Sunday, December 30, 2012

Winter Jar Swap Announcement

 Winter Jar Swap
This will be a partner swap.
With a Blog hop scheduled after all the Jar's are received Date TBD.
 
What's a Winter Jar? 
Simple, a glass jar (minimum size 6 oz) that you fill with a winter scene of your choosing.
Decorations can be on the inside and outside but must be winter themed.
Think, snow, frost, winter animals, children bundled in coats, snowflakes, leafless trees etc etc...
 
To sign up:
e-mail me at ouztshay@gmail.com
with the following information
Name
Address
Website (blog/typepad/flicker)
 
Any questions can be e-mail to me or left here in the comments and I will answer them as soon as I can.
 
Important Dates:
Sign ups CLOSE January 15th
Partners will be assigned on the16th
Mail by Date Feb 5th (Delivery Confirmation will be required)
Please do not sign up if you can not mail on time.
 
I've done a quick, not very detailed (sorry) tutorial on how I put mine together.
 I cleaned out my jar (dishwasher and used goo-be-gone on some of the sticky residue). 
My jar is/was a pickle jar, about 10 oz.
 Gather some of your Winter Themed bits and pieces and think about how to put them all together.
 I decided to insert by scene (flip my jar upside down).  I measured the jar opening and used a compass to draw the correct size and then cut it out.  I have fiber optics in my jar and that is what you see sticking out of the cardboard base I cut.
 
I also glittered my tree and put it on a wooden spool to make it stand taller in the jar.
 Next I added some snow.  I used store bought fluff and added glitter. 
I kept building up on my platform, the tree, the image I used (An Artfully Musing Christmas Image sold at Alpha Stamps), some fun bead sprays and sprinkled it all with some Mica Fragments.
 Next is the tricky part, fitting it all in.  I had to pull it out a few times to cut the fiber optics down and get the cut just right on the base but it eventually fit nice and snug.
To hide the area where the cap would go I adhered 3 layers of seam binding and some fabulous rhinestone trim.  I used large bendable snowflakes for the legs. 
 And topped the entire thing off with one of the large snowflakes and a handmade bow. 
I do hope you join us. 
 
There are some good video tutorial's on you tube (there are pros and cons to both of the ones I picked below but the techniques used are good) type in Fairy Jar
 
Laura of Artfully Musing has also done some great tutorials on how to decorate jars/bottles
They are located under her Apothecary Event
 
Please feel free to grab the button.


Glitter Tart Designs

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Learning more than the Mayans ~ 2013 Giveaway

I thought I would start the new year off by offering a special giveaway. 
 This year, spread your wings and learn something new. 
Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts is a wonderful book to help you do just that.
 I've included some items that will help you with the projects and techniques she goes over. 
Textured papers, Artist Board, wire, stamps, and a mold making kit.
You will also receive this one of a kind piece of mine. 
So, Don't be a Dunce, and take part in my giveaway, learn something new in 2013! 
I hope you had a wonderful 2012 and have an even better 2013.
 
How to Enter
(1 entry for each of the following)
1.  Leave a Comment
2.  Become or mention that you are a follower
3.  Share the button on your blog (in a post or sidebar)
 

Glitter Tart Designs

Winner will be announced January 1st 2013

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

I'm sure by now my little ones have woken me and ripped into everything from Santa. 
There is just something special about the look on their faces on Christmas morning!
I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Day.
 I've been saving this ATC I think it is my favorite ATC I made this season.
The collage image and much of the ephemeral are from Alpha Stamps.
 Fluffy fur with glitter, metal roses, gold perfect pearls...
 A custom made Poinsettia
 Everything fun about Christmas.
I hope you have a great one!

Monday, December 24, 2012

In Memory ~ Caramel Cake

 One year ago today I found myself sinking to the floor crying, my Grandmother, one of the most influential women in my life, had moved on to be with her dearly departed husband in heaven. 
 This time of year is especially hard for me because we used to spend many of our Thanksgiving and Christmas' with her. 
 She taught me all she knew about cooking.  Not by word of mouth but by spending time in the kitchen with her.
 One of the best cakes she made was a Caramel Cake, and I studied everything she did so that I would be able to make it. 
 I'm pretty good at the cake part, but the frosting, the homemade caramel, that is tricky.
 I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that it can only be perfect if you cook it with someone else. 
 My frosting was so so, but no one cared because it was the memories that matter.
 So here's to you Mama Doris, a slice in your memory.
Missing you dearly this Christmas Eve and every other day of the year.

12 Days of Christmas Swap ~ Day 12

 On the Twelfth Day of Christmas Tabitha of Creative Wings Boutique gives to us, Laura of Artfully Musing,
Twelve drummers drumming

 I love the inside of her matchbox where she finished off the song for us.
 Well ladies and gentlemen, that's all of the 12 days, kind of sad to see it end but I am thrilled to have all these treasures in my holiday collection. 
 
Eleven pipers piping

Sunday, December 23, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Swap ~ Day 11

 On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Tabitha of Creative Wings Boutique gives to us, Beverly of Life On the Seesaw,
Eleven Pipers Piping
 This one was perfect for Beverly because she is big into music. 
Can you see the little pipe? 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Swap ~ Day 10

 On the Tenth Day of Christmas Tabitha of Creative Wings Boutique gives to us, Mercedes of All Things Pretty,
Ten lords a-leaping
 Check out those leaping lords under the 10 star!
And all these vintage retro goodies!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Literary Friday: Best reads of 2012

I hate to have to admit it but this year was just not a good year for me and books.  A good portion of the ones I started I never finished (because they were just that bad) and I didn't read nearly as many books as I used to, might have something to do with two small kids and work but ya never know.
 
There were some good reads though
here are my top five of the year
I didn't review this book, and I beg you to ignore the artwork.  Patricia Briggs is a master at creating characters and worlds, she is one of  my all time favorite Authors.  I have all her books on Audio so I can listen to them when I work and impatiently await the next edition every year.  You can read a synopses HERE
I still haven't written the review for this one yet it is up and coming.  I'm taking my time and making sure I get it just right.  I was considering doing a read along of it but it might be too much of an art lovers book.  You can read a synopses of it HERE
Reviewed with The Maze Runner and Lord of The Flies HERE
 
Well, that's it.  As you can see I am all over the board this year.  I am looking forward to the upcoming year, I've already got some books that I am looking forward to reading.
And if they turn out to be duds I can always get good advice from Literary Friday.
 
 


9 Dancing Ladies

 This year I look part in a very special swap, a 12 Days of Christmas Matchbox Ornament Swap. 
 There were some very specific rules, the only colors that could be used were white, cream, gold and silver. 
That of course was hard for me since I am an all out color girl when it comes to Christmas. 
 
  I do love a white Christmas look but that just isn't what happened in my house.  All my ornaments are bright retro glass ornaments.  But I do strictly adhere to an all white light tree.
 I found some gorgeous gold and silver marbled paper and white velvet ribbon.  I already had cream roses and ribbon and the dancer so I knew I had the makings of something.
After searching threw my stash I found some gold and silver jingle bells and some gold floral centers.  Then Voila an idea was formed.  I envisioned my dancer with bouquets being tossed in her direction.
Gold German Glass Glitter covers the dancers costume, and she is made out of Polymer clay (maybe not my best idea but I wanted her stronger than paper).
On the back I stenciled the number 9 and added a touch of the glass glitter
Since this is a special holiday swap we were asked to fill our matchboxes with goodies for the other participants.  I found some gorgeous dancing lady cabochons, and hand died some seam binding.  A few silver and gold beads finished off my gifts. 
 
I hope everyone likes what I made.