Winner

Amidst all the rushing around for the past month, I was lucky enough to win this informative little collage book. I entered to win on a blog that I found on the craft gossip site. It was fun getting it in the mail this week. My favorite part of the book is the back section , which has a fun mix of background and collage papers.

Speaking of paper, it was the Bazzill Paper Warehouse sale this weekend. I really didn't need to go, as I need to complete my project line up. However, after thinking about it for about an hour I drove over to Chandler to see what was left. The deals that I picked up today were the little coverall 6 x 6 books that were $1.50 each. There were coin folders for .25 each, so I picked up a few. Also a great buy, spools if nice ribbon, 15 yards for $1.50. There were a couple of items that were there on Friday , but were sold out. I did buy a couple of kits that were available from the Creative Escape. And finally I bought several packages of inch size chipboard circles and squares to use for swaps. It's fun to go to these sales, they are truly like going on a treasure hunt.

Round Robin Fun

It's time to grab the books and start to play.

The Round Robin Altered Book Swap is about to begin.

A group of fabulous artists have signed up to play.

Each one has selected a theme for her book and we get a few weeks to create a spread according to the selected theme.

I have had this book for quite sometime and thought it would make an excellent carpet bag...... is there a better theme for it then "Steampunk"?

I was inspired by the Gail Carriger Books - Soulless, Changeless and the new book Blameless. They are marvelous~full of Intrigue, Vampire's and Werewolves and of course love and dysfunctional relationships. They take place in London and are full of Steampunk!

Fabulous read!

Chamber of Wonder

Quite awhile ago, the Inchies group, put out a challenge to do a another "Inchie swap". I love to create these petite collages. They are challenging and they are so much fun to make.

This challenge was to create an inchie to represent something that would be found in a "Cabinet of Curiosities" A Cabinet of Curiosities, was an encyclopedic collection in Renaissance Europe of types objects whose categorical boundaries had yet to be discovered.

Saturday, I received an envelope with this package inside it.

I was excited to open and see what was created for each individual participant this "Wunderkammer" inchie swap!

This is what was inside the paper. My own Cabinet of Curiosities!

Deborah made this wonderful books to house these little eclectic gems of wonder. She listed each artist as an architect, a creator, designer, a pioneer, etc. This was such a fun swap and the presentation is fabulous!

Ready for The New Arrival

In anticipation for the little boy that will be arriving soon, our first grandson, I made his mother a little book so that the parents can document their experiences as new parents. I selected some neutral solid papers and some matching printed baby papers and put them together for a little book to add photo's and memories.

The pages were cut to two different sizes to create a little interest. The book has no theme, a preference of the father.

A great 12 x 12 sheet was found and cut up to add to the book, which will help with the documentation of Doctor visits and different experiences that these new parents will have.

The book is big enough to chronicle the nine months of preparation as well as the first precious days of this little boys life.
I am so excited for Breeanna and Eric to fill the pages with their memories and photos of this special time of their lives!

Grosgrain: SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

A Creative Life

Bring creativity to the for front of your life with this nifty machine.
I discovered this machine on the Craft Gossip Blog. If you haven't discovered that blog, it is worth a visit. There are all kinds of crafts projects posted on a daily basis. If you are looking for a project, you will be sure to find something here.
I followed a link to the Grosgrain Blog and read about this amazing machine. There are a few more days to enter to win one of these fabulous cutters! Let me know what you think of the projects created by this digital cutting machine!

Art Day

This has been a great Saturday for art. The swap group was very fun......We swapped the ATC's from the Paris Stationary, pictured on a previous post. They are just beautiful. They are bright and shiny! This challenge was great fun.

Next month's challenge is even more fun. We were given a small stamp set of our choice and some paper to create our ATC's. This challenge is fabulous because stamping is so much fun! The creating has already. The paper began as two 12 x 12 sheets- and it's already cut down to ATC size!

After the live swap, it was off to Mystic Paper, where Trish of Vintage Bliss , had a class to create a mini scrap book from these darling 7 Gypsy booklets with pictures printed 6 up on the Selphy, it was so fun and there were such wonderful women at the class! Thank you Trish!

Print This

Paper Arts are a wonderful thing! I recently received this little printer as a gift from my husband, Don. He has seen it demoed a few times at Mystic Paper where my long time friend, Trish was showing what it can do. As I love creating mini books, I can now print off all kinds of pictures right from my memory card, anywhere I am. It is very easy to use and it creates the most beautiful, long lasting prints right before your eyes! Trish will be featuring this printer again, if you get the chance....come for a look, but don't forget your memory card!

Dog Days of Summer

It was doggy Night in Mesa on Friday Night. There were dogs of all sizes and they were walking their people up and down the street to the beat of the live bands. It was a hot night, but we had a good time. Mystic paper participates in the 2nd Friday Nights on Main, by hosting a live ATC swap. There were only three of us swapping during the event and what fun cards!

Thursday Night Art

Tomorrow is the 2nd Friday on Main Street Live ATC swap at Mystic Paper.
I thought I would create a cute card to swap with the currant theme "Raining Cats and Dogs" The dog in the ATC is a poodle , however Max looks very similar he being a Bichon Frise. Max sometimes joins me on these Friday Night Romps. He enjoys it! It's been so hot the last couple of months so we haven't really stayed very long!
It being a cat and dog night, I will bring Max along! I just have to get back to the table to add the additional elements to the cards....So please join me at the next post to see the completed card or create some cards and come out and join us!

Rolodex Swap

It seems likes its been ages since the last Rolodex swap. However it's only been one short month! This month the theme was fabric and I had every intention of doing some decorative stitching and I was quite looking forward to it. However life got in the way and before long the project was due. So I got our the stamps and some ink pads and did some painting with alcohol inks on fabric. To finish the card glitter and a ribbon on a safety pin were added. I really am anxious to explore more stamping and coloring on fabric, the Eiffel Tower Barbie was the start of it!
I think this design would look gorgeous with some stitching added to it, perhaps to add a little texture to the hair and then some metallic thread throughout the background for more color. The possibilities are endless....and isn't this what is what makes art fun and magical!

Live Swap Challenge

After a brief break of several weeks, the Saturday morning live swap group that I participate in has met up again. It was delightful to see everyone who attended with their latest creations ready to swap.
I love a live swap,(yes I usually always attend the Second Friday on Main Street Live ATC Swap, also)I am a big fan of collaborative projects! Working in a group is such a rich experience. The results are usually more rewarding, as well as being a lot of fun!
This past meeting we were given a challenge to create this month's ATC with this beautiful collection of Paris papers. The images on the papers are gorgeous and there are a lot of elements to use, I envisage a fabulous creation of a gilded vintage collage! It will be a beautiful collection of cards after the swap!