My first art journal...

Hello!

Today I have something different to share with you... It's been some time now that I've been flirting with the idea of art journaling, but I have to admit I was intimidated.

Last Saturday we had a book binding seminar with Zeffy... I fell in love! Zeffy is simply amazing, our little gang was awesome and I was astonished by the final result - I never expected to make my own book.

The fact that the book we made was supposed to be an art journal seemed like a kind of omen to me. For the first time I seriously considered the idea of starting an art journal.

Just two days later I found out about a new blog, the Art Journal Cafe - obviously it is about art journaling. And they had their first challenge with a theme that I really liked - our mantra of the day. I'm copying their words here:

"that little well formulated sentence you keep repeating yourself to motivate yourself, to stay positive, to move forward, to grow!
What's your mantra of the day? What colors, textures, shapes, techniques does it inspire you?"

I chose my everyday mantra: "Everything happens for a reason". These last few years I have chosen to believe that really everything happens for a reason and that everything is an opportunity to learn something. About ourselves, about others, about anything. When we seize the opportunity and learn from what's happening to us, be it positive or negative, this is how we grow. And this thought gives me the strength and the courage to keep going when things don't look very bright.

And here's the page I made:

A quite simple page, but I really enjoyed making it... It took me three days, which means that I really, really enjoyed it indeed and took my time with it! For the first time I used modeling paste, I was super-happy to use lots and lots of misting, and - maybe most important of all - I got to use a number of stamps that I really liked but I had never used before!

The black and white frame was inspired by Rachel at Artful Evidence. A few months ago I was admiring her videos at youtube, but since I wasn't into art journaling, it's been a while since I last watched her videos. Well, that is going to change now, as I find her art really stunning and inspiring!

I chose the yellow-orange-red pallet since for me these colours are very happy colours that lift my spirits. I highlighted the page with black and white details to remind myself that life is not black and white, but has endless shades of colours.

And a close-up for some details:

Thank you!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Get Creative sketch May 20th

Hello!

We have a new card sketch challenge over at Get Creative today! Here's the card that I made:

And here's the sketch:

I have changed the shape in the centre with a circle. The frame I have used is from Sfragidomania - doilies set - really beautiful! I made it white with three layers of white embossing powder. The papers are my favourite Lawn Fawn ones - I can resist to their beautiful colours! And to make something different (not!), I did some faux stitching with my very favourite white gel pen.

Don't forget, the prize for the winners this month is sponsored by the amazing Celine Navarro from The Green Frog Studio and she offers us two seats in her online classes Colorful Designs and Scrap World Cup!!!

Why don't you come by Get Creative and see the gorgeous cards from the design team for more inspiration? We can't wait to see your cards!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Supplies:

Batty in love

Hello!!!

I finally found my card mojo again!! ;ο)

Here's what I made last night:

And a close-up:

Quite a bit fussy-cutting, masking to change the eyes so that the couple in love could look each other... but I had so much fun!

The idea came as soon as I saw Paper Smooches Sparks latest challenge with the following sketch:

I hope you like it!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Supplies:

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Hello!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today I will show you a card I made for my mother:

And a close up to show you a bit the different levels of the card:

Recently I have discovered a relatively new blog with sketch challenges that I really like. It's the Retro Sketches and you can find the latest sketch here. It is the following:

I used the lovely Lawn Fawn papers and I wanted to keep the rest of the card white to let the Lawn Fawn papers speak for themselves. I was so happy when I saw the latest Lawnscaping challenge, because it asks us to make Clean and Simple cards - my favourite kind:

Finally, Young Crafters Unite Challenge #9 asks us to make a card with no colouring at all. No markers, pencil, nothing. No problem! ;ο)

I hope you like it! And I hope my mother likes it even more ;ο)

Hugs,
Anastasia

Supplies:

A mini book for my aunt and happy news!!!

Good morning!

Finally, weekend!

Two days ago was the birthday of one of my very favourite aunts. The aunt I always admired because she was young, modern, beautiful, she was taking us to the theatre... She is the aunt you call with her name, the aunt you consider more as a friend than an aunt. The aunt that will help you however she can, she will go to the super market when you have had an operation and can't do the shopping, the aunt that will happily babysit so that you can go to work. She is our aunt Letta.

As she seems to appreciate very much the handmade presents I have given her, I thought I would make her a handmade present. So I went for a mini book dedicated to aunts.

I took some photo really quickly before giving her the present, so they are not the very best. I managed to "rescue" three so that you can get an idea.

The front page:

The last two pages:

The mini book is an accordion book with flags - the front flags are shorter than the back ones. Unfortunately I don't have a photo to show you how it looks like. But you can see it how it can stand open:

In the inside there are sayings about aunts and a number of embellishments.

She was very touched and I loved her even more.





Sooo... on another tone, I have some great news!!!! Our friend Alex Pantazi, who I first met for her amazing cards and then also for her fantastic crochet creations, has opened her etsy shop!!!

She has started with a number of wonderful beanies for girls of all ages and there will be more beautiful creations in the near future. You can take a look at her shop here and you can see her creations in her facebook page - My Serendipity Creations (and.... she also accepts custom orders!!!!)

I wish you all the best Alex!!!

Hugs,

Anastasia

Enjoy Scrapping

Hello!

Yesterday I shared the mini album I finished for the challenge organised by Enjoy Scrapping. Last night, trying to forget a bit my frustration with the Greek elections results, I finished the following layout for the same challenge with the theme "I Enjoy Scrapping".

Obviously I was making this challenge thinking of all my craft-friends, with whom we meet quite often for coffees (and not only apparently...) and sometimes to create! ;o)

When I first started playing with the idea of card making and starting a blog (I didn't dare thinking of layouts then!), I couldn't imagine that I would get to meet ladies so warm, happy and ready to support you in everything. I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU ladies for your friendship and support! You are amazing!

And just to make clear that the "thank you" goes beyond the craft-friends that you can see on the pictures, not only because some of them couldn't make it the days when the photos were taken, but also because thanks to the internet, the geographical restrictions are eliminated and friendships from a distance are possible.

So, specially dedicated to you girls! I hope you like it!

Hugs,
Anastasia

My first mini album

Hello!

To celebrate the National Scrapbooking Day, Lena from Enjoy Scrapping is having a challenge. The theme is "I Enjoy Scrapbooking" and there are two categories, one for layouts and one for mini albums. For the mini album the theme is open. You can find more about the challenge here.

As soon as I read it I thought that this was a good chance to finally finish the first album that I started last month :S

The theme of the mini album is my favourite items in my house. A bit strange for my first mini. The truth is that I wanted to make something with my nephews, but for some reason I couldn't get started. Then I realised that it was easier for me to start with a "neutral" theme so that I can at least start with the minis - and that's the idea that came to me, as it was easier to just take some photos and do the album. Here's what I've made:

I won't provide you with the supplies, as I have used my stash from all over the things that I have! Just to let you know that the album is from Sfragidomania. If you have any questions regarding the material I have used, let me know!

I hope you like it! You can also visit Enjoy Scrapping's blog to participate!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Get Creative May 5th and Celine Navarro!

Hello!!!

Happy Scrapbooking day!

Of course, celebrating the Scrapbooking day today... I have to share a card with you, lol!

So, the card is for the Get Creative - May 5th card challenge. And here's the challenge:

Spring is here.....

your challenge this month is to make a card

with a wreath on it

get creative...

your wreath does not have to have flowers

they could be hearts, stars, toys

you name it

Get Creative and have fun....

So my wreath is made with butterflies:

For the small butterflies I had the chance to use some small bits and pieces that I had from My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose collections, which are still my favourite ones.

The flowers in the centre are from Sfragidomania - aren't they gorgeous? To colour them, I first used a thin layer of white acrylic paint and then I just used Distress Inks. They look as if they were made of wood from up close!

So... I guess you are wondering why I mention Celine Navarro in the post title? Well, guess who is sponsoring Get Creative this month! Celine Navarro! (duh!). Celine is one of my very favourite scrapbookers and she is generously sponsoring two seats in the following classes:

Colorful Designs

Scrap World Cup class

Oh my... I just love Celine and I'm sooo jealous of the future winners already!

For more details, amazing inspiration by the design team and a chance to win one of Celine's online classes... come over and GET CREATIVE!!!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Supplies:

The Little Mermaid

Hello! Have a great month!!!

Today in Athens is such a beautiful day. I'm going to meet for coffee my crafty friends and I'm so looking forward to it!

So... last weekend I was in Copenhagen and, of course, I got a picture of myself with the city's "emblem", the Little Mermaid. And of course, I prepared a layout:

I have heard so many things about how small she really is that at the end she seemed to me bigger than what I expected, lol! Not that she is big, just 1,25 m (4ft?), so for the layout I had to "enlarge" her a bit:

And another close-up photo with the embellishments I have used:

The sketch is from the new challenge blog of Scrap 365 magazine which you can find here and is the following:

The layout is also for the pink contest organised by the very sweet Vivika at The Wandering Deer:




I hope you like it!

Hugs,
Anastasia

Supplies: