Follow Up To Guess This Project...

Way back in May I posted a photo of these cardboard pieces and asked if you could guess what I was going to do with this "trash". It has taken a lot longer to complete this project however here is the reveal.
Each little hard cardboard tent got handpainted with gold paint. Then each one got a strip of gold paper attached to it. Then there was a lot of punching out names and hearts and attaching them to the little tents.

Here you see the finished project. Table place cards. A dear friend is having her 90th birthday and her stepdaughter and I are doing the table decorations for the party. In an earlier post I showed the ribbon bookmarks we made for each guest. We have also done candy bags with a cute header and edge punched and hearted with Happy 90th Elsbeth on them.

This is the special place card for the birthday girl. I think she will be pleased with the extra attention. This will be a grand celebration for a grand lady.

So never look at anything with only one purpose in mind. Anything is possible if you just imagine. My Grandma would be so proud that I learned such a valuable lesson from her. Thank you dear sweet Grandma. I absolutely know she is watching me from heaven and smiling.

My dear friend Lindsay reads my blog and guessed correctly. I think I may be putting the creative vibe in her mind as well. Good job Miss Lindsay Lollipop. :o)

Another week comes to a close and may you each have a terrific weekend. Celebrate the men in your lives as we have Father's Day this Sunday. I will be spoiling Mr. C as I am so fortunate he is in my life.

Happy Creating...

Ribbon Bookmarks...

Ribbon Bookmarks.

Very easy to complete.

Grosgrain ribbon...approximately 12".

Punched card stock hearts...large and small.

Needle with crochet thread.

Fold over top of ribbon.

Layer small heart over large heart.

Both front and back of ribbon.

Stitch through all layers.

Tie off and cut threads.

Done.

Very easy...right?

These will be part of the table favors for the 90th birthday girl's party. If you look closely you will see the bookmark in the center of the photo is special as it has both a heart button and a punched cardstock crown on the front and back.

Can you think of events that you might make these bookmarks for? Sunday school...birthdays...teachers...home bound seniors...library book groups, kids or adults...

We have finally had two days of glorious sunshine and I am Happy Creating...

Happy Hearts...

Happy Hearts to everyone.

Aren't surprises just the most fun when they bring such creative joy and happiness? I certainly think so. In my mail was this super cute Birdie Valentine card and the little burlap package held closed with an adorable heart pin.

Surprise!

It held a beautiful charm domino necklace made by Sheila of Blessed and Distressed blog. I aplogize that my scan does not do justice to the glitter and beauty of this sweet little girl that Sheila made from a simple domino. Please visit her and see all that she does.

Thank you so very much Sheila. You are one of the wonderful and generous friends I have found here in blogland.

Heart Strings.

This scan definitely does not do justice to this lovely sewn string of hearts and butterflies and love that Miss Cory "Dogwood" handmade and sent to me. I adore it and its fluid movement as it hangs near my desk to inspire me. Thank you very much Dogwood of Pink Dogwood Blossoms blog. Cory and I actually live right near one another and have never met in person. We were matched up in last year's April Letter Writing challenge and have been corresponding ever since. Some day soon we shall meet especially since we both shop at the same Ben Franklin local craft supply store.

Creative Handmade Cards.

These are some Valentine cards I received from family and friends that are ever so cute and special as they are handmade. I must not scan so badly! I do cherish all of my Valentine goodies and the fact that they were created with love.

Chocolate...

Oh no lack of that. Just no photos or scans as I have eaten all of it. I did share a tiny bit with Mr. C since he likes chocolate also.

May you each celebrate this wonderful day and enjoy the love that surrounds us all.

Happy Hearts...

Road Trip Continues...

Our destination was Scottsdale Arizona for the Barrett Jackson Auto Auctions. This is the mecca of collector cars. About 200 acres filled with giant white tents and hundreds of amazing cars and other collectible items. Mr. C had this as one of his top ten bucket list items so we had to see it in person. We have watched it on TV however you can multiply that by 100 and still not get the true dynamics until you experience it in person. Overload would be quite an understatement!

Just on Saturday over 160,000 people attended. This gorgeous 1956 De Soto convertible auctioned off at $340,000 plus commission fees of 10% paid by the buyer. Who would have thought an orphaned De Soto would bring such money?!! It was so beautiful in person and every detail was perfect.

Silly me thought I wanted a Smart Car when I was traveling in Europe and saw them everywhere. Now that I have sat in one I cannot imagine driving 70 mph on the freeway in traffic with merely my a$$ being the bumper. Yes it has heated seats because the engine is directly behind your seat so you could also bake dinner on your way home from the market. :o) Too cute but not for me.

