Update on my Dad

I thought I would give an update on my dad and explain why, again, I haven't been posting.  Dad is going back downhill fast.  They now give him 2 weeks-1 or 2 months at the most to live.  He can't eat or drink, his heart is working now at only 30%.  Add renal failure and copd that is horrible and increasingly worse there is no longer any hope.  He will be moved to hospice to die.  All I can do now is pray for his peace and dignity and for him to be as pain free as possible.  Please pray for him, too.  Love, Elle

Where have I been?

Where have I been?  Well, it is like this.  My dad almost died last week.  Do you believe in miracles?  The priest read him his Last Rites (a Catholic thing) and the doctor's told us to expect the worse.  He wouldn't make it through the night.  He as on life support and I have never ever seen him look so bad.  Grey.  We gathered together as a family to give him our love and support.  He did, indeed, make it throught the night.  And the next night.  And the next.  He was never alone.  With 5 kids we rotated and took turns being at his bedside.  If love could make him live, then he will live to be 100.  He is 82 years old.  I was not ready to say goodbye.  You see, I love my father.  With everything I am.  He is nos out of ICU and I am back home frantically getting ready for Christmas morning.  All of the presents are made and wrapped.  Baking is being done as I type.  Christmas is good this year.  My father is alive!  lOVE, eLLE

What I'm up to

I haven't posted any pictures in a few days because I have been CRAZY busy.  How about you?  Here is a short list of what is happening in my life:
1.  Painting 9 presents
2.  Making 16 ____ (it is a secret!)
3.  Preparing for my Cookie Exchange party.
4.  Decorating cookie boxes for said party
5.  Making gingerbread sugar cookie ornaments as party favors.
6.  Cleaning my house.  (yes, I said cleaning) lol
7.  Planning my annual Christmas breakfast.
8.  Cleaning and decorating my bff's house for the party.
9.  Preparing the craft class we are doing at the party.
10.  Baking and cooking for my house.
11.  Making whoppie pies.
12.  Making 4-6 dozen cookies for the party using a recipe that grandma used every Christmas.
13.  Not sleeping in order to get things done.
14.  Working out at the swimming pool.
15,.  Making 2 scraplings for a swap with Art For The Creative Mind-a wonderful online group.
16.  Getting something made and ready for my blog post tomarrow or the day after.
HELP!  So much to do and so little time!  Love, Elle

Christmas is in the Air!

Every year, even though I put up my Christmas Tree the weekend after Thanksgiving (in the US), the Christmas season doesn't start for me until I have watched "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" on television.  (for the 100th time!).  Gosh, I love that show.  I am busy working on some last minute Christmas cards that I wanted to share with you today.  Of course you already know how much I love the images from Magnolisious!  Today is no exception.  Without further adue let me present Tilda in all her wintry glory!  Love, Elle

I've been practicing my Copic Marker skills!

I found my Camera! Here are some candles I painted

Yippie Skippie!  I found my camera!  Whew......The very first thing I wanted to show you are some candles that I hand painted in a class with Barb Ogden-a great teacher.  I haven't painted since Christmas of 2008 so this was a stretch for me.  My kids love them because they are exploding candles!  Light them and the varnish will cause them ot explode!  lol.  Tell me what you think.  Love, Elle

Here is some closeups.  Aren't these a hoot?

Bad News

I have some bad news.  My camera is missing.  I can't find it nowhere.  I came in here (art studio) to upload my latest pictures and the camera is no where to be found.  I will be posting again as soon as I can.  Miss you all!  Love, Elle  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET JESSICA!

