Red Apple Junction

SNEAK PEAK

2012-01-24T05:22:00.000-08:00

PEAK....MORE PEAKS........PEAK AGAIN......

Here is a sneak peak at my Junk Journal I am making for a swap over at http://minialbumscraps.ning.com/ a fun site check it out. I am enjoying making this album after a rocky start. Lot of things I need to learn about making mini albums. Binding being the major problem. I have some embellishments that I went to put up for sale. Would anyone out there be interested? A lot of steam punk, old game parts, cards, packs of paper, stuff like that. Would it be best to mix up packets with a variety of parts, or make packet of same stuff, like a packet of all game parts, etc etc ?? Even if you are not interested in buying any, please leave in put about how would be best to package it. Thanks. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

HAPPY MAIL !

2012-01-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Well I wrote up this post yesterday and went to publish it and looked up and here I had wrote it up in my other blog. The geochache / travel blog. grrrrrr... I looked and looked but could not figure out how to transport it to this blog so today I am doing it all over again. So here goes...this first pic is of my ATC swap with Judith who lives in Australia check out her blog http://creativestudio10.blogspot.com/ The swap was hosted by Tee at http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ go check out the great swaps! The ATC came in this envy with the wonderful stamped vintage lady. Wrapped in sewing pattern paper. Love the dress form tag on the package, tied with vintage lace.And this is the vintage ATC card. Wonderful isn't it! Looks like sheet music on the background, the vintage lady, ribbon flower on her hat. Crochet lace and lots of bling. Just what I like vintage with shiny bling. Love it !The second of my happy mail was the #8 mystery swap Tee hosted. My partner was Elizabet at http://elisabetpollock.blogspot.com/. She sent me all these goodies now I have to make something with them. I love these mystery swaps makes you think out of the box. I will show you what I made when I get it done. Nice weather here in centeral FL. high 70's. Still messing around with my feet, keeps me from doing alot. Grrrrrrrrrrrr I got most of my Mini Junk Journal done, still looking for stuff to put in it. I have till the end of Feb to send it to my partner. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
blessings
donna

OTHER ATC AND STICK PIN SWAPS

2012-01-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the other ATC (the swap I forgot who got what) This ATC was made with hard card board as the base, covered with flower patterned paper. A pic of a vintage girl, framed in a metal heart Metal corners that match, I think I got these at a dollar store, not sure, and a Recollections flower. I made the stick pin. These are the stick pins I made for the swap at http://minialbumscraps.ning.com/ This is the first swap for me there. Last night I joined in the Junk Journal swap. All bagged and ready to go. In those cello bags you get at the candy dept in craft store. Stapled the bag and covered with pretty pink ribbon.The theme was love, valentine, all the pins I made are the same and the tag is the same paper. The flowers are a little different and the vintage buttons are also different.Even tho the pic's look different color they are not. It is my cheapo camera. (someday a new one) I love making stick pins, Norma E is covered with them. Look on my side bar.
I sent these in a couple weeks ago, so I have to wait to get my 3 back. I made an extra pack for the host of the swap. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

ATC & WINTER TAG SWAPS

2012-01-14T05:20:00.000-08:00

Here is my second ATC swap I did with Tee's swaps. http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ go sign up for some great fun! My usual back ground added the paper cameo from a greeting card,some tissue pattern paper, a gold flourish, black cord and a paper rose. I also tried something different this time. I found at a yard sale some 3 1/2 x 21/2 picture frames . Couldn't believe it! The exact same size of the ATC's. So I used on this time to see how well it would work out. With the flap on the back, it makes it come with its own built in stand for show casing. Great! I feel bad because I had two swap partners for this swap and I had them done way ahead and now forgot who got this ATC. I will post next on the other one and post both my partners blogs and you can go there and see when they blog about it. :(:( sorry girls.This is the winter stick pin swap at Tee's that I made. My partner was Valery at http://itsanalienlife.blogspot.com/ Go check out her neat site! Sparkly blue back ground paper stamped in black snow & ice the theme for the swap. Added some icy white, silver, and blue snow flakes. Used the pop up on the white one to sick the pins in. Here are the stick pins I made. Used white, silver, and blue sticking with the theme again. We were to make 3 pins for the swap. Added my info to the back.
Cool in Florida this sat morning, so there will not be many yard sales. So think I will work in art/craft room cleaning and working on some new projects. Then watch the NFL play off's. My Steeler's flubbed out :( Oh well next year. I think I will go over and join the Junk Journal Swap at the new site I joined. This is such a fun site, with lot of swaps. That is the part I like even tho this will only be the second one I joined so far. http://minialbumscraps.ning.com . I do most of my swapping at Tee's :) Well all for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

1,ST ATC SWAP & A SMALL HAUL

2012-01-13T05:29:00.000-08:00

I got this wonderful ATC card yesterday, from the very talented Wendy, over at http://artbywendy38.blogspot.com/ (you have to go check). This is a pic of the ATC and her card. Just beautiful. Thanks so much Wendy.One thing I love about all these swaps is the lovely tissue paper that it comes wrapped in. I have quit a collection going. This is some great "goodies" that Wendy sent me along with the ATC. The vintage ladies are much appreciated as I do not have any and still don't have a printer. And the stamped piece of material, can't wait to use that. Sometimes I have a hard time using these pretty things I get. I had two swap partners in this swap, I will post the other one soon as I get it. Tee was the great host for this swap http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ check out here great sites. Thanks Tee!Had to get Maggie some food yesterday at Petsmart, Jo-Ann's is close so I had to go there too ;) I don't buy stamps or punches unless they are on sale. So I ran in to these MS stamps for 70% off! Wow, grabbed them like right now! Went over to the MS craft area see if anything over there was on sale. Nothing but they had the lace stamp there at full price. Go figure. Feet are on rest detail (again) so I will be sitting working on my swaps and other good things. I will post about my ATC's that I sent out. Thanks again Wendy :):):)! All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
blessings
donna

IT'S ALL ABOUT MAIL.......

2012-01-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

Got this vintage winter swap tag from Georgie at http://georgie-hornpuddinnpie.blogspot.com/ Great tag Georgie! Such detail, look at those pine trees, and all the color. We swapped over at Tee's http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ go check out the swaps and join in the fun. Thanks Georgie :) love swapping with you.This is a vintage ATC I mailed out the other day will post more about it later. This is the vintage tag I sent to Georgie for our swap. That's vintage me ready blogs on my Droid at the beach LOL. I used to read books now I read blogs! See the ocean in the back ground? Regular shipping tag crackled stamped, and the stamped with dress form. Some hand crochet lace on the side. A yo yo rose with vintage button and a stick pin. Love swaps!!! Pile of outgoing mail. Most has been sent a couple not due yet and I don't know my partners. So waiting on those and then on to the next batch.Got a late swap from Sandi nice has some kind of beads on it mini mini ones all over it. Have to find out what those are, like the looks of them. Thanks Sandi
I sent in my stick pin swap over at http://minialbumscraps.ning.com/ this will be my first swap there. I am thinking about the mini junk journal swap over there, I started to get some paper and things together checking to see if I have enough stuff to do it. I think I do but I am nervous about it. Never swapped a mini album before and have one made a few practice ones. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and do it. LOL All for now thank for looking and come back soon
Blessing
Donna

I'M WORKING ON..............

2012-01-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

I am working on a few swaps I just joined. Go over to Tee's and join in the fun. http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ you will be glad you did. Here is a pic of my messy work space!I don't have a "real" beading tray so I made this with a box top and a piece of felt. Keeps the beads on the desk and not on the floor!! I mostly use glass & vintage beads from old jewelry. Some newer acrylic beads also. This is a sneak peak at one of the swaps I joined. Have to make 3 sets of 3 stick pins. Love - valentine is subject. I love making stick pins. I think I will start putting them in more of my projects. I will show you the finished product later, they don't have to be sent until the 16th and I don't know how soon after that I will get my 3 back. Here are a few of the mini albums that I revamped from ones I did last year. I tore them apart and re-papered them now just need to embellish them. And finally :) my faithful helper little Maggie, she like to be in the craft room and play with her toys . No carpet out there and balls bounce really good! She is looking kinda mean ..... she hates to get pic taken always looks away got this one before she did, but she started to put her ears back and that make her look mean lol.
WEATHER in Melbourne FL : Well, it's cold in Florida today! Windy and 41 here but lower in north FL. High only 50 but sunny, it still will be cold with the wind. Guess there is a chill factor here also. I found this web site http://minialbumscraps.ning.com/ joined it and now doing my first swap there. Looks like it will be alot of fun, lots of swaps. I just joined one so far, but got it done so I might do a few more. It works different that what I am use to, you send your swap to one person with return postage, and she then sends the projects back out. That is alot of work for the host. Well all for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

GOT JO'S TAG BOOK!

2011-12-30T05:21:00.001-08:00

Package from Australia! Got my tag book swap from Jo yesterday. So thought I would post about it today! Great green and white tissue paper. The tag book came in this container. Lot of lovely detail in the package. First tag sweet little boy.Great Paris tag, the second one.Third tag says it all!!I saved this cute little guy that was the stamp on the package. Jo did a lot of sewing on this project. I can sew but don't do it, but looking at Jo's maybe I should incorporate some in my projects. Have to dig out my machine. Went to Mike's and HL yesterday but was just too late for the bargains. Everything was gone , and they were stocking spring stuff.
They also had valentine stuff out. Only a couple things 40% off. HL had some Tim Holtz at 30% off so I got a package of fragments. Stopped at a different WM and found a few Christmas sticker type things for next year they were 48 cents. And that was all my after Christmas bargains. Bummer :( Going to check for yard sales this AM and maybe make a quick trip to Jo-Anne's I do have a 40% off and a 10% off total purchase. I am really wanting a Big Shot and wonder if I could get it with these coupons...that would make it 50% off...works for me. lol Thanks Jo so much for being my swap partner I love it. That's all for now thanks for looking and come back soon
blessings
donna

TAG BOOK SWAP

2011-12-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Got my book tag swap from Jo from Australia. The swap was hosted by Jean at http://lilaclanelivery.blogspot.com/ . We were to make a 3 or 4 page tag book with a container. Here is mine. I used a muslin bag (not made by me) and added a charm to it. Put a few stamped butterfly's on it. Close up of the glass bead charm. The first tag in the book I stamped with a dress form stamp, an over all dot stamp, and a Paris stamp. Added some blue checked tissue paper, and some pattern tissue. Then cut a cute girl from a vintage pattern, put a button on her shoulder. Also added a button to the dress form. Second page I stamped all over with my crackle stamp. Stamped a few bird cages. The black bird cage is an acrylic one that I got in a swap. I glued it down then penned the chain to hang it. Some dot tissue added to the bottom. Third page I stamped a little script stamp some girly shoes, a Pairs stamp and some pretty pink rose lace. Cut the pink girl again from a vintage pattern and added the button. Fourth one I think is so cute with the flower button faces. At leas that's what I think they look like little button faces! Crackled the back ground stamped with some out door and garden stamps. Added some rose lace.
Fun again making this tag book, I think Jo is a sewer and I tried to get some sewing in there. Me I am not much of a sewer I can but don't do much. Soon as I get mine from Jo I will post about that also. I still have a couple swaps to get yet. Family left yesterday so Pearl and I are headed out to Mikes and HL this AM. Hope all the good deals are not gone! Jo's blog is http://scrapnstitch.blogspot.com/
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

GIFT CARD HOLDER & SCROOGES

2011-12-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

Made some gift card holders, I was going to make them out of TP rolls, but changed my mind and took these greeting cards that I got in a big bag full at a yard sale. I did not like these so used them.I cut them in half, covered them with patterned paper, this one is from the Sugar Plums stack. Put on some cute Christmas embellishments then added my gift card. Here is the ATC card I received from Cindy Rose at http://cindyrosesgarden.blogspot.com/ Very nice card Christmas Past is what she chose to put on the card. Great card with a lot of neat detail. Thanks for swapping with me Cindy I love it!I was in two Scrooge ATC swaps. I had a very hard time with this because having no printer and no access to graphics's I had to make do with what I could find. I looked thru some old vintage Christmas books I had and one of them had an excerpt from A Christmas Carol in it. And it happened to be about Tiny Tim. And to add to that the couple of graphics's in the book were hand drawn and in black and white.So what I did was antiqued the heck out of them and went from there. On the back I used my script stamp and on the other I used a piece of paper from and old account book. Trying to go along with the accounting theme that Mr. Scrooge was involved with. Used a scallop punch and punched some script from the book and put a vintage button on it. Used a pre-made envy and stamped it with the script stamp. Then added a Merry Christmas to it. Man have I had trouble doing this post. So I am done for now. Thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

