Memories…of the times we used to share…(are those the right lyrics).

Everyone has to cut their teeth on something.  And these pieces were some of my first attempts at collage, altered art and “assemblage” work.   I made Paper Bag Albums, tags, atc’s, & 4×4′s and just crammed them full of what not’s.

It always bewildered me when I finished a piece and there was actually a coherent meaning (to me at least) in them.  Like the Altered Bingo card.  I didn’t even think about putting all those elements together.  I worked on making it “pretty” first then realized the B2 Dance B2 Fly thingy going on there.  As a matter of fact some of the “elements” were put there to cover up a tear here or a paint splatter there, or just to fill space.  I titled the piece “To Dance is to Fly”.

I spent most of my time working on Paper Bag Albums.  Mostly because they were the only type of scrapbooking I could afford at the time.  I’d purchase the largest stack of paper you could find, make a few “kits” and albums and sell them on eBay to cover the costs.  I really loved making this album and was so happy the woman who purchased it loved it too.  I still remember who this album went to- Brenda P.

What was amazing is the papers and the drawings are from 2 totally unrelated companies.  I believe the papers are DCWV and the images are from Tina Wenke’s Walk in the Garden graphics set over at PCCrafter.com I forgot how fun it was to make gorgeous one of a kind tag sets.  It’s especially worth it when you know they’ll be treasured.

Odd.  It seems from reviewing these old photos I’m a “Pastel Diva”.  I like that blue/green color (Bingo Card above) too.  But I find it harder to really pull off art in those colors.  I have to work at it.  But I’m getting better.

I can remember all the stores I had to scour to find the mix of letters and all the little trinket supplies for these scrapbooks.   Once they went on sale I’d buy everything I could get my hands on.  And then I’d have too much (another reason I created kits and books for resale).  At that time I had no idea Antiques and 2nd hand stores had so many treasures in them.  If it was vintage I got it on eBay.

How times have changed.  The scrapbook store I used to frequent has since closed it doors.  There’s now a Micheal’s Arts & Crafts Store a block away from where it used to be.  Just a few doors down and across the street is one of my favorite Antique Stores “This Olde Stuff”.  Go a little ways further and there’s a little strip mall that holds another tiny antiques store and a 2nd hand Consignment shop.  Back it up a little and there’s another brand new Antiques & Collectibles store 2 stories full.

I try to make my rounds once a week.  Stuff is always new there.  And if you don’t snap it up quick it won’t likely be there the next week.  It’s funny in a ha ha way, when I was little I always wondered what mom thought was so fascinating about those little stores I mispronounced as Anti-Q’s  (You don’t even want to know how I tried to pronounce hors d’oeuvres). Why on earth did she want someone else’s old dusty junk?  Now, I know…  You can blame this acquired knowledge on Sally Jean Alexander and Somerset Studio if you want.  I do it all the time.  (Anna Corba’s has to take some of the responsibility too).

And somewhere along the long I took a little trip to fairy-ville. I didn’t stay there too long.  I just like the liberty to play with silly light carnival colors and glitter.  Who can resist?

I guess I was remembering back to my childhood when one of my favorite book series was “The Little’s”.   Little birds in little birdhouses.  Little people tags holding together little snippets of vintage-y fabrics, with little clothespins.

And I guess I’m a little in the mood to experiment with new things.

I haven’t attempted a Paper Bag Album in over a year-perhaps more.  Not an ATC or small 4×4.  Not even a notecard.  Who knows what’ll come of all this nostalgia….

Yep, it’s cold outside.  I can hear my neighbor’s snowblower hard at work and I’m sitting here typing and drinking another delicious coffee shake.  Well I guess I’m finishing it up… just tipped my cup for the last drop.

The recipe is simple.  Add cold coffee to ice cream and stir until they’re shake-y.  Top it off with fresh ground coffee.  Today I had Vanilla flavored coffee so I topped it off with a few grounds from the bag.  Just yummy…

Set the stage to create cherished treasures
and simply elegant gifts.

It’s always fun to give a gift someone will treasure. But we often forget the greatest treasure is not just the gift but the giver. Let us help you ensure every gift you share is always received with a heartfelt welcome.

In this project what started as a simple pendant on a chain was embellished with a few pearl and shell beads.  Next we created this great tussie mussie (funnel shaped holder) & bouquet.  We dropped the chain inside & through the bottom hole then added a few sprigs of dried flowers and some vintage silk roses.  Lastly, we draped the chain over one of the roses to create a dangle effect to finish this elegant display.

Make your presentation unique to you and the recipient.  After all a gift is an expression of your heart to them.  Let the little personal touches make all the difference.  And while creating the Tussie Mussie is super easy it does add quite a lovely sentiment.  You can get the instructions to make one along with other ideas Here.