I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

 

Hi everyone and welcome back.

 

 

 I know it has been a while since I have posted but wow this time of year always seems to be a crazy time. Not to mention what crazy people decide to do some home remodeling in DECEMBER!!!! Yes, you got it Me Wonderful and I have been remodeling and I tell ya, I wasn't sure we were going to survive it but so far so good!!!! We are now enjoying our time in front of our beautiful new rock wall and pellet stove!!!

Isn't it beautiful!!

 

 

 

We still have lots to do as we are remodeling the whole house but first things first!!

 

 

We have now put a hold on our work to get through the holidays so I had a little time to do some shopping  and better yet creating!! This months challenge over at www.alteredpages.com is called "The colors of the season" they have left it up to the creator to use their own imagination and interpretation of  all the amazing colors you see during the Christmas holidays to create their very own amazing piece. With that said, most of you know I LOVE vintage as well as shabby chic. Now my home is more primitive but I LOVE LOVE PINK! So I when AP came out with the "Think Pink collage sheet

 

 

 

 I could not wait to use it to create this sweet shabby chic pink tag to represent a Pink Christmas.

 

 

 

 

I used some cardstock and paper from G45 Christmas Emporium and another paper pack I had in my stash and inked the edges. I am a junq'ateer so I am always on the hunt for vintage lace and wedding dress scraps so I added some of that to the piece. I also embossed the edges with some gold tinsel added some yummy pearls and silk ribbon a little Wink of Stella and there you have it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  I will be entering this shabby goodness in this months challenge over at www.alteredpages.com. You should as well!! It is open to everyone and Ms Jean has some Awesome goodies to give away to the winner. There will be two winners one from our design team and one of you. So click on the link below and head over!1 Your piece doesn't have to be all AP but you must use at least some of their products. I have no doubt my sweet art sisters will come up with some AMAZING art work!!  Well that's it for today friends. I will be back in January with more creations, but keep stopping by as I will be going on a Wonderful Christmas journey in the mountains and there will be lots to show over the next couple of weeks!!

Thanks for popping in and from my little atelier here in the Ozarks to yours

 

 

 

 

Altered Angels Among US

HI Everyone, Hope you had a Marvelous Thanksgiving and are not to stuffed from all the yumminess and of course the left overs!! Speaking of leftovers, have I told you all how much I love LEFTOVERS? 

 Well Most of you who know me, know I am in love with repurposing junk (Leftovers) or at least what most folks call junk! For me one mans junk is truly my treasure. So today I bring you some of my repurposing once again.

 I am in love with angels, love the thought that I have angels watching over my family, my friends and myself as well. Because of my fondness and in honor of my mom (my personal guardian angel now in heaven) I decided to create an angel. But how was I going to create her and what kind of junk was I going to use? Well, the wheels got to spinning one evening as I was pouring the grand kids a soda. BAZINGA!! I knew what I was going to do and got busy. With a few sheets of paper, some images from www.AlteredPages.com, a little bit of stuffing and matte gel, OH and don't forget the coke can,  I want you to meet,

                                                 

              “Paix”

 

 

"Paix" (which is French for Peace)  was made from repurposed scraps and collage images from  AlteredPages.com Sprayed with a little ink spray created from Gelato's, hand stamped and ladened with scrap pieces of Graphic 45 paper and some floral collage images which I also found over at Altered Pages. I used a wooden ice cream spoon and another AP collage sheet for her head and face along with a little bling for her halo. I then added some tattered vintage lace and some vintage applique from an old wedding dress I found while at one of my favorite flea markets.

 

 

 

 

Now I bet your wondering what I needed the coke cans for? Well look closely and you will see the tin coke cans have now become Angel Wings!!

 

 

 

 I cut them out, altered them with a little matte gel, pieces of paper and then embossed them with gold embossing powder. I left the back side unfinished so you could see.

 

I had such fun creating her that plans are in the making for her and her future sisters "ESPOIR" (Hope), "JOIE" (Joy), and "AMOUR" ( Love) to be offered as online classes!! Classes are be planned to start sometime in February with "Amour" as our featured angel. So please be watching  the blog for more info and how you can be apart of this fun time!!

