On The 8th Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...

"Eight Maids"
Marlene Letendre, Victoria B.C.

"Eight Maids A Milking" ATC is from Marlene Letendre.  Isn't the cow adorable?  Thanks, Marlene.  I love all 12 ATCs I've received in the Bliss Angels 12 Days of Christmas ATC Swap.  Four more to go!

I've been enjoying a three day weekend and have turned our house into a quasi Santa workshop!  I've been working on gifts and even managed to get some shopping done as well as finish and move my Goodwill desk into my studio.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I sanded the top down and re-stained it.  I'm sorry, I just didn't have the heart to paint the beautiful wood.  I know, the desk was only $10.00, but I just could not bring myself to cover the gorgeous patterns of the wood with paint.  Anyway, I hope to post some pictures of it in the next few days.  It is already covered with my projects! 

Toodles for now!

7 Swans and Christmas Crafting

7 Swans A Swimming ATC
Karla Jackson




I wish my photo of Karla's ATC would have turned out better.  This card is absolutely gorgeous.  The swan's body appears to be a white shimmery leaf.  The head and neck are made out of beautiful beads.  The paper that the swan is actually sitting upon is so pretty.  This is definitely one of my favorite ATCs ever.  Thanks Karla.  I love it!

I'm sure all of you are super busy with shopping, baking, and, I hope, making!  Here are a couple of presents I've been working on. 

Bag Front (note the super cool Yo-Yo)

Bag Back

I've made this little zippy bag for one of my girls.  I drew the bulldog (my interpretation of the college mascot)and then colored the collar and added some bling.  Who said bulldogs can't bling it out?  I also incorporated my second ever YoYo as an embellishment, as well as some ribbon.  I then used my new alphabet stamps for the words.  I'm really loving the stamps!

Thom York Bracelet and Earrings
From "Eraser" CD

Here I entered brand new territory!  I've never made jewelry before and I swear I will not allow myself to get too involved in this craft as I surely don't have the time or money to get too crazy with this!  That said, these earrings and bracelet were really fun to make...except attaching the jump rings!  I am sure there is a tool to make this easier right?  Anyway, to make the earrings, I cut out the rectangle shapes from a paper CD case.  I glued each piece to some heavy cardboard and then "painted" them with several coats of ModPodge.  I did the same with the bracelet, but I had shape the cardboard, which was a bit tricky.  I think they turned out pretty cool and what makes them even neater is that they are totally unique.  I'm quite sure there aren't Thom York earrings out there...I hope.  My daughter is Radiohead's biggest fan, so I'm sure she'll love them!

I can't wait to see what you're working on!

Toodles for now!

Angela

 

6 Geese a Laying ATC and the Unibrow

6 Geese a Laying
Terri Bush Paint n Thread

This ATC was created by Terri Bush from Paint-n-Thread.  Terri made the bed sort of three dimensional.  It is super cool.  Every time I look at it, I notice another detail.  It is really amazing.

Note Bert's Classic Unibrow

Here is my wonderism for this week:

Why is it that you never notice those "hangers on," those eyebrow hairs that you thought you plucked until after you leave the house and you don't have a tweezer with you?  Are the mirrors in my house that terrible that I don't notice the unibrow growing on my face until I get to work or, most likely first, in the rear view mirror in my car?  I guess I just need to carry a tweezer with me all the time..would the neighbors think me crazy if they looked out and saw me sitting in my driveway plucking?  Just wondering.

Toodles for now!

Angela

A Dress for December

Dress Up 2010

So, I actually made a completely paper dress for December's Dress Up.  Of course I had to add a little bling with the center flower and I glitterized the whole thing!  This month, I didn't add any fabric to the dress.  I'm pleased with the look and I love the color purple...very regal I think.  I am hoping someone volunteers to host this dress challenge into 2011!  I have had a lot of fun designing the three dresses I have made so far!

As promised, here is another Day of Christmas...I present, "5 Gold Rings" by WendyWendy, the host of this ATC swap.  Isn't is great?! 

It's a crazy busy time right now.  I hope you all are remembering to take some time for yourself while scrambling to get the presents, food, cards mailed out, etc.  Stop, breathe, and remember the reason for season.  Okay, that was a bit cheesy, but you know what I mean!

Toodles for now!

