Beach Cottage Decor and Tutorial Tuesday

Remember I mentioned that I have been super-busy lately? I have a new Amazon Bestseller entitled "Beach Cottage Decor: Life's Simple Pleasures."

The book is $2.99 and it is filled with all kinds of ideas for Beach Cottage decorating.

As a mixed media artist, I love to create....

Seaside treasures are among my favorites.

And now, I would like to announce the winner of my New Year's Giveaway--She is Diane of Lavender Dreams--Congratulations, Diane!!!

And I made two sets--not one--of these French-inspired tags (in pink and blue)--so I have 2 winners for these:

Marydon of Blushing Rose and Jill of Chillin' With Jill--Congratulations!

I am proud to announce my Tutorial Tuesdays and today's tutorial for an Old World Style Book.

I design for Shabby Cottage Studio and I created this project using all of their awesome products!!! If you haven't been over to their store, you might want to go take a look!

Old World Style Book

It began with this cover that is from Shabby Cottage Studio....

Then, I cut out sheets of their graphics.

Then, it was time to stamp the pages....(This stamp is from Stampabilities--not Shabby Cottage Studio.)

Once all my inking was done on each page....

I used a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the book cover, back, and pages....

Then came my favorite part--embellishments!!! AND seam binding--all available at Shabby Cottage Studio...

I love the flowers and chipboard designs!

Here is what my finished design looks like...

This key-shaped stamp is one of my favorites and it's from Stampabilities too!

It's easy to make and lots of FUN!!! Happy Creating!!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

Gingersnap Creations--"Use a Set or Line of Stamps" Challenge

Blogger's Bodega

Market Your Biz

Your Cozy Home Party

What's It Wednesday

White Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Potpourri Friday

Blogging Seminar

I have some exciting news--I have a brand-new seminar for Beginning Bloggers. If you are new at blogging and took my first seminar, you may want to take a look at this. It is short and super-simple. It is located at the top of my blog.

My new seminar is called "Blogging: The Wonder of the Journey."

One of the things I discuss is monetizing your blog--that's right--helping you get paid to blog. Did you know that if an ad is on a page and you click it that the person whose blog it is on gets money if it is a Google Adsense ad? Well, if you set up a Google Adsense account, you could be on your way to get compensated for your blogging too! (If you notice, I have an ad placed right under each post.)

If you are not aware of SJ at Homemaker On a Dime and you have an online business, such as an Etsy shop, you will want to link up with her for more exposure to your blog. SJ is a fabulous person who really CARES about bloggers!!! This blog party runs from Tues. through Saturday of EVERY week--What an opportunity to "see and be seen!" To link up, just click HERE.

On Tuesday, I will have a fabulous tutorial! I will be having one each Tuesday for 3 weeks in January.

As I am very busy with "first of the year" business of creating blog headers and buttons for our bloggy friends, I am literally "burning the candle at both ends." So, please understand if my visits are not frequent as this is a very hectic time.

I truly value my blogging friends and you each mean so much to me.

Sending (((hugs))) your way and hope to see you on Tuesday for a FUN tutorial!

XO

Cindy

Mixed Media Art

First, I would like to thank all of you for your birthday wishes! I would also like to thank you for your support of my book Mixed Media Art: Living Your Passion.

Now that the new year has begun, I have a brand-new event on my blog for the next 3 Tuesdays of this month. It is called Tutorial Tuesdays!

So, come prepared to learn many new techniques and start fabulous projects! If you would like to let your friends know about it, feel free to post my button.

Projects Include:

1. A Reliquary

2. Handmade Old World Book

3. The Anatomy of a Tag

If you do not see me on here for a few days, just know that I am working hard to prepare for this event and can't wait to see you as you grab a "front row seat" for crafting fun!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop!

My Birthday Celebration

Today my husband Ralph took me out for lunch at Landry's Seafood at The Marina on Lake Pontchartrain.

We had a really good time.

And we got pics on his Iphone~

Luckily, we arrived in the afternoon with an appetite.

This was one of the appetizers we ordered.... (Picture compliments of Google.)

And we each got Chicken Alfredo.

I had Ralph take this picture--why? Because I wanted to show you the new bracelet that Jenny got me yesterday.

Here's a close-up...
We watched the sunset...It was so pretty over the water...

And after that, guess where we went? Michael's Crafts for "yours truly." lol

But, right after we got home, there was a knock at the door and these beautiful flowers with exquisite roses were delivered from my Surprise Blogging Sister!!! They are gorgeous and I about fainted!!!

I don't know who you are, my dear Blogging Sister, but I know you must be reading this blog to see if the flowers with the adorable ladybug on them arrived--They did!!! THANK YOU!!! I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday--and also sent surprises in the mail! I will share those in a few days as we are still celebrating here in New Orleans.

Thank you to Diana from Nana Diana Takes a Break for your beautiful blog post this morning. Thank you to Starr for your fabulous feature. And thank you to SJ of Homemaker on a Dime for the amazing feature on your blog about my books!!

By the way, my pashmina is not plaid. That was the sunlight making it appear that way!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Pink Saturday

Birthday Celebration

My birthday is on January 5th, but my daughter Jenny and I decided to start celebrating early...So, we went to a Japanese restaurant that we love~here's Jenny in the parking lot outside.

Once inside, she whipped out her birthday present for me which was really beautiful pair of silver and turquoise earrings. Little did she know that I would be wearing the turquoise pashmina that Mary from Hope-filled Living just sent me for Christmas--they matched!

After we ate, then came my favorite part--The people at the restaurant sang "Happy Birthday" and brought out this amazing dessert which is a fried banana in the shape of a caterpillar.

Here is a close-up...They're so cute!

