Fortunes Cookie Proverbs worth keeping...

My son, Ethan, is the king of loving Asian food. For the past fifteen-years of having this boy in my life, we have visited many restaurants and collected many proverbs from the fortune cookies we have received.  This mini is a reflection of some of those small pieces of paper.  The covers of this mini were done months ago when I was giving a try at using Mod Podge...I totally loved the look. I learned how to do this from this amazing artist at www.youtube.com/WhatYouMakeIt1 and loved getting messy with Mod Podge. I put these pieces away with plans to use them someday...well that day came.  The covers is just some pieces I pulled to play but they worked really well with this Fortune Cookie Desktop Flip Mini.  The charms hanging were made by Kay at Toodles & Binks.

  

I used scrap paper and scrap embellishments for all of this mini. Each page is sanded down and the edges are white washed with white acrylic paint. The pages of this mini are all from two children's books that had the spine and pages damaged.  I find these at thrift stores and yard sales.  I love to recycle, reuse and recreate every chance I get. The button was given to me in a swap and fit perfect with this theme.

This page has some lace and fiber running from each ring and eyelets at the bottom. Simple but creative and unique. I think this is such a sweet page.

This and that grace this page. I used items from my tiny embellishment junk drawer and scrap paper.  Fibers can always bring out the best in a page though and I was pleased with the results.

More fun elements exist on this page. I used a diecut I found while cleaning and added bling and glossy accents inside the glass. At the top I added glossy accents and some fine glitter.  The ribbon rolled gives the paper the pop it needed.  I used things in this mini that were special to me and I wanted to keep.

I totally love the colors on this page. The fiber is tucked sweetly behind the lace that had ribbon woven through it. Then I added a brad to the end which just brought in a bit of green element to the page. The colors blended well together.

This was a fun page as well. The ticket was sent to me in a RAK as was the green button laced with fibers and the sweet rose just made the page pop completely. 

This was my "home" themed page. The tiny diecut of a house and the sweet flower just offers so much comfort and peace, both you should find in your home. I love the little humming bird just above the diecut taking flight...my son, Garrett, loves his hummingbird feeders. It made me think of him...

Once again, a uniqe way to add fibers to a page! Then I added pieces from the Maraposa chipboard collection. The butterfly and the bird are two of my favorite pieces of any collection.

This was my favorite pages. I love the simple country blue paper with the tattered proverb and the sweet colors of the flower accented with fibers from behind it. The tiny hat pen was made for me by Lyla and the bird chipboard piece is from the Maraposa Chipboard Collection.  Beautiful and bright is how I think of my southern personality.

A recycle with in a recycle would be the theme of this page. The paper is from the packaging of Tim Holtz embellishments. I added Glossy Accents to the swirls and some bling.  Then I added the twisted rope as a creative accent. 

Totally adore this page. Where would we "B" without our beliefs?  I added so much to this tiny page, including, a tab I punched out for a Stampin Up punch, a letter "B" from my scrap ABC/123s, a fence diecut from a stirofoam plate I received in a swap, a stick pin bubble bea, and some lace.  This page has so much and defines it all as the proverb states.

 This page is just sweetly beautiful. I love the lace, the flowers, the trim, the button. I aded things to this little album that I wanted to keep but yet look at all the time. I appreciate the gifts I have recevied and I thought this mini shared that in small ways throughout the pages.

Finally, the back cover. Where would we be without Love. I added some cute elements to this page as I was playing with Mod Podge, like the rusty washer inside the diecut flower, the button and the "love" chipboard. One would never guess that this mini was created from worn and damaged children's books that I picked up at a thrift store would they?  I sanded each page and removed the battered spine to create this cute flip mini filled with treasures in word and elements. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did creating it.  Visit my YouTube channel for more fun projects.

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},

Rita

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com

Where the feet have walked...

This week has been one awesome week! When I thought of the title for this  blog, I remember having this photo of my son's feet.  Carefree walks in the cool grasses of a summer day is soothing and relaxing. That pretty much defines my week.  Since our internet has been down as well as our cell phones due to a storm that rolled through our area, I had a chance to focus on my work and a few chores around the house. With that I moved my existance to that of third shift, with 102 temps, it was the logical choice. 

