A Sweethaven Challenge

Last week I linked you to the Sweethaven blog by author Courtney Walsh.  Courtney has an awesome challenge for us to create some type of layout in the media of our choice that reflects something from the Sweethaven series.  The details of the challenge and list of prizes can be found HERE.

Here's what I came up with:

The Sweethaven series is about friendships. Though separated for many years, there are some bonds that can not be broken. You truly are friends for life. Friends, like soulmates are as the quote says... 'A true soulmate is a mirror. The person who shows you everything that is holding you back... The person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Soulmates doesn't have to mean a lover or husband, though they can be. They are the person who we really connect with on a much deeper level.

The base was created on a piece of canvas board. I applied a layer of white gesso, then got out the paint! I chose FolkArt Red Violet, and Sweetheart Pink. I put 3 or 4 quarter-sized drops of each color in various places on the canvas then spread it around with my fingers. LOVE the feel of paint. While it was still wet, I used the swirls and heart wheel from Stampin Up to run a little texture on the one side. The papers are from DCWV Once Upon A Time (My FAVORITE DCWV slab) and a piece of lavender paper from my scrap drawer. I tore the edges then inked them up a bit.

I printed the quote on vellum then sprayed it with a clear fixative and let it dry over night. Then I tore and distressed the edges a bit. The edges refuse to lay down. They only curled up worse when I tried to put a gel medium wash over the whole thing. So I'm letting them curl, giving the whole thing a bit of texture.

The metal tag in the bottom corner is from K & Co. It says 'Together is a wonderful place to be'. I balanced it with a copper and wire heart I'd stitched several years ago. The stash drawer is a wonderful place to play! The tags down either side say SOUL and MATE and are anchored with Ranger Stickles in deep purple.

Win or lose, I enjoyed creating my very first full piece of mixed media art. Now to figure out where to display it! LOL

Creative Blessings!

A Sneak Peek and a Give Away

Later this week I'll be showing you my entry in a Creative Challenge at the Telling Stories blog. But today I want to give you the opportunity to win one of Courtney Walsh's books. You get to choose which of her books you'd like to have.

PLUS Studio Calico is giving away one of their September scrapbooking kits! Wowzers.  Courtney has a few ways you can rack up your chances of winning so scoot on over to Telling Stories and say Hi.

Two Great Books!

I'm jumping in with an additional post this morning to introduce you to two blogs I'd love for you to check out. This might sound a bit confusing, but hang with me and read carefully. You only have a day or two to take advantage of this.

One is Creative Foundations author, Vicki Boutin. Vicki is good friends with Courtney Walsh, who is also a scrapbooker and wonderful author. Friends support one another so they've teamed up to give us a chance to WIN a couple of books.

Go to Vicki Boutin's blog post HERE for a chance to win a free autographed copy of Courtney's latest fiction release, A Sweethaven Homecoming. This book is part of a 3-book series that all have scrapbooking at their core. Vicki has a question on her post you need to answer by leaving a comment for your chance to win.

But wait... there's more! Vicki is actually drawing TWO names on Thursday. Not only is she giving away the copy of A Sweethaven Homecoming, but she's also giving away a copy of Courtney's scrapbooking eBook - Step Up Your Supplies!

When you've left your comment there, go over to Courtney's blog post HERE  for a chance to win an autographed copy of Vicki Boutin's book, Creative Foundations, which  I've talked about on here. Courtney is giving you multiple chances at winning Creative Foundations. Leave a comment on her blog, plus if you tweet, FB, blog, etc about the book, go back to her blog and leave a post for each one. The more you spread the word, the more chances you have to win your very own copy of Creative Foundations! How cool is that!

Good luck and Creative Blessings!
Kelly