Thursday, December 31, 2009

Seven Swans a Swimming and some Holiday Cheer for you

This is an outstanding bit of art by Sarah Huckman a.k.a. Gypsy Mermaid. There is so much to take in... the hand drawn swan, glittery stars, feathers and fibers. Down on the bottom corner she dangled a winged charm, it looks like it may be shrink art. Just lovely.

So what are your big plans for New Years Eve??? Bob and I have made a habit of staying in but this year we accepted an invitation for the family to attend a party. The kids will have friends to play with and so will we. I'm sure it will be good food, good drink and good times.

Here are a couple images for you, these ladies look like they are ready to have a good time too.


Angie

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Day 6 and Holiday Trains

For the sixth day of Christmas I made this ATC. The goose is a packing tape transfer and the egg is tucked safely away in seam binding. The background for this card from an a FAB Friday freebie on Gail's blog Shabby Cottage Studio accented with Perfect Pearls.

We were invited to join our friends to see the Duke Energy train display in downtown Cincinnati. Mr. Robert had a shy moment and decided not to pose for this picture.
This holiday train display has been going for 37 years! The tried and true elements are still here...
...but this really got my attention. I love green energy and that they found a way to bring it into the display.
These huge displays sit atop the train table, I always remember them being here and I hope they always return.
The kids have been invited to see a movie with classmates so I have to fly away again.

Angie

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Five golden rings and some bling for me.

I cannot express how much I love this card. It was made by Jane Palmer and she really created a beautiful piece. The hand cut edges, five little gold rings with pearls, and a pressed gold foil tree... I wonder if it's German Dresen, it does look like it would be.
I completely forgot to share this package that came from Australia a few weeks ago. It was purchased from Penny's Etsy shop, Sparrow Salvage, when she had a moving sale. Her work is pieced from vintage and found items. You should check out her blog too.
I am so pleased to own a piece of her work, it's a shame the photo I took doesn't do it justice.
Angie

Monday, December 28, 2009

Four Calling Birds and a vintage image

I just love this ATC with it's hand drawn artwork from Tammy Sprinkle- a gold tree, four calling birds and glitter...have I mentioned how much I love glitter???
I have little to post today because I am pretty darn tired...it is time to work a seasonal changeover again. Down comes Christmas and up goes Valentines Day. I wouldn't mind so much except the customers in the stores I service can't help but comment on how we are just rushing from holiday to the next. I do agree, but since Christmas has been up since just after Halloween I am glad to see something new.

I know it's early, but since I have Valentines on the brain...here is a vintage postcard image for you.
Angie

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Three French Hens & quick Christmas pics


On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French hens...thank you Hope for this sweet card.

I wanted to share a few pictures from Christmas Day...Miss Maria asked Santa for "real gems". We were puzzled so we inquired more...Maria reminded me the we saw a program on the travel channel about going treasure hunting and sifting for sapphires in the mountains of NC. Wow the things she remembers..I'm so glad Santa thought of this gift!

Mr. Robert didn't give Santa a list this year, he said Santa just knows he likes to build.


In the evening we go to my moms for dinner and more gifts ..whew...


Before the evening ends we take a family picture in front of the fireplace. The long standing tradition is to do the funny picture first, as you can see it is a lot of people to coordinate, some are ready and some are not but it is still very funny.
Angie


Friday, December 25, 2009

Two turtledoves and a great read for you crafty folks

Just look at this delightful ATC Sophia from Blue Chair Diary made, so bright and cheery. Two very loving turtle doves for sure.

I wanted to share this book given to me from Bob and the kids. I gave this poor husband of mine the unwanted task of finding a Christmas gift for me that I didn't pick out for myself. I know I made him feel guilty when I stated I would just love one gift that I didn't know was coming. Well he came through with flying colors when he picked out this book...Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton.

It is chock full of beautiful jewelry but between the pages Cynthia narrates a wonderful story of creating each piece on commission for a host of folk lore nymphs , fairies, and woodland creatures.

This by far is my most favorite of the 20 pieces .


The beginning of the book is full of techniques for polymer clay, precious metal clays, resin and other mediums. I will have to experiment and show you how it comes out.

Angie

The first day of Christmas

This is the first ATC from our 12 Days of Christmas Swap. It was done by Leslie a.k.a.Junkgirl, she has a beautiful blog to accompany this delightful artist trading card.


Christmas Day was a whirlwind, I need a few more days to soak it all in. Soon I will have to show the thoughtful gifts I received from the family, I just love that they encourage my art.

Angie

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Blessings to You

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray;
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heavenly Father, this blessed angel came.
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name;
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas at Grandma's

A big thank you to Carla at Cosmogirls Emporium for suggesting today's post:

This is a coming home to Kentucky for Christmas memory-from a child's point of view.

When I was a little kid our family lived far away from our Grandma Rechtin, when we would return home for Christmas every other year we got to stay in her one bedroom house. It is hard to believe that as our family grew to seven members that we could still stay there for a week...she must have been infinitely patient. Upon our arrival we would run into the solarium (our bedroom for the next week) and find all the cookies grandma had been baking weeks before...pinwheels, nut balls merri josies, chocolate chippers. Most were stored in wonderful square glass jars so we were able to drool over them but not on them.