 

Well I hope so much you have enjoyed today's post. I know I truly enjoyed creating her and feel blessed to be able to show her off  here and over on www.AlteredPages-Artsociates.blogspot.com . Even more so, to be able to find just the right images and products to make my vision happen, Thank you AP for having just what I needed!!  And Thanks to you my artsy angels for dropping by and I hope you will join me again next time.

 

 

                                                               Mel’odee

A Little Vintage Elf'n Magic

Hey everyone, It's AP Tuesday again. All I can say today is WOW! So much yummy goodness going on over at the Altered Pages Blog I feel like I have been stuffed with a Thanksgiving Art Feast!! LOL! So many talented design team members and I am so thankful to be a part of such a great team! If you haven't done so head over to the blog and check out the November Elf challenge. I would love for you to join us not to mention lots of good prizes to the winners!!!

Speaking of elves, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I bet it's even beginning to look a little like Christmas around your homes as well. I have been working on some new Christmas ornaments for my own tree this year and decided to create one more little elf ornament for you. I love victorian and vintage especially vintage toys so with that in mind here is what I came up with

 

 

I created this little rendition of a vintage toy ornament using  some  spools, fibers, glitter, G45 paper and AP's Elves and Gnomes collage kit. You can find lots of cool collage images just right for those vintage handmade ornaments over at www.AlteredPages.com!

 

 

 

 

 A few bits and baubles from my personal stash of junk'n finds,  a little fussy cutting, embossing and glue and Wa La!  Can't wait to hang him on my studio tree!!

 

 

 

(This is the back side)

 

What fun it was to create this little guy.  He is going to look really cute hanging from that  little green tree in my atelier!!  I think it really is starting to look a little like Christmas!!   

 

 Have a Beautiful Blessed Thanksgiving my sweet art friends,

 

                             Mel’odee

 

 

  

One Jolly Soul With Something BiG To Crow About!

Hi everyone and greetings from Mo.!!  I hope all of you have been enjoying this most beautiful month of  November while gearing up for the holidays!! I have been busy in my little atelier here in the Ozarks gearing up for all the fun going on throughout Blog land and at home as well. Designing designing designing and trying to figure out how to add in some quality outdoor time with my Mr. Wonderful!! Fall is a BIG time here in the Ozarks as I am sure it is in a lot of other places. The leaves are falling and the weather is getting cooler (or at least it is supposed to be. LOL).  

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkins, hay bales and scarecrows adorn porches

 

 

 

 

 and around here, the crows are crowing their little heads off!!!

 

 

 

 

Yep, those little black fellas are making their presence known and taking a leisurely walk through the woods, leaves one at times needing earplugs.  But, I love to hear them as it is always a sign fall is here.

 

Speaking of Crows.......  I have a big exciting announcement to make and have been choking on my tongue trying to keep quiet until all the details were worked out!! Some of you read about it on my FB page and some may not have. But, I am ready to make the big reveal!! Yours truly is proud to announce "I have been accepted as a new member of CrowAbout StudioB  design team!    Don't know who CrowAbout StudioB is? Shamey! Shamey! if you are an art journal crazy like myself and do not know!! LOL!  To find out more about Nancy Baumiller and Crowabout click here She herself designs for Deviant Scrap.  And now for my very first original and official design!!  Are ya ready LOL!! Here we go..................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAH DAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used snips and snippets from CrowAbout's newest kit Merry & Bright Digi Kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 as well as the Cutie Patootie kit and Funky Holiday dress-Up kit. Nancy has some most amazing digi kits and they can be found over at Deviant Scrap!

 

 I am just so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be designing for TWO great companies. Thank you to Nancy at CrowAbout StudioB and Jean over at Altered Pages for the opportunity. I have no doubt it's going to be an amazing journey!!

 

   I hope you have enjoyed today's post and will keep coming back  for more creative fun and to find some upcoming challenges, swaps and giveaways and tutorials!! So for now I bid all of you farewell as it is time for me to head back to my little atelier and get my art on. I will be back Tuesday with more creative goodness and more BIG news!! 

