A Quick Sneak Peak

Just wanted to stop in, and give a little sneak peak of one of the projects that was sent directly to the Graphic 45 office for review.  So excited, and cannot wait to see all the amazing creations by all the talented artists!!

The countdown has begun, and only 11 days to go till they announce the New Design team for 2011!

So don't forget to check it all out April 1st!!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!! 

Lots to do, I'm off to create!

Nicki Chicky

A Story of Love - Denver Photo Shoot

Recently I was approached by a photographer on Etsy interested in some music note flowers for a photo shoot in Denver.  When she contacted me, I was already buried by a huge flower order, but felt like this was an opportunity that couldn't be passed up.  I had one week to make up some samples, and ended up express mailing them to ensure they were there in time for the 13th. 

All week I was anxiously waiting to hear how things had gone.  On Friday I decided to head over to her site

and see if she had posted any pics yet.  To my delight she had!  I was mesmerized by this video she had made from the pictures taken, it is BEAUTIFUL.  One of those spectacular moments that just makes you feel so happy that tears start to come.  

Just at that wonderful moment, there was a knock at the door. 

I had to quickly take a second to snuff up the tears of happiness, and answer the door to find my brother holding a box that was just delivered from Selah Photography!!!

Talk about unbelievable timing! 

So sit back and enjoy it all as I did, and watch the video, then look at all the amazing photos. 

These pictures are simply timeless!!  A year ago when I started selling my flowers, I never could have imagined all of this!  They were something that were created for my love of scrapbooking, and wanting to share them with others for the same purpose.  But to create something that is used for the purpose of love.

A never wilting memory of that special day that can be held onto forever. 

 Such a blessed and truly amazing feeling!!

Thanks so much Jackie for your stunning photography, and this incredible opportunity! 
Make sure to stop by her site http://www.selahphotography.org/
All the best to the beautiful couple Matt and Leah! Thank you so much for sharing your love story with me!!

Hope you enjoyed sharing in their story as much as me!

Thanks for stopping by, and hope you get to enjoy a lazy Sunday!

Nicki Chicky

Mixed Media Monday

Happy Monday!!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! 

Mondays in my house are dedicated to working on collages.  After mass producing flowers all weekend, I am always excited to welcome a break to work on some more creative pieces.  If you keep up with the blog, you probably saw this piece as one of my Graphic 45 submissions.  This is something I had started a few weeks back, but had just the right amount of time today to put on the finishing touches.

This box is a 2 section tray that I found at IKEA.  It measures approx. 11.5" x 6.  When I saw it I knew it had to be altered!! 

I started by painting the entire box black. Then covered all the inside and outside edges with Graphic 45 paper from the Steampunk Debutante line using  gel medium.
For the background paper, which is also from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante line, I inked using distress inks, and stamped Script with rusty hinge distress ink using a Hero Arts Stamp. 

The images used are a mix of clip art and Graphic 45 images.  All hand cut using scissors. Never have been good at using a craft knife.  I probably used close to 50 pop dots to create the dimension. 

The gears are a mix of Tim Holtz and 7 gypsies.  Just love these, they are so interchangeable.  To get the aged look I dry brushed a little patina acrylic paint over top.
 
For her umbrella, I paper pieced a stamped image from Paper Parachute stamps. 
This is a look that is super simple and can be worked into any project.  To create the effect, stamp your image out once and cut completely out.  Stamp image again on another piece of paper.  Then cut out whatever part you want to look different, and paste it on top of the original stamped image. 
For mine, I stamped the umbrella on brown, then again on green for the ruffle.

What wasn't completed was the top section of this box.  Again a mix of clip art and Graphic 45 images. 

For a finishing touch I created a decorative top using a mix of Tim Holtz frames, metal clock, spinner and grungeboard wings and flourishes. 

