The QUEEN of Found Objects!

I just had to share another creation from my daughter, who I think is just TERRIFIC!!

{I know, I'm a little bias!!}

She's just so darn clever & I love how her artistic mind thinks...

 She gathered up some little found objects from her treasure boxes

{YES, she has more than ONE!}...

 ...glued them onto a piece of paper in this very nice arrangement...

...removed the lid from her lip gloss & called it "The Smell Garden!" Isn't that FANTASTIC!!!

I just love it & hope that I can find a way to preserve it forever!

TTFN!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Hope you are all having a wonderful "Love Day" & sharing it with someone special...be it a friend, a spouse or just pampering yourself! Remember, you're worth it!!! Buy yourself some flowers if no one else will! I DO IT ALL THE TIME!! (My hubby only gives flowers occasionally because he thinks that they are a waste of money! Stinker! They are a waste of $$ since they wilt & don't look pretty for long, but I sure love to look at them!!)

So, today is one of those special days...I got flowers AND chocolate dipped strawberries (to share with Maggie OF COURSE!) AND, of course, great minds think alike & I had gone to the grocers this morning to either buy the makings to dip strawberries or, as luck would have it...

PRE-MADE ones! So, I guess we will be having a Strawberry Smorgasbord tonight!!

Off & on during the week, I have been sewing these little heart pillows. (Inspired by some adorable Cupid images from Altered Pages & a Valentine class that I am taking through Christy Tomlinson & the Gilded Stash Society!!) I only got a few of them finished & off to their final destinations! BUT , I plan to finish them anyway! Who wouldn't want a little after-Valentine surprise!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

TTFN!

Cut, Paste, Glue! Glitter 'n Paper too!

I spent a few wonderful hours in my studio today...

Do you remember making Valentine cards as a kid? I certainly do!!

It was so much fun to pick out the perfect one for the teacher & then another for that special someone!! I decided to transport myself back to a simpler time today, channel my inner child & get crafty with my Valentines this year!

{If get one of these in the mail & you're reading this: sorry for the spoiler!! XOXO}

Since Maggie can't really read yet {& she visits iCarly.com more than our blog!}, I can tell you all that I made the one above for her, because she is my Sweet Valentine after all!! {I already have a special bear & some goodies hidden away for her!!}

I can't tell you who's getting these two...the tag is actually a card though, so I didn't want to put any fibers in the hole like I usually would because it would be hard to open!

{images from same collage sheet as above}

Last, is this "smoldering" romantic card!

And you guessed it! It's for the hubby!!

You may recognize the image - I used it on my Bingo swap cards I posted the other day.

{You can see that post here.}

One of the things I like best about working with COLLAGE SHEETS is the instant gratification when I order them!

Meaning, I only have to wait for an email & not snail mail, before I get to play with them!

So, if you are in the Valentine card-making mood, be sure to check out what's available to spark your creativity over at Altered Pages!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

All the card bases are CHEAP packs from the $1 bins at Michael's!

All images: Altered Pages

Papers:

  Polka dots: Glitz; Music: The Paper Studio

Bingo Card - K & Co.

Paper Doilie - Michael's

Inks & Glimmer Mists in reds & pinks; Distress Crackle Paint in Antique Brass

Netting & lace trim: Glitz

Tinsel trim: Ashland Signature Accents (Michael's)
Various found objects - bingo number, heart-flower pick from my stash

"How Do I Love Thee" - a collage

Here's the collage I was telling you a little about yesterday!

(If you want to know a little bit more about the FANASTIC-K SILLY tool I used yesterday, click here to see the full post on the Altered Pages blog!)

(image from AP "Young Lovers I" collage sheet)

I used a 12x12 panel board "canvas" to collage various papers (most from my stash, but a couple from the Glitz collections), paint, modeling paste (for texture), & ink.

 

 I LOVED working on this panel board (Michaels for like $15 w/o a coupon!) for collaging because it's HARD instead of soft like an actual canvas!! It made adhering the papers so much easier! Not to mention that when I stamped, the ENTIRE image would imprint & not just in the area that's the firmest! (I am thinking of getting a couple more & turning them around to use the INSIDE like a shadow box!!)

I like to collage, but sometimes I find it rather intimidating! You really just have to let go & not worry about where the paper, paints & inks land! You can always cover up what you don't like!! (Although, the pink "LOVE blob" was a mistake, but it's growing on me!) 

How about you? Do you find collaging easy or hard?

I would love to hear about it & what techniques you use to get the look you want!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

My 1st Kit for Altered Pages is Up!

My very first kit that I designed for Altered Pages is up & for sale on the website!!

In this kit, you'll get collage images, wire, base, wooden spool, beads, ribbon, tag, decor papers and text page (variety differs from photo). In addition, I wrote up some detailed instructions WITH photos on how to make your own!!

AP has some wonderful images to play with as well as tools, supplies, paper & MORE kits from some very talented designers!!! Check it out!!!

On another note, I am snowed-in today! Kinda nice, but I have been house-bound for 2 days now because Maggie's been home sick (OF COURSE she's FINE today!!).

So, I'm getting a little wiggy!! I hope to get off the computer soon & do some more crafting today!

 And this was at 8 am this morning! It's STILL snowing...

Yesterday, I photographed a canvas I did for AP & it will post tomorrow on my blog as well as theirs (HERE - not LIVE until the morning of 2/4).

I also finished a couple of Valentine Bingo Cards for one of the AP swaps going on right now...

(Using an image from the "Be My Valentine" collage sheet)

(Using a BINGO card image as well as one from "My Sweet Valentine")

These swaps are so FUN!! You get to make some wonderful art & share it by mailing it to a "partner" or two. And at some point, you receive some beautiful art in return!! 

This is only the 2nd one I have participated in, but I signed up for the Altered Box swap too! It has a cool Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon theme!!! You can check out the Yahoo group here to join in on the fun!!

Thanks for stopping by today!