 

Please remember I love your feedback so feel free to leave a comment!!

 

Toot-a-loo my artsy friends!!

               Mel’odee

Altered Pages Challenge #13 - Elves & Gnomes

Altered Pages Challenge #13 - Elves & Gnomes

Hi everyone, are you excited about the holidays? How about a monthly challenge!

We are gearing up for Christmas over at Altered Pages & to kick off the season, our November Challenge theme is all about Elves & Gnomes!

So because of my love and passion for assemblage art and mixed media art dolls I created these little Elf Christmas ornaments

 

 

 

 

These little sweeties measure 3 inches at their widest point and 5.5 inches long and are made from pine and wire. I used the Elf and Gnomes collage sheet from AlteredPages.com and resized them using only their faces. I also used scraps from Graphic 45 "Christmas Emporium" and Glitz "Hello December" paper packs.

Through in some metal corners for wings and lots of scraggly wire. I created paper beads for their legs using the same papers as above.

 

Oh and you CANNOT forget their EARS!!!

 

 

 

 Elves must have ears!!! I created them out of sculpy clay and touched them up with a little dab of Ecogreen acrylic paint and a little dab of Gelatos all found at AP!!.

 

There's gonna be loads of fun going on over on the AlteredPages site as they host this months challenge. You will not only be able to enter your very own elf project but you will be able to vote on your favorite Design Team elf as well!! I Hope you will join in on the fun & link up your Elf project too!

 

Visit the Challenge page for more info!

 

So...  Tah Tah for now my artsy friends,

and have a very blessed artful week!!

 

                                 Mel’odee

 

 

November Blessings

Happy Tuesday everyone!!
 What a blessing it is to be able to share with you today.  November has been noted as the month to be thankful. In reflecting back on this year and what I have to be thankful for I realize that even though this has been a crazy crazy year the blessings have been abundant even in the darkest of  hours.   I know sounds crazy right? Blessings being plentiful even in the midst of the storms? Yes, truly there have been. For example, My dad become unexpectedly ill and we almost lost him twice. Two long months at the hospital by his side day in and day out brought weariness, emotional highs and lows and everything else that comes with sleeping and caring for an ill loved one day in and day out. Where is the blessing in all of that you ask? Well, I am happy to say finding the strength I never knew I had for one thing not to mention daddy came home and is doing well. It brought me closer to my love for art as I was able to have my art journal at the hospital. I could go on and on about the blessings that came from this and believe me this was truly a dark time as I am a daddy's girl even age *!&#*!! LOL (There are some things a girl just doesn't speak of!!)  While we may not see the blessings all the time they are there in every shape and form and I can say I definitely have been blessed. I am also blessed and thankful for all of my sweet art friends, while I may have never met you in person, each of you in have blessed me with your beautiful words, your constant "you can do it's" and your own inspiring works of art. You never cease to amaze me.    I have so many reasons to be thankful and I am sure you do too. I am also blessed to have been selected to join a team of amazing designers over at www.AlteredPages.com So in honor of this bountiful month of blessings I created this little card for all of you! Yes it will have to be a virtual for most but you get the idea LOL!

 

 

 I used  the collage sheet 2250 Thanksgiving place cards and 2021 Let us be Thankful, paper from Graphic 45 French Country collection and a little wink of Stella ( yes it's there and I do apologize for the pictures, having a little camera difficulty this crazy day,LOL)  all found at  www.alteredpages.com, along with some brown & red cardstock, vintage lace and trim and a tiny brad. I love AP and they have such a great line of products and Ms Jean is adding new products everyday!!

 In creating this, I took brown cardstock and created a standard A7 greeting card or 4 1/4 x 5 1/2  ( 4/14 x 11) folded in half. Then cut 2 strips of G45 paper measuring 2 1/2x 5 1/2 and the other 3x5 1/2. Flipping the larger strip over to reveal the green and then sewed them together and roughing up the edges with a little sandpaper. Next I cut out the image from collage sheet 2250 and layered it up with some brown cardstock and more G45 and added a little vintage lace from my junque'n stash. I added more vintage lace and a little trim to the top of the card and then adhered the image down up top. I then cut the greeting from collage sheet  2021 layered it on a little red cardstock added a teeny tiny brad and adhered it down, topped off the pumpkins with a little Wink of Stella glitter  and waa laa. This was a quickie card but came out so cute.

