away in a sleigh - with a little help from Fed Ex

Wow, just in the "Nick" of time (no pun intended).   A special friend needed a few gifts so I burned some midnight oil.

Christmas music on Pandora was blaring - there were charms, adhesive, chain, dominoes, and ribbon on every surface and although not everything worked out on the first try I was satisfied as I taped up the box with the surprise contents........................

 I was excited to hear today that Pam had received the Christmas box!!  But sad, 
because this beautiful dragonfly pendant 
didn't make it in one piece.  I used Multi Medium to adhere the metal and glass layers together, will use her on a different project.

I thought they would look awesome with jeans and a cute sweater.

Domino painted with Adirondack ink, Heart with Wings is created using Tim Holtz's Ideaology pieces and the soldered piece with the crown says on the back "I am woman, hear me roar" - love that!!!  The Joy and Paris pendants are soldered and embellished.

 

Finally a bracelet made with large stainless ball chain and inspirational reminders of what we need to live a "charmed" life.  I had so much fun creating  these for my good friend and I hope you  all enjoy the magic of Christmas and to all a good night ;-)

 

Yikes - Christmas is next weekend !!

3 day weekend = good thing

In the studio - breaks for food, water & sleep only

It's looking like a tornado hit this place

Some things are working really well / Some things not so much

Mind is racing in many directions

Adhesive is drying

Looking forward to Day 2

Stay tuned.....

I love UPS

No matter what my day is like, if the UPS man has been here - it's a great day!!

 IT USUALLY MEANS NEW SUPPLIES.......

Maybe paint, maybe pan pastels, or could be markers and pens I've ordered.

BUT NOT TODAY...

It's my new hoodie sweatshirt 

by Tim Holtz !

SO COOL - I LOVE IT!!!

ThankFULL

 I'm wondering how each of you are spending your day today....are you cooking the BIG meal?  Or did you make a special dish to take somewhere?

Yes, the best part is not working today!  Plenty of time today to think about all the simple things  I'm grateful for - 

These things seem simple but are really miracles.

Each breath, to see, taste (especially today), hear, touch....to have the ability to speak, to move.  

I'm blessed in so many other BIG ways - to have my job - with so many out of work and losing their homes, I am thankful every day that I have a job in a safe indoor environment!!  I have WONDERFUL friends - if you are fortunate you might have a few very special friends that make your life a better place.  While I have lost both parents in recent years (who I miss very much), I am grateful for a brother who lives close and would be there for me - no matter what.  

I'm grateful to live in a country where I am FREE - to worship my God, to read what I like, speak my mind and free to travel and roam anywhere I choose.  I never take this for granted and is my most valuable possession ....freedom.

I want to thank each of you that have admired my creations, or purchased any of my artful pieces.  A HUGE thank -you to those who have taught me so much this year.  Tim Holtz, for him creating is like breathing and he shares what he knows openly and with gusto.  Wendy Vecchi, through her classes taught me to think outside the box.  Kelly Rae Roberts, her big heart and amazing e-course rocked my world and introduced me to a group of amazing artists that have inspired me, given me sage advice and more support than I've ever thought was possible!  

I have been invited to a dear friend's house for dinner - which will be quite a grand event with more food than we could possibly eat ;-)  Fun and laughter will be plentiful.  

SO..................... what will you be doing today and what are you MOST grateful for?  Yes, I reallllly want to know.

I'm a lucky girl !!!

Just look at the goodies that I received today !
I commented on 2 of my favorite blogs and was selected to receive a gift package.  Can you believe it?  Maya Road chipboard and Bingo buttons (maybe I should pick from these numbers showing to play Lotto).  Tim Holtz lace chain (yum) and masks.  And my favorite surprise - purple Maya Mist, and blue Perfect Pearls Mist.  I just love Ranger products, and Wendy Vecchi is a fantastic artist and beautiful person inside and out.  If you ever get the chance to take a class with her, JUMP AND RUN - she is so inspiring, patient and talented.  Gee what should I make first?????  

I love free stuff - don't you?

