Kaleidoscope

Hi Everyone~

I design for Scrap for Help--I decided to create a faux kaleidoscope because our theme this month is "Fathers."

First, I made the digital piece above with graphics from Dezinaworld.

Then, I took a paper towel roll. I covered it with paper from The Graphics Fairy. Then, I took a larger tube, cut it, placed a dark image from The Graphics Fairy onto it and slid it over the top. I took the remainder of the cardboard and slid it onto the bottom.

Having run off my original design in the size of a tag, I tied it on to complete the project.

So, there you have it--my creation!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to: The Graphic Fairy

You've Got a Friend

Hi Everyone~

As many of you know, I design for Shabby Cottage Studio.

They have wonderful images if you need them for your

art.

There was a freebie (which is the collage with the little

girl) and I created these 2 pieces with it.

I wanted to create them to say "thank you" for being

my blog friends.

Sending love & hugs,

Cindy

P.S. If you would like one of these pieces for your side bar, feel free to grab one!

French Farmhouse Decor

Hi Everyone~

As you know, I design for Shabby Cottage Studio. I created this digital piece to celebrate Pink Saturday! If you are in need of images for your artwork, they carry beautiful graphics!

And here is one of my favorite new pieces from my Etsy store....

Painted in Heirloom White and distressed, it is filled

with shabby goodness!

This is part of my French Farmhouse Collection.

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Blogger's Bodega!

Linking this to White Wednesday!

Linking this to Pink Saturday!

Using Our Talents

Paris Collage Gift from Donna at My Shabby Chateau

Hi Everyone~

I heard a wonderful minister on the radio the other day. Perfect timing? Oh yes! He was talking about how we are each given our own talents. So many of you use your talents on a daily basis and bless so many of us.

A Gift from Dee at A Lapin Life--a handmade

rooster pillow

My friends Donna, Dee, and Lovey are such perfect examples of people using their talents...and sharing them with others (as so many of you are.) I just received these special treasures in the mail from them a few days ago~They truly made my heart sing!

Lovey of Fabic Photo Memories new book

I hope that you will have a chance to visit these 3 special friends of mine. I imagine that so many of you already know them. Donna and Lovey have beautiful Etsy stores. And Dee even has a tutorial to show you how to make a pillow! (Trust me--it's the neatest method--you'll love it!)

Also, Lovey's book is on sale right now (I think it is a Special just for us bloggers.)

Thank you for coming to visit!!

Xo

Cindy

One Surprise (No, Two) Coming Soon!

Hi Everyone~

My husband has been out of town all month--Did I

mention this is really difficult? Well, he is coming

home this weekend (literally for 24 hours) and has

to return up north...

He bought me this vintage typewriter while he was

away and sent pics on his cell phone--and he's

bringing this with him!

If you don't see me on here over the weekend, trust

me, it won't be because of the typewriter! I'll catch up

later and promise I'll visit all your blogs. I hope

you're having a good week and I'm counting the

minutes 'til Saturday!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Alphabet Thursday!

Show and Tell Friday!

A Nesting Place

Hi Everyone~

I have just created this collage chair that I

entitled "A Nesting Place."

1.

First, it was painted in Heirloom White and

then decoupaged with layers and layers of

music paper and altered bird images.

2.

Then, I created a custom tag...

3.

How much time did it all take? Over 50 hours!!

4.

I have not put it into my Etsy shop yet, but that's

because I'd like your opinion....

5.

When I list it, which picture do you think I should

use?

6.

And, should I use the sepia or color ones for the listing?

7.

I just KNOW you'll give me some good advice on this

one!!

I just had to find the song "At Last,"

because my art dream of

this chair came true at last!! The truth?

When I hung the sign on it, I cried!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

The Graphics Fairy

The Paint Party

Blogger's Bodega

White Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Knick of Time Interiors!

In Partnership with Gingersnap Creations

This month, Dezinaworld and Gingersnap Creations

have joined forces for an exciting challenge. This

week's theme is "Iron, Leather, and Brass."

As part of the design team for Dezinaworld, I created a

large matchbox and designed a tag to adorn it for the blog

event.

The side is embellished with a piece from a leather

book...Of course, the watch piece seemed to be the

ultimate in Steampunk, so I couldn't resist working

it into the design.

XO

Cindy

Just Playing

I've just been playing in Photoshop and

wanted to show you my newest creations.

All of them have been made with images

from Dezinaworld.

I hope you're all having a beautiful week!!

XO

Cindy

Angel Hugs

Hi Everyone~

Here is a large repurposed can that I created

with an image from The Graphics Fairy.

May angels bless and watch over each one of you.

Have you ever had an encounter with an angel? Or

have you ever had help "out of the blue" or an

intervention when you least expected it? If so,

please share your story here--I'd love to hear it.

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

The Graphics Fairy

Sharing Some Special News

Hi Everyone~

I just received some exciting news~I have just been published in the August issue of the French magazine, Esprit Scrapbooking. So, there is cause for celebration this weekend!

