Discover the Sea

I have always loved the sea and learned to sail when I was a teen. With a sigh I now live in the desert, which I love, but hundreds of miles from the sea.

So I made this oversized tag inspired by two trinket charms I received from the Funkie Junkie when I placed an order with them.  I used a variety of Tim Holtz products, starting with distress oxide inks, over stamped with a couple sea shell stamps with clear embossing ink  covered in a light wash of picket fence paint. Then I used a variety of die cuts from gears to greens and the seashell. A mix of embossing crystals, blue and black glitter a la Mr. Tim created the sand topped with a few gold and blue beads from my stash and a wisp of cheesecloth. Finally topped with a triple layer of thinlets for the DISCOVER and glued on sailboat and anchor embellishments, along with a funky bow.

Plus, here's a few close up on the details. The sand, shell and greenery:

And the sailboat embellishment:

I entered this in the Frilly and Funkie challenge -- Embellishments, Trinkets and Trims

Go to the challenge here!l

Time to sail away!

Mitch

Art Journal Page: Explore the World

When I saw the Simon Says Stamp challenge for Vacation, I immediately thought of the Tim Holtz "Adventure" dies. I wanted to do a mixed up collage with them, and after playing with them for a while decided I should also use the globe die from my stash.

This reminded me of a work acquaintance who once asked me: Do you vacation or travel? At first I was a bit insulted at the implication that one is better than the other (she made it clear that traveling was a much more intellectual and therefore higher pursuit than vacationing). At the time, I wasn't sure how to answer as I do some of both and I don't believe they are mutually exclusive. I've taken a few Disneyland/Disney World vacations that have broadened my perspective on things AND I've traveled to Alaska as part of a small ship expedition with National Geographic that was thoroughly entering as well as enlightening.

Either way -- vacationing or traveling -- exploring something new is fun! My art journal page is a nod to exploring new destinations.

I struggled with this one a bit, trying out a different style and it came out more busy than I had originally envisioned. Looking at it now, I'm thinking I should have opted for more white space and left off the stamps in the three corners. Your thoughts?

I'm entering this in the 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Vacation.

I Love It Art Journal Page selected by Frilly and Funkie blog

Very excited that this art journal page was selected as a top three for the Frilly and Funkie I love it challenge . This was the second time – I’m really trying to up my game by studying mixed media artists.