 You all know I'm a big Tim Holtz fan, right?  Well nothing could be better (in my opinion of course) than a stash of Tim stuff for FREE !!!   A fellow fan is having a HUGE giveaway including grungeboard, distress inks AND lots of Ideaology.  Can you say YAY?  Hop over to her Giveaway HERE, and good luck.  What are you up to this weekend?  Inquiring minds want to know .....

free as a bird......

That's me!!  Free as a bird today ;-)

So I put together this necklace for a friend of mine

I've been in a jewelry mode lately

It surprises even me how long it's been since I did any scrapbooking

This was the most beautiful Fall I can remember having for ages and the leaves are making me want to play with paint - do more collage - and see what happens!

my little secret - what's on the inside ???

Remember the box?

Plain, like a white canvas staring at you.

Where is my magic wand, I need to turn this into a Victorian Memory Box...........

Sorry it took sooo long, you know how it is, you're so excited to jump into a new project - especially a commissioned one for someone special ;-) 

Then real life gets in the way !!!!!!!!!!!  
I never found my wand so I grabbed some gorgeous paper from my Mariposa stack, and my Tim Holtz treasures - Metal feet, keyholes, charms, keys.  Found my Maya Road felt flowers in black, some lace trim, fibers, ribbon, a tag, and a crystal knob.  OH! I saved a little surprise for the inside of the box.  What do you think she'll see when she lifts the lid????   Pop in tomorrow and I'll show you.  

A dream comes true......and it was better than I imagined...

O.K. so I still have that smile on my face!!  I just can't think of a time when I've had soooooo much fun.

The photo in the bottom right is before the class.  A couple of us got there an hour early (to be first in line of course) and Tim was out there and chatted with us until  the class was ready to begin.  They bring ALL the supplies so you only bring yourself.  It was cozy with only about 40 students in each class so we got to joke around and chat and ask him anything we wanted.

The apron I have on was created by Tim and was sent to the first 50 or so that purchased his book Compendium of Curiosities (seen on my sidebar).  He sent the apron as a bonus and personalized my book using my name, a message, and signed it.

So I asked him to sign my apron and he did!  His best friend Mario signed the other pocket for me - they both are so much fun and tend to every detail to make sure the class is a blast.  The domino with the clock was not made in his class but I loved making it and turning it into a pendant for a necklace.  The heart piece with wings is on a chain for a gorgeous funky necklace and the keyhole (with tiny photo we put inside) is also a necklace.  The metal clock has a metal bird and tassel and is a pin (it's actually a domino too that we used as a base to attach everything to).  We made a bracelet that is so darn cute but I'll save that for another time as I have a request to "customize" one and will share it when I've finished.

That night Tim was doing "demos" to his mob/stalkers/fans in the main room and when I asked him to demo his new tissue tape he made the tag you see above - LOVE IT!  At the end of the night (yes I was still watching him hours later) he signed it and gave it to me  whooooo whooooooo.   Thanks for listening as I shared my thrilling little vacation with you all over a glass of tea.  Ya'll come back now ya hear?

My favorite ingredients...

I'm talking to my creative peeps today!  o.k.... everyone that knows me, knows I am crazy for Tim Holtz products.  And there are many - he has his own lines and designs for Ranger Ink too.

I'm wondering what is your FAVORITE item or product?? What can you not create without?  Your secret weapon - your weakness when you're trying to stay on budget, LOL (did I say budget?).

We all want to know ;-)

What's in a Journal?

Now I can show you this journal I made for my  Friend!                             
I couldn't post it before she received it, now could I?     I had such a great time creating it.  I started with grey grungeboard, added layers of Distress Ink and stamped images, and finishing with Perfect Pearls (all by Tim Holtz & Ranger).  The metal embellishments are by Tim Holtz's line called Ideaology, and the flower was die cut from his Alterations line.  I scrapbooked photos of her daughter and precious grandchildren in the back to inspire her entries, a personal touch that she really enjoyed.
She emailed me this morning to tell me it arrived, and there is no better thrill to an artist than hearing that the recipient is happy with what you've created.  I would love to know what in your opinion was your best creation?  Could be a recipe, painting, collage - something that you still remember with intense pleasure, your best work, most special piece - please tell us about it here ;-)