Holiday {Art}

I spent a week working on these pieces, like I had a fire lit under my behind! Manufacturers are looking ahead to Christmas 2015, and that window of opportunity is closing soon. I did my best to interpret the projected trends of 2015 and I'm happy to say owls aren't going anywhere, and either are chalkboards. Meet my friend, Stewart the Owl (above). His cuteness kept me motivated. I finished him first and each time I doubted myself during the next three pieces, I looked at him and reminded myself: "you got this, girl!"

 I did my best to make the background of this one look like a dusty chalkboard. Birch tree limbs are already super popular and they aren't going anywhere, either. I love to decorate my own home with branches found outside and I love hanging simple items on them, changing with the seasons.

   Red, white and blue and traditional poinsettias for an All-American Christmas!

Mr. Frosty here...well, he was a different story from Stewart the Owl. Boy, did I struggle with this guy! Flowers are my specialty, not faces- and especially not eyes. I just kept adding and adding things until I was finally happy with him. As we all know, practice makes perfect and I have a lot of practice to do when it comes to animals. My next goal is to do some pieces with woodland cuties. I'm just really glad that the only snowflakes around here are in these pictures and not out my window. It won't be long, I'm sure.

Autumn {Home}

I. LOVE. FALL. I love the way the sunlight casts a golden glow on everything it touches. I love the crunch of leaves beneath my boots. I love filling my house with the scents of spiced cider, caramel and warm vanilla.

 I never tire of pumpkin patch photos, I can't get enough of paper turkey projects and my comfy sweats and a pair of moccasins never gets old. A steaming mug of hot chocolate doesn't get any better than on a cold, rainy fall day.

 And turning in early on a chilly night only to snuggle down deep under a multi-layer of blankets with my NOOK, reading until I can't keep my eyes open any longer- that's just the best.

My list could go on and on, but I'll stop now. Ah, fall, thank you for this bounty of gifts you provide us with each year.

Layouts {All Boy!}

 Here are some of the pages I made while I was at the scrapbook retreat in October. I hadn't scrapped in so long! It was so so great to get back into it. Before I started Amber Engelh{art}, I was scrapping all of the time. I was totally caught up...but not so much any more...I still have Christmas 2012 to finish up!

 Here's two things I've realized: I need to put more pictures on one layout and I need to do my best to get an event (birthday, Halloween, etc) down to a 4-page* layout. (*I mean a 2-page layout...baby steps, people!)

 One thing I'm really good at is keeping organized. Before the retreat, I printed the pictures I wanted to scrap and put them in labeled envelopes which I placed with the paper I planned to use. I put everything I needed (buttons, twine, stamps, etc.) in with the pictures and scrapbook collection- ready to jump right in. Of course I printed way more pictures than I could ever expect to scrap in one weekend- but it keeps me organized at home, too. It's a great system! Oh, I also keep little notes for title ideas and quotes I've written down from the kids in the envelope with the pictures.

 What I'm not good at: getting the pages into albums! I practically have to force myself to get them in page protectors and into the albums...I think it's because I'd much rather spend my time actually scrapping. Eventually the pile(s) become to tall to ignore and before I know it I'm spending hours sorting and organizing finished layouts.

 There's no shortage of layouts I have to share! I thought I'd share Cohen's first. He's so much fun to scrap...and the boy-themed collections just keep getting better and better (almost everything I've used on these pages are by Echo Park).

 Thanks for looking!

Smash* It! {Organization Box}

Strolling through a local thrift store, I came across this $6.00 beauty! My heart was racing with excitement even before I opened it up. I loved the primitive look of the box- and oh, the color! Seriously, LOVE. AT. FIRST. SIGHT. LOL!

When I opened this treasure chest...it got even better! There was a divided top layer that could be pulled out and under that was even more divided goodness. I knew immediately it was just perfect for my Smash supplies, so I ran for the cash register, trampling anyone in my way...then I remembered I had my 3-year old with me...had to go back for him...just kidding, I wouldn't forget my baby.