Giving Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF MY AMERICAN FRIENDS!
Giving thanks.  What does that mean to you?  Does it mean you are thankfull for what you do have or are you thankful to what you don't have?  My sister-in-law lost her mother yesterday morning.  "Grandma" has we all called her was an amazing woman.  She surrounded herself with those she loved and placed all of her values on God first then her family second.  Someone who we will all greatly miss.  As Dixie and her family prepare to bury their mom she took a moment to tell me how thankful she was for the life she got to share with her all of these years.
As many of us struggle during these economic times I for one will sit back and not worry about money or things and concentrate on what I do have.  I family that I love and who loves me.  Friends that I value with everything I am but most of all my God for enabling me to have each day to even consider these things.  May your day be blessed with all that is important to you.  Love, Elle

Tilda strikes again!

Tilda strikes again!  This morning I took my Magnolia image that I had colored with copic markers when I was on holiday and made it into a birthday card for an upcoming birthday.  I love how the colors sort of blend together. I used three of my trusy buttons and a pretty ribbon bow for embellishments.  I adore her purse-isn't it so pretty and sparkly?   Enjoy an let me now what you think!  Love, Elle

Vintage Postcard Story

There is a store in Kirkwood, Missouri called the Checkered Cottage.  A quaint little store.  They recently had a Holiday Open House where the windows were decorated with HUGE blowups of these gorgeous vintage postcards that the two owner's (sisters) grandmother had saved throughout the years.  The display with breathtaking to say the least.  They took these postcards and made sheets of them to sell.  Here is my first rendition of one of the postcards.  Love, Elle

I used some of the beautiful trim that I received in a fiber swap with the group Art For The Creative Mind.  I thought that it really set off the vintage feel. 

Here is a closeup of the postcard image:

Visit here for some wonderful blog candy!

I  found some wonderful blog candy on Tracy's site!  Take a look see. I wanted to post a picture but I am having trouble with my blog at the current moment.  Click on the title of this post and it will send you to the blogcandy!



 Love, Elle

Sissipoo's Best BBQ Spice Rub

My sister Cynthia and I have been busy little beavers fast at work on our Christmas presents.  It's a record for us to be done with something so early in the year!  I wanted to share with you one small element of what we have been working on.  This one is for the guys in our life:

Here is a close up of our guys:

Love, Elle

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween.  Tomarrow is bewitching day.  The day all of the kiddies dress up and trick r' treat around the neighborhood.  We have about 100 little munchkins (and some not so little ones)  that stop on our porch.  Each as adorable as the last.  I remember the elaborate costumes we use to put together when I was young.  I once made a HUGE frog head for my daughter Jessica when she was 4.  The problem was that it was so top heavy she would start to tip forward as she walked.  Soooooooooo cute!  I love the 'spirit' of fun that Halloween evokes, don't you?  Have a safe, fun night!  Love, Elle

Christmas Tilda

Have you ever just wanted to mail your Christmas card off in a business envelope.  I made this card with just that in mind!  Tilda is sitting anxiously awaiting Christmas to arrive as she is perched on a line of snowflakes.  I love the new paper from PTI that I used for her background circle as well as some of their older paper for the base of the card.  I used my Nestability circle to cut and emboss a circle then got out my snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder for and embossed same circle.  Added one of my favorite Christmas sentiments and my card was done.  Of couse I used different techniques with my Copic markers for my image.  I wish now I had colored some pants or tights on the poor little things legs, don';t you?  Love, Elle

Here is a closeup of Tilda:

Remember catching fireflies?

Do you remember catching fireflies in a mason jar then letting them escape, gently floating away into the sky?  A wonderful childhood memory!  This is my version of the same but this time I caught Christmas fairies instead.  I used my tiny Magnolia fairy stamp after I stamped my jar.  I colored them with Copic markers (r22, 24, 29, e02, 00, 000, Y21, 23, T1) then my Glitter glue to add some sparkle.  The paper is from PTI (papertrey inc).  I popped up the jar and my tiny fairy floating out of the jar using popdots then tied some red bakers twine around the card and threaded a vintage red button onto it.  Loving this card!  Love, Elle

A clear picture......

