Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

Another Christmas almost over. This one was pretty low key for us - some time with family yesterday, and lounging around the house today. My decorating was also low key, as it has been for quite a few years now.

For over thirty years, we've usually sent out Christmas cards featuring our dogs. We're down to just one now - Henry, who's thirteen and not really excited about photos. Here are a few of his typical "poses."

So, no cards this year but lots of loving thoughts and warm holiday wishes for family and friends. Hoping we all have a very happy and healthy new year ahead!

Birdsong 7 - A Snowbird's Song

Last weekend Karla Nathan hosted her 7th Birdsong event - A Snowbird's Song. I was fortunate enough to attend two earlier Birdsong events, and was so happy to be there for this one. There's a lot to share, but I'll start with the three swap items I created.

The first swap was a Christmas-themed diorama. I'd never made one before, and mine turned out to be more of a shadow box with a diorama in the top section. It was inspired by one I purchased from Kim of ArtJoyStuff, but hers are so much more detailed and wonderful. I was pleased with this one, especially considering I waited until about two weeks out to start on all my projects. Procrastination is my specialty!

I really love the vintage Christmas corsage pieces I added to the top along with some beautiful vintage ribbon I found a few years ago.

The second swap was a stocking swap. I printed a vintage photo on muslin and sewed it on top of a lacy doily, then embellished it with a felt blossom and some vintage millinery flowers. I added vintage crocheted pillowcase edging, a few old buttons, and some hand-dyed seam binding. 

The third swap was an ornament made from a tart tin or cookie cutter. I have to confess that part of this one was already made. The center portion was made several years ago - the cookie cutter with the glittered paper lining and the vintage reflector and ornament. I loved it as it was but wanted it to be extra special for this group, so I added a ring of rhinestones and attached the rosette portion of a vintage horse ribbon and a dresden medallion on the back.

The ornament was packaged for gifting in a box I covered in pretty pinecone paper that left a trail -really a mountain - of glitter behind.

I hope this post provides a little holiday inspiration. More later on gifts for and from Birdsong peeps.

Journal Madness

Instagram is a fount of inspiration, and recently I was admiring spiral-bound junk journals there. This led to the purchase of a Cinch binding machine, which has led to hours of fun and using up some of my paper and ephemera. Just some. I still have tons - possibly literally.

Here are a couple of not-great iPhone pics of the cover and first-page spread of a Grow-themed journal, one of the first Cinch-bound journals I made.

Unfortunately I didn't think to take photos of every single page of these first five, and they all sold at a local event market shortly after completion.

I made a few more journals for another local market held this past weekend, and did remember photos this time. First up, a Halloween journal that a good friend purchased...

There were also two Christmas journals. One featured old fashioned Santas...

and one had a Jenni Bowlin bingo card cover.

These three all sold at the market. A big thank you to everyone who purchased one (and the other goodies I had on offer.) It's nice to know they've all gone to good homes!

The fourth is listed in my Etsy shop, and features some images from Graphic 45's Hallowe'en in Wonderland collection.

Each journal I've made has included pockets and envelopes with additional bits of ephemera and embellishments tucked in. Making them is a bit addictive, and now I'm always on the lookout for cover and page items from my stash. There are little stacks around the room just waiting to be bound.

Hope you're having a productive year and discovering new creative addictions!

Vintage Crafter's Cafe Badge Swap

My friend Laurie of IndulgeYourShelf  suggested Vintage Crafter's Cafe as a Facebook group that might interest me. It did, and I joined a few months ago but hadn't been active so far as I haven't been crafting much.

This month they launched a swap based on Amy Hanna's Get Your Badge On on-line course. I had purchased the course months ago and watched the videos but hadn't made anything, so decided to join the swap and create. Here's my badge, and the gift box I made.

My partner, Jenny, likes steampunk. I had some vintage microscope lenses that I'd been saving for something special and decided to use those for goggles. I wrapped the edges in faux leather, printed eyes on fabric, and glued everything to a wool felt base before attaching them to more faux leather and ribbon. The lenses, ring, and chain are vintage. I should have used more vintage items, but couldn't find my vintage gears so used some Tim Holtz pieces.

I wrapped the badge in pattern tissue and tied it with seam binding and another gear. Before packing it into the box, I tucked in a tag with a quick note on the back.

Jenny took my love of old lace, buttons, and neutrals into account, and also added my favorite colors of blue and green to make the perfect badge for me. She also wrapped it so beautifully that I hesitated to open the package!

And here's the badge she made...

It's been a gray week here, so the colorful touches are making me happy. Thank you, Jenny, for creating something so special! 

For the Love of Buttons

Well, I had hoped to blog at least weekly this year, but it's been almost a month since my last post. I've fallen weeks behind on creations for Kim's Art Card Tuesday, and I'm not sure I'm going to catch up.

Instead of creating, I've been digging through boxes, bags, and bins in my craft room. I found a little flower pot full of some of my favorite buttons, and thought I would share those. I have huge jars full of buttons, but try to keep my favs separated since I use the jarred buttons for inspiration kits.

