"A Day at the Beach" and "Miss Creative Spirit" for October!!!

Today my husband and I went to Dauphin Island in Alabama.



I should tell you that I love the beach!



And I especially love this man--my husband!


While I was there I wanted all of you to know that I was
thinking about you, so I wrote my blog name in the sand...
It was my way of saying "hi" from the island!





And last but not least, here's me and I'm going to announce
the winner of the Creative Spirit Challenge and it is Nancy
of The Trinket Collector who is Miss Creative Spirit for October--
Congratulations Nancy! And thank you to everyone
who played along--it was awesome seeing all of your work!!
(What I do at the end of the challenge is to gather all the names
and pick one at random, so that's how the winner is chosen.)

An Amazing Project

New Butterfly Added!



There is a poignant on-going project called The Butterfly Project for the Holocaust Museum in Houston. The museum is planning an exhibit for 2013 to show 1.5 million handmade butterflies from people all over the world. Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. The butterflies are to commemorate the 1.5 million children who were among them. I have made 3 butterflies for the exhibit which I will be sending to Trudi in Canada. To read more about the project and join in, please go to: http://twodressesstudion.blogspot.com



My butterflies were created with images from the Graphics Fairy, which were digitally altered, printed, and backed with grungeboard. From there, the process began to take shape using distress ink, soy silk painted on with gel medium, a glass bottle with a cork and beads labeled "soar," round mirrors, fibers, and various embellishments.

The Jewish prayer, The Shema, is printed in Hebrew on the blue butterfly. It also carries with it a baby butterfly (on the right.) Bird feathers on the orange butterfly were used to replicate Mardi Gras masks common in New Orleans, to represent where this butterfly was created.

The graphics for the pink rose butterfly are from Shabby Cottage Studio and let me just say, I'm in love with the graphic and the pink rose made out of mulberry paper! The entire butterfly has been mod podged and then edged with gesso in a pattern (white) for a lacy effect.



I am linking this up to Brag Monday! And please scroll down to see my second entry for Brag Monday which is my Marie Antoinette tag!

"Very Sassy Marie"

Melange's "Spooky" Challenge



With Halloween coming, it was the perfect time to create a Marie Antoinette tag for a little bit of spooky whimsy that would add some color to a formal home. This mixed media piece was created from my original digital artwork (above.) The Gothic Architecture from my original photograph was blended with a graphic of Marie Antoinette, as well as the image of a gate from the Graphics Fairy.





A raven sits atop Marie’s shoulder while the queen herself dons a witch’s hat. Of course, the sentiment is a twist on her notorious, “Let them eat cake!” statement. The background is made from commercial black and cream flocked damask paper and curly seam binding adorns this 3 X 5 tag. The hand-crafted, French-inspired paper rose adds to its delicate quality.



I am linking this to Tag Tuesday!

I am also linking this up to Dezinaworld--Honestly, I didn't realize it was Thursday!!!

This is also being linked up to the Melange team. This was just added to my Etsy shop!

And I am linking this up French Country Cottage! If you are an admirer of anything French or cottage or both, please scroll down to see my Paris Rose Tag and other creations.

Tag Tuesday--"Moon Dreams"

My Original Digital Art

This “Moon Dreams” tag dangles from a blue and white gingham ribbon and is trimmed at the bottom in delicate vintage, ecru coffee-stained lace. The image is an original digital piece that I created using a graphic from Lisa’s Altered Art.



I am linking this up to Tag Tuesday--hugs to Louise!

I have been having difficulty with my internet--so if you don't hear from me, you will know why...It took me an hour to post this because it kept going out, so just know that I didn't disappear!!!

On another note, I am so happy that the miners in Chile got out safely!!! It is a true miracle!
Love,
Cindy

A Gift Of Love

There is a wonderful woman named Mary from http://www.hopefilledlivingmagazine.com
who is looking for volunteers to make an
18” quilt square to create a “community quilt”
featuring various artists’ work.



So, I got to designing a piece that features coffee-themed batik fabric. A fabric tag completes the piece. Rag-tag sewing is contained in the upper left quadrant of the quilt square for a true mixed media effect. This quilt project is being made for people who are in hospitals or those who have fallen on hard times...What a wonderful surprise for Christmas, don’t you think? If you would like to join in, just let Mary know!



