Saturday @ 3

I'm spending the afternoon working on a special project for a friend. I cleaned off my work table in the morning and now it is completely covered again! The good news is the supplies that are out right now are only from ONE project and not layers of stuff from a bunch of projects like is usually the case! Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Addendum

I just made a fabulous discovery! I was "chatting" with Donna Layton a little while ago after she left a comment my previous post about the Copic Marker class I am taking. I was telling her a little more about them and the fact that they work on the same kind of surfaces as Alcohol Inks. And that is when the "light bulb" went off in my head! (Can you guess where I am going with this?) Donna did a tutorial on the Joli Paquet blog last fall on how to tint silver pipe cleaners using alcohol inks. (You can see that tutorial here.) Well, I wondered if the alcohol-based Copics would work on the pipe cleaners too. . .and Guess what? . . .THEY DO!

Currently I only have light pastel colors of the Copic Markers, so the results don't show up the best in this photo. But if you use darker tones, I imagine your results will be deeper. On the example above I used "Ice Ocean - #BG72" on the left tail, "Mallow - #V15" on the right tail, and "Coral - #R35" on the loop at the top.

Now if you are tinting a whole batch of pipe cleaners, then I certainly would use Donna's technique. But in a pinch, if you only need to color one or maybe two, this method will work just fine!

NOTE: I think Prismacolor Markers are alcohol based too, so those might work on the pipe cleaners as well. Give it a try and let me know.

Art Instruction

I recently signed up for a series of classes on how to use Copic Sketch Markers. These are dual-tipped, alcohol based, refillable markers that come in 322 of the most beautiful colors. They are manufactured in Japan, but are available at art supply stores such as Dick Blick. Hobby Lobby carries a limited selection as well. I also have seen them at some of the more progressive scrapbooking stores, which is where I am taking these classes.

I bought a few Copic markers a while back on the recommendation of an artist friend of mine and they just sat around not being used. They are a very wet marker and take a little practice getting used to, especially if you are more familiar with using water-based markers such as Tombow or LaPlume. There are some tips on using the markers on the Copic website and also a variety of video tutorials are available on You-Tube - just do a search for "Copic Markers." I personally like to take in-person classes so I have someone right there who can answer questions. This particular class meets once a month for six-months and is taught by a Certified Copic Instructor. Each month we get 5 new colors and project sheets based on those colors and the techniques taught in that particular month. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.


We are on Week 8 over at 52Q - can you believe that EIGHT weeks have already gone by in 2009? I sure can't! The question this week is, "What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?" Well, I live in Illinois and although I make it a practice not to discuss politics on this blog, I'm sure you have heard about the political circus going on in our state right now. Between our impeached governor and his newly appointed junior senator, I don't know if I should laugh out loud. . . or just cry!

Valentine Wrap Up

Just thought I would give a final Valentine wrap up with some pics I haven't shared with you yet.

I was lucky enough to find this adorable vintage Whitman's Chocolate box at a resale shop. I plan to keep it out all year long because it's just so pretty!
I mentioned in an earlier post that I participated in Natalea Kandefer's Vintage Valentine Ornament Swap and I received the most magical ornies in return. I put them all on my white feather tree which I have in my front hallway. I love them so much I hate to have to take it down. So I think I will move the tree to my studio and call it my "Tree of Love" so I can admired the tiny works of art a bit little longer.

Here are the links to the talented ladies who participated in this swap: Natalea Kandefer (hostess), Cindy Gilstrap, Kathy Jacobson, Sandy Michelle, Alisa Jane, Lee Weber, Vivian Neroni, Tammy Lucik, Heather Rowley, and Sarah Keith. Thanks so much for all these treasures girls!
Another swap I participated in was Heather Bluhm's Valentine Card Swap. Heather has hosted a couple other card swaps and it's a great way to get some original artwork greeting cards instead of buying store bought cards.
This was a 6 for 6 card swap - you make six and you get 6 back. Here are the creators of the cards I received: Heather Bluhm, Ellen Mueller, Geralyn Gray, Deanna Huggard, Jessica Rodarte and Liane. Hugs to all you gals for playing along!

New in the Sewing Room

Here's a quick little project that I just completed. Can you guess what it is? Well, it's a cover for my sewing machine - or a sewing machine cozy to be exact! I made it out of a vintage embroidered tea towel I had picked up eons ago at an estate sale. I added linen fabric to create the side panels and also the sweet eyelet lace and rick-rack to the bottom and that is all there is to it! I had seen this gorgeous one that Pam Garrison made and shortly after that I stumbled upon a darling new book which is filled with some adorable projects called, Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan. Jenny suggested using a tea towel as a quick cover to protect your machine and this towel with the embroidery work gave it a similar feel like Pam's.

Here is my tag for week 7 of 52Q - "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

Petite Inspiration Box Swap

Heather Rowley hosted a fun swap earlier this month where each of the participants were to decorate large matchboxes and fill them with vintage bits and pieces that could be used as creative inspiration for the other artists in the swap. I already showed you Hope's sweet little box in this post. And this one is mine. . . . .

And it's contents. . . . .

This beautiful box is from Maria. . . . .

And this gorgeous one was created by Joanna. . . . .

One is just as lovely as the next, don't you think? I feel so fortunate to have been in a group with such talented artists. I will certainly treasure each of their special little boxes. Thank you ladies! And a BIG hug goes out to Heather for being our "hostess with the mostess!" You always come up with ideas that ROCK!

