The VERY FIRST SWAP created

Good morning everyone,

It is so exciting to be able to write to you to talk about the very first time doing  a swap here in my home. 

It was fun all month listening to the scuttlebutt about swapping. Ideas flitted and floated through the air. The girls that I thought would step right up surprised me, and the ones who wern't in the immediate picture came through. We had vintage with original ephemera glued on carefully and of course floral for a few.

Can you see the floral peeking through the back ground??? Also entered was a spring colored one and one done in watercolors she said??????? So ingenious!!!!!

They used ribbon, tags, pictures from magazines,tape,cutouts and vintage misc.

These girls were so ingenious in their design. A few are missing because they went home with the girls before I got to take the pictures. Thank you all for making IT happen !!!!!!!! We will do a different one in 2 months so stay tuned for new and exciting things to come. 

Only a month away is the unveiling of the NEW Catty so go through and make sure there is not something you can't live without. Also stock up on your favorite cardstock colors and don't forget your ink refills for those thirsty ink pads. They will be discontinuing some of the older colors and new TRENDYcolors will come in in JUNE.

If you need anything just call?

Thank you all for the EXTRA fun  this month.

Donna

The making of more altered art

Well hello again,

I so wanted to share with you all today some fun I have been having. Below is a page in my ART JOURNAL I have completed. Since I love the color orange I chose to do this page in it. The sweet child like figure is done in gelatos which I then wetted with water making them watercolor like. The look I was going for was childlike and innocent and was done on regular cardstock. Dylushion sprays were used on the back ground to create the soft effect. These sprays are all water soluable so if they get wet again they move and reactivate. This is the reason I cut the girl out and used matt medium to adhere her on the page. Next I drew the heart, and colored in many shades of crimson, burnt orange, orange and reds, being very careful not to lift the underspray. Then I used a pen to stitch all the pieces of my life together. Love it!!!!! Do you?

Well now onto the mess we create when we make altered mail. One must get out the washi tape, glue,envelopes, pages from a book, pictures, downloads,stickers and whateve else you can get your hands on. Below is how clutters it can get but fun.

This month we are doing swaps so I cant wait to show you those on the next post.

This last one was one I saw on the web but had to share for Easter. Look closely as it is hand painted 

and machine stitched around the outside. So precious!!!!  See you soon and Happy Easter!!

Black and white Occasion card

There is something so special about simple black and white creations , whether it be bedrooms or luggage, or a dress but it's simplicity is rewarding. So a month ago I wanted to address this combo.

I struggled with an idea totally SU and it just would't come to me. So this is the card we created using 

Su designer paper in the black and whites.

 The flower was created using the PUNCH BLOSSOM punch #605203 cutting 3 layers of different prints. Using a spray bottle to wet the cut petals,scrunch them in your hand and put a hole in the centers for the upcoming brad. Let them dry while  you put your card together. Leave the birdcage until last. This was a 5x7 card this time. I believe the picture will give you the combo easily combining dots and stripes along with prints, all coordinating easily. The inside birdcage was a simple stamp I had picked up some time ago which was appropriate.

Now the delightful glittered birdcage happens to be a TIM HOLTZ die ,one which has the little bird in it as well.

I then cut the birdcage from a black glitter cardstock. And the bird from plain black cardstock so the cage would be  the focal point. Last I cut a small white banner using WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL DAY so it would  be more general. Gently tucking it in the cage side made it more whimsical. So remember do not glue all of the spines down or you cannot slide it into place. 

So time for the flower now. I used a SU antique brad which comes in different shapes all in one round box, and inserted it through all the flower layers. I then used glue dots to adhere because of its small size. Then you are able to scrunch the petals  around until it suits you.

This card would be beautiful foe a wedding or get well or birthday. 

So enjoy this posting and let me know if you love it.

Have a wonderful day.

WATERCOLOR IS SO TRENDY RIGHT NOW.

Did you know WATERCOLOR is SOOOOOO in right now. You will find it in sheets, decor , clothes and art. Stampin Up is right on  track with Watercolor Wonder on page 23 in the mini. The pics don't do it  justice so here are closeups for you to see how gorgeous the DSP is. April workshop will showcase a card  using the beautiful prints.

They are light and airy working gleefully in our next spring cards. Here are a few more.

There is a matching stamp set on page 22 in the mini and is called HAPPY WATERCOLOR which is a perfect coordinate.