MINI ALBUMS DONE

2011-12-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

Here are the two mini albums I was working on. I used the chunky children's books you get at the Dollar Tree stores. I got some last year, and covered them with some old paper. And that was it, then this year I started watching You Tube and seen how everyone was making such beautiful mini's. And realized I had a long way to go, and the paper was just too old and not pretty. Some was but most not. So I practiced on these two books. Bloom is on the right and love is on the left. Both covers I left the old paper on. Added some lace, flowers , bling and a stick pin. All the edges of the albums are distressed with Ranger distressing ink. I put glimmer mist on some of the flowers. I made some and was not happy with it, so I went back and added more perfect pearls to it and it is much better. The Bloom mini album. Click for close up. I have not added a charm to this one yet.The love mini album. They booth have fibers added to the binding. And this one has a charm. I have a closure on this one, a shank button secured with a fancy paper clip on the front and I used those stretchy hair bands and glued it to the back page, after punching a hole to slip it thru. Then to cover the hair band, I put a paper flower on it. I should have put the band on the back cover before the paper. Here is a few pages from the albums. You can see the paper clip on that holds the shank button on the left side page. I made a tag for a photo and space to journal on the back. You can also put a photo on the page its self. The right hand page I used the top half of a greeting card that was shaped like a purse and stuck a tag in that. I did use pretty Mariposa paper on the left side , with the butterflies. Old paper on the base of the right page and a couple circle tags. Some lace on the bottom.I used more Mariposa paper on these pages, I want to save that paper to use when I get better at making these mini's. The shiny pink butterfly is a from a bunch of rhinestones I got in PA. The left page has a tag and the right is for a photo. Or what ever. Used old paper mostly on this page, a scrap from the Mariposa for the tag. The flower is a from a piece of lace that I cut up. Put some paint and rhinestone on it.This page has old paper on the back, and the tag is made from scrap that I used on the second page above. A paper flower on the tag stuck behind lace. This is the album sitting up so you can see the closure. And how fat it is. These mini's are made to be fat. They will be even fatter when they are loaded with photos.
I wish I knew how to make a video and up load it to You Tube. I would like to try my hand at that. It is a good way to network with other artist. I think I need a new camera first, then look in to doing it. Do any of you watch the You Tube video's on scraping and other art ?? You should take a look, a whole new art/craft life opened up to me. I have a couple more of these to work on. Then I want do some that should be good enough to give away as gifts and to sell. I need to make some simple ones that would sell at craft shows in the spring. That's all for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
blessings
donna

MY DOMINO & DIE CUTS!

2011-12-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

This is the altered domino that I made for my swap partner Karla. I used patterned paper cut down to size for the domino. Sealed it with Glossy Accents. This side you can ware it at Christmas.The other side, used more pattern paper ,added some bling pearls,again sealed with Glossy Accents. Used a vintage jewelry chain that I got with some vintage costume jewelry. They make great necklace for this kind of project. Use the good quality ones. Added a hummingbird charm from Mike's. Tiny screw eyes in a drilled hole top and bottom. I had fun making this and really love the one Karla sent to me. I posted about it a week or so ago. Click on to enlarge. Got my first batch of die cuts in the lace swap I had. Got these from Jean at http://lilaclanelivery.blogspot.com/ I love them, just what I wanted. Thanks so much Jean for swapping with me, hope you like the lace.A few of the things she sent, now these were sent in big bunches of each thing with many many things lol.This is just a sampling of things she sent, all kinds of things, a couple I don't know what they are. But most I know. Thanks so much Jean, again I love it all!! All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

DOMINO SWAP & ROSES

2011-12-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

Hi all, got my domino swap necklace from Karla Jackson, the other day. WoW what a lovely necklace . It was in this tulle with a Santa tag.Then inside was the necklace in side of a cupcake paper, now how cool is that for a wrapping!This is the altered domino, an old time father Christmas under what looks like glossy accents. You just have to see this to believe how nice it is! Before the glossy accents was applied it looks like she sprinkled it with some glittery things. Click on the pic to see detail. My daughter, years ago made me a Christmas necklace that I ware every year. But I forgot it in PA so this year I will ware this one!! Just in time Karla!It was a cloudy rainy day here yesterday, with not much going on. So I watched some You Tube, and seen them making these roses. So thought I would try my hand at making some and here they are. They are what is called spiral roses. You cut a 3 or 4 in circle in to a spiral and then roll it up. Just go to google and type in paper roses and you can find then easy. And they are sooooo easy to make.This is the second style of paper flowers I learned from You Tube. The first ones were made with the cupcake papers. Look back to this summer on my blog and you can see that post. I also have a pic of then on my side bar. Try them so much fun to make.Been rainy in Florida, but not that cool. Working on that mini album that I told you about last week. Some mistakes like the closure should have been put on before the paper was added to the front and backs. But its coming along. I am going to transform all those chunky books I did last year (when I didn't know what I was doing ) to some of the things I have been learning on You Tube. I tried to make a paper bag mini album, did not work out too well. There are many ways you can do the paper bag album and later on after I tried the first one I found another way to do it , and I think will work better for me. So that's up next. Well all for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

MORE MAIL!

2011-12-08T05:07:00.000-08:00

Got my Christmas match box swap yesterday! It was from Olivia a http://olivascreativequest.blogspot.com/ . The swap hosted by Tee. This is a beautiful hand made card. She did a great job on it. That is one thing that I have not done with paper crafting.This is what was in the box. Match box wrapped in gingham green tissue paper. And a snowman tin filled with goodies. Love these wrappings. The match box.Beautifully done!This is part of what was inside, too much for one pic. I might have got it mixed up with stuff in snowman!! Blue stuff, seed packet, lace, yo yo, beads, white yo yo, mini domino's, tags and tickets, beads,Trims, stamp, angel, lace doily, altered spoon, stick pin, looks like a snowman) butterfly, sequins, key and much much more! I had so much fun opening this package, (early Christmas) More, I think most of this was in the snowman. Lots of fun goodies,I can play with!! Thanks so much Olivia, I love it all, you went over broad!!! Olivia was not my partner, I sent my partner her box several weeks ago, and have not heard from her, so next post I will post what I made and sent. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

I GOT MAIL !!

2011-12-07T05:38:00.000-08:00

Tee from the http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ sent me some goodies. Got them yesterday. First she send me this beautiful altered domino necklace. Great piece with a ball chain. Thanks Tee :)She also send along some Christmas ornaments, a tag to alter, and two ornaments. All this came in a cool hand made envelope. I will have to try that. And more Tee was my partner in the ATC card swap that she hosted. So this came along for the ride also. Hand made envy here too. Love it!!! I love jolly Santa's.Karla Jackson sent me this great ATC . She also was in the ATC swap. Do to the uneven # of peeps in the swap, she was to send to me. I was not her partner but, I think I will send a little Christmas surprise to her ;) (shhh don't tell)
WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL. Cold front that is going on the rest of the east will cross Florida today. That means cloudy, lows 50's and high's 70's My kind of weather!!
I am working on those mini albums, for practice. They are coming along. I will post more about them next time. Off to the gym and therapy. (for feet not head ) lol .... All for now thanks for looking
Blessings
Donna

WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING

2011-12-06T05:11:00.000-08:00

PRACTICE MAKING MINI ALBUMS. When I first started in the altered art I made these mini albums before I even knew what they were. I used a fat children's book you get at the dollar store, covered them with old scrap book paper, and vintage gift wrapping paper. I used mod podge to adhere them, that did not work out so well, the pages stuck together at the seam and on the edges. This is a pic of the fix I did. I cut a small strip of paper and put it in the edge with some lace. I just glued it on the back and each end to make a pocket. Did the same to other page with out lace. That took care of the sticking. I did that to all the pages.Then I added a flower that I glimmer misted. With my home made mist. More about that later on in post. There is also ribbon or fashion yarn between each page. These books are what is called chunky books, so the pages are like chip broad. Most of the practice paper is at least 5-7 years old not at all like the beautiful paper that is out today. I want to use this paper before I tackle the good stuff. These should be nice just not like things you can do today.Made me some glimmer mist after watching YouTube how to videos. I did everything that they side to do, but honestly I am not impressed. I did not think it was shinny enough or sparkly enough. But then I dont know what the real glimmer looks like. I can not find it at Mike's or Jo's
or HL. See the mini mister on the left? That says eye glass cleaner on it, dad got this at sam's club last week they were giving them away, they are just like the ones you buy at craft store. I wish he would have got a handfull lol. That one I used gold perfect pearls and carmel alchol ink and it worked the best. The other was cranberry with pearl colored perfect pearls. I even added more than they put in them. I love using the PP 's on the ink stamp.These leaves were sprayed with the mist, as you can see it collected in the veins and sparkle but not on the rest of the leaf. I must figure out what I am doing wrong.
I sent my altered domino necklace out yesterday. Soon as my partner Karla gets it I will post about it here. Started back at the gym yesterday, just like starting over I have been gone so long. Feet getting better, still hard to go shopping tho, and still cant to my exercise walking. That I miss the most. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

GETTING CAUGHT UP

2011-12-03T12:58:00.000-08:00

This is a mystery envy from April Cole that I am just now getting done. I forgot to take pic's of the stuff in the envy. I think I used most of it. I made three tags with it,the tags came with it. Love those birds, doves maybe? I put a red rhinestone in for eyes. Sorry April it took me so long.This is a mystery envy swap from Michelle that got lost in the mail and she had to send it again. So this took me awhile also. Made a Christmas tree. I think it is a banner shaped , but I have never made a banner so went with the tree.
I sent you guys your lace! And I sent out my tag book from the swap that Jean had over on her blog http://lilaclanelivery.blogspot.com/ I am not sure that I understood a "Tag Book" and think I did not send the right thing. I had 4 tags, but not sure what the container was suppose to be. Any way soon as she gets it I will post what I made. You can be the judge, sorry if I messed it up :( I need now to finish up the domino swap. Have to lift up my drill press and set it up that's what is keeping me from finishing it. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

LACE BEGG'EN SWAP!

2011-11-30T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have more lace than any one crafter will use in a 100 years. So what I don't have is a machine that makes the die cuts. I would like to swap one" on one " lace for die cuts. What I would like to have are the things like, bird cage, dress form, pic frame, and flourishes. But I will take anything you have to trade die cuts. Anything!The lace I have is 30 different kinds of lace, they will be 24 in. in length. So that works out to me about 60 feet of lace? I should have enough cut to do a couple of swaps.
You can email me at redapplejunction at hotmail dot com And leave a comment if you want.
If you don't want to leave a comment just email that will be fine. I will take first come first serve for the swap. I can send out the lace first so you can then send the die cuts to what you think its worth. Some day I hope to get a Big Shot but first I need a printer. Anyway I hope someone will swap with me. thanks
Blessings
Donna

RECIVED MATCH BOX & SNEAK PEAK

2011-11-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

Got my match box fall swap from Jenny this weekend. Beautiful velvet flower on the top.Filled with scrap goodies. Lot to work with. Thanks so much Jenny. This is a sneak peak pic of a project I am working on, it has something to do with buttons. It is a swap so I cant show you everything at this time. But I am as usual a head of the project. I have not even been confirmed that I am in yet!! I find that I work better when I have a challenge rather than just sitting down and making something. I have a couple of swap mystery envelopes I have to make. With moving and all I got behind.

I will be doing them this week. Will post when I get them done. Went to therapy for my feet this am, they are a tad better I think? But then again I have not been on them. Going to Michael's on black Friday in the afternoon. No standing in line for me. Sure do miss walking tho. Thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

FALL MATCHBOX SWAP

2011-11-20T11:20:00.001-08:00

This is the fall matchbox I altered for the swap that Tee had http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ Go over to her blog and check out all the great swaps she has and join in! This scarecrow guy is a pin that you can ware during the fall season. Some stamping and a doily, bling and put a stick pin on there too. The pull is a mini vintage spool of crochet thread.The goodies in side. Closer view of the goodies, on the bottom of the box is papers also. Don't think you can see them in this pic. I love doing these match book swaps, I have had my Christmas on done since the first day that Tee posted it . lol
WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL. Nice and warm, hot I would day. Had yard sale on Sat. I think I only and about 10 items in it the rest was dad's and a couple friends brought over a few things. It was not a good sale. I ask one lady if there were very many yard sales she said no and not many people at them either. So guess I just picked the wrong weekend. I did take a truck load to Goodwill when we were done. I don't care if I never have another yard sale. After the last 3 years I have had it! I am not going to do anything this week hope I can rest my feet so they get better. I joined a tag book swap that Jean over at http://lilaclanelivery.blogspot.com/ is having go on over there an join!!! Worked in my craft room this morning, organizing more in my rolling drawers. At least i can sit in my office chair that has wheels and just have a " wheeley good time " lol. Soon as I get my fall matchbox I will post it. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna
PS. Hi family up north how's the weather???

STICK PIN SWAP RECIVED!

