Thursday Thoughts

My kiddos plus one!

I have been thinking about so much in the past few months and rarely share anything personal as this is a blog about creating and art.  Today I am taking a moment to talk about my life and perhaps brag a little about my kids.

For those of you that don't know I do have two sons.  Paul is 22 and is a music performance major at MSU in Springfield.  He is a percussionist and plays everything from piano to drums.  I know he is good but when I watch him perform I am amazed. 

I am sure he is not going to be thrilled I have done this, but it is my right as a mom to do this!
Something else that is amazing about this young man, he has done all of this with Asperger Syndrome.  If you don't know anything about this, it is high functioning autism.  I was never so proud as the day he came home and announced that he was going to be more social.  This is a HUGE deal.  He works, goes to school, plays his video games and has a girlfriend that is very sweet to boot.  Hope this is an encouragement to some.



Jr. High Jazz Band (little brother helping)

 

Sr. High marching band with double mallets.

 


Now a little about my other son John.  Also musical and plays viola.  He is hoping to take piano this summer to sharpen his skills.  I think his big brother is a good influence...who knew!                                  

 The boys together

This is John and I at MSU before a football game.  Of course we are there for the 1/2 time show! We are also wearing out shirts in memory of Fred Guthrie, a friend and hero!
 

I am blessed to have both of these kiddos in my life.  They are a great strength and support to me.  We have had a more complicated year and they have been amazing.  I am learning to be a mom on my own and I could not be more proud to be doing this with the help of these two.  They are supportive of me in pursuing my crafty dreams.  I know they don't always "get it", but they think it is kind of cool that I get things published.

All of this is to say:

1. I love my kids.
2. I am a proud mom.
3. I can't believe the talent these boys have.
4. They inspire me to do my best always.
5. Paul and John are my reason for being on this earth.  I love you guys!

Take time to hug your kids and let them know their worth.  Be kind to them and encourage them, they are OUR future.  I know I am rambling today, but my children are worth it! 

Mixed Media Project

Hello all!  It has been a busy month and I have not been posting as much as I should.  I wanted to post some of the progression of photos of the project that is featured in Scrap n' Art On Line Mag. This is a paid subscription magazine, but the quality is amazing and they have a wonderful staff of talented and well known designers.
 
This month they are featuring Art Glitter! As lead of the design team, I was asked for a piece for this month.  I decided to do something very different for this and did a mixed media canvas.  The finished project is in the magazine but this is how I got there...

Supplies:
Canvas
Art Glitter Products (Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, Ultrafine Opaque Glitter)
Connie Crystal
Silks Paints by Splash of Color
Graphic 45 Little Darlings Paper
The July Studio Rickrack Flowers
USArtQuest Mica Flakes

The process...

 Fading the colors into each other.  Love the selection of colors!

Add the Silks Paints  and then start adding all the extras!

 Love Connie Crystal!

 Cluster of Crystals

 Love the rick rack flowers from The July Studio!

 And the finished project.....

 

 

Check out Scrap n Art!.....Happy Creating

Kristi

Designer Challenge - Floral???

So this month the task was flowers.  So I did some painting with my SILKS.  Love these paints for the shimmer and shine.  I then added 3D adhesive and GLITTER! Then I found my Prills from USArtQuest.  Love the texture it added.  It is a pretty simple piece but I had fun!

 

I did do some accents with COPIC Black.  I used it more for definition.  I had so much fun just being free and easy and creating.  Was great to just express myself!

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter.  Make sure and go to the Art Glitter Blog and see the new design team!  It's going to be a great year.   ALSO...it is not too late to apply for the Connie Crystal Design Team! 

Have a GREAT week!

Happy Creating,
Kristi

 

Final Dreamweaver Thursday

I'm off to a bit of a late start this week.  I have been thinking about the last to years with Dreamweaver and all the fun I have had.  I love Lynell Harlow and the opportunity she has given me.  This is an amazing company and GREAT product. 

I am not doing a tutorial for my last post...I am sharing some of my favorite projects from the last two years as a tribute to these wonderful designs.  Make sure and check out all of the posts from the current team and check the Dream It Up blog for the next set of Dream Team!

with leafing and distress embossing powder

with metal

on fabric

with glitter

coloring the white paste with paint

zentangle

metallic fx

Double Glitter with Art Glitter! Paste over the top!



white paste and color solutions

altered art

Hope everyone has a Happy and Blessed Easter.  I am so very blessed to have been on this team.  Thank you to all my Dreamy Sistas!  Love you all...

Kristi

Graphic 45 Design Team 2013 Audition

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I am  applying for the wonderful design team of Graphic 45.  I don't work or design for any company that I don't love and believe in the products.  I regularly purchase Graphic 45 papers and embellishments.  I would LOVE to have more access to free product, but regardless whether I make the team or not, I will still be using these wonderful products.  Graphic 45 cares about quality and continues to come out with wonderful "MUST HAVE" products.    So I am posting a few projects I have made using Graphic 45 products.  I am not going to do step outs but will share with you what I have used.  I sent most of these projects home with Graphic 45 after Winter CHA 2013.

 

I had to start with some fun from the NEW French Country Collection!  I could not believe that Dreamweaver Stencils has a beautiful Rooster that matches so well!  I also had to use a fun Chip Board piece on the card as well.  I have a couple of cards that will be published in the fall using this line of paper as well.  Look for CardMaker Fall for a couple of more card samples!

 

On thing I like to do is create home decor projects.  This first project is a $1 frame transformed!

I love all things OZ and with the new release of the Great and Powerful...this is just fun.  The shine is from Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.I distressed torn edges, added a yellow brick road with a Dreamweaver Stencil and even used "Emerald" Connie Crystals! 

Edges are finished with Krylon Pale Gold!

 

Next is a fun BABY banner.  Love Little Darlings!! I covered the letters from my big box store then used all the extras from Graphic 45 and some cute buttons and bling to make a cute banner. 

You can use is it for a baby shower or a baby room or both!  

A few close up shots!

 

 

 

 

And even closer!

 

Next is a fun folded box using A Ladies' Diary!

I love the outside of the little box but the best part is the surprise inside!

How fun is that? Great for gift giving!

 

I also had fun with the Happy Haunting Collection!

Upon further thought I might have used the word BOO!

Oh well, more is always better with Graphic 45!

 

I really love the NEW French Country.  This is a little glitter/Copic fun then mounted on French Country paper and WorldWin DoubleMates.

 



 

 

I hope you all have enjoyed all things Graphic 45!   I always have GREAT fun using these papers and stamps and embellishments for creating!

 

Happy Creating!

Kristi