FINALLY a decent, clear picture to go with my previous post!  Love, Elle

Let It Snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  Are you singing yet?  First I need to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card!  I am working on different designs to use as my family Christmas card and I must say that this is in the top running.  I pulled out one of my old Stampin' Up stamp sets and stamped it using Memento Black ink.  I added just a bit of color using some Copic markers then added some Dazzling Diamond glitter using my glue pen for just the right about of sparkle.  I then die cut some trim using PTI's eyelet die and added some vintage buttons from my collection tied with red and white baker's twine.  This card simply makes me smile.  I hope it does you, too!  Love, Elle

Here is a close up of my snowman:

Another image of my card (hopefully not as blurry!):

Okay, just as blurry.  I don't know what is going on with my camera....uh, the photographer must have had a few too many...lol

Elle's Creative Journey: Blog Candy

Take a look at my sidebar for some delish blog candy. Love, Elle

Busy catching up!

I'm busy catching up with my obligations but thought I would drop in to post pics of a card that I made.  I am loving how this turned out!  I have started blindly grabbing old stamps from my stash and using them on various projects.  I closed my eyes and pulled out this flower stamp.  Isn't it lovely?  I like what it says behind the bow-"happiness ahead".  What a thought!  Here are the Copic Markers that I used to color the flowers:
E000
R20
R29
YG03
YG63
YG67
Love, Elle

Oldie but Goodie

I thought that I would share with you an Oldie but Goodie from a earlier post.  These are my finished paper ornaments.  Enjoy!  Love, Elle

There is a total of 16-I had fun making these.  It really got me in the Christmas spirit!

It seems like an eternity

It seems like an eternity has passed since I last posted a project!  I have a couple of birthdays coming up so I thought I would start putting together some cards.  You know I love PapertreyInc and this card is no exception.  I pulled out one of my favorite stamp sets from them and stamped the wreath/berries after cutting out a die shape (also one of theirs) and layered it on pretty cardstock.  I took one of my Nestibility dies and cut some shapes for a paper flower, using that as well as some pearl gems for my accents.  I repeated the shape of the flower to mat my sentiment on the card with coordinating cardstock.  I think it turned out real pretty, don't you?  Love, Elle

A big project

I have been working on a big project for Art For The Creative Mind.  Another set of 12 calendar pages for the month of July.  For some reason these have stumped me.  I did one prototype that I liked but the other prototype just hasn't been coming together.  I am going to buckle down and finish them in the next couple of days.  I'm still waiting for that elusive camera battery to post a couple of project ideas that I have been playing with and am busy working up my ideas for Christmas presents.  Loads of canning to be done, mixes to make, packaging to consider, things to paint and even more things to sew.  Funny how Christmas crafting/art comes early for artisit, isn't it?  Stay tuned for some pics later today or tomarrow.  Besides that all is well in my little corner of the world.  Love, Elle

When you make a mistake

What do you do when you are working on a project and you make a mistake.  At the very end of the project.  When you are just about done.  Darn, do I hate that!  I was ready to post a picture of a Christmas card that I was working on.  I REALLY liked the card.  Was I going to show it to the world?  Throw it away?  My first instinct was to throw it away.  BUT...............I decided to show it anyhow.  Why the heck not, right?  Sooooooooooooooo....here is my Christmas card.  I used a stamp from Papertrey Inc.  from the Vintage Picnic stamp set.  I stamped the picnic basket on patterned paper and cut it out, popping it up to give it dimension.  I had stamped the image above and colored it with Copic Markers first on white paper.  I had a strip of paper that might have gotten pitched had it not been for the zigzag die cut from PTI that I added my buttons to.  I love the paper pack that I purchased from them!  Assembling the card was easy after I cut all of my various elements out.  Next came the mistake.  Darn......I hate it when that happens!  Love, Elle

Hi There!

