"With Love From Friends"

Tonight's post was going to be introducing a new kit called "Love Notes".  But then I heard about a Rochester community project called "With Love From Friends"  http://withlovefromfriends.com/   and I knew instantly that participating and helping Eve Elzenga to reach her goal of creating and delivering 1500 Valentines Days cards for elderly folks without families was the way I'd give love this year. 

If you believe the old adage "You get what you give" then I hope you'll give of your time, talent, supplies or a donation to support this wonderful cause.  Check the website to ways to participate http://withlovefromfriends.com/

Our world needs more acts of love and kindness like this.  It makes my heart swell with joy to think that something I'll make will touch the heart of another; someone without a family nearby to visit.  We will all grow old and I pray that should I find myself without family someday that the kindness of others will be there to remind me that we're never alone. 

"With Love From Friends".....give some love.  http://withlovefromfriends.com/
Some details about this years goals:

• GOAL: to create 1500 valentines
• Who Receives the Valentines:
• 750 will go the Meals-on-Wheels program to be distributed to every elder receiving meals in the region.
• 450 will go to Eldersource at Life Span. These will be distributed to clients by social workers.
• 300 will go to Monroe Community Hospital to be distributed to their Senior Clients.
• Cost: approximately $1 to make each card
• How many volunteers: approximately 70 “artists” will participate 
• Dates for card making: Jan 14-31
• Hours donated: approximately 600 hours creating cards.

 

Those "Love Notes" sample cards will be sent to Eve along with another bunch of cards that will be made tomorrow with the help of some friends.  Ill post pics when Ive got a big pile of cards.

I'll be back in Feb/March with a Spring Cards kit. 

Creative Therapy: Altered Note Block

I usually have a few projects going at once as well as a few ideas percolating; it's just how my head works.  But this past week was a bit stressful and come Friday night I needed to burn off some stress with a 'new' project.  I was able to go to my craft room and lose a couple of hours making it.  It felt great!  It was just what I needed.  And now I have a new block of note paper for my kitchen! 

I bought several blocks of 4x4 note paper *years* ago at a paper store always thinking I'd do something with them.  I guess some projects take longer to come to fruition than others...;p

The top flips open to reveal the paper.  3 large jump rings hold the top on and sit just above a row of brown rick-rack.   I used small scrabble wood block letters for the word "Notes". One of those things that've been in my collection for years. A double layer of seam binding ribbon in blue from Stampin' Up. They have amazing seam binding; the stuff is just luscious! A Tim Holtz Philosophy Metal Tag and Hitch Fastener act as a tab to flip open the top.  The butterflies are popped up and sit on the most lovely grey flocked paper.

As the paper is used the top will sit at more of an tilt.  I have a few more blocks of paper to replace it when it's used up.  All sides were made from thick book board for stability.  At the back I used the Stampin' Up tab punch to create the look of hinges at the bottom.  The base and back are held together with glue and paper hinges both inside and out. The  block of paper is held in place with a piece of red line tape. A few ribbon scraps adorn the 3 jump rings.

And with the completion of this project the stresses of the day and week vanished.  The creative process truly is good therapy.

 What will you make today for some creative therapy?  Stay tuned for more holiday project catch-ups.

To a Happy and Healthy 2012!

New Years Eve....wow....every time this year I wonder, "Where did the year go?"  Time goes by so quickly.  My Mother assures me that it continues to speed up as you age....great, something to look forward to in life.  Or better yet, something to plan for by taking the time now to slow down, enjoy life and engage in every moment. 

For me in 2012 this will mean taking time to craft more, for myself; to make all of those projects that Ive been wanting to make but just didn't have time time.  This year I'll make the time because making a project for my home gives me great joy, no other reason necessary really.  How will you make the time to do what brings you Joy?  Make it your resolution to make time for JOY in life because from joy very dream can come true. 

Before 2011 comes to a close I need to pick a winner from the 12 Artful Days of Christmas posts.  I loved reading the encouraging and always kind comments from the 12 daily posts. such good therapy! 

And the winner is........Deborah Makowski!   Thanks Deborah for your comments to each post, I loved reading them.  Deborah will receive a kit to make the 12 Tiny Tags!!  Hope she reads this post to know she's won!

Happy New Year to All! 

 

A 'dreamy" New Year

As card making goes it's that time of year to create a few Happy New Year cards.  I try not to make the front all about 'hapy new year" and all.  Maybe, just maybe, the recipient will love the card and want to keep it displayed a while (what every card maker hopes for anyway...); no need to limit that with a specific holiday phrase on the front.  Hence the "dream" stamp used on this card; more like "may your dreams come true in 2012". 

The image is a napkin with a page of book text behind it.  I love the faint way it shows through the napkin.  Decorative napkins and old book pages...who knew it could all make art?  I used the same technique on the Artful Tags kits that was for sale (they've since sold out, thanks to all who bought them)  As usual, texture and shape are added with the use of embossing plates and Spellbinders die cuts; could hardly craft without them anymore. 

When I need a couple cards in a hurry I try to design one card and make a few more assembly style; saves lots of time. 

Happy New Year!

Day 12: Tiny Tags

Day 12 of the 12 Artful Days of Christmas is here!  It's Tiny Tags!  I do love tags, large or small.  These tiny tags are especially fun to work with as they are little gems; each one a piece of art. 

I cannot believe how much fun this has been and how quickly the time has flown by.  I will continue to share the remaining projects I have after Christmas so stay tuned to the blog. 

The tiny tags were cut from the Tim Holtz die cut called "Tiny Tabs and Tags".  There are so many supplies used here, I could never list them all.  It was a fantastically fun project to use lots of my favorite stash supplies!

I may change up the background, but it'll have to wait until after the Holidays are behind us. I do like the tone on tone look of the ivory and white....but the white is a bit stark. What do you think?

Well, I'm excited and a bit sad that the 12 Artful days of Christmas are over. Ill do a drawing on New Years Eve for a special gift from the all of the posts days 1 through 12.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and New Year spent with people and activities that renew your spirit and bring you joy. To a happy and healthy 2012.

Day 11: "Believe" in Altered Art

Day 11 brings us a bit of "Believe" in Altered Art  home decor.  I love to shop the after holiday sales when items are slashed up to 90% off.  I love a good deal!  I picked up a couple things last year and have been meaning to alter them in some way.  From the Hallmark store I purchased a wooden 5 tea light holder and 5 red glass votive glasses for less than $10. 

It started out like this; you can see one of the red glass cups in the (very messy) background:

And after a covering of paper, metal trim from the 7 Gypsies, velvet ribbon and a Believe ornament ( bought this year at 70% off!) it looks like this:

And it matches this:

For me art really allows me an opportunity to enjoy the Holiday in a whole different way.  When I create a piece of art for my home it gives me joy each time I see it, pass by it or dust around it (ahhhh, the reality of house cleaning ;p)

I hope you are finding some time this season to create the art that brings you Joy!  Enjoy and Be Inspired!

Day 10: Make It Merry

Day 10 brings a "Make It Merry" card with a bit of country cozy home appeal.  It uses Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 stamps and a fun twist on the red and green color combo. 

Only 2 more days left and I have more projects than that to share.  Next year I'll have to start earlier and post the 25 Artful Days of Christmas!  I hope you are having a much fun at this as I am.  Enjoy and Be Inspired!