spools of fish for PaperArtsy

 

Hi everyone, I am on the PaperArtsy Blog sharing this fun project I have been working on using some of Kate Crane's stamps.

I had so much fun using watercolor pencils to add color to these whimsical fish designs by Kate Crane for PaperArtsy and then exploring how different textiles can be dyed using PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints in ocean colors, to create the most amazing substrates to hold all of the fishies.

I really enjoyed imagining this project. When I was first considering a project I kept thinking of a school/spool connection and this idea was born. There are additional fish stamps that Kate Crane has designed for her PaperArtsy line, it would be fun to incorporate those fish (or any other little creatures as well). I would love for you to tie k out the blog to see all the details, you can find it here.

Wishing you a creative day,

Ann 

xx

butterfly booklet for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am over on the PaperArtsy Blog sharing all the details for this butterfly booklet. One of the things I love about the summer is watching the butterflies silently flutter through the air and alight upon the flowers. When I saw the Sara Naumann butterfly stencil and stamps, I wanted to create something that reflected this peacefulness that the butterflies bring.

For this booklet, I primarily used Sara Naumann Stamp Set 33 (ESN33) and PaperArtsy Sara Naumann Stencil 122 (PS122). I also used the gorgeous PaperArtsy Infusions Dye Stains Raspberry (CS24), Blackcurrant (CS09), and Violet  Storms (CS11). You can find all the details and pictures of the process as well as the finished booklet here. 

I hope you can stop by and check it out! 

Wishing you a wonderfully creative day,

Ann   xx

Wildflower Collective - a piano hinged journal for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am so happy to be back with you again. Today I am on the PaperArtsy Blog sharing this wildflower collective - a handmade, piano-hinged journal.

For my post I have been exploring the PaperArtsy Eclectica products (ESA02, PS449). These stamps and stencils were released earlier this year (January 2025) and have a really nice mixed media vibe. I just love using them in backgrounds to create some graphic interest. For this project I have paired them with a few of the PaperArtsy: Ink & The Dog Mini stamps, botanicals in particular. love incorporating natural elements into my work, and the PaperArtsy Ink & The Dog mini stamps (MN67, MN68, MN69, MN70, MN71) led to the idea of using a natural floral stem to create the binding for my journal. 

You can find all the details, and a lot of pictures over on the PaperArtsy Blog, here.

I am also really excited to share that I am hosting a giveaway of a few PaperArtsy Mini stamps and a stencil on my Instagram account (aksbarchitect) I absolutely love working with these beautiful stamps and look forward to seeing how one lucky winner would use them. The giveaway runs from June 24 to June 30, and a winner will be announced on July 1, 2025. Here is what's included the giveaway: PaperArtsy Minis MN67, MN70, MN71, MN122, MN129 and PaperArtsy Stencil Minis PM023. All you need to do is head over to my Instagram account, follow me and and comment where you are from on the post containing this picture:

I hope that you will stop over to the PaperArtsy Blog and check out my wildflower collective here.
Good luck to all those that are entering the giveaway!
Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Ann

tea time envelope book for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am part of PaperArtsy's "With 3 Things" challenge this month. For this feature on the PaperArtsy Blog, 3 identical items are sent to 3 members of the PaperArtsy Blogging team. 

I received a wonderful PaperArtsy stencil by Scrapcosy (PS107) as well as a gorgeous PaperArtsy Lynne Perrella Collection stamp set (LPC057) and two PaperArtsy Fresco Finish chalk acrylic paints Sage (FF66) and Rose (FF29). Immediately my mind began conjuring ideas of a spring tea party with grandmother's lacy linens.

I created an envelope book, accordion-style, with places to tuck a few select tea bags and a small gift tag for someone special. Perhaps to encourage them to enjoy a spring tea time. I have added some stitching details and die cut lace pieces colored with the beautiful fresco finish acrylics. I am sharing all the details for my project over on the PaperArtsy blog here.

Thanks so much for checking in, I would love for you to stop by the PaperArtsy blog post to see all the details of my Tea Time envelope book. 

Have a creative day! -Ann

nature shadowbox featuring Scrapcosy stamps and stencils for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am sure you know that I am a huge fan of Scrapcosy for PaperArtsy. Whether it is stamps, stencils, or even printed tissue; I am always captivated by her beautiful designs. I was so fortunate to receive the newest release of her designs to create with. The collection of three stamp sets and three large stencils is absolutely enchanting. You can find the PaperArtsy Release Blog post here. In it you will see the many samples that Raquel created with he products. It features all of the stamps and stencils as well as Raquel's (Scrapcosy's) wonderful samples. They are amazing! If you're interested in purchasing any of the newest release, find a PaperArtsy Stockist here.

I used these new stamps and stencils to create a shadowbox celebrating nature. You will find all the details as well as numerous pictures on the PaperArtsy blog today. 

I would love for you to hop over and check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you have a creative day.

Ann xx 

artsy expressions embossed cards for StencilGirl®

Hi everyone, today I am on the StencilGirl® Talk blog sharing some fun folding cards that I created with StencilGirl® stencils and embossing. I love handmade cards. There's something about knowing that someone took the time to create a piece of art to express their wishes. I recently wanted to send an artist friend of mine a note, and as I searched my stash of handmade cards, I decided it was time to update my collection. This particular friend tends to use a lot of stencils in their art, so I thought it would be fun to create some cards with my StencilGirl® ATC Mixup Alphabet stencil designs.

