A Day To Catch Up!

     Lately I have been really trying to push myself as an artist.  Push myself to create something every spare moment I have. To really think outside of the box, and use all different techniques and mediums to play.   My time is always very limited to days off, or nights.  With so little time, I have had a few projects just waiting for those last few finishing touches.  Yesterday it worked out I had just enough time to finish them all before work. And  then get started on some more after work.  What a good feeling!  Now to finish up that order for 108 paper flowers!  I can't wait to take a picture of all of them finished.  Right now, with some help from David the count is to 50 flowers finished!
     I have been trying to put together some back to school card kits that I will be selling RIGHT HERE on my blog.  There will be NEW monthly card kits available here each month.    Haven't worked out all the details yet, but check back  soon for all the latest news!

   Halloween has really been on my mind lately.  I don't want to rush those summer months, but fall is my favorite!  And always such short lived with the follow of winter.  So I have been starting early! 

I created this cone using a pressed chipboard cone for my base.  I then wrapped the paper around as I glued.  The crepe paper collar is made with 3 strips.  2 are glued together, then snipped and fluffed.  The 3rd piece is used to line the inside of the cone, leaving some sticking out.  Wouldn't this just be the cutest thing to give out with candy at a Halloween party, or some Halloween wedding decor.

I just LOVE this shadow box.  I wanted to keep it sorta clean and simple.  Mostly silhouettes in black and creme.  The shadow box was something I picked up at Dollar Tree.  I painted it black and lightly sanded it.  I then found papers and covered the back's of the inside boxes.  To finish, I created scenes by using paper punches, stamps, rub ons, die cuts, grunge board, and chipboard.  To create the 31 I used a punch out grunge board number, and covered it with glossy accents.  I then poured some silver craft glitter over top, and slightly pressed the glitter down.  The glossy accents dries pretty fast with the glitter on top, and once dry no glitter falls off, and the letters have become stiffened.  When I purchased this shadowbox it already had wall hooks for hanging.  But I wanted to do something different.  So I added a handle.   The handle I used was a premade purse handle I purchased at Jo Anns.  David took the time to neatly wire it on for me.  I really think it tied the whole thing together.  My favorite part of the whole thing are the skeletons climbing out of the ground!

A few weeks ago I heard about the Bobunny design team call.  I was working really hard to get some stuff done for the call.  But I know I have ALOT of things already due at the end of this month that NEED my focus.  Like the HUGE paper flower order.  Or my design for More Paper than Shoes due August 1st.  Card kit designs.  Classes.  So here is a layout I created using some of their newest designs. 

I love their premade curvy pp.  All you have to do is cut, and paste.  And I LOVE to cut things out!  For the background I used card stock and sprayed with some tattered angels.  Even did a little spray stamping with their screens.  I then created a flow of embellishments and stickles from the spray pattern.  I love the way the tiny dots of stickles made the paper whatever color I had sprayed.  This was a lot of fun to make!  Of course I added a few of my own little paper flowers.  And who couldn't resist adorable Skye eating her bright Popsicle on a hot summer day?  I want to go to Popsicle Paradise, and be whisked away by Popsicle Dreams!!

Don't forget coming up is the unveiling of all the MPTS Design Team challenge projects.  The theme was Vintage Paris, using acrylic paint, crackle medium, fabric and metal.  I have been playing with a few things, and can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with too!!  The unveiling will be held on Sunday, August 1st. 

Also don't forget coming soon are monthly card kits for sale RIGHT HERE on my blog! 

I will try to give little sneak peaks of the cards later on this week. 

Also lots more Halloween!

 And who knows what else I will create this week, I am on a roll!!

Take care all, and have a wonderful day!

Nicki Chicky

And The Winner Is....

    The results are in from random.org.  And the winner of the paper flower giveaway is Syrena, who said, "These are beautiful!!!!"   Congratulations!  I would like to thank everyone who posted a comment and followed my blog. I really appreciate all your wonderful comments and support!
 Syrena, please contact me at Scrapaholicmania@aol.com letting me know your name and address so I can send out your giveaway prize.  Thanks again!!
Nicki Chicky

Sparkler July

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.  I know we did!  On Saturday we picked up my nieces and headed over to a parade in downtown Lebanon. 

When we arrived Skyler was pretty anxious for the parade to start.  She was SO excited, and thought that the time would never come.  But soon enough it did! 

And once she saw all those people waving, throwing candy and honking their horns she was SUPER EXCITED!!!

Afterwards we headed over to Two Scoops for a little ice cream for everyone.

And maybe a little silliness! Then we had a nice walk back to my parents.

They are just so cute walking hand in hand!  Afterwards we took the rest of the day easy, couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

Sunday my mother was a blessing and offered to watch Skyler for David and I so we could have a date.  It's only been 2 years since we have had any alone time, so we jumped on the opportunity.  We went and saw the Killers, which was pretty funny.  Then headed over to Max and Ermas for a bite.  Afterwards we picked up Skyler and headed home to do some sparklers. 

When I had picked up Skyler she was wearing a Snow White princess dress, (which turned out to be very patriotic).  She insisted on wearing it home, and why not?  She was adorable in it.  I had told myself I wasn't going to let her wear the dress for sparklers since I was afraid she might burn it.  But David insisted it would be really cute for the pictures.  And how can I argue with that?  So here she is a patriotic princess with her sparkler wand.  This picture turned out super funky too.  Either I have 3 children, or there are ghosts from the cemetery next door in the picture.  I just love how my night pictures do strange things! 

Somehow I got lucky and had today off too.  A three day weekend!  So I cleaned a little and finished up a few projects.  Here is one that I created for a MPTS challenge.  I had actually started this a few days before the challenge, and hadn't had time to get it done.  I was excited this morning to get on and see that the challenge was paper dolls.  It was like they were reading my mind! 

This is just a vintage clip art image of a pin up girl.  I cut her out and gave her a cute little hat and fairy wings.  Atop her hat are some tiny feathers, and a pearl gem.  She was actually just sitting on a bed before I cut her out.  Making her fit perfectly on the broom stick.  The broom was a die cut that I hand colored and cut to make more realistic.  I added the clock, and the spinner (which really works).  And the cat is another piece of vintage clip art.  The whole thing is ATC card size measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" built on chipboard, and made to hang as an ornament.  I just love how she turned out!  I am such a Halloween addict!

Again I hope everyone had a great weekend!  And that you have an even better week!

Till next time, Keep Creating!

Nicki Chicky

Time For a Giveaway!!

On July 1st, the release of the NEW blog More Paper Than Shoes was announced.  I am very excited to be a part of such a talented group of ladies.  We already recieved our first challenge due in August, and I am really anxious to get my hands dirty.  I think this is going to be an AWESOME experience.  I can't wait to see all the different ideas that everyone comes up with.  The administrater's Anna and Kindra went all out, set us up a forum, blog, and a website is in the works as we speak.  Talk about hospitality!
 Head over to the blog, they have announced the new designt team.  And I am on there!!! http://www.morepaperthanshoes.blogspot.com/
If you want to chat and share ideas, drop into the forum http://www.morepaperthanshoes.proboards.com/

 So in celebration of our newest scrappy place to hang out, I decided to hold a little giveaway of my own! The winner of this giveaway will recieve 3 gorgeous handmade paper flowers, created with October Afternoon Dictionary pp. Each flower measures 2 1/2" and is adorned with mica for glimmer.

 *To win all you have to do is Follow my blog, and leave me a comment under this post.  It's that easy! 

One winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, July 10th.  Check back here to see who wins, and to keep up with all my latest design creations for More Paper Than Shoes!

I wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!! 

Nicki Chicky