Hi there!  Just poppin' in to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you.  I have several projects ready to post but need to replace that ever dying camera battery.  Seems like I just did that a couple of weeks ago.  I finished my paper ornaments and have colored up several images and made them into projects.  I am already working on Christmas presents and have loads of ideas playing in my mind.  I can't wait to share them with you!  I will post my projects soon.  Until then......love, Elle

Christmas Image

At one of the local stores (The InkSpot) each time I went I picked up this particular stamp made by PennyBlack called Christmas Notes.  I would pick it up and put it down.........pick it up and put it down.  For some reason I was simply drawn to it.  The stamp is CUTE.........HAPPY.......CHEERFUL.  Sooooooo......the other day I finally purchased it.  My girlfriend had bought a Nestability Die set that I have been wanting to play with for a long time so I used that to cut out circles of GinaK Pure Luxury card stock (120lb).....If any of you have used it before for Copic Marker coloring then you know how thick it is.  Originally I set out to stamp and color 16 of these for Christmas Cards but on further inspection I thought why not use these for the kiddies ornaments this year!  DING DING DING!  SCORE........They are certainly thick enough so I am in the process of coloring 16 of them and adding ribbon hangers.  Isn't she cute? 

I used the following Copic Markers:  E02, E00, E0000, R20, R24, R29, G06, YG09, BV0000, BV13, E15, E17, E35
I also used a white Gel pen and clear stickles.  I am thinking about using something else for the snow effect besides the stickles.  Possibly Flower Soft in Polar White. 
Here is a closeup:

I'm off to play Sorry with my grandson Jacob.  I think we will bake some Oatmeal Raisin cookies for supper next.  Tomorrow I will be making the all time best jalapeno pepper jelly.  Yuck, you say?  So did I UNTIL I tried it!  Love, Elle

Teaching

Teaching.  I enjoy it.  I miss it.  I use to teach decorative painting classes-such fun!  I loved to see the students grow and learn.  See their creations take shape out of nothing but a little wood/bricks/etc.  and some paint.  After my car accident I got away from painting and started concentrating on my papercrafts.  Today I taught someone how to make paper flowers and use her new Cuttlebug.  It got me thinking about the need to hold classes again in my home.  Or even monthly get togethers.  I often thought about having a group get together and each month someone teach a different project.  Kinda like a bookclub?  It is time to get away from Dr's, surgeries, pain and get back to doing what I love the most.  Sharing my passions with others.  I am currently working on a new project that I will be sharing with you in a day or two.  Stay tuned!  Love, Elle

Things that Make Me Happy

Things That Make Me Happy:
-Jessica, Nathan, Sam, Max, Todd and Rosita, too.  (my children and puppy)
-Charlie, of course (my dh)
-Seeing my family once again
-my bff's Carole and Cynthia
-playing in my studio Anytime day or night---I'm soooo lucky to have my 'own' little space!
-aftcm (you know who you are!)
-telephone calls from long ago friends
-weddings (of which we missed)
-receptions (of which we didn't miss)
-cooking classes at William Sonoma---so free!
-playing Yahtzee with Charlie
-playing with Charlie lol
-when creative juices are flowing
-Jacob, Nathan, Adam, Zaelyn, and Taylor (my grandkids)
-when my children call
-when I call my children
-feet rubs-Charlie gives the best
-freshly painted rooms-which I feel the need to do
-redecorating-don't I wish!
-coffee
-soda instead of coffee
-going out to breakfast anytime day or night
-watching football and knowing what I'm talking about (sorta)
-watching baseball with the guys and REALLY knowing what I am talking about
-little league, high school, and select baseball games (oh how I miss them!)
-the chance to be room mother all over again (or at least send something crafty to the grade school parties!)
-saying "hi" on my blog!