Saturday @ 3

I got to spend part of my Valentine's Day with these two special boys ~ and my daughter too! What fun they are to play with. Later my DH and I went to Mexican Restaurant for dinner. We had a taste for Fahitas ~ Ole!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you all are doing something fun today. We just got back from the cottage so we have lots of things to catch up on around here today, but we'll be going out for dinner later tonight. How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? (Keep it clean now, girls - tee-hee!)

Angelina has some cute party favors for you over on our Joli Paquet blog here. Speaking of Joli Paquet, we had a nice "shout out" posted over on Scrap Scene thanks to Cindy.

And here's some favorite Vintage Valentine images for you to enjoy - thanks to Flickr!

1. Vintage Valentine's Day Card, 2. Vintage Valentine's Day Card, 3. Vintage Valentine's Day Card, 4. Vintage Diecut Valentine--40s?--So I Ain't Good lookin'. So What?, 5. Vintage Diecut Valentine--Come on Big Boy! Elephant, 6. Vintage Diecut Valentine--Love on the Line, 7. Vintage Valentine's Day Card, 8. GC_loving_greetings_valentine, 9. accordvday, 10. Vintage Valentine, 11. Vintage Valentine's Day Postcard, 12. Vintage Valentine's Day Postcard, 13. GC_victorian_teacher_valentine, 14. VALENTINE........1970'S, 15. cutie, 16. vintage valentine

52Q - Week 6

~Front~

~Back~

Nice Surprise!

How cool is this? Earthly Creations, who makes the most fabulous jewelry, included my little Heart Full of Love in her treasury! Thanks so much :)

Quick and Simple Valentine

Here's an idea for making a quick, but cute Valentine Card for those of you who are into last minute projects either by choice or necessity!

Gather the Following Supplies:

2 Different Sized Heart Punches

1 blank folded greeting card

2 small pieces of card stock in coordinating colors/patterns

1 medium size sheet of decorative paper

Glue Stick

Fine-Tip Marker

Chalk Ink Pad

Typewriter, alphabet stamps, or computer

1. Punch 6 hearts from decorative paper using the smaller heart punch.

2. Fold paper hearts in half vertically.

3. Glue the back, right half of one heart to the back, left half of a second heart.

4. Repeat step #3 and continue until you attach all 6 hearts together.

5. Punch a heart out of patterned card stock using large heart punch. Glue the ends of the 3D heart to the larger flat heart, as shown above.

6. Type the work LOVE on a scrap piece of card stock using typewriter, alphabet stamps or computer. I used my trusty vintage Olivetti.

7. Distress the edges of all the papers by inking with a Chalk stamp pad.

8. Draw "stitches" (or another design of your choice) around the perimeter of the folded card using a fine-tip marker. You could also sew real stiches using a sewing machine if you prefer, but the faux stiches are faster.
And "ta-da!" Your card is complete and ready to give - easy peasy!

Good Morning!

I woke up this morning and made myself a java concoction with hazelnut coffee, a large swirl of Reddi-Whip (whipped cream in a can), and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. It's my new favorite way to wake up in the morning. And don't you love my new mug from Target?

This little box of sweet inspiration came over the weekend from my swap partner Hope. It's the first Petite Inspiration Box I've received from participating in Speckled Egg's swap of the same name. When I opened the package and saw this box I thought to myself, "Who even cares what is inside cause this box is gorgeous!" But eventually I did come to my senses and opened it and this is what I found:

What a sweet sparkley greeting all wrapped up in waxed paper and pink seam binding. Hope's attention to detail really is exquisite.

And look how neatly she has everything all tucked in. Lots of vintage treasures were inside that tiny box. Thank you so much Hope!

And another hug goes out to my friend Elizabeth who bestowed this wonderful Friends Award on little ole me! The sentiment behind this award is, "These kind bloggers aim to find friends and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement." Isn't that exactly what this world of art blogs has opened up to each and every one of us? So many friendships have been formed with people we might never have connected with if it weren't for our blogs. How lucky are we?!!! :)

Fun Kits

Last call for these cute Valentine kits available in my shop. Full of all sorts of fun little 'bits and bobs' to create the most wonderful Valentines and other works of the heart.

Sweet Valentines

Happy day! Yesterday I received a boxful of sweet Valentine's from an ornament swap I participated in. You can see photos of all the gorgeous ornaments on swap hostess, Natalea's blog. Pictured above is the ornie I made. I have a few extras, so I listed them in my shop.

~ Photo by Cerri Campbell ~

Cerri is showing us how to make this adorable vintage Valentine using up all our leftover scraps of lace on the Joli Paquet Blog today. I can't wait to get out all my bits and pieces and make some of these!

52Q - Week 5

How do I feel today?

BLUE

Don't know why ~

I just do.

She's Beautiful

Isn't she beautiful? She arrived on my doorstep last week - a purchase made from Tiffany at Shabby Scraps. I've been wanting one of these pin cushion dolls for practically forever and am so thrilled to have found completely in tact.

I also found this beautiful set while perusing the antique mall on Friday. I would have loved an entire set of this cup & saucer/plate combo - wouldn't it be great to have friends over for a tea party using these? But alas, there was only one on the shelf and I grabbed it as quick as I could. Tea for one and a scone sounds good to me!

~ Photo by Brandy Faulkner ~

Don't forget to pop over to the Joli Paquet blog when you get a chance because Brandy has a tutorial on how to make this darling Valentine ornament.