First off, I'm not that knowledgeable about buttons - I just love them. And many of the ones I love the most are white or mother of pearl (MOP.) These are just a few that make me happy. The little "hook and eye" style sets at the bottom are particular favorites, and the two little bow buttons are a close second.

As far as MOP buttons go, odd shapes are what I mostly seek. I'm not sure about the two buttons in the lower left corner. They may be celluloid. They're both a bit worn, but still appeal to me.

The large button is about two inches in diameter. I've had it for years. I love the "French Ivory" buttons, especially the one with square holes. I always grab rhinestone buttons when I see them at estate sales. I only show three here, but have a small jar full.

The larger button is metal with a lucite bar. I'm not certain where the little basket buttons came from - possibly from a friend.

Just a few random cards. The Bluebird button card is one I keep on display in my craft room.

I'm normally not a fan of yellow, but these make me smile. I think the grape buttons are amazing! I'd love to find these in other colors and start a collection.

As you can see, I'm not picky about the quality of button cards or whether there are missing buttons.

Blue is my favorite color. The Supreme Quality buttons are navy and slightly irridescent.

And last but not least... The heart buttons came from another Etsy seller. The rhinestone buttons are tiny - not even a quarter inch.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite buttons! I'll try to have something creative to share soon. Today I played with gellatos, modeling paste, stencils, and paint. The results are not very impressive, but it was a fun break from taxes and other less enjoyable things that have been occupying my time lately.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Love is in the Air

I'm a bit behind on my Valentine-related posts. I intended this one for Valentine's Day, but life intervened. The DH has had a cold and various respiratory issues since late January. He'd seen a doctor and had a round of meds, but around 3am on the 15th he started coughing and couldn't get his breath. Thankfully he had an inhaler handy, but I convinced him to go to the ER. They admitted him for a viral infection and pneumonia. He was released today and is feeling much better, so hopefully life is back to normal.

Earlier this month my friend Bobbie of Rolling Hill Cottage and Studio held a Valentine Soiree, where we made the most adorable Valentine snow couple!

This isn't the best photo, but you can see better photos on her blog here.

All her projects are wonderfully detailed. I love his hat...

and her crown and wand. She even has a tiny Valentine card in her pocket. Here are a few more details, including their ice skates - so cute! My couple is holding hands.

Be sure to follow Bobbie's blog for fun holiday projects, and classes if you're local.

For Kim's Art Card Tuesday this week, the prompt was Cupid. I'm trying to use on-hand supplies for these little pieces, so this week I used a red plastic cupid die cut and another die cut that came with a pad of scrapbook paper, oh, I don't know...maybe TEN years ago???  It looked a little boring so I added some Stickles, which look great on a small scale but a bit random when enlarged for pics.

Kim will have a new prompt tomorrow, and I'll have new things to share soon.

For those still feeling winter's wrath, try to stay warm! We're expecting something tomorrow - maybe cold rain, maybe winter mix, maybe snow. Who knows? Apparently not the meteorologists!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone has had a pleasant Valentine's Day! Love is all you need, right?

I'm behind on posting my cards for Kim's Art Card Tuesday challenge. The prompt for Week 6 was LOVE so I'm showing that first.

For Week 5 the prompt was GREY, and I ended up making two cards. I started this one first with the quote but couldn't decide on the rest, so made another before finishing this one.

The card below is my favorite of the two. I stamped and embossed the background and used rub-on flowers and a die cut strip that has been embellished with rhinestones.

I'm still a bit behind because the prompt this past Tuesday - Week 7 - was CUPID - perfect for today but mine hasn't been started. I'll try to get that one done by the weekend. Right now I'm off to gather millinery bundles for a Etsy customer to view.

Winter in Blue and White Swap Returns

In January I joined in on Kim's Winter in Blue and White ATC Swap at ArtJoyStuff. I thought I had already shared what I made for the 3-for-3 swap, but apparently not. This is my creation, surrounded by yarn, and some pom poms I'm making.

And here are the three little works of art I received.

These were created by (top to bottom) Cathee, Kim, and Maggie. Love them all!

Kim usually does monthly ATC swaps, so visit her blog (link above) if you're interested in participating. Swaps for me provide much-needed motivation to create. You can also join in on Kim's weekly Art Card Tuesday prompts. 

Artist Trading Coin Swap Returns

In my last post I showed my creations for a Artist Trading Coin Swap. Today I'm sharing the coins I received. The first three were made by Jackie of Good Grief Girdie, who organized the swap.

I've never seen one thing that Jackie made that wasn't adorable, and she makes a lot!

Aren't they all wonderful? My favorite thing about swaps is seeing the creativity of others when given a basic theme. 

I have to share the back of the "adore" and "darling" coins, though.

These little pups were too cute to not share. 

Jackie also sent this precious tag she made to go with the swap returns.

This was such a fun swap! Thank you, Jackie, for organizing!

I'll have "Winter in Blue and White" swap returns to share tomorrow, as well as my creations for one of ArtJoyStuff's recent Art Card Tuesday prompts. I've fallen behind a couple of weeks on those - need to catch up!