Gemini Visions Art

Perfect Sentiments Challenge #2

2011-10-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge at The Perfect Sentiment is to create a Friendship card using this color pallet:

Oddly enough my linens are exactly these colors, so of course I loved working with them already!

Here is my example:

I used Photo paper to start out with; I chose a lovely stamp from Club Stamp and proceeded to heat emboss the image with clear embossing powder; next I used alchol inks and create a wash with water in the colors shown above. I chose another ribbon stamp and used Stazon to accent the piece. The sentiment is an Irish Blessing...and it means alot to me. It reflects how I feel about all of my friends, so using it was appropriate. My style is usually simple, so I just added some cream ribbon and metal embellishments.

Today's Challenge is lovingly sponsored by Heart Song Designs and they are giving away one free Digi!!

Thanks to them for their inspiring images! Visit their site and tell them The Perfect Sentiment sent you!!

For inspiration, again see the other DT Members blogs here:

Jennipher

Sarah

Lynn

Abby

Jan

Kimberly

Rochelle

Shaunna

Shelly

Stacey

Tere`

Theresa

Then head on over and link your submission for the challenge at The Perfect Sentiment. It's that simple!

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your lovely creations! ~Shelly

First Perfect Sentiment's Challenge!

2011-10-05T09:28:00.001-07:00

Today marks the launch of The Perfect Sentiments Challenge! The first challenge is to create a Sympathy Card, but with a twist; use lace somewhere on your card. Here is my example:

With this card I used a digital image from Glitterbabe Greetings, the Lilli. I printed it out on the orange patterned cardstock, then painted parts of it with acrylic paint. I also used some glitter pens to add more detail to the lilli. The papers have a vintage feel, which I think is classy and in the middle I used some old text that I ripped. I placed the lace over it to tame the look of the card down.

This week's challenge is sponsored by Glitterbabe Greetings!! We are very fortunate to have Stef over at Glitterbabe Digi's sponsoring us this round, and she is giving away $10 to her store; that is enough to get 3 digis!! Please click the link below to pay her a visit and tell her The Perfect Sentiment sent you!

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my sister Design Team Members here:

Jennipher

Sarah

Lynn

Abby

Jan

Kimberly

Rochelle

Shaunna

Shelly

Stacey

Tere`

Theresa

Now for the challenge details! Visit our blog at The Perfect Sentiment and upload your challenge entry to win a chance receive three free digital images, and be chosen as our one of our "Perfect Three"! The deadline for entering is 10:00 pm EST this Sunday. I can't wait to view all of your beautiful submissions!!

The Perfect Sentiments Challenge Launch!

2011-10-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the launch of the Perfect Sentiments Challenge! Each week a new card challenge will be posted, and some wonderful prizes will be awarded. As part of their Design Team, I will be posting my challenge piece and detailing instructions on how you can enter the challenge. I'm very excited to be part of this creative venture and I hope we get alot of players!!

Altered tins...My first

2011-09-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever created something that you loved so much that you vowed to keep it forever? This is my first altered Roaring 20's tin, which I did ultimately sell on Ebay...but today it continues to inspire me. I have yet another blank tin that is just screaming to be collaged and covered in sticky goodness! I've been eyeing up the new Graphic 45 Christmas collection, and I plan to go visit my favorite store this weekend to pick them up and get to work! STAY TUNED....

Design Team Announcement

2011-09-25T22:16:00.001-07:00

I am pleased to announce that I was accepted as a Design Team Member for The Perfect Sentiment! The Perfect Sentiment is a challenge blog; each week myself and the other design team members will create a card and extend the challenge to the crafting world to do the same! Please check them out and follow me on my journey! Special thanks to Jenn and Sami for choosing me.

It's an honor....

2011-09-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today I worked long and hard at my J-O-B, and it was not what I would call a good night...I came home to check posts/emails as usual only to discover that the design team at Bella Creations chose to honor me as their "La Creme du Bella", which means Artist of the Week essentially...I'm thrilled to have been chosen, and I am posting the badge with much pride.

Here is the work I was honored for:

New Challenge Entry for Bella Creations

2011-09-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Design Team at Bella Creations came up with a fantastic challenge this week to create a project using these awesome Dress Mannequin images from Gecko Galz.

I decided to make a little collage that hangs on the wall, thinking of course this will make a cute gift~ I used pop dots to make the middle mannequin stand out, then created interest with Red Stickles and a cut up silk flower to make it look like an actual dress! So much fun!