2011-11-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

Got my stick pin swap today from Jean at http://lilaclanelivery.blogspot.com/ Wonderful Jean! Looks like she used a hand crochet doily as the base then some lace, and a pretty pink yo yo with a button. Close up of a few pins.Beautiful!Here they are hanging around on Norma E. and a few other friends.
Weather in Melbourne FL. hot and muggy today, from the first thing this morning till now. More of the same tomorrow. Cool down to mid 70's on Friday. Mid 80's sat. We are having a yard sale on sat. Now going to therapy for my feet 3 times a week. I know it will help!! Made my winter ATC for the swap in Dec. Got the match box done a while ago. I am way ahead! Thanks again Jean for the pins! The swap was hosted by Tee at http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ go visit and join in the fun. Thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

PRACTICE DOMINOS AND A TAG

2011-11-13T12:16:00.000-08:00

Tee is having a altered domino swap and since I have never made one thought I would do a practice run today. Used the Ranger alcohol ink on these. To make this modeled look, I found out if you wait till it is almost dry you can add more ink to them, I put the ink on the pad with a dot of alcohol and dobbed it again. I used a different color on the third one. Thought I might add some Recollections flat back pearls to one of them. The stick on kind.Hear they are all finished. I put the Glossy Accents on them for the sealer. The first I added an angel scene from some card stock. Mod Podged it on. The second one with the butterfly's I stamped them on a piece of pattern paper, then Mod Podged it also. I think if white tissue paper was used the back ground would have shown up better. The third one I added the bling to it. My camera is the pits. So bad pic's. The third one as a couple bubbles in it, I tapped it on the table like everyone says to do , but they would not pop out. A little close up with the flash on, was hoping for a better pic but did not happen. This is just a practice so I don't know if I will make any thing with them or not. Also made this stocking winter tag. Some snow tex on the top with glitter, the paper had the snow flakes in it and I added the rhinestones to each one. Then made a snowman charm and added it with the fashion yarn. Glitter glue on the toe and heel.Hear is a close up. WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA. Warming up (like it was ever cold) lol. High 74 right now at 4pm. Sun shine all over. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon. Resting my feet and watching football this afternoon. Feet :(
Blessings
Donna

MY STICK PINS

2011-11-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

These are pic's of the stick pins I made for Tee's swap. My partner Jean received them so I thought I would go ahead and show you what I made. I made all the stick pins with new beads and some beads from vintage jewelry that I had. The blue beads moon glow beads from a vintage necklace.The yellow pin on the right has a yellow ribbon rose on the top using the white head of the pin as the middle of the rose.
Most of the tags are made with scrap booking card stock some are from a few old cards I had. Then I used fashion yarn for the tag ties. I had a fun time making these pins. I would like to do another stick pin swap with matching charm. I think that finding a way to display your pins and charms in the most interesting, and challenging part of this type of swap. I think a monthly swap with a different theme would be fun also. I have a bunch of pins made, about 30 or so, I had to stop making them because I didn't have anything to do with them. I can't wait to get mine! I will post them soon as I do. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

SRUGAR PLUMS & A TABLE

2011-11-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Pearl gave me this table. The legs have wheels, and it needed a paint job. She had some cool lime green paint that she got at the recycle depot. The take all paint that people want to get rid of and keep it about 4 or 5 months. Then they dispose of it. You can go there and get all you want of other's discards. She got the lime green there it was almost 3/4 full of good Behr paint. Painting the table. After the top was painted I decided that was all that needed painted. So I left the rest with just the stain that was on it. Took it in my room and now I have a desk or table to work on three sides! I love the wheels, ever since I got the rolling drawers. It is great being able to move things back and forth when you need them. And here is the rest of the SUGAR PLUM album. You cant tell much but those are jingle bells on this page glued to a envelope with tags in it. With some rhinestone bling.The last page with some silver glue dots and peppermint tags
Weather in Melbourne FL. Wonderful, was 51 this morning when we got up and out. It is now 4pm and 61. Sunny all day. I think everyone in FL is in coats , hats and gloves but me ! lol They think it is cold!
I finished the tree album and almost have the Christmas stocking album done. I don't think I will do the stocking again. It is to thin to hold pic's and tags. The would make neat tags for a swap tho. Thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

FINISHED SUGAR PLUMS !

2011-11-06T05:17:00.000-08:00

Got this album done! Need to find a binder ring larger than the one that came with it. This is the front page. Used all paper from the sugar plum pad This is the back of front cover page. Polk a dot paper and 3 tags for pic's and journaling on the back. Next set of pages the front, brown polk a dot , vintage rick rack, and ggbreads. Brown bag envelope from Michael's and a couple tags.The back side, sugar plums and snow flakes. Candy cane ribbon tags for pic's and rick rack ties on tags.Front of next set, red and white, cute little tree tag with other two tags embossed with snow flakes. Back side is ggbread, another brown bag, and tags with ggbread ribbon.Back side has stripped paper with red glue dots around and some rhinestone bling. the bag is from a pack of mini not cards I got at Michael's it is the envelope part. With a couple of round tags for pic's, you can put a pic behind the rick rack on the envie.
I am now addicted to mini albums! I am going back to Michael's and see what else I can find. Maybe Tee will hold a mini album swap after the Holidays. :):):) Yesterday we got a late start and went to only a couple of yard sale, but they were good. I got 4 more sets of rolling drawers for $5 each they have 5 drawers in them. Now I am all set to get organized!! I scrubbed them up yesterday put then in the yard to dry out, it was so windy that the blew all over the yard and I had to hose then off again. I still have a couple more pages in this album will show you next post. Thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

TREE MINI AND A MESSY DESK

2011-11-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

Does your work desk look like this?? Mine always seems to be a big mess while working and sometimes when not working lol. If you look close you can see two unfinished Christmas trees that is the next mini album I am making. I am having a great time making these. I went on line again and found some other ways to add the paper to the chip board. And a few other tips. This is one side of the trees all papered up ready to decorate. The other side is done in different paper.I learned today an easy way to add the paper, put the glue on the paper and lay the chip board on top of it and cut around with a sharp blade. I was tracing it, cutting it out and then putting on the chip board. And I did not cut it right most of the time. So next one I will try the other way. Here are two almost finished trees. They have a few more embellishments and the other side to get finished.
Think I will make a mini album to give away on my blog at Christmas time. All you peeps that read and don't comment put your input on a comment when the time comes you just might win it. Someone will ! Today Maggie and I went to a few yard sales. I only spent 95 cents so you know how great the sales were today....a bunch of dud's. Got a scrapbooking pad 50 cents and a couple other art thingy's. All for not thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

SNEAK PEAK FIRST MINI ALBUM

2011-11-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

SUGAR PLUMS ....My first mini album...really my first album...got the chip board at Michaels last week in the haul...thought I would give you a peak at it. This is the cover of album. I have alot more picked out to put on the page.This is one side of all the pages. They are covered with paper on both sides not alike. Each one is different. I did a few things wrong but remember I don't know what I am doing lol. I should have edged and painted or distressed each one before putting on the paper. A couple more paged started much more ended up on them. I used paper from paper pad called sugar plums so I went with that all through the album using all the sugar plum embellishments that I could find. I finished this album today...all but putting the binder ring in...the one that came with it was to small...so will go get a bigger one. Then I will add some fibers and ribbon to that and add a charm or two.
I really had fun doing this album. I watched video's on You Tube and got the idea there. They showed a lot of them and swaps they did with mini albums. I sure would love to do a swap doing a mini album. I got a few other chip board albums, a tree, house and a Christmas stocking. I started the tree today. Well that's it for today, thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings Donna

MICHAELS HAUL

2011-11-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Got an flash email from Michaels with a 2 day 50 % of sale Recollections was the one I was interested in. All embellishments were on sale. They don't advertise these email prices in store. So I went wild lol , but I could have bought more! Got these roses love them! 50% off you cant beat it. Sale date Nov 1 & 2 so you still have time to get some goodies!Got a bunch of Recollections Christmas embellishments, you should have seen me trying to make things, with next to nothing for Christmas. Started already on projects. Got these humming bird charms they were 50 cents each 60% off made them 20 cents! Some of these were in the dollar bin, but the charms were 50% off. Got several paper pads, K&Company Julianne was 60% off, it might be an old pad, but new to me so in the buggy it went! Recollections Sugar Plum was 50 % off. Donna Salazar Antiquities was 60% off, and I got two Halloween / Fall pads K&Company and Recollections that were 70% off I know if I did not get them I would be upset next fall with no supplies and have to pay full price that I would not do!! I did not take a pic of all the paper pads. The best buy was of a dog paper pad with a few things in the package, it was &14.95 marked down to $5.95 when I went to cach out it rang up ant 1 cent lol now that was almost free!!!! WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL--- Beautiful, not humid, in the 70's a little windy but great! 60's at night. I am working on a mini Christmas album. I have never made an album mini or other wise. But after watching many You Tube videos that got me inspired, I am going to start making them for gifts and to sell. Still hoping to do a show in the spring, we'll see. Any way I will show you soon, I am making a tutorial, sort of, about it. Never did that either. Should be interesting lol. I named this first mini album Sugar Plums since I am using the new Recollections paper. I think in Dec. I am going to have a challenge THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. It will be a tag challenge so this gives you time to think about it. I think I will go to the other Michaels that is local and look around after all there is one more day to the sale lol. I found all Michaels are not the same, carrie a lot of different things. I am lucky that I have 2 with in 20 min one north the other south of me. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna

BIRD SONG TAG SWAP

2011-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

This is the Bird Song Tag Swap that Karla from http://karlascottage.typepad.com/ had over the summer. I joined in and had mine sent to Florida and it was waiting for me when I got here. The first tag is the cover tag that Karla made. She then sorted them and sent them out. That was an undertaking of the large size! There were over 100 participants. We each had to make 7 tags to send in and got 7 back. A fun time for me. Karla's cover tag. See the cute little bird cage charm?Pattie made this cutie.Elizabeth made this one with a fun nest!No name on this cute little birdie!Another Karla made this it has a lot of embellishments. lovelyTina made this tag with a hand crafted paper flower. Sweet.Leanne made this with lot of lace! Very nice!Debra did this tag with stamping and embossing. Nice texture.
Well that's it, I posted on mine here last summer you can scroll back and take a look. Mine was not near as elaborate as these, I had no bird embellishments at all, but did find a few while in PA but it was pretty scarce pickings. No Micheal's or Hobby Lobby. But I still had fun doing them. Now I am playing with embellishments to finish making up some mini chunky journals I made last year. Now that I found You Tube, lots and lots of how to video's there. I can watch them on my phone so as not to use up all my GB's with Verizon air card. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon..
Blessings Donna
PS I dont know how this pic got on this post but I cant get rid of it. I posted about this swap yesterd day so look at that post to see what it is about.

ATC FALL SWAP

2011-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Tee over at http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ hosted a Fall ATC Swap. I got this in the mail this weekend from my partner Elysia at http://mischievouscrafts.blogspot.com/ . She sent this lovely card. Great detail, like the filigree leaf,the spelling of nature, tags, etc. I love it! So glad she swapped with me. This is the one I sent to her. The fall queen. Made a quick envelope for it also.Here is the whole card and a few other things that went along for the ride. Used a shipping tag, crackle stamped, lace and some bling with a rusty tin bird house. Cut the queen from a magazine. Not much art work done this weekend. Rearranging my room again. Pearl gave me a few wheels to put on my stacking drawers that I got at yard sales last year. So I took them off the table that I made from saw horses and 1x12's. I like it better, can roll my supplies right up to me. I have too much "stuff" anyone out there what to do a swap with me? With some of my excess. Feet had one day of no pain. The 24 hrs after I got my last shot in them. Was short lived. I finally got some pic's taken of the Bird Song swap that I was in. Will post that next time
all for now
Blessings
Donna

GRAND OPENING HAUL= HL

2011-10-19T05:24:00.001-07:00

When I stopped in Winchester on the way to Florida, my daughter and I went shopping on Monday. We stumbled on the grand opening of the new Hobby Lobby there. Everything in the store was at least 50% off. Got these rubber stamps. I only buy stamps when I can get them at least 40 - 50% off. Or when out thrifting and yard sales.More stamps. Got this bead crimper also, I have been looking for one. At Pat Catan's they were $9.99, at Micheal's they were $14.99 and here at HL they were $11.99= 50% off they were only $6.50! Glad I waited.A bunch of bling also. Some off this I got in the 1$ bin at Michael's.
I also got a bunch of those popular scrapbook paper, K& Co, Graphic 45 etc etc. This is really the first time I bought those paper in tablet form. On my budget I could not justify getting them. Now if I were doing shows and making money I would. Don't forget to go over to Tee's and join the stick pin swap and other swaps she has going on. http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ I am still not caught up on all the things I want to post about. LOL maybe it will never happen! I did get all my stick pins done for the swap. Had to make 10 but they are easy, the most time consuming part was the cards to put them on and packaging. Well that's it for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna

ABOUT STICK PINS.................

