I Love GreenCraft!

The newest issue of Somerset's GreenCraft is amazing. I'm still savoring the pages of the last year's issue. There are so many ideas, I had to "ear mark" almost every page.

I remember reading about painting cereal boxes in the last issue...an idea that my friend Shona used to craft with her children. Shona's article was wonderful! I loved the idea of re-using something that had amazing potential!!

In the new issue, Kathleen McKinnon uses her "Fiber One" boxes for art projects. I tried out her idea using my "Fiber Plus" container and made something fun.

Here is the original box. Yes, I ate all of the Fiber Plus Chocolate Bars...no not all at once. Yikes!
I used Gesso around the box first.

I then painted the box using two of my favorite shades.

I chose vintage wallpaper, an old dictionary page, and one of my favorite pictures of my sweet Aunt Maria.
I used soft medium gel to adhere the papers and a layer to seal it. I punched holes on each side, and threaded soft wire through the holes. I added a little velvet flower and some pearl trim, and...
Here is "before" and "after!"
I'm happy with the outcome! I'll be saving all of my boxes from now on!! Thanks for the ideas GreenCraft, and of course Fiber One!

Great Read!

My talented friend Shona's fabulous book is finally out! The Artistic Mother is a mixed media art book full of incredible projects. She surrounds her art around her family. Shona was so sweet to include a Texas artist round robin swap I hosted. Shona and I don't live too far apart...so I met up with her last weekend to get a first hand look at her finished project. She's carrying her little guy, Max.
Fellow Texas girls Carrie, Sarah, and Cindy participated in the round robin, along with Shona and me.

I am still amazed at all the projects in the book. It's a great read!

Valentines

Hurray...I finally figured out a few things on my sewing machine! Had to have my sweet friend Tanya come over and tighten a few things so it would work smoothly...yay!A few Valentine Tags using my stash of fabric swatches...
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I've been taking the Remains of the Day class that my friend Maija suggested, and it's so much fun! Here is something I made following "most" of the instructions. I made a little detour somehow, and ended up with this book...

I'll try making another this week and follow each step! hehe!

I love her techniques and tips!

I finally got to use my little puggie upholstery scrap I've been hanging on to since ...forever!

Hurray for February!

Will you be my Valentine??

Here is a digi layout I did of my sweet mom as a girl.

Getting a few things together to celebrate the month of pink and red!! This is a group of goodies for my sweet friend Lilia. We're doing a swap!

Hurray for Paper Cowgirl 2010!

Paper Cowgirl is the "Best Little Art Retreat in Texas"

The annual event will take place once again in the quaint town of Waxahachie, Texas, June 24th -26th! I am SO excited!

The Two Cowgirls in charge Cindy and Tina...

We will remember and honor our sweet friend Tina (HUGS)

The Swaps...

The shopping...

The food...

The Classes...

a few of the girls...
Heck Yeah I'm a Paper Cowgirl! I'll be there!!

Learning New Things

During my winter break from school, one of the things I did was organize all of my loose beads and vintage pieces. I wanted to do something with my pearls and velvet beads and got "in the mood!" Here's what I came up with...

I watched some addictive BRAVO TV and made these necklaces. Now I need MORE goodies to play with. So much fun!



Just scanned my fur (faux of course) pieces to use as "digis." I also scanned all of my vintage pattern cover girls...took a while! I love being able to use my goodies again and again! Who could resist a leopard crown and matching tote?
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Since I already had my little "pattern" covergirls out, I decided to make a clipboard for my friend's daughter who is getting married this spring. This time I used a copy of the complete pattern cover. I'm always inspired by the super talented Jane of Jane's Apron. In Artful Blogging a few issues back, she showed a darling clipboard with a pattern cover. I thought this wedding pattern was perfect for mine. The flower and pearls are from my vintage stash. Thanks Jane!

A Great Friend and Artist

This is my sweet and very talented friend, Tina (Glue on my fingers, Paint in my hair). She helped create the fabulous Paper Cowgirl, an amazing retreat here in Texas each summer. She and I emailed back and forth many times and spoke on the phone before I finally got to meet her in person at Paper Cowgirl. She even asked me to teach a class there last year. I was so honored.

My friend Tina passed away early this morning. Tina was a wife, mother and young grandmother. She had a huge zest for life.
Tina had many talents. She was a soldering queen, (she taught me!), collage artist, faux finishing expert, and so much more. She made me laugh through our emails and in person. What a free-spirited happy girl. I have been lucky and blessed to have had Tina in my life.

Paper Cowgirl friends Cindy, Tina, and me...June '09.
Lisa and I had a wonderful time collecting artwork from around the country early this fall, and putting together this amazing book of friendship for Tina. SO many of her dear friends contributed.



We titled the book "The Power of Friendship." You can see the little banner at the right of my blog. The book turned out to be a huge support for Tina. She absolutely loved it and cherished it.
Tina will always be an inspiration to me.
Thank you for being my friend Tina...I will miss you.