Maryanne's Creative Mix

ATC challenge entry for GECKO GALZ Scrapbooking Blog  Gecko Gala provides great inspiration to us through posts from designers and the members of the blog. Wait there's more, they also provide free sheets of inspiration to use. You can also go to their Etsy store and find a lot of prints too.  June's ATC Challenge is Bohemian Gypsy.  I couldn't decide which I wanted as a background cause they are all beautiful. Actually wanted to layer them like they were visual representations of time. Well, it makes sense in my mind. Enjoy. Please check out  G ecko Galz And let me know in the comments below which of these you like or don't like and why.  Thoughts of yesterday Inspired legend  

The Beauty Of Handmade; A Tribute To Creatives. I find it truly astonishing how some individuals fail to appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into creating and gifting something special.  Have you ever stopped to think about the origins of the everyday items that make our lives easier? They often stem from the innovative minds of individuals tinkering away in their garages, yards, or back bedrooms. These visionaries see possibilities where others may not, crafting outcomes that enhance our daily experiences. While not everyone may share a passion for crafting handmade items like cards, jewelry, scrapbooks, or textiles, opting instead to purchase mass-produced goods at a lower cost, I can understand that perspective. However, consider this: in the past, there were artisans who crafted essential items from scratch, providing their communities with necessary goods in a time when stores were not overflowing with options.  Without these creators, our world would lack th...

Making stamps   I think I have figured out how to make some workable stamps.   A long time ago I tried and failed at making stamps that I would use. I think the problem was I tried to create stamps that were like the manufactured kind. Once I set my sites on something I drew instead of a perfect stamp I think I was more satisfied with the results.  Here is what I did.  I first drew some things I already and comfortable with like eyes and a mouth. Then I marked my drawing to indicate what outlines I wanted to show. Once I designed something I was happy with I penciled in marks that would transfer to my carving block.  I placed the pink block and pressed on the image to transfer it to the block.  From there it took a bit of time to remove the unmarked areas. That to me is the hardest part using a knife, razor carving set, to remove the unneeded part of the block is the most difficult part of this process. If you can live with a few mistakes and make...

 ATC  May Challenge for Gecko Galz  Check out Gecko Galz to enjoy and partake This one was sprayed with some gold glitter and I probably should have reduced the size of the butterfly. I liked the idea that she was as tiny as a butterfly.  After gluing my little fairy to cardboard she faded, of course, so I decided to reprint the wing and have that be what pops as well as her little flower. I think it turned out well the image was darkened with some stabilo pencil. Let me know what you think. And please go check in with Gecko Galz to see other amazing work. 

Find video of the other tables at Maryannes Creative Mix on YouTube So, it was my very first tea party, and I loved how my table turned out. Of course, I was totally impressed by the other ladies' tablescapes, and you can see them on my YouTube channel. Here, I am going to go through what I forgot, what I got, and what I'll do for my next one. If you want to host a tea party for your friends, just follow along; I'll list some things you might want to consider. I absolutely like quirky, and of course, I had that covered. There was another table that did an Alice in Wonderland theme, but she was very elegant with lovely giant roses across the top of her table, along with some bottled water that had "drink me" tags attached (so clever). I might steal that idea if I host one at my home. So, everyone's vision of a tea party may be different. I thought of the Mad Hatter and a darker color scheme. I got mismatched teacups from the thrift store. Some used coordinated ...

Hey there, folks! Welcome to my latest artistic adventure on YouTube. In this video, aptly titled "Drawing in my Dylusions Creative Journal," I'm excited to take you along as I explore the process of bringing a snowman to life on canvas. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I don't consider myself a master painter, but I wholeheartedly believe that practice and creativity can lead to significant improvements in our art. Art has been my lifelong companion, and it all began at a young age. Growing up as an only child, I didn't have many opportunities to make friends, so my creative endeavors became a way to stay active and engaged. For this particular project, I decided to play around with different art materials. I used Dylusions ink, my trusty art journal, and a variety of acrylic paints. To keep things budget-friendly, I grabbed a handful of inexpensive brushes and some good old paper towels to assist me in this creative journey. Our journey begins with...

In September, I had the opportunity to visit the Tucson Miniature Society Club, which was hosted at one of its members' homes. The house was filled with meticulously crafted miniature scenes that left me in awe. As I explored the various displays, I couldn't help but compare my own abilities to the impressive work of the club members. From a young age, I had aspired to become an entrepreneurial mother and create miniature items, as I have always been fascinated by all things tiny. I dabbled in crafting, making miniature rocking horses, cakes, and lamps using beads. While I didn't achieve my goal of turning my crafts into a business, I did find fulfillment in other ways. Teaching others how to create has been a rewarding experience for me. Although I may not have realized my initial aspirations, it's important to acknowledge the value and joy that creative pursuits bring to our lives. Through my work, I have had the privilege of working with exceptional students and ...