A little Altered Anatomy and some exciting news . . .

I have the privilege to be hosting the Altered/Collage challenge over at Scrap Artist this week and while I had a bit of a hard time coming up with a proper title for this week's challenge in the end "Altered Anatomy" seem to fit the bill best. If nothing else, I figured it might get you all a little curious. For all the details check out this link to the Challenges Forum

And for a bit of a clue, here is my layout:



As for the EXCITING NEWS, I am feeling incredibly flattered to have been asked by Tangie Baxter to be a guest on her creative team this month. I am told Sherrie JD is also a fan of my work and I couldn't feel more honored. They are both such incredible designers and I know I am going to have a blast creating for them. Thanks to them both. Keep you all posted!

Back at it again!

Welp, I'm back to being bitten by the scrappin' bug and it's worse than ever! It's amazing how difficult it is to stop once you start and I have definitely started. I have the official privilege to be creating for Scrap Artist these days and I am so far having quite a bit of fun. I'm having a blast expressing myself in my favorite altered style but am also setting goals to break out of my "Altered" box.

Outside of the digital scrap world, I am learning to slow down and enjoy my kids a little more. Our new home is great and it feels so comforting to be back in my little ole town. We are still settling into our new philosophy of "worldschooling" these days and although I really believe in it, sometimes it's hard to feel like we are the only ones. I am determined, however, to see us through.

Here are a couple of my new layouts:

For Dancing Scrapper's Marie Antoinette Altered Challenge


My Altered Library Card Challenge (a take on the talented Christine Honsinger's idea)

Hey all . . .

Just wanted to drop in and say hey to everyone. I literally (well almost literally) have my hands in so many baskets right now but managed to find just a bit of therapeutic scrapping time. Erika aka Dancingscrapper is leading the Altered/Collage challenge over at Scrap Artist (www.scrapartist.com) this week and I was only too happy to follow along with her amazing idea. My turn comes the first week in November. Here is my layout for the Altered Sunglasses Challenge.


Also, the layout at the top of this post is just a little something I came up while simply feeling the need to express myself. Hope you like it!

I've been tagged and I am back!

I can hardly believe an entire month has passed since my last post! So, it seems that I have much updating to do with all of you. I honestly don't know where I should begin but I think I'll start with "Hey! I've been tagged!", by Erika Killen aka Dancing Scrapper, a wonderful friend of mine who just so happens to be a very talented scrap artist. We've have been involved in so many creative endeavors together through the years and scrapping is just the most recent. I have to say that I honestly probably would never have even given it a shot and most definitely wouldn't have kept it up if it weren't for her inspiration. Have you seen her layouts? Though she'd beg to differ; she is amazing! There are so many in the scrap community that inspire me in so many ways and below are those blogs I love to visit (though I'm sure they have already been tagged and I'm probably doing this wrong).

But first,a quick update:
Scrapping has been on the back burner pretty much since I left my duties over at the O. I've had a few moments of creative withdrawal but my life has me busy with so many other things right now. I am starting to get semi-settled in the house so that's good. We have decided to hold off on any major restoration efforts for now which is hard because the more I learn about the history of the house the more excited I become to return it to it's former glory. Even the kids are excited. (They think we're famous-teehee)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I can't remain completely idle when it comes to being creative so I have recently decided to devote any spare time I may have to my writing and with Erika on board (of course) the two of us have been busy. In fact, I will be flying out to LA in October to work with her on set as assistant Make-up Artist. We work so well together. Should be fun!

And now down to business; let the tagging begin-
1. Erika aka Dancingscrapper- my friend, my writing partner, and an all around brilliant artist; even her blog is a work of art.
2. Catherine Paturet Her layouts are the most incredibly detailed, precisely placed layouts of sheer perfection. There seems to be no end to her technical ability; amazing!
3. Sue Jones- Her byline reads: The deliberations, ramblings, ponderings and sometimes humorous accounts of an addicted Digi scrapper and mother. Sue's blog is all of these things. I so enjoy reading her posts and she is one of the sweetest persons I have been privileged to meet in the Digi-Scrap World.
4.Annie Manning- Annie is am amzing creative spirit, designer and just loves her family so much.
5.Robyn England-Robyn is one of the very first scrap artists whose work I was introduced to over at Scrap Artist and I instantly felt a connection. She is fun, quirky and outside-the box and all of those traits really inspire me.
6.Gabi(Garynka) How she manages to do it all, I just don't know! This girl is smart, talented and super sweet.
7.Christina Renee- Though I do not have the privilege of knowing her personally, this is one of my favorite blogs to visit. Loaded with great tutorials and goodies equivalent to grungy perfection.

Here are the rules:
1. If you’ve been tagged, you can put the logo on your blog.
2. Link the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.

Well-that's it then. I'll leave you with a shot of my newest hybrid art venture: The Teacup Fairies-vintage baby photos with digital scrap wings, a bit of dazzle, and placed in actual china tea cups . . .

Things are on the move . . .

Hey everyone! Just a quick update to explain where I've been all this time . . . First of all, I am nearly all moved in to my new house and cannot wait to get started on researching the history. What I do know is that my home was built by James Monroe, Esq. the nephew and namesake to our 5th President of the United States. His daughter and her husband are also listed on the original title under his name. She is a bit of a local celebrity over here and her son married Teddy Roosevelt's little sister. Neat, huh? Can't wait to find out more and will definitely be providing you all with updates.

On another note: I have completed my 3 month run with the gals over at the O. I have to say that I will miss it a bit but there are so many other things going on in my life to keep me busy these days. One of my goals is to get back over here and get this blog updated and looking better so be sure to check back in. I have all kinds of stuff in mind. Now to find the time!

July is in full swing!

There is so much good stuff going on right now . . . First of all take a look at this-
The new Collaborative Kit is here and it is breathtaking! I LOVE this kit!
And to go along with the theme of this month's kit all of us gals over at the O have all kinds of fun things planned for our Oscraps Spa Weekend (which is actually not going to be limited to just 2 days but the entire period btwn July 16th-23rd). . . challenges, chats and prizes; lots of prizes. Gonna be a blast, so I hope to see you there.


Oh and on a personal note-we are officially closing on our new home this coming Monday, the 14th. I don't think I could be any more thrilled! Yippee!
Just to refresh your memory, here's a shot of my beautiful new home (notice I say home and not house-I've lived in a few of those and there is a difference).

It's been awhile, I know but . . .

there is so much going on! We are still awaiting an official closing date on our new home and I have been super busy getting ready for the actual moving day. There are also so many amazing things being planned for the next month at the "O". The month of July promises to be a fun one! I can't tell you just yet but there will be one weekend in particular that you don't want to miss!

I have a special challenge I've been busy preparing especially for the occasion. Be sure to check back once July has officially started for all the details. I guess for now since it has been awhile and in the event you haven't had a chance to check out my gallery, here are some of my latest layouts . . . (Oh and don't forget to check out my layout slide shows from the previous blog posts!)
For the amazing Altered/Collage challenges posted by my dear friend and an amazing scrap artist in her own right, Erika aka dancingscrapper-





And because I have been feeling especially sentimental for my dancing days-

Credits:
Everything in this layout is from the O'Daddy Kit- this month's Designer Collaboration Kit @ Oscraps. Although the theme of this layout has nothing to do with "daddy", the papers in this kit are so versatile and so fun.

Other elements used:
Wings from Altered Wings Kit from Carla Gibson Designs
Moon stamp from Charms of Yesterday Kit by Paint the Moon
Yellow bird from Altered Elements 2 by Carla Gibson Designs

O' Daddy! The June Collab Kit is here!

