CHAPTER 21: Breaking All the Rules...

"At this moment the King, who had been for some time busily writing in his note-book, cackled out 'Silence!' and read out from his book, 'Rule Forty-two. ALL PERSONS MORE THAN A MILE HIGH TO LEAVE THE COURT.'

Everybody looked at Alice.


'I'M not a mile high,' said Alice.


'You are,' said the King.


'Nearly two miles high,' added the Queen.


'Well, I shan't go, at any rate,' said Alice: `besides, that's not a regular rule: you invented it just now.'

'It's the oldest rule in the book,' said the King.

'Then it ought to be Number One,' said Alice. "

Hello everyone!

Today we have a fun and rather rebellious challenge for all of you out there in WONDERLAND! We start out with a lovely sketch by Sammi:

The catch? You must RE-CREATE this sketch somehow. Switch out a panel or two, flip it on its side, upside down, etc. There are no rules except to break them, meaning you can't follow the sketch exactly! Makes no sense right? GOOD. :)

Today we also are thrilled to announce another wonderful sponsorship from SPESCH DESIGNER STAMPS! Thank you so much to Tracey Feeger for allowing the DT to work with your adorable images! Tracey is offering a prize of a VERY generous $10 Gift Certificate to the Spesch Designer Stamps Store! Be sure to check out all of her cute designs and be sure to play along this week for your chance to WIN!

Go ahead...BREAK all the rules...you KNOW you want to!

Here is my sample for the amazingly Twisted Tea party:

{click to enlarge - it sparkles!}

I used Ranger distress inks to create the background for Cheshire to disappear into, and spritzed it with glimmermist to create that magical sparkle! A litte embossing, some Copic work, and a dusting of perfect pearls over the embossed sentiment completed the card. I put an evil TWIST on Sammi's sketch!

You have until Friday, July 16th at 8pm CST to enter to win! Post your project on the Oh Alice! challenge blog! Good luck and be sure to link your creation below! Ta-ta for now all you rebels out there!

Ta for now! ~ky

H{ippity} Hop! Easter's on it's way...

Hello my friends out in blogland! If it's Monday and you're here, there's only one likely reason - it's H{ippity} Monday!! Yay!!

I created another page in my art journal to commemorate my trek down Project 365 (which may de-evolve into Project 52). I did a project like this back on 2004, except we focused on 7 days. It was intense, taking repeat pictures of the things that repeated in that week, and joyous for all the 'odd' things that also got captured by my camera.

So this time, I'm going to focus on capturing a picture each day for a full year. Ok, ya caught me...I also got a new digital 35mm SLR for Christmas! Thanks Dad! This project will also serve as a 'getting to know you' period for me and my new toy! Wanna play along? Go ahead!! SCS also has a forum if you want to get involved there.

{click to enlarge}

What do you think? I just love creating in my art journal. Yes...I'm reaching all sorts of ways 'out of my box.' Hmmm...that gives me a visual - maybe I need to draw that right now. Hmmm... No smart remarks from the peanut gallery!

Have a great time while you check out all the other great projects today! Play along with the weekly challenge HERE.  Now - off to Elisabeth's blog!

Cool runnings. Peace be the journey! ~ky

Refocus!

Welcome to the H{ippity} Hop! You should be coming here from Jodi's blog. If not, start at the {ippity} blog and hop along for some stellar projects!

So here's another little project I worked up using my {ippity} stamps. I put this together after I revamped my studio supplies, getting back to MY basics.

{click to enlarge}

Yes, I followed Tim Holtz's 12 days of Christmas tags, but this was a total jump off from his work. This was always the basis for designing my scrapblook pages - distressing, inks, texture, focus. I felt like in the past 8 months that I was experimenting with stamps.

{click to enlarge}

Now, I feel like I have incorporated stamps as a regular tool - just like you would pick up a brad, or distress and edge on paper. Stamps are now an integral part of my work rather than a 'stamp and color' sideshow.

{click to enlarge}

I use to reach for premade embellishments back 'in the day'. Now, I am confident in making my own pieces that are much closer to original art rather than an assemblage of other's productions. Happy, I am! I absolutely loved making this paper rose. Tim Holtz can show you how.

{click to enlarge}

I am once again whole and happy. Have you noticed a change or a settling into your basic comfort zone? I spent the last year totally out of mine, and coming back feels so good. Tell me your story!

Do you want to share a weekly exercise to focus on incorporating your life into your art? Does your muse need a little push? Stay tuned - I will be starting something exciting just after the new year!

Next on the hop is Carolina! She's such a great crafty talent!

Cool runnings, my friends! Peace be the journey!  ~ky