Tape Deck challenge

OOOOOOOPS! The time difference is still messing with me! This Punky Challenge was due- thank goodness for my friends at Punky Scraps or this would be late.

U2 Speaks

MATERIALS- GCD Studios paper, Maya Road Mini Tags, SEI heart die cuts,  Girl's Studio tablet alphas, Basic Grey woodgrain alphas, DCWV houndstooth paper (strips),  Studio G mini alpha stamps

Since I got the deadline completely wrong I had 1 hour to execute this page and shoot it. To complicate things my computer has decided that it will no longer use iPhoto. I no longer have easy access to my photos or an easy way to upload shoots I just completed. This page is scanned and since I used micro brads there is some fuzzyness- I think that makes it Punky. ??? Yes please feel free to click your tongue at me.

The Studio G stamps are great but barely legible- here are the songs I'm highlighting: Smile (rare & unreleased track), Elevation, Beautiful Day, Kite and Pride. U2 is awesome but I don't have any photos so I just went ahead with a photoless layout.

Here is the inspiration photo:

Punky Scraps Challenge 19

Here is a detail of a window display I recently stumbled upon- it's made from Light Bright (that fabulous 80's toy) and it's 6 feet tall. Awesome right?

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

When the going gets tough

I've started to write and have deleted this entry 3 times already. My goal to be light and entertaining is failing miserably.  But, YOINKS! This weather! The playground equipment is actually dangerous. We are just as shut in as we were in the winter- that's so WHACK!

I just learned that I did not make the Elle's Studio DT. I am bummed out but when I go through the new line up it's easy to see they were looking for expert level designers already associated with other brands who produced consistently innovative work. I think I'm getting better but consistent is SO not a term I could add to my work- yet. Oh ok... I am consistently trying to get better. :)
Here is my last submitted project:

Fearless Explorer
Materials: Pink Paislee Daily Junque Maps, Sassafras Lass Sweetly Smitten stickers,  Studio Calico swallow stamp, K & Co Amy Butler Mod Alpha stamps (2 bucks at Marshall's!!!) and Elle's Studio journaling tags

For this page I wanted to document that Lola was actually scared of the tunnel at the playground. One day she just decided to try it. I was worried she would fall out but I stood back and took a few shots. This page is to remind myself of 2 things:
1- Kids change and grow so YOU need to change as well.
2- Letting Lola explore on her own without me hovering is best- even if it means a skinned knee. BACK! Helicopter parent, BACK I say!

It is incredibly hard to take a photo of Lola on a sunny day.
She simply REFUSES to look up- not even a balloon helps!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Stay positive!

Major changes coming for the Martinez finances and I just have to adjust and strap on my Super Momma boots. You know what I mean 'cause you have the same pair in your closet. Dave and I are trying not to panic because as my sister pointed out- we always seem to land on our feet.
So this week it's all about staying positive and being kind and extending a hand to those who need help-you never know when you'll join their ranks.

Cuca's Happy Mail Post Card
Materials: DCWV Fun In The Sun Adhesive Mat stack, Me and My Big Ideas
Debee Inspire chipboard album kit (butterfly), Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe alphas and
Martha Stewart multi butterfly punch.
Butterfly stitching idea credit to SASHA FARINA. Check out her original here

On that note.... Lola is just doing so many cute things lately! Yesterday I was telling Dave that Miss Thing's diaper looked like it was going to hit the floor with a SPLAT! Lola then lifts up her dress, takes a look at the diaper and walks over with this look on her face like- please DO something about it!

Sweet Survivor- Lola's First Week
Materials: Elle's Studio Handmade Layers Note Tags and penants (blank), GCD Studio No Worries collection burlap print paper, Sassafras Lass flower stickers, Martha Stewart scallop punch, Bazzill Kraft paper, UniBall white gel pen

That's my GIRL! I love that little chick!

Lola's having a hard time lately because she has so many things she wants to say but doesn't have the words- so she does a lot of pointing and babbling and she's VERY insistent. She stops complete strangers on the street to show them the squirrel she just spotted.  She gets very agitated if you don't stop and say something like YES I SEE the squirrel/dog/ flower/plastic bag flying through the air! I SEE it! There it IS! COOL!

It's getting where I sound like a Sesame Street character- I get looks but only from the clueless- Moms and Dads know where I'm coming from.

Lola's lesson- feel the wonder inspired by the little things- it's the little things that spin the world.

Seriously this is my favorite spot in NYC- I keep shooting it and it never gets old.

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Welcome Punky Scrappers!!!!

Hello!
Materials: GCD Studios fabric print paper, Cosmo Cricket velvet scallop ribbon, Crate Paper alphas and words, Elle's Studio date strip, Hambly Studios woodgrain washi tape, Studio Calico paper strips and doily scallop rub on,  American Crafts Hello Sunshine kraft paper, Glitz Design woodgrain alphas,  blue circles tape from Micheal's.

It's the Punky Scraps blog hop- woo hoo! You probably came from Amanda Jones' blog- welcome! If you are wondering what's going on please feel free to hop on over to Punky Scraps and get ready to have some FUN!

BLOG HOP PERMALINK

What, exactly, does "Punky Style" mean for me? It means I stop concentrating on pre-printed paper/embellishments and start exploring acrylic paint and other more free form mixed media tools and techniques. It means I could make a page where I show some attitude and get away from the Mommy track for a while. It also means I use dark or neutral colors and moody prints if I want. Mostly, it's very liberating and great for moments of lost mojo.

Here is the sketch we used for Challenge 18:

I love how deceptively simple this is! I had a lot of fun with it. Now you go and try it!

Here is a card based on this sketch:

Just Because card

I would never mist a card or use white pen all over it- it's too "messy". Here I gave myself permission to do both and I love the result! I gotta say though- that Studio Calico Piglet Mister Huey is uncomfortably red- I may need to tone it down with some cream for the next try.

Here is a thank you note I sent along to a winner of one of my give-aways. I put this together in 4 minutes using only the scraps I had on my table from another project and I really like how it came off:

I FINALLY use some of my acrylic paint!
It goes really well with those Jillybean Soup corrugated pieces and K & Co die cut details.

Now go on and get hopping!  You'll love everything you see here:

Tamara www.mumto2angels.blogspot.com/ 

I leave you with my traditional parting shot:

My kid- the amateur model.

Follow me- if you like what you see!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Facebook Happy Mail Project! Join the fun!

Pure FUN is not being had in our household right now.  

Oh OK Lola is having fun. Hello? That's a blessing! 

Is it too much to ask for some actual spring weather OTHER than wind and rain? We went from 50 degrees to 95 and humid as a swamp. 

The soup man says: NO BREAKS FOR YOU! 

My favorite thing today was hearing a Channel 9 newscaster call today "sultry". Uhm...NO, chick!!! Sultry is Eartha Kitt's singing or perhaps Kim Catrall in SItC. 

Today's weather was like walking through a bowl of hot soup WITH sidewalk doggie poop thrown in for good measure.

Anyway I must distract myself from all this. 

I have gotten positive and decided to spread the vibes.

Dawn's post card
MATERIALS: DCWV Mod Retro 8x8 pad,  Martha Stewart multi butterfly punch,
Cosmo Cricket 1934.

I introduce: 

MICHELLE'S FACEBOOK FRIEND POST CARD PROJECT 

(insert echo effect here).

That's a link to my facebook page- perhaps you want to "friend" me? If not it's ok! You can leave a comment here and I will make you a card too! I love this project!!! WOO HOO!

Jenny's Card
MATERIALS: DCWV MOd Retro (new FAVE!), Fiskars Star Squeeze punch,
Studio G alpha stamp set, Pigma Micron 05 pen in yellow and brown, Mister Huey sunshine

Basically I will make a post card for every friend I have in facebook and try to MAIL the the card. The addresses will NOT be used for anything else. I do not expect return mail but I do hope the happiness is paid forward.

I started small with just my bestest crafty friends and my family. I will give myself till the end of 2011 to finish this. Whatever cards don't get sent will get put in a gallery space (if one will have me)

The point is I need to expand my art horizons, spread the gospel of positivity and GET RID OF MY PAPER STASH

(So I can buy more.)

This made me laugh and feel unbelievably PROUD today- Bronx is in da HOUUUSE!

REPRESEEEENT!

I'm on Pinterest. I want to pin this poster as I LOVE IT.
It's from Gothamist
I blithely moved on without pinning and now I can't find it! HEEELP!

Ahhh wordless wednesday. Always an unattainable goal.
I leave you with THIS:

Luscious, scrumptious, titillating VINTAGE VELVET ribbon in mustard (!!)
WITH original corrugated protective packaging! !!  !!! !!!!
Can. you. STAND. IT???
 8 bucks a yard but the seller refused to sell to me as she was on her smoking break.
That's NY peeps! HARD CORE!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle