Dezinaworld and Dress Up 2010 Challenges

Here is my dress for October. To reach the Dress Up 2010 challenge, just
go to: http://aliceandcamilla.blogspot.com

But, this week, June at Dezinaworld is having a challenge in which she asked us to make something in fall colors--so I am entering my October dress for both challenges!


If you get a chance to visit, both challenges are so fun!
Everyone is SO talented!!!

For Jolanda

Dear Friends,
I recently went to my friend Jolanda’s blog and discovered that her mother passed away last week...It made me so sad as we all know what our mothers mean to us--dear, each one. So, I have found Google Translate and have written a message in Dutch and made this digital picture. This is for you dear Yolanda, in memory of your mom.

De andere nacht, ging ik naar mijn vriendin Jolanda's blog en ontdekte dat haar moeder overleed deze week ... Het spijt me, inderdaad, en wens mijn teleurstelling willen uiten over dit nieuws. Weet dat Ik bid voor u en uw gezin.
Liefde,
Cindy

Tag Tuesday and Rednesday

Here is a famous picture of the moment in Times Square when the end of WWII was announced. I found a story about the actual couple in it and have the web address at the bottom of this post if you would like to read the amazing story.

The theme for “Tag Tuesday” was to create a tag that had a calendar on it...That little prompt sent me on an all-day excursion through cyberspace looking for images because I had dreamed of doing “Pin Up” Girls of WWII--the year, 1943.


On this tag is an image of a seed packet for a Victory garden, WWII soldiers trudging up a hill, and of course, the Pin Up Girls (with a calendar behind them.) Even though there was a war raging, it seemed like simpler times--times when love was expressed in songs like “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

This was a nostalgic day for me even though it did not encompass my own memories, but rather, collective national memories of times that held some together and tore others apart...”Thank you” to the brave soldiers who adored their pin up girls and also to the brave women who waited home for their men and couldn’t wait to be in their arms. And thank you to those who didn’t make it home--Without all of you, we would not have been able to defeat such a monstrous enemy.

And with that, I am also hopeful that those of you reading this blog will remember our soldiers in combat right now in the Gulf.

If you would like to read the story behind the "kiss" picture, just click the link below.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/KISSING_SAILOR_FLOAT_07-03-09_8AETJF6_v37.3b3fa97.html

Thank you to June of Dezinaworld for the center image on my tag.
This is being linked up to Tag Tuesday and Rednesday.

What This Woman Will Do For Art!

This evening, my husband and I took a drive...We were on a quest for "rust" objects and a friend of his had a "treasure chest" of sorts waiting for me at his place where he fixes cars and trucks. So, we drove away from our suburban neighborhood and left for the country--"Lousiana" country, that is, filled with the nicest folks you'll ever hope to meet.


"Goodbye" to manicured lawns and flower beds.


"Hello" to open spaces and mature trees.


We were now in "Bud" country!


Evidence of it was everywhere.


A girl's gotta do whatta girl's gotta do...


Then, as if by magic, there it was--a whole box of rust items that my husband's friend saved for me....nuts, bolts--all of which had gone through Hurricane Katrina--Once again, I was in "rust" heaven!


I didn't even think about taking a camera with me, but I knew I couldn't leave you all behind on my quest, so I whipped out my camera phone--Yeah!!! Hope you enjoyed the journey! Oh, and hope you enjoyed the "mood" music too! (I have no idea what I will make with it all...I'm hoping that Zuzu from Alter It Monthly will give me some hints!

A New Winner!

Hi Everyone--
A winner has been chosen for my little tea time stretched canvas picture--
It is Marfi from Incipient Wings--congratulations Marfi!!!

Please email me at: cindylou_20@hotmail.com and I will mail it out to you!

Hi Everyone:
I just received this beautiful card from Chris at My Arty Attempts, and, not only that--Chris also sent this gorgeous book marker and precious satin roses that she made herself--wow! (There's actually more, but I only took a picture of a few of them.)





But, that's not all--Yesterday this gorgeous box arrived from Lynn at Trash to Treasure. And inside was an exquisite pendant...On all of the items in this post I sure wish that you could see the amazing details...I look and wonder how these wonderful friends did all this amazing work!



But, there's more--I received an email last night that Lynn is in the hospital...so, I am asking for prayers for her. If you go to her blog, her husband wrote all the details of what is going on, bless his heart.

A Special Gift, A Tip, and a Giveaway!

Hi Everyone--
My house is all decorated for fall from the front door throughout all the living spaces...pure fun! And, my daughter Jenny just bought this precious scarecrow "Welcome Sign" for me...I love it and had to share it with you!

I also want to tell you a quick story...

The other day, I went to pick up some furniture...I was at the back of Ashley Furniture (near the pick-up window) and started walking around...when to my amazement, there were various tiny pieces of hardware that were on the ground that had rusted...I was in full swing picking them up so I could start a collection of "rust" elements for my art...If you live near a big furniture store with a pick-up bay at the back, you might want to try it too...I was in "rust" heaven!!! lol

Love,
Cindy

"Tea Party"--A Give-Away, 2 New Creations, and My Daughter

Hi Everyone--
I know, this is a long post but, I've got lots to say! This miniature-size canvas was created for the challenge at Dezinaworld. The challenge prompt was to create something with lavender. So, I used a picture that I had already created. Then, I made this altered art piece with it.

If you would like to be in a drawing to win the little canvas, just leave me a message on here and please say, "I'd like to be in the drawing." That way, I'll know if you would like to participate.


Here is the graphic I created in Photoshop.
(The teapot is from the Graphics Fairy.) I am also linking this to BRAG MONDAY with Karen!!!


This is a journal that I bought for a
lifelong friend. Her birthday is
coming up soon!


I wanted to embellish it!




Here is the inside page printed on vellum.
(I photographed the cover and put it on
the inside, as well.)


And another one on vellum.


This last picture is my daughter Jenny...I will be visiting with her for a few days, so if I'm not on here blogging, you now know why! I'm so excited!

September 26--The drawing is now closed!
Love,
Cindy

Surprises in My Mailbox!

Yesterday these lovely surprises were in my mailbox!!! I was so surprised at the amazing art I received from my friends Faye and Kim...Faye hand-painted this beautiful card and 2 ATCs--I was so surprised!


Kim created this beautiful sparkly card and precious angel card too!


Thank you both so much!!! This was so wonderful of you to think of me...You are wonderful friends!

The Most Amazing Gift I've Ever Seen

Hi Everyone--
While going from blog to blog the other day, I came upon the most AMAZING story of love. It is on Karen's blog and I hope you will go
over and read about a special quilt...

If you scroll down her page until you see the picture of a quilt, that's where the story is. As I read it, I was so moved and it made me realize that through blogging, we sometimes hear the most powerful stories that make up life itself.

Here's her blog address. If you click this, you will be taken right to it.
http://sheusesherwords.blogspot.com

You will notice a post about "Donovan." When you see his name, you are at the right post.

I assure you--it will be worth your visit!

Love,
Cindy

A Special On-line Store

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been such a "busy little bee" the past few days that I didn’t have a chance to tell you that I feel so blessed to have won the challenge at Mind Wide Open AND I want to thank all of you who went over and voted--I am grateful beyond words!

The curator, Gail, is so awesome...and her store, Shabby Cottage Studio has amazing finds for artists and crafters. If you look at my new blog header, the “Hope” ticket is from her store, as well as the sweet image of the little girl on the right.

I can only tell you that on the “crafting highway,” I feel so grateful for people who have quality items available...They wake up our muses so we can create in style!

If you'd like to browse through Gail's lovely inventory, just go to her Mind Wide Open blog and there you will see the link to her Shabby Cottage Studio store...(it's on the left on her blog.)

And, a big "thank you" to Gail for all of her creativity and generous spirit!

Tag Tuesday

Hi Everyone,

Here is my tag for Tag Tuesday. Our prompt this week was to make a tag that has a banner...so, here is mine.

I started making this tag this morning, but then I went to the craft store...and lucky me, I found a 1-inch cookie cutter to attach to it and a miniature bag of flour that just seemed to fit the bill to take a kitchen-themed picture. Did I mention that when I do art I’m like a little kid? I think it is so fun!

Oh, and the little scalloped tag that says "Kiss the Cook" is movable!

The tag was created with an image from June at Dezinaworld--thanks June!

If you would like to go to Tag Tuesday to view the other tags, they're all awesome!

Thanks for visiting!

xox

An Awesome Blog!

I would like to introduce you to my friend June of Dezinaworld.






June has wonderful graphics in her shop and here are 2 that I have used to make my own creations called “French Paquettes.” (More images coming soon!)

June also has a challenge every Thursday--it’s so fun. She picks a theme and then, we can just make something that fits it...

And my friends June of Junibears and Chris of My Arty Attempts are on her fabulous design team...I tell you, the talent over there is amazing!!!

Cutest Suitcase!!!

Hi Everyone,
My awesome friend Sherry made this adorable suitcase and she is in a contest right now...Would you mind going over to take a look?

Her blog is http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com

Oh, and if you haven't seen my tutorial, please scroll down and take a look!
xox
Cindy

Pocket Book Tutorial--Lots of Fall Fun!

Feast your eyes on Karen's kitchen!


Doesn't it look like it should be on the cover of a magazine?
I love this "to-die-for" pillow!



Karen (you know, the awesome Graphics Fairy) had her kitchen posted on her blog...I think it is gorgeous! It inspired this little "Pocket Book," and I have made a tutorial in case you want to make one too! It is entitled "A Woman's Work is Never Done." It is made with commercial papers and images from Karen's amazing blog and it is a handy little trinket she can store anywhere.

(If you have not had a chance to see the one I just completed for my friend, Lynn, see the next blog posting as my "travel"-themed one is there.)

I hope you have fun making one, and if you do, let me know and I'll come over to your blog and see it!

You begin by cutting a strip of scrapbook paper. It's about 3 inches wide. You need paper that has designs on both sides.


Next, you begin folding from the bottom upwards.





Then, fold the leftover piece down and it becomes your flap.



Next, you open it up and begin decorating each piece.



Add whatever embellishments you like--(my favorite part!)





Finally, affix glue dots underneath the flap to close it.


Prior to affixing some glue dots, I use a hole punch to make
a hole through the flap so that I can hang "danglies" from it!



Now, your book will be closed and will have lots of surprises
waiting inside for its recipient! I was also thinking that
these could really cute tucked inside of a Christmas card
decorated with holiday papers. (Approx. time: 3-4 hrs.)
It is 3 in. wide and 12 in. long (when open.)

I posted this early so that all of you "weekend crafters" could have a chance to play! And now I'm linking this up to Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy.