PaperArtsy Challenge #16 - Circles

Greetings crafters! Today I'm sharing a project that I created for a PaperArtsy challenge, which was to use circles in a project. 

Circles are a favorite design element for me and one that shows up often in my art journaling projects so I couldn't wait to make something for the challenge! I even took a few photos of the process so you could see the steps I took to make my page.

My page actually started out as a gelli print. This was a print created with the new 6" Gelli Plate and a variety of texture sheets. This might have even been my scrap piece of paper that I used to clean the gelli plate....all I know is that it's been included in my pile of "partially completed art journal pages" for months!

I then added a whole lot of stenciling! I used paints from Dina Wakley and PaperArtsy, along with Jet Black Archival Ink. Stencils are from The Crafters Workshop and Donna Downey. The goal of creating this page was to use a lot of color and pattern...I think I accomplished that goal! Normally my backgrounds would be a combination of colors that are closer to each other on the color wheel, for example, blue and green tones vs. the combo that's on this page. There's a method to the madness!

Next, I used a Stabilo pencil to draw circles all over my page, making sure the circles were different sizes and drawing some as only half circles. Yes, you should always have a portion of your design flowing off of the page, 'cause that's what Julie Fei-Fan Balzer told me...

Take your water brush and go over all of the Stabilo lines. For those of you who don't owe Stabilo pencils...go get some, like 10 or 12 of them...you can't live without them...seriously, coolest pencil ever! You can purchase them at MisterArt. Now here comes the scary part...

Cover your entire background with a dark paint! AAAHHHH!!! This is the scariest and best part ever! I took a Julie Fei-Fan Balzer class last year and she encouraged this kind of crazy behavior! I accepted her challenge and I've never looked back! WooHoo! This is pure magic...I am crazy over the look of the purple paint (Blackberry Violet from Dina Wakley) in contrast to all of designs peeking through the black-lined circles. It's drama, baby!

I added some circle images from the Don't Forget to Fly stamp set, designed by Finnabair, stamped in white ink, which looks fab on that dark background. I aged a small manila tag with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, added a cardstock circle, surrounded by more Stabilo and some black thread, and the sentiment (also from the same Finnabair stamp set). The butterfly was stamped on designer paper, fussy cut, and adhered with a glue dot. I added some glass beads (from Liquidtex) and glass glitter, also from Finnabair (glass glitter ROCKS!) The metal pen nib is from Timmy (Holtz, that is).

I hope you enjoyed today's project! Be sure to check out all of the other wonderful creations posted on the PaperArtsy blog!

Oh, and the entire eclectic Paperie store is 50% off today! Use code BIGNEWS50 when checking out!

Life Book 2015 - Week 30 with Flora Bowley

Hello strangers! I know...it has been ages since I've regularly posted on my blog. There have been some big changes happening over here in the Paperie Petals world, and I'm hoping that those changes will enable me to spend more time making art and more time sharing art.

The biggest change is that I sold my store, eclectic Paperie! In case you haven't heard, the store was acquired by The Funkie Junkie Boutique. You can read all about the news here. I'm super excited about the sale and thrilled that eP's ever loyal customer base still has a wonderful place to shop for their craft supplies. If you've never shopped at The Funkie Junkie, you should check out the store, they have a broad variety of products for paper crafters.

The other big change is that my hubby lost his job a few months ago. He was with his company for 17 years and the sudden lay off was a huge shock. Thankfully, he received a great severance package. However, this means that after almost seven years he will most likely be back in an office each day vs. working from home. This means that my time needs to be even more dedicated to homeschooling and managing our home. (It also means I won't be able to sneak out for coffee breaks with friends during the week...darn...LOL!) The layoff could also mean that we may have to move...hoping that's not the case as we love our location, but we're open to change...

So far...that's the only big changes...and it's enough for 2015...I'm good...**wink**

Let's get chatting about the recent Life Book lesson by Flora Bowley. Oh my...I think was my all time favorite Life Book lesson this year! This lesson was all about letting go and creating with lots and lots of layers. And this was the first time I kept layering. Can I share that I have a free of layering? Seriously, it's a problem! I tend to be ok with a few layers, but then I get stuck...and I did indeed get stuck with this project...so I added another layer! And I love how this turned out...it really was the shape that developed through the layers. Great fun!