2011-10-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Some where along the line...I read that some did not think that a stick pin swap was not much of a challenge. My take on it is a little different. It is just not putting beads on a pin. The packaging plays a big part in the whole over all craft of stick pin and charm making. Matching up the beads with what ever you choose for packaging is a bit of a challenge.Part of the package..... The card, some embellishment, some stamping, this flower will be the part that holds the pin. The paper flower is one I made. Then looking for the perfect beads to match up with what you have already picked out. Here are three different package's I came up with. They are not unique to me, I searched the Internet to find out what everyone was doing. There is soooo many more ways to package, unbelievable the unique ways people come up with. A small tag I made, you can alter a packing tag also, I used scrap book paper to make all the ones for this swap. Another paper flower I made to hold the pin. Join the swap that Tee is having http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ This is another one. Some what larger so that it holds three stick pins. That is usually what you send in a swap that has more than one partner. This type is called match book holder. It is made like a match book and the pins are held in side.This is the inside of the match book. You can see how it hold the pins. I used pop dots under the flap to stick them in. So like I said there is more to it than just putting beads on a pin. You have color, texture, embellishments, etc, just like with any other piece of altered art. If you google stick pin swaps you will come up with a ton of ideas. And you will see what everyone else is doing in these swaps. When you do this check the You Tube links that show up also, check out 1966allyson on You Tube and see the swaps that she has done and shown on You Tube. Some very beautiful work done there. I hope this will help you when doing some stick pins. I love doing these and will join every swap I can find. Go over to Tee's and join! http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/ I also used alot of vintage costume jewelry just not the beads but brooches, earrings, used in embellishments on the cards. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna

MY ROOM & BEHIND BLOGGING

2011-10-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well I got my work space fixed up. The room is not like I want it, I have vision in my head, not sure it will come about. One thing about it there is plenty of light!I got the red and white plastic table clothes at Goodwill for 69 cents. I have moved these trays since I took the pic's. I wanted more table work space, so I can work on more than one thing at a time. I do like the trays right in front of me with all the embellishments hand so I don't have to search all over for something.Keys from an old antique typewriter. I have not used these yet.Antique glass knobs. The real thing not repo's. I have found these all over the place in PA. I found a lot of the along the street still on the dressers, waiting for the trash pick up. I am really behind in my blogging about my swaps. Bottle swap I was in. Tee hosted this bottle swap, in August I think.This is the bottle I received from Jen over at http://alteredspirits.blogspot.com/ . She did a great job altering it, better than I did on post on time. I love it! Thanks so much Jen and sorry I am so late blogging. Tee over at http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ is having a stick pin swap! Go over there and sign up. They are lots of fun to make and are addicting. They make up real fast also. I am working today on a altered match box for Christmas hope someone has one.
Anyone reading my blog in central Florida? Would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me, I would love to get a group going to do some art work. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessing
Donna

MINI HURRCIANE - STIX PINS - CHARMS

2011-10-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

I got this manikin this summer at a yard sale in PA for $5. I love it! Not sure how I will decorated her up , but for now she has a little jacket on that Pearl rusted in a bucket of bolts and nuts. She does a lot of rusting, I like it better than tea dying. I put all my pins and charms on her today.I made stick pins and charms all weekend since I could not get out. These are done with beads from mostly vintage jewelry. Now I wish I had all that I sold so cheap at the flea market.I love doing these little things they are addictive. Here are some that I used some fruit charms on them. I need to find more charms. Where do you all get them?Some blue charms using vintage beads. More charms, the dice are not vintage. Got them at Pat Catan's, but I seen that Jo-Ann's have them if you want some.More stick pins. I made some pins and charms to match These are some longer charms. I have seen these in most swaps. I can use the small ones I made , hook them together and make them long for the swaps. Now I just need to find some swaps. If you know of any please leave me a comment. Over the weekend we had what they are now calling a mini hurricane. Rain straight for 48 hrs. Winds 40-60 mph. with some 80 wind gust. Did not like it at all, if we have a full blown hurricane I will be heading north. Yesterday went to Jo-Ann's looking for what else "beads" found a couple packages. Today had to rest my feet. They are better but do not like alot of walking. I now need to make some cards to put my pins and charms on so I can swap. I want to put some in with my other swaps. I keep looking for swaps but seem to miss them, they are all full by the time I find them. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna

MAIL= SWAP

2011-10-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

Got this in the mail on Sat. What a great surprise! From Christine at http://ipokedabadgerwithaspoon.blogspot.com/ my other swap partner in the Curiosities Swap that was held by Heather at the http://speckled-egg.blogspot.com/ both have wonderful blogs go check them out. This is the wonderful match box that Christine sent me. Very rustic and vintage. Just what I go for! She also told a great story about the man riding camel. She named him Ed Fisher, told about his travels starting at age 16. All his trinkets that he found in the far reaches of the world were put in this treasure box.Opened it up and this is what I found, chucked full of these trinkets. Check out the eye ! It winks! Click on all the pic's to see what treasures he found. FiJi Pearls, gold flakes etc. etcShe made the box open up instead of sliding like match box does.Along with the altered match box was this muslin bag of goodies.In the bag....cool stuff, including an old test tube full of vintage shell buttons!
Christine had so much detail in the box. I sure will have fun using the items in my altered art, after
I get done looking at it. If I could find a small printers drawer I would put some of this in it. I have to re-think my swaps, like making some theme swaps. I have a lot to learn. I am trying to get back to normal, its hard with hurting feet! Go back to the doc on wed hope he can do something. I am going to join a few swaps with Tee at here new blog for swapping http://thealteredpaper.blogspot.com/
Thanks for looking come back soon
Blessings
Donna

CRAFT ROOM & GRAFT SHOW

2011-09-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is what I started with yesterday. All this was shoved over to the left side. As you can see I have my work cut out for me! And remember I have not unloaded the truck!Went to a Festival in Old Town Melbourne on Sunday. Met this artist Patti Ballard. She paints these sweet heart girls. Here is Patti on left and Pearl on right, looking over here work. Pattie said she had a blog but it I can not find it on her card. Pattie please leave a comment and link to your blog on this post. Not much to say today so thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

I AM BACK & A SWAP

2011-09-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

One of the packages waiting on me when I got here was one of the two match box swaps that I joined over at the Speckled Egg. This one was a sweetie from Amy at RubyMoon, tied up in a vintage dresser scarf. The box itself was a sewn cover with vintage bow and buttons, some stamping done on it also. I love it! It was stuffed full of goodies, I lost the pic of that part and so cant show you :( It was a bunch of good stuff! I still have to receive one more box with this swap. I sent mine out sometime ago. They haven't blogged about them so I am hopping the got them. Amy's blog is http://www.rubymoonart.blogspot.com/I will be playing catch up here this week, so be sure and check often, I had alot of packages waiting on me and I will share this week. I have not been feeling well and had foot problems and had to go to the doc as soon as I got here, he shot my heel with med and it is now getting better. I scrubbed down the ceiling in the Florida room today and my foot did not like the step ladder. So now I am resting it the rest of the day. I cant wait to get my studio set up out there and get some projects going. Pearl and I went to a festival in old town Melbourne yesterday and I will post about that this week also. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

PIC'S ON MY OTHER BLOG

2011-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

ATC-TAG, PACKING UP

2011-09-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Few more ATC's and a tag I made up before I started to pack up.Really like this lady she is not fall or Halloween. Got her in one of my swap envelopes. Guess she could be the fall / harvest lady. And a sweet little boo kitty. And then this silly little guy.
Just wanted to do a last post for a few weeks. I am leaving for Florida in 10 days. I packed up some large totes with my art supplies. I think I may have too many. I really want to camp on the way down, hate motels, so I think I will have to leave some stuff here. I had a couple pieces of furniture that I wanted to take, but that won't happen either. I will be stopping in VA to visit my daughter and her family. Then head on down south. I am ready to get going. I have a few Mystery Envelopes made up so I can still do those swaps. The last few swaps that I participated in I had sent to Florida, so it will be the end of Sept. before they are posted here.
Sept. 8 Guess I will finish up this post, I started it last week. I have been sick since Monday with a cold. I have not had a cold in over 5 years, and have had two this summer. I will be glad to get back to Florida. I went to a yard sale today and got 57 old post cards from about 1910-1915. I will post pic's on my other blog. http://grammyandthepapillonprinces.blogspot.com/ I will be posting there about my trip and all of that. So keep track of me there. Thanks for looking and see ya soon. Blessings Donna

BOTTLE SWAP AND PAPER FLOWERS

2011-08-31T05:53:00.000-07:00

This is the bottle I altered for Jen at http://alteredspirits.blogspot.com/ she got it the other day so now I can post it. I like altering these vintage bottles. If you look at my header, you can see a couple on there. Sorry Jen I think I got the color wrong, I thought I checked your blog for color but I look at so many, think I got it mixed up with someone else. I will pay better attention.I have been surfing YouTube watching videos on my Droid, and found a few on how to make paper flowers. This is one I tried last night. They are made with cupcake papers! These are made with the small cupcake papers not the mini's but small. I had a great time making them, and plan on making more to use in my altered are and swaps. Just Google paper flowers and see what comes up. Another thing I was looking at was matchbook swaps. Man do I need to make a lot better boxes. They have some beautiful boxes out there. I really like the double decker boxes . Would like to do one of those swaps! They are having a challenge at our http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thealteredpaper/ (go join up will be having some fun time there) but I will not be able to do this one. I am moving and don't have the time right now. I do have a few Mystery envelopes made up so will continue to do those. And have a few Halloween tags and ATC's made up. If any of those swaps pop up. I am doing another matchbox swap. This one is over at The Speckled Egg.The Petite Inspiration box swap - Curiosities Edition. Check it out http://speckled-egg.blogspot.com/ I have it done and waiting on my swap partners. This also will be send to Fl. So wont see them until end of Sept. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings Donna

MYSTERY SWAP #4 RECIVED!

2011-08-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

YOU GOT MAIL! Was the call on Friday. This is what I got from Jen over at http://alteredspirits.blogspot.com/ my swap partner. I was able to cut out a few of the stamped bird nest and feathers on the envelope to use. Love the face stamLove these butterfly's and the letter. They are embossed with sparkly. I used most of what is in this pic. Here is a pile of embellishments. Had a hard time using some of this color, like the blue tickets.Here is what I made. Using one of the sheets of paper she sent, I used it for the back ground and made a butterfly page.
Had a hard time using the orange, brown, etc color on the butterfly page so I made a tag using the brown one she sent. Used the fashion yarn and fall leaf and orange hand made paper. Stamped with my crow stamp and added my rhinestones. Used the wood chip R putting some lavender water color pencil, then glue and dipped in my new found mica flakes. Thanks Jen, this was a challenge for me!
This was a fun challenge for me, took me a couple days. But that's what the Mystery is all about.
Thanks Tee for doing these swaps, you got me addicted! http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/
I have signed up for another match box swap i will tell you about next post. The swaps from now on will be send to my Fl address and i wont be able to see then till around maybe the 28th of Sept. My ATC swap with Tee is in the envelope and ready to send soon as I get my partner. I will be sending my swaps ok from here but will be cutting of my mail soon, and don't want to take the chance not getting mine! I am ready to get back to Fl This has not been a great summer for me, and last weekend found out I need a new furnace. Not going to happen this year. So this means the gas will be turned off and I will have to winterize the house. Not happy camper here.
Talked to dad and his friend put my a/c in the Florida room for me...now that makes me happy camper! I will be making my art room in there and cant wait to get started. There will be obstacles to over come, like that's where dad stores the hurricane shutters and a few other things. i would like to get another storage building or clean out the one we have. But not sure that either will happen. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings Donna

FALL IN THE AIR & HALLOWEEN TAGS

2011-08-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Jack -0- Lanterns...cute ATC I made yesterday. So bring on the swaps...I am ready... got a few done yesterday, this one a couple jack's , crackle stamp, jack's cut from an old painting book. Ribbon, punched flowers, button, and bling. Here is a couple ATC's made mostly with the magazine, that i got the other day, cut the graphics out and punched flowers, added ribbon, lace, and some bling. Cut the ace spade from a playing card. Stamped the letter B and some bats. A little pumpkin pin that I painted peaking out behind them. Well I am ready for a few ATC swaps, got some done yesterday. Will be working on my bottle swap now. All for now . Thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings Donna

HALLOWEEN TAGS & SOME VINTAGE

2011-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Couple of Halloween tags I made this week. Not so happy with them, I don't have a lot of supplies with me, and just using what i can scrap up. Most of this came from a Halloween magazine that I got the other day. Read it then cut it up. LOL Close up: Crackled the tags with orange and black ink using my trusty crackle stamp. Love that thing. Could pass for cobwebs on these tags. Punched out some mini flowers using orange page in the mag. Put on some rhinestones. Stamped with a bat and crow stamp. Just got those too. Owls cut from mag along with the orange and black tree with the owls, they are from mag too. Put a ribbon that I got in a package at a yard sale, see I do use yard sale stuff lol. Some very cool vintage cake candle holders. Picked up this bag of stuff, kept looking at it , almost put it back down, then said heck with it was only $1 so got it. It was filled with these great rose candle holders. I remember them from some of the birthday cakes my Grandmother made for me. There was also a few boxes of candles, look where these were bought, Murphy's! Not much around from Murphy's these days. If I ever get my esty store going would like to sell things like this in it.
I started to pack up my altered art supplies today, I sure have more to take back than what I came with. I was wanting to do the camping thing on the way back to Florida, but not sure that will happen. I think there will be a truck full. I am signed up for 3 more swaps, think I can handle that, I hate not being able to swap!! I have a few mystery swaps made up so I will be able to do them. The only problem will be making up what I receive, because it will have to wait until i get back to Fl. So I will just have to put some swapping on hold till I get settled. Hope I don't miss to much :(
I have to figure out how to manage my posting, so that I don't use up my MBites from Verizon before my month is up. Maybe if I use live writer it will help or up load my pic's from my Droid phone, that will save I think. But my pic's will not be so good. Well all for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings Donna

ATC FOOD SWAP & MICA FLAKES

2011-08-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

FOOD SWAP.... Mmmmmm! Amy from http://www.rubymoonart.blogspot.com/ my swap partner sent me this ! A hand painted cupcake in a sweet pink sewn envelope. She did a great job. This swap was hosted by Wendy at http://blissfullatcswap.blogspot.com/

Got these mica flakes at a yard sale last week. A full unopened vintage 1950's maybe 40's box was old for only 10 cents. I was totally excited to say the least. They go high on ebay. This same sale had a lot of vintage ornaments, I passed on, now I wish that I had picked them up. I will be posting some more yard sale finds on my other blog http://grammyandthepapillonprinces.blogspot.com/ check it out. Some neat vintage bottles I plan on using in a bottle swap.