So, this week here are a few places where the feet have walked:
*  A Baby Mini Album by recycling a children's book...
*  A Fortune Cookie Desk Flip Mini Book...
*  A mini album using ribbon cards...
*  The Guy Mini Album using scraps from the hammer mini album for Father's Day...(you will love the covers on this book that's for sure!)
*  Got the Welcome Home album ready to start...it is going to be very unique too! =)...
*  Music Themed Wall Hanging...
*  My first Art Journaling pages....
* ...plus so much more!!

Also, I have been working with the best webdesigner that exists in building my own personal website. I am very excited about this as you can imagine! The launch date is this week, July 1st. As my art grows, so will my website. We will begin with some basic pages which will include a shop where kits will be available for the many projects I work with.  The doors of opportunity are opening and I look forward to the growth that will come.  The gift of art is such a blessing in my life, a respite, and I look forward to sharing all of that with you.  So, keep watching...

Love, Blessings, & {{{Hugs}}},

Rita

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com

Father's Day Mini Album...

This has been such a fun, easy mini album to make. All the guys in my house, remember I live with four of them, said they would add photos and journaling, notes they would rather call them, to this mini album.  I got the idea for this mini album from a book I saw at my local bookstore which was about dad's tools. I already had the paper stack in my stash, so it was an easy decision to create this great Father's Day mini. The complete details will be available on my YouTube channel on Friday and a kit will be posted this weekend so that you too can make this mini album in time for Father's Day.

I only did one page, I think it was, of embossing and it was tiny grunge board accents.  The paper is DCWV The Guy Stack and is already embossed with great textures and elements, so I didn't rubber stamp, distress or emboss any of the pages or tags.  The ribbons and fiber I already had on hand as well as the embellishments. I used a thumb tack on one page so I had to buy the flat ones to use.  I also purchased a hammer charm for the binding too and added a vintage key, a Tim Hotlz gear on a swival clasp.

Father's Day is truly a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fathers we have. My father passed last August, but I have been tremendously blessed with memories of my dad, grandfathers and most of all the ultimate Father of all to be with me every single day.

I wish each of you and yours a wonderful happy Father's Day!

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}}

Rita

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

What I am working on this week...

This week has had the creative juices flowing! I am so excited and can't wait to show you the Father's Day mini album and the baby album I have been making...however, you will have to wait until I finish them!! On my YouTube channel, I made "Something Blue" that holds some special treasures for the bride to be which is my friend Micki's soon to be daughter-in-law.  So, here is an album I made recently that I think you will enjoy and may recognize the design as Laura Denison's at Following the Paper Trail. She is a gifted artist in her own right. So, enjoy my version of the wedding album...

One of my favorite techniques that was used is the binding where the rings are inserted through the spine to hold the pages in place. On the spine and covers, I used paper from my friend Gina in the Netherlands. I love this paper very much because the colors are so vibrant and beautiful. This wedding album isn't for beginners I am afraid to say, but many of the pages can be adapted to other minis. I used fabric on the front under the flowers and cardstock to cover the back.

On the inside cover is a simple card that when pulls out opens with plenty of space to journal or to add photos. The pocket could even hold special items from the wedding. The first page holds a photo spot that I dry embossed and added K and Company butterflies, love these. The pages are secured on the ring with tabs made from a flower punch and added just on the edge of the page.

This fun interactive page is one of my favorite. Leftinng the veil there is a photo spot or journaling spot and all of this is attached to a pocket for more wedding treasures to be stored.  The next page holds the wedding train and each layer, but the top, pulls down to where a photo spot or journaling spot can be placed. I added bling to the details of the train.  Btw, I didn't grunge, distress or use glimmer mist in this album, as hard as it was to hold back. =)

On these pages, there are plenty of journaling and photo spots with each pocket holding a tri-fold pullout that has nothing but beautiful space. Behind the wedding rings is another pocket holding a tag as well. The photo or journaling spot behind the flowers also pulls out giving more space for written or photo blessigs.

The tux is a treasure I have enjoyed making. Behind the jacket and buttoned portion is a pocket with a tag inside and the top forms the color for the layout. When you open the jacket another tag is in place. I saw similar layouts like this page on SplitCoastStampers.  The next page is a basket filled with tags with flowers on the edge, easy to pull out and put information about attendants or more photos and journaling. 