This story would not be complete without telling you that I have a new sewing machine that I did not have time to learn to operate yet...So, once it was designed, my husband sewed it for me!! (What a guy, huh?) Gotta love it!

There are several companion fabrics and one has coffee beans which I used to create the "Latte" tag, along with burlap and other embellishments.




I loved working with this theme so much that I also created one of my favorite tags--"The Espresso" tag for my Etsy shop.

I'm am linking this up to Dayle's wonderful challenge, which is The Airing of the Quilts!

Brag Monday--"Paris Rose" Tag

Hi Everyone,
This vintage style, mixed media tag has all the “bells and whistles” of this art genre. It contains images of a vintage Bingo card, a handmade rose created from graphics of a vintage church hymnal, as well as a metal brad holding a dangling circular tag.

The center image of the Eiffel Tower is from the Graphics Fairy. The bottom edge is trimmed in delicate ecru-toned, coffee-stained lace. This large 3” X 5” tag could adorn a lamp, be placed inside of a book for display, or be that “extra” touch in a romantic boudoir. The rose, which is 3” in diameter, is the focal point of the piece. This tag has just been placed in my Etsy shop.

I am linking this up to Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy!



And I've got FABULOUS news!! I was just featured on Frenchy's picks for the month of October on Le Chateau des Fleurs! AND I won this amazing necklace--I drooled over it!!! Thank you so much, Frenchy!!!



This is what I won!



To link up to my Creative Spirit Challenge, please
scroll down to link up!

Journey of Hope

Hi Everyone--
My Creative Spirit Challenge is in full swing 'til Oct. 15! But, I've got 2 challenges that I am entering this "Journey of Hope" piece in....One is for Alter It Monthly and the other is at Dezinaworld. I was in the midst of making it when my friend Linda from Itsy Bits and Pieces sent me a large vintage Bingo card...I was so excited because I couldn't wait to use the graphic in this piece. (For those of you who are very serious artists, sorry, but I'm like a little kid when it comes to this stuff and get totally thrilled when I get an "A-ha" moment)...well this was one of them...so, here's my entry! This piece is 9"h X 5"w.

For those of you visiting from Alter It Monthly, let me just say that I went for an "Angels-type" theme because I just wanted to keep it ethereal. In the lower portion of the piece is a tag that has shimmery tulle covering it (the sparkle doesn't really show up in the photograph.) The angel image is from Dezinaworld--thank you June!!

This is now available in my Etsy store!



Also, please scroll down to enter my Creative Spirit Monthly Challenge--No need to post something new! You can use something you posted for a different challenge or whatever shows your creativity. This challenge is simply for fun and sharing our creative spirit together. There's also a link to a tutorial for the Halloween Spool--you can learn how to make one if you like!

XO
Cindy

Creative Spirit Challenge--October!

Hi Everyone!
Welcome to my Creative Spirit Challenge!
This Halloween spool is my own entry for this challenge. If you would like to see a complete tutorial to make one for yourself, just go to: The Inspirational Gallery at Shabby Cottage Studio. http://inspiration-gallery.blogspot.com/p/tutorials_25.html You probably remember Shabby Cottage Studio from the tutorial on creating crinkly seam binding. Oh, and would you mind signing up to be a "follower" on there?
(This completed spool is also available in my Etsy shop.)



At the end of my challenge on the 15th, one person’s name (who enters the challenge) will be chosen in a drawing to become Miss Creative Spirit for October, be able to post the Miss Creative Spirit Button on her blog (and brag about it) AND win this altered purse that I made. (Remember, you don’t have to make anything new to enter the challenge...you can link up an earlier post. All I ask is that you post the Creative Spirit blog button seen above on your posting so people know how to get here if they would like to enter too.



You can add your link after midnight on Oct. 8th!

Happily Ever After

Hi Everyone--
I just created this special pink wedding tag and couldn't wait to show it to you. Little glittered love birds adorn this piece that is tied with a black satin ribbon. What better way to start a bride with her own collection than beginning on her wedding day? What perfect timing!

This tag was just added to my Etsy shop.



Tomorrow is my Creative Spirit Challenge--I hope it is the biggest ever! And I will have a surprise too--a complete tutorial for a Halloween piece you might want to make. Pure fun!

