....

I love to listen to music...I've been listening to so much of it since I got my can't-live-without-it iPhone!

These are only some of my fave artists....

who do YOU listen to?

i'd LOVE to see what you come up with!

I hope you can play along with us at both challenge blogs!

Over at AAM, Lucky Girl Crafts is the sponsor!  Play and you could win a $20 gift certificate!

I know it's a busy time....

the last thing I created was this layout....i haven't been in my craft room....it's been almost a couple weeks!!!!

i'm sure it misses me......i sure miss it back...

I'm hoping to get in there soon!

Hugs,

Mo