Once again in these pages house more space to write or add photos. I feel this is important for a wedding album because there is so much you want to treasure about that special day.

I really enjoyed making these two pages. I must say, I had to finally tell myself to "stop" adding flowers and bling to the cake!! The first page opens and there is a blank space for photos or journaling. The cake has pullout tabs behind each layer to give more space for wedding treasures. I punched out all the flowers and used lots of bling.

Once again more space to add photos and journaling. Also, the decor elements on the left is suppose to represent the garter. I didn't have a lace punch to I used decorative scissors to create the edging.

The back card is one of my favorite withint this album, but I am jumping ahead fo the left page. Here I created more journaling and photo space or a pocket to house more treasures. The back cover has a pocket to do the same while holding a card representing the couple going away on their new love and new adventure.

This is a view of the front, back and spine. I did glimmer mist the flowers and plan to add more fibers to the rings. This was a fun album to make.  The pearls down the front is a simple strand that I added. The stamped image is mounted on a piece of chipboard rather than popup dots due to the placement of the piece. This album will get handled and used, I wanted it to stay in place. =)

I really enjoyed making this album with Laura on one of her live shows, but there are elements I will do differently next time so that the album will be more functiona, fun and a little...grungy maybe. Then I thought of another not so traditional wedding album. My son's friends got married at the courthouse...they didn't want a traditional wedding, so I have some ideas for them as well. I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of the wedding album designed by Laura. She is a talented artist and it helps my creativity to follow talents like her.

Stay tuned for the Father's Day mini album, finished, just waiting on some charms to arrive that I ordered to go with it AND the baby album...I am having such fun creating. I am also working on another crochet beaded necklace in bright colors and gold. There is also another steampunk piece of jewelry that I am working on this week. So, have a great day of creative fun and rememeber, may God bless you every day in every way!!

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},

Rita

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com

Graduation Mini Albums...

Is this mini album not totally beautiful!? Can you believe it when I say that it is also totally easy!?  Well, it was. I have wanted to use black and white papers with matching embellishments for a long time, but never had the opportunity to do so. When Laura with Following the Paper Trail made this mini album, I was very excited and pleased to have a perfect opportunity to use this paper collection. Since I didn't know the school colors for each high school graduate I needed a gift for, the black and white just screamed to be use for these minis.

There are ten pockets made from envelopes or handmade envelopes, which I did because of not having access to various colored envelopes. Each envelope pocket has a pullout card for photos or journaling. Then there is a space on top of the pocket for another photo spot or to create a journaling spot. 

After making these albums, I made one with flowers in the center of the front cover securing it with a decorative brad. I called it my little garden mini album that I can pass on as a gift. The other thought I had about this little ablum is that since it only takes about two hours to make, if you work continuously, that it is a great design to use on those days your creative juices just aren't flowing...it is simple, can be done with scrap paper, and is functional for any time.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have a fab-u-loo-so week!

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},

Rita

My first painting...

This is my first ever painting!  I am so very pleased with the results. When my friend and awesome painter, Jessica Lloyd Hales, sent out an invite to attend a painting class, I thougth why not...so I went. It was so much fun! I have never done this type of painting and completely fell in love with this medium. It was relaxing as well as inspiring. With each brush stroke, I thought of ways to add paint into my work.

Jessica walked us through this simple outline. It was drawing lines using our brushes in our paints. Obviously I got a few of my lines wrong and marked off or painted over later. Did you notice the picture was upside down?  We didn't until she told us to turn the line drawing the other direction and we saw this...

I was completely breathless as I looked at this technique from a different angle. Only to later see what my hands could create with primary colors and mixing them together. This was really a fun class.

Just how we take the opportunity to learn something new, I feel that God has done that with me. My canvas was empty, plain, white and with various colors, I painted a scene of peace, hope, creativity and love. That is what my life demonstrates completely.

If what you do in this life doesn't bring you joy, happiness and peace beyond your understanding, then maybe you need to search your soul to find what gets you out of bed in the morning, puts a smile on your face and is all you can thinking about all day long. I am so thankful that my little family and my husband support my creative nature and my wild shabby chic personality. My life has been forever changed because of art.

