Blogging Friends Mean So Much...

 Do you recognize this handsome fellow?  He is Taggart of Glencoe.  Corgi of Cuteness!  You can follow his antics Tuesdays with Tag.  I was very happy to retrieve my mail one day last week and find Tag had sent me his photo.  Now I can smile each and every time I see that adorable face.  Actually Tag didn't send me the package...his loving mum sent it to me.  Now I know you all follow this gifted lady...Donna of Brynwood Needleworks.  I am so happy to call her my friend here in Blogland. 

This lovely ATC is what Donna created and sent to me.  Thank you dear friend.  Donna makes the most elegant and graceful stitched things.  Her signature logo is acorns so every detail in this ATC has acorns.  The fabric she quilted so beautifully, the focal bubble with the acorn lad, ruched seam binding ending with a lovely silver acorn charm and the sentiment to Count Your Blessings.  This is such a beautiful work of art and I cherish it.  So much kindness and love all in the size of a playing card is truly amazing. I am so very grateful and I am counting my blessings to share Donna as my friend. 
Here in America we are full of or Thanksgiving feast yet I shall continue to be thankful for all that I am able to enjoy...family, friends and so much more.  
Are you a "Black Friday" shopper?  Do you wait in long lines for a special deal?  Are you a marathon shopper with a list of places and items?  Not me.  I prefer to shop when it is less crowded.  I also do my shopping and creating all year long for the gifts I give.  I like to put lots of thought and time into what I give and therefore enjoy it anytime of the year as I see and put together ideas for the people on my lists.  Yes, I do have those last minute things I must get but I still don't like crowds so I prefer to shop anytime (other than) to avoid "Black Friday".  "Shop til you drop" is not for me...
Lots of boutiques this weekend...I may try to attend some of my favorites. 
Stay warm and safe as you rush quickly into this busy hectic time of year...

ATC Beauties Received...

 Do you enjoy ATCs?  I enjoy making them, giving them and receiving them.  Even better I love a little surprise Random Act of Kindness in my mail.  This lovely French themed card I recieved from the equally lovely and very talented Dorthe of Den Lille Lade.  The bits of lace and the wooden button really add such detail.  Thank you dear Dorthe.

These little gems came to me from Australia.  Judy of Judy's Fabrications is another lovely lady with lots of talents.  She created this adorable little fabric stocking ornament with beads sewn on.  I adore it and the card with the 3D candle and holly.  Thank you dear Judy.

 Look at this lovely pear.  This ATC is made with napkin applique and enhanced with some beautiful gold leafing which does not show up well in this photo.  Meet Daniella of Layers of Creativity.  I am certain we will be swapping ATCs on a regular basis as Daniella loves making these little works of art.

 This very Thanksgiving Autumn ATC is made by my friend Joy.  She does not have a blog...yet.  Joy is uber creative and has the most beautiful gardens surrounding her home.  I had sent her an ATC just because and that introduced her to this little bit of art and creativity.  Joy is now making beautiful ATCs and teaching her mother, Eva, to make them as well.  They are now looking to swap with others.  I am linking Joy to all the best people I know.  Under the little brown scalloped flap she has stamped swirls and written "Family and Friends" in the most fluid perfect cursive writing.  Thank you Joy...your little ATC brings me much "joy".

And here is Eva's (Joy's mother) gorgeous ATC that she also sent me last week.  I believe Eva fussy-cut the roses.  Remember years ago when we sat with tiny manicure scissors and fussy-cut tiny little scenes and then made framed 3 dimensional pictures?  I loved those.  That is when I learned to turn the paper not the scissors.  I am thrilled that our little creative world shares and allows us to spread all the happinesses that come from such wonderful talented artisans.  Thank you Eva for this little piece of art.  No link here as Eva has no blog, however she does want to swap ATCs with others.
I would be happy to pass along any swap info to Joy and Eva if you just let me know here in comments or via email. 
Blessings and peace as you enter this busy week of holiday preparations...Thanksgiving here in the US.
I am truly blessed and so grateful for the gift of blogging friends and gracious giving.

ATC Swap...

 This is my second swap ever.  The first was for charms and now this one for ATCs.  What an amazing joy to be part of such great gifts.  Thank you Roni and "mom" for hosting this swap.  I am so thrilled with all I received.  This swap since it was before Halloween was two fold...Halloween theme and General theme.

 Here are the Halloween themed ATCs I received.  Each one so amazing and fabulous.

These are the General themed ATCs and what an array of ideas and creativity here.  I know the photos do not do justice and therefore you really must join a swap and be the lucky recipient of tiny little works of art in person.  I wish to say thank you to everyone who submitted and shared so generously.  I will be visiting each of you that I have info for.  Some ATCs did not include any email or blog address so I thank you here. 
I know for certain that when Roni does any kind of swap again I will definitely be participating...after the busy holidays that is. 
Thank you again Roni and "mom" for hosting this swap and doing all of the logisitics and work involved. 
If any of you have not been smitten with the ATC bug then you may want to be.  Quick and easy and ever so much fun. 
Our weather is chilly but beautiful.  I pray for all the Northeast to be back to power and warmth. 
Blissfully creating...