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings donna

I AM BACK & ATC FOOD SWAP

2011-08-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

ATC food swap pear. This is what I made for Amy at http://www.rubymoonart.blogspot.com/ for my ATC card swap and the tag I sent with it. I made the ATC using a shipping tag. Stamped it with the crackle stamp , used a advertising pear graphic, some vintage lace, P scrabble tile, and bling. Wrapped string around it. The tag is from a tag booklet that my DIl got me for my BD at Jo-Ann's. I added a few things to it. With a note to her. I will find the pic I took of the one she sent me and post it next.
Well I am back on line. My new G-Bites start to day. I have been trying to figure out what has caused me to use up my 5,000 before my time is up. I think it is because I have been uploading so many more pic's than I use to. That was before my swapping days lol. Maybe I will try sending some with my Droid phone and see if that helps. I have unlimited on my phone. What do you all do? I had a yard sale today along with the rest of the peeps on the east side of town. Did pretty good. Now I have to get caught up and show what I have been working on and what I have received in the mail.
All for now Blessings Donna

MADE : #4 MYSTERY SWAP

2011-08-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

Chipboard bird.
Sorry I dont seem to be able to turn these guys around

This is what I made with the swap stuff Tee sent me. Got these chip board birds in another swap so took a different trun with this swap, not tags this time, Had fun doing it used at least 75% not all. This is short cause I an still a week away from new Gbites. Blessings Donna

SMART PHONE & MYSTERY # 4

2011-08-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

I uploaded these pic's from my Droid. I could not figure out how to add text , it would not let me, so I am at the puter to finish. I am running out of GBites for the month. So this will be short. This is what I got in the mail today from Tee my # 4 Mystery Swap partner. Click on the pic to see it better, I will post soon.

ATC SWAP & A BOT

2011-08-03T05:07:00.000-07:00

This is the swap ATC I did. Sent her my Mz. Scarlett. Card is neat an origami kimono , I never could do origami. Click on photo for detail.So this is what a bot it....you put things together to make something else. I must try this. Cute little girl....
This will be short, as I am running out of GB with my Verizon... and I have 10 more days to go for it to kick back in.
Blessings
Donna

ORANGE COLOR OF SUMMER & A SWAP

2011-08-01T05:12:00.000-07:00

Orange

Orange is the color this week for the color of summer challenge over at http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-of-color-purple.html hosted by Kristin, go check it out! I joined this a little late, but have been catching up. I have a few more to post yet. Made a tag again, going to make a tag book when done, inked the edges, and stamped with the crackle stamp using my orange water color crayon. I didn't have orange ink so I put some water on a paint brush and wiped it on crayon and the brushed the stamp, takes a little time but works good. Just make sure it is not to wet. The butterfly was cut from a note pad, a punched flower with rhinestone. A lot of the time I might not have the color I need for a flower or some other punch out, so I go to a magazine and look for the color I need. I always find it.

The orange rick rack, some of the many I have collected at yard sale, came in handy for this tag. I added some vintage sheet music , orange flowers with rhinestones. Vintage button with rhinestone again. Some gold twisty ribbon on the bottom of tag. Some detail and done. This tag was made on a ATC size card then attached to the shipping tag. Because I forgot what I was doing lol.

Some time ago I joined a Yahoo group but could never get anyone to respond to my post. Then one day a few weeks ago a lady posted wanting to do one on one swaps. Soooo I contacted her and we had our first trade an ATC card. I sent her my Mz. Scarlett card and a note tag along with it. Then I find out she is from Florida ...great... I am looking for some like minded peeps in Florida! I will show what she sent me next post.

Weather in Greenville PA.... still warm but not in the 90's... maybe get something done this week. Hmmm will see.... Set up at the flea market did not go good at all... don't think I will go back this year. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon. Blessings Donna

BROWN & BLUE COLOR OF SUMMER TAGS

2011-07-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Playing catch up with the tags. This is blue one, shipping tag inked and stamped. Small piece of sheet music, some blue flower paper strip down the side. The ribbon looks black but it is navy blue. And a couple blue vintage buttons.Close up...vintage grandfather clock cut from mag, flowers from some lace, with blue rhinestones. Love my rhinestones! LOL Behind the clock a couple of vintage blue plates cut from a mag. Brown....I think of men in their brown suits, pipes, news papers. Inked and stamped another shipping tag. Added a strip of paper , and a cut out of vintage a man. An owl tag that can be removed was added. In right hand upper corner is an old bingo number o-66 from a vintage game. Found it in the buttons the other day.Close up...with the owl tag removed.....It was nestled behind some soft mesh ribbon, with a couple brown buttons. The owl has a couple of cool rhinestone eyes. On the tag I tried to blotch some ink but didn't work to well I think some blending solution is needed. Oh, there is a little brown sparrow behind the mesh.
Cloudy rainy day, looks like it will be all day rain. Even tho it was raining, went to a couple yard sales and one estate sale. You will never guess what the queen of $5 got. Next post. But I am lov'n it! Been working on a cedar box , those kind you get in a tourist trap store. Going to alter it an make it cool looking! Trying to take pic's so I can show you how I did it. Since watching Utube takes up so much of my Verizon GBits on my puter, I started watching some altered art videos on my Droid phone. Working out well, but sometimes they do not talk loud enough. I wonder if getting an ear piece would help. Not getting much done on the house, I am tired of doing all this heavy work, did that all my life. Now that I am retired, I want to do retired things , fun things. Making me happy things. :) :) :) see....happy faces. LOL. Going to go take pic's of my yard sale finds to show you, thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

COLOR PURPLE & PINK TAGS

2011-07-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

Color of Summer tag this week is purple. This is mine. The tag is stamped purple with the crackle stamp and inked. Some torn purple paper down the side with I punched some flowers out of lavender velum and added purple rhinestones. The lady is a pic I got in a bunch of old photos some where. I copied and cut her out, then added some color trying to make her look happier, and put some purple on her. I don't think she looks any happier. Punched out a purple heart and added button with rhinestone. On the top I put some of that tatted lace I got at a yard sale last week. I got an add in the mail and it was advertising some wrist watches so I cut them out and used one here. Put a purple rhinestone in the middle of it. I am having fun doing these, I wonder if it is to late to join the official challenge ? They already did pink, and I am going to play catch up. This one stamp and inked the tag again. Added a large pink flower I cut out of a flower magazine. Found an add with a lady with pink finger nail polish on holding a stop watch. I love those fingers and watch, in fact that's the only thing I cut out of the add. I put some pink rhinestones on each nail and one in the middle of the stop watch. Then in another add, I found these sweet garden gloves, so put then on and added a pink button. I like the way it turned out.

Think I will go check and see if I can join. The Color of Summer. I did join another challenge. Post more on that later, and I will post and show you the crackle stamp.Weather is still the same. Guess that's it for now thanks for looking and come back soon

I went on over to Kristins blog http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/ and joined the color fun, go check it out.

Blessings

Donna

ATC CARDS & A TRADE

2011-07-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

A couple ATC cards I did in the last few days. Too hot to move about so I sat and did this. I call her Mz. Scarlett. Made using a shipping tag, stamped with my fav, crackle stamp, and inked edges. Then on one half I added part of a vintage post card that had a flower/forrest motif. I cut Mz. Scarlett from an add in a mag, then glued her down. Added mini rhinestone hearts, some fashion yarn. Down the right side a strip of paper with some twisty braid. A little detail and she was finished. I was going to use her in the lady/hat swap but then read it again and it said, lady in a hat so...that's out for this one, she is holding her hat. But I will keep her for another trade, swap or giveaway. So I moved on to this one, didn't think her hat was outstanding enough, she will save her also. Used the shipping tag again. Crackle stamped and inked. Used a pic out of an old book, she is one of our presidents wives but forget which one. Was a black and white pic so I put some color to her, using chalk pencils. With a little mini rhinestone heart necklace. A strip of paper down the left side, open lace with a string of blue and an old key. A piece of corrugated card board, with mesh ribbon on top. Then a blue button with a large rhinestone heart. Some detail and she is also done.Got this in the mail yesterday, from Tee at http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ . I traded her some ephemera for some hand made soap . Coffee flavor. Mmmm good , have not used it yet, to pretty! Thanks Tee I love it!She also sent me a hand made Marie post card. This is the front, way to pretty to use, so I will hang it up when I get back to FL and admire it!This is what's on the back of post card. Just beautiful! Thanks again Tee!!!!Woke up to clouds and scattered thunder storms, so that left out setting up at the flea market. Going to be high 80's again so not sure what I will do today. Maybe a short road trip with Maggie and find some geocache's. So all for now, thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessing
Donna

MYSTERY SWAP #2 & YARD SALE FIND

2011-07-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Got this in the mail yesterday. My mystery swap from Georgie at http://georgie-hornpuddinnpie.blogspot.com/ don't' you just love the envelope.In side there were lot of goodies to work with. I used a little of everything except some clear cellophane type material, just couldn't make it work. Did not use the little pink tag, will use it on another project I'm sure.And this is the tag I made. Inked and stamped the tag, cut out the rose & flowers from vintage wrapping paper she sent. To a smaller tag she sent I added a small round tag, cut the cherish from another tag, and put it all together with the rope of pearls. Some white ribbon across the top with some rhinestone type embellishments. Some of the same in the lower corner. To the blue flowers I added some mini,mini, bead type things, not sure what you call them. Some Pitt pen doodles and was done. Thanks Georgie I had fun playing with your stuff.Got this box of goodies at a yard sale yesterday for 75 cents. I could not believe she said that price. This was inside bunch of crochet thread, with one being a big ball that weight a pound! Some rick rack and seam binding, and a couple small envelopes with buttons. Also in there was this tiny vintage sewing box. It is 8" X 5" X 3" deep. So sweet, it had a few old zippers and a pin cushion that I could see in the short time I looked before buying it. When I got home and took everything out you will not believe what was in it!!!!BUTTONS !! LOL I had a lot of fun for a couple hrs sitting in the living room trying to cool off in front of the fan playing with and sorting my new treasure. Now I know I am a button collector for sure!
Had a good day even if most of it was spent trying to keep cool.
We did get a smalll thunder storm late afternoon, but very little rain with it. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

GIVE AWAY

2011-07-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you in on a great give away by a great artist. Check out Diane's beautiful box she is giving away.
http://dianesalter.blogspot.com/

thanks for looking
Donna

MORE BUTTONS & THE COLOR RED

2011-07-20T04:42:00.001-07:00

I want to show you a couple things here, these are all the buttons that I have collected since I have been in PA. this summer. Never collected so many in such a short time. I guess with all that I have in FL you could now call me a button collector. Pink and red in one jar, blue and green in another, and different and fancy in the other. All white and dark in the tin.