Love,
Cindy
XO

"Lil Darlin'" Tag

Hi Everyone--
I hope you are having a great day. I decided to put my "Lil Darlin'" tag on in celebration of Rednesday--I thought the image was just too cute to pass up! This little tag and others are available in my Etsy shop--If you want to pop over to browse, it's on my sidebar.

Love,
Cindy

"Welcome the Harvest"--Tag Tuesday & Rednesday

I have just completed this "Harvest" tag for Tag Tuesday--so fun! I love making tags (if you hadn’t noticed by now), and since Harvest Time is such a glorious time of year, it was wonderful working with fall colors. It just sold in my Etsy shop today!

If you have a chance, zip over to Louise’s blog and see what Louise and others have made--their creations are adorable!

I am also linking this up to Rednesday. (There actually IS some red in this tag, but it's hard to see on here!)
Happy Rednesday everyone!

Also, my Creative Spirit Challenge is this Friday!!! Just post anything that shows us your creative spirit...it can be art, decorating-photography, collecting--anything! It doesn't need to be a new post...you can "recycle" an older one.
When you enter, your name will be put in a drawing to win the mixed media purse that I created. Hope you'll join us!

I'm Excited!

Hi Everyone--
Well, this is a big week ahead with the Creative Spirit challenge coming up, but I've got some neat news! Jan of Bobbypins Boardwalk just featured my tutorial for the pink crinkly seam binding as one of her picks for this month on The Boardwalk. I am still trying to reach Gail of Shabby Cottage Studio to tell her the awesome news...but, I couldn't wait to share it with you all...

If you didn't see the tutorial, it's down the page (2 posts away) and you can learn how to do it in a jiffy! Once you get to that post, push where it says "tutorial" and it will take you to Shabby Cottage Studio's Inspiration Gallery where it is there for everyone to see.

Jan, I can't thank you enough!

XO
Cindy

Happy Announcement and Brag Monday

Paper Doll Tag


Close Up

Hi Everyone~

I want to share this brand-new tag with you that I created for Brag Monday. This piece is called "Paper Doll" and the image, of course, is from Karen at the Graphics Fairy! Hugs to Karen!

This has certainly become a week of "Announcements" with the news of my designing for Shabby Cottage Studio, but also, I have just opened a brand-new Etsy shop. (The link to my shop is on the left side bar.)

If you would like to learn how to make curly seam binding, just move down to the next post and there is a link to my tutorial for it.
Oops! I forgot to tell you--My Creative Spirit Challenge will be this Friday!

I've got a question for you...As all this Etsy stuff is new to me, could you tell me which picture (that is in this post) that you would post to show it in Esy? I may use both, but I need your opinion!!!

Have a great week!!!
Love,
Cindy

Special News and Frenchy's Awesome Challenge!

Hi Everyone--

I have a happy announcement to make--I have just become an
"Artist in Residence" for Shabby Cottage Studio--very fun,
very exciting!

Shabby Cottage Studio is celebrating it’s 3rd Anniversary and is having
a sale from Oct. 2-8--so, if you’d like to shop for awesome altered art supplies and images, here’s your chance!



But, there’s more...Would you like to know how to make crinkly seam binding to use for gift tags?  My tutorial is at the Inspirational Gallery at Shabby Cottage Studio too. You can learn how to make your seam binding go from this...



to this! (Just push on the word "tutorial" up above.) Also, if you'd like to become a follower of the Inspirational Gallery, it is posted at the bottom of their page.



On Oct. 8, will be my Creative Spirit Challenge--Here is the altered purse I created for the prize drawing for those who participate--one person will win it!



Here is a Paris collage that I just completed for The French Obsession Challenge in mind! It contains numerous images of France--the Eiffel Tower, bicycles, a dress (because it is the fashion capitol of the world!) and more! The hanger tag says “Vie,” which means “life” in French.



Thank you to the Graphics Fairy, Shabby Cottage Studio,and Dezinaworld for the images...It also contains commercial papers and embellishments. The red rose was sent to me by friend Chris and of course, is reminiscent of “La Vie en Rose”--one of my favorite songs!


Wishing you a day that is “tres magnifique!!”