I just love vintage especially this time of year. It just seems to bring about the warm fuzzies especially as I reflect back through the year, a year despite the difficulties has had so many beautiful and wonderful blessings. What are you thankful for this year, I would love to hear in your comments.

As I said before, I so am thankful for the opportunity to be apart of  a fabulous design team and for the blessing of being able to share my work with all of you, our wonderful followers, my friends!. So for today and always I send you  "Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed year"!!

                                                                                            Mel’odee

A Little Zetti and Poe in a Bottle

Hey everyone, well we are getting down to the wire!! Can I have a big Scary Cheer for all the amazing artists that have inspired us during this ghoulishly awesome blog hop!!!

 I just want to thank all of you for joining in and for your wonderful comments!! It has been such an awesome experience to have been able to participate in this 31 Days of Halloween blog hop as a design team member for Alteredpages.com
 
Today I bring you a little bit of craziness. I am in love with Zettiology and of course Collage art. For those of you who need a definition of Zetti art, the only real thing I can tell you is that it is a unique quirky, extraordinary art form that takes the ordinary to a whole different level of creativity. It is zanie eyes, pointy hats, bright colors as well as snips of this image, that image and more and putting them together in a way that creates a piece of  quirky fun fantasy art. I am in love with zetti so when I received some most gnarly images from Altered Pages and Smeared Ink I knew I would have to find a way of throwing them all together to create a page in my Zetti art journal for today's project. So without further ado here is my fun Zetti art journal page using their awesome collage and digi images.

 

A Poe in a bottle anyone? LOL

 

I began with a blank page in my art journal, adding several pieces of torn book pages I  then sprayed the page with several different colors of Dylusions ink.  Next I did a little snipping and pasting of different parts of the collage and digi images to create Poe in a specimen bottle and mad Skelly. Added more paper strips and stamp splashes and a quote from none other than Mr. Poe himself and Wha La!! A lot of strangeness going on here but that is the whole concept of Zetti and with help from some AWESOME images from AlteredPages.com and Smearedink.com I was able to get my Zetti on while having loads of fun.

 

Well that's all folks I hope you have enjoyed my little piece of strangeness. I have created a list of  some of the supplies I used as well as the collage and digi images. Once again I hope you have had fun along this monthly journey and have been inspired!! Oh, if you would like to see some more amazing collage/zetti artists here's a couple of links to some sweet art friends of mine! www.thetingoat.blogspot.com www.birdnutsmixedmedia.blogspot.com

 Please go and check them out and tell Renee and Denise, Melodee sent you.

 

Happy hopping all and from here in the Ozarks

 

 

                             

                                                  Mel’odee

 

 

 

  Supplies from Alteredpages.com: Dylusions Inks Sprays, Gesso, Mat Gel, papers from Graphic 45 Spells, Collage Images  ( Edgar Allen Poe, Gothic Stamp Set, Dem Bones) Images from SmearedInk.com ( Lisa Lashes)

"SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES"

Hi everyone!! Glad you hopped in to my little Atelier. Today is Day 15 of  the 31 Days of Halloween Blog Hop. Are we having a spooky good time yet? I sure hope so. I know I have been having a great time hopping around checking out all of the amazing creations and reading all of your beautiful inspiring words of kindness. I must say everyone is Simply amazing!!

What a time I am having creating. Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year and I love creating gouling creepiness!!  As some of you know Oddities are my thing and you never know what I may come up with.

With that said, what better then to take a little Poe and get my Halloween on!! LOL 
I mean really,  what would Halloween be without a little Edgar!!

 

 

 

HEEHEE!! Thought you were gonna get to see didn't you?

 

I had such an awesome time working with different mediums on this 5x7 canvas  but especially working with the Edgar Allen Poe "The Master of Macabre" collage sheet and Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells paper. You can find them all  www.Alterpages.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took this side view to give you an idea of the dimension in this piece. Paper tearing, distressing inking metals you name it. I tried to use a little bit of everything!