Then, tonight we had a little party at home. Ralph, Jenny, and her boyfriend Fred were here and Jenny brought my favorite chocolate cake! Now, here's the best part--I got to make wishes TWICE--once for the caterpillar and once for the cake--yay!

Sidenote: The cake is so decadent that there's so many chocolate shavings on top that the bakery couldn't write "Happy Birthday" on it--Jen knew I would rather have chocolate than my name!

Ralph and I have plans to go out for my birthday (Thursday)~so, if you don't hear from me, we are out celebrating and hope we get more pictures!!

xo

Cindy

Angelic Treasures

Here is a picture of my daughter Jenny as she posed for Fashion Week~(The vintage faux fur is a designer piece that my mom bought in Paris.)

And here is a picture of us that she just posted to Facebook. (We were at a restaurant last month for her birthday.)

Jenny is here living in New Orleans right now and teaching at the college--which is so exciting.

I have received so many emails about my Angel seminar that is posted up above~and I am truly thrilled that so many of you have found it to be so inspiring.

I hope that as the new year unfolds that each of you feels protection and love around you.

This holiday season, I received so many special blessings in my mailbox from my wonderful blogging friends. This beautiful tag is from Starr. It is filled with glittery goodness!!

And Valerie of Bastelmania sent me (among other treasures) this gorgeous embossed Christmas tag.
And Cindy of Art, Books, Tea sent me this precious collage with vintage buttons and lace to begin the New Year.

I have placed all of these in my entry where I can enjoy gazing at them!! Thank you all so much.

I am truly humbled by your kindness.

Today my daughter Jenny and I will be enjoying a mother/daughter day out together!!!

XO

Cindy

Mixed Media Art Book

Mixed Media Art: Living Your Passion

With the New Year in full swing, I know that so many of you are enjoying your creative wings and starting new projects~It's all very exciting, isn't it?

I have some awesome news to share~I just found out that my work is going into a new exhibit called "The Collective" this January at an art gallery--and I will have more details soon!!

I hope that you are all having an awesome start to the New Year!!!

I have a precious giveaway going on until January 10. If you'd like to enter, click HERE.

XO

Cindy

Get Your Craft on in 2012!

Is creating your passion? Well, it is definitely mine and I have just written a book about it.

Mixed media art can be romantic. Here is a French-inspired decorative piece I created.

A romantic tussie mussie that you can add to your home decor.

Images on both projects are from: The Graphics Fairy

In my book, I also describe some of the most economical ways for you to find objects for your art or pieces you make for home decor.

I received an email from one reader who said, “I couldn’t wait to get into the car and go to the store to get my hands on those items!”

Wishing you all a Happy and Creative New Year!!!

The link to purchase my book on Amazon is HERE.

XO

Cindy

Linking this to:

Market Your Biz at Homemaker on a Dime

The Graphics Fairy

Creative Bloggers Blog Hop

Bloggers Bodega

Knick of Time Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday

White Wednesday

What's It Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Potpourri Friday

(Links are on my sidebar!)

Designing in 2012!

I design for 2 different companies--and it is such an honor. They are Shabby Cottage Studio and Dezinaworld. I just created this repurposed box with an image from Dezinaworld and also scrapbooking paper and burlap.

I stamped the sides to give it an "aged" look.

I created these tags with images from Shabby Cottage Studio. Each one is an image with dreamy writing in French.

If you are ever in need of images, I hope that you will check out both of these amazing stores.

Shabby Cottage Studio

Dezinaworld

I have a little surprise~I am having a giveaway for this set of French-inspired tags. If you would like to win this set, just leave a message for me here to let me know. The winner for these will be chosen on January 10.

Also, if you have not entered the giveaway for my mixed media PINK shoe, just click HERE.

There is a NEW feature on my blog--It is called Blogging Tutorials and it is on a new tab at the top of this blog...On it are direct links to How to Add a Blog Button, How to Center a Blog Header--and more!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED!!!

XO

Cindy

Rock Your Blog in 2012!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!! Wishing you a fabulous 2012!

BIG NEWS: I have a brand-new feature on this blog~If you look at a NEW tab on the top of my blog, you will see that it says “Blogging Tutorials.”

On it, you will find how to:

Center a blog header

Check your blog stats

Adjust column width

Add a blog button

and more! Now, it is ALL accessible in one place.

I have gotten so many emails about people wanting to "grow their blogs" this year!

Just remember, "No successful blog 'just happens.' It becomes successful because the blog owner has done all the right things to create its success."

XO

Cindy

Photo credit for fireworks: www.fireworkdisplayss.com

New Year's Giveaway! THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED!

As this year comes to a close and a new one begins, I would like to thank ALL of you for your friendship.

I would like to thank you for being so supportive of my books on Amazon.

I am hoping that 2012 will be a super-fun year of blogging for all of you!!!

I was planning a giveaway to begin on New Year’s Day. But, I have decided to start it early. It is for this precious pink shoe~One winner will be chosen randomly to win it and will be announced on January 10.

When I read about the challenge at Simon Says, I knew that I wanted to enter this repurposed shoe for their theme "Something Old/Something New."

What do you need to do to enter?

Just say “I’m in!” That’s it!

If you would like to include a button on your sidebar, that would be awesome, but not required.

Eiffel Tower Image from The Graphics Fairy.

My precious friend Holly has a very special event planned for this year--It is called A Year of Hope. If you would like to go see this awesome FREE offer, head over to her blog by clicking HERE at 2911 Jeremiah Avenue.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED!!!

Happy New Year!

Love & hugs,

Cindy

Linking this to:

The Graphics Fairy

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Potpourri Friday

Pink Saturday

Scrap for Help

Simon Says

LINKS ARE ON MY LEFT SIDEBAR!