One World, One Heart

I am a mixed media artist from New Orleans. I design for Shabby Cottage Studio. My work is currently on exhibit in various art galleries throughout the country and I am happiest when I am creating.

On February 17th a winner will be chosen at random to win the prize I have made.

I have created a piece called "Butterfly Dreams." It

was made from a matchbox and is adorned with

a vintage butterfly.

When it is opened, there is a design from The Graphics

Fairy as well as a vintage key on a short chain.

I just received this beautiful tag from my dear friend Linda at Random Creativity--thank you so much Linda!!! (This is not part of the giveaway.)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!! THANK YOU FOR VISITING!!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to: One World One Heart

The Graphics Fairy

Blue Monday

Time Travel Thursday

White Wednesday

Blogger's Bodega

Special Victorian Valentines

Hi Everyone~

Happy Pink Saturday!!! I hope it will be a great

day for you!

I design for Shabby Cottage Studio and made these

tags with images from there...If you'd like to make

some just head over!

I made these little "Heart's Delight" Clothespins

with images from "the cottage" too!

Here's my favorite--I made it for

my daughter.

And, I am playing "Amazed," which was the song that played at my wedding!

I am linking this up to Pink Saturday!

XO

Cindy

Get Well Wishes to Jimmy

Last night I heard that Jimmy Buffett was injured at a concert in Australia....I felt terrible.

Well, today I was in the French Quarter and took this picture of a painted bottle at Margaritaville on Decatur Street. (I took the picture through the window with my cell phone.)

This one's for you, Jimmy--Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Fins Up!

XO

Cindy

Time is Precious

Here is a mixed media piece that is in my Etsy shop...

I am submitting it for the Dezinaworld Spot Prize

challenge entitled "Hues of Blues."

This piece includes hand-quilled roses. It has a

miniature easel to display it on and arrives in its own

burlap bag--perfect for gift-giving!

Also, linking this to Show and Tell Friday!

And Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Grounds.

Have a beautiful day!!!

XO

Cindy

Under the Sea Challenge--Dezinaworld

My friend June at Dezinaworld is having an awesome challenge called "Under the Sea." Well, that's the theme and I wanted to submit this entry--it is a cigar box (you know how I love to make those!)

Okay, so I know that this isn't "under the sea," but it's "on the beach," so I figure it's close enough! lol I'm using "artistic license" and hoping my entry will make people smile...I forgot to tell you--I love the beach--I hope you do too!

XO

Cindy

Purely Victorian Valentine Tags

My blog candy giveaway is still going on--it's not too late to sign up! Just become a follower and leave me a message to let me know if you want to enter...The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day!

The other day, I was tickled pink when my friend June of Junibears Jottings created this picture for me! I had to share it with you because it means so much to me!! June and I have such a true friendship and connection...yes, even at a distance as I am in New Orleans and she is in the U.K. She is one of the special blessings in my life that God blessed me with.

If you get a chance, hop over to her blog and see the other amazing pieces she created with tags!

Here are some brand-new Victorian-style tags that I just created...See the red postage stamps on them?

They were made with images from the fabulous Gail at Shabby Cottage Studio... If you don't know Gail, believe me, you will want to as she is such a wonderful, dear person. And here's the neat part--She sells a sheet with ALL tags on it! Print, cut, decorate--voila! You're ready for Valentine's Day!! (And they are available as a digital download too if you need them in a hurry.)

I LOVE everything Victorian, so these were especially fun for me to make.

Linking this to Rednesday!!!!

Happy Rednesday Everyone!!

XO

Cindy

The giveaway is now closed Feb. 13, 2011.

Sugar-Sweet Valentines!

Hi Everyone--

As you can see, I have been busy making Valentine's Day tags.

Here are some with crinkly seam binding and handmade flowers.

So fun to make!

My friend Sharon from My Vintage Studio has these adorable tags available in her Etsy store.

If you get a chance, go take a look...they're precious!

And my sweet friend, Kim has simply sweet Valentines in her Etsy store too! (Look at that adorable heart button!) I'm sure you'll love both of their stores!

My blog candy giveaway is still going on! Be sure to sign up if you haven't already. Just become a follower and leave me a message on here.

I am linking this up to Tag Tuesday with Louise!

And I am linking this up to The Graphics Fairy with Karen!

