I Got It & Can't Put it Down

Look what I got in the mail today. It was

a happy mail day. Now....to get my family fed

because I am having trouble putting it down.

This will definitely help me with my

workout tomorrow. I can read & ride. What a

great combination don't you think? I hope you

have an artfully creative evening.

Blessings to you!

A Cute Little Sampler Swap

I joined Linda's from a Swap for All Season's sampler

swap and really came out of my comfort zone.

I have professed my love of stitching.....but creating

for a one on one and making a sampler

none the less....left me a little worried.

Here is what I created.....as my husband said....It

sure has a lot of elements. I like to add a little of

this and a little of that to my creations. Essentially.....

I love how it turned out.

My swap partner is Christine Edwards. She is re-doing

her bedroom in blues...creams & browns and

she wants to put her sampler in the new decor'.

If that isn't enough to make someone nervous! She

has a lot of faith in me I guess. This is a little snippet

of a favorite area of the sampler. I stitched my little

flower bouquet on cream wool. I used robins egg

blue freshwater pearls and stitched in green. I went

up and around the stems with my floss....and

this was a first time technique for me. I adore

how it turned out and will try this again

and again.

Here is another close up of a section I

just absolutely adore. I used a

crocheted drapery thing-ey and used that

as my little frame for the cute little nameless baby. Didn't it work out

perfectly? I stitched it onto hand dyed velvet

and used a tan linen flax to stitch with.

I am pretty smitten with this little panel....I

hope Christine loves it as much as I do!! Also.....

couldn't resist adding a frozen Charlotte!!

These are becoming a little like Hope's

signature statement.

When Lindsey came home from school she saw

the little sampler all completed and posing

on a cake plate. She said....Awwww that is

so pretty. She was really happy when she noticed

I had happily stitched in some of her hand-made

paper beads. I secretly have been eyeing them

since she made them.....today I used them! I guess

I will just have to try my hand at making her

some more. Won't that be a dreaded chore? I am

thinking vintage ledger paper.....vintage sheet music.....

and vintage French book papers....what do

you think? I hope you have an artfully creative day.

Blessings~

Valentine's Day Lovelies

I have been participating in Alanna George's

Pre-Silver Bella swap since it's inception.

We are having a great time getting to know

one another while we create lovely ornaments to send.

This adorable pink heart looks awesome on the tree.

It was created by Terri Gordon.

This little lovely was created by Stephanie Oyler.

I love the burlap and the doily and the life

changing rosette flower we learned from

Betz White.

This adorable soldered ornament was created

by Shawn Street. Look at her lovely soldering....

it is soooo smooth. Way to go Shawn.

And this wonderful quilted heart was made

by Sara Velder. It is a real show stopper on the

tree. I hope you have enjoyed these Valentine's

Day Lovelies. For the rest of the ornaments check the next

2 posts.....I can't figure out the way to add more photos

than five.....I'm getting there though.

Valentine's Day Lovelies

Look at this sweet ornament from the swap

I participate in hosted by Alanna George. I adore

this cute talent that was created by Robin Sanchez.

And this darling red creation by Rachel Velder.

Simplistic & the splash of red shows up so well.

This cute little snowman.....yes it certainly is

still winter here in Indiana....was created by

Melissa Danner.

This little girl made me happy the moment

I saw her....just like her creator Miss Lynn Lesback.

This what I sent....a little soldered diamond

with a glass glittered heart.

Valentine's Day Lovelies

I want to give you some photos of the latest

swap ornaments I received. I am in what we

call a Pre-Silver Bella Swap that is hosted by the

lovely Miss Alanna George. This cute ornament was made

by Colleen MacDonald.

This cutie was made by Bianca Gaspard.

I love the way it dangles on the tree.

This darling ornament was made by the

hostess herself. Miss Alanna George.

This sweet heart stuffed with vintage paper

was created by Jessi Nagy...aka Scrappy Jessi.

The detail on this adorable felted penguin

is the creative talent of Valita Baxley.

A Valentine Inspiration of Sorts

Here are a few Valentine silhouettes I hand cut. There

are several that aren't Valentine.....but

still there is a theme. These are

at Lola Rue & I love how they are

displayed. She is always re-arranging so

things always look fresh and new.

Here is my silhouette wall in my kitchen.
They grace my stair way. I love the black....
red....and white. I know it is more bold
than a lot like these days.....
but the red just gives the silhouettes
a punch. I LOVE the contrast.




Here is another shot. I plan to add more.
Most are hand cut by me.....but some
are guest artists. Like Lincoln made me
some. He gave me the turkey silhouette for
mothers day a few years back......
and then there are the kitties that Lindsey
hand cut for me. Some are old
and have no artist signature. I love those too.
Some are of me when I was a little girl.
Then there are the hand cut ones
of Lindsey & Lincoln from Disney World.
I love that old world charm. A few are
from Lincoln when he was in pre-school. It brings
joy to me to see these. I hope you like this little
bit of quaint charm. Get out your scissors & see
what you can cut. It is timeless & classic.
Blessings for an artfully creative evening.

Craft Room Inspiration Snippettes

I know that I never tire of looking at

craft room inspiration. So

I thought I would give you another

peek into my craft room. It is chock full

of snippets of lace....bits-n-bobs.....

and general loveliness.

Don't tell anyone in my family.....

but it's my favorite room

in the entire house. I corral my vintage bling

in these old printers trays. I

love looking at them this way.

I don't know if being this organized

helps or hinders me in creating.

Sometimes I just can't seem to quit looking.

I always want to use these blocks.

I never get around to it though.

I love how they just seem to

have a place here with me. And that

velvet ribbon. YUMMY. I got that

at Anthopologie. I love to shop stores

that sell creative things.....other

than just clothes and accessories.

I love my giant spool of cotton string.

I use it mostly to hold my

favorite paintbrushes. But it is

always at the ready to tie up

some brown paper packages.

And I have often said how special

my little bundles of tags & journals

are to me. They would probably

be some of the first things I were to

gather if devastation struck. Signed little

pieces of artwork that inspire me.

I hope that you have enjoyed a little

peek into my favorite room in

the house. I hope it inspires you to

have an artfully creative day.

Isn't she Lovely!!!!!

Isn't she just too pretty. I received this altered bottle

swap in the mail yesterday. Jennifer Babcock

of Covered In Glitter made her for me. Jennifer was

my Silver Bella Lil' Sis. I couldn't have received

a prettier bottle! I adore her & will treasure

her always.

This is the pretty embellishment Jennifer added.

It is the dolls necklace. I love it.

It just glistens gold sparkle.

Here is the sweet card that Jennifer made

for me. I love the sparkly heart.

The sentiment is dear to me.

As a gift to me....she sent these wonderful

rubber stamps. I adore 'letters'. How

did she know? Actually....with all

the things out there in the world with

'Hope' on them.....I don't have many. This is

such a special touch. I love it all Jennifer.

We are in the midst of a gigantic ice storm.

We are staying put and enjoying yet

another snow day. Crafting. Reading. Cooking.

Video Gaming. Working out. I just love a

good snow day. Blessings for an

artfully creative & productive day.