My Heart of Joy projects

I participated in Inzpira Magazine's Heart of Joy contest earlier this year. I really loved the challenges, and I ended up in 8th place in the contest. That made me really proud, and I just realized I haven't showed you any of the things I made for the challenges. So, here goes.

For the first challenge, I created a spread in my art journal, made from an old schoolbook. I went a little crazy with my mists and pens, and I used quite a lot of techniques with paper, for instance drawing, fussy cutting, paper weaving, etc.

The birch tree was actually in the book when I started. I coated the pages with gesso, but I made sure not to leave the tree, because it fit so perfectly into the theme for my pages, and I really liked it.

I cut out a hole in the page, and kind of lifted it a bit with 3D-dots from the page behind. That's where I placed my photo, of the farmhouse. I also coated all of the embellishments with gesso, to make them blend in and stand out at the same time.

For my second project, I went bezerk with a big canvas. First, I covered it with pages from an old bible (yeah, blasphemy, I know... but to my defence, it was falling apart already). Then I started layering - multi medium, modelling paste, gesso, acrylic paint, watercolor, mists, aluminum foil, masks, embellishments, metal, chipboard etc...

I also covered the edges and worked my way around them using even more paints and inks, and embellishments. There is a lot of texture on this canvas, and I relaly like how it turned out. It still sits on the shelf above the couch, where I photographed it, and I think it will stay there.

And for my third project... well, let's just say I'm not happy with that one. Not at all. It didn't turn out the way it was supposed to, but I didn't have any time left to make something else before the deadline. I just felt wrong, somehow, and wasn't happy at all about sending it in. So, I'm not going to bother you with it...

OK, it's time to hit the sack. Today has been a long day filled with things to do, and tomorrow will just as intense, I suppose.

Good night!

Scrappy 2013

OMG, January just flew by, and I've been way too busy to update the blog for a couple of weeks! But tonight I just have to share a calendar I made for a challenge at Svensk Scrapbooking's New Years Crop.

It's just an ordinary notebook that I've decorated a little bit to use for writing down calls, challenges and crops I'd like to take part in. I see them on the web, and I decide to participate and maybe I even scribble something down on a piece of paper, which sorta disappears in the mess in my studio. Most often I forget all about it, and when I finally remember, or find that note again, it's way past the deadline... Well, no more, because now I have this little book to help me remember!

Eh... to be honest... I'm not sure where I have the book right now, but it's somewhere here in this mess... Well, that's who I am ;)

Have a nice Sunday, everyone!

Cybercrop at Mollys

It's December, Christmas has passed, we're on a break, and FINALLY I feel like I have a few moments to spare for scrapbooking! So I scrap, and lucky for me, there are two cybercrops going on in this country of mine at the same time. That's very good for the mojo.

First up, I'd like to show you a thing I made for a challenge at Mollys Scrapbooking. It's an altered matchbox, with texture-paste snow and mini-mini bookpage trees.

So, what do you think of pink as a Christmas color? It has been sneaking itself into my home these past couple of years, for instance in the shape of this pinkish Lisbeth Dahl ornament that I bought in Denmark last year. I used pink letter stickers and mini rhinestones for my altered matchbox, so it would fit into this new color scheme for Christmas.

Here's a clseup of the smallest tree. It's only an inch high, and made from a few pages from an old dictionary.

I've finished a few more challenges for both crops already, and I hope to be able to blog them all over the next few days, along with a couple of DT-assignments, but I do have to fight the rest of the family for access to the one laptop where I'm able to upload and process my photos, and since they are three to one, I don't get lucky that often.

See ya!

My final assignment for Scraplagret

Hiy'all! This post will be short in words, but heavy with photos. I just wanted to come on an show you what I made from my final DT-kit from Scraplagret, before I resigned. It was a lush packet as always, so it really felt like going out with a bang :)

Friends

Here's a little mixed media piece for you today, with a pair of fabulous angel wings I got in my last DT-kit from Scraplagret. The cuties on the photo are Agnes and her best friend.

I wanted to make something special out of the wings instead of hiding them on a layout, so I glued them onto the back om the frame. And these girls are sweet as angels (some days, at least), so I thought it was a good idea.

