Silver Bella Heaven!

I had so much fun at Silver Bella. It seems like a dream...ended too quickly! It took me a while to get all of my thoughts and photos together. I wish I would have taken so many more pictures!

I collected MOO/Business cards from all over the country.

The fun A-Z Swap...I had a class with the very talented jewelry artist Kaari Meng. I made a beautiful bracelet that turned into a necklace when I finished.

Here's sweet Jessi and me! She took me under her "wing" as a newbie to Silver Bella! She's such a party girl...and tons of fun!I was in a really fun swap that Jessi hosted that included all of these talented girlies... Shopping during Vendor Night was like a dream. Here is some of my loot!That night I was able to meet the incredible Lisa. She's such a talented artist, and a doll! I bought some cupcake holders from her. I forgot to bring her book to sign...darn!
My roomies Jessie, Maija, Kim, and Joy were the BEST! Here are some of the goodies they gave me.

Another class I took was from Charlotte. I have all of her books. She has so many great craft ideas. We made darling winter hats out of felted sweaters. I know it hardly gets cold down here...but the one month it does, I'll be wearin' my cute hat!Here's my fun roomie Joy and me...wearing our creations! We worked on projects on the floor one night and she gave me so much inspiration! Love that Joy!!
Here are my two wool hats. Ok, so it's in the 70's today...they still look cute!

I took not one, but two classes with Ms Rebecca S. I hope she didn't think I was stalking her. I've admired Rebecca for YEARS!! Her style of scrapbooking took me to another world. I love her shabby and romantic creations. I can't believe I finally got to meet her! YEAH!!
Here's my good friend Lori and me! I've "known" Lori for so long, and finally got to "meet" her in person! Lori is SO talented and fun. We have a lot in common and I feel like I've known her forever!! Wish we had more time!!
Lori made me this lovely canvas hanger...I just love it!!
Look! It's the very talented Hope and Lori working at our table in Rebecca's class! I met my fellow Texas Bella Joanna at the Paper Cowgirl event last summer. She's so much fun! I'm so glad she lives close by. Can't wait to see her at PC again!Speaking of Texas Girls...here's Rita! The Texas Bellas had a big Mum Swap and Rita made mine! It turned out just gorgeous!! Thank you Rita!
Maija from CA and I hit it off right away. She was another roomie of mine! Maija kept me laughing all weekend. We wore our hats in the room...we loved them!! So glad to get to know this girl. Joanna and Maija... The main speaker at the Bella Luncheon was the amazing Jo Packham of Where Women Create, an incredible publication. She made me so proud to be a creative woman, doing what I love. What an inspirational lady!
Pam G. has been another artist I've admired for a while. I love her style!
Here's my other sweet CA roomie, Kim. Her smile is contageous!! I had so much fun with her. She had such beautiful things at vendor night. I finally got one of her craft bags!! I loved her vendor night booth.
My last class was with the famous Teresa M! Silver Bella is her "baby" and I was so happy to be able to attend this year!

I met so many fabulous ladies. I wish I could have taken photos of them all! I can't believe I don't have one of my new Texas fun friend Jana. We had a blast taking several classes together. She's an amazing photographer.

Danielle M. of the Vintage Dragonfly is another one I loved getting to know. We talked about old purchases and new ones...it was great!

I laughed and had a great time with Meleen from NY and her crafty teen daughter. They both got a kick out our Texas Homecoming Mum tradition. I think Meleen and family will start a Texas Mum trend in NY!

I met Amy , another super artsy girl, late one night after a party. We talked and laughed while doing a little crafting.

I loved visiting with these ladies during our after shopping "down time." Sure wish I had pics!

There so many more I met...loved them all!

Thanks Y'all!

Silver Bella Here I Come!

I'm off to Silver Bella!! HURRAY HURRAY!!

I found a great song to get me in the mood for lots of baubles and glitter....turn your volume up!!

Here are a few more things I've created for my sweet friends.

I'm going to wait to see if THIS girlie notices these darling girls all ready soldered and ready to wear... SURPRISE!!

This was a REALLY fun project. I had all of my roomies send me their little girl pictures. As soon as I got one I dressed her up in my own digi style. Here are the cuties!!!
I hope to put a smile on their faces! Look at these darling girlies...Maija, Kim, Jessi, and Joy!! Thank you for letting me room with you!!

I've been stuffing my case with Silver Bella essentials. I hope I have everything!

I've Been in my Art Studio this week!

I've created a wrist corsage for a fundraising auction honoring my good friend Tina.
Lots of glitter and pearls, on a pearl bracelet. It would be a great touch for any holiday party!Speaking of my friend Tina....take a peek at a very special book we've put together for her here... The very talented Lisa and I organized the book, and it turned out just beautiful. There were over 25 of Tina's friends who participated. Each talented artist created a page of encouragement and love. The theme of the book was "The Power of Friendship."