Also, on Monday morning, I hope you'll go over and take a look at my brand-new online magazine. Just click the button on my right side bar to go there!

Have a sugar-sweet week ahead!

XO

Cindy

My Friend's Studio

My friend Vicki of Rusty Rooster Vintage has a brand-new art studio. I wanted to make her a special decorator tag. (I know you must be swooning by now while looking at her space!)

Look at the close-up!

A few weeks ago, I purchased commercial graphics to create personalized digital art for my Etsy store. Then, I got the idea that I wanted to make something in celebration of Vicki’s new studio. First, I created this graphic with her initial in a harlequin design and, of course, I needed to use a rooster (he’s peeking out from behind her initial.)

Then, my husband (who rocks!) rusted this washer for me to put on her tag....You see, I had to have something “rusty” to be in-keeping with her theme. Finally, coffee-stained cheese cloth completed the tag for an added touch of “vintage.” Enjoy your studio, Vicki! I know it will be tons of fun!

I am linking this to the Graphics Fairy because the rooster came from there!

And I hope you'll all visit Vicki--she has an amazing blog and is a super neat person!!!

Pink Saturday, Special Surprises, and a Giveaway!

In December, a friend of mine up north went in search of some vintage finds for me to use in my work I was making for the art galleries. But, now that those art pieces were completed, I was able to use some to make decorator tags for friends of mine and I wanted to share them with you. When I saw this picture of Roselle and her husband on her blog, I knew I wanted to make her something memorable.

So, I made this tag with the word "cherish." This engraved vintage cross was included in those special finds I was telling you about and it had to have a wonderful place to be. So, it is landing in Roselle’s special home. And yes, I know this tag isn’t pink, but when I saw her taupe walls in her living room, I wanted it to match. If you ever need to go in search of “pure pink heaven,” just go to Roselle’s blog at Seaside Rose Creations!

Here is a close-up.

The next tag is for Suzann...I knew it had to be pink! I was able to incorporate one of my favorite vintage pieces--this faux pearl surrounded by rhinestones. It includes coffee-stained cheese cloth, curly seam binding, a Martha Stewart flower, and of course, Suzann's initial.

When I saw this adorable picture of Jan on her blog, I couldn’t help but put it onto a tag for her to preserve her memories. And this vintage heart was just waiting to be included in a tag, so it finally got its chance!

I am having a Valentine’s Day Blog Candy giveaway. If you want to enter, just leave me a message here to say you want to enter and become a follower (if you aren’t one already!) The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

Happy Pink Saturday! Just click the link and you will be taken to Beverly's blog!

This blog candy contest is now closed. (Feb. 13, 2011.)

"Daddy's Girl"--A Sentimental Story

Yesterday, I was talking to an awesome friend of mine named Kim who lives in Florida...As it turned out, we started talking about our dads who have both passed on and how special their memories are to us.

Then, about 3 in the morning, I remembered a special pocket watch that someone had found for me in December while looking for vintage jewelry...I decided to make a mixed media piece for her to commemorate her special father.

The best part? The watch actually has "Dad" engraved on it...

But, then I realized that it is also a locket, so I found

a picture of Kim and her dad on Facebook and used

gel medium to put it inside and then sprinkled

"fairy dust" on it to signify magical memories.

Here is a close-up. This piece is entitled "Daddy's

Girl" and is dedicated to Kim.

XO

Cindy

A Happy Day!

Hi Everyone--

Today is the Launch Party for Whimsical Musings Magazine,

an online magazine created to inspire you!

I hope you’ll click the button on my right side bar and join the fun!

I am having a Valentine’s Day blog candy giveaway! To enter, just make

sure you’re a follower and leave a message on here. If you would like 2

chances to win, just post the button on your sidebar and let me know that

you have put it on with a link back to here. The winner will be announced

on Valentine’s Day.

While I have just purchased brand-new items for the giveaway, I have

also created handmade flowers and tags of various shapes and sizes this

weekend. There are items from different companies, including Martha Stewart

and Fiskars. There are flocked stickers, alphabet letters, metallic butterflies--

and more! There’s plenty of fun things to make all kinds of crafty goodness

in no time at all!

If you are an artist, you will have lots of fun with these products. If you are new

to all this, it would be a great way to get started making cards and tags.

