It's More Than A Photo

How many times have you sat down at your work table and tried to think up something to create? Often I start an idea and then trash it, or start something else and am unable to get those ideas down just the way I imagined them. When I finally settle down and focus, I realize that I connect most of my art to what my heart and head are telling me to do. It is way easier to just begin and see what happens.

My latest collaborative project entitled "Self-Portrait involves a page of my past, the present, and my future. This page will be my second page, obviously a non-traditional photo of the Adams Family. I really had fun working with some digital art, and adding faces of my family.

"It's never too late

to become the person

you always meant

to be."

Pretty Gift Card Holders

Packaging gifts is something I like to do. I do have some loved ones that are hard to buy for or prefer giftcards or cash. I love to give people what they really want, but I look for ways to make it special. Call me fussy, I just challenged myself for unique ways of giving giftcards and cash.

I simply cut two squares of fabric (good side outward), stitched around three sides leaving an opening, and then used pinking shears to add a pretty edge. I didn't want the giftcard to take center stage, but rather blend in nicely with the paper art. Embellishing each pocket with a scalloped 1-1/2" edge on the end of the opening, and the latest images from Moonlight Journey called "Vintage Angels" work beautiful for Christmas gifts. Just imagine the possibilities, It's a great way to use up some tiny scraps of paper too!

I'll tell you that if you are making one, it's addictive. I started out making nine, and made six more that I want to coffee stain. This is a great project to make in mass so that you have gift holders on hand when you bring that giftcard home from the grocery store.

CREDITS: Lisa Super at anartsygirl.blogspot.com. and MOONLIGHT JOURNEY "Vintage Angels"

Sweet Photo Panel

Gosh! You have probably been wondering where I've been. It's been shockingly weeks since I posted. For a starter I went on a three day/two night digital scrapbooking retreat with my friend Sherry. She is so talented, and lucky for me, shared this amazing technique to blend your photo with paper. I used Creative Memories Storybook Creator. I am so excited to continue my education with this user friendly software. It just seems like conventional scrapbooking takes so much more effort compared to whipping up a digital page in minutes.

These are my grandkids, Ethan and Lauren. I love this sweet image of them.

I promise to post soon.

Over the River and Through the Woods

As the holiday season has officially arrived, my hubby Chuck and I will be making a call on Grandma (my Mom), and my sister Peg way up north in the upper part of Michigan. We have never made a trip to Grand Marais in the winter time. It will certainly be a major challenge if we are bombed with a huge snowfall.

I've wrapped a pile of gifts, packed my suitcase with art supplies, and began jamming clothes in another. We will probably be gone about 10 days. I can hardly wait to see their Christmas tree! Our ETA will probably be this Friday afternoon.

We love to watch movies when we get up there. Did you know that there is another Red Riding Hood movie lurking on the horizon? This flic was directed by the first Twilight director, Catherine Hardwick. It looks like the big bad wolf is doing his number disguising himself as Valerie's (Amanda Seyfield) boyfriend (Shiloh Fernandez), but really is a werewolf! The scenery looks absolutely gorgeous. Something to sink my teeth into this coming March in 2011. Ha! Ha!

I am going to be "back in business" on December 20th. I really want to show you photos this time of Michigan's beautiful winter scenery. It is like walking into the movie Dr. Zhivago.

(Remember to pause my music if you wish to view this trailer).

Hopefully, I can post some photos along the way. Have fun enjoying this special time of year.

Nancy

Flapper Knit Hats

The 1920's have always fascinated me. (For that matter, so have the 30's and 40's.) So much happened. I am especially fond of the music that was born at this time. During the 20's came the birth of the Flapper. The Flapper was everything new and modern. I have put a little modern twist to these children "Flapper" hats with bright and bold buttons. I feel that vintage buttons would really be perfect, but as these are for my family's Christmas gifts, my nieces may just prefer the buttons of today.

So many people believe that the women's movement started back in the 60's. I actually believe it started back in the 20's. The Flapper gave up the restricting clothing way before the liberated women burned their bras!

These adorable hats are less than a day project. Click on over to Justine from New Zealand at Just Jussi Knitwear Design. The pattern called "Poppy" is free! Thank you for sharing, Justine.

Wedding Guest Register

He took the bride

about the neck,

And kissed her lips

With such a clamorous smack,

That at parting,

all the church did echo.

~William Shakespeare, 1594

In about a month my niece, Laura, will be getting married to James. This is a small Guest Signature Book that I created for the occasion. What an adventure is about to begin!

CREDITS: BACKGROUND PAPER COLORBOX "TRACEY PORTER" COLLECTION, COUPLE IMAGE DOWNLOADED FROM INTERNET.

Mother's Day

Since today is Mother's Day, I just wanted to post a picture from my past. Luckily for me, I only have fond and beautiful words to say about my Mom. This lovely lady is mine! She looks somewhat different now, but still is silly as ever.

This is a picture of my younger sister, Jane, and I, probably when she came home from the hospital as a newborn back in 1951. My parents were married in 1945 in Belleville, Michigan and I came along two years later, then my sister Jane, and lastly my youngest sister, Peg.

I believe my love of art all began with my Mom. She has always enjoyed keeping her home perfectly pristine, and highlighted with nature. I can remember just going out to play with her, and she would make clover garlands to wear in my hair. And other times, she would place a sprig of lilac behind my ear. How can I remember all this? Probably because, she always had patience for me. We would color, and paint. Other times, we baked, and sewed. I can still remember the day she showed be how to knit in 5th grade.

Thanks, Mom, for always being there for me!