This month's Oscraps Designer Collaborative Kit is officially available! The colors in this kit are awesome and so much fun! I'd grab it up quick though. Father's Day is just around the corner!
Oh and while you're there, make sure to keep checking back in the forums as there are some great challenges in the works . . .

A walk on the altered side anyone?

Hey all-
Feeling kinda funky and fun today! How about you? Come take a walk on the altered side! Don't know where to start? Check out the post below for some inspiration . . .

What's the Haps at Oscraps?

Hello All! Amber here with this month's altered challenge over at the O! Above is an ad with my newest layout, specially designed for this challenge. The dapper dude is my darling husband of 12 years whom I have altered into a Victorian gentleman of royalty; a real Prince Albert! He is a father to our children and the King of my Heart!

This month was my turn to come up with a challenge to inspire those of us out there who maybe haven't really given altered art a fair shot just yet. I wanted it to be fun and I thought with Father's Day coming up what better way to honor a special man in your life than with a little "aleration". When it comes to an altered layout Dad can be extracted from one place to be put in another, he can be made King for the Day, or if he's a really good sport, he can don a pair of fairy wings and a wreath of flowers upon his head. The point is to have fun, express yourself, create a memorable work of art but most importantly, a work of love. Check out the Oscraps forum for more details on the challenge and my very own tutorial on extraction. And just for participating, you will receive a free gift from the talented Jeni Cantrell; the Sunshiney Day Mini Kit.


There are so many amazing kits yet to be discovered at the O. Below are the credits for my layout above. Simply click on the designer's names and you'll be transported to the shop where you can purchase some of the same goodies for yourself.

Credits:
Everything in this layout is available from the amazing designers here @oscraps!


From Joanne Brisebois-
Background- Paper 5* from Ah Lamour Kit by Joanne Brisebois
Clock Overlay from Overlays Vol 1 Pack by Joanne Brisebois
King of Hearts wordart (altered) from King of Hearts Kit by Joanne Brisebois
Black wordart heart from Eccentricities (B&W) Kit by Joanne Brisebois


From Paint the Moon-
House from Altered Homes Kit
Golden Paper edge from Embellished Edges Kit
Sheet music from Charms D'Antan Kit
Gold glitter ring from Chloe's Treasures Kit


From Carla Gibson Designs-
Crown from Altered Head Gear Kit
King of Hearts card from Altered Elements 2 Kit (Altered Art Book)
Wordart banner, brad ribbon from Nostalgia Kit
Alpha from Good Ole Days Kit


Daddy wordart from the June Collaborative Kit
(available next month exclusively @ Oscraps)


Victorian gentleman's body by Me (from personal scrap collection). Boots, crown and boutenniere hand painted by me.

*blended with Newsprint paper from Good Ole Days Kit by Carla Gibson

Queen of Quirk Challenge . . .

is going on right now and the timing couldn't be better. The talented Jan Crowley is hosting a challenge to create a layout for a special guy in your life using her amazing Shy Guy Kit available right now at www.oscraps.com. She's even giving away a freebie Quick Page to make things easy for you and the prizes are awesome!
Check it out at http://thequeenofquirk.wordpress.com/
But hurry! Challenge ends June 5th.
Here's mine . . .


Quick page from Shy Guy Kit by Queen of Quirk @oscraps
Background paper from Altered Art Book (red) by Carla Gibson Designs @oscraps

Proudly creating for:

June is almost here!

Wow does time fly! I cannot believe that summer is nearly underway. The weather here in New York has been beautiful but I've almost been too busy to enjoy it. I am gearing up for the posting of my challenge this Saturday night. It's an altered one, of course and so naturally should be a blast! It's all about letting loose and having fun but just in case I've provided a little tutorial as an incentive for those of you who are hesitant to give it a shot. Come join me on the quirky side and hopefully you won't regret it! LOL!

And if you stick around the O-Zone you will be treated to a wonderful surprise with the release of the Designers Monthly Collaborative Kit for June sure to be a hit! Hope to see you there . . .

We are moving!