My first Digital ATC

2011-09-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE all my glues, collage sheets and embellishments...BUT...I have seen some awesome digital artwork and of course being a Gemini, I just had to learn for myself! After fussing with the software for awhile, I finally came up with this, my first digital ATC "Bewitching" -- certainly a novice attempt, but I sort of like it. What do you think?

New Contest at It's All Treasure!

2011-09-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

It's Geri's first blog anniversary, and she's having a giveaway - Click for more details!

Retro Cafe Art Giveaway

2011-09-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Retro Art Cafe is now carrying Land of Enchantment collage sheets! They are so gorgeous, I cannot wait to get my hands on some of them! To celebrate, they are having a giveaway--visit the blog by clicking below!

An ATC and Tag for Halloween

2011-09-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

Also made these pieces today for Halloween...so much fun!

Several Halloween goodies today!

2011-09-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Being home from work (due to the broken foot) has afforded me alot of time to come up with some neat project ideas. I love Lisa Vollrath's tin can shrines, and I wanted to adopt her idea into a Halloween theme. Here's what I came up with! I'm hoping to win the "Anything Goes Halloween Contest" at Retro Cafe Art Gallery, so if your so inclined go and vote! (SEE LINK ALONG SIDE OF MY BLOG)

New Bottle Cap necklace

2011-09-13T10:13:00.001-07:00

Vintage bottle cap necklace

Two More Tags

2011-09-13T09:52:00.001-07:00

More decorated tags I created for a swap...no time to chat, lots of great Halloween projects in the works!

More Halloween ATC's

2011-09-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

I have so much fun creating these little works of art, and they take up so little of my time versus my bigger projects. Here are some more I did last night to share with my friends at Swap-bot.

Bottle cap necklace

2011-09-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at other's bottle cap creations, and I LOVE the thought of using them for necklaces. I decided to try my hand at making one, and this is my first piece. I love that you can use any image at all to make it unique, and the options to finish the piece are endless. I'd like to make one with some lovely beads at the end to make it one of a kind. The vintage key on this one is really one of my favorites.

A New Decorative Tag

2011-09-05T14:24:00.001-07:00

This one I created for a swap again on Swap-bot. I used a manila tag, and sprayed it first with some Color Wash. Then I randomly used some textured stamps with both Distressed Ink, and Gesso, followed by a stamped image which I raised with some Pop-dots and a few charms. These are so much fun to make, and can be used for book marks or even to attach in your Altered Journals.

2011-08-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a sampling of Halloween ATC's and Inchies I have made for swaps this week....

Busy with swaps.....

2011-08-17T01:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been creating here and there when time permits...working night shift sure takes it's toll! Here's what I did this past few days--Two theme ATC's for swaps, another Altered tag for a swap on Swap-bot, and a set of five Halloween Inchies for yet another swap!! --Happy Creating...Shelly

New Altered Tag

2011-07-28T01:10:00.000-07:00

Today my challenge was to create an altered tag for a swap at www.swap-bot.com
First I stained the manila tag crunching it up and putting it in a bowl of leftover coffee. I set it out to dry and it had a beautiful texture afterward, to which I applied Distress ink and dropped a little water on it to spread the color. I selected a vintage stamp image from Two Ten Studios, as well as the words and butterfly to create a little collage. After glueing it all down, I finished it with a coat of Glossy Accents and added some Stickles. I hope my partner likes it!

Altered Bandaid Tin

2011-07-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

I made this awhile ago, and realized I never posted it. It's an altered bandaid tin, using one of my favorite products, Adirondack Alcohol Inks. The Mona is under a microscope slide with some foil tape.

Altered Jewelry Box

2011-07-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love finding items at Thrift Sales to alter. I picked up this jewelry box for a quarter, and went to work. It is made of wood, and still plays music by the way. I put a light coat of gold metallic acrylic paint over it for shimmer, then put together a collage from images I got from Lisa Vollrath's Two Ten Studios, along with several different embellishments. I think this one will make a nice gift item for someone who loves the vintage look.

Retro ATC

2011-07-19T09:37:00.001-07:00

Just a simple Retro 1950's ATC I created for one of my swap groups...

2011-07-03T20:39:00.001-07:00

New Mixed Media Collage

2011-06-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

This piece is entitled "Love Your Differences" - created with a variety of mediums including Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Gesso, Modge Podge, Rubber stamps and computer printed images.

ATC - Ink and Texture

2011-06-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

I created this ATC using a texture technique with masking tape and cheesecloth, followed up with copious amounts of Modge Podge then inked with Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks.

