Saturday, August 25, 2012

Turning 50 ~ Donna Salazar Sketch Challenge

I had a lovely outing with my husband this afternoon. Last winter he bought a convertible that he calls his "mid-life crisis" car. :-) It was a wonderful day for a drive. I even got to do a little shopping at the new Michaels that just opened up. How nice to have one a mere 30 minutes away. I hope you are having a lovely weekend as well. 

Back in June we had a birthday for my sister, celebrating 50 years. This shot of her with our nieces is so sweet. My sister is such a blessing to me. She is such a strong woman whom I admire so much. 

I used the Donna Salazar August challenge sketch by the talented Mistra with lots of Donna's amazing products. These Donna Salazar papers were so perfect to pick up the colors in the photo.


Mistra's gorgeous sketch:

I included a butterfly on this layout to participate in the "Wings" Challenge over at Berry71Bleu. Such a lovely site!! This is my first time entering one of their challenges. 

Techniques:

Handcrafted Flowers ~ For the larger focal flower, I used the DSD Grand Peony Die and for the medium roses, small roses, and leaves I used her Rose Creation Dies. I used one of Donna's favorite adhesives, Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue on each of the petals and while wet dipped the flowers into diamond dust for lots of sparkle. 

Crystal Flourishes ~ all of the flourishes on my page were cut from a single Zva flourish. One flourish can go a long way if you are willing to cut it apart. I still have the butterfly portion with a trail left for yet another project. 

Painted, Misted paper ~ I dry brushed nearly everything on this page with some antique white acrylic paint. The circle behind my flower cluster had a lovely light grey flower design on it. I proceded to write my journaling there. To make a long story short, it didn't work. I painted over the journaling and it took about 8 or 10 layers before it stopped showing through. I then inked over the paint, and that wasn't working for me either. So not one to give up, I started misting. The paint acts kind of like a resist, so the mist settled into the paint brush marks. I just kept spritzing different colors until I got a color combo that worked. I had a pitiful sopping piece of paper on my hands. I kind of liked the look, but was sure the paper was ruined by this point. I let it dry over night, and it was dry by morning, but oh so wrinkly. I spritzed it lightly on the back put it between some paper towels with several heavy books on top. The result was a perfectly flat circle with color and texture that was perfect for my page. Yay!! I just adore happy accidents. 


Corrugated Board Liner Butterfly ~ I mentioned in a previous post that when I use Donna's corrugated board to die cut my corrugated butterflies, it comes off in one neat piece. Oh yes, I've been saving these gems, and here is one all dressed up. I inked the rough side of the paper with several shades of distress ink, until I achieved a color that coordinated with my page, then coated it with a thick layer of Ranger Clear Rock Candy Distress Paint and set it aside to dry. To add a bit more dimension, I rubbed more ink into the fabulous cracks that appeared when the paint dried. I curled it over a paint brush and added some extra flourish gems to the body along with flower stamen antennae. My good friend, Juliana Michaels, tried out my corrugated butterflies and added the crackle paint. Her creative approach  gave me the idea to try the crackle out here. 

Stamping ~ I wanted just a little more visual texture and weight next to my butterfly, so used Donna's Lace Corner Stamp here. 


Distrezzing ~ I distressed all the straight edges with my Distrezz-It-All. It's even is even a breeze to Distrezz corrugated board in seconds. 

Hand Stitching ~ I penciled in swirled lines, then punched holes for my hand stitching. This time with 2 strands of DMC floss for the swirled lines and 4 strands for the straight lines. 


Ripped Edge ~ I've seen and admired these ripped edges tucked with embellies for years, but had never tried it myself until now. I tucked one of my handcrafted roses into the opening. The back of the paper clashed with my layout, so I dry brushed it with some antique white paint. 

Stickle Accents ~ It's hard to see in the photos but the two vertical mats have sweet flourishes that I painted with Crystal Stickles for a lovely shimmer that's oh so girlie in person.

Rhinestone Accents ~ I had a couple little segments of my flourish left over and pulled the tiny rhinestones off to add them to the center of my lace scallops on the left. I used larger rhinestones from my stash to embellish the other lace piece. 

Donna Salazar Products:
Spring in Bloom:
     Spring Blooms
     Pretty in Purple
     Spring Sky
Botanique:
     Magical
     Cards
     Bliss
Corrugated Board 
Smooch Spritz:
     Sea Breeze
     Mixed Berries
Spellbinders Dies:
     Rose Creations
     Grand Peony
Lace Corner Stamp
Distrezz-It-All

DSD Compatible Products:
Smooch Spritz:
     Cherry Ice
     Frosted Grape
     Silver Foil
Want 2 Scrap Say It With Bling

Other Products:

Embellishments:
Zva Creative Crystal Flourish Fancy Butterfly - Lavender and Grape
Paper Doilies - Stash
Crochet Doily - Stash
Lace - two pieces - Stash
Creative Charms - Vintage Brads
Prima Alphabet Stickers - Craftsman #559113

Technique Products:
DMC Floss #316 and #931
Floral Stamens - Stash
Making Memories Acrylic Paint - manila
DecoArt Crafter's Acrylic - Antique White; Light Antique White
Ranger Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy
Ranger Stickles - Crystal
Distress Ink - Vintage Photo; Stormy Sky; Dusty Concord
Twinklets Diamond Dust
Rhinestones - Stash

Adhesives:
Scotch ATG
Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Darice Foam Strips
Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue

Tools: 
Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers - Mini Butterflies and Base Tray
Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch
Martha Stewart Circle Cutter - large

Fiskars Craft Knife and Self-healing Mat
Prima Distress Tool
Bazzil In Stitch'z Mat and Piercing Tool
Punch Bunch Tool Set
Tim Holtz Craft Mat

I have also entered this at Word Art Wednesday Challenge #42 Joy or an encouraging sentiment. 

