Monday, January 04, 2010

Erosion Bundle Project Part 2


I couldn't resist creating another erosion
bundle to hang. Click HERE to read more
about the Erosion Bundle Project and see
my other erosion bundles.

Here it is hanging from our garden fence.

The cool thing about this erosion bundle compared to my other bundles, is that I'll actually be able to watch the erosion process!

Time to do a rain dance I think! LOL

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Apron Blog Giveaway

I'm sure the below apron piece has been making the rounds, but I really loved it and after reading it it evoked some wonderful memories of my mother wearing one of her mod 70's aprons. I didn't grow up with a grandma, so I don't have any grandma apron memories, but I do of my mother. I knew when my mother was wearing her wild mod apron that it meant A.) my parents were having a party and B.) my mother was making her delicious French bread with sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

The closest apron I could find to what my mother use to wear, was one I found that Rebecca Harkin made on her blog.

The History of 'APRONS'
I don't think kids
Know what an apron is now days.

grandmapron
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing Hot pans from the oven.

childapron
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears..
From the chicken coop,The apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
apron2

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.And when the weather
Was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.From the garden,It carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
apron1

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men-folks knew it was time to come In from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time Before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill
To thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I never caught
Anything from an apron

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do wear an art apron, I actually have several aprons I keep hanging in different parts of the house because I'm such a messy artist! They double as kitchen aprons as well. Here's one that was gifted to me by my Diva buddy Kari, it's hanging from my very cool crown hook that my buddy Jean gave to me.

myapron

(Click to enlarge)

Blog GiveAway!

arttherernorules

"Art-There are no rules!"

I was going through some of my inventory for Outside The Margins and I came across one lone apron I had left so I've decided to offer it as a blog giveaway in honor of my Blogoversary (33 days today, 706 posts since Feb 2007):

Get your own free Blogoversary button!

Here are the 5 ways to enter this blog giveaway....follow all 5 you'll have 5 chances chances to win the above apron.

1. Become a follower if you aren't already (look in the right-hand side to sign up.)

2. Mention this blog giveaway on your blog with a link back.

3. Mention this blog giveaway on your Facebook with a link back.

4. Tweet about this blog giveaway with a link.

5. Leave a comment about your own apron memories and/or a link to a picture of your own apron

**One thing I forgot to mention you MUST MUST MUST leave your email on the post so I can notify you. I can't tell you how many times I've had to move on to the next person because the first person who won did not leave an email so I had no way to contact them.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Calendar Grlz 2010


I've started the new year with a calendar swap 
round robin. I decide to use an old 2008 Frida Kahlo 
Calendar that I never used for my calendar.

Color Mists Background
Since I'm still trying to get myself to journaling anything goes as far as arting up the pages.


Sign in page with tags.



I'm not really finished with this spread yet and have one more to do but here it is. On all the pages and tags I used my Color Mists. The butterfly page I adhered a paper towel I already colored with the color mists and mopped up some gesso with.


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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Ringing in the New Year!


A New Year. . .

Happy New Years blog friends!
I really don't do resolutions though this past year I had hoped to do more journaling...I tried honest! I did some, and then found it really isn't me....you just can't force it and you know what...it's okay :-) When I was a little kid all my friends had favorite stuffed animals they slept with....I thought maybe there was something wrong me because I didn't have one, so I became set on a mission to make myself have a favorite stuffed animal. Well as you can probably guess it didn't happen, you just can't force something like that and it's okay. I think sometimes when everyone is jumping on one art wagon or another we all think we have to hop on too and if we don't there's something wrong with us, but nope there isn't....I just dance to a different art drummer thenjournaling . That doesn't mean I won't do more its just not something that I'm compelled to do all the time like some people are and guess what...it's okay :-)


Here's a freebie Dover image
I used in the above digital piece.
Click on the image above to
enlarge and download.



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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Crafty Blogger Blurbs



Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world At Craftside there is a Steampunk-style cam chain necklace, how to make an image have a pop art look, recycle a milk jug into snowflakes, and a tutorial on making domed bead caps.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy is going bananas, literally, over amigurumi again. Crochet folks take note!

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda DID get a present or two made before Christmas actually arrived--check it out!

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter File this one away for next year...Madge's final Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project for 2009! This one kicks tinsel!

Mixed Media Artist Mix fabric and paper for a one-of-a-kind collage!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Press On with Trylon and Perisphere Cross Stitch using a cool font from the book A Rainbow of Stitches

The Artful Crafter Don’t toss those leftover holiday candle stubs! Here’s how to organize them for recycling later – after the holiday whirl subsides.





