Anna Griffin Good ol' Sport Book

This project came together quickly as the Anna Griffin For the Boys Die Cuts went seamlessly with Good ol' Sport by Graphic 45.  It is so fun to be able to put together samples to promote new stuff.  These die cuts are hot off the press!  They will be featured on Home Shopping Networks 24 hour craft event on March 24th.  Be sure to tune in to see lots of goodies from our crafty leader Beth Kingston as well!

Supply List:

Anna Griffin For the Boys Die Cuts

Xyron Glue Stick For Corners

Xyron Mega Runner

Xyron 5" Creative Station 

Good ol' Sport 12x12 paper

Good ol' Sport Stickers

May Arts Ribbon

Chip board

Tim Holtz Tissue Tape

When I make chunky books I love to edge the pages with tissue tape to cover up any miss aligning pages and to add a layer of texture.

It would be really easy to replace some of this ephemera with photos from vacations or sporting events, if you are into scrapbooking more than altered art.  

I love how the themes from the die cuts match so well with the papers.  This little book really has an All American feel.  It was super easy to glue everything down with my Creative Station.  I can tell I am going to have a deep love affair with this new tool!

I could not resist adding a few more bit and pieces to the back of the project.  It is these tiny details that can really elevate your work.

Thanks for tuning in to see what I have been up too!  I can tell that working with Xyron is going to be an absolute blast!

Cheers,

Rhea

Moroccan Doors

This is yet another installment of the most wonderful round robin through my Kindred Souls group.  The theme for Pam's book is ornate doors.  You should see the construction of her journal, she really inspired me!

I had some of the brand new Bohemian Bazaar paper and stickers by Graphic 45  on my work table, so these quickly became my starting point.

I just love the rich color and vibrant pattern.  I tried to hinge these doors several ways, unsuccessfully.  In order to be able to still peek inside, the problem was solved by showcasing them slightly open.

On the back I used a bit of watered down Peacock Feathers Distress stain to add watery interest.  

I hope Pam enjoys the contribution I made for her most amazing journal.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Vintage Gentleman: Round Robin

I took some time this weekend to catch up on a round robin I have been participating in through my Kindred Souls group.  I have been super busy with work, so unfortunately I have not been able to upload all of my entries, but my big project is done so I can celebrate with a posting today!

I love the theme of this book.  I could not wait to get into my old Sears and Roebuck Catalog to find the perfect image. I think this guy fits the bill!  I started the page with a piece of paper from the Engraver line for
Prima.  Lots of inking, gilding and distressing techniques were used to yield a background with a bit of interest.  I then added my focal image and another scrap from the page I tore up.  Then I got busy stamping.  I have to say, I am so not a rubber stamper, but this was fun.  I always worry I am going to screw up the page, this time I guess I lucked out.  A few metal embellishments and I called it complete.

I kept the back pretty simple with another great piece of paper with the same line.  I did add a few more rubber stamp images since I was on a roll.  In order to grunge this piece up a bit, I tried adding some Pan Pastels for a smoky haze over the page.  

I hope that Stephen likes my contribution to his wonderful journal.

Cheers,

Rhea

Putting steampunk on the map

So one of my smaller art groups, Altered Without Limits, is hosting a really fun swap right now.  I took some time this past weekend to create the pages and I always love to celebrate with a blog post.  The central image needed to be created with a map as the focal.  The artist is allowed to do what the will to alter the map as long as it also fits into the steampunk theme. Our pages are six inches tall by four inches wide and there are ten of us in the swap.

I chose to use my favorite Tim Holtz die, heart wings.  I knew I had a boatload of maps to use for this project and of course I could not find them when the time came.  And yes, I unearthed the lost maps exactly when I had completed my pages! I ended up scavenging a few outdated ones at work which I used creatively for my heart and wings.  The actual wing area was cut from the index section, while the hearts came from more populated areas.

Of course you can hardly tell what is going on these pages now as there is so much going on. I layered and layered many techniques to each little element along the way.   I do feel in hindsight that the mica was too much, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.  Oh well!

If you look really close above, you may notice the geared up background.  This is foil "waste paper" from an industrial re purposing store,  that I have embossed.  Layers of tissue, matte medium, inky mists, watercolor crayons and graphite add depth and interest and grunge.

I dipped into my stash of resistors and added them to the mix.  I thought it was a nice industrial element to add to my heart.  Another element here are these great Masonite gears I picked up from Retro Cafe Art, a very fun artsy resource.  I embellished them with a bit of paint before using up the rest of my spinners from Tim Holtz.  

On the back I kept it simple and embellished a coin envelope and stashed a tag inside with my information on it.  I always love the element of interaction in my paper arts.  I am completely hooked on the distress stains, I hardly ever bust out my ink pads anymore with these around.  It also just so happens that this week's Compendium of Curiosities challenge is to marble stains, which was done to the actual heart pieces and the technique is outlined in Tim's newest book. Distress stains were actually used throughout the project heavily. Please stop over and see what Linda is up to on her blog, she has partnered this week with Eclectic Paperie for this week's challenge.