The other thing I want to show was how I fancied up the everyday jars. These jars had ugly lids, so I spray painted the white and decoupaged some flowers on them. The jar on the right has some fashion yarn in it. I think I am going to be using a lot of this kind of thing for storage in my studio.Here is a close up of the tops.Kristin at http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/ is having a Color of Summer Challenge and every week she gives a new color prompt to make something. I did not join officially but now I would like to do it so I think I will just play along on my own. So I jumped in this week with the color being red. Here is what I made. Using a shipping tag, I stamped it with the crackle stamp with red ink. Then inked the edges. I added the vintage wash girl, I found her in an old album I got at a flea market. Someone had cut out a bunch of things and glued them in the album, there were a few of these. It was an album with the old black pages, remember those? Then I used some ribbon I got in one of my swaps, added some red rhinestone bubbles, a few birds flying around to help make her wash day fun! A red button set in red glitter glue on the wash bucket and a red rhinestone heart in the corner. I used red fashion yarn and red beads for the tag hanger. Some detail using the Pitt pens and I think it's done.Isn't she sweet, I think now I should have copied her before using her. Still hot here, I worked on some art yesterday afternoon, it was really to hot to do anything else. I took the paper towel tubes I had, and cut them up and covered them so they are all ready to decorate. I want to make a bunch of the pouches. I plan on selling them at a show, they make great money or gift card holders. I would like to do a few more swaps, anyone out there know of any that just started? Please ...leave me a comment. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessing Donna

SPOON SWAP & BUTTONS

2011-07-19T05:17:00.000-07:00

Got mail yesterday, don't you just love mail with packages in it. My partners were Michele and Ashley http://thetatteredquiltcottage.blogspot.com/ Wrapped up in pretty red tissue red checked ties.And in side was this lovely altered spoon. It has a great patina on it, with flowers deco on the bowl with glitter. Handle has buttons, ribbon roses and tulle bow.Close up of the spoon. Thanks girls I love it! Tee at http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ hosted this swap. Check out her blog, lot of lovely stuff she does.Yard sale finds for altered art projects. I love it when I come across buttons still on the original tags. I think these are from the 60's. Got all these in one package for only 15 cents. Good find I think!Another great find was the bundle of tatted lace. For only $1.00. Someone once tried to teach me how to tat, all I ever ended up with was a bunch of knots. So I appreciate this prize!Close up. The weather here is so hot, and I have no A/C. This kind of weather makes me sluggish and no energy to do anything. The mornings are not too bad, so I do most of what gets done is then. Well that's all thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings Donna

MYSTERY SWAP TAG & FIRST ATC

2011-07-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

Mystery swap package came in the mail wrapped in sewing pattern paper!I couldn't wait to open it! Look at all the goodies, in color I usually reserve for fall. But I do love fall color.And this is the tag I made. used some paper and ribbon on the base of tag. She sent a pic of a dad and his baby, I punched a heart of them with some text under. Fran sent some rusty stuff, I used the rusty safety pin in the tag holder along with orange ribbon and twine. With a rusty key and washer. Material I cut out a couple of flowers and put orange rhinestone in the middle. A rusty paper clip and spring holding a bird feather on the tag. Some cloth flower type ribbon down the middle and across the top. And a couple of orange buttons. :)Close up of the top of tag.Close up of bottom of tag.Two things I just could not fit on the tag. But I will be using them on something. A cloth heart and sticky flower.This is my first ATC card. I hope to send it a swap. I cut the card from shipping tag, but think I will find something else to use that's not so pricey. Stamped it with my new crackle stamp (40% off) then stamped with a dot stamp and inked the edges. Stamped a Eiffel tower also. Some star tissue paper was added with a pretty vintage Paris girl. Put on a Paris banner I had, and some fashion yarn,a few star rhinestones, some detail with the pitt pens and done.
Tee from http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/%20thishad this swap and my swap partner was Fran from http://thebagglady.blogspot.com/
I messed up on this swap , and sent too much stuff, I did not read the tag, atc, etc part LOL.
So Fran has a lot for many projects. Thanks Tee for this swap and thanks Fran for the fun I had making this tag with your goodies.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings Donna

MATCH BOX I SENT

2011-07-14T05:21:00.000-07:00

This is the match box I sent to Victoria at http://thingsilearnfrombear.blogspot.com/ in the swap hosted by Tee. http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ Went with the shabby pink this time. A peak in side!On one side stamped bird on vintage sheet music. And some pink tissue paper.Here is a close up of the goodies inside. WEATHER IN GREENVILLE PA: Hot in the high 80's with some rain yesterday. Not much. I seem to be having some problems with blogger, I don't think it is my puter as it is new. Going to a couple yard sales this am then clean up my work area and maybe work on something. Having fridge problems so I took everything out and cooked most of it. Have to make some blueberry cobbler when I get back. Altered the glass case but still not happy with it. Well all for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

MATCH BOX SWAP-GOT IT!

2011-07-13T04:46:00.001-07:00

Got my match box swap in the mail today! Flowers, rhinestones, old skeleton keys.... sweet!Filled with goodies!

Who would believe you could get all this in that little box

All kinds of altered art projects in there!And more!

Mail man made my day today, with this package from my match box swap partner. Victoria at http://thingsilearnfrombear.blogspot.com/ it is truly amazing what you can get in one of those boxes.I do love these swaps !!! Today I worked on some art , altering an eye glass case. I was just wondering if these might be something to make and sell at a craft show, thought I would try making one. Not to happy with it yet, still work to do on it. I am having problems logging on the this blog...is anyone else having problems logging on? To my blog.

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings Donna

ALTERED ART BOX

2011-07-06T13:39:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone, worked on this box that has been rolling around my house. I was found a few years ago, figured I would do something with it at some point. I have been purging and getting stuff gathered up for they tag/yard sale and almost pitched this box. But some how it ended up on my work table so I just did it. On the top I used a magazine pic of a vintage lady, and used one of the watch faces I got when waiting for my new muffler.

I covered the whole box with old hand written letters I got at a yard sale, and pages from and old book. On the front top I had some left over mini rusty tin stars glued them on. Put on one of my stamped and colored with chalk pencils butterflies. Old one cent stamp .

On this end of the box put punched heart from the letter, and old blue button, with some vintage lace on top.

On the other end a cut out bird some sheet music, and fake rhinestone. I still have a hard time with this live writer. I put 5 pic’s on so lets find out if they all show up. Yesterday they did not. Tomorro my swap partner should have gotten her match box so I will post on that.

I wonder what you all do when you sit down to so some art work. I have a hard time figureing out what to use. Do you all look over all your supplies and then gather up what to use and go from there? Or do you figure out a theme and go that way? I have a problem in this area. Please give me some feed back thanks Welll that’s all for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings Donna

FIRST MATCH BOX

2011-07-06T06:27:00.001-07:00

I have been wanting to do an altered match box. So when Tee offered a swap I jumped at the chance to make one. This is not the one I made for the swap, but they come to in a package so I made two! This is one side of the box. covered with vintage sheet music, cut out bird from a book with mesh ribbon. The other side of the match box. Covered with sheet music, stamped and colored with chalk pencils distressed and fake rhinestones. I love doing these!

All the goodies I put in the box.

The top of box covered with scrap book paper, hand crochet vintage mini doily, added some fashion yarn and pieces of vintage paper doily. Heart rhinestone.

Close up of doily. I found these in a old antique sewing box so I am thinking the are very old. Most every thing in the box was old enough to be antique.

I am not sure where these pic’s and text will end up on blogger cause I am using live writer, I will tell you again this is not the box I sent to my swap partner. Post that one soon as she gets it. All for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings Donna

ALTERED SPOON FOR MY SWAP PARTNER

2011-07-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

I put it in one of the paper towel roll, containers I made. Since it is a Christmas ornament, I chose a Christmas theme one. I love making these!Wrapped the spoon in white tissue paper with red bead string tying it together.The total package.The spoon painted all white, sweet snow man face painted, the painted the spoon handle pepper mint candy cane. Wrapped handle with wire, added red ribbon bow, and a pearl snowball button.

Weather in Greenville PA: Temp today 84 cloudy this AM. Cloudy most of the time this summer.
I like the FL sunshine better! This swap was an easy one for me. I use to paint these spoon ornaments when i was in the craft show business. I made these and other spoon, and knife ornaments, I will show you some of them at Christmas time. I guess I was doing altered art before I knew what it was called. I finished my match box swap, all ready to go. I will show you what it looks like when I think she received it.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

"YOU GOT MAIL"

2011-06-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

Look what the mailman brought yesterday!And inside was this!And inside that was this great altered mini comp book! The mini book is a gift from Tee at The Altered Paper http://creationsbytee.blogspot.com/ . She sent these out as a thank you for doing the swap. Thanks so much Tee I love it.
Inside of the front cover sweet dove.Inside of back cover.The back of the book.I am so happy with my mini books that came with this swap! I am sending out my altered spoon in the morning and going to the store to day and get my match box for that swap. I have been wanting to do a match box ever since I seen one last year. Just wish I had all my stash with me, so I could load up with a bunch of vintage. Maybe there will be another one I can join this coming winter. I was wondering what you all use your altered books for. Please leave a comment and tell us.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
Donna

ANOTHER ALTERED MINI BOOK

2011-06-25T08:50:00.001-07:00

This is a book I had that is about this same size as the mini comp books. I made this one for my DIL for her birthday on Friday. I seen other's using corrugated card board in their art work. So I thought that I would give it a try. Sun flower is the card board, on a back ground of ink distressed crackled scrapbook paper. Inked the flower and put on a little yellow paint. Vintage button, fake rhinestone, and embossed wall paper strips, with a few wipes of yellow paint. The leaves are cut out from another paper with flowers. Distressed all around and fashion yarn added.The back is green stripped scrapbook paper distressed with ink. Butterfly cut from note card, bird cut from old bird book, and he is chirping fake rhinestones music notes on a piece of vintage sheet music. The front and back of book. A little tea stained lace on the bottom.The inside pages of the mini book are brown craft type paper. Cover of mini book is brown chip board. I seem to be making a lot of small piece's of art. I have about a dozen larger canvases ready to work on and cant seem to figure out what to do with them. Maybe small is my thing. I will ask Pearl to help me get started on canvas when I get back to Florida.Went to a few yard sales this morning and got a few things, I will post about them next time.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
Blessings
donna

MINI COMP BOOK I MADE

2011-06-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

FRONT OF MINI BOOKFRONT AND BACKINSIDE BACKINSIDE FRONT Now that Jeanie at http://jeanieatc.blogspot.com/ got here mini book I made for her, I can post it here on my blog. I didn't want her to see it before hand. I had so much fun making this book that I want to make more. But have to find the mini comp book first. This one I happened to bring with me from Florida, glad I did!
Glad you like it Jeanie.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon
Blessings
Donna

BIRTHDAY LOOT

2011-06-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

PAPER ART GOODIESJELLY STAMPSTABLETS OF TAGSBUGS, BUTTERFLYS & BUTTONS
On my birthday yesterday,went to my son and dil house for dinner. And dil went to joanns and hit the jackpot sale day. She found all this for me! Love it.
Thanks so much for everything.

GOT MY MINI COMP B00K SWAP!

2011-06-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is what my swap partner Jeanie at http://jeanieatc.blogspot.com/ Thanks so much I love it. It is so pretty I hate to use it and mess it up.Front and back. Look close at the peacock feather.... it is a pic of a woman. So cool!

Got this in the mail today, just in time for my birthday that happens to be today! Love it when you get unexpected things in the mail on special days. Not doing much today, going to son's for dinner. For some reason my puter started ringing a bell when I type, whats with that I cant figure out how to stop it, very annoying.

That's all for now, thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

PAGE IN JUNK JOURNAL - YARD SALE FIND

2011-06-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

Found this potpourri pot at a yard sale last weekend. I have been looking for one so I could start to use some beeswax in my art. And I only paid $1 for it.Then a few yard sales later I found some beeswax, in the form of honey comb sheets, used in making those wrap candles. About 2 lbs again only $1. Could not believe my luck, just a couple a weeks ago I was looking at the price for beeswax, but held off buying it. Glad I did. I melted some of it down and now need to look for some info on how to use it in altered paper art.KITTY & MOUSE PAGE.....Here is a page from my junk journal. I used a greeting card and cut out this kitty, and used the paw print envelope that came with it. I added the extra glit & glitter.Mouse was there and I added to it. The flowers are tiny stickers and I painted the leaves. Put some rhinestones on the cute little kitty paws. I put the good luck on there for the mouse! That's it for now thanks for looking and come back soon.
blessings
Donna

WORKING ON HAND PAINTED PAPER

2011-06-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

LOVED THESES SHOES...... I have been working on some hand painted paper in my learning journal. These were white then on the right side I used a stencil I got at a thrift store, it has the hearts on it. Then I used a stencil with small sq's and sprayed over the top. On the left same white back ground found this heart doily, 10 cents at a yard sale, and sprayed the red paint again. The red was to stark so I lightly sprayed white over the pages. IN A RED MOOD......I loved these red polka-dot shoes the second I saw them in a magazine add. Even tho you could see the % off tag on them I cut them out and will work around them. When I found the heart stencil I knew they were ment to be together.LEAVES.....This again is on a white back ground. I used some leaves from my locust three in the front yard. I am always on the look out for something to use as a stencil. I like the way the way these turned out, not sure what I will put with them yet or what else I might layer on the page.

CLOSE UP I sent my mini comp book swap to Jeanie at All My Art blogspot today. I loved doing the book and plan on making more to sell at a craft show I plan on doing with Pearl next year. Hope you like it Jeanie, as soon as she gets it I will post pic's. I love doing these swaps and glad I can do a few here in PA.

OLD PAPER DOILY......Used a red back ground sprayed some blue over vintage paper doily. Put some white dots and ran over them with an old gift card.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

GOT MY SWAP PACKAGE

2011-06-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

LOT OF GOODIES!

LOVE THE BIRD CHIPBOARD!A GREAT TAG TEMPLATE!

I got my RAK swap package today, my swap partner was Jenny from Jenny's Heart blog. Love all the goodies she sent. Way to much to list, so click on the pic to enlarge and see details. I will be using these and what fun I will be having.
Tee at The Altered Paper was the host for this swap. I also sent in my Bird Song Swap tags, I am having them sent to Fl since it will be later that they will be due and sent out.

Well that's it for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

WHERE I WORK - MORE POCKETS

2011-06-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

Been working on more of the paper towel pockets. Like doing these as much as the tags! Love that little bird punch I got. I used an old broken necklace as the chain holding the bird cage.