I did take a side trip to do some shopping. No photos of this so as not to incriminate myself. I visited a bead store in Scottsdale. This is a beautiful store with fabulous finds. However for me it was super intimidating. I have never gone in a bead store where you must put your purse in a locker and then you have an attendant hovering over you every minute. Who can relax and shop in that environment. Needless to say I bought very little especially after I saw the prices! One short strand of copper curved caps was $175. Ouch!

Let's continue our drive up to Sedona Arizona. This is the sacred place of red rocks and lots of lore. It is truly beautiful. Mr. C and I used to stay in Sedona several times a year until we moved north. We had not been back in about 14 years and lots had changed. Growth, commercialism and generally a sad depleted economy has taken its toll. Oh the beauty is still here however the ambiance has changed.

We managed to visit our old haunts, galleries, restraurants and the scenic rocks. The photo below is the famous Eagle rock which presides over the chapel built in the hills.

This entire area is said to be very sacred.

Enough road trip for now.

How many of you have ever been to either Barrett Jackson or to Sedona? Each is unique and well worth the trip if you like the venues.

Now I am off to the studio to finish some Valentines which must get into the mail today. I am only sending to family this time since I was gone so much.

Happy Hearts to all...

Quick Gift & Wrapping...

Here is a very quick and easy gift from my studio today. A lanyard charm with a lacey metal heart bead and top and bottom Swarovski crystals to add some bling. Where would you use one of these? A cell phone? Zipper pull? Notebook/Journal? Scissors fob? Keys? Hmmm...

And here I am again with the fabric serged to make a small bag. Then I wrapped the charm in tissue paper and placed it inside the little fabric bag. Next I stitched a button with cotton thread to close the top and tied a bow.

In very little time I had made and wrapped and completed another gift for giving.

My list is in really good shape. Lots of things are getting checked off.

I am so excited for Santa to come and visit.

Happy Holidays to all...

Happy Hearts...

In my sleeping hours I had an idea and decided to try it. It involves a large and small heart punch (I love the new squeeze Fiskars punches), some metallic paint chips cut from an idea booklet, some glitter string, glue stick and a piece of cardstock. Very simply punch out lots of hearts, both large and small, and then begin gluing them in a heart shape onto the card stock. Add some strings and a small bow to represent a balloon.

Then the cardstock was mounted onto a piece of mat board in a contrasting color. This was made to celebrate Miss Lindsay's recent birthday and let her know she is very special. After the photo was taken we (my Saucy Chick girlfriend, Lorraine) personalized it and signed it.

So with a small amount of supplies and a lot of fun and laughter this was created with our hearts and hands.

Don't you just love paint chip samples? Can you honestly walk past them in the store and not collect just a few colors for your crafting? There are so many colors and choices now days it is impossible not to find some you like. Then to use them is sweet inspiration.
I do hope this gives you some inspiration and possibilities for gift giving. I would love to see and hear about what you create with punches or paint chip samples or paper or whatever you fancy.

Happy creating...

Oops almost forgot...

Yes, I raised my hand once again. Mr. C has told me to just sit on my hands but I never listen and I am always volunteering no matter how little time I have to squeeze in more things that take time.
I usually do not share this on my blog, however, it is important to me and that is what counts. I attend a weekly Weight Watchers meeting and like it very much. Through the years I have become quite fond of food and therefore eat way too much and guess what has happened to me?!! Oh yeah...the scale does not lie. My weight has gone up and up as I age. Now I know all about the hormones and how our bodies really do change shape and even that we gain weight for the sake of aging. However, I also know when my clothes stop fitting and my joints begin to ache and I just am ought of sorts that I need to eat less and eat healthier. So that is what I am doing.

Meanwhile I keep track in a little booklet so that I can really be certain I am not overeating. This brings me to how I came to raise my hand. My group is doing a "traveling journal" for the next 90 days and I brought it home to keep track for the week. Yes, it will be shared with the entire group. Am I worried? No! We are all in the same need and it is a really great group of folks. So I just had to get some felt and make a simple cover for the little journal. Then I thought a nice felt heart would be cheery. And a place to put a pencil for ease of keeping track. And this is what I have to turn in and share with the others. I kept it simple and basic since it will work for women and men.

I love working with wool felt as it needs no hemming or lining. It is durable and easy to work with. The grey I used will not show handling dirt as quickly. And the heathered red heart...well that represents the goal we all have of being healthy!

Happy Heart to each of you...