Haven't done this in a while

I haven't done a recipe card in a while and was missing them so much.  I have had the Christmas holiday on my mind (don't ALL of us this time of the year?) so I thought I would put together a set for any upcoming recipe card swaps I might join.  I LOVE this candy recipe!  The sweetness of the white chocolate/cranberries/raisins with the salty nuts is to die for!  I actually bought this background paper at a vintage store-crazy, heh?  I always go to RedLead here in St. Louis for my charms and fell in love with the candy canes.  It also gave me a chance to use my Gingerbread boy punch that I picked up in the clearance isle at the end of last season.  I think it turned out yummy, don't you?  Love, Elle

Tilda in all of her Holiday Splendor!

Tilda in all of her Holiday Splendor!  I love, love, love this image!  I am trying to use some of my stash of products so I pulled out the flower soft, stickles, and Martha Stewart gold micro beads to embellishment my image.  I colored her with Copic Markers while I was at the hotel attending a wedding which we totally got lost and missed the ceremony-wah!  A story for another day.  I like the softness that this card portrays and am having a blast coming up with uses for my PapertreyInc. Rustic Snowflake paper pack. I ran to the sewing machine and zig-zagged my way around the card.  Enjoy!  Love, Elle

A few simple pleasures

While on holiday this past weekend I brought with me some images to color in the hotel---can't seem to be a single day without my art!  I had a spinal epidural steroid shot(s) yesterday when I got back in town YIKES-did that hurt-and have to spend the day on and off the heating pad so I thought I would pop into my studio this morning and put together a card or two with the images I colored.  The first one I wanted to share with you is A Few Simple Pleasures showcasing Edwin (my first!) from Magnolia stamps.  I don't know why I hesitated coloring Edwin images because this is my ABSOLUTE fav so far.  I have 5 boys and you would think I would get use to various lizards, geckos, and creatures of all kinds but I have to tell you this even gave me the willies!  I am not a critter person lol.  I love the bluejeans, sneakers, and top-it looks just like one of my boys when they were that age!  A few simple pleasures says it all, don't you think?  Of course I had to add my buttons to finish off my projects.  The rest of the supplies are from my stash of papers and kits.  I colored the image using copic markers on GinaK pure luxury cardstock.  My favorite so far as the markers do not bleed thru and the blending is superb.  Love, Elle

Playing around with some new products

I arrived home this evening to find some new products came in the mail from Papertrey, Inc. so I thought I would put together a simple project with what I had.  I purchased their Tree die and Rustic Snowflake pattern paper pack.  Added some buttons-used my sewing machine to sew some elements on the card front a came up with a fun, simple holiday card.  How I use this card will be determened with what sentiment that I choose, don't you think?  I'm off to bed but will share details about my trip tomarrow.  Have a dr's appt. first thing in the morning so I need my beauty rest!  Love, Elle

Road Trip!

Yep, I'm going on a road trip.  To Kansas.  For a wedding.  In a Victorian mansion.  Charlie and I (dh) are going with my sis Cynthia and brother-in-law Tom (thanks, guys!) to my nephew's wedding Friday.  This is the last time all of us kids will be together with my parents as my mom has dementia (she's 76, dad is 82).  Hopefully it won't be the last time I get to see my folks.  I am soooooo looking forward to this!  My father just got out of the hospital and every time that just scares me.  Forces greater than me have allowed us to take this trip and I am eternally grateful for all that made this possible.  I am busy working on a few projects that I will post when I get back home.  (come home Sunday night)  Well, maybe a day or two later lol.  Hopefully I will also get a chance to share with you pics of the happy couple.........Erin is just a doll and Anthony-what can you say about Anthony?  LOVE HIM!  Both of my sis's kids are so neat-every last one of them.  Sooooooo......I hope you all enjoy your rest of the week, I will miss you when I'm gone!  Love, Elle

I'm SOOOOOOOOO Excited!