It was an honor for me to do the cover of the book. Look at the thickness of this creation!
Thank you Lisa, for actually putting the book together! I made a new friend!!
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Just a few more floral corsages I've been working on before Silver Bella...
It's fun to put a corsage on a colorful apron!
Some little goodies for a few little sweeties...
Here's another peek at "part" of the mum for my TEXAS Bella exchange.I can't believe Silver Bella is in three weeks!! I am getting both excited and a little nervous! Here's my art case...ready to pack!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Welcome to my Blog Halloween Celebration...a continuation of festivities originated my friend Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist!
My theme this year is Glamour Witch!

Who says witches are scary?? How about a few "mod" witches?

Here are a few digital creations of mine...

Now for the most celebrated glamorous witch of them all...

Samantha Stephens.

Click here to play a Bewtiched Paper Doll Game!! Have fun!

Here are a few party gifts...
Thank you for coming over!

Happy Halloween!

More Flowers!! Wrist Corsages

I've made Homecoming Mums before, but never attempted a wrist corsage until this weekend. I started playing around with my collection of vintage flowers and made this fun corsage...for myself of course!
I fell in love with these beautiful pearl corsage bracelets. I used REAL flowers in the wrist corsage for for my son's homecoming dance date...
Supplies I needed: fresh flowers, floral wire, floral tape, silver wire ribbon, and fresh flower "glue."
Here are three practice corsages...
Here's my final corsage...on me. ...and here it is on Max's sweet Date. She loved it!

Texas High School MEGA Mums!

It's THAT time again!! Texas High School Homecoming!

My youngest son is a sophomore, and this weekend we went shopping for mum materials. His date loves cats, so I planned a "cat theme" using the traditional red and green colors of the high school.

Here is our homecoming "loot!" We got everything from Michaels, Toys R Us, and the Dollar Store. I bought the silk flower, lots of trims in the school colors, extras like a feather boa, glittery strands, sticker letters, the featured toy (my son picked out) for the middle of the flower, and of course the kitty accessories. I used my hot glue gun and a lot of glue sticks. I ended up using 12 glue sticks for this mum.
Craft stores sell white circles to use as backing, but I find them very flimsy. I make my own foam board circles. They don't have to be "perfect." They will be covered. So here is where I started. I covered one of the white circles with green felt and glued part of the feather boa and some glittery gold trim around the edges.

I usually buy a large mum, mainly so it can show off the "toy" in the middle. When I make senior mums, I use three smaller flowers.

I used spray glitter all over the flower and then glued it to the covered circle.

Each mum has some kind of toy in it...usually a stuffed animal. Traditionally, HC mums had a teddy bear, but we like to be different. I like to really focus on what the girls enjoys.
The toy of choice this year....Hello Kitty!

The next step is the flip the kitty around and start hot glueing all of the ribbons. It's important to remember that what you glue on first will show up on the FRONT of the creation. I glued the small ribbons and trims first. I used a lot of thin ribbons, so that I can attach toys on to them later. I then added the red boa, and the plaid ribbons. The last layer was the thick gold mesh and crushed gold ribbon.

I then flipped the corsage over and started with my stickers. I put both names on the front.

Next I used small pieces of thin ribbon to tie the bells and school signs on to the thicker ribbons. I made knots. My mums are heavy and loud!
Now for the FUN STUFF! We bought all of the "kitty toys" at the dollar store. I used my glue gun to glue everything on the ribbons.
The key to a good mum is...the tackier the better!
I will add candy later.
Now to finish my mum...

I flipped the mum over and added a thin pretty ribbon at the top. The ribbon has two open ends. This will be the "necklace" for the mum. Yes...the girl wears it around her neck!
I covered the neck ribbon with my second white circle. I covered the circle with some coordinating scrapbook paper and added a little note.

Here is the final product! It will be worn around the neck homecoming day. Later, the girls like to hang it in their room.
The mum is about 4 1/2 feet long.

I hope she will like it!Here is another one I made....using Tinker Bell as the center piece. It's a senior mum...all white and gold.

The Power of Friendship

My sweet fellow Texas art friend Tina is going through a hard time right now. If you don't know Tina (Glue On My Fingers), she's a very talented cute-as-pie girlie. She solders, faux finishes, and is an expert at all mixed media art. She and my friend Cindy are the co-founders of the one and only Paper Cowgirl event in Waxahachie. If you do know Tina, please visit the Paper Cowgirl Blog for information on an inspirational art book being made for her. The power of friendship goes a long way!

Big Hugs to Tina!