Mail Art by Roben-Marie...

I truly feel so very blessed to be a part of this amazing blogland with so many creative and generous people. Today as I collected my mail I was so surprised. Of course I got the expected bills and magazines and even a small package Mr. C had ordered for car parts. However at the very bottom of the stack was this beautiful mail art from Roben-Marie Smith. Please click today's title to link to her fabulous site. Roben-Marie is not only very artistic she is also extremely generous with her talents and tutorials. You will be happy you checked out her blog if you aren't already following. This is the back of the mail art folder and I especially love the heart as it is very dimensional! The colors and textures are what make this art so special.

Inside the folder was this very creative and sweet note. YES...I love my mail art!!

Roben-Marie also included two very beautiful cards in a clear protective sleeve. These are not only beautiful but they are words to live by...Believe and Love.

Thank you so very much for this very special mail art that is bringing a smile to my face and a song to my heart.

Wouldn't all of our mail be so much more pleasant to receive and open if it were so artistically created? I wonder if the mail delivery persons enjoy these pieces as they go about their daily deliveries. I know our mail lady, Cynthia, really loves to see these.

Happy creating...

Happy Mother's Day...

A very Happy Mother's Day today.

I am truly blessed with one daughter and two granddaughters.

We have a wonderful family relationship.

This fun and fabulous set of very pretty boxes is my gift from my daughter. I will be enjoying some yummy pears and nibbles. Aren't these colors super cheery and bright. She just knew I would love the boxes and be able to upcycle them after the fruits and treats are long gone. How very clever of her to know me and what I like. :o) Thank you honey.

May each and every one of you have a very wonderful day and spend it the best way possible.

A Special Heart...

Yes, I understand Valentine's is over and everyone is on sugar overload or hearts overload, however I never get tired of hearts and what they represent.

This is a special heart because one happy day while visiting and shopping with my sister Marie she found this heart and really liked it. We were in our favorite Michaels in the jewelry crafting aisle when we found it. So of course I bought it without her knowing. At the time I had no idea what I would do with it but I knew it would be something for her.

This is not an expensive heart nor is it precious metal or jewels but it is blue and Marie and I both love love love blue. So I kept it on my studio table for inspiration. Nothing was working for me idea wise and then I thought of my yarns I keep in color coordinated bins. Yes, open the bin with the blue yarns in it. Ahah! There was the most perfect mohair yarn in shades of blue with some green. Also a railroad ribbon that was in the most perfect two shades of blue and I immediately knew they would be perfect for the heart. So I got out a crochet hook and took the two blue yarns and got busy. I made a chain and attached it to the heart and finished the back of this with a couple of beads to secure the knot. Now Marie can wear it around her neck and feel the love I put into it for her. Happy Hearts Marie.

Now I am on to the next project. I am using greens. You'll see what I am making in a future post.

What do you like to make for St. Patrick's day as it is quickly approaching?
Do you have a fun variation on Shamrocks?
I would love to see and hear your ideas.

Happy Hearts to all...

Happy Hearts to everyone. May you feel special. May you do something special. This is a day to enjoy being loved.

These are felt hearts I stitched together and filled with lavender. Felt heart with fabric heart yo-yo and a heart button just screams Valentine. The feathers were just for whimsy.

My DH and I went for a walk and I found a small piece of wood shaped like a heart and a pretty white rock shaped like a heart. Now that is in the spirit of the day. I feel very blessed to have my loving husband, daughter, granddaughters, family and friends.

Have a wonderful heart filled day.

Valentine Hearts are in the mail...

These are some fun Valentine Hearts that were in progress when this photo was taken. These are now in the mail on their way to new homes. They had to hurry so as to be enjoyed before Valentine Day is over.

I of course would wear them anytime in the year as I love hearts and glitter and bling. I also wear lots of red or pink during the entire year so that works for me too.

These were extremely simple to make. Unfortunately they took a lot of hours and days to complete. It was fun to see how they came together. There are punched hearts from playing cards, eyelets, rhinestones, glitter, glue, dimensional glaze, beads, charms, fabric beads and ribbons. The time element was waiting for each glue or glaze to dry completely.

Patience is not easy for creative processes at all times. We are also having lots of wet soggy days so no heat or sunshine to help the drying phase. I know I could have used the hair dryer or the heat embosser. Luckily I did begin making these way in advance of my mailing date. Sometimes it is good to plan ahead. LOL

I have some additional ideas for ATC's in the Valentine theme using some, if not all, of these elements. Of course I have not started these and they would need to be dry and ready for giving this Sunday. No mailing of these at this late date. :o)

I also have another idea I will show after I have given them to some friends.

