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!

Day 9: Doily Love

Day 9 brings us to another of my favorite craft items: the Doily.  From the craft store, party supply store or a die cut shape of which there are many.  They are lacy and old fashioned and add just a bit of vintage charm on a card. This card also has stitching, an old book page, embossed kraft paper, velvet punched holly leaves and red glittered pearls for berries; one of my all time favorite cards. 

May we proclaim Joy To The World this Holiday Season and Always.  Peace to you and yours. 

Day 8: Gift Cards Galore

Day 8 brings us to Gift Cards.   This is a gift card holder that has 2 pockets, one for the gift card and one for a personal note.  It's a fun way to package a simple gift card in a way that makes it more personalized.

These gift card holders are super easy to customize with the variety of rubber stamp images and papers available.  For example a Starbucks card could have coffee bean paper and themed rubber stamps images.  Enjoy and Be Inspired!