Happy Haunting Halloween...

 Last of the ATCs...well maybe.  I made these two folders for Roni and her Mom.  They hosted an ATC swap and the results of that will be posted next week.  If you have never participated in a swap I highly recommend it.  Lots of fun!

 Inside the ATC folder.  I kept this pretty simple and flat as I think my post office service is not fond of me or my artwork I pay extra to hand cancel and send safely. 
Here are the ATCs I included inside the folder. 

 Here is a piece of artwork I won from Lindsay.  Her work is unique and she has been published so many times I have lost count.  Please go see what Lindsay is up to in the creative realm. 

This is made on a Mahjong tile and I adore it.  Mr. C always says I ride a broom.

 Thank you Lindsay. 

 Here I am wearing my Halloween casual clothes.  Glittered pumpkin socks, a soft orange jacket my dear sister gave me that I get so many compliments each year when I wear it and my new Mahjong Witch pendant.

 Yes, another ATC that is in the mail.  By-the-way this is some of Lindsay's artwork that she got printed by Pinecone Press into 12" x 12" scrapbook papers.  Super cute drawings all over the entire sheet.  I only wish I had purchased many more pages. 

And you asked me to post my costume I wore at the local Chamber of Commerce Saturday as I hosted the Visitor Center.  Here I am in all my Witch glory...complete with Trick or Treat bag I made years ago. While I was at the CofC I had lots of people take a second look.  Several asked if they could take my photo and I said with a smile, "If you must".  :o)  It was a great day and I was definitely channeling my Grandma and Mother.  Grandma's birthday was October 30th and she finally gave in and always dressed up as a witch each year...of course creating her very own costumes and always out-doing herself every year.   So...
In the tradition of Halloween and my lineage I am continuing this Witch costume theme and enjoying it very much. 
Happy Haunting and Safe Trick or Treating to you all...

More ATCs and Lollypops...

 This Halloween Lollypop is made using a sports bar round coaster as the backing which I colored using a lovely purple Distress Stain.  A layer of gold tulle with gold glitter to the edges.  A cardstock pleated center with a fun ribbon bat.  This one is utilizing a drinking straw for the handle.  Off in the mail it went...

 This is a Fall ATC that I made for a friend's mother.  It is off to Texas.

 My friend Joy made me this ATC after I sent her one of mine.  The detail and colors are spectacular in person.  Thank you Joy.  It is truly beautiful.  Can you believe this is her very first ever attempt at an ATC?

 Lunch with some friends and these Lollypops are what I gave along with chocolates inside the cute purchased pumpkin bags.  Ladies can never have too much chocolate!

For the base of these I used a CD and covered it with some Halloween Tissue paper I received as part of a gift.  Again with the cardstock pleated centerpiece.  Finished with a button tied with the same purple yarn I used to tie the bag closed.  The handle this time is one of those plastic stir sticks.  Quick and easy and fun to make.  I think they would be a cute bouquet displaying several in a vase, pumpkin or gourd. 
Hmmm...I am thinking of lots of possibilities with these Lollypops for holidays and birthdays and anniversarys and celebrations of any kind.  They are also lightweight and easy to mail in a bubble pack envelope. 
Getting my costume ready for Saturday.  I will be hosting the local Chamber Visitor Center so it will be simple and easy to still function.  In the past I have been a mime while working as it is work friendly...and if you know me and my love of talking (and I have been told zillions of times that I am too loud!) then you can appreciate my ability to act like a mime and not speak...for an entire day!
Happy Haunting...

Autumn ATCs...

Autumn is that time of year that brings out the warm colors on the color wheel...yellows, browns, oranges, rusts.  The colors that I don't usually prefer.  However when it is Autumn and the leaves on the trees begin to change I find I am really liking these warm colors.  So I made some ATCs.  Silk leaves glittered is focal here.

These are incorporating some local scenes from Gold Country magazine.  I added just a touch of dimension with the rhinestones and silk leaves. 

Some Halloween themed ATCs that were fun to put together. 

 Nothing more than scrapbook papers, fancy smokey tape, ribbon pumpkins and bats and some bling.

Then I packaged each one in an organic waxed baggie and wrapped it with really fun fibers in the Autumn colors.  Now that was a few days spent in my ever so happy studio.  Then the best part was mailing them to some of my faithful followers...just as a thank you for being part of my blogging journey.  Some of you I have no mailing address for so I am carefully collecting those.  You never know when I might want to send you a smile in the mail. 
Happy Haunting and creating...

Wizard of Oz ATC...

It really is all about the shoes!

I am linking to Two Crazy Crafters for this post.

Thank you Twyla and Lindsey for this fun Friday hop.

I have used Graphic 45 chipboard tag, yellow cardstock I penciled with the yellow brick road and my favorite adorable mary jane shoes charm which I red glittered.  

Patriotic ATC...