 

So without further ado..............

 

The finished product

 

"Something Wicked This Way Comes"!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is probably one of my personal favorites and I hope you enjoy it as well. More than anything I hope it will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and create something a little odd this Halloween season. And please hop over to www.Alterpages.com and check out all the wonderful supplies.  I have no doupt you will find just what you need to get your Halloween art on!!!

Also to continue on in the blog hop journey be sure and click on the link to the right!

 

Happy Hopping everyone!!!

 

                                                Mel’odee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Hey Hey Everyone!! Welcome to Day 1

 of the Smeared and Smudged "31 Days of Halloween" blog hop!!

What a fun time this is going to be! All of us at www.AlteredPages.com are participating and just can’t wait for you to hop along!! So many amazing artists bringing you lots of Halloween creativity . Let’s start out with how to Hop. Just click on the individual artist links to the right under the "Wicked Blogger Header" and it will lead you on the month long journey! Make sure and read all the details on each blog because there will be LOTS of giveaways and a GRAND prize valued over $300 from Smear and Smudged!! Then Keep coming back every day for new spooky goodness from some grooling great artists!! We know you are just going to love what you see.

Now onward for one of many creations.

Meet little "Voo" and little "Doo"!! Aren’t they the cutest!!! LOL.

 

 

 

 

I had fun creating my crazy insane version of Voodoo dolls using the "STITCHY SITUATION-DOLL 5" digi stamp from www.SmearedandSmudged.com!!  I printed the images on fabric, cut them out, sewed them together and added a little stuffing. I then added color using my inktense pencils. I added a little embroidery along with some seed beads to their nose and mouth, also added some hemp that had been unraveled and knotted at the ends added for hair. The stick pins were created using 3" head pins and some skulls and other assorted beads which you can find at www.AlteredPages.com. How cute these will look tucked in with some vintage apothecary bottles and votive candles!!! I just love Smeared and Smudged and Altered Pages. You can find everything you need to create some amazing Halloween décor and fun!! Well that’s all from me today, but I will be back here on my blog and on the AP blog October 15th with more art created for "31 Days of Halloween"! Until then, be sure to click on the links over to the right to continue your daily journey through the "31 Days of Halloween"

 

 

 

                                                                                            Mel’odee

The Lost Muse

Ever have those times when you just can't create? In other words your muse is ran away? Well this week it happened to me.  "Oh Muse, Oh Muse where have you gone I cried. What have I done to make you run. Then just as I cried out I found the first of many clues she had left behind. She hadn't left me I had just bee neglecting her!

 

 

My Poor Muse

  Oh,  how many ways I had neglected HER.

 

 I had expected her to just be able to give a masterpiece in the spur of a moment and if she didn't show up just when I expected I ignored her. Then there was the time when I demanded she produce the perfect first draft. Oh goodness have you ever done that?!!  What a bad, bad girl I am for  surfing the web looking for ideas when I should have been more committed in spending time with her. I had ignored her all day on so many occasions, and hadn't taken the time to  write down the excellent phrases or ideas she had whispered in my ears so many times!  And when I  finally did sit to “work,” I  use the excuse she wasn't helping and got mad at her. After pondering on the whys of her absence I thought,  had I just expected so much of her? Had she gotten to tired of being neglected that she needed a break from ME!! Oh Muse, Oh Muse what must I do to get you back? I can't do this without you, I need you!

 Well, after looking long and hard for my sweet muse I found she had indeed left a few clues that I had not seen. Clues that had been there all along when I finally took time to be still!! Ever heard the phrase " Be still and know"? Well there is much more to that than we realize and when we just take a minute to be still and quiet all of our nonsense expectations we can come to know that our muse hasn't left she has  been there all along. We just need to " Be still and know".  Know that when we quit focusing on creating a finished product and start having fun creating it,  she will join in. When we create a safe and comfortable routine for her, she feels comfortable to turn loose. When we actually spend time with her one on one and not allow all the daily interruptions like the web, facebook,  and whatever may take our full attention away, her voice becomes like a song that gets stuck in our head!  We need to know to always give her credit when credit is due and when it's not give it to her anyway after all art is individual and if we try we can see the beauty in all that our muse leads us to create!

