Saying goodbye . . .

I have decided to finally say goodbye to "Mi Arte Creativa."
I am not able to keep up with my hectic schedule, my photography business, My 365 days of Reality blog and the craft blog. So I'm saying goodbye to this one. I have learned so much from this blog and from all of my crafty blogging friends. I will miss you and I hope to be able to keep in touch with you. Please feel free to drop by my 365 Days of Reality Blog and drop me a note or my professional photography site S.R.Marek Photography you can also find me on facebook under Sandra Marek.

It's been an awesome two plus years but it's time to move on. Thank you to those of you who check back. I will turn this blog off in 2 weeks. Adios :(

I've been featured in "Mod Podge Rocks"

Woohoo!
I'm a little behind in updating my blog but I had to catch a breathe to share this exciting news!
I've been featured in Mod Podge Rocks! I'm really excited about it.
Remember the little candy pail I made for my DH? Well, Amy over at Mod Podge Rocks featured it today.
Go take a look here: Mod Podge Rocks
They have some awesome projects there.

Thanks Amy!

Birthday Card for my M.I.L

Here's a birthday card I made for my Mother in laws birthday.
She loves Owls & the color green.

I fussy cut, stamped, tore, inked, glued and glittered - all in one card, but I had fun.

Use Your Stash - Got Paint?

Got paint challenge at Use your stash.
The ladies over at use your stash have challenged us to use paint. Here is my entry.
This weekend is David's and my 6th wedding anniversary. Instead of the typical card I altered this little pail. I purchased it at the dollar store over a year ago with some candy already in it.
I sanded the pail down, painted it with red acrylic paint and then covered it lightly with Mod Podge.

I then glued a strip of pattern paper to the top of it. I made two "fishing rods" and attached beads, a glass leaf, a lizzard that's meant for a bracelet and little flower. David really likes Swedish fish candy so filled the pail up with them and the tag reads "You're quite the catch."



Happy Annniversary Baby! You mean the world to me. Love ya.

Pencil Line Sketch 139 -

Pencil line sketch #139.
What is Pencil Line Sketch? "Pencil Lines is a blog all about using sketches to expand your artistic horizons, get you outside your box, and lift you out of scrappers block and to help you get more layouts done. It is about thinking outside your normal processes to create something wonderful. "
They create the sketch you fill in the blanks (so to speak) and make it your own.
Here is my entry.
To honor my in-laws who have just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary!
Title is "True love stands the test of TIME"
Journaling reads:
52 years of marriage and still going strong! True love stands the test of time.
They've had their share of ups and downs but they remain committed and
true to each other and their love continues to grow. They are my hero's.



Pretty simple:



I used chipboard and painted it black and an embroidered/beaded flower from an old shirt.

2nd Entry to 2 Sketches 4 You

This card is my second entry (see previous post)to the 2 sketches 4 you challenge.
I love these little "license plates" and charms. Fun & easy.

Another 2 Sketches 4 You challenge!

Laura's sketch #28
These sketches are fun and make making cards so easy. Here is my take. I followed the sketch almost exactly like it is.

I used some "netting" material that came in a gift box and I sprayed glitter on the black cardstock and netting.
It's a card from my little "Princess Diva!"

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #9

Another Raspberry Suite Color Challenge
These challenges are fun and get my creative juices going. Dawn McVey does an awesome job selecting the colors for her challenges.
Here are the colors she chose this week.




Here is my fun card.


I made another butterfly from an old book. I sewed a couple of pages together and tore it out in the shape of a butterfly. I glued on some black rhinestones that are meant for clothes.

I used an old Domino piece and glued acrylic letters to it, also used black vintage lace.

2 Sketches 4 You: Kazan's 28

I'm having a ton of fun with these challenges.
This one is another 2 Sketches 4 You challenge. It's a big party over at 2 Sketches 4 You - they are still celebrating their anniversary and I think they will be all month. Go check them out.
This is a great sketch and comes together pretty nicely.
Here is my entry. I used Club Scrap Cardstock, fibers and stamp, MM {note}worthy,K&Company Urban chipboard flowers and ranger embossing powder.

Caardvarks: Depth perception challenge

Caardvarks has yet another awesome challenge The challenge: Create a 3-D paper crafting project. The winner of that challenge will get an awesome goody box from Club Scrap who happens to have the best cardstock in the world!

I made a small portfolio for this challenge. Initially I wanted to use it for a post it note holder but then I folded some paper accordion style and put pictures of each of my kids in there sort of a brag book style.




