USMC

     As you can tell, I am exploring new techniques (again!). My latest venture is my favorite place to take on line classes: My Creative Classroom. This is a class exploring mixed media with Shirley Pando. This second lesson is using paper on canvas and can I just say I Love It!!!
     I find it hard to come up with projects for men but somehow, this just seemed to come to me. One of my daughters lives in Hawaii on the Marine base with her husband. I also have a nephew who was in the Marines and my nieces husband also serves our country.I had made an album a while ago and this was paper I had leftover. I won't bore you with the details of the background but would like to share the embellishments and some of the meaning behind them.

     First, the metal tag I found @ Michaels in the clearance bin. It is engraved with wonderful words that I feel exemplify a Marine: courage, honor, hope, loyalty, unity, kindness, truth, charity and passion. Across the top in the right hand corner are 4 small circle tags that say "U S M C". These are tied together with thread that symbolize the bond they have for their "brothers" and fellow Marines. They are from the Tim Holtz collection but the letters are some stickers I had.
     The center image is from Tim Holtz seasonal stack and it features an eagle and the stars and stripes. I laminated this with glossy accents. The furthest image is also from Tim H and says "the world". I used his fragments acrylic tag and used a gold marker on the edge to add some dimension. This highlights that these men go anywhere in the world that are called upon to serve.

     I added a strip of the map across the bottom and added the United States Marine Corp sticker. When Chris and Andy got married we had black candy boxes with Lindt chocolates inside as favors for the men at the wedding reception. The top of the boxes had this emblem on top. As a side note, when they married he wore a tux and not the dress uniform. He said "You are marrying me, not the marines!" I love that he is such an individual. He loves his job but is also his own person.
     Finally, my daughter shared this quote with me: "Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
     The far right corner has a double stamped star with Stazon ink. I also had some Tim Holtz metal corners that I used and added a burgundy grosgrain ribbon around the outside edge. One suggestion from Shirley was to try upholstery nails along the edge. I added these last to symbolize that these dedicated service men can be tough as nails! Thanks to all the Marines for keeping us safe and allowing us to do what we do best.

I Love Sewing!

     My Creative Classroom is where I take a lot of classes and this is just the latest: Mixed Media. I have always wanted to learn the principles of this art form ( and use up some scraps!). I love detail so this was a project where I could really let myself go!
     First I started with a scrap of tapestry fabric, some coordinating fabric, some buttons and some lace when it hit me, why not do something for the sewing area of my craft room? I pulled out a zipper, some floss and embroidery yarn ( a project that has long gone by the way side!) and a vintage button. 
     After I fringed the edges of the tapestry I laid out my scrap fabrics and fused them onto the tapestry. Next i did some decorative stitches by hand before I added the zipper.
     The image is from Tim Holtz which I added some Rangers Glossy accents to before gluing it to card stock and fabric. I have so many letter beads that I decided to spell out "sewing" and added pearl beads in between the letters to soften the look.
     The pin with the thread and scissors was a gift years ago for my sister-in law since we both share a love of sewing. I made a ribbon hanger that I glued to a piece of card board and then glued the two together for some stability. This looks so good in the sewing area of my craft room!