And last but not least when she speaks LISTEN, Write it down even if you cannot get to it right away so you will be able to look back and know that even when she is tired she is still right there beside you ready to get her muse on!!

The point is, our muse will always be there for us when we take the time to nurture her and  be with her. When we stop placing high and unrealistic expectations on her and see the beauty in all she leads us to create. After all as the old saying goes, Rome was not built in a day!! Today I found my muse and brought her home. Have you found your missing muse? If not try a few of the clues she left for me and let me know when you bring her home!! Your Challenge for the next week is to find your muse! Create a piece of art and email a picture to www.melodee.oia@gmail.comwith your story, I will then post it here on my blog!! Lets get together art friends and help those who have lost their muse find her and bring her home!!

  Tah Tah for now my artsy friends and remember to hug your MUSE today!!!

 

                  Mel’odee

For The Love Of Steampunk

Steampunk, Steampunk, Steampunk , Oh how I love Steampunk!!

What began as a literary genre of science fiction and fantasy that incorporated the techno and social aspects of the 1900's has now evolved into so much more. Through the eyes and hands of artists all over the world "Steampunk" has been taken to a whole new level.  I am constantly amazed by the varying combinations of artistry and components from metal fixtures and gadgets to the wondrous thing-a- ma-bobs and Victorian industrial style!! It's flavor is unending and constantly delicious!!

With a love for creating the odd, and collecting the unwanted tainted pieces of what some may call "Junk"  I have formed a passion and true love for steampunk . It is not just the literary genre involving steam powered technology yet a beautiful art form using brass, copper and glass, polished wood, hammering, engraving, and oh the details for the sake of details with a Victorian Industrial twist.  An art form that shows itself through ones own unique personality and artistic interpretation. While some see my collection of  junk ( old gears, washers, chains etc.) in the drawers of my atelier, as an artist I see so much more.   So in honor of Steampunk and all Steampunk lovers everywhere I bring you today a piece I created using some of my old so called "junk" and some collage images from www.AlteredPages.com

 

 

 

 

Introducing "?"

 

Hmmm, She doesn't have a name yet but I will get back to that in a moment. Right now I want to share with you the name of the collage sheet I used to create this one of a kind Steampunk lavalliere which can be found at www.AlteredPages.com. The collage sheet is called "Exotic Beauties" and is a marvelous set of images  of  exotic women perfect for that steampunk piece or your upcoming Halloween art!  AP has some amazing collage sheets and I bet you will be able to find just the right images for your next project be it SteamPunk, Halloween or something else.!!

 

Now for the rest of the story!! 

 

Like what you see here? Well, I am hosting a "Name my Lavalliere"  challenge starting today! Here is how it works. In my comment section leave your idea of a name for my piece and if you have not yet become a follower click on the "follow this blog" link by September 30th 2013. Winner will be announced here on the blog and on my facebook page on October 1st, 2013 and the lucky winner will receive his or her very own SteamPunk piece!!  I am so excited to see what amazing names you all come up with!! So tell your fellow artists and friends about what is going on and get those thinking caps on!!! So until next time my steamy followers, have a beautiful punked out day  and remember to check out all the amazing products  at www.AlteredPages.com

 

 

                              Mel’odee

I

Winners Announced!!

Good Morning my sweet friends,
I pray all are having a super start to the week. This mornings post was to be happy and joyful as I announce the winners of my very first blog giveaway. While the winners will still be announced I must say it is with a heavy heart. You see, I am a Navy Mom as well as a Navy daughter. The shooting in Washington DC this am has effected my family not directly but because of the loyalty to our fellow military families. My heart is heavy and our condolences go out to those involved. I pray God's peace and comfort to all at this time and please ask all of my sweet sweet followers and fellow artists to please remember all of those involved as well as those who help defend our country today and everyday.