One more thing--I will be leaving this post up for a few days and

will check back often for messages--I just want to make sure that

everyone has a chance to see it and enter!

I am linking this to Rednesday so that all my friends from there will also have a chance to win!

Also, my friend Linda is having a giveaway--Her link is on my right side bar--don't miss it!!!

This giveaway is now closed--Feb. 13, 2011.)

The Magic of Believing

Hi Everyone--

My dear friend June at Dezinaworld has a challenge going on and the theme is "Magic" and it is up to us as to how we want to interpret the theme.

I chose "The Magic of Believing" and this tag and little match box were made for my friend Linda Adams at I'm a Random Creativity as she is celebrating a very special milestone on Monday and I wanted to join her in that celebration.

Here is the matchbox to go with the tag and I hope

it will be a memory of friendship that Linda will

keep for years to come. Please, if you get a chance

on Monday, visit her blog...I am certain that you

will be so thrilled to share in her news. (Trust me,

it is amazing.)

And, there's a little something inside too--a sign

of faith.

My friend Joyce from The Bear's Blog is the winner of

the "Purse"Journal--congratulations, Joyce! And I love

how you said you would make it a scriptural journal...

how wonderful!!!

Wishing everyone a beautiful Sunday!

Linking this to Dezinaworld

and to Spiritual Sundays!

Exciting News and Tag Tuesday

I’m so excited--My Elegant Paris Tray was chosen for a treasury on Etsy just

in time for Valentine’s Day...The treasury is entitled “When I Fall in Love.”

If you'd like to see the treasury, it is here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d2cc8d5933d6d91b40ecb46/when-i-fall-in-love?index=0

I love all things romantic and to me, nothing seems to say “romance” like the color combination of light blue and taupe...I think it’s dreamy. I have wanted to make a tag for Louise’s challenge, Tag Tuesday and just got around to it this weekend. Well, since I didn’t get it posted in time for Tuesday, I tried to make up for it by making 4 tags!

The “Cherish” and “Beautiful” adornments are made from fabric ribbon.

I also tied glittery tulle fabric at the top of each tag and crinkled seam binding.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Hi Everyone--

Monday will be the Launch Party for my Whimsical

Musings Magazine--a weekly online magazine

featuring all kinds of decorating goodness!

The magazine header has lots of pink, but not as much as

this precious card I got from my 4-year-old granddaughter

Naomi. (She also signed it from her baby sister Eliya!)

Well, as you can see, she is already loving to make

cards---Hmmm, I wonder who she takes after!

So, this is just me featuring the youngest artist

that I've ever had on here and since I love

children's art, I just had to share it with you!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

Also, if you scoot on down to the bottom of this

blog, I have a giveaway going on for a "purse"

journal--you're welcome to leave a comment to

be in the drawing!

XO

Cindy

Miss Creative Spirit for January!

Hi Everyone--

I have just had a drawing from the names of those who entered the Miss Creative Spirit contest--and as promised, I have a winner!!!

She is none other than Sharon of Sharon's Wannabe Cottage!!

Congratulations, Sharon! You can grab this button and post it on your blog and "wear the crown" proudly!!!! Please email me your address so that I can mail you the special heart box I made for the prize!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who entered--you rock!!!

XO

Cindy

Can you give me your feedback?

Hi Everyone--

I guess there comes a time in every blogger's life

when they need a new profile pic...As for me--I'm

having trouble picking one...(although I posted one

temporarily.)

So, I had my husband take some pics tonight and

oh geez, he just started taking one right after the other--

click, click, click--hence, this pic! (I was trying

to pull my hair down to make it straighter...)

But, after getting over the shock of turning

57 last week (oh my gosh!) I figured that as much

as I don't like having pictures taken, here's my

new theory--I'll hate it even more 10 years from

now! lol

So, my question to all of you is, which of the 2

(one at the top and one at the bottom) would

you use for the profile pic if you were me?

And also, could you tell me--am I the only

one who feels so self-conscious about all

this picture stuff? Because if some of you

feel the same way, I'll be feeling alot

better! lol

Some cool news...I love to dance

country, salsa, and swing, so Ralph

and I have been dancing for the past

few nights--too fun. I told him that

all we need in our family room now

is a jukebox! Wouldn't that be

awesome?