You can see some of the marks under the orange paint. Oh, and this was the first time I understood the joys of transparent paint! The orange over the top, a Golden paint, was perfect for allowing all of the other layers to peek through. Most of the paints I used on this project were Golden, Paper Artsy, and Dina Wakley..my three top favorites.

And check out the texture! Ohhh!!  That was created by using dimensional paints from Art Anthology. I added the paint and then created a design by using a brush handle. Art Anthology paints are super thick and perfect for creating dimension. I also used stencils from Donna Downey and stamps from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and Dina Wakley. I'll post links to the supplies I used, at the end of my post.

I have one more project to share from this lesson, as Flora encouraged us to work on two pieces at once, another great piece of artistic advise, and I'll share that in the coming days.

Thanks for taking peek, leave me a note to let me know what you think and to share your tips for finishing pieces when you get stuck (it's seriously the hardest part for me!) Looking forward to sharing more in the coming days...

Supplies:

Paints - PaperArtsy, Dina Wakley, Golden

Stamps - Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Dina Wakley

Stencils - Donna Downey

Parisian Thank You

I'm hanging with the Sweet 'n Sassy gals today. Head over to their blog to grab all the details on today's card.

Sweet 'n Sassy Release Day

Hello, sweet friends! Welcome to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps August 2015 Release Blog Hop! We are super excited to be releasing not only three brand new stamp sets this month, but will also be adding a brand new illustrator to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps team. Give a warm welcome to Karla Dornacher!

Karla is an inspirational author, speaker and illustrator and will be designing stamp sets for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps that will be perfect for the popular trend of Bible journaling. You can catch a glimpse of Karla's amazing creativity by visiting her Blog or by following her on Pinterest. You may have seen inspiring Bible journals and thought about starting a Bible journal of your own, but the prospect of leaping into this artistic endeavor was a bit intimidating to you. Now, with our new line of Bible journaling stamp sets, there is no reason for you not to jump into the craft of Bible journaling to keep a record of how the Lord is speaking to you and is working in your life. Your journal will become a treasure that you can pass down to future generations. We are so happy to be releasing one of Karla's stamp sets with this release and I can't wait to see what she creates for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps in upcoming releases!

Blog Hop Giveaway!

What would a Blog Hop be without a giveaway, right? One random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to win a $20 Gift Code to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. You have until Thursday, August 20th at midnight EST to leave your comments. The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, August 21st!
Now…Let's see our August Release!

Little One
$15.95
This darling baby set is a much needed addition to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps line. The vintage looking silhouettes and beautiful sentiments can be used to create sweet gifts and cards for your little one!

Stamp set includes 6 images and 5 sentiments
Stamp set measures approximately 4" x 6"
The baby pram image measures approximately 2 1/2" x 2 7/8"
Designed by Korin Sutherland

Baby Innies
$15.95
Our Innies are some of our most popular stamp sets. Baby Innies is the latest addition to the Innies series and can be used on the outside of the card as well as on the inside! It is a perfect complement to the Little One stamp set!

Stamp set includes 7 Sentiments
Stamp set measures approximately 4" x 6"
The longest sentiment measures approximately 3 1/2" x 1 1/8"
Designed by Korin Sutherland

Worship the Lord
$15.95
The images and words in this adorable stamp set can be arranged in a number of different ways to illustrate a variety of Bible verses, to create inspiring bookmarks, and to send encouragement to family and friends.

Stamp set includes 4 images and 11 words and phrases
Stamp set measures 4" x 6"
Heart image measures approximately 1 7/8" x 1 3/4"
Designed by Karla Dornacher

What a fabulous Release!
To see all the awesome samples made by the Design Divas using the new stamp sets from the August Release, click on the links below! Don't forget to leave a little love on each blog as you hop along to be eligible for the PRIZE!

Then head on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store to pick up your favorite stamp sets from the release! We just received a huge order so while you are there, you might also find that some of the favorites you have been waiting for are back in stock!

Thanks so much for your continued support!
Have a blessed day!

Thank You for Everything

I'm hanging over on the Sweet 'n Sassy blog today...hop on over to check out all of the details!

Make ART Challenge

I'm hosting this month's Wendy Vecchi Make ART Challenge! Head on over to the Make ART blog to check out all of the details on my project. Enjoy!