The key is color

I consider myself a practical efficient type person. I don't like fumbling for a key, having to visually inspect it to know which one to grab.  (Or would that just be impatient?)  Anyway, my big ring of keys to my whole kingdom has the priority ones marked with some blobs of nail polish.  How tacky is that?  Efficient, yes. Artistic, no.

So when I recently downsized to an everyday key ring, I was still fumbling for the right key even though there were only 2.  But rather than resort to the old nail polish method, I did a little cutting and pasting.  And of course, some blinging.  I've been carrying these for over a week now and they are holding up well so far.

I am also a color-coding fool.  

Just a glance is all it takes

I cut bits of scrapbook paper for both sides of each key, glued the paper on with Mod-Podge then covered it with a thick protective coat and attached the jewels. 

Yes, I know they sell little gadgets for this purpose, but what fun is that?

Doodling

Just some mindless doodling.

I am so afraid of anything that comes off the end of my pencils.

But I just let go and messed around with them.

Now I'm posting them up here, because I'm 

sure the world wants to know.

Gotta go, some sarcasm just dripped on my keyboard.

Making and Making do

I have always been a make-do kind of gal. That was what originally drew me to altered art--the making do with what I had, the making of something out of nothing.

In some ways, my art has gotten away from that principle in that I have collected a lot of 'store-bought' materials, but I still like taking a scrap of this 'n that and turning it into something pretty.

My materials and supplies tend to be more of the bare essentials variety, basic pantry staples, as it were, that can be used as creative tools. I purchase few embellishments, preferring to make my own.

When I see something I like, my first question is, "How can I make this myself?" I like the challenge. To me, it's all a part of my creative process. And more original. And it's just more fun.

These little pieces are fun to do when nothing else comes to mind, but the fingers want to create. Then I add them to my stash until I'm searching for the perfect detail.

Ann Kroeker ascribes to this same make-do principle. While my contribution may not be that practical for the other participants, I am joining in on Make-Do Monday just to applaud those who find alternative, clever and frugal ways to solve everyday problems.

Step Outside Your Box - "Geometrics"

It's been a while since I did a Step Outside Your Box challenge. This week's theme just spoke to me, I guess. You see, I love circles. This was a fun page to work on.

What's your favorite shape?

I am also fond of triangles.....the pennant-shaped kind. Come join in the pennant swap that is just now getting started.
It will be fun--no, really, it will be!! (I've done it before, I know!)

Step Outside Your Box - with meaning

This week, Step Outside Your Box asks, "What is it's meaning?" We are challenged to create a piece of art that has personal meaning. My contribution is a card I made for my Daddy for Father's Day. It depicts some of the things that are special to him--some of the reasons I love him so.

Think Big

This week's directive on Step Outside Your Box was to "Think Big"-- break out of our usual size pieces. What a challenge it was for me! The biggest I usually do is a double page spread in an altered book. The piece I have pictured above is a 16" x 20" canvas! It was so much fun to do!

Secrets are for sharing

Stepping outside my box today, using a color I rarely, if ever, use--yellow. I started with a chalked background, added two tones of yellow punchinella stencil and some flower stamps. I chose the smug little lady in yellow for the focal point and started adding elements , mostly magazine clips, from there. The rose is a gel medium transfer. The measuring tape is a bit of metal measuring tape that snapped into pieces.

Inspired by: Step Outside Your Box Saturday

Step Outside Your Box - transfers

For this week's Step Ouside Your Box we were to use a transfer in our work. I made my transfer using matte gel medium. After I applied the transfer to my page, (upper left corner) I stamped and collaged around it. To see other methods of transfers, go here.

I am hosting a swap! The theme is Hats, Handbags, & Heels.

Come join us!!

Step Outside Your Box - canvas

I was excited when I saw the challenge for this week at Step Outside Your Box was to work on canvas. I had been thinking about canvas and this was just the push I needed to do it.
This is an 8 x 10 canvas that I happened to have. The background for this piece was inspired by Suzan's tutorial at Thrifty Collage Artist. I used gesso, acrylics, stamps, stencils, sandpaper, antiquing, and a few other tools and techniques to achieve the background. This whole piece is an outside-the-box creation for me. Now I want to do another!

Step Outside Your Box Saturdays

Step Outside Your Box - color methods

This week at Step Outside Your Box we were challenged to use unconventional methods to color our art work. Since I already had tags and dictionary pages stained with coffee, I started with those. But that was too easy. Next I created a yummy buttery yellow background with tumeric. Then I glazed the leaf stamps with green nail polish. (I had a teen-age daughter not too long ago.)

Art Doll

I found a great new challenge site--Step Outside Your Box Saturday. The challenge for this week is Art Dolls. This is definitely outside my box! The doll was fun to create and I already have ideas for how I can use her in another project. I just may even be making more.

Meet Rose:

To see other versions of this challenge go here.

If this is your first time to visit Simple Journeys, I would like to invite you to join us for the Banner Challenge that will begin on Wednesday, February 20. Details are in the side bar. Hope to see you on Wednesday!