So, that's all!
Have a great Monday, everyone!

//Jenny

Another She-art canvas

It's Friday again, and even though the weather is a bit so-so today, it feels like it's going to be a good day. I have this weekend completely open, haven't decided on anything yet, and that feels great. I might start up a project at the farm, or I might just stay at home and try to catch up on everyday chores, where I'm a bit behind, to be honest. But the fresh air and high skies at the farm seem very alluring at the moment. So, we'll see.

I made a she-art canvas with elements from the Huntington Garden collection, from Riddersholm Design, and that's what I have to show to you today. I really like the balloon theme in the collection, and I wanted to use it on my canvas somehow.

I ravaged my stash for little things to add to this canvas, to make it more interesting, and then I covered it all in white acrylic paint. I love making these things! I just don't know where to put them all.

 

So, have a nice Friday, everyone, and a great weekend.

 

//Jenny

How about doing something about this ol' blog?

Hi. It's me. I'm here. I'm alive. And I'm going to try to kick this blog back into existence again. I have so much to share, both scrappy things, homey things and other artistical endeavours I have attempted. I have spent all summer doing things at the farmhouse, and trying to think outside the box when it comes to interior designing on a budget. Do I really need to buy a fancy shoe rack, or can I build one out of reclaimed wood, that actually fits underneath the stairs? The kids can't reach the coat hanger - can I build one for them with things I already have? Oooh, I so want one of them fancy subway signs I have seen on Pinterest - now, what about those plywood sheets P brought home the other day, and some paint? Things like that, you know. So, I have created. I have scrapped. And I have painted a few rooms too. I have even put in some carpet this summer, all by myself. I'd love to share the results, if there are some people out there still reading this blog.

Anyway, I'd like to start with some scrappy items. I have dabbled a bit with mixed media this summer, and last month I created these two items for Scraplagret. First up is a layout, where I have used a few fun techniques to create texture. I have used thin fabric, doilies, tons of acrylic paint, mists and inks to make a mess, if nothing else. And what a blast it was!

Then, after I'd done that, I thought: Why not venture into the unknown world of She Art too, while I'm at it? So I did. And this canvas is what came out of that whim.

Believe it or not, I actually also started an Art Journal! But you will have to wait for a couple of days for the first pages of it. Because I intend to keep this blog alive! I might have to change the whole layout of it, and maybe even its name, but it will be up and running. I was a bit embarrassed the other day, when I spoke to my friend Kristin, who runs KiA's Butik, and we sorta touched on the subject of blogging.
"Oh, I haven't updated mine in ages", I said.
"I know", she said. "Not since June 24."
That made me realise that there still may be people reading it. And the purpose I had with starting this blog years ago was to make an attempt to inspire others with what I do. What's the point in creating something if you are only going to hide it away?

So, keep your fingers crossed, good people. The blog might be alive for many years to come...

//Jenny

In a Christmas mood

Tomorrow is the first of Advent. Wow, what on earth happened to this autumn? Where did November go so fast? I haven't even felt a touch of the usual November dreariness, although last week was very dark and dull. I spent most of that week at home with my sick little ones. To tell the truth, I haven't been feeling all that well either, we've had a rather bad cold which has surely taken its toll on oss. Anyway, tomorrow is the first of Advent, and I've got both my houses ready for it, with bright white stars in every window, wreaths on the doors and white hyacinths in cups and bowls here and there. It's the first year ever I have two houses to decorate, and even though it's tons of fun, I still wish there was only one house, and that we were settled in the farmhouse  instead of going back and forth between the houses, realising that the one thing you need when you're in one house is in the other one.

Still, tonight I'm sitting in front of a nicely sparkling fire in the farmhouse, listening to some wonderful Christmas music by Tommy Körberg (he has the most magnificent voice there is) and really getting in the mood. And while I'm in the mood, I thought I'd show you something a little bit Christmassy - a way to upcycle a dead plant to a decoration for Christmas.