Celeste

As you know, I simply love creating. And what better place to do it than in our homes? I adore cloches and exquisite table settings. This gorgeous “tea party” was created by my talented friend Celeste from Celestina Marie Designs. But, that’s not all. I have featured Celeste in my Whimsical Musings Magazine and I hope you’ll take a look at all of her amazing creations over there.

Dee

My friend Dee at A Lapin Life has made an art form out of decorating cloches. She is featured this week on my Whimsical Musings Magazine. Be prepared for a treat as you get ideas for how to decorate cloches for your own home--This enchanting woman is brimming with ideas. You'll feel like you've been to "Cloche Heaven!"

Here is my French Farmhouse Cloche from my Etsy shop...Just imagine what you could put inside...

The possibilities are endless!!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

Show and Tell Friday

Pink Saturday

Co-Hosting White Christmas in July!

The meaning of Christmas brings joy all year long, so that’s why I wanted to co-host the blog party given by my friend, Marcia from Home is Where One Heart Is!

What could be better than an old-fashioned Christmas and the memories it evokes? After all, Christmas is a time of year when dreams come true and little ones wait for Santa. Do you ever remember wishing for some of these toys?

I hope you’ll link up! You can link up here or at Marcia's. You can share:

A favorite Christmas recipe

A card that you make

A favorite Christmas memory

Your Christmas Wish List.

There is a fabulous $25 prize that will go to one lucky winner who links up!

XO

Cindy

Shabby Chic Decor--A Little French Charm

Hi Everyone~

I just love sconces, so when I found these

Fleur de Lis treasures, I couldn't wait to

repurpose them for my Etsy shop...

I hope you're all having a beautiful week!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

White Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Dezinaworld and Gingersnap Creations

This week, our Dezinaworld design team is partnering with Gingersnap Creations to bring you “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles.” I created this collage with a tag that features a WWII pilot.

If you are familiar with my art, you know that I don’t tend to make things that are masculine, so this was a real challenge for me. I decided to go “vintage” and make it a tribute to a time of valor--a time when women were writing to their soldiers who were fighting a brave fight and missing them so much and waiting for them to return home.

I know that many young women are doing the same thing today and really making a sacrifice while their soldiers are far away. So, while this piece is vintage, it is also a tribute to the soldiers who are fighting today and the families and loved ones who are eager for them to return home safely.

XO

Cindy

Domino Necklace

Hi Everyone~

Last night I completed a special order in my Etsy shop from a special friend and I created this domino necklace just for her.

If you have a particular piece of art that is your favorite or a certain style or theme and you would like to order one, just let me know. I would make it for you, pop it into my store, and before you know it, it will arrive at your doorstep. (These are the same cost as ones that are already in my shop--no extra charge.)

I hope you're having a fun, creative week!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

Blogger's Bodega

Some Digital Fun

In My Garden

Hi Everyone!

I have just created this digital piece. I have gotten so many emails asking about digital art that I thought I'd show how this piece actually started out...

See, I used this new digital collage sheet from Dezinaworld, cropped it, changed the color and then played with different backgrounds and embellishments to come up with the end result. These sheets are really fun and I enjoy using them in black and white, as well...But, this gives you a "sneak peek" at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into these pictures.

I have some winners to announce too! La of A Musing Potpourri won the ice cream tag I made over the weekend! And what's so surprising about that? I actually made it for her blog party, so now she has a souvenir of the fun event.

And Terry of Terry 2 Dogs won the pink glass bowl that was my weekend giveaway--Congratulations to Terry and La and thank you all for playing along!!

XO

Cindy

Welcome to the Ice Cream Social

Hi Everyone~

My awesome friend La of A Musing Potpourri is having an ice cream social today!!! Hmmm, there's just one problem--I'm on a diet, so I can't eat ice cream....What's a girl to do? I spent Friday night making a tag for the occasion--I wanted to join in the fun and surprise La!

I made my tag with pink ice cream because I knew that if I created chocolate I'd just have to get in the car and go get the real thing--it would just be toooo tempting!!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and I hope you'll join the ice cream social too!!!

If you would like to win this tag, just let me know and I will put your name in the drawing...and one more thing, my other drawing is still going on and if you haven't entered just leave a comment on the post below.

Happy Sunday!!!

XO

Cindy

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks for visiting!

Brand-New Necklaces and a Giveaway!!

Hi Everyone~

I am happy to announce a new giveaway! I recently

acquired this delightful pink bowl with a "fleur de lis

and rose" design at the antique mall. It would make

a perfect candy dish and the design is beautiful.

If you would like to enter to win it, just leave me a

comment to let me know.

If you'd like to add it to your sidebar, that would

be awesome, but not required.

I have just completed making these domino necklaces

for my Etsy shop and I couldn't wait to show them to

you~they are available in the U.S., U.K., and Europe,

including Greece.

Carte Postale

Oh Marie!

"Oooh-la-la" French-themed necklace

Petite Marie

Sending hugs to all of you!!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

Pink Saturday

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED~Thanks so much for visiting!