Author Archives: Heather

Mar21

Branching Out Into New Territory

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Branching Out Into New Territory

This week was all about branching out into new territory. Not only did I change a little thing that has defined me all my life, but I also opened up a shop on Redbubble.

What’s Redbubble? It’s an independent artist community and shop, where you can upload images for printing on anything from posters to shirts to iPhone cases. You can then make those images available for purchase, where you set the markup, which controls how much you make off a particular item.

I have a lot of flower photos. You could even call me a flower stalker (pun intended.) It seemed silly to have all these flower photos sitting on my hard drive, taking up space, and not use them for something interesting. So I started making some art pieces at Lain’s using image transfers, and I’ve put a few of my favorite images up on Redbubble.

Check out my portfolio at Redbubble, and see what you think. I’m just getting started, so if you have any thoughts or opinions, please share. I’d love the advice!

sedum at alcatraz || noexcusescrapbooking.com

Sedum at Alcatraz || One of my first up close and personal flower stalker pictures, taken with my 5mp point and shoot

Oh, and one more thing– in case you didn’t know, I’ve also joined the Origami Owl bandwagon– I love their jewelry! I have a jewelry bar next week if anyone is interested in joining me here, or ordering online. You can place an online order here, or if you’d like to come visit me, the details for the party are here.

origami owl || flowers for spring

Since it’s spring, and there should be flowers, I’m wearing this!

Have I mentioned lately how much you are all appreciated? Thank you so much for joining me on this crafty journey! It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Mar19

A Quick Challenge for You

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A Quick Challenge for You

Today, I changed something fundamental about myself, something I didn’t think would ever change. I have been tongue-tied, literally, all my life, and it has always been one of the weird little things that define and describe me.

Today that changed. I am no longer tongue-tied. At least in the literal sense. (All bets are off for tripping over words. Guaranteed that will still happen!)

So, what’s one little weird thing that defines you? Have you documented it yet? Maybe you should! You definitely don’t have to, but think about how much fun it would be to go back and see something about a part of you that you thought would never change, and suddenly has!

Case in point: My T page from the Me: the abridged version album I did for a Cathy Zielske class over at BPC.

T || noexcusescrapbooking || design by Cathy Zielske

The journaling reads, in part:

Tongue-tied

This is me, literally and figuratively.There’s a membrane that attaches the tip of my tongue to the bottom of my mouth. Reason I look so weird when I stick my tongue out. Genetic. Passed on to Simon, but it’s not as extreme on him. I am also very good at loosing my train of thought mid-speech, which comes across as stuttering, muttering, and general trailing off of sentences. Luckily for me, I have a husband who helps keep me on track.

So glad to have that now that it is no longer true. It may be time to do a new album. Or not. It’s only been 4 years. We’ll see!

Now, don’t you think it’s time to document yourself before you become a new and improved you?

PSA: If you are tongue-tied, and you’re having trouble with your gums, run, don’t walk to your dentist! A little bit of pain now can really help preserve your teeth in the long run.

Mar11

Old vs. New

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Old vs. New

Last night, while trying to sleep, my mind wandered to my craft supplies, and I asked myself, “What’s the oldest thing in my stash?”

Have you ever taken the time to think about that? What crafty supply started you on this journey into the realm of creativity and documentation?

What’s your oldest supply?

Mine are these two stamps, and this embossing powder.

old vs new craft supplies

 

I got them during a show at the local mall while I was still living at home/ between college semesters. To melt the embossing powder, I’d hold the image over a burner on the stove.

In the background you can see my newest craft supply: a piece of handmade paper from Papyrus that I got while in Boston a couple weeks back. I have this vague idea for using it in a craft project. We’ll see if that actually pans out.

So what are your oldest and youngest craft supplies? Do you still use them?

(I use the leaves frequently. I can’t remember the last time I used the Pooh stamp. Maybe it’s time to give it a new home. Or not. I still have small children I can send Valentine’s to!)

Don’t forget to share with us, and let everyone know what your oldest and youngest supplies are. Wouldn’t it be fun to compare the two, to see what’s changed about your crafty life, and what’s remained the same?

Don’t forget, the discount on True Stamp ends soon! Sign up before the 17th!

Mar6

Something Fun This Way Comes

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Something Fun This Way Comes

Are you ready to expand your technique repertoire? Do you want your stamps to earn their place in your crafty space? Well then, you should sign up for True Stamp 2, right now!

truestamp2014

What is True Stamp?

True Stamp is a one-day, online, LIVE event on April 5. Yep, that’s right – all six instructors will come to YOU via the magic of the Internet in a state-of-the-art web room. You’ll watch class demonstrations, chat with instructors and other students, and have the time of your stampy life – all without leaving home (or even changing out of your PJs!).

My friend Lain Ehmann of True Scrap has pulled together six of the hottest stamping companies around to offer a full day of inspiration and fun.  You’ve heard of Technique Tuesday, Lawn Fawn, and Simon Says Stamp, right? Well, they and three more amazing stamp companies will be revealing all their best stamping tips, tricks, techniques, and secrets during True Stamp 2.

You’ll learn from experts such as Shari Carroll, Kelly Marie Alvarez, Nichol Magouirk, Bev Grey, Bobbi Lemanski, and Kim Hughes, along with a few surprise instructors. You’ll be so inspired to create something when classes are done, that you’ll get ink all over your PJs.

So, head on over here to register for True Stamp.

Bonus: If you register before March 17, you can use code LOVE at registration, and get almost 50% off the class. (Regular price is $97, with LOVE it’s only $49!! That’s a great deal!)

 

Mar4

Getting Crafty at the Crop at Lain’s

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Getting Crafty at the Crop at Lain’s

Last weekend, I spent Saturday at a crop at Lain Ehmann’s. I’ve known Lain for years, and take advantage of any opportunity to visit, since it’s always a fun time.

I’ve been to enough local crops recently, that all my easy, journaling-light projects are all up to date. So what to work on? Granted, there was sure to be lots of chatting going on, but what’s the point of going to a scrapbooking crop if you don’t make SOMETHING, right?

So then the wheels started turning, and I decided that maybe it was time to play with a technique I’ve done before, but this time use a few different materials: image transfers. I’ve done image transfers before, but with self-stick acetate, not multi-medium.

After re-watching Stephanie Hamen’s True Scrap 5 class (affiliate link), I gathered my photos and materials, and packed everything up for the crop.

Flower pics || noexcusescrapbooking.com

One of the things I wanted to do was start with a messy background before adding the image transfer over top. The idea I’m going for is a bit messy and multi layered.

This is what I got done on Saturday:

watercolor paper image transfers || noexcusescrapbooking.com

These were done on water color paper that had been misted and painted. The ones below are on some canvases I had painted years ago, and when I didn’t like how they were turning out, shelved for a while.

pre-painted canvas image transfer || noexcusescrapbooking.com

You can see that some images transferred better than others, and that others are still not completely paper free. But these are off to a promising start. They definitely need a bit more layering and such. Hopefully they’ll turn out interesting enough to share with you!

Do you have any photos that you’d love to turn into art pieces? What are you going to do with them?