This is the 2nd LO I have completed taking Jessica Sprague's Up and Running version 2, digital scrapbooking class. Jessica Sprague has so many excellent classes, both digital and hybrid, and I'm currently taking several of them. They are online and self-paced (unless you take a class when it is first offered or if it is offered several times a year, then the instructor goes along with you, week by week), and you can do them on your own time, anytime. That is the beauty of it. Most of the classes are just that, self-paced. You can access them anytime, forever. Jessica even has several free classes you can take too.
I never thought that I would be bit by the digi bug but it seems to be getting a little easier every time I try it. I've always wanted to do some hybrid work so this will be great if I can keep getting the hang of it. I haven't really given the choice of pictures a lot of thought while taking this class since I just want to learn the ropes, but I can't wait to get down to making some really great stuff with the pictures I love the most. I do plan on doing Project Life with hybrid work and that should be really fun.
Everyone have a great week coming up!

Kellye Kimmel
The Distressed Crafter

I never thought I would....

I've always considered myself to be the hands on type of artist. I like to get my hands all inky and dirty. However, when my art started sending me on digital quests to make my hands-on art better, I got bit a little by the technology bug. I'm no stranger to computers. I've had one since 1994, when my son's stupid neurologist said I should buy him one to do educational things on. He obviously underestimated the intelligence of said child to find games and gaming communities at the tender age of 9 before the kind of online gaming we have now even existed. So my son basically taught me a lot of what I know. That was 18 years ago and I've learned a lot about computers, both pc and macs, though I prefer a mac any day of the week. But sitting and learning about digital memory keeping was not something I ever thought I'd think was interesting. Recently though, because of my desire to learn Photoshop, I signed up for Jessica Sprague's "Up and Running v.02" and I finished my first LO last night with a quick page and I must say though I did encounter some issues here and there I was able to finish it. It makes me happy to look at it too. It is two pictures of my son that are a couple of my favorites of him when he was little. He is a man now expecting his own son in October and I'm really looking forward to documenting that little guy's life. So, if you think you won't like the digital scrapbooking, give it some time. You might just get bit too!
Here's my LO. Hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
Kellye Kimmel
The Distressed Crafter

Soul Restoration 1 The beginning of my Journey

I finally signed up for Soul Restoration 1 to get me ready for when I actually GO to BGC and I am so grateful that I did. I feel like I will have a head start when I do finally get to Camp. It is looking like that is going to be 2013. I have all the cash socked back and ready to go, on all the wait lists, and ready to sign up the first day they post the dates for 2013 for the camp of my wishes!!! I want to go to one of the Summer Camps that they actually have the classes for in Melody's Art Studio at her home. You stay at a Hilton close by and I think that would just be AWESOME!

Soul Restoration 1 has so far been one of the most real experiences I have ever been through in just two short weeks of 8 weeks in an online class. It is much more than an online class, but I suppose that may be true of almost any online class...you get what you put into it. However, Soul Restoration 1 is more than your average, everyday, normal, online class. The curriculum is very well thought out and leads you on a journey of letting things go, forgiving yourself, and loving yourself and others.

Soul Restoration 1 also combines Art Therapy as an aid to help you on your journey by journaling and using different art techniques as a jump start to get you going. There are different journal prompts, collage sheets, videos and other resources to help you along and a forum where you can talk to other Brave Girls as well. You can also sign up to get the BGC Daily Truth at www.bravegirlsclub.com.

Here are a few pictures of my album from class so far...

I am really looking forward to Week 3 which starts tomorrow. Thanks so much Melody for making this available to all of us who either could not go to BGC or have to wait our turn!  :-) We all love you very much! I hope all of you enjoy my photos of my project. This is where it really is NOT supposed to be about the art and what is more important is the thought and work that you put into each lesson. Letting go of lies that we have believed all of our lives can be a difficult thing but it CAN be done! Thanks Melody!

Kellye Kimmel
The Distressed Crafter

Loving My ZIG Pens!!!

ZIG Pens Are One of the BEST

Pens Around....

These are just a few of mine that I pulled out to get some pictures of. I use them to doodle, journal, make line drawings, and many other types of  fanzigulous fun!!!

Do you own any ZIG pens and how do YOU use them? 

My ZIG Pens!!!

I was going through all of my journaling pens the other day, organizing them and got all of my ZIG pens in one place and the colors are so pretty!! I love using these pens for journaling, doodling and tons of other things in my crafting endeavors. If you don't have any of these wonderful pens, you should definitely invest in some, including a Black one! They are the greatest pens for journaling out there.

Inspiration Showcase-Some cards I've made

I've been taking "Inspiration Showcase" with Jennifer Mcguire and I must say that I do like making cards now!!! I actually made it to learn the techniques, which is what I do for most classes but found that I do love making cards and it will probably become a more permanent part of my crafting obsession.

Here a just a few card that I've made during the class.

I used resist techniques on the backgrounds for these cards. The paper is from Lost and Found 2: Blush.
Thank you so much Jennifer and all the guest teachers for a great class!! I'm so glad there is lifetime access to it and all the stuff can be downloaded to your computer too. It's a great buy at $19 and I think they will be selling it in a pdf form after the class is over so that everyone can still get in on all these great sketches, techniques and cards!

Kellye
The Distressed Crafter

Lindy's Stamp Gang-Featured Artist

I was so honored that Tracey from LSG asked me if I would be her first Featured Artist for LSG!!! I wanted to make some very special things and set to work. I decided I would do some work in Fabric to show how versatile LSG products are. I think Kate Palmer and I were thinking the same thing about mixing the Starburst Stain powder with glazing mediums, so I just wanted Kate to know that I did see her video and was wowed that we were so "in tune."


I had a great time creating my projects and I hope all of you have enjoyed them as well. The configuration box was created in memory of my Dad and I put some special items I didn't want to lose inside of it.

Here are some pictures of my creations...
This is an antique place mat I found at a store in my local area. I did gel image transfers on it and painted it with Starburst Stains mixed with Liquitex Glazing Medium. The flowers are from Iamroses.com.

The next project came from the same antique store and is slightly larger than the place mat.

Next came the Lindy's Style Configurations Box. After taking 4 Tim Holtz classes in July I was inspired to make a box using LSG products and was really excited with how it turned out. It tells a story of my Dad, our lives, and how happy we were.

Thanks again Tracey for choosing me to be your first Featured Artist for Lindy's Stamp Gang! I am truly honored and will cherish this for a long time to come. I hope that all of you who look at my projects are inspired in some way to make your own projects that speak to your heart.

Kellye
The Distressed Crafter

A Treasure Chest with LSG!

I made this fun project using one of those chests that you can get at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. It had a Parisian theme on it with the Eiffel tower and all and I just didn't like it. So I decided to do a Treasure Chest on it using Lindy's Stamp Gang Products. I used mostly the Magical Mica powders after I had established the base of the chest but also used Moon Shadow Ink and some of the Starburst Stains. I entered it into the LSG "Under the Sea" Contest, and there were so many wonderful entries.
Here are a few pictures I took of the Treasure Chest and it's contents...

Here is a video from YouTube of the chest....

I hope you enjoy this project!
Have a wonderfully, crafty day!
The Distressed Crafter
Kellye
LaceAndMetal