 

I really can't wait to see what the rest of the group creates.  I will be sure to share my amazing book once the swap is complete.

Cheers, 

Rhea

A Charming Vintage Valentine

I had intended on getting this post up on Valentine's Day, but alas, I have been under the weather and whatever I have is really lingering.  Today I pushed through and mustered up the energy to snap some shots of a really cool collaborative project.  The chunky book pages are the results of a Vintage Valentine swap over on All Things Tim. I made a simple cover and back with really pretty paper I picked up at Altered Art Addicts.



An interesting addition to this chunky book, are all the wonderful art charms.  I was lucky enough to win a contest in my art charms group and received this lovely set of love themed charms.  It arrived as a necklace, but I knew it would become journal jewelry as soon as I realized I had the perfect opportunity to combine all of my Valentine loot. 





I used several of Tim Holtz's charm clips to add my charms to my books.  These are the perfect tool for doing this task, I am saddened that they are discontinued.



I really love the page shown above.  The little bunting is just perfect and the imagery and embellishments are just darling. 



I have to say that our group is a really talented one.  Each page has so many elements, I see something new to enjoy each time I flip through the book. 

 

This page is interactive.  The little paper doll can be removed and her closet on the back of the page opens.  I really appreciate this kind of work as I love art that engages the observer. 



Here is another page with a tuck in.  You can pull the little Valentine out of it's cute little envelope.  I also love the rosettes and pretty trims. 

I am going to enter my little book in this week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.   Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win their weekly drawing for a $50 gift certificate.  I had a blast shopping and I can't wait to use the goods I purchased with my winnings. 

Cheers,

Rhea

Vintage Valentine

As part of my adoration of Tim Holtz and his product line, I am involved with an online community called All Things Tim.  From time to time there are chunky book swaps to participate in,  I jumped on board with the Vintage Valentine offering.  I am also entering this into this week's challege of "anything but a card," over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.

My pages are 6x6 and mounted on very heavy chipboard.  I used Tim's images from his seasonal paper stash as my focal.  Many other of his goodies were used as well:  antique linen distress stain, his new tissue paper and of course tissue tape.

 

The backs are adorned with faux postcards I made from some kraft paper.  Some of them actually have burnt edges for interest. 

I also added these cute little faux wax seals as a decorative element on the back.  I learned how to do this from a crafty pal, Angela in her first online tutorial.  Thanks for your inspiration Angela!

Each front layout is a little bit different.  I used a new die cut my mom picked out for me for Christmas on her own, she did great!  I am not sure I would have chosen it on my own, and I absolutely love it. 



Another element you can see on this page are these darling square doilies.  Another crafty pal resource here, thanks Cathwren!  I aged them a bit with a few hits of distress stain. I had a different plan for them, but they were just too pretty to cut up.  Spray adhesive was the secret to a durable page with no pesky loose edges.   



I also used, gasp, stickers!  The hearts were from Martha and have a delicious texture.  They were a bit too pink for me, which I attended to with a little vintage photo ink. 

I had a two different paper selections for the back.  I love the clever use of an old postage stamp and a vintage air mail stamp.  I just adore all things postal!  I am also very grateful for the inspiration this little group provides me. 

Thanks ATT!

Cheers,

Rhea

Journey Around the World

A few short months ago I connected with a wonderful Yahoo group called All Things Tim.  I quickly joined into one of the first swaps I could, called Journey Around the World.  We were instructed to create fifteen six by six pages inspired by where we live, which would be swapped out with other participants around the world.  The pages were returned to us for binding and to create a cover. You can read about the pages I made here. 

I punched my holes with my new Cinch.  I love this crafty tool.  It was super easy to use and I had my pages and cover bound in no time with the help of some book binding rings. This book is really chunky.  Therefore I made a clasp from a hitching post, some ball chain and an eyelet.  It works very well.   

 

Inside I added a little flip up where I wrote in the swap participant information.  I used Tim's license plate paper and added a clever title of "pit stops."  Here are photos of the pages I received in this lovely swap.  I am so glad I participated and have such a great book to show for.

Gail Bales

Stephanie Novatski

Monica Gabehart

Ginger Labry

Rhea Freitag

Stephanie Hallit

Paula Graham

Bev Allaire

Cindy Cato

Jeannie Massie

Micheal Farrell

Yamilee Bazile

Bessie del Rosario

Kate Burroughs

Inside Back cover

I ended up with an extra page of mine.  I received two back, as I requested a specific one of mine that had a piece of vintage map from my hometown.  If one of my fellow ATT members, who did not receive a page of mine, and I don't have theirs (pictured above) wants to, I am game for a one on one swap for a page.  Send me an email and we can work it out.

Cheers,

Rhea