As we come upon a very important day in our United States of America I realize we all celebrate differently. Some of us make a long weekend out of the Fourth of July. Some of us make it into an entire week or more. We celebrate with picnics, BBQs and pool parties. We go camping. Whatever we do or however we celebrate it is a very meaningful day in our history.

I am thankful for all those that came before and for all those that are now fighting for our American freedom. It is so easy to take it all for granted. This time of year allows us to reflect on just how fortunate we are and how grateful we are for our freedom.

I have made this ATC to honor my freedom and to remember Freedom is not Free.

Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters are having a blog hop of Patriotic ATC's. I am not able to link to them but wanted to participate.
May you each enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations and stay safe.

Gifted ATC...Thank You

When I saw this Marionette ATC I was smitten. I decided to follow this artist and I am so happy that I am doing so. Please visit Laura at her blog and see how wonderfully talented she is.

One day as I was reading her post she was offering this exact Marionette ATC as a giveaway. How fortunate I was when my name was selected. Thank you so very much Laura.

There is such detail in this tiny little ATC. An ATC is Artist Trading Card and the size is 2.5" x 3.5". ATC's were created as a way for artists to share their work and give it to others. ATC's are not to be sold. Therefore I believe ATC's are even more special. Like a gift from the heart. She has tied little red threads to really give it the illusion of being a marionette. I am still smitten with this art.

I will be putting this on my inspiration board.

Now it is time to go to the studio and spend the afternoon having creative fun with my girlfriend who is on her way over.

Happy Creating...

Heartfelt Thanks...

My most heartfelt thanks to Marilyn. I got the best surprise in my mail this past weekend and I want to share it. Marilyn is the nicest lady and a very talented artist. She is also a new grandma and that alone is part of her bright smile. Please check out "In My Room" where Marilyn blogs. What she sent me was this envelope above that had the most intriguing velvety textured tape across the back flap. You can be certain this tape will get reused. Inside was this beautiful little thank you card. The photo just does not do justice to the colors or the pink rhinestones bling.

Upon opening the thank you card it became a folder containing two ATCs. The clown and the chef. Each are beyond fabulous and I just adore them. The backs are black and Marilyn wrote on them to personalize to me from her. I so admire the work and time Marilyn put into making this wonderful surprise that I am almost speechless. (I must say almost because anyone who knows me knows I am never without words for talking!) Marilyn thank you so very much from my heart. Your art inspires me. I am so thankful I found your blog and share you as my friend.

I hope you know that I will be making some of these wonderful little folders and ATCs for my girls for Valentine's Day. Of course I shall tweak them as not to copy completely. :o)

I just feel like such a lucky girl. Being a part of this generous blogging community and sharing talents and ideas and surprise gifts.

As for this week, our weather is absolutely frigid. I was grocery shopping this morning and most people were talking about how cold it is and when will it end. I heard one woman remark, "This is like living in a refrigerator!" Our high today was 37 degrees F. And this was the day Mr. C decided we would be outside several hours while he cleaned the debris from the roof and the gutters. I merely hand him supplies and pick up whatever tools he drops. I am inside now and still shivering. Hot shower, hot soup, chocolate...still cold! Maybe I should sit on the heating pad and hold the cat on my lap for a while. Hmmm...I can see why she insists on having her little blanket plugged in and turned on. Ahhh...warmth! Oh how I long for the sunshine and summertime. Maybe I should go make something bright yellow in honor of the sun.

Happy creating...

Happy Hearts Pail...

Hello Bloggers:

I am so blessed to be able to sit here in my home office and listen to the refreshing nourishing rain outside while I am warm and cozy. I am truly thankful.

I enjoy browsing all my favorite blogs and finding additional blogs that spark my interest or inspire me. This blogging is truly a wonderful way to feel connected with like-minded talented people all over the world.

I am posting these photos merely as a fun idea that is not new nor original. Sometimes we just need to make something just because we want to. I have shared before about my collection of mice since I was a little girl. I have also shared about a wonderful etsy site where I purchased these ATC's http://www.etsy.com/shop/mouserkinsmagic

Well then my wonderful daughter bought me a full set of the mermaid ATC's so I had to figure out a compact way to display them and be able to enjoy them. That is how I came to fit them into a clear paint-style pail. It is easy to view them. It is easy to change the featured mouse of the day to view. I merely didn't like the plain handle and thought it could be much more in keeping with the colorful ATC's it holds if I did some decorating.

I purchased some coordinating ribbons and tied short lengths onto the handle. I also added a center focal charm "pail" to the ribbons on the handle so the mouserkins could keep their secret magic in it.

I know how Valentine themed it looks however I merely selected feminine fou-fou in shades of pinks, red and white. It was December when I actually did this. LOL

Now my little darlings are precious and portable so I can take them where ever I fancy.

This could work for any ATC or ACEO themes...even for guys in different colors and ribbons or wire with washers, nuts, bolts twisted around the handle or twines or cords. You get the idea. Just have fun with it. Maybe even a favorite pet with some treats or a house warming gift or a Super Bowl host or hostess gift. Hmmm...

Thank you so much for stopping by createology.

Keep creating...