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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Girlie Girl Week Still in Full Swing!


Hi Everyone~

Yes, Girlie Girl week is still in full swing! I created this small canvas with an image of a little girl from Dezinaworld and with it is my prayer for all of you bloggers that you are having a good week. (If you would like to see a close-up, just click on the image.)

I am posting today for Alphabet Thursday and our letter for this week is "Y.' Well, my "Y" stands for You.

I want you to know--You are all special to me!

If you get a chance, you'll want to zip down to my next post to see a beautiful piece that my friend Sonya made for me--it's so amazing!

XO
Cindy

Girlie Girl Week Continues with A Gift from a Friend

Hi Everyone~

Today I went out to my mailbox and there was a gift from my friend Sonya! I was in awe of this beautiful creation--and her kindness!

I love the Bible verse she added, "Friends love at all times."
Tears came to my eyes when I saw this gorgeous,
heartfelt creation.



And look at this adorable tag!

I am humbled from receiving such a gift from such
a beautiful person. Thank you, Sonya!!

If you would like to visit Sonya and see her gorgeous creations, just go to

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Message in a Bottle


"Message in a Bottle"--Graphic from
Shabby Cottage Studio

Hi Everyone~

As many of you know, I design for 2 different stores--




"Love's Embrace"--Graphic
from Dezinaworld

I have just created these 2 pieces using their images and
I wanted to share them with you.

xo
Cindy




Monday, March 28, 2011

A Heart to Heart Talk

Hi Everyone~

I created this mixed media art by first working on a piece in Photoshop...I used graphics from Scrapgirls and the little girl is from Dezinaworld.


And then, created a collage.

I wanted to post this work today because I believe it contains a special message--inspire. I thought it was important because so many of you inspire me, not only through art, but through your blogging--for each of you has a story to tell.

Sometimes blogging is so “surface” and never gets to anything much deeper. This is definitely not one of those posts.


If you’re in a hurry (and I realize that many people are) then, simply skip over it...I totally understand. But, if you’ve got the time, I have some important things to share with you and it is particularly geared toward my friends on here that are involved in different types of creativity from art to sewing to decorating.


I have met so many of you through art and blogging and not necessarily in that order. But, over the past few months, I have really pondered about something.


Have you ever wondered how it is that so many of us came to do art at the same time? To me, it is like a modern-day Renaissance. A quiet Renaissance at that.


Here are all these women from across the globe creating every day--and let’s admit it--it’s non-stop. Have you ever wondered why? Have you ever wondered what’s behind it all?


I think that the reason we create is that it comes from God and that is who is behind and through all of this creativity...


I think we are all Art Sisters...Yes, that’s my term for it. Come on, you know who you are. Yes, I mean you and you and you....


I wrote a letter to my friend Nancy the other night in which I made an analogy. I said that if you look up into the sky and see the stars, it is so beautiful....Well, I think that we are each like one of those stars and contribute to the total picture. That’s why we’re all in this together. I just have this feeling that our creating and blogging is no accident. What do you think?


But, there’s more...


I know that in the old days, women used to sit on the porch and create quilts and talk...In many ways, through the internet, this is our modern day version of it. Because, remember that in the midst of quilting, the women talked and shared. That’s also a part of what made it so meaningful.


So, how are we different than women of those days? We create on our own in our own work spaces and then, we share it. And don’t you think we all need feedback? I think we do! But, not just about art, but life, as well. So, in effect, art is the vehicle that allows us to share what we are feeling.


I have to tell you that there are times I go to a blog and see something beautiful and think, “Oh my gosh, this is totally amazing!” I get so excited. When I see someone make something fabulous, or decorate, or create a tablescape, I am thrilled beyond belief.


For those of us who are artists, I would like for you to consider something important. There is something else that is different about what we create. It doesn’t necessarily hang on a wall in a museum...It is more personal. It goes into people’s homes and homes are definitely the microcosm of existence. So, our art somehow becomes part of people’s lives--and that is powerful! They can look at it every day. Have you ever thought of that before?


One night, I had a dream. This happened a year ago. In it, there were colors that don’t even exist in the waking world. It was as if I was taken to another dimension. But, trust me, I saw it with my own eyes. The colors were vibrant and amazing. The magnificence of it stayed with me for weeks. Maybe you’ve had a similar dream...If you have, please let me know.


When I began creating art, I didn't know that blogging existed. I created alone. But now that I am aware of so much creativity abounds (and often by people who never created before) I wonder how this all came about and what everyone's different stories are.


How did you start doing it? What made you start creating? Was it an outgrowth of something else you had been doing for years?