I wanted to use these on my bird song tags but my jewelry stash is in FL.

Loved the way this one turned out, used some pre-stitched paper, and the little girl sticker, wheel from a vintage paper doily.

Used fashion yard for the hangers. I got a lot of this when I worked at a craft store a few years ago.

I used watch face and a new moon stamp here on the left. On the right stamped butterfly colored with chalk pencils, and cut out. With a diamond shaped rhinestone. Messy work space in PA. I turned a shelf stand on its side and put on the dinning room table and that is where I work my art while in PA.

I guess if you don't have a messy space, your not making art. lol

Trying to work out getting everything done on house I need to and still have time to do some art work. Planning a trip on Friday to have an art day with my DIL. Will remember to take camaera this time.
All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

TAG MODE

2011-06-08T08:04:00.001-07:00

Close up of a few tags I made yesterday.More of the same tags. I can’t seem to get out of the tag mode. I love doing these little things. I am trying this live writer again, not sure where things will end up.

Now after I did my bird song swap tags, I found an old bird boo. It as what I wanted to use all along but could not find it. I tried doing some inking with the ink blending tool but not sure I did it right. I spritzed with some water and that helped but thinking I need more instruction. Then I did some stamping, cut out some birds added them and a few ribbons. Put on a little bling , some detail with my pitt pens and was finished!

Well that’s it for now, thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

A FEW THINGS

2011-06-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Went to my son's home and DIl (daughter in law) and I went to a few a yard sales and had an art day. I forgot camera, so did not get any pic's. She is interested in learning about and doing some altered art. So I took some things for her to get started. We worked on a paper towel pocket and did some cutting up of magazines. I took her a cigar box and she had a great idea for making a summer memory box with it. Can't wait to see what it will look like.
I took these pic's when I got home. This is the one i did with dil.

I finished up the sheet music and butterfly one later.

I also did this flash card hanger. Has a humming bird on it. Seen a hummer this morning trying to get nectar from my Korean Dogwood tree. So I think I will get a humming bird feeder for the front porch.

WEATHER IN GREENVILLE PA: Thunder storms this morning so far. The temps have been much better in the high 70's and 80's.

I sent out my RAK Swap to Jenny at Jenny's Heart blog. I forgot to take pic's so I hope she post some. The swap was sponsored by Tee at The Altered Paper.

Guess that is all for now check out my other blog, link is on side bar.

thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings

Donna

FINISHED MY TAGS

2011-06-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

BIRD SONG SWAP TAGS

CLOSE UP

CLOSE AGAIN

THE TAG BACK
WEATHER GREENVILLE PA: Hot I might as well be in Florida, at least there I have A/C.

90 yesterday!

I have three fans going trying to keep a little cool, not to be they just push the hot air around. It is hard to get any work done in this heat. I did get my Birdsong tags done. I used the manila shipping tags , got them at Staples. Inked them up and stamped with my new bird cage stamp. Cut out some music notes for the song part. The bird part is, tiny mini birds punched with a new punch I got at Michael's for $1. I really am glad I got the stamp and punch because I have a lot of problems finding pic's of birds. I know I could get them of the net, but at this time I do not have a printer, so they really did come in handy. Added some fringe yarn to the bottom of the bird caged and also made the tag string with the same yarn. Did some detail with a small size Pitt Pen. On the back : Stamped bird cage in blue, inked around edge. Signed my name and blog on the bottom.

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

YARD SALE LOOT

2011-05-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

VINTAGE TIN

INSIDE THE VINTAGE TIN

VINTAGE MAGAZINES

VINTAGE CANNING JAR WITH BUTTONS WEATHER IN GREENVILLE PA : Temp 70 Rain on and off all day. Mostly cloudy, not at all what I am used to.

I was feeling better today so Maggie and I went to a few yard sales between rain drops. Above is what we go. The first is a vintage tin, isn't that flower graphic on the top beautiful! It was full of sewing items mostly vintage things, like wood spools, buttons, tape , seam biding etc. Nice find.

Next pic of old magazines Woman's Day, Farm Journal, Women's Household. From 1941 and few 60's. Lot of neat old graphics and photo's especially the advertisements.

Last but not least, an old blue ball canning jar, filled with vintage buttons. A great find. I think that I am hooked on buttons. lol

I think I will be feeling good enough by Monday to start work on the house. And work on some art projects. I joined two more swaps so I better get busy.

I need to do 7 bird tags for the Karla's Cottage Bird Song Tag swap, and RAK swap with Tee again at The Altered Paper. Your are to fill a business size envelope with altered art goodies, such as graphics, tags, lace, buttons, all kind of paper, etc. I love swaps. She is going to do a altered spoon swap, now I cant wait for that. Got mine done already!!

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings

Donna

POCKET SWAP -THANKS TEE!

2011-05-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

GOT THIS IN THE MAIL

THE POCKET

FILLED WITH GOODIES LOOK AT THESE GOODIES

CLOSE UP
MORE CLOSE

SOME EXTRA IN THE PKG
PIC 1- Got this sweet looking package in the mail. How cool is that with the butterflies.

PIC 2- This is my Whimsy Pocket from my swap partner Tee.

PIC 4- The goodies in the pocket. Two scrabble charms, a large double sided tag with a hand made flower, large tag with an owl, two small pink envelopes, one small pocket with tag in it, one small tag, three pastel roses.

The pocket wrapped in striped pink paper embellished with lace and beautiful satin rose. On the back a pretty pink button. Pink satin ribbon handle. This is from Tee at The Altered Paper my swap partner.

I love it, was excited when I got the mail, even tho I have a nasty cold. Do to that cold I have not done a thing since I got to PA. I feel a little better today, hope its better by the weekend so I can go visit family.

I love these swaps I have been doing I have joined two more I will post on the next post.

That's all for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

WHIMSY POCKET SWAP

2011-05-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

THE POCKET I SENT

POCKET AND GOODIES

MORE My swap partner received her pocket so I thought I would post about and show you all. I wrapped the paper towel roll with textured wall paper (not vintage). The flowers at the bottom I used the edging from a napkin. Put the dot sheer ribbon on the very bottom. In the middle I added a lavender vintage clip on earring. Punched holes one both sides and added the ribbon. Put daisy beads around the top. The goodies inside are an antique skeleton key, a tear drop crystal from an antique chandelier I got from a 100 yr, old house that was being torn down, some assorted buttons and sequin things. I really had fun with this swap, and hope to do many more. Glad I was able to get this done and sent before I left for my trip north.

Tee from The Altered Paper was my swap partner and she posted about iton her blog. Go take a look she as a neat blog!

Thanks for looking and come back soon

PS Maggie and I are in VA this weekend will head for PA in the morning.

Blessings

Donna

HEADING NORTH & POCKET SWAP

2011-05-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

I am heading north in the morning. If you want to keep up with me & Maggie check my other blog the link is on the side bar. I also sent out my pocket swap, Tee was my partner she should get it Friday. When I get to my daughters on Sat. I will post my pics.
Thought I would leave you with a few pic's of Maggie. Here she is winter before last we were snowed in trying to get to Florida. Take a close look she has her snow boots on. LOL She had no problem wearing these as it was so cold she could not go out without them. With in minutes she would be lifting her paws wanting me to pick her up. Also when she sees me with a camera she looks away it really is hard to get her face. Click on pic for close up.

This is Maggie and Joey my daughters dog, they sit in her bay window waiting for us to come home and the carry on like we had left them for days. LOL

All for now thanks for looking come back soon

Blessings

Donna

MORE PAINTED PAPER

2011-05-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

These papers are on the small size. With this first one I was trying a technique using the Tim Holtz blending tool. I think I need some lessons. LOL. They were to come out looking like sunflowers but all I got was two colored blobs. I could not waste anything, so I made my own flowers out of the blobs. Using Pitt Pens and a green jelly roll pen all I did was out line and do some detail. Turned ok for me. I really would like to learn how to use that blending tool.

These are some poppies I painted using water color crayon and Pitt Pens for the detail. I am not sure if I will use this as a small almost mini collage or add it to a larger collage.

Same with these flowers I drew them and used the water color crayons on then also. WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL. : Yesterday we hit a record high of 96. I wonder what summer will bring if this is spring weather!

Not much in the way of art going on around here. I now have everything packed up ready to go.

I did these a few weeks ago so thought I would share them now.

That's all for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings

Donna

SWAP

2011-05-08T06:09:00.001-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL YOU MOM’S!

I joined another swap! Love doing these. This one you are to use a paper towel roll. Cut it glue down one end and decorate. I got mine done and the pic below is a sneak peek at it.

When you get done you are to fill it with sweet little bits and pieces. When I get done I will show you all, I don’t want to give it away in case my swap partner might read my blog.

Short post today thanks for looking and come back soon!

Blessings Donna

HAND PAINTED PAPER & A SWAP

2011-05-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is a close up of the blue on one sheet of paper you can see the texture of the wall paper.

This is the three sheets that I used for this batch of paper.

Close up of paper layered using paint and old paper doily and a piece of screen that is the squares.

More doily stencils.

This is a coaster that is in the shape of the sun I used as a stencil.

I am using the live writer and still not sure where the text is going to show up or how. I hope I get use to it soon. I had a whole post wrote up with pic’s and all . Well it end up on the wrong blog. Sometimes when I go to type the letter I it changes the fonts to italics. Having this new computer does not help very sencitive and I touch thing not knowing and zap something happens and I have know idea what or how and do not know how to fix it. I still can not find the save button.

Pearl got some out dated wall paper books and she shared some with me, and that is what I used here. I have 3 frames that I got at a yard sale going to use them for these. I plan on collageing on them. So stay tuned for that.

Also I joined another swap that was what I did yesterday and it got posted on the wrong blog so I deleted and now have to redo it. That will be next blog.

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings Donna

LIVE WRITER

2011-05-02T14:12:00.001-07:00

Well second time for trying this, First time I hit publish and it did not publish. So I will try again. This is a test post. I also will try and post a pic and see where you can put text. On top or and at the bottom of pic.

Here goes, this is 3 frames I got at a yard sale few weeks ago. I already made a back ground to collage on for them. I used wall paper from an out dated wall paper book.

Going to try and post this again.

Ok, this big dummy figured it out. lol

MY FIRST ALTERED BOOK

2011-05-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is a couple pages from the first book that I am altering. This is kinda hard for me as I am so new to this art that I really don't know what I am doing. And not sure how to do it, According to what I have read there is no right or wrong, so I will go ahead and show you. I think I am done with these two pages but you never know with this kind of art. I first put a layer of acrylic paint down kind of scattered not filling in the whole page. Did some stamping then added flowers and butterflies from differed sources.

The sunflowers are from a card that my son's family got me for my birthday one year, I used part of it for this project and part is in my Junk Journal. That journal is mostly for family mementos. This sunflower I put some detail on it and added a vintage button. The stems are just cut from card stock with detail added.

Close up of other sunflower.

This is a butterfly cut from a magazine add. I think it was for jello, not sure about that. I did the detail with my Pitt Pens and added a diamond shaped rhinestone that I got in a package of things at a yard sale.

More of the same butterflies only smaller. You can see the stamping in the back ground on this pic. The yellow on the page is from water color crayons.

I punched out some flowers and used them and the negative. On the negative I rounded the corners did some detail again with pens and added some gold metal brads in the middle. Then scattered the punched out flowers around.

Another close up of sunflower.

This is a pic of the book that I am altering. Not the best pic but you get the idea. I got off to a not so good start to this. I could not figure out what to do. So I started by just doing some back ground work on the pages, gluing several together so the book is not so fat, and generally just back ground work. Finally I started with the sunflower and it kinda just started to fall in place. I did not do it all at one time, that I found out is not the way this art works most of the time. I learned from other altered artist that you let your muse lead you. LOL didn't know I had one till now and still not sure when or how she will show up.

Well that's it for now, thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

FULL BASKET OF GOODIES

2011-04-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is a basket that I put together for my friend Pearl to take with her to a show she is doing this fall. I will not be able to do the show and she wanted me to make this up to see if it might be anything the people might like to buy. I think I will be doing a show with her next yr. I used dads shredder to shred some sheet music to use as a base to set my items on. Then just put my stuff in, I just got this basket at a yard sale, and it fits the bill perfect. I filled it with a few things I made this winter. Post cards left from the post card swap. I made to many it was such fun making them. The vintage bottles I altered ( posted about them a few post ago) One of my little fat page art journals, and a couple of those mini lunch box photo albums. I also posted about them before. Click on the pic to see detail. Here is a close up of the things in basket. I am trying to be a little artful taking my pic's because of the poor job el'cheapo camera does. lol I look at the pic some of the other altered art blogs and try and do what they do. Not as good yet but much better I think. I am trying to look at things differently thru the lens.

More close up from a different angle.

Pic of the two mini lunch boxes, they have altered tags in side for you to put your fav photos on like a mini album. They are fun to make but very work intensive. Lot of time involved. Altered vintage bottle in front of them and vintage altered post cards in back. Well this is the second post of the day and the second time I did this post. First time was almost done and it disappeared on me. Made sure I saved it often this time. With my old computer I did not have this problem. Not sure what is going on.