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Monday, December 28, 2009

More gifts from the heart!

I wanted to share a special gift from the heart I received from my niece. She attends Notre Dame University and is in a glass club where she gets to make some cool glass projects. I am so honored to be given a mug from her that she etched using one of my whimsical character drawings that I made into a greeting card. Talk about a surprise! She made it into a line drawing and then painfully cut around all the little swirls and edges, so she could etch the design into the glass. How cool is that!

Below is the drawing she used to make my beloved mug!


Don't you just love gifts from

the heart, they're the best!

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Giant Happy Birthday!

Awesome Gift!
I was gifted for Christmas a Wilton's Giant Cupcake Pan. I have to say this is the best gift! I love my new cupcake pan. Even the most novice baker can't go wrong with this pan!
Since it's hubby's birthday today I was able to break this puppy in and boy did it work well! I sprayed it with cooking spray and the cake popped right out. Hubby requested carrot cake so I used a spice cake mix and added a cup of raw shredded carrots, 1/4 c. of raisins, and a 1/2 c. butterscotch chips. Instead of oil I used mayonnaise and boy is it moist!
To frost it I simply spooned the frosting into a zip lock bag, twisted, cut the end off and decorated away!
I set a tangerine next to it so you can get a better idea of the size.


I can't wait to use it again in January for my son's birthday the possibilities are endless what and how you can decorate it!


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Saturday, December 26, 2009

Wonderful Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas
I had with my family!
Here's a few fun pictures :-)

My 3 sons and my beautiful daughter-in-love :-)

Never a dull moment!





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Friday, December 25, 2009

♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Merry Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥

Merry Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Merry Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪MerryChristmas ♥ ♥ ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ Tooo Yooooou¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...

Do you need to smile or laugh...? turn up your sound and watch this feel good Pink Glove video for breast cancer awareness!




If you enjoyed this video and support breast cancer awareness please post a comment and let me know :-)


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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Freebie New Years Card

A little early yet but here's a freebie digital card you can send to your friends and family. Just click on the picture, save and send.
If you'd like to make your own card,
you can click HERE to download some
freebie vintage images.
Happy New Years!




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Crafty Blogger Blurbs



The Artful Crafter Eileen’s been elf-ed! Join in the fun and spread some holiday cheer. There’s still time for a few more elf-ings.

The Crochet Dude Drew reveals his themed Christmas wrap and also announces a fantastic giveaway!

Mixed Media Artist Make a stab-bound scrapbook or journal to hold all your Christmas cards and memories this year!

Stefanie Girard's Greeting Card Album Craftiness How to decorate your Greeting Card Album for Christmas and recycle a card from last year with a fabric die cut

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Where did December go? Linda's sharing her mantel decorations as she ponders her lack of handmade gifts this year. Yikes!

Margot Potter-The Impatient Crafter Know someone bitten by the Twilight bug? Check out Madge's holiday themed Twilight silhouette ornament and pendant project for iLoveToCreate teen!

About Family Crafts Find out how you can spread the holiday spirit throughout your entire neighborhood using this fun pass-it-on gift.

Cathie Filian Check out Cathie's quick video on how to make a Christmas tree from a tomato cage.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world The Holiday Goodness Giveaways are in full swing with lots of great answers to fun questions and a week more to enter to win free books along with a free knit placemat pattern with a plaid detail, ribbon and pom pom trimmed dish towel, apron and Christmas tree how-tos, and an inside peek into artist studio with some fun recycled storage ideas.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has received the first submissions for her book's gallery, and talk about impressive! Wow! Some amazing metal jewelry by Victoria Tillotson.

Cross Stitch at About.com Wishing you Merry and Bright holidays with a cheerful free pattern perfect for the holiday season.





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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Gifts from the Heart

I've been busy finishing up last min Christmas gifts.

I normally make fairy boxes, but instead I made this one a guardian angel box for my son's girlfriend. I used a picture of her playing with her mother on the beach. Her mother recently lost her battle to cancer. On the back of the box I printed up the following:
Your Guardian Angel
Everything is okay up here.
I may not be there with you,
but I’ll watch over you.I may
not be there to talk to you, but
I’ll watch over you.
Listen to me. Look for my signs.
For I am your guardian angel,
I will watch over you
with great care and love.

For my daughter in law I made a shadow box and put their wedding invitation along with one of their wedding favors (a bottle filled with pink sand and sea shells), a silk orchid branch, and a shell. To be able to get a decent picture I took it out of the black framed shadow box to take it. I then used photoshop to add a frame so this isn't the actual frame.

