Wednesday, Jan 30th - already!

As promised here are the final two paper dolls I made.

I signed up for a swap on CCS to create 10 Little Beauties, each Little Beauty must be different. Little Beauties are items which can be used to embellish projects, top cards and/or ATC’s. No precise size is specified but they should be no smaller than 1.5 inches by 2.5 inches,and not larger than 2.25 inches by 3.25 inches. I was surprised how quick they are to make.

If you would like to see more little beauties check out my CCS friends blogs - Sweatpea, Fiona, Maggi, Adrienne and Trish’s. You will find their blog links in the right column under Artful Blogs. While you're at it why not click on some of the other links under Artful Blogs. Their art is sure to inspire!

Thanks for stopping in!

My Muse is back, my Muse is back.

I had a creative weekend and it was wonderful. My grandson came over and painted some rainbow watercolor back grounds together. He let me keep one and he took the rest home. So cute!

I then signed up for a swap with CCS group for Art Paper dolls and started to play. I found a paper doll template I like and tweaked it and decided to convert so I could cut it using my digital die cutter. That was challenging because I have only had it for a month and am just learning. Success! The die cut nice and clean with no errors or hiccups. Now I can make these babies anytime I want and not have to pull out the scissors to cut out the body. With mild RA in my hands having the die cutter to do some of my work is wonderful!

To create the doll I used some of my handmade background paper with the leaf pattern to create her dress, I added her facial features and some embellishments. I ended up making two dolls and used the water colored paper I painted with my grandson for the die cut butterfly wings and added them to doll #2. To attach the wings I made a slit in #2 dolls back and slid the butterfly’s body into the hole making the butterfly wings removable – pretty cool. I also doodled on her arms and leggs to jazz her up.

It’s good to be back in a creative mode.

This is an image of doll #1.

Oh, almost forgot. I tried out the shinny stone technique challenge last week and in my wackiness I mixed two techniques - shinny stone and glue resist. Let’s just say they were not what I expected! LOL. So I tried again and made two shinning stones backgrounds. These are better but they aren’t knocking my socks off either!

#1 Shinny - glue resist #2 & #3 Shinny stone techinque

Happy New Year Everyone. Long time no blog. The holidays kept me very busy with lots of Christmas gatherings with friends and family. Christmas was wonderful. I enjoyed all of our kids and grandsons coming over. We really are blessed.

I received a Silhouette Digital Die Cutter for Christmas and have been busy experimenting with it. I was able to create my grandson birthday card with it (sorry I forgot to scan it) and have created a few of my own designs. I plan to use the die cuts in different projects and to sell some of my creations at the local shop I currently sell items at.

Like everyone I have made New Year goals and naturally the top one is to take off the 4 lbs I gained over the holidays….ugh too many cocktails and cookies!

New Year Goals 2008
1. Take off the 4 lbs I gained over the holidays by March 2008
2. Pay more attention to my money
a. When checking out to make sure I’m charged correctly and receive the right change back. Don’t laugh I have been short changed and never realized it until I’m home.
b. Creating a budget and following it. That’s a tough one!
3. Art - Try something different –
a. Idea adding die cuts to art projects for swaps and gifts by utilizing the Silhouette
b. Try a new technique from one of my swap groups
c. Creating my own die cut designs
4. Year round make practical items for sale at the local craft shop and for next years holiday craft fair.
5. Eliminate clutter –
a. In my studio – discard unwanted materials. Reorganize keepers. Label items in bins for sale by season.
b. Unsubscribe to groups I have out grown, lost interest or just don’t have the time for.
6. Submit something for publication each quarter. March, Jun, Jul, Oct 2008 - I think I can, I think I can!

Here is one of my creations for my die cutter. I have yet to cut it and create on it. When I do I will post it. I'm hoping to make valentine's cards/booklets for family.

We are heading off Saturday morning for a relaxing week in Florida to visit family. I hope to spend a little time creating.