Twilight Twinches, ATC, and Paper Pads...Tiny pieces of Art

Recently, I joined a trading swap for people who enjoy altered art, similar interests and creative ways to express themselves. One of the requirements said I needed to make 2 Twilight Twinches. Yes, I am little too fond of that series but it keeps me inspired. Well, what was my result? Above you will see 2 rows of twinches that relate to the first Twilight Movie.

Now, you may or may not be asking what a twinchie is, but I was totally unaware of these things and there was an actual name for them. Here is just one way to describe them:
a 2"x2" square that can be its own work of art, or incorporated into another design size.

I added little words, some ribbons, brads, foam, glitter, glue, and other mediums to these tiny pieces of art. Next, you will see an ATC (not Twilight related) but from a decade swap I was in where I chose my decade, and it was 1900-1909. I used a classic Ford vehicle, twine, hand sewn pieces together, poker chip, sticker bubble, and a key brad. An ATC is basically the artist version of a baseball collectors card.

For quite some time, I have enjoyed the following statement and use it whenever I get the chance: Do You See What I Feel? I took a tiny notepad of paper and glued cardstock to it. I used rubber stamps, printed out the phrase and cut it into tiny pieces.

Clearly there are so many ways to add a spark of creativity in everything you make.

It's the small things that make something special...

A few days ago, I decided to look at the calendar only to realize that Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Many people look forward to this day to express their love or crush to that someone special, and then there are those who dread the day. There is a part of me that believes we don't need one specific day to pour out our undying love and affection; but that it should be expressed daily.

For awhile, I had been in such a slump (yes, I believe slump fits the emotion) and I did not really look forward to many holidays or events. I pondered over this for emotion for months, others may say years, but for all purposes I will say months. I felt like there were people, things or just something that was missing from my life. There were friends I lost touch with over the years, that I would often wonder about. While visiting my dad in high school, I attended a day of school with my cousin. There I met a great person, who later became one of my best friends. He and I became friends and wrote back and forth for a few years, but we lost touch. I am kind of a packrat and so I keep all letters, cards, small momentos in life. Over the past decade or so, I often wondered about my friend: Did he achieve his dreams? Was he happy? Where was he? I missed my friend. Recently we moved and I was sorting out old boxes and came across all of his letters, cards, and small trinkets. I started doing online searches again for him, and what do you know! On a site I belong to, I came across his brother. It wasn't long after when I was able to contact my friend. It was like we were never separated. We shared stories about things in our lives, special people that meant the world to us. My life started to feel complete again, and for the first time in a long time, I was happy. I am planning a trip to see him soon. He is not only my friend, but I consider him my brother. If you can find one true friend in this world, then you are the richest person alive. Every life matters, every thought is an imprint on our souls. Looking back at the letters of my youth, and reuniting with my friend, I realize that it truly is the small things in our lives that make the world something special. Carpe Diem!

A Child's Year Bench

Recently, I was given a challenge to create something original for a contest. I accepted and the below pictures are the result of that challenge. I bought this rickety looking bench at a garage sale for $5.00, and it had some 1980's looking stencil pattern on it. I painted it with an acrylic craft paint (I am very highly allergic to Latex anything-paint, balloons, bandaids and the so-on). After I let it dry I "distressed it" by sanding portions of the bench. I used my cricut baby bug and the newly released Cricut Cartridge called "A Child's Year." I cut several "boy" childhood silhouettes for the bench, I used that design since I have all sons. Then I used an adhesive to attach 12"x12" scrapbook paper, cut to fit the top of bench, and then additional adhesive to attach the cut pieces. THen I put a nice thick layer of sealer on it. I love this piece and hopefully this will become a family heirloom. I have hopes of making things similar for various family members. I took all sorts of angles of the bench, before-during-and after.

Birthday Girl and Birthday Boy 12"x12" Scrapbook Pages

Below are a few photos of recent scrapbook pages that I made for a Birthday swap. I created journal boxes, fancy mats, and much more.