All for now thanks for stopping and come back soon!

Blessings

Donna

YARD SALE ART FINDS

2011-04-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

PAINT: Look at this great deal I got today. Went yard saling with Maggie, and found some wonderful finds. I was telling my friend the other day my old paint is running low and I was soon going to have to buy some new. Well here is what I got for less than 20 cents a tube. It is Liquitex Basics that run $5.00 a tube at Micheal's. All are at least 3/4 full and a couple new unused. Got them and a few other markers and a tool box tote. Doing the "happy yard sale dance"

And yet more goodies! These acrylic block are expensive and I refuse to buy them. And I found a two sets of them at a yard sale at 50 cents each set. I could not believe my ears when he said 50 cents! And beside them was a package "jelly" acrylic stamps. Also 50 cents. More happy dancing!

And I got some findings for my altered art. Got all this sea glass for 25 cents. It is very hard to find sea glass at the beach in this area. A lot of green and clear in this bunch. It will be great to use in my art projects. In the mean time it will be pretty to look at in a clear glass container.

There was one piece of blue in the bunch.

And one what use to be a cats eye marble. Now its all frosted like the rest of the sea glass. If you look close you can see the yellow streak of the cats eye

I am packing up and getting read to leave. So I am not working on much right now. I did work in a book on Thur. with Pearl. It was our last art day until I come back. I do have some things to share with you so I will keep posting and when I get settled in PA I plan on just not working all the time. I think my DIL is interested in doing some altered art so I hope to be doing some with her and showing her a few things about it.

All for now thanks for stopping by and come back soon

Blessings

Donna

ART SHOW

2011-04-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Went to an art show in down town Melbourne on Sunday morning. I met an mixed medium/altered art artist. She had some really great work. This is a pic of her booth. And a few pic's of her work. You know the reputation of my cheapo camera and it lives up to that in these pic's. I wish I had better to show you because it is really great stuff. And dummy me did not write a small description either.

Roberta Thomas mixed medium artist. I also forgot to ask her for a blog site or web site.
If you are reading this Roberta please email me with that info and I will add it to my blog.

All for now thanks for looking and come back soon

Blessings

Donna

MORE CANVAS TO ALTER & PUNCHES

2011-04-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have been busy this week punching with these punches. I got a couple from Pearl and want to get a bunch of punch outs before I go to PA. These are things that you can add to your altered art.

These tiny flowers are so sweet. I will be using these alot!

These are great fillers on your altered art

I have a ton of velum and even used that for some cute hearts

Really made a haul at an estate sale this morning! I got there late and they were just wanting to get rid of stuff by then. So I got these 7 canvases for $1! They and 10,15,and 20 on them.

I like this one, just wish it was red poppies and not orange. I might try and add some red to them before I alter it. If it turns out ok I will hang it and look at it for awhile.

Canvas loot I got today. Hit the jackpot! $1.00 each!

All for now thanks for looking.

Blessings

Donna

LAYERING A CANVAS

2011-04-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Went to Pearl's yesterday and she helped me with spry painting the two canvases I got for 25 and 75 cents at yard sales last week. I need a mask when spray painting so Pearl did that for me. We picked out some paint and some stencils to use and she went at it. I really like the way they turned out.

Close up there was some texture on the big canvas and I decided to leave it there. you can see it in this close up.

I got a coaster or something like that in the shape of the sun at a yard sale. I used it as a stencil here is a close up of it in the corner of the canvas. I have never done this before and have know idea what to put on this.

This is the smaller canvas you can see all the layers of paint and stencils. I added some circles and dobs of paint to it today. I also went over both of them with gesso to tone them down a bit. I think when they are done and I put a sealer/ finish on them everything will pop. WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL. Temp today low 80's and plenty of sun shine.

I sure wish had a new camera this pic's are bad. But I have to get a new puter, mine is almost dead. Went looking today found a good deal at Best Buy.

Well that's it for now thanks for looking.

Blessings

Donna

NEW TECHNIQUE

2011-04-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a page from my junk jurnal that I did the last few days. I used some of my new hand made paper using the wax paper and napkins. I painted the back ground with spray paint then aded a layer of water color crayon and then a layer of acrylic. Then glued down the wax paper. The fancy girl is a chip borad cut out. I found a package of 6 different girls at a yard sale last weekend. I have since added a few other items, I will show you when done. I think it will be called "The Butterfly Garden Girl"

A close up of the girl. I think they are suppose to be movie stars of old. Not sure.

Close up of the hand made paper. This is going to be a short post. Thanks for looking and come back soon!

Blessings

Donna

HAND MADE PAPER & 2 MORE POST CARDS

2011-04-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

I seen on a blog a technique on making paper using wax paper and napkins and tissue paper. So thought I would try my hand at it. I only had a few napkins with graphics on them mainly roses and flowers. But had a bunch of tissue paper. What you do is glue the napkins and tissue paper to the wax paper. Firs covering the wax paper with glue or mod podge, then gluing down the papers. Covering every thing with a layer of mod podge at least that is what I used.

I really like the way they turned out and plan on using this technique with other medium. What I don't know yet but I am sure there other ideas some where in my artistic brain . LOL I have used one piece of it in my junk journal, when I get the page done I will show you.

Got two more post cards this week, this first one is from Carol in NY. She has several layers on it looks like some stamping with the bubble wrap, some stickers, and the butter fly is cut from a picture she took of a quilt she made. How cool is that! Very colorful rick rack is some sewing done on the card. Thanks for the great card Carol! I do not see a blog for her.

This card is from Sam, and she lives in Australia! Several layers here also with some textured painting, and cut outs. Some stamping with what looks like punchanella. A very interesting post card. Thanks for the great card. I see no blog for her either. Very hot here in Melbourne FL today. I went to yard sales with Pearl this AM but have been inside all afternoon. I will be posting yard sale finds on my other blog be sure and check it out.

Thanks for looking

Donna

YARD SALE LOOT & MORE POST CADS

2011-04-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

I found these canvases at a yard sale 75&25 cents! Can't beat that! I plan on painting over them with some altered art , not sure what yet. The one on top with what looks like sunflowers has a lot of goopy texture on it, not sure what they were trying to do on that one. The one on the bottom is a nice painting with a sweet girl in a wild flower pasture. I might hang this one up for awhile. It will be sometime before I get to it, but I could not pass it up at this time with a price of 75 cents. Got a bunch of old round head cloths pins a few weeks ago at a yard sale. So I wrapped some of my vintage and new lace around them. They look like sweet little girls all bundled up in lace blankets. Anyway that's my story on them. The vase I found lying around here it is new not old. Looks old tho.

I got more post cards in the mail. I have 4 more to get then I'll have my 10. This one is from Shelly and she lives in Canada. Looks like these (" chilly Canadian roses as she calls them") are done in water colors. This is really a pretty card and I think this would make a beautiful back ground for and art journal page. I cant find a blog for her, so Shelly if you have one please post it in the comments here. Thanks for the post card!

This creative post card is from Betsy and she lives in GA. She was at a writing retreat when she sent this. Boy does that sound like fun. I need help in that area. It looks like she has many layers on this card. Her web site is http://www.wildthymecreative.com/ She said she would explain the process on her site. Thanks for the card.

Another creative post card this time a little different. A very nice play on words done on the computer. I have not done much computer art but I sure would like to when I get a new computer that is. This is from Deborah and she lives in IN. Thanks for the unique post card. Well that's it for now thanks for looking. All comments are welcome :)

Blessings

Donna

GETTING MY POST CARDS! & MY ALTERED PICTURE

2011-04-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

POST CARD FROM THE UK : This first post card is from http://www.lillyicity.blogspot.com/ in the UK. She has several layers , I think she described how on her blog. Love it. Like the pic in the middle taken with her iPhone. Thanks Sandra for the great card!

SWEET LITTLE GIRL: on a thousand mile trip. I am not sure where this one came from. But she sure is sweet! Thanks Anita for the wonderful post card.

A DOVE & BUTTERFLY'S : This card is a unique post card in the the fact that it opens up! Made and sent to me from Rachel at http://raeisravenous.blogspot.com/ Cool post card thanks Rachel!

RACHEL'S POST CARD OPEN

WHAT I STARTED WITH: I posed about this several days ago and I thought I would show you the finished project.

FINISHED: I think! I wish that the color would show up better. I guess if I had a better camera it would. The frame is painted black with regular craft paint, with some fashion yarn around it.I told you about the coloring of the girls in the other post. I added an old key tied with yarn. Stamped around the girls with one of my new jelly stamps. At the bottom is circle cut outs from and old paper doily. And put a lavender rhinestone button on the doily. I named it Forever Sisters. Cut the forever from magazine, and painted the word sisters with a Sharpie Paint Pen. It is very faint going down the right side.

CLOSE UP OF THE TOP: In this pic you can see the stamped pocket watches. I was thinking of putting the word "in" before the watches, making the title Forever in (time) the (watches) Sisters. What do you think any comments ?

CLOSE UP OF BOTTOM WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL.: HOT HOT AND HOT! In the 90's last few days, and wall to wall sun. Cool down to the 80's tomorrow. lol

I have started to weed out and pack up the Florida room. It will be to hot and muggy this summer to leave stuff in there. Especially when I cant keep my eye on it. So I am going to take with me a few things to work on and pack up the rest in totes. I ask dad if his friend Ron might be able to put an AC in there. We have a window one just sitting on the back patio. I plugged it in and it works, so I am hoping he can fix it up for me.

Well that's all for now thanks for looking and please feel free to leave a comment.

Blessings

Donna

PREPARING CARDS & SPECIAL EFFECTS

2011-04-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL EFFECTS : Here is the special effects I did on my altered challenge that Pearl and I did a couple weeks ago. I did it in my old MGI Photo Suite, that cam with my first digital camera by Sony. I love that camera it took the best pic ever, but it is obsolete using the old floppy disk. This is done with the "fun effects" mode. I like it as much as the original. Click on it so you can see all the detail.

Preparing bingo cards, flash cards, playing cards so I can alter them.

More prep work.

I found this heart shaped deck of playing cards. Just had to buy them! They will be fun to use, especially in an Alice in Wonder Land swap or challenge. Queen of hearts on a heart shaped card ....too cool!

KING SIZE CARDS : And this deck of playing cards is just too much fun. They are giant in size. I have laid a normal deck of cards beside them so you can see just how big they are! WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL: Temp 79 today all sun and beautiful.

Pearl came over today and we played around with the altered art. We worked on our altered books we started a couple weeks ago. Hers is much better off than mine, and today I just could not get with it. So not much got done on it. And I forgot to take pic's. I am going to her place next week and help her set up a blog for her altered art. She will be able to network with others easier with a blog than with her web site. I will post a link here when it gets going.

Tomorrow Maggie and I will hit some yard sales in the morning , then I will get back to the gym and get a hair cut. I haven't been to the gym since Mon. I was cleaning out the fridge, sitting on a stool , lost my balance and fell flat on my hip! Its feeling much better now.

I will be heading to PA in about 6 wks. Boy did this 6 months go fast! But I am glad to be getting back to see my family and get busy on the house. I will be in PA only about 3 months and I have a lot to do.

That's it for now thanks for looking and stop back soon

Blessing

Donna

ALTERED VINTAGE BOTTLES & A PICTURE

2011-04-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

3 VINTAGE BOTTLES: Three little vintage bottles I altered yesterday. I have a bunch of these in PA, going to have fun doing these! They have some of the vintage wrapping paper on the main body of the bottle. One has some very old sheet music on it. So old that it was falling apart as it tried to glue it on. Then I used old buttons and other embellishment's. I love the way they turned out.

SMALL ALTERED BOTTLE

ALTERED BOTTLE

MORE BOTTLE

DOING SOMETHING: I planed on doing something with this today, got started will show you next post. The pic is a copy I made at staples on card stock. It was black and white and I want to see what pastel chalk and what water color pencils would do also. First I used the chalk pencils on the girls pink top. I could not get it to blend well at all , so I don't think I like doing that. Went to the water color pencils with the blue dress. That worked out great. Did a little blush on the face of each and hands. Got the frame at a yard sale for 50 cents. I am liking the way it is turning out so far. WEATHER IN MELBOURNE FL. Temp today was 70 sunny great day. Going to warm up tomorrow.

Pearl is coming in the morning for another art day. Can't wait to see what we do. Last time we were able to work on the patio but I think it will be to windy for that tomorrow.

I sent Andria her altered vintage post card, she was the give away winner. Hope she likes it.

It was fun doing the give away, but not many made a comment. I know people are reading my blog I sure would like to know why not many comments for the give away. Any one want to comment on this?

That's it for now thanks for looking and come back soon.

Blessings

Donna

GIVE AWAY WINNER & NEW TOYS

2011-04-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

ALTERED POST CARD GIVE AWAY: The winner is Anderia of http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/ I am haveing big problems posting tonite. It has taken me 3 hrs to get this far. Anderia please email me your snail mail and I will send your post card. I will also try and email you . This is all I am going to post now. Maybe I can add to this in the morning. But I wanted to get the winner out.

NEW TOYS

MORE NEW TOYS