Out With Thanksgiving & In With Christmas

I just added a few more Christmas Mini Collages to my shop.

~ Photo Courtesy of Brandy Faulkner ~

And Brandy is teaching us how to make this darling 3-d Christmas card with faux snow on the Joli Paquet blog, just in case you'd rather be crafting instead of fighting the crowds at the mall today.

Greetings!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Paper Crafting

I haven't noticed many blog posts on the subject of Thanksgiving crafts. It seems like everywhere we look, we go from Halloween straight into Christmas. That makes me a little bit sad. So I thought I would show you some simple Thanksgiving tags I've been working on. I made them all this morning, so they really are quick. I always have blank shipping tags in my supplies ready for this type of thing. The tag above is from a stash that I aged using Tim Holtz Distress Inks and water. The beaded ribbon is ChicBoutique Trim from Hobby Lobby's fall trim section.
This one is all set to add a personal message in the bottom section. The velvet leaf trim (and the aqua lace in the tag above) is in a set called Autumn Splendor by Making Memories. The glittery maple leaf in the bottom corner is from a brad set, also from Hobby Lobby.
While searching through Target for some Thanksgiving paper napkins earlier this week, I spotted these adorable little felt stickers. They were too cute to resist and I figured I would think of something to do with them. . . . .

And this is what I came up with. . . .

And this one too!

And while passing the greeting card section, I found this card. No, I didn't need it to send to anyone. I had already mailed my Thanksgiving cards. But the pumpkins, acorns and leaves reminded me of those Dresden die-cuts that we all covet. So I bought a couple of the cards. . . .

and make this tag!

Now I've really got to get crackin' and get some chores done around here. I have some errands to run and also want to make some chocolate dipped pretzels for tomorrow. If you're looking for a fast and easy dessert, be sure to check out the Joli Paquet blog. I posted a recipe there last night for Double Chocolate Chip cookies.....Mmmmmm!

More Glitter & Angel Wings

Yes, my desk is still covered with glitter - isn't everyone's at this time of the year? Glitter is on the floor, my iPod, my face. . . . .basically it is everywhere!
I've been working on these angels for Danielle's Angel Paper Doll Swap which is due at the end of the month. I started with an oval base and covered it with vintage wallpaper that I have been saving for something special like this. During the process of working on this project, Ruth Rae's new book, Layered, Tattered & Stitched came out. {I adore Ruth's calm disposition and beautiful heirloom quality projects and felt so fortunate to watch her create in person at the final ArtFiberfest earlier this year.} In her book Ruth made some adorable mailing folders out of waxed paper sewn on top of vintage sheet music and I decided this technique would be perfect for making my angel wings. The filmy wax paper kind of gives the wings an ethereal feeling.
Glittery slippers, a sparkly golden tulle skirt, a single rhinestone in a silver setting at her waist, a hand-stitched paper halo, and a tiny vintage white glittered bell complete the look. This time I remembered to make one for myself to keep - something that I am always neglecting to do when I sign up for swaps. Now it's time to pack them all up for their journey to Danielle's house. I can't wait to see what she sends back from the other artists!

Remember to take some time to enjoy yourself during the next few days while preparing for the Thanksgiving celebration and feast.

Tarnished Silver

The glitter is really flying around in the studio these days. I just love all kinds of glitter. But my favorite is silver German glass glitter. I love the way it tarnishes over time to a wonderful rich patina. Just like sterling silver serving pieces or flatware, if you leave it out exposed to the air it will tarnish with age. I think it is beautiful this way.

1. Tarnished Silver, 2. Mom's Silver 3, 3. Tarnished,

4. tarnished past, 5. Silver Baby Cups, 6. Shabby 1927 Silver Trophy/Pitcher

By the way, you can find the glittered ornament above in my Etsy Shop.

A Woman's Worth

A friend sent this to me this yesterday and I wanted to pass it along to all of you. As women, we can all use a little shout-out to boost to our spirits. Enjoy. . .

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in...

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

While we're on the subject of how remarkable women are, Lilia has another adorable gift card wrap idea for you over on the Joli Paquet blog today.

Joli Paquet Begins Today!

Today is the day! The Joli Paquet blog is starting today with all new Holiday tutorials, recipes, kits and fun, fun, FUN! Today I'm going to show you how to make packaging for gift card giving and a smaller version for treats and candies. All the JP artists have wonderful things lined up for you to make, so get ready...get set....and go there - NOW!!!!

