Life - Be Ready!

Some cards that were made using 100 Proof Press stamps

Do you Believe?

Wool Felt Needle Folder

All of the sewing I've been doing for Silver Bella swaps, have necessitated a needle holder I can carry around, moving from one working place to another. I've got supplies all over the place and want to feel more organized. Anyway, I've seen so many cute little felt folders and wanted to make one for myself.



The cover for this project was an actual pocket from a wool jacket I cut apart and washed/felted.

I wanted to use it as is; so cut it off the jacket with pinking shears. Then, I hand stitched on all the other pieces--tiny pockets and pages.


I've customized it to have room for some little tools I use--a little needle threader, a seam ripper, pockets inside the front and back covers, and labels on the pages to help me remember exactly what type of needle to use.

More needle threaders....

Now, that's out of my system, it's forward to the actual sewing/embroidery.

Carol

Handcrafted Fantastic Foto Cards

Some of my cards have shown up in this lovely magazine. When the magazine arrived I was quite surprised to see these cards inside. They originally appeared in the winter 2007 of Take Ten Magazine. "Handcrafted" magazine contains articles that have preciously appeared in another one of Stampington and Company's magazines. I have been very fortunate to have had articles in 3 Handcrafted issues due to previous cards and artwork in either Stampers' Sampler or Take Ten.

I submitted the card above to Stampers' Sampler. The editor called me and requested more cards of the same style ( cut-out kids with quotes) I quickly made more and submitted them. They were published in a 2007 Take Ten. I used to think I always needed smiling pictures of the grand kids, but I so loved this rather pouty picture of Alexa and when I found the quote in a favorite poem book, I knew they needed to go together. Alexa always did "stare'' a lot.

I love taking pictures of my grand kids and for 6 years I have been taking pictures like this- that I could cut out. The kids all know where the "picture" wall is and will go stand by it so that I can get the best shot without lots of "background" stuff that is difficult to cut out- especially around their hair and fingers.

Humor me while I show you close ups of these favorite cards of my grand kids. The picture in the magazine above of the cowboy is of Carol's precious grandson.

And finally two more - You can click on these for a closer look.

thanks so much for looking,
elizabeth

4th of July

Happy Birthday America

A "brooch" for the day

A wool felt mini pennant, made with vintage lace, buttons, crochet flowers, and die cut felt flowers




This was a simple galvanized tin bucket. I dry brushed it with acrylic paint, added cut out paper stars, covered some with buttons, added words, and filled with shredded crepe paper over styrofoam--that holds up the flags.




Hope everyone has a memorable 4th weekend, warm with the closeness of your family.

Elizabeth and Carol

Red, White and Blue Family Projects

This sparkler lights up my life!

A decorated party hat from a kit by Candice with picture of our parents.

Hanging stars made last year for my daughter with her little "stars".

Another project for my daughter- using a pre-made glittered star garland.
I took pictures of the kids holding flags, cut them out and attached to the garland.

Hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your family "stars"

Elizabeth

Happy Anniversary

Today is my daughter and son-in-law's wedding anniversary. I made the card above for them. The image came from a vintage music booklet that I purchased a few months ago. I knew when I saw it, that I would use the image on it for their anniversary. There is something just so sweet and romantic about the drawing that I really love.


Here is a second card I just finished, also for them. The image on it is from a painting by Sir Frank Dicksee---also a delightful image of love. --Her knight in shinning armor..well, maybe the armor is somewhat rusty in this card, - but that is ok too, I mean, "really" -shinning armor does not do the dishes without getting rusty, anyway.

I am so inspired by beautiful paintings and drawings to want to use them to make my own little creations. I am always on the look out for - or just drawn to_ all kinds of images that I can imagine using for my own cards or art journals or artwork. The problem with this is that I like so many things, so I have folders and boxes of these inspiring images. So the problem with that is an issue of "space" and organization- where to find this much needed space and how to keep these much loved images readily available to me "on demand" - that is to say - " Can I find the one I want when I want it?"-no idea, really.

I will be spending the evening with the "munchkins" so that the anniversary couple can have a quiet dinner out. I don't know why they would want to do that, but maybe you do. Who would want to have a short break from these cuties????....

You don't think they are imagining ways to "take down" their nanny, do you? no...- I am sure they are instead dreaming of how sweet they will be while she is there. Either way,- "gotta love um"
Elizabeth