I know--I'm asking alot of questions, but I'm curious because I think that what is happening is bigger than what we can see on the surface...I wonder if in the future this phenomenon will be viewed as an artistic movement.


To all of you who came to visit my blog, thank you for coming. I would love to hear your feedback. I'm curious. I really am. And it is sincere.


XO

Cindy






Saturday, March 26, 2011

Baby Girl Birdhouse


Hi Everyone~

"Girlie Girl" week continues with a commissioned piece that I just completed~


It is a personalized birdhouse for a new baby girl~
(although this could easily be for an adult.)


It was pure fun to create! (I only wish that it was possible for you to see all the detail.)

If you would ever like some custom work from my shop, just let me know!

XO
Cindy

Linking this to Pink Saturday!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Touch of Paris--"Girlie Girl" Week Continues

Hi Everyone~

Oh, how I love everything with a Paris theme! So, I created the piece above with one of my favorite images. As many of you know, I design for Shabby Cottage Studio and I couldn't resist a chance to make this with one of their images.

"Just Married" Clipboard and Tag

And next is a very special commissioned piece that I created for a wedding. It is a true thrill for me to create art that is in keeping with a specific theme that someone wants~pure fun!


Featuring vintage images from my own collection, plus
images from The Graphics Fairy and Shabby Cottage Studio,
in addition to graphic embellishments.

Thank you for coming to visit! It is always awesome to have you come over and spend some time here.


XO
Cindy

Linking this to the very fabulous Show & Tell Friday!

Linking this to the amazing Pink Saturday!

Linking this to awesome Graphics Fairy!!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Girlie Girls Week Continues with Alphabet Thursday!


"Write Your Story"--Mixed Media Piece

Hi Everyone~
This is my latest creation using an image from Dezinaworld...

But, what makes it special to me? I created it for Jenny Matlock who has the
Alphabet Thursday challenge...because she is X-tra special!

And this week we are doing the letter "X."

Jenny is a writer, so when I saw this image, I just knew I had to create a special piece for her to celebrate her writing.

I hope you're all having a great week...and Jenny, when you see this, could
you email me your address so I can send it to you?

Linking this to: Alphabet Thursday

If you'd like to see more of my "Girlie Girls," just scoot on down the page!

Girlie Girl Week Continues

For The Gingersnaps Creations Challenge

Hi Everyone:

This piece is dedicated to all the young women who go to work every day and have to leave small children in daycare--those that juggle the endless responsibilities of home and office. That is why the young baby (from Dezinaworld) is perched on the typewriter indicating that even when a young mother is at work, her heart is with her child.


I first created it in Photoshop.

A close-up of the completed clip-board.


Also, my friend Julie from A Vintage Chic is an awesome artist and she is on the design team of Crafty Secrets. She had a blog hop last week--and I won!



I received an email from the wonderful owner, Sandy of Crafty Secrets, who allowed me to choose some of her special graphics to craft with--how exciting!


Thank you Julie and Sandy!


Linking this to Gingersnap Creations!



Monday, March 21, 2011

Girlie Girl Week

Digital Card for Nikki

Hi Everyone~

I would like to share some brand-new "Girlie Girl" pieces with you this week~And I would like to begin with a special digital card for my precious daughter-in-law, Nikki! (It is pictured up above.) As she doesn't have a blog yet, I'd love it if you'd wish her a Happy Birthday so she'll be surprised when she visits my blog today!

* * * * * *

And next is a separate collection of works I wanted to share with all of you that I made as part of the Design Team for Dezinaworld. Some are available in my Etsy shop.





The girls in all of these pieces are from Dezinaworld!

This tin is a new addition to my Etsy shop.



I hope that you all have a great week and I hope that you'll come back as each day I will have all brand-new "Girlie Girl" pieces to share~

Backgrounds are professional commercial images from Scrapgirls and dress form is from The Graphics Fairy!

XO
Cindy

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Happy Surprises!

Hi Everyone~

Yesterday was sure a happy day! When I went to my mailbox, my copy of Creating Vintage Charm was in it...


Imagine my excitement when I opened the page that had some of my work on it! There's more too, but this is just a glimpse.


And my good friend Kathy from Creative Home Expressions has a super article in there too!

The entire magazine is chock-full of inspiration, decorating and craft ideas, and even graphics that you can use in your own projects--how neat is that?


Today I am happy to announce the winner of my 8 X 10 "Wander" piece--She is Sonya of Counting My Blessings! Congratulations Sonya!


Also, I have been getting emails from people asking me how to get the magazine. If you want a copy of your own, you can push the button on my sidebar and purchase it online...easy, peasy!

I have a FUN week coming up here on my blog, so I hope you'll stay tuned for my Girlie Girls theme!!!

Linking this to Blue Monday!


XO
Cindy

Friday, March 18, 2011

A Shabby Chic Easter!

Shabby Chic Easter Pails (with burlap) and tag
Graphics from Dezinaworld.


As most of you know, I design for Shabby Cottage Studio and Dezinaworld--two fabulous online stores where you can find all kinds of amazing graphics at awesome prices.




Shabby Chic Tags and Easter Egg--
Graphics from Shabby Cottage Studio

I just created special Easter goodies and I wanted to share them with you as they are now in my Etsy shop!

And if you want to get started making your own decorations, please give these 2 shops a visit--I know you'll be glad you did!

I hope you have a beautiful weekend. Sending (((hugs))) your way,
Cindy

Linking this to Tag Tuesday!
Linking this to Gorgeous and Fun with Amisha!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dreamy Chalkboards

Pure Romance Chalkboard

Hi Everyone~
I have been pondering about making some chalkboards for my Etsy shop. I didn't want them to be ordinary, but rather, I wanted to design pieces that would be artwork.


Paris Dreams Chalkboard

They could easily be used for a special space in a home and could be a welcome addition to be used for weddings.

Oh, and the best part? Paris Dreams was just chosen for a treasury on Etsy! If you'd like to see it or leave a comment, that would be awesome! Just go here.

I hope you're having a great day!!!

XO
Cindy

Linking this to White Wednesday!!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Some Shabby Goodness for You!

My entry for the Altered Egg Challenge.

I just completed this Heartsong Bird tin. I no sooner got it put into my shop, then I received an email that it was chosen for a Shabby Chic Etsy Treasury--I was excited! If you'd like to see the other items in the treasury, just push the link.



Tee's Egg



I have been altering books for several months now, but they have all been sent off to various galleries, so I was very excited to have this one to alter and put into my Etsy store tonight! I just love placing them on a table to create a truly vintage look.



I hope you're all having a beautiful day!


and The Vintage Egg Challenge! at Tee's Blog!

The music paper came from the Graphics Fairy--thank you, Karen!!

XO
Cindy



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

New Etsy Treasury!



I was so excited today to receive the news that my new Heartsong piece is being featured in a beautiful Etsy treasury called “Oui!”


The entire collection was created by the amazing Roselle at Seaside Rose Creations and it is “tres chic!”


If possible, would you mind going to visit and leaving a comment there? We are hoping it will make it to the front page of Etsy!!


Here’s the link:


http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d7f787534f38eef41492a6e/oui



New Design Team Piece

Hi Everyone~
I have just created this piece with images from Dezinaworld as a new graphic sheet entitled Fashionable Ladies is now available. Here is my repurposed tin in an organza bag ready for gift-giving.







I actually created this piece for my daughter. And it is entitled "I Carry Your Heart." I love the poem by e.e. cummings and that will be attached to it when she receives it. If you haven't heard the poem, I think you will be very touched by it so I am attaching it here.

i carry your heart with me


i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) i am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear


no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you


here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart


i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)


By e. e. cummings


If you would like to visit Dezinaworld, just go here!


Happy Creating!!!


XO

Cindy

Saturday, March 12, 2011

A Little Vintage

Hi Everyone~

The Spring Issue of Creating Vintage Charm has just been published. I am so happy not only because I think it is a beautiful magazine, but also, because I just found out that my art is featured in it!

If you would like to order your own copy, just go to: http://creatingvintagecharm.com

With that in mind, my "W" word for Alphabet Thursday is "wow" because I was so surprised!

I would also like to introduce my new Heartsong Collection--just in time for spring! I adore anything that has an English Cottage look, so I got to work trying to create some pieces with that motif.

Heartsong Birdhouse






Heartsong Nesting Watering Can
(Graphic from Dezinaworld.)


Heartsong Mixed Media Clipboard


Close-up

Heartsong Polymer Clay Necklace


Heartsong Vintage Roses Watering Can
(Graphic from Dezinaworld.)



Heartsong Polymer Clay Tag--
Receive one free when you order any part of the Heartsong Collection from my Etsy store.

All commercial graphics and also, music paper graphic from The Graphics Fairy!

Also, I am having a giveaway for the mixed media piece entitled "Wander." If you have not entered the drawing and would like to, please scroll down to the next post.

If you have a chance to look, I have brand-new Shabby Chic Easter tags in my Etsy shop!












XO
Cindy