Soul Inspiration Collage

2011-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

African Theme ATC

2011-06-22T10:48:00.001-07:00

Created this ATC today for an African Theme Challenge swap. It's good to be creating again!! Slow but sure...

A few past works of art

2010-03-01T17:59:00.000-08:00

My ATC's

2010-03-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

Wreck This Journal

2010-02-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this fantastic book in an ATC group I belong to. It's truly as if the author knows me personally, in a sense that she "gets me" - like this book was created for me! "Wreck This Journal" is a complete adventure into trying new things; each page of this journal has quirky instructions on it to boost your artistic endeavors. I received mine today, and already started "wrecking" it....what a fantastic way to blow off steam! Here are a few of the wreak-ings (is that a word?) that I did...so much fun, I'm nearly speechless...Document your dinner? TOO FUN!

Drawing again....

2010-02-25T19:34:00.001-08:00

I don't consider myself the best at drawing, but recently started doing it again after doodling some ideas in my sketchbook....here's an ATC I drew (I love Faeries!)

A few things...

2010-02-20T23:17:00.000-08:00

Have been working on ATC's a lot lately, some lovely trades happening! Here's a few...next up some large collages, must get some beauties done for the craft show!

New Today - Tag Art

2010-01-30T20:19:00.000-08:00

I love making tags, they are like little collages. You can use them for bookmarks, on your scrapbook pages, or on altered books and journals. Of course, I love Tim Holtz and like to blend his style with my own to make one of a kind pieces.

Here are two tags I created using Distress Ink and the "agate" technique as well as various images and rubber stamps.

New Art - FINALLY!

2010-01-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

It seems like I've had little to no time to work on the numerous projects I have been wanting to get at...I have been doing quite a few Artist Trading Card Swaps lately, and here are some of the cards I have made.

New ATC's - Finally!

2010-01-18T21:59:00.001-08:00

I haven't had a whole lot of "me" time lately, which translates to projects not getting done. ATC's are fun and quick, and here are a few I've managed to eek out for some swaps I have coming up, and some just for fun.

New Today - Framed Mosaic

2010-01-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

New 01/05/10 - Asian Art

2010-01-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

This Asian wall hanging was a venture in using coasters and other pieces.
This Asian CD Ornament was a fun project -

New Today

2009-12-26T20:13:00.000-08:00

I received my new Club Stamp kit, and finally today had lots of down time to get to it! Here is the result, five cards that I made using Club Stamp stamps, papers and various techniques.

More Vintage Cards

2009-12-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

More vintage cards I made with images from Lisa Vollrath.
Each card is $1.50 or 5 for $6.50 with envelopes. Can be customized for Birthday, Anniversary etc. upon request.

Coffee Cards

2009-12-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a set of Coffee Cards I made with images and papers from Club Stamp.

New ATC

2009-12-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is a Koi ATC I made yesterday for an upcoming swap on ATC_Connections.

Also new today - CD Ornament

2009-12-20T18:18:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by a stamp set from Angel Company to create this CD Ornament. I love incorporating playing cards into my art.

A Different Take

2009-12-20T09:21:00.000-08:00

Lisa Vollrath is one of my favorite artists, and every year she supplies Christmas images for the public to print out. This year she supplied images to make cute little Christmas cards. All the green images on this card came from her site, and I embellished this little guy with a stamp from The Angel Company, some brads and of course glitter! See my LINKS for more from Lisa Vollrath.

New Greeting Cards

2009-12-18T16:08:00.001-08:00

I made these new greeting cards yesterday using Angel Company Stamps.

New CD Ornaments

2009-12-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

I recently began a new venture, CD ornaments. I had so many scratched and wrecked CD's, why not turn them into art! And of course, I love the Vintage theme, so here are my first two creations. I will be doing some Asian Themed ones as soon as I make some time!

ATC Book

2009-12-11T21:49:00.000-08:00

This is a little book I put together that holds Artist Trading Cards. I love making children into angels!

Altered Cigar Tin

2009-12-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

This was an old cigar tin I picked up at Salvation Army dirt cheap. I embossed it and added tons of vintage images and other embellishments to it. This piece sold on Ebay last year.

This year's Holiday Cards

2009-12-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

Here are the Holiday Cards I made for 2009.

ATC's

2009-12-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a SlideShow of ATC's that I've created over the past few years. ATC is short for Artist Trading Cards. They are very small works of art the size of a playing card, and I've enjoyed making and exchanging them with people from all over the world.

Handmade Cards

2009-12-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

I created these cards from a kit I received from Club Stamp. I loved the colors and had great fun making them!