I Love A Good Challenge

Having to sit around and recover from surgery can get boring after a while. Especially when you can't use your stomach muscles. Crazy how those things effect every move you make. So yesterday I decided I wanted to make my own blog header. I worked all day on it, taking my time, adding personal images and stupid me didn't save it. My program froze up and I was SO MAD, mostly at myself for being an idiot and not saving my work. I blame the pain killers, although I am not taking them anymore. Luckily, I learned how to do "Ctrl PrtScn" (thank you Leslie & Bella) and actually saved a copy of the work. Now granted, I had to do a ton of editing, but it came out better then I could have ever imagined. I'm proud of how far I have come digitally, artistically, all because I have a blog. I love that my header shows the many sides of me. I'm a little french, but dark. Pink yet Black. "Tasteful" yet odd at times. I hope you like it too.

Did you know that Blogger has all of these new formats now? I was going nuts, and was surprised to find those black birds that go along with my Raven so well. I love Ravens. I would love to have a Raven rescue. Okay, maybe I'm not getting enough adult conversation right now because I am rambling.

Below is an example of a challenge I had. The amazing Leslie, who is the Queen of Alpha Stamps, told the design team that we didn't HAVE to decorate the cover of this book, but gave us some enthusiasm to try. I just had to find a way to make it "pop" and was thrilled when everyone liked what I did. It took me a while to figure out how to make a chipboard heart into two doors, but I did it and I really enjoyed creating this book. I still have a couple of pages that I am going to finish up for it. Gosh I love being on that design team!

Imagine my surprise when Bella, we'll call her the dark princess of Alpha Stamps, lol. Imagine my surprise when she wrote about my work on the Alpha Stamps Blog. It's one thing to be proud of your own work, and have the hope that others will like it. But then when you find out they do like it, well, it just makes it that much better. Leslie, Bella and the other gals have been so supportive and believe in me which is an achievement I am so proud of. I can finally say, "I'm an artist" and believe it myself. Below is what Bella wrote.  Thank you so much Bella!

Home Sweet Home

I beyond adore the book cover that Alpha Stamps Design Team Member Rhonda Secrist Thomas created for the ‘Feather Your Nest’ book swap. Don’t you just love how the heart opens up to reveal the gorgeous bird underneath? While pink is definitely not one of my favorite colors, in this instance, I could see myself sneaking into Rhonda’s house when she’s not home to make it my own. In case the cover does mysteriously disappear, you just hush now!

Supplies
- Chipboard House Book
- Chipboard Hearts
- Conservatory 12×12 Paper Pack
- Large Sheet Gold Dresden Borders
- Pronged Metal Handles
- Small Brass Swallow Charms
- Organza Ribbon Roses
- Reverie Birds Scrapbook Paper
- Glittered Love Birds Scrapbook Paper

View more beautiful book pages in the Feather Your Nest gallery by Rhonda and other Design Team Members.

Be sure to visit the Alpha Stamps Blog to see more.  You'll find lots of examples, ideas, and great products for your altered art.  And I'm not just saying that because I'm on the design team and no one is making me or payimg me to say it.  It's just the truth.  I was a fan of Alpha Stamps long before I was on the design team.  And I wouldn't be on a design team for a place I didn't believe in and love.  So there you have it.

Be sure to take that creative challenge!  You'll be proud of yourself once you are done!