Have you ever worked on a project and been sooooooo excited?  Happy?  Well, tonight I did just that.  I have been wanting this stamp set from PapertreyInc. for awhile now---I'm not sure what the name of it is but suffice to say it has to do with books.  The most precious stamps!  I have been having a blast!  I immediately got to work and put together this set.  Stampin Up inks came flying out; dies for my Cuttlebug machine were busy little beavers cutting away.  (dies are also from PapertreyInc.)  I have this friend that did the MOST incredible, generous, kindhearted, humongous thing for me today and I wanted to do something nice for her in return.  This set is for her (THANKS, Carol!)  After I post these pictures I am off to come up with some pretty packaging ideas.  Enjoy!  Elle

Here is a close up of the bookmark and label for the inside of her Daniel Steele book collection:

A close up of each of them separately:

Apple Time!

Fall is coming and soon it will be apple pickin' time!  With that comes thoughts of Thanksgiving giving us time to stop and be thankful for the blessings that we have.  This card is indicative of a little bit of both.  The stamp came from JustRite Stampers.  I have been practicing coloring with my Copic markers so I dumped a bunch of them out and started playing.  I couldn't tell you which ones I used because they were put away to work on a sewing project before I got a chance to write them down.  I added some of my favorite ribbon to the top and used Crystal Effects (love that stuff!) on the apples.  Pretty enough to eat, don't you think?  Enjoy the card!  Love, Elle

I'll Call This Pocket Patti

I'll call this Pocket Patti.  Last night I was up worrying about one of my boys (do we EVER stop worrying?) who was working downtown into the night.  Boy, the visions of doom and gloom I was having!  So.....................I got to work in my studio creating Pocket Patti.  Every once in a while I make myself pull out an old stamp (this one is from WhipperSnapper) and see what I can come up with.  I also wanted some practice using my Copic markers and what better way than to color up a stamp.  I apologize that I forgot to list my Copic colors before I put them away but I CAN tell you that I use B91, B93 and B95 for my blue jean colors.  What can I say, it was late and I was freaking out.  Literally.  Freaking out.  I then decided to find a single two-sided piece of paper to use-my assignment to myself-for the card.  I allowed myself white card stock for the base of the card.  Hum......how best to put this together?  Cuttlebug and Nestibilities are pulled out where I cut and embossed around the image.  Then it was time to assemble.  It needed something to pull the project together.  I tried ribbon.  I tried trim.  I tried ALL sorts of buttons.  Nothing was working.  Time to dig into my tool chest and pull out some brads.  As you may have noticed in earlier posts, brads are not my friend.  I do 'crooked' well.  I was determined not to have that happen this time.  You would think I was doing Cancer research with the precision I was using trying not to get the holes crooked!  I think I managed to pull it off this time!  (patting myself on the back).  I must have pulled out every brad I had.  I wanted 4 of the same kind.  Do you think that would be too much to ask?  I also wanted a bright happy color to go with the bright happy paper.  FINALLY I found 4 blue brads that hit the mark.  Off to finish my card.  My tape glider decides to act up.  Dang!  ScorTape it is.....see how long it takes me to actually finish a card?  Geez.......the trials and tribulations of creation.  Thanks for playing along with me.  Love, Elle

Going to the Chapel and were gonna get Married!

Weddings.  Oh how I love them.  Anthony and Erin are getting married September 16th in a Victorian mansion.  Anthony just happens to be my most favorite, bestest nephew in the whole wide world!  I thought I would put together a card with a matching gift bag.  The gift bag will hold a gift card.  I wanted something different and couldn't wait to share it with you.  Love, Elle

Here is the card that I made.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the cardstock, then sewed two strips of paper to the center.  I cut out the image from matching cardstock, added white pearls and voila'!

Erin definately holds the key to Anthony's heart!  Anthony holds the key to Erins heart, too!

While I had my Cuttlebug out, I diecut the handle using a die from PapertreyInc.  I then attached it with small gold brads.  The stamp and tag are both from the same series of paper.  I added the key for the perfect touch!  I will use some tissue paper and put a gift card in the 'bag'.  I will need to wrap it up with tissue paper, tied with pretty ribbon gathered at the top because it will be going on the gift table.  Don't you think this is a darling set?  Elle

Ponderings-What steps can you take to improve your artwork?