Special Deliveries

I thought I would share with you some of the fun things that arrived in my mailbox this past week. I participated in an art exchange that was circulating throughout blogland recently. It was similar to a chain letter, but in this particular one you send a piece of artwork to the top person on the list and then pass the letter on to 6 other people. I decided to give it a try and see what happens. My letter came from Natalea instructing me to send an art piece to Vivian. Here's what I sent her:

One of the people I passed the letter on to is Cami and she sent it to Leann who sent me this wonderful bingo card Christmas collage hanging. I just love it, don't you?

So far this is the only little art piece that I have received . . . . guess not too many people are into chain letters, even if they involve art.

Then I entered (and won) two giveaways during Natasha's It's All About Me Swap Event last month. This is the fun box of goodies that I won from Paula (aka Pearl) . . .

I hung the little witch toy on my front door to greet all the Halloween goblins. And I just love all the vintage ephemera included in the package.

And below is the beautiful print I won from talented Natasha herself - sent all the wayfrom Australia!

I have always admired Natasha's glorious paintings of her pretty pink vintage prom dresses, so you can imagine how winning this prize made me squeal with glee! I want to find just the right frame for it and then hang it in my studio where it will look amazing and offer tons of inspiration. Big hugs go out to Leann, Paula and Natasha for all your generosity!

All That Glitters. . . . .

I've been keeping busy working on several different projects lately.

Journal pages, swaps, Christmas goodies for my shop update, tutorial and kit for Joli Paquet, etc., etc. Somehow my "to-do" list keeps getting longer and longer. It's all good though and lots of fun. Here's a couple of sneak peeks of some of these things in progress. My desk is covered in glitter! A girl can never have enough glitter, right?

They're On Their Way

Everyone is headed off to Omaha to Silver Bella today. I have never been to this event, but from all reports it sure looks like a lot of fun. I can't wait to see the pics from everyone when they get back home. Have fun all you bellas! I made this little collage as a raffle prize for Jessi Nagy's Bella Bus Tour she is hosting. I hope whoever wins it will let me know who they are, just so I know who my little Bella ends up living with.

In other news, we will be starting up our Christmas Joli Paquet Event on Tuesday, November 17th. I'm first on the schedule this time - yikes! I guess I'd better get a move on it because that's only 5 short days from now!!!

Felted Fun

I recently was inspired by this and this and this. So I went out and collected some acorn tops that the squirrels had left behind after hiding their winter stash.
And last night I made a few acorns in pretty fall colors while watching Dancing With the Stars on TV. And then THIS happened. . . . . .

The moral of this story is . . . DO NOT try crafting things that require using a hot glue gun while watching television!

A Very Special Box

I finally finished the box to go with my Beautiful Life journal that I told you about here. At first I couldn't find a box that was the right size for the journal. Then I discovered that those photo inexpensive boxes that they sell practically everywhere fit it perfectly. I bought a plain white one at Hobby Lobby and then painted the outside a creamy color.
I embellished the lid with a copy of ephemera Heather provided in her class. The ink in my printer was running low and so it printed out with a pale pink tone - perfect! After that I added some beaded bridal trim to the side of the lid.

Vintage wallpaper, a page from a French novel, raffle ticket, vintage photo, satin ribbon, tulle, a coffee filter rosette and rhinestone earring finish off the lid.

The inside of the lid was collaged with vintage papers coated with glaze. The French flashcard says, "la belle vie" - (the beautiful life).
The bottom of the box was collaged just like the inside of the lid and then a wide piece of beautiful lace was attached to the sides of the box and then left to drape down to the bottom, forming the a billowy "nest" for the journal.

It's so nice to have such a lovely place to keep my Beautiful Life journal.

Tuesday Tidbits

Here's a few of the things I've been working on lately. The little collages above are available now in my Etsy Shop. I'll be adding more of them to the shop as I complete them.
And this is a little peek at something else that I am working on - I can't show the whole thing right now...it's a surprise!!!

Finally, I've got a SALE going on right now in my Etsy Shop. All Halloween items are marked down 50%.

Note to Self

Several weeks ago I have a giveaway on my blog for a copy of Note to Self, a book written about keeping a journal. Now this isn't an illustrated book on artistic how-tos. To put it in the words of the publisher, it is "a tribute to the healing and reflective power of the written word." Personally I found it to be a fascinating read. To hear a description from the author herself, Samara O'Shea, you can click here. If you are interested in this book, I have a limited number copies available in my Etsy Shop at a discounted price.