Then there were all the homemade candies- mint thins, haystacks, opera creams, and peanut butter cups.
We would move all those goodies into the dining room and set up the bed; fill the drawers with our clothes and crash. Until Christmas we would busy ourselves in her basement with all the 'old' toys and games that were new to us. Then there was the huge container of Legos, oh the hours of entertainment that provided. My sisters and I would create cities of sorts on the unplayed ping pong table, all around Grandmas unfinished wrapping, boxes and bows.

On Christmas morning there was breakfast, not just any breakfast but a full blown pastry delight.

All photos from Flickr
In the early years it included a hot breakfast but as the family grew it became more and more about pastries. Grandma would begin her baking in October and would freeze everything she made. There were tea rings and coffee cakes galore. As we set up the tables from the dining room into the living room and covered it with vintage holiday tablecloths it must have looked alot like the Who's in Whoville gathering around for a feast.

As grandma aged the recipes would change a little, every year or so she would be unhappy with the way something came out, I always tried to assure her that the ingredients themselves probably weren't the same and therefore tasted different. She would occasionally try a new recipe but she realized we were traditionalists and really just wanted the tried and true. Grandma left us a few years ago and the tradition went with her, there is still some talk of reviving it but no one has taken it on. I still have hope that it could return for my children to enjoy.

If you have a Christmas tradition you would like to share to you can link it up to Carla's blog too, just go here.

Angie

Monday, December 21, 2009

Thrifty finds and music sheets to share

With my necessary shopping just about wrapped up and tomorrow being the the last day before Christmas break for the kiddos I was hoping to check out the thrift stores for goodies.

I was stunned to find a bag angel hair spun glass! I don't know the reason but I can't find this new anywhere, I have looked for years. Add to that a couple of older glass ornaments...the color is just starting to age & craze. Finally some fascinating old Christmas cards with copper pressed inserts. I overhead someone say all Christmas items were 75% off, my total today 80 cents!

Last week I stopped in at at St. Teresa Textile shop in Ohio, they have the most eclectic fabrics, beads and notions. I picked up some furnace glass and these heart shaped sterling silver findings. I have no idea what I'll use them for yet, but I couldn't leave without them.

Last but not least today I found a tattered ornament that looked like rolled sheet music hot glued together. When I opened them up I was surprised to see that they were actually the whole music sheet in miniature. The glue caused a bit of damage as I unrolled them but I still find them charming. Feel free to save these images if you think you can use them too.


I did get to try out the 8 point star template, it doesn't provide as much depth as the five point star but it's still pretty with glitter added.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Dress form project and images for you

The inspiration for this project came from an article in Somerset Weddings on making dress forms as party favors. (why yes it is a little crooked, hope to fix that later)

I had the body left over from my art doll project, added polymer clay to fill out the shape.
After baking I painted it over, then added a skewer and inserted that into a thread spool base. It is still progressing along... I need to clothe her but I find that commitment difficult.
I picked up some old thread spools at a garage sale but the labels were missing I searched online and found scanned images of vintage thread spools. A bit of 'photo shopping' and I had a few labels to print, cut and add to my project.
Please feel free to use these in your projects too:


Angie

Friday, December 18, 2009

A little peek at Christmas

I have been working like mad to get all the packages ready that need to be mailed out for Christmas. Success...they all are on their way as of today, and let me tell you it was harder than I thought it would be. First I had to find the Christmas wrap and tags, plus tape and scissors...oh my. Follow that with having to find a few feet of space to work in, I finally gave in and sat on the floor. Then I realized I hadn't finished my Christmas cards, I wanted to include one with each package so that got done too!
Now I can give you a peek at some of what I made, it's safe since neither of these friends blog.

A pearl & silver bracelet for my 'bestest' friend in New Jersey. Add the gifts for the kids, a few cans of Cincinnati style chili and that box was done.


A new photo pendant for my friend in Indiana, such cute kiddos she has. The little gal in the bottom left is my godchild, I had a special toy for her too.



Look!!! My 12 days of Christmas ATC's are back from the swap. My plan is to do the actual 12 days, I will show a card a day starting December 26th.

I have an angel and a shepherd in the school play tonight...so exciting.

Angie

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Eight point star template

I wanted to share this 8 point star template that I came across in a Christmas Idea Book. Just click on the image to save it in it's full size, then resize it for whatever project your working on.

It would be used the same way as the 5 point directions (here). Basic directions are to trace and cut out onto heavy card stock then fold to the points and shape.

I would love to try this as an altered star if time allows, but these would also be beautiful when simply glittered.

Angie



Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Nine...really?


Happy Birthday buddy!
Since the birthday party will have to wait until the weekend we decided to let Robert have his choice of dessert. He picked the local favorite UDF for some ice cream goodness.

Robert: Can I have 2 scoops in a cone?
Mom: Yes because it's your birthday.
Robert: Can I have it in a chocolate dipped cone?
Mom: Umm, no I think that's a bit much.
Robert: OK I'll have 2 dips of mint chocolate chip in a sugar cone.
Mom: Wow buddy, do you think you can eat all that?
Robert: Yup.


A very short time later...
Robert: Oh I ate to much.
Mom: Yup.
Maria: Can I have three scoops on my birthday?









Monday, December 14, 2009

Little birdhouse ornies

I seem to be able to carve out just enough time to finish up little projects.

I picked up 2 craft paper birdhouses at a discount store last week, for a whopping 50 cents. They are small only about 2 inches tall.
Pull out the Mod Podge,snow glitter, paper and viola... a few hours worth of contentment for my creative soul.

Angie