Now for the BIG announcement! Saturday, I announced my first of many giveaways here on my blog and I want to thank all of you for the sweet comments and for joining me in my new endeavor. In order to be fair to everyone  I use  "Truly Random" number generator to choose the winners.  So without further ado the winners of Saturdays Giveaway and this sweet tag are,

 

  drum roll pleaseeeee................................

 Tristan Robin Blakeman and Lydia Brazeau!!!!!

 

WOOOO HOOOOO CONGRATS to these two!!!!  Please email me at  melodee.oia@gmail.com  with your snail mail addy so I can get your tags out to you!!!

Well, once congrats again to the winners! Keep watching my friends for the next giveaway coming soon not to mention the first of many swaps and challenges here on my blog.  And if you haven't already, hug your loved one and thank a soldier,

Until next time,

      

       Mel’odee

Product Play and Giveaway

Good Morning My Artsy Sweetz!!! It is a beautiful morning in here in the Ozarks! Summer is slowly making its way out of these here hills and fall is making its debut!!  Sitting here on my porch enjoying some fresh brewed Java feeling the crisp morning breeze just makes my soul eager to head to the woods for some fall viewing of the beautiful scenery. However, it is still a little early so going to play in the atelier instead!

Today here on the blog is product review time and Wow I can’t wait to show you some goodies I have been working with PLUS I am going to do a giveaway!! WHOOP WHOOP!! Don’t you just love FREEBIES!!!!!  So with that let’s check out what I did last night!!
 

 

 

 

LOL, I bet you thought you were gonna see what I created didn’t ya!!   Well first here’s a glimpse of some products I used!!

 

 

 

If you have not used the new Gelatos you are missing it!! I am in love mainly because of the different ways you can use them!! Gelatos are made by Faber Castell (just the name speaks volumes in my book) and are acid-free pigment sticks. They glide on creamy smooth for vibrant color and coverage.  They blend really easily and can be used with or without water. You can use them just as they are or you can convert them to liquid for creating color sprays and drips!! They also work on foam, rubber or clear stamps!!! I have fallen in love with them because of their versatility. Now, let’s take a look at what I did with them

First, you see the two pink smudge spots on my mat in the first picture? NO, they‘re not dirt spots!! LOL it's the Gelatos. I just scribbled with them on my mat. Next I sprayed them with a fine mist of water to make an ink puddle. I then took my tags and laid them in the puddle and allowed the tag to soak up the color. I did this a couple of times on the tag.  Here is the result,

 

 

 

OH, by the way I cut the tags out using card stock from Graphic 45’s Secret Garden. Next I added an image from Altered Pages Collage kit “Elements of Design”.  Decorated the tag with some lace and then used my Gelatos once again. This time I smudged some red on my mat and sprayed with some water, took a make-up sponge and dabbed the puddled like I would an ink pad and created pretty hearts using a stencil.

 

 

 

After completing the stencil effect I then allowed everything to dry and topped my hearts off with a little crystal lacquer,  ribbon, a little stamp from Graphic 45 and a sweet little key babble!!

 

Now for the finished product........ 

 

 

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 Don’t you just love the color of the Gelatos?  They are so easy to use and their many ways of using them makes it that much more fun!! 

 

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my little product preview. I love love the new Gelatos and the beautiful collage images from Altered Pages. Want to give your artful muse a try using these cool items? Just click on thewww.AlteredPages.com  link and head on over. You can find the Gelatos as well as some beautiful images to use. They also have a great supply of Graphic 45 papers, some sweet babbles and German scrap and much more!!

 

Oh I almost forgot!!  LOL I said GIVEAWAY didn’t I!! Well here’s how you can receive the tag I created above FREE.  Just leave me a comment in the comment section of this blog post and then become a follower by clicking on the follow me link!!  Your name will then go into a

random drawing to be held tomorrow night 8pm CST and the winner will be announced Monday right here on my blog as well as my face book page.  Thanks for dropping by and please be sure and drop by www.AlteredPages.com and their blog www.AlteredPages-Artsociates.blogspot.com Great

Company with some amazing products and artists!!

 

Have a beautiful weekend my artsy followers and be watching Tuesday for another project!!

 

                                                                                     Mel’odee