What are you working on for your Valentine's this year?

Happy Hearts to all and keep creating...

Valentine makings...

Hello bloggers. I am completely aware that January is almost coming to an end and next is February with Valentine's Day. So I have gathered a few supplies for Valentine makings.
Felt, ribbon, thread, feathers, pearl cotton, needle, heart shape pattern, Clover heart shape yo-yo maker, fabric and of course scissors.
These supplies are spread all over my table as I decide what I am going to actually make with them. I have a couple of ideas but if you have any ideas I would love to hear what you would make.
I really like working with all of these supplies. I will be hand sewing as opposed to machine sewing. Maybe I will include wonderful lavender buds that I have picked and dried from the lavender plants. I really love the smell of lavender and it has a relaxing and calming effect. Unfortunately my sister is allergic to lavender so none for her. Maybe another scent that she likes. Or...maybe no scent at all. I will figure out just what is right.
I always like the colors of red, pink and white for Valentines. I might surprise the standard colors and use some non-traditional colors such as blue or purple for example. Hmmm...
After I get something made I will post another photo.
Let me know what you would make with these Valentine supplies.

Inspiration for me...

A few postings ago I shared about my obsession with Mary Jane shoes and my unused stamp. Well, here is a 5 x 7 piece of artwork I made as inspiration for myself.

I used my stamp and embossed it with shiny black as in patent leather...one of my favorites.

I painted the canvas with gesso and then Golden Fluid acrylics and used my favorite colors...Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Phthalo Green (Blue Shade) and Ultramarine Blue.

I used Golden Gel medium to adhere the "gold leaf" which is actually a golden colored wrapper from some chocolate I ate...yummy.

Then I embellished the entire canvas with buttons, ribbon, thread and heart shaped rhinestones.

Now my stamped Mary Janes took center focus with some photo corners. I left the stamped piece loose as I could change out the black shoes for another color if I want to.

All in all this is merely an artistic piece I made for myself as inspiration and to remind me of how far I have come on this creative journey I am on. I had fun making it and I am enjoying viewing it each day as I enter my studio where I have it hanging on a wall of lots of fun items.

Please tell me what is your favorite inspiration piece that helps you be creative?

Keep creating...

Comfort Dolls...

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday.

I feel extra good today as I am mailing out some Comfort Dolls to Pat Winter who so generously organizes and distributes these to womens shelters all over the country. Check out her blog: http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com for more information on how you can support this very worthwhile cause.

I merely took a vintage fabric panel and stitched and stuffed these little angels into "comfort dolls". They each have Swarovski sparkle eyes which I like to think shows us all that we can have a "twinkle" in our eyes even when our situation seems the bleakest. And each doll has a heart button to remind us that we all have heart.

I will find comfort just knowing that each recipient will hopefully have a smile and know they are thought about and wished the strength and courage to improve their lives.

Today I shall spend time with some dear friends as we have lunch together and share lots of laughter.

Life is all about the caring and compassion for everyone.

What do you get...

What do you get when you combine fabric, scissors, thread, ribbon, heart buttons, wiggle eyes, soft stuffing, swarovski crystals and lots of love and attention? Well you get the most adorable little companion doggies with a wrist "leash" that can keep you company. I recently made six of them and now have this more than cute litter of pups. Each one in shades of black, cream, white or red.

They are each a mere 4 inches tall and 5 inches wide with a wrist ribbon leash of 11 inches total. Never any barking or unnecessary noise and no cost of food or time spent cleaning up after them. Just lots of fun, companionship and smiles. Each one of the litter has their own personality and style even though they each resemble a scotty dog. I am trying not to name them or get too attached as I am hoping to share them with others through my etsy shop http://createology.etsy.com/ where they will be listed very soon. Please do not judge them by their photos alone as some were very shy and some just are not as photogenic as the others were. Please go and preview each of them in case you have the perfect recipient for such a cute companion doggie.

Many hours went into making each and every one of these adorable doggies. Please note that items are sewn on and could pose a possible hazard if removed and ingested or mishandled in any way.

I am so thrilled at how they each turned out that I will donate 10% of each sale to our local animal shelter in order to help other cuties who are not so fortunate. I will even match the 10% in order to ensure even more help to our furry friends. My fur-child Sasha (aka BooBoo Kitty) highly approves of this decision. She completely appreciates her life of love, care and food and hopes others will have the same for them. Thank you meowy much.

It feels so good to be creating and crafting and have such cute results.