Digital Somerset Studio!

I am so excited to have two art pieces featured in the premier issue of Digital Somerset Studio! The magazine is amazing, showing all the newest digi techniques. My friend Layla of Dollface Design has artwork in it too! We had fun going back and forth figuring out which Barnes and Noble or Joann's carried this issue. I finally found mine at B&N... bought one online too, just in case...

I Have Talented Friends!

This was my first time hosting a swap and it was so much fun! We swapped soldered charms, and each one I received was just incredible. Each charm is so unique and beautiful. I am honored to be in a group with such talented girls!! Thank you SO much!!

Here are the incredible artists starting at the left: Birdie-Layla, Smitten-Tina, "M"- Dede, "Live Your Poem"-Dale, Second Row: "Vintage Lady with Heart"-Britt, "Heart in Circle"- Carol, "Heart with Wings"-Teresa

Each was packaged so beautifully. I feel like a queen with my assortment of goodies. I just want to stare at them all day! I've already worn each one on a strand of pearls or ribbon.
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Also got this darling bracelet recently from my friend Britt. What a fun piece to have! Thank you so much!!
My Texas friend Tina knows how much I adore cowgirls...she sent me this fun charm! You are too sweet!
My other Texas art buddy, Dale sent me this scalloped "Dreamy," on one side and "Wish Upon a Star," on the other. How cute!!

So, am I spoiled with all these goodies???? YES!

Springtime on Mars

Hurray! I am officially a "Cover Artist!" I created the cover for Susan Woodring's newest book of exciting short stories called Springtime on Mars. The book can be pre-ordered and will be out in May. The publisher, author, and editor were so wonderful to work with. I learned so much! The publishing company, Press 53, describes the book...


"Ranging from the 1950’s to present time, the stories of Springtime on Mars feature characters who grapple with the human extremes of despair and hope, holding faith in both God and science, and in the love and courage of those around them."


I used a photo of the author's mother, and put her "on Mars." I used a combination of different red glitter, and lots of fun brushes to create the look. I used "Drop Shadows" on my photoshop to make her "pop" on the page. It was so much fun to do! I can't wait to see it on the shelves this spring...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!! I made this for my mom for Valentine's...hope she'll like it! Mom and Dad have been married for 44 years now and I just love this photo from the 1960's. Love you both!!!!!

Wishing everyone a happy day of love and laughter!!

Little Bits and Pieces

I love collecting antiques and have them all over my house. Some of my goodies were given to me by my family. My parents gave me my "Victor Talking Machine" Victrola and Peter Pan antique radio. My silver set has been in my family for years. Other things I have collected from local antique malls and little towns with antique shops. One of my favorite places to go is Old Town Spring in Spring, Texas. You can find vintage furniture, kitchen accessories, nicknacks, and unique clothing. It is actually one of the oldest towns in Texas. All of the shops are in old homes and even an old school house. I can spend the day browsing, buying and eating in the wonderful tea rooms. If you are ever near the Houston area...make a special trip out to Spring!

Soldering Swap

I am so lucky to be involved in a fabulous soldering swap this month with some very talented Flickr friends. We soldered 7 charms and are sending one to each participant. I can't wait to get mine in the mail! Here are the soldered charms I made for my friends Carol, Tina, Layla, Dede, Teresa, Britt, and Dale!! I decided to use beveled glass this time and I used all vintage photos. I played with the photos on my photoshop first. I tied each charm with a vintage ribbon that I found when I was at the International Quilt Festival. Thanks to contributors of the flickr group "Collage Images" for several of the vintage images. Swaps are so much fun!

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OOH...another fabulous book is out....Altered Art Projects by Jill Haglund, and I really love it! There are so many great projects and ideas in it...all in an altered vintage shabby style.

I enjoyed seeing work from my friend Deb Trotter in it! ,"Ride that Art Pub Pony!"

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!