In April we will showcase the paper and the stamp set so if you love it put it on your WISH list.

A few sunny days finally has helped to think in terms of fresh color. Hope you can come on the 14th or the 16 th to be inspired.

Sunny days ahead

Donna

Filling up family time

Hi everyone,
Spring has arrived and with robins everywhere, new life is springing up. So last week my girls were antsy to do something FUN. Since. I am chairman of FUN, I decided to offer them a papercraft.

We do tend to make a mess and spread way out but in the end we are SOOOO blessed by our creations. So let me show you how much fun we had making MORE ALTERED ART. I truly hope a lot of you girls will be in the SPRING swap in April.

Ok here is our mess first and then the ones who made it! Ha ha

Some of our art was sent to Maryland now to uplift spirits and for myself another anniversary for my kids so another Chinese GC inside a handmade ART ENVELOPE. Also gave a package to a friend to uplift someone else's spirits which she delighted in. Hope you enjoy our fun with us and learn to use your scrapbook paper in different ways. Chloe has discovered WASHI TAPE and its merits.

This a great way to use those odd papers which just dont fit any particular thing you are working on.

Sorry the top picture went it wasnt supposed to go but in your mind in goes with the one above. Darn I  pad.

That is all for today but I will have another post soon with the class we just finished DOING OUR easter card and a gorgeous black and white combo one. 

Spring Blessings

Altered Envelope Madness

Good day everyone,

There has been a good bit of interest from the last posting of Altered Envelopes. We really need something totally different did't we??? I will be including more envelope fun from time to time.

So  I have decided to do a swap for my classes and anyone else who wants in. For April to break into spring , you may submit to me an altered envelope which would go into the mail. Use a business sized long envelope. Cover with scrap book paper, or paint the envelope. Make sure you allow some space for a return address, and a place to address it to. The person who receives it may actually send it out!!!!

Ideas are, painting, doodling, mismatching the front and back , mismatching the flap,adding embelishments which would go thru the post. Could use stamps, stickers, drawing, washi tape, and so on. 

You could stamp all over the envelope , but truly it is a great way to use up those odd papers you have that just dont fit a card or scrapbook page.Also a great way to rid your drawers of those last embellishments as well so you can go forward. You do NOT have to attend classes to do this swap ,just make sure I receive the envelopes in a timely fashion.

These are anniversary front and back my girls made. Now check out the ALICE one for my fun cousin who collects Alice in Wonderland.

How could you not love these?? Swaps must be to me by April 16 a wed so when the 2 classes are in I can swap with wed nite group. There is no fee, just BE FUN ,and consider doing your best work.

If you need more instruction to make them just call me at 814-479-7610 or 814-266-3566 and I will walk you thru. You may submit more than one and will recieve one for one which will hive you tons of ideas. I will post or email all the entries. If we are successful in this swap we could do a differnt swap every few month. 

Happy creating girls!!!

Spring feeling Donna

UNIQUE ANNIVERSARY PRESENT

It is finally getting to the first stages of spring here in Pa. It has inspired me to create more art in these sunny days.
My daughter and son in law have an anniversary this week , so since I  am feeling so creative instead of a tradition card,  I used the concept of the ALTERED ENVELOPE . They so LOVE chinese so I not only picked  up their gift certificate , but decided to add the chopsticks. The business sized envelope helped me to add them so easily along with the gift.
I hope they enjoy how unique this was!! Here is the picture of their gift!,

Isn' this the cutest idea. I will deliver later today. I even used pussy willows for spring on the back cover.

When my grandaughter came to see me last week and saw the art all done , she said please send me MAIL ART. So of course, since I love her ----- and they are addictive, I put this one in the mail yesterday. The concept was changed slightly by using a much larger wedding style envelope. She loves pinks and purples so. I made sure to use her favorite colors in my inspiration. 

For those of you who want to create this  MAIL ART, use those unusual sheets of scrapbook paper that stay in your pads, and try WASHI TAPE, along with magazine pictures, ephemera, and those colored and printed scraps of paper you have saved. If you lay them all out in front of you, the choices will start to gather themselves together , in color, style or theme. Try it and let me know what you are creating. I would love to see those ideas.

Do you like this more general art better? Leave me a comment in the comment box and tell which you like better.

Have to go and get ready for my classes this week so enjoy the spring day!

Sunny thoughts 

Donna