Valentine's Day...Around the Corner!

New Blog Banner!! I created it using some of my favorite digi collections by Texas digital desinger, Christina Renee!
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I used some photoshop goodies to make this fun invitation for a Valentine's Chocolate "Tornado" Party. I am hosting a chocolate tasting for my fellow Kindergarten teachers at my school.

Thanks to sassyarts on flickr for this fun image!
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I am still drooling over each and every page of the newest Somerset Life Magazine. It is just incredible. I knew I knew I had to make 6 centerpieces for an event this weekend, so I immediately "borrowed" the most unique idea from Jenny Doh! She has an article in Somerset Studio called "The Magic of Crepe Paper." I kept on looking at it and hoping I could come up with centerpieces using her idea. I did! Here are three of my six "potted flowers." Like Jenny, I used pink crepe paper ovals and twisted them on to my "naked" branches. I used regular terracotta flower pots and painted them brown and gold. I pushed floral foam into the pots and shoved my branches in. I think I'll use them again when I host my "Valentine's" evening for my art group. I think I can keep them for a while until the branches fall apart. Jenny Doh said her original idea came from a high school coach who decorated the gym for dances! What an inspiration! Thank you Jenny!

I'll just keep using them until the branches disintegrate!

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Something fun to find....Somerset Blogging! WOW! What a gathering of artists! Once again, I can't put this Somerset down! Check out pages 90-93 for my good friend Lori Oles' blog. It is amazing!

One Dollar Goes a Long Way!

I found all of these darling card sets at Michael's last weekend for $1 a package (10) Here, I did a little "embellishing" to make the cards cuter.

Just a simple little glittered crown and eye add so much to these cute cards! All from Michael's!

Go and grab a few packages the next time you are there!

Photoshop Crazy!!

I could spend hours on end playing with all the brushes and techniques on Photoshop. Here are some photos I found in the flickr collage images site, thanks to Debra K and Aleeka Salaam. I bleached out the photos using a white layer on top of the photo and using tons of distressed brushes with my eraser tool and paint brush. You can find many great brushes on line, or try out some of the unique photoshop brushes that came with your photoshop. I really never noticed all the great ones right there in front of me! I made sure my opacity was low. Here is one I "distressed" using a Rhonna Farrer crown.
Experiment with Photoshop and have fun!

Fun Times!

"Somerset Life" is a MUST BUY!! This special issue of Somerset is just amazing. I can't stop reading it! I have made a few things in it already including some fun paper hats inspired by Sandra Evertson. She is so amazing!

Here are my two nieces modeling their hats we created this weekend. We made two of the "Sunday Hats." I am now ready to make one for me! In the same issue, my friend Lori shows how to make rolls of vintage wallpaper into gorgeous gift packages with flowers, buttons...ooh la la!
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Went "beginning of the year" clearance shopping this week and found some great things! Got this Singer Sewing table for practically nothing...perfect for a small TV in my study!

Also found this wonderful "vintage inspired" computer desk! I wanted something that looked vintage, but of course a computer desk can't be too old!

It fits perfectly in the study too! What a great time to find bargins!

One more goodie...this fun tall piece fit nicely in the corner of my den. It is the new home for one of my vintage radios!

Winter Break!!

Gotta love that school vacation...especially ME, since I get that time off too! We've had a wonderful winter break with friends and family. I've also had the time to organize closets and drawers. What a great feeling! The more junk I get rid of...the more room I have for new stuff!

I've been experimenting with beveled glass, since it is so much easier to get than regular glass. I can't wait until Ranger gets their Memory Glass in the stores again! I started stringing my soldered charms on beads from Michaels. I liked the way the small silver beads looked. I found all of the vintage buttons at the Quilt Festival in Houston. I never miss that show!

The images of the cowgirls to the right and cowgirl to the left were given to me by flickr friend Liz (Muffet). I just love the girls all dressedl up ready for the rodeo! Thanks again Liz!

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Another art friend, Tina (Paper Mojo) sent me this darling collage for my art studio. I was the winner on her blog! She is such a sweetie! Thank you thank you!

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Look at these cuties....they are my second cousins and I made this for their grandmother (my aunt) for her birthday this weekend.

Have a fun winter break!

I'm Inspired!

I finally made a December Teresa McFayden calendar! As she says... "Except no substitutes!" I fell in love with hers and used her wonderful instructions to create one of my own! Thanks so much Teresa for the great tips!! I used magnets on everything, so I can interchange the months and days for year round fun!Check out her site and make one for yourself!! I even used the blue that she used because it was perfect for wintertime!
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I just got these beauties in the mail this week. Check out Anthropologie and Junk Gypsy...total inspiration for me!! Both so different, but both so much fun! And hey...hurray for a model without stick straight hair!

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My friend Deb Trotter has a new blog you MUST check out! She has a few cute photos free for creating. I used the one with the little farmer boy. He's so cute! Thanks Deb!

...and I bought this photo from ebay and had a fun playing with it! Gotta love these rodeo stars! Have a creative weekend!! :)mendy

Sweet Treats!

It's time for Jessi's Cookie Swap!!! Thanks for letting me participate!! Don't forget to check out her blog for more fab cookie recipes!!

Here is my recipe....

Mama's Sand Tarts

1/2 c. confectioners sugar

1 c. soft margarine

2 c. all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 c. chopped nuts

Large ziploc baggie

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter and gradually add sugar until fluffy. Add other ingredients. Chill at least 15 minutes and then make small balls of mixture and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool and then roll balls into a ziploc baggie of confectioners sugar. Make a few recipes and freeze for up to 6 months!!

AND...speaking of sweet treats...take a look at these beauties I just recieved from a good friend today! Needless to say, they were gone in about 15 minutes. I only ate 4!!

Have a sweet day!