So, I got both babies home and sprayed down the wood one with the hose to give it a good cleaning.

When it was dry, I loaded it with my Smash supplies (most of which aren't made by Smash (by K&Co.), but some of my favorite bits and pieces from other lines like Dear Lizzy and MME "Cut and Paste". One divided section is all pictures, making it quick and easy to start "Smashing."

In the bottom, I put supplies like my date stamp, adhesive roller and stapler. I also have a little place for receipts, notes, lists, etc. that I want to include somewhere in my Smash album.

 Here's a few of my completed pages. One reason I really love this type of scrapping is because it gives me a place keep everyday items that I wouldn't dedicate an entire scrapbook page to, like this note my husband left for me when I went on a retreat last fall.

I love my thrift store finds!  I love that someone made this box...someone was once proud of this box that they made and now it's all mine and filled with happy goodness!

Junk Market {and Craft Show}

 This past Friday and Saturday was the Rusty Iron Junk Market's inaugural craft show. It was on the most beautiful property, owned by Bill and Chrissy McCann in Eyota, MN. Inspiration was everywhere! The weather was not perfect, but it was much, much better than the projected storms and possible tornadoes.

 The event went on rain or shine, and it did both! Thanks to plastic, tarp and even bubble wrap, we kept our hard work dry and ready to buy.

 Even the displays and signs were artistic! I am so excited about the these pictures. The rust, weathered wood and the fall colors- oh my goodness I'm ready to go make something!

I'm looking forward to watching this event grow over the next few years!

Back to School {HAPPY DANCE}

 

Back to school time came just in time...to save my sanity! No more refereeing all-day long arguments. No more hearing "I'm bored," the second we leave the park, pool, etc. I am so looking forward to having a routine. Like most stay at home mom's, I'll be playing taxi-driver, making loops around the city each day. But, in between this and that, I will make time for my schedule and routine. I will, oh yes, I will meet my to-do list head on. I will actually have structured work time...I've been day-dreaming most about this!

Can't wait to scrap these pics!

Yellow Daisies {Tutorial}

Here's a little tutorial I made for my application for Faber Castell's Guest Design Team. Even though I didn't make the team, I thought I would still share my work :)

Are you ready to play? Let’s get started!

1.       Cut & Paste: Using patterned paper cut out your design (free-hand, die-cuts, punches, etc.) and adhere with Faber-Castell’s Gel Medium to wood or canvas. Let dry. (Use your heat tool or hair dryer to speed it up…it’s so hard to wait, I know!)

2.       Outline & Doodle: Using a Black PITT Artist Pen S, outline everything inside the edge of the image (this gives you a border to work with later). Add doodles until your heart’s content! The more the better.

 

3.       Watercolor:Using Ranger’s Distress Stains, apply a layer of coordinating color to each image by simply pushing your brush onto the dauber to fill the brush with color. Then paint over each image as you would with ordinary watercolors.

4.       Seal:Add second layer of Gel Medium to seal in the watercolors. Let Dry.

5.       Marker Time: Pick a light and dark shade of the same color to coordinate with each image.  Using the lighter shade first, start by adding a little color in the middle of your image with small lines or swipes of the marker.  Blend the color with your finger, using circular motions.  With your darker shade, add small amounts of color to areas that would be shaded and blend with your finger.  Finally, fill in that outlined border you drew in Step 2 with your darker shade. Blend lightly with your finger to soften your color.

TIP: The color of the PITT markers is “buildable,” keep adding layers to deepen your shade.

 

6.       Final Touches: Trace the outside of each image with a light grey PITT marker. Add darker gray to fill-in or highlight some of your doodles.

 TIP:Keep baby wipes near-by to wipe away mistakes. The Gel Medium gives a great, smooth surface that allows us to manipulate the color. Once the marker is sealed with a top coat of Gel Medium, it becomes permanent.

7.       Signed and Sealed: Add your signature and one last coat of Gel Medium. You’re all done! It looks great!!

Hopefully this was inspiring! It definitely makes me want to get my markers out!