Supplies:

Shadow box: IKEA

Papers: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante line

Stamps:  Hero Arts(Script), Paper Parachute(umbrella)

Images: Clip art/ Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante

Gears: Tim Holtz/7 Gypsies

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress inks, rusty hinge and tumbled glass

Embellishments:  Tim Holtz precut grungeboard, clock face, metal frames, spinner

Other: Patina Acrylic paint, matte gel medium, dimensional foam tape

Off to get some cleaning done, then back to more paper flowers!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicki Chicky

Anxiously Awaiting

  Sent out my Graphic 45 Design Team Submissions on Thursday!!  Super excited about these designs, and really wish I could share them with you.  Snapped tons of pictures so when it comes time I can show the world!!  Trying to keep the anticipation to a minimum is going to be the test this month.

I really feel it is such an incredible experience even making it as a finalist.  And I just can't help but feel that everything in my life for the first time, is really falling into place.  Since I left my job in August, I have had so many opportunities fall in my lap!  My etsy shop has EXPLODED with flowers for spring, and I am currently widdling down an order of 1140 flowers.  Have had 5 other HUGE orders come in since then, and am currently down to 600 flowers that need to be finished.  So keeping busy with that should help to keep me grounded, and my head out of the Graphic 45 clouds. 

Last week I recieved 2 very important orders from photographers that are shooting high end styleized shoots for advertisement purposes.  I will definately get the pictures from both of these, and look forward to seeing them myself.  

One is being held in Colorado on Monday the 13th.  Just express shipped the order yesterday!!

The theme is a musical wedding photo shoot,The goal of the photo shoot is get the images published on a high volume wedding blog.  I sent over a bunch of my Music note flowers created as a bouquet, hair flower, corsage and bouttoniere.

 So if everything goes well, this will mean HUGE advertisement for my flowers!

Check her gorgeous photography out @

http://www.selahphotography.org/

The second was a confirmation of a previously arranged order for a photographer shooting the New

 Dolly Pearl Wedding line that will be shooting in March in New York!

For this I will be supplying 2 bridal bouquets, and a bouttoniere.

So keep an eye out you never know when you may see my flowers in a Bridal Magazine!!

Here is the link to his wonderful site:

http://claytonaustinlovestories.com/blog/

Amidst all the excitement I am also getting together a card kit that will be available in April!  Using the modern homemaker line from October Afternoon.  These cards are great for mothers, sisters and friends.  Celebrating the incredible women in our lives!  With a little humor!

Well that's it for today!  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine!!

Check back soon for all the new photos from the shoots!!

And of course the Graphic 45 Design Team announcement on April 1st!!

Enjoy the Journey!!

Nicki Chicky

Graphic 45 finalist... Doing a Super Happy Dance!!!

Been waiting all morning for the results of the Graphic 45 Design Team call, and they just posted the results!!
Super excited to see my name on the list with so many wonderfully talented artists. 
Thanks so very much for everyone's support along the way.  Congratulations to everyone who took the time and effort to submit their projects!  And especially to all the other 24 finalists.. 
Looking forward to seeing everyone's creations!!!

Here is the list of 25 finalists:

1. Amanda Phillips - Goose Creek, SC
2. Laura Denison - Maple Valley, WA

3. Jane Tregenza - Australia

4. Karen Wilson - Prescott Valley, AZ

5. Gloria Stengel - Oceanside, CA

6. Tara Orr - Canada

7. Michael Jack Putman and Lesley Fisher - Mesa, AZ

8. Sherry Cheever - Jeffersonville, IN

9. Jamie Dougherty - Ramona, CA

10. Hilde Janbroers - The Netherlands

11. Tracey Locher - Escondido, CA

12. Leica Forrest - Canada

13. Karen Bearse - Fairfax, VA

14. Lynette Carroll - Braintree, MA

15. Natalie Dever - Sheboygan Falls, WI

16. Nicole Eccles - Springboro, OH

17. Robin L. Shakoor - Fredericksburg, VA

18. Melanie Forbes - Australia

19. Nancy Wethington - St. Louis, MO

20. Jade Moore - Belleville, Il

21. Tonya A. Gibbs - Keystone Heights, FL

22. Tomoko Takahashi - Japan

23. Jason Jones - Whitesboro, TX

24. Jenny Svensson - Brakne-Hoby, Sweden

25. Yuka Hino - Japan

A Super big thanks to Graphic 45!! 
Good Luck to Everyone!!!