Angela

12 Days of Christmas, Treasure Barn ATC, a Yo Yo, and A Wallet

It is indeed Christmas at my house.  I received the 12 Days of Christmas ATCs from Wendy!  If you remember, I signed up a few months ago to participate in this ATC Swap and my assignment was to create 12 "A Patridge in a Pear Tree" ATCs.  I made my cards and sent them to Wendy as did the other 11 artists.  (I love saying, artists)  Wendy sort of made an accordian-like book out of the cards and packaged them in a beautiful box.  I've decided to celebrate how awesome these cards are by showing one each day.  I know, I know, the 12 Days of Christmas don't actually begin until Christmas Day, but I cannot wait!  So, let's go!

2 Turtledoves by Blanche

3 French Hens by Debbie



4 Calling Birds by Francie

You can see mine here.  I'll post 5 thru 12 in the coming days!  They are all awesome!  Come back and see!

As promised, here is the ATC I sent DeeDee for November's Treasure Barn Swap:

I combined a sort of Thanksgiving theme along with a personal touch with the little Sioux girl as DeeDee grew up in Sioux City, Iowa!  I hope she liked it!

Two more things to show you this Saturday night.  First, behold, my very first yo-yo! 

A big shout out goes to Bonnie for this flower.  I've actually wanted to make yo-yos forever, but didn't realize just how easy they are until I watched Bonnie's video!  Thanks Bonnie!

Last, but not least, here is my first card wallet made with the Valori Wells pattern.  Remember to SIGN UP and you can win the pattern! 

I should have inserted a few cards before taking the picture so you could see the pockets a bit better, but you get the idea right? Anyway, the pattern was pretty easy to follow and this didn't take long to put together.  I used alphabet stamps and fabric ink to stamp "Yum" and I drew the frog with fabric markers.  I glued the googly eyes and sewed the tiny (extremely, annoyingly small) black beads on to represent a fly. What do you think? 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Toodles,

Angela

Treasure Barn ATC Swap

So Christmas came early to my house!  Look at the awesome ATC my Treasure Barn Swap  partner, DeeDee sent me!

This is our first swap with Patti at Treasure Barn and there was no theme, per se.  DeeDee described this card as a "non-traditional" ATC.  It actually hangs by the little gold ribbon, so I've hung it on our Christmas tree.  I cannot get over how beautiful it is.  It is really fantastic..even the back is pretty:

I know that you will enjoy all DeeDee's work.  Pop over to her blog and check it out.  While you are there, you'll probably see the card I sent her for this swap.  I went with a sort of Thanksgiving theme, although I personalized it by using an image related to where DeeDee grew up, so go over and check it out!

By the way, DeeDee is also a regular Blissfull ATC Swapper.  We will both be participating in Wendy's December swap....My partner for this swap is Penny.  Penny participated in my Rewind Week: 1970s this summer, so I know she is really creative.  I can't wait to see what she makes for the swap!

Please take a minute and sign up for a chance to win the Valori Wells wallet pattern!  Click here and sign up!

Toodles! 

Angela

Wednesday Wonderisms...Put The Pedal To The Medal (or Ice) Good Buddy

Today I have two questions for Wednesday Wonderisms:

1.  Why is it so easy to get sucked into marathon episodes of television shows that you never watch or would never think to watch?  This past Saturday morning, I awoke to find my hubby watching Ice Road Truckers on television.  While I had heard of this show, I had never actually watched it before.  So, I sat down and snuggled a bit with the old man and within minutes, became entranced.  Before I knew it, I had watched like three back to back episodes in a kind of hypnotic trance.  I don't want to offend any over the road - or ice - truckers out there, but I really have no interest in what they do or where they drive.  I know, I know, that sounds kind of mean, but really, do they need their own show? I don't know how this happens...IRT is not the only show that has "gotten" me.  Once, I watched like 7 or 8 back to back episodes of show about running a hair salon, not to mention the Top Chef marathon I watched last year!  Are there subliminal messages hidden in these shows keeping you tuned in?  (BTW, I don't run a hair shop nor am I a top chef). 

2.  Why is it always the worst, most annoying song that gets stuck in your head all day?  My drive to work takes about 25 minutes.  I can hear several different songs on the radio during my trip.  Yes, I'm guilty of constantly changing the radio station instead of leaving it in one spot.  Anyway, even if I hear 10 songs, most of which I would be singing along to, it is always that terrible song, that I couldn't get changed quick enough, that is stuck in my head ALL DAY!  Mmm Bop.

What are wondering about today?  If you are playing along, leave my a link so I can check out your questions!

Toodles for now!

Angela