Aren't Swaps Wonderful?

Here's a peek at some of the goodies from my mailbox. Thanks to Priscilla of http://sweetremembrance1.blogspot.com for the awesome cottage! It is just too fine for words! The pink ornaments are from Bridie Murphyhttp://bridieshome.blogspot.com and CupcakeDD on the Pink Ornament Swap hosted by Chatdurouge on Flickr. The snowman ornaments are from the sweet Mary Izabella from the Snowman Swap hosted byhttp://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com. And finally the adorable kitty altered domino is from Debora of Stars*Go*Blue. You can find her goodies here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5389262. What a great holiday haul.

The End of the Weekend

I finished these doodle cat ATCs last night during Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. It's hard for me to "just" watch television. I like to be doing something, because, let's face it, one really doesn't 'have to concentrate' on those shows, as good as they are.

Had a hard time falling asleep, so I started recounting all the things that went on over the four-day weekend. When I reflect it always makes me feel like the days lasted a little longer, because they always seem to go so fast otherwise. Then for some reason, I woke up at 4 a.m. raring to go, whatever raring means.

So I did email, ate some Raisin Nut Bran, read my favorite blogs, looked at Flickr, and finally at 7 a.m. decided to take pictures of these cards. I found a "doodle" that works for me, and now I cannot stop doodling these cards. I'd given the previous cats all away, so I thought I'd make some for me. These are watercolor crayons and gel pens on heavy journal pages, cut out and mounted on various background papers, some from Shabby Cottage Studio http://shabbycottagestudio.com where I am on the Design Team: The Seven Shabby Sisters. Watch for our next project of an altered paper house/hanger-upper-thingy.

I already was asked by the lovely Jade to swap a card I posted on Flickr last night, so they don't last too long! I'm hoping she will send me a Zentangle in trade. I am just learning about these here: http://www.zentangle.com and haven't tried one yet. Need to get a good pen- it is key.

Looking forward to today's mail arrival. With all of my swaps now sent out, it is fun to just sit back and see what comes. That's the benefit of getting done on time or early, I guess. Forgot to take a picture of the snowman swap I sent to Mary Isabella, but I guess that's a good thing because she's one of my regular blog visitors. So, no sneak peek for you, Mary! Ho, ho, ho.

We