Winter Wonderland Swap

 I'm hosting a Winter Wonderland Swap through the Alpha Stamps Yahoo Group. 

I'd love it if you would come and join in the fun!

 It is a 3 for 3 (max 2 sets, so 6 for 6) swap. 
Imagine getting 3 gorgeous 4x4 coasters all decorated for winter from 3 different, fabulous artist.  What a wonderful winter treat!

 The only requirements are to use the 4x4 coasters (you might already have some if you took part in the Birds in Hats Swap) if you don't have any left over Alpha Stamps is offering this fabulously cute chipboard binder and any Alpha Stamps image/stamp you would like.  So easy!

So come on over and join the fun!

The other great thing about this swap is it isn't due until January, so you can enjoy the holidays and create all at the same time, stress free!

Ribbon/Streamer Doll

 A few weeks ago I shared my journal for this years Circle of Friends Journal Rotation. 

Well, I just finished up the first entry for the rotation.

 Andrea's Journal is to create a Ribbon Doll.  I'd never heard of a ribbon doll and was excited to learn about this new form of art and to make my own. 

The two above images are the sample that Andrea included. 

 Last year I purchased a bunch of stamps from Stampington designed by Sandra Everston -- I just love her whimsical style -- and still haven't used them.  I thought the Star Juggler would be perfect for my doll. 

 To create the clock portion of his body I used a circular mirror that I removed much of the mirror off of so that you can see the clock through.  I did a tutorial for this a few months ago, you can view it HERE.

I enhanced the clock with pompom ribbon trim, arms that I coated in perfect pearls and a rhinestone. 

 

For the face, I used an image from Alpha Stamps that closely resembled the stamp and placed it in a bottle cap surrounded with tensile.  To really make him stand out I created a two layered crepe paper flower, added silver sprigs to it so I could mount the stars (they are made out of paper clay and you can purchase some in my Etsy store) 

And of course I had to add tons and tons of ribbons.  You can't see it but there is a sheer white ribbon behind all the seam binding. 

 

I hope Andrea likes my creation, I had a great time making this and I can't wait to make more. 

Thanks for looking!

Disappearing November

 

Where have I been?  Well, not too far, actually right here on the computer, but not in an art capacity, in a writing one. 

 

Yep, that's right, this year I am taking part in NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month.  I've thought about joining before but always came up with excuses.  Well, not this time It's been over a year since I wrote anything new and I've been ordered by the Doc to take it easy (I consider that to mean no running around a studio). 

 

So this November I will courageously make my way towards 300,000 words on a book I've had outlined for quite some time.  A cross between Dune and Romeo and Juliet.  Wish me luck!

 

I will still be posting, most likely when I hit a brain freeze (which is where I am now) but just not as often. 

 

Enjoy your November, I'll see you around.

Twisted little Baby Buggy

 I got to play with more Alpha Stamp goodies!

 Believe it or not, this is an altered Altoids tin!

 Yep, the babies are sitting in the tin, I took off the lid and built the umbrella over it.

 Add German Scrap, some bling, a few collage images and of course a glittered spider to make it even creepier. 

 The wheels are made out of extra heavy board and alas they don't roll.

This was a really fun piece to make!  I'm considering selling it but not sure yet. 

Thanks for looking.

All Mixed Up ~ 2012 COF Journal

Another year has come and gone, which means a new Circle of Friends Journal rotation. 

This year I was inspired by Andrea's piece that she created for my Alice in Wonderland Swap.  I love how she mixed two children's stories together.  So, that's what I decided to do with my Journal. 



All Mixed Up

The instructions are very simple, the participants choose 2 classic children's stories or Nursery Rhymes and mix them together.  

Off course there had to be a table of contents.  Participants can add their titles any way that they like.  

For my page I used Wizard of Oz and Little Red Riding Hood

Each participant can write their story on the back of their creation.  

Of course to finish it all off there has to be a classic black and white "The End"

And this is the back cover of the journal. 

I am so excited about this journal, it is the first one I've ever sent out that will come back completed, in other words I won't have to do anything else to it. 

 

This year looks to be a great one for journals.  Just wait till I share the one I am working on right now!

Halloween Tag Swap

 Kim over at artJoystuff recently hosted a Halloween Tag Swap. 

This is the tag that I created.

 Participants needed to make 5, all of mine were just slightly different, but the same theme.

 And here are the beauties I got back...just love the packaging.

 and such a fun clothespin!

 This one is from Kelly at Dreaming of Vintage

 Kimberly from ArtJOYStuff

 Lynn from Trash To Treasure Art

 Tabitha of Creative Wings

Wendy of Bliss Angels

 

This was a wonderful swap and I am so glad I took part.  Make sure to check out all of Kimberly's swaps, they are all great.  Thank you ladies for the wonderful tags!

 



Altered Cabinet Card Blog Hop

 Hey everyone! 

 

Today's the day, all the participants in my Altered Cabinet Card Swap are going to link up and share their work. 

 

This was a great swap and everyone did a fabulous job so make sure you stop by everyone's blog. 

 I created this piece. 

 For my envelope I used a book, altering the outside to my partner Tabitha's tastes. 

 I was inspired by a Poe poem so I printed it off and included it on the front inside cover of the envelope. 

 I also left one page so that the altered card would have some protection.

 To decorate the hollowed out book I colleagued papers and lace that I had stained to look old.

 Here is my Altered Cab Card inside the envelope.  It barely fits eak!

 The poem I was inspired by is also featured on my altered Cab Card along with a glittery spider web.  I coated the entire image with crackle paint. 

 I just love this addition, I did it at the last minute to make it more Tabitha.  The skull is a paper clay mold I created and then I surrounded it with grunged up flowers and some leaves.

My angel, who is talked about in the poem, I outlines in black and she also got coated with crackle paint.

 

But now onto the really fun part...

What I got from Tabitha of Creative Wings

 The envelope is made out of a large photo envelope, you know the kind you get with wedding pictures in it.  Very nice brown color that she added gorgeous paper to and the black items are 3D painted with crackle paint, a really cool effect!

 Tabitha gorgeously printed out the definition of a devil and created one for me!

 Dev-iL

-An evil spirit; a demon

-A very wicked or cruel person

-A mischievously clever or self-willed person

-Fighting spirit; wildness

 

"he was dangerous when the devil was in him."

 Multiple layers make up this page.  Gorgeous papers, the altered cab car, more gorgeous crackle paint and a transparency on top of it all.

 Can you see the Devil horns? 

 But Tabitha Didn't stop there, check out all these goodies she sent me!

 My very first Millinery flower and what a wonderful color she sent me.

 A handful of fabulous vintage papers, bingo cards etc...I can't wait to play with them.

Buttons Buttons Buttons!  I've been spoiled!!!

 

I am so happy with this swap thank you Tabitha for my goodies and all the other participants for the great pieces you created. 

 

Make sure to check out everyone elses creations and thanks for stopping by. 

 

Holly of Paper Pieces of Me

Monica of Art Rocks

Kelly of Dreaming of Vintage

Tabitha of Creative Wings