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},
Rita

NSD Challenge Submissions!!!

This past weekend was NSD (National Scrapbook Day) on Saturday, May 1st. It was so much fun especially if you were attending The Scrap Beach’s NSD 24 hour online crop. Kathryn, Tammy, Jenn and Crystal did an excellent job keeping the time moving with prizes, challenges, tips, fun and conversation via Ustream and a chat room! So, without further waiting…here are my creations for the 12+2 Bonus Challenges!...

Challenge #1: “I must have that tool!” Create a layout with a tool you just had to have! So, I created a card using my BigShot, a Sizzix Pocket Die & an Embossing Sheet, all of which were must haves for me. I love the BigShot for it’s versatility with other die products plus it cuts fabric which has helped me tremendously with quilting and sewing.

Challenge #2: Stencil This! This was a challenge that wanted me to use a masking approach to scrapbooking. I picked Tim Holtz grunge board skull to create this page. I used some fun things to make this page too including a recycled flower. Can you tell what I used? It was totally a sweet approach.

Challenge #3: I {Heart} Sketches. We were given a sketch to follow for this challenge. I haven’t done very many 12x12 but decided this would be a traditional layout that I plan to add my son’s 21 birthday celebration photos and journaling, which was Friday night before the NSD so I haven’t developed the photos yet. I really love this shade of green and the flower totally pops and is easy to make.

Challenge #4: Use 2 primary colors & their 2nd’ary color. This was a challenge for me for sure….what are the primary for this? LOL, I missed that in school I suppose, but I did know that blue and yellow go well together and I stuck to those primary shades to create this card. Love the bird stamp, this was the first time I used it I think.

Challenge #5: Think outside the box. Not hard for me…I tend to be inside, outside, all over, etc…I made this card and titled it, “Don’t be square…” Loved the orange daisies on this…could be Golden Center Susan’s too…just made up a new flower, imagine that!

Challenge #6: Mother’s Day. I think I made my personal Mother’s Day card on this challenge. It isn’t the style our mother’s would like I don’t think. Jerry’s mom likes funny cards while my mother is super sentimental when it comes to cards, however, I really love the doily on this which I made using my Cricut. I know the Beach Babes are proud of me using the Green Monster (that is what I call the Cricut because it stayed in the box for 2 yrs and came with a rolling bright green case…). I used the Cricut to cut the letters as well…just don’t do them on heavy cardstock…didn’t like cutting these out in spots. LOL.

Challenge #7: ABCs of Scrapbooking. Pick a letter, any letter, and create a layout only using items that begin with that letter. I am sorry to say, this wasn’t an original thought, to use the “P” for patterned paper, it was Kathryn’s. However, the title quote I gave this page is my own as well as the design… “P is for the patterns of life that when sewn together create an amazing depth & warmth.”

Challenge #8: I {Heart} My Scrapbook Space letting it inspire you to create something for this challenge. I fell in love with this challenge! I love my studio spaces, even the annex area. It allows me the opportunity to be on call for my family while giving me creative respite and outlet within my home. So, I made a tag to hang on the door of my outside studio.

Challenge #9: Tag! You’re It! Simply use a tag so I made a tag using birds/birdcage….I totally love this. Can you see the acetate bird at the top? I so want the Sizzix birdcage die by Tim Holtz and the Serendipity (I think it is called). These on the card, were shared with me by Emma and Hope.

Challenge #10: May Day! Create a lout using items in threes. So, I created a unique object starting with a CD envelope Paula sent me. So, tell me how many 3s can you find in this photo….some aren’t so obvious either? =)  This was so much fun to make and I am so very pleased with the results...

Challenge #11: I {Heart} Challenges. We were to pick a past challenge to make this one with. I picked an April challenge…3 of the newest things added to your scrap stash and haven’t used yet. “Opening Presents”. Well, I had a couple of things in this photo that I used for the first time, (1) 3 different stamps, (2) Chalks, (3) #8 tags used for the first time during the NSD, (4) laces from Jeanette. Love these tags…oh yes…for sure. I love chalks that is for sure.