This is the regular tri-fold but I added another strip of paper to hold everything in there. Sort of like a small box.



The following pictures are not exactly in order but I wanted to show you some of the steps (for those of you who are visual)


This is how I attached the ribbon for tying

Use Your Stash Fabric challenge

Another challenge that got my creativity going - was a use fabric challenge by UYS.
They have a lot going on this month so check back to their blog often.
Here is my entry for that challenge.
This looks like a tiny purse but it's a tri-fold portfolio. I made it to hold a post-it pad (in your purse). This will be for a small hostess gift.




The ribbon in the middle is meant to hold the small pad of paper in place.


I used fabric that my mother in law had, Doodle bug pattern paper that I had on hand, the card board is from the back of a notebook, the beads are Club Scrap and the button is vintage.




If you'd like more specific instructions just drop me a note. I'd be happy to share.

One Little word Challenge - "Yes"

One little word is a challenge site. Like the title says they use "words" and you have to base your layout on the word they chose.
There is a lot of talent there and the designers style vary.
Here is my take on this weeks challenge:



Journaling reads:
"It all started when you were 5 years old. Your grandma would tell you that you could not do things the boys did because you were a girl. You'd would always say, "yes I can!" and you would try to prove that you could. You would climb trees and jump in the mud, you'd dig for bugs. You would even wrestle our brother. You had to prove that you could do anything boys could do. Here you are a sergeant in the U.S. Army still proving that you can do anything boys can."
I'm so proud of you! Girl Power May 2009

I used Club Scrap paper and several different stamps to make the pattern background paper. Everything I used I had in my stash for a long time so I don't know the manufactures names/products.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #8

Here is another awesome blog I just happen to stumble on.Dawn McVey She's so creative and continually updates her blog with lots of eye candy. She has color challenges and I just happen to find this one in the nick of time. I have about an hour to spare. Although my "raspberry" really isn't raspberry it's the closet to it I have on hand. Hope it qualifies for the challenge.
Here is the color challenge


Here is what I came up with:



Club Scrap paper, vintage buttons and ribbon is from Michaels.

2 Sketches 4 You:1st annual Ultimate Card Showdown

Nothing like a little challenge to get me going and then add a sketch to it and it's a bonus. Sketches make scrapbooking so easy and quick.
I came across this Sketch site today. 2 Sketches 4 You They are celebrating their first anniversary and have a sketch challenge. Go take a look, it's a fun site.
I needed to make an anniversary card for my in-laws. 52 years! I wanted some vintage stuff and some new stuff. The lace is vintage and the butterfly is made from a very old book that was ruined so I sewed a couple of pages together, tore it out to make it look like a butterfly and inked the edges to match. Followed the sketch, stamped "love" a few extras and all done. Fun and easy.



I liked how it turned out. I know my mother in law will love it.

I found my Scrappy Mo-Jo

My last scappy post was July 4, 2008. I've created a card here or there but to actually feel motivated and actually create like I used to . . .I'd have to say that was it. I created this chipboard "journal" but never finished it. I made the first page insert but never fished that either. Even when I wanted to create some magic with my paper goodies I just couldn't find the motivation or the ideas or anything. I was worried. I thought I lost my scrappy mo-jo. Well, this past weekend we went camping and I took some supplies with me and I started by creating some cards. Then when I came home I was browsing this blog (I frequent it often for inspiration): Use Your Stash and I came across Jingle and she inspired me to create some more cards (6 to be exact) and I'm now feeling scrappy again. I found my mo-jo and I finally made a "small" page to add to my art journal. YAY
Cardboard from the back of a notebook covered with pattern paper by DCWV
and 2 rings

First page not completed

New page


I'm feeling all scrappy again. It's been a nice long break. I've learned so much about photography and I've been able to get my business up and running during the past 11 months. Maybe my Mo-jo has always been right here - just focusing on something else.

This one can be made into many things - like a magazine cover or a canvas print. It can be dry mounted or printed on metallic paper. Imagine the possibilities.


This type of style is considered a story board. It is dry mounted. This particular one is 10 inches tall by 20 inches wide.
The template for this layout was created by a friend on a photography forum, her name is Lola. Thanks Lola.



This piece is 6 inches by 9 inches but it can be made in different sizes. The trick here is that it consist of only one picture spread out through 3 openings.


Have any questions? Feel free to contact me at Srmarek@yahoo.com

A few from a recent wedding. . .Tosha & Alan

What a fun wedding to shoot at and perfect weather too!