What Was I Thinking?!

Good morning! Today I'm sharing a layout posted on the Use It Tuesday blog yesterday. As part of the Use It Tuesday team, I'm here helping you USE YOUR STASH.... and my own! Sometimes I look at a hoarded item and think, "Why in the world did I buy that?!" That brings us to this week's challenge: WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

For this challenge we want you to use your hoarded supplies featuring something that makes you think, "Why did I buy that?" or "Why did I buy that many" or even "WHY did I let my friends take pictures when I did THAT?" 

Then head over to the Use It Tuesday blog and link up your creation by Noon EST on Friday, August 2nd. As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge. 

Now, let's take a look at my WHAT WAS I THINKING moment...

I thought these locks and keys from Graphic 45 were just gorgeous! But the packages sat and sat and sat and sat and collected dust in my pile of embellishments. They're beautiful, but they're not my style. In my mind, a key just never fit in with the theme of any of my layouts. Solution? Come up with a cheesy subtitle for this layout and add the metal embellishments to the page!

The pictures were from a concert I attended downtown with two friends. The keys were strung on ivory twine and hot glued to the page. I glued a bunch of twine behind the lock embellishment to tie the two pieces together.

The chipboard letters that make up the title are a few years old as well. I painted gold Color Shine from Heidi Swaap over the top to highlight the other gold pieces in the page. 

Thanks for stopping by today. I can't wait to see what great moment or item you highlight! 

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Sugar)

Patterned Paper: BoBunny, Crate Paper (Story Teller Cuts 12x12 Accents) 

Embellishments: Chic Tags (Birthday Cake Banners), Graphic 45 (Ornate Metal Keys, Ornate Metal Key Holes), Ormolu (Made Little Labels, Made Flappers), My Mind's Eye (The Sweetest Thing Lavender Stickers)

Twine: A Muse Studio 

Stamp: American Crafts (Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Date Stamp)

Inks: Heidi Swaap Color Shine (Gold), StazOn (Jet Black)

More background techniques...

I recreated the background technique from yesterday's post. This time, however, I created a layer of blue with Distress Stain before stamping the background image. Versamark Watermark stamped onto the blue glossy paper and heat set created a wonderful resist. 

The Distress Stains are less intense on the glossy paper, but I still loved the look!

 CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Vintage Music, Hippie Chic)
Inks: Versamark Watermark, Distress Stains (Walnut Stain, Weathered Wood), Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder (Gold)

Key To Your Heart...

Last night I came across the above art journal page. The page, created a few years ago, was inspired by Sondre Lerche's version of Let My Love Open The Door. I wrote the lyrics to the song and added watercolor over them, blurring the words. Next: some tape, paper, gesso, white out, fibers, oil paints, and an illustrated me. My favorite part of journaling is looking back... reliving the emotions of that time. It's great to reflect on how far I've come, changed, and grown. Do you journal your thoughts through words or art? 

Enjoy some Sondre Lerche and enjoy your day!

Money, Music, & Food

Last night I met up with P.J.M. in Union Square 

where his school is located. It looks like this:

New York Film Academy

We walked around a few shops full of gorgeous home decor 

that I could never afford. Here's a few of our finds:

$865 plastic, unsteady table

$200 flimsy, everyday whisk

After gauking at pretty things and overcoming the fear of possibly breaking something worth more than my house, we headed on to things a little more our style. We wandered through four floors of Barnes & Noble and attended a concert/interview/book reading.  

Here's Joseph Arthur, a truly talent singer, songwriter, and artist (he has done most of the cover art for his CDs). We were so excited to chat with him after the show! Make sure you check out his music... you can even download one of his albums, Redemption City, for free here. We also got to hear from British novelist, Edward St. Aubyn... After hearing a few excerpts of the Melrose series, I must pick up the first novel. 

On our way home, we came across Goodburger. Growing up in the 90's we couldn't help but quote a little Kenan & Kel and head in for a tasty burger.

"Welcome to Good Burger. Home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?"

My time in New York has been fun, but I can't wait to get back to WI and enjoy a nice Krolls burger... and a walk down the street without stepping on a dog, running into hoards of people, and almost being hit by taxi cabs. Happy Thursday, friends.