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

39 comments:

  1. Wow, this is so gorgeous! Amazing details. Love the flowers, sparkly bling and the stitching! Fabulous job!

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  2. Beautiful page!!! The color palette is gorgeous and so much detail!! How long does it take to create one of your pages? Absolutely stunning!

    Laurie
    scrapsbysissy.blogspot.com

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  3. Oh wow! Absolutely gorgeous! Those blooms are amazing!

    P/s: Perhaps some molding paste or pumice gel paste would work better...I've been using these to cover up my mistakes, then painting over....less warping of the paper.

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  4. sounds like a wonderful drive!!!! your page is sooo stunning... the details are seriously amazing!!!!

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  5. Beautiful page you have made again with cool details.
    byebye,Lean

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  6. This is gorgeous, Tracey .. so soft and pretty!

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  7. I am awed by your attention to details, Tracey. I love the way you list all the supplies used...very time-consuming for you but TFS the information :)

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  8. Your work is so wonderful , my mind keeps going to the budget, I have got to stop being so stingy..a hard habit to break at my age.....Lis

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  9. this is just so so yummy! sounds like you had a fun day too. EEEEK I turn 50 next year hehe

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  10. Beautiful page Tracey! I love the ripped section that you filled with a flower. ;)

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  11. Oh I know all you said I just need to let loose of some of the stuff I am stashing and the more I study your work and others the more I learn.. thank you for the blessings you share.......Lis

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  12. Stunning layout Tracey! Love all the texture and detail!

    http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/

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  13. This is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the soft, beautiful colors and all of your design elements are stunning!! The picture is so sweet!! What a fabulous layout :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  14. Happy Birthday to your lovely sister.......a lovely layout Tracey!

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  15. Oh this looks really beautiful Tracey, I am sure your sister will love it.. the colors are so soft and pretty and all the elements are beautiful.. love this!!

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  16. Wow Tracey, this is gorgeous!!! Your handmade flowers are so pretty and I love the loopy stitching!! Your sister will love this!

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  17. This is so beautiful i absolutely love all the elements and textures.
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

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  18. Your layouts are always so gorgeous! Before I moved to NYC I used to live a block away from Michael's...I took that for granted to much, I went like 3 times a week! Now the nearest one is about 80 blocks away...

    Linda

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  19. OK! That butterfly is TOTALLY gorgeous!!! I am going to have to give this a go too! Your layout is beautiful!!!

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  20. You never cease to amaze me, Tracey! I'm speechless! WOW!

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  21. Beautiful! Love the rock candy on the flowers and the crackle on the butterfly. So pretty. I am going to have to try that soon.

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  22. You are AMAZING!!! I just loveeeeeeeeeee this!! LOVING the colors, the photo and love love love the flowers and distressing!!!!!

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  23. Ok..now this is absolutely STUNNING!!!! I love everything about it!!!! Your design, the colors, the stitching...GREAT work!!!!!!
    xxxx

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  24. Happy big 5-0 to your sister!!!! Such a wonderful photo! I absolutely love your beautiful and creative page, Tracey! It is so full of wonderful colors, details, and designs! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  25. Tracey thanks for the comment on my post 2crafty!
    Now... that wonderful layout!! I love the colors, the photo and the flowers are divine!!

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  26. Hallo Tracey...thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such beautiful comments. I now followed you here and what beauty you create. I have only just started learning techniques and I am in love.

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  27. Stunning layout full of beautiful details Tracey! So glad you persevered with your paper - you have created an absolute masterpiece! And I'm so glad you played along at Berry71Bleu - thank you so much!!

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  28. Hi Tracey! I made my way to your blog. I am so happy to be back too. You have truly just been outdoing yourself. Each of your layouts tells so a story. The beauty of your intricate elements and techniques draws in the eye and the heart. You are amazingly talented. I am enjoying catching up. Please know that even if I do not leave a comment under every post/project, I have definitely viewed it and gleaned some inspiration from it. Your blog truly is a Garden of Grace & beauty! Big hugs!!!!
    Sonia

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  29. Such a beautiful layout you did a great job tfs!!

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  30. So glad you decided to join us Tracey. Your LO is so beautiful and I love the softness you have created with all your lovely details!! ADORE your gorgeous hand made flowers too!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Berry71Bleu :))

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  31. This is just SO elegant and beautiful, Tracey. I just adore how you place all the sweet embellishments around your layouts and make them just SING with beauty. Thanks for sharing this with us in this week's challenge at Word Art Wednesday. You are such a blessing to us, and we appreciate your participation so much!
    Have a blessed week,
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  32. Gorgeous and feminine!!! Love all the purple!

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  33. truly amazing! I hope you don't mind but a gave you a shout out on my blog:
    http://blsd2scrp.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-amazing-blog.html
    I was just blown away by your talent and clear love of our Lord I wanted to share on my blog!

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  34. Gorgeous page Tracey!!! many lovely details
    Take care girl! Hugs!! xoxo

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  35. Such a gorgeous, gorgeous layout. The butterfly is just amazing and the flowers perfect! Fantastic.

    Laurie
    serenityscrappers

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  36. Wow, your page is gorgeous, Tracey! So many details! Love your flowers!

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  37. wow soooo stunning my friend

    hugs carla

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  38. This is absolutely beautiful Tracey...and you always explain the techniques you use so well!
    Alison xx

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  39. Lovely work, thanks for joining Bery 71 Bleu challenge!

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a message! I treasure your comments.