Challenge #12: No Pictures? No Problem! In this challenge we were to create a layout about an event that we don’t have photos for. Again, this was a perfect time to create this 2 page layout because the event was last night! Jerry, my DH, sent in a letter to a contact that asked “Do you know a woman who has overcome difficulties?” His letter won two tickets to see the play/musical THE COLOR PURPLE and a basket of chocolates! We had such a good time at the play and it was a wonderful event.

Bonus #2 I did before trying Bonus #1: Kick Me! Create a project that includes 3 hand cut embellishments…I made 3 pieces, the grace, the tree, the trunk and then added some embellishments given to me by Beth & Emma.

Bonus #1: Create 3 different elements using 3 different Cricut cartridges…fortunately…3 is what I have…George & Basic Shapes, Summer Vacation, and Mother’s Day 2010. This took me a while needless to say, but I found it easy in the end to use my Cricut! I can’t wait to make more fun things with it. As a result of practicing with this challenge, I made several elements for other challenges in the NSD…


NSD was such fun as is all the monthly crops! I learn so much from all the participants and get inspired from not only what they are working on but from the techiques and tips shared.  God blessed me the day I found The Scrap Beach...Totally loving who I have become and the art I create as a reasult of these amazing ladies!

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

Recycling Dryer Sheet into Flowers with a Beautiful Twist...using Sizzix Dies...

I wanted to share with you my latest creation!!! I watched my friend Amy's video on her YouTube channel making lollipop flowers using dryer sheets.  I made one and then I thought why not use my Sizzix Flower Diecuts and the BigShot to make some...it totally worked with amazing results!! They are so pretty!!!!  I will have a tutorial of how I made these flowers on YouTube by Monday evening, April 19th.

This flower is using single layers of the smaller diecut sheets, adding some mesh (not sure what it is really called) and a white feather. This could be worn as a pin or a hairbow. .

After making the lollipop flower for the mini album I was making, I decided to add the flower on the right. The buttons screamed the mini album theme and I had to use it. I have three buttons on this flower.

This flower has a vintage button in the center and this photo doesn't do it justice! Beautiful!!

This button came from one of TSB Babes and is just classy.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these flowers. They took me less than an hour to make, were easy to do and although recycled, they smell great and are durable but light weight. You will love how they look. 

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},

RHC

My First Layout for the ScrappyAccents Design Team...

This was a fun layout to create; however, it may be the only traditional scrapbooking you may see from me. =) Then again, you will have to join Scrappy Accents to find out. LOL. Also, I have some videos to edit and upload to YouTube and one includes another recycled object. For now, I would like to wish all of you, from my family to yours, a wonderful Happy Easter Celebration! May God richly bless you and keep you.

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},

RHC

My first Design Team Opportunity, A March Reflection, & Looking into April...

I am very excited to be a part of my first ever Design Team Opportunity!!!

The month of March has been truly an exciting ride. I uploaded my first Paper Arts videos to my YouTube channel, discovered recycling damaged books into works of art by recreating them into usable mini albums is a way to reuse an item, decoupaged for the first time using not only paper, tissue paper, but also metal, wood, chain, buttons and more, and learned amazing recipes including making a cake in the CrockPot so that I could continue working all day without worrying what I will prepare for my family for dinner. LOL, it has been a wonderful whirlwind ride this past month.

There is NO April's Fools about what this new month will hold. I am very excited to look into Ustreaming projects on a weekly basis as well as a PodCast bringing awareness of the world of art to the world. All this may float into the next month, but it will happen. I dream about ways to bring paper art as well as beading, yarn, wood, and fabric to others. I love it!!!! Also, our family will be celebrating the month of April for the birth of our son, Joel. He will be 21 years-old on the 28th!!! So, world, beware...he is officially going to be an adult who is totally ready to discover the world of writing. (Check out his movie reviews by following the link within the right margin of my blog). 

Finally, Friday is Autism Awareness Day so in honor of our son, Garrett, please wear your favorite pair of blue jeans and a red shirt (or an Alabama sports shirt)!!!! Woot!

So, keep watching, convo'ing, and showing your creations for that is the inspiration each of us live for.

Love, Blessings, & {{{Hugs}}},

Rita