I'm by no means a gardening wiz. Quite the contrary, I kill every plant I get in my hands, or onto my windowsill, that is. Like this olive tree. When the last leaf fell, and I realized that it probably hadn't got any water for at least a month, a little idea came to me. Why not make something funny out of it instead of throwing it away? So, I painted the whole tree white, put it in a wooden spool and sprayed it with Glimmer Mist Pearl to make it shimmer like a vampire in sunlight (yeah, I saw Breaking Dawn last night) Then I decorated it with snowflakes punched out of Graphic 45 papers and a chipboard sign, and now I can still keep it on my windowsill even though it's dead. Pretty nice, huh?

So, now I can keep killing plants without feeling bad about it... LOL. Everything I used (except for the tree itself) can be found at Scraplagret.

So, if you're in a Christmas mood too, and are working on your Christmas cards, why not checking out the ongoing Christmas card sketch challenge at the Riddersholm blog. This card is from this week's sketch.

 Just go here to find the sketch and to upload your card.

Have a very nice Saturday evening, and the very best first of Advent, everybody! Myself, I'll be spending tomorrow watching the kids taking swimming lessons, to start with. Then we will go out and have a Christmas meal with P's parents, and since it's also P's 40th birtday, there's all the more reason to celebrate.

Christmas is closing in on us

And it's moving fast... I've no idea if I'm going to have time to make enough Christmas cards to send out to people this year, or if I will have to do like last year, and buy some. Anyway, this is a little box I altered using papers from the wonderful Christmas collection The Day Before from Riddersholm Design. I LOVE this collecrion.

In the little bubble on top of the lid, I have decorated with miniature Christmas trees, also made from patterned paper, and a whole lot of glitter.

So, that's it for today. We're preparing for a new school/work week, if my daughter is feeling OK tomorrow morning, that is. She has a sore throat and she is coughing a little, poor girl, but hopefully she will feel a lot better in the morning.

Happy Sunday night, everyone! I will be spending it in front of the TV watching the True Talent final (Exciting, that one) and folding sheet music stars for the Christmas tree.

Glitz Mini Album

Hi everyone!

Today I've been bustling around, blogging on every blog I'm supposed to, and now the time has come to do something about my own blog. I changed the header this morning - it's about time, the old one has been tagging along for quite some time now.

*edit* I changed the entire design while I was at it... I'd grown so tired of the old, all white one. Please, let me know what you think, OK?

I have a envelope album for you today, with the most adorable papers from Glitz - Vintage Blue, which I got from Scraplagret to create with. Oh, how I adore these papers! Just look at the toile pattern on the cover! I'd like to wallpaper my bedroom in that!

Here's a closeup on the front cover. The big blue flowes are diecut with Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, and then I've rubbed them from the back with a stylus.

I love how this collection comes with coordinating trims - like this one with pom poms on the ends. It's super cute!

 I've covered all the envelopes in different patterned papers from the collection

 and then I have decorated the pages with coordinating stickers.

Have a very nice saturday evening, everyone!

How about some Riddersholm and a Blog Candy?

Last week, I received a package with the magnificent new lines from Riddersholm Design, including this one, Chantilly Dawn. I am completely in love with this line, it has the softest colors and the pretties patterns ever. I love it.
My son was invited to a birtyhday party, so I decided to make a couple of gift boxes and matching cards with Chantilly Dawn for the two birthday girls.

Now, how about winning some Chantilly Dawn of your own, plus tons of other goodies? It's really easy, just click on the button below to see the the Blog Candy, and read the instructions.

What are you waiting for? ;)

Crop at KiAs.

First of all, long time no see. I guess I got swept away by all the commotion about school starting over again. The students walked in at work, and I've been busy since. Albin and Agnes are back to school and daycare, soccer practice has started, gymnastics practise has started, and I'm back to doing laundry, packing gym clothes, school bags and all that stuff. On Sunday, both of them are back to swimming practise, and on top of it all, Albin has decided to join the scouts. I'm guessing we'll be really busy this fall.

Oh, and I forgot - we're painting windows at the farm. Today, P wanted me to paint. I grabbed the bush and I painted. When it comes to paint, I'm a perfectionist, whereas he isn't. He litterally paints the windows, meaning the glass. I paint only the frame. So I painted, carefully and perfekt - not a drop of paint ended up where it didn't belong, and I was really pleased with the outcome. Then P came along and had the guts to tell me that I painted too slowly! I almost threw the brush after him. But I guess I deserved that, since I had the bad taste of going cropping at KiAs Butik yesterday instead of painting windows.