The Start of a New Era

Greetings to all those who enjoy crafts, archiving, making memories, having fun and living life. 2010 is the start of a new era, a new decade. I want you to enjoy your memories as much as I enjoy "most" of mine. I am all about archiving one's life. I think that one of the best gifts you can give to your friends, family, and yourself is: YOU! I belong to several groups that also believe in the idea of preserving memories. Sure, some people have better memories than others, but it is up to you on how you choose to be remembered and how you want your family and friends to remember you. It is time to mark yourself on the timeline of life, you truly are worth remembering. Everyone has something in to contribute. God did not make all sorts of people because he wanted us all to be the same. We come with our own unique gifts, talents and abilities. I believe everyone has a voice, opinion and something worth to add to the human life quilt.

I was recently "termed" a Mixed-Media Artist (MMA), and I thought about this quite a bit. Just by the sound and readiblity of the term, my first thought was something relating to television, or graphic design person, but really to me the term means the following:

Mixed-Media Artist: Any person with the desire to create a legacy of life. A person who combines one art with another. Someone who likes to leave something behind other than just a stack of bills, chaos, clutter, amongst other things that seem to taint or mark one's life. (Sure taint doesn't sound appealing, but can you imagine what it would be like to leave your personal thoughts, photos, sketches, journals, scrapbooks and more?)

Websters Dictionary online would define it as:

(pl.n.)
A technique involving the use of two or more artistic media, such as ink and pastel or painting and collage, that are combined in a single composition.
The combined use of media, such as television, radio, print, and the Internet, as for advertising or publicity.
(derivatives)
mixed́-médi·a adjective

Other loosely meanings of the "MMA":


A term used to describe works of art composed of a variety of different materials. Such works have been made since ancient times, but the term is applied particularly to modern pieces in which a range of unconventional materials is used, thereby making a succinct statement of medium (such as ‘oil on canvas') impossible. Mixed media in this sense was popularized by the Dadaists and Surrealists, to whom the use of unconventional materials was an aspect of artistic anarchy and freedom. The terms ‘composite media', ‘intermedia', and ‘multimedia’ have sometimes been used more or less synonymously with ‘mixed media', but they are more usually applied to works in which different forms of art (rather than different materials) are combined, for example installations with Performance art or Video art. ‘Multimedia’ is now, however, used primarily in another sense, referring to the publishing of various types of information—text, pictures, sound—on CD-ROMIAN CHILVERS. "mixed media."
A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Jan. 2010 ..

Well, what does that mean to me: pretty much anyone who does any sort of craftmanship, art, sculptures and other forms, just various ways that an individual defines his or her ideals and concepts.

Just my own small list that represents something created by a normal (or at least semi-normal, just joking) that expresses creativity. I always say that it doesn't take a rocket scientist, but I should really re-define that because even Rocket Scientists need to be creative thinkers also...

So, what you as my "follower" (sounds sorta cultish, sorry that is what the blogger site calls people who sign up as a guest etc on the blogs) can expect from my little site:

1) Challenges
2) Contests
3) Ideas and inspiration
4) Online tutorials/ Classe
5) Links to great deals
6) TO be able to purchase some of my mixed-media stuff like:
* Personalized items
* stationary
* kits of the month and by themes
* Cut files for all sorts of things
* Finished page layouts
* Restored Vintage Jewlery
* Books
* Hand made emblellishments- scrapbooks, cardmaking
* Centerpieces
* Favors
* Personalized Cloth Dolls
* Wall Art
* Furniture
* Invitations
1. Special Events
2. Wedding
3. Birthday
4. Anniversary
5. Family Get-togethers
6. Graduation
7. Birth Announcements
8. Thank you's
9. Confirmation
10. Baptism
11. Girls's Night Out
12. Fishing, Camping, BBQ's
13. Holidays
14. Fundraisers
Many more, just ask
* Busy Cans
* Gift Baskets
* Quilts
* One of a Kind items
* Clay Dolls
* Aprons
* Cloth Craft Machine items to protect your precious investments
* autograph books
* Home Decor
* Cameos
* Jewlery
* Party in a can
* Ornaments
* Toys
* Pet Urns
* Vintage Image Disks
* Everyday Image Gifts
* Postcards
* Greeting Cards
* Classroom Supplies
* Preparation Books
much, much more

So, please save this blog addy because I plan on updating quite a bit. I will try and post exciting links also that people will enjoy going to. Lastly, if you have ideas to improve the site, please let me know. Your buddy, The Silent Scrapper