You can find all the details over on the StencilGirl® Talk blog, here. And the best news is that my stencils are on sale for the next 2 weeks! Just use code  AB20  for 20% off any of my stencils! Just enter the code at checkout. (code expires 04/29/25)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ann

"Majestic Beauty" - a handmade book for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am so happy to be back on the PaperArtsy Blog. This year we have free reign to do a deep dive into  PaperArtsy product ranges of our choosing. When I was looking through my PaperArtsy Urban Snapshot stamps, one of the sayings stood out to me. The stamp: MAJESTIC BEAUTY PERSONIFIED had me thinking about combining these wonderful architectural designs with some of the beautiful Lynne Perrella images. 

I'm sharing how I combined the combined these two different stamp lines, resulting in my own version of MAJESTIC BEAUTY PERSONIFIED. My handmade book contains layered pages that, when paired, combine an architectural element with a Lynne Perilla beautiful female face images. I enjoyed exploring all the possible different combinations. If you hop over to the PaperArtsy blog you can see the entire process.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Ann

circle book for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am on the PaperArtsy blog talking about how I created this fun Seth Apter inspired circle book. I recently watched a technique video in which Laura Denison Designs created a notebook using a "twisted-pin binding" and I was fascinated with the possibilities that this presented. When considering my next project for PaperArtsy, I knew exactly how I could incorporate this unique binding method with my love of Seth Apter designed stamps and paints. 

I would love for you to stop by and see all the details. I'm thrilled with how my circle book turned out!

Maybe you will inspired you to pull out your stamps and Fresco Finish paints and try to create something new! 

Wishing you a creative day ~Ann

My Heart to Keep - a tag book for love notes created for PaperArtsy

Hi friends, today I am on the PaperArtsy blog sharing this project I created for their "With 3 Things" feature. This is where 3 bloggers are sent 3 items in the post. We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send us, there might be a slight variation but generally 2 of the 3 things will be identical. For this round, I received PaperArtsy Eclectica3 stamp set ESN11 and PaperArtsy stencil PS092, both by Sara Naumann, as well as PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint in Candy Floss (FF70) and Red Lipstick (FF160). I love that the stamp set has a mixture of stamp designs that can be used to create in so many different styles. Usually as the days close in on the end of a year, I tend to start looking forward to the next. Seeing the hearts and the harlequin stencil design had my mind immediately thinking about getting a jump start on a Valentine's day piece.

I am so happy you stopped by and I would love to have you check out all the details over on the PaperArtsy blog here. I hope that maybe you are inspired to create your own tag book. I think it would be a great way to explore new techniques and document them or even to use as a journal; perhaps you could even create some love notes of your own! The possibilities are endless.

creatively yours,

Ann

nature's treasures box for PaperArtsy

Hi everyone, I am so excited to share this nature's treasures box that I created for PaperArtsy. The current topic over on PaperArtsy blog is a focus on all things Alison Bomber. If you are not familiar with her I recommend you hop over and check out the introduction post where Alison gives a bit of her background. I will say that Alison has a gorgeous collection of stamp designs, which includes both words and illustrations. I have always been drawn to her gorgeous botanical illustration stamps. For this project I chose to focus on Eclectica Alison Bomber Set 25 (EAB25) Acorn Edition, taking advantage of the tie-in to Autumn as well as our current PaperArtsy blog theme: nature.

You can find all the details on how I created this upcycled cigar box into a treasure trove over on the PaperArtsy blog, including one of my favorite details, the stamped seal closure. I'd love to have you check it out!

Take care and thank you so much for stopping by today.

~Ann

xx

Announcing the 2025 Artist Almanac

Happy November everyone,

I have some exciting news to share with you!

The 2025 Artist Almanac is available today, November1st, 2024. 

I am one of the fourteen contributing artists, and I can honestly say that this year's calendar is one of the best yet! I f you are unfamiliar with what this product, here is a bit of information:

The 2025 ARTIST ALMANAC

ONE (1) part calendar + ONE (1) part inspiration = a whole LOT of collage material. 14 talented artists bring you an entire year’s worth (qty 365) of daily collage-able artsy bits of paper. Tear it away each day to reveal a new piece of work from one of 14 involved & use the past days as an art supply. It can’t get any cooler and awesome than that! The Artist Almanac calendar is an amazing 2.75 x 3.75 inches of Incredible! Simple! Perfection!

Each of the contributing artists has a limited inventory for purchase. If your favorite artist sells out, please visit any of the other artists to see if they have any remaining inventory.

Each calendar is $24.99 plus shipping with a limit of 2 calendars per customer.

I will be selling these awesome calendars in my ETSY shop:

MandDcreatestudio

Here is a listing of the other artists with their respective instagram links:

@deedeecatron

@adogslife13

@niamhbaly (Australia)

@lauramixedmedia

@aworkofheartstudio

@confidentcanvas

@aksbarchitect

@kirahart

@christinekarpiak (Canada)

@whimsybykelly

@charlenevlutz

@latelierdeyadie (France)

@nicolewatsonart

@kriscamealy

I hope that you are able to grab one of these fantastic calendars before they sell out. 

In prior years they have sold out within hours!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Ann