I got tons of stuff done at the crop, among them this papier mache torso, which I altered using papers, stickers and trinkets from Bo Bunny's lovely Et Cetera line.
There was a challenge during the crop - to scraplift this layout, which I did last time I was there. The photo is from this summer, when we visited Glimmingehus castle. Agnes loved to sit by the window, very high up in the castle, and fantasize about whether there was ever a beautiful princess sitting in that window waiting for the prince to come riding on his noble steed... Thence the title - awaiting the prince.

And so, I scraplifted my own layout also here using Et Cetera. This photo was taken after a long, warm, dusty day at High Chaparral, our own Swedish wild west town. On our way home, we stopped by a lake to try and cool of a bit. I got this photo of Albin running along the platform as the sun was setting. The water was so warm that night, and the kids just loved it. They didn't want to get out of there.

So, that's it for tonight. I'd better be getting to bed soon. I thought I'd sit around for a while, finishing up a layout I started yesterday, but I think I'm too tired.

I wish you all a very good week.

Words to live by

Hi!

I'm just stopping in for a short post today, showing you a little mini book in a box that I made for Riddersholm Design. I really love the teals and browns of this collection, Turqoise Hill's.

I've printed out quotes that I think are really worth thinking about, and put them into the mini that is in the box.

That's it for now. I'd better get back to my project for the day - sorting out some of the mess in my scraproom, and at least get all of my embellishments in some kind of order... It's not the funniest thing to do on a summer day, but the good thing about it is that I keep finding pretty things I had totally forgot that I had, and that's great.

Have a nice day, all of you!

Petaloo Color Me Crazy challenge

Petaloo are having a challenge where you can win a fabulous prize - $100 of Petaloo products! Now, who wouldn't want that prize? Of course, I had to enter, and here is my altered project entry - a wall hanging for my craft room.

I've used Distress ink to color the Petaloo flowers - for the all purple ones I mixed some ink with water and used a mini mister to spray the paint onto the flowers. While the flowers were still wet, I used a soft paintbrush to paint the petal edges darker with ink.
The white flowers, I just sprayed with water and then painted the edges of the petals the same way I did the purple ones.

So, the thing that inspired me to make this was the mini wooden spools from Maya Road that were in the June kit from My Scrapbook Nook (along with most things I've used for this project) It just had to be sewing themed!

Some late night blogging

We are having a few days off from school and work, my family and I, and it has been a really nice few days so far, except for the fact that P hurt the back of his neck really, really bad last week, so he hasn't been able to move around very much. Our to-do list at the farm was miles long before this holiday, and guess what? We haven't really narrowed it down very much. Obviously. Except for the shopping part, that is. We have bought a fridge, a freezer, paint, new floors for two rooms and everything we need to finish those two rooms up completely. So soon, very soon our little farmhouse is actually inhabitable, at least now in the summertime. I've been working as much as possible these last few days, but things move along a great deal slower when P can't help out. Today, however, I took an all day break from renovating, and spent it at KiAs butik, the local scrapbook store my friend Kristin has opened (it's actually VERY local. It's a five minute walk from my house.), where I've been cropping all day.

So, to celebrate the grand opening of KiAs, I made this, my own interpretation of Kristin's store.

The papers are Basic Grey's Hello Luscious, from the My Scrapbook Nook May kit.

So, I know I really should have spent the day renovating, to be able to move into the farmhouse sooner, and to be able to sit there in the garden every night listening to the nightingale singing his heart out and watching the swallows flying in and out of the barn, and enjoying all those things that made us want to buy the farm in the first place. But hey, a girl has to scrap once in a while too to remain happy and content, right? So today was my day doing just that, and tomorrow I'm back struggling with the paintbrush again, a lot happier that I would have been if I had not been cropping with my dear friends today.

If you've got nothing else to do...

you can calways make a vintage-y hanging bundle of... something. Honestly, I have no idea what to call this thing - ornament? Yeah, or whatever. It was a whole lot of fun to make though, and it will probably be perfect for brightening up some dull door knob in my farmhouse, or maybe I will hang it from the tile stove damper.
All the supplies come from Scraplagret.