A question was asked by the fearless leader of Art For The Creative Mind-Tolegranny.  We just love our tg!  What steps can you take to improve your artwork?  Hum.....let's think about this for a bit.  It is a personal question.  I know I want to learn to use my Copic Markers MUCH better.  There is definitely a learning curve there for me.  I am so heavy-handed when it comes to coloring, painting, or writing!  Not be so afraid to try new things.  FEAR is a word I hear over and over again from creative people. Personally I need to slow down.  Take my time when working on a project.  Again, don't be afraid to tackle a project that seems hard at the time.  Great works of art come about that way.  Give up on the idea that magic will just flow out of me every time I am trying to put together a project.  Skill takes time.  PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!  Did I say practice?  Oh my-Charlie has come home with dinner!  Yeah-no cooking for me lol.  Elle

I am Woman

My husband, Charlie, saw this stamp the other day and bought it for me.  (Isn't he sweeeeeettt?).  He said it reminded him of me.  I put together this card to share with you.  Elle

p.s.  The brads really aren't on there wrong-it was the scanner that moved them.....really it was......really.

My creative journey

Have you ever stopped to think about where you are at in your creative journey?  Do you ever just skip around all over the place?  Case in point.  I just finished up 12 copies of my snowman January calendar swap.  Loved how they came out!  Now I am thinking about making some fleece hats.  Time to dust off the sewing machine!  I found them most adorable felt flowers on Country Magazine's website to add to the side of my white hats.  Christmas presents are required to be handmade this year between all of the adults....which includes me and 6 children with a few dil's and sil's.  My mind is jumping from one idea to the next.  Being that some of my family actually reads my blog-hi sisters!-I don't want to reveal too much but suffice to say it will be cute, it may revolve around the kitchen, it will definitely be about your home, and may include something personal.  I think that covers it all, don't you?  Will it be something hand painted this year?  Maybe.  Will it be something hand sewn?  Definitely.  Will it involve paper?  Most certainly.  Will it be made out of love?  A resounding YES.  I'm off to cut out my hats.  Enjoy your day!  Tomorrow I will be canning some Salsa with my best bud Carol.  FUN!  Elle

Blog Candy!

Check out this blog candy over at Paper, Ink, Color......hop on over for a chance to win!

January Calendar Prototype

I thought today I would share with you a prototype of the January calendar pages that I have been working on.  With this one I used a cute Penny Black snowman stamp (we all know how much snow we can get in January!) that I colored with my Copic Markers.  I then added stickles on the hat brim and Flower Soft in white for the snow glued on using glossy accents for the glue.  I chose a border punch for the Aqua paper that I trimed in some pretyt white and red ribbon.  I mounted my snowman on some pretty red paper after cutting both out with a shape I printed off the internet. Now you know I had to add a button somewhere!  I choose aqua that I tired with red/white bakers twine.  The perfect touch!  For some reason my scanner only picked up the top portion of the calendar this time-go figure!  Enjoy!  Elle
Copic Colors:  yg09, yg11, yg13, r24, r29, r59, yr21, yr24, bg0000, bg10, bg32, bg34, colorless blender and a orange watercolor marker for her nose.

Are you a Designer?

Are you a designer?  Let's think about this.  (I often sit and ponder these things) When you take a rubberstamp and make a card with it, does that make you a designer?  You certainly didn't design the rubberstamp, did you?  BUT, you did take that design, and with it DESIGNED a card.  Does that make you a Designer, also?  When you take various elements that others have created and put them together in your own way, does that make you a Designer?  I happen to think so.  Every time we make something we are sharing out thoughts and visions with the world around us be it a card, a layout, an altered art project, or anything else for that matter.  It is OUR design using these elements, not the person who designed the elements, isn't it?  Let's not get into copywrite issues, this is just a discussion.  Food for thought.  In my humblest of opinions I think anyone who creates is also Designs.  I, Elle, am a DESIGNER! 