Last year hubby worked on a train he made for our son this year he's been making 2 more pieces to go with it. Click HERE to see last year's gifts from the heart.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sail Away

For you mom, miss you always!

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Gifts That Give Back!

I know it might be a bit late for some, but I thought I'd pass these gift ideas on that give back. Some of them 100% even how cool is that!

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

Choco-Logo for "HELP USA" chocolate and chocolate sets ($10-$55)

Several options to choose from: Sea Salt Turtles, Popcorn Extravaganza, 3-pack Caramel Almond Bars etc.
100% of net proceeds benefit HELP USA
HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. Through the development of quality housing (including the Hickory Street Apartments in Buffalo) with on-site support services, HELP USA provides resources for its residents to become independent and productive.


Dancing Deer Company Sweet Home Cookie Pack ($35.95)

Includes a Dark Chocolate Sweet Home Project House Cookie, Deep Dark Gingerbread Cake and 18 pack of Molasses Clove Cookies
35% of the price goes directly to Sweet Home Project to help homeless mothers and their children fund educations, find jobs and move into homes of their own.
HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. Through the development of quality housing (including the Hickory Street Apartments in Buffalo) with on-site support services, HELP USA provides resources for its residents to become independent and productive.

Ehlers Estate Wine ($25+)

Only non-profit winery in California
100% of profits support the Leducq Foundation for international cardiovascular disease research
Wine is certified organic, and is cultivated using biodynamic farming techniques to produce a small portfolio of exceptional estate-grown wines


FEED 10 Pouch ($25)

Made to be used as a clutch, makeup case, or pencil holder
With every purchase of this product, meals are provided to 10 women through the United Nations World Food Program's Food for Work program - which is a program in which community members are given food in exchange for work on vital new infrastructure or for time spent learning new skills that will increase the food security of households or communities.


FEED 5 Bracelet ($15)

Made out of corn-based plastic with a metal charm with the FEED logo stamped on one side and the number 5 on the other. Each bracelet comes in a mini FEED pouch.
With every purchase of this product, 5 school meals are provided to children in developing countries through the United Nations World Food Program.


Kiehl's Limited Edition KAWS Crème de Corps ($26.50/$44.50)

Rich body lotion with beta-carotene and cocoa butter
100 % of net profits will benefit RxART
RxART is a non-profit national organization, committed to fostering artistic expression and awareness through the challenging, yet rewarding task of engaging young patients through contemporary art in pediatric hospitals.
KAWS is the pseudonym of New York-based artist, Brian Donnelly, who has partnered with Kiehl's to create the label for this Limited Edition lotion.

Peacekeeper Cause-Metics Customized Care Package ($33)

Personalized gift box with three products: lipstick, nail polish, and lip gloss
100% of net profits will benefit women's health advocacy
Peacekeeper Cause-Metics is the first cosmetics line to give all of its after-tax, distributable profits to women's health advocacy and urgent human rights issues.

Tea Forté Rejuvenation Tea Set (Orig. $42, ON SALE for $32.99)

Gift set includes a Tea forté signature porcelain café cup with a ceramic tea tray and 10 pyramid tea infusers
Shop.stjude.com has a wide selection of gifts for virtually anyone. Plus, 100% of net profits benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital


TOMS shoes ($35+)

For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, another pair will be given to a child that would otherwise be barefoot: "One for One" philosophy.
Great gift for a kid or teenager
Since TOMS was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, over 150,000 pairs of shoes have been given to children around the world. Goal for 2009 is to give away 300,000 more
If you don't know recipient's shoe size, for $50 you can order a TOMS gift card (worth $50) that also comes with a DVD documentary about TOMS


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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Starbucks Coffee Sleeve Project

Starbuck's Coffee Sleeve
Mini Photo Album
Here's another Starbuck's coffee sleeve project. Since I still had a stack of the Starbuck's coffee sleeves I figured I better do something else with them. I was inspired by a mini Christmas album my friend Christy made for me last year. Its a basic design.

Inside pages

I cut the sleeve in half, punched two holes through the top, bottom, and pages then tied them together with a ribbon. I glued papers on the inside of each cover front and back to give it a more finished look.

Backside
Click HERE to view my Starbuck's
Coffee Sleeve cards.


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Chocolate Biscotti Printable Recipe Cards

I'm still busy doing my holiday baking and made
more biscotti yesterday. They are so delish!
As a gift to you I've created two 4x6 size recipe cards
for you to print and use.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti


Recipe Card side 1

Click on these 2 recipe cards to enlarge, save, and
print out. Then glue them back to back
or laminate them.

Recipe Card Side 2
Click HERE for my Gingerbread Biscotti Recipe

Happy Holidays!

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