We have been approved for our dream home in our favorite little upstate town. We never thought we'd find another home where we would feel so . . . well, at home. It is a beautiful Italianate style Victorian built in 1856 by Col. James Monroe, Esq. He is the President James Monroe's namesake and nephew. Saw an original picture postcard of the house today from abt. circa 1860 and interestingly enough the house looks as we envisioned it. We thought the only thing missing was a front porch and coinidentally it originally did have one; a great big beautiful one. So it is our hope in addition to putting the original front doors back on to build a porch just as it once was. Can't wait to decorate the inside as well. I apologize for the pictures in the slideshow that feature the present owner's things inside but I was so anxious to share all of its beauty with all of you, I just couldn't wait! I, of course, will update these when we get our things in there and are all situated. We are anticipating moving in by the end of June. In the meantime, I've a bunch to do!

Our new home . . .

New Altered Heritage Layout . . .

I was feeling a bit nostalgic about my grandma today and so I created this little layout. I also have been wanting to scrap a page of my dog so I put the two together and Voila! I got some new goodies from Joanne Brisebois' shop that I couldn't wait to use either and I think they are the perfect accent. What do you think?
Credits:
Background is a combination of paper from the Bonnie Blue Skies kit with an overlay from Joanne's Overlay Kit Vol. 1.
Elements: Butterfly wings from Ah Lamour Kit, Sun (flower) and swirls from Black & White Eccentricities Kit, red butterfly and hat from Altered Fairy Wears Kit by Carla Gibson and Heart from Chloe's Treasures Kit by Paint the Moon/Annie Manning.

My Family Pages

Hey there, Persnickety Chick here with a new altered layout. I was really feeling like letting all convention go and just having fun with this one. It's a bit of a deviation from my usual vintage feel, maybe even a little "mod" but in the end, I was satisfied. Isn't that what it's all about? I know that there are only a minority of us scrappers out there who are truly at home with altered art and to those in the majority I say: Break on through to the other side and give it a shot. It is all about expressing yourself, setting your imagination free and in the end, having fun with it. This new layout was all about letting go and embracing who I am; which for today is someone who was feeling kinda goofy and awkward but not afraid to have a good laugh at my own expense. After all I am only ME!

For a closer look check out the link below to the gallery at the O!
http://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38788&limit=recent

My ATC Gallery

Has it only been 8 days?

Well, things are moving along for me and I think I may be starting to settle into my new job as a CT member. The girls over at the O are so great and I'm actually starting to have quite a bit of fun! Next month is MY month. I am planning a super fun altered challenge so be sure to check back in the first week of June to see what it is. Also, because someone once paid me a tremendous compliment when she deemed me the official "Extractionator" (thanks to nennikers aka Jen) I am going to brave a tutorial on extraction (the way that I was taught and what works for me). Hope to see you all there!

My First Official Altered-O Layout!

Hooray! Here it is . . . My first layout completed as an Altered-O and every bit of it created from all of the amazing designs over at Oscraps. Most of it is from the May Collaborative Kit; gorgeous! Check it out-New Growth Kit

Altered Layouts

Permanently Altered

As of today, my friends, I have been "permanently altered"; forever changed. I stand at the threshold of a wonderful journey. Like Alice I will make my way through the wonderland of the big beautiful online world of Scrap! Being still relatively new to this, I know that there will be much to learn, obstacles to overcome, but new friends to help me find my way. Let's just hope I don't "lose my head". (Teehee) In a land where I believe my imagination leads me, I am determined to never lose my love for creating and grow even more as an artist. So I say: "Let the adventure begin!"

Work in progress . . .

I just received the news that I have been chosen to be an "Altered-O" on the creative team at http://www.oscraps.com/. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get this blog set up in order to showcase my LO's and get in touch with all of my new friends I have made in the wonderful world of digital scrapping. It is however going to be a bit of a work in progress so I hope you will check back often. As for now, this blog is officially "under construction".