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a contest winner!  Before I announce the winner I would like to thank everybody for all of their great ideas!  So many wonderful suggestions that I couldn't pick just one.  Sooooooooooooo.......I numbered the comments from 1-11 and asked Charlie (DH) to pick a number from 1-11, including the numbers 1 & 11.  He picked #7.  That means PENNA Won!  Here is what she had to say:

You could use this as a changing display. each season or holiday you could paint or decoupage a backing for the shelves. If you're not feeling especially creative, scrapbook or wrapping paper would do the trick. mount them on cardboard or something similar in weight. That way they will be easy to pop in and out. Then have some fun filling the cubbies with seasonal decor--anything from ornaments at Christmastime, eggs and bunnies for Easter, things from nature walks with the kidlets for fall--to favorite photos of past celebrations. Be creative and mix it up. Add small paintings in some, rolled up towels in others. Even utensils or spice jars would be adorable! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

If you could email me your information, your prize will be on it's way.  Thanks again, everyone, for playing in my Contest-it's been a blast!  Elle

Some things I have been working on!

I thought I would post some of the things I have been working on.  All of them are swaps for Art For The Creative Mind.  Such a fun group!  I had to complete some flowers and two Halloween Tags.  I grabbed my Cuttlebug and started cutting away.  I choose felt for the flowers this time.  Some are in the spirit of Halloween and some are all fall!  I added my trusty buttons, or brads, and ribbon.  For the tags I pulled out some rubber stamps and played with then until I got the affect that I wanted.  I then added some word art from a pocket dictionary, as well as metal charms.  I distressed the tag using some ink from Papertrey Inc. and added some ribbon for a tassel.  For the second one I played around with some images and collaged them until I liked what I saw.  Again I added some charms and a tassel full of fun fibers to finish the look.  Elle

On a non-artsy note, I will be going out of town for a few days.  When I come back I will pick a winner of my contest.  Scroll down and see what the buzz is all about.  We are meeting some old friends of mine at Lost Valley Resort in Owensville, MO.  A beautiful place.  I will be taking the camera along and hopefully will come back with some decent pictures.  A photographer I am not!  lol  Happy Labor Day for those of you in the USA, I hope you enjoy your weekend!  I know I will.  Time to hit the pool! 

Where the "pit" is!

Welcome to the pit-also known as my Art Studio, or part of it, that is.  Excuse the mess, but you know all us with creative minds don't necessarily see the mess around us!  I thought that I would share with you a few pictures of my art studio and some of my storage areas.  Now, mind you, this does not include all of my painting supplies down in the basement.  As soon as I can I will be tearing into this room to re-design it, paint and decorating included.  I have made use of my junking treasure while you help me decide what to do with it.  I call this creative chaos!  Enjoy the pics!  Elle

Here is one of my idea stations. 

My evergrowing stash of buttons.

A little bit of stamps and some of my inks.

More stamps

A special box for my Papertrey Inc stamps and dies as well as my Magnolia stamps.

I actually know what is in these bins!  Go figure.  lol

I salvages an old table for a desk.  I scavenged the hardware finds for my brads, eyelets, small embellishments, bling, ribbon, etc. as well as plastic storage bins, all found on the side of the road.  This is where I create.

This is the contest junking find.  I thought I would make use of it while the decision is being made on how best to use it.  The markers on the table will go in the cubbies but I am using those colors on several ongoing projects that I am working on.  No, I don't color with the hairbrush!

I have a love/hate relationship with this machine!

I think it's time to sweep the floor!

More free stores bins.  Boy can you sure but a lot of things in there!  All of the rest of my die cuts as well as many other scrumptious supplies make their home in these storage bins.

In my defense I have been layed up for almost a year and am just getting back into the swing of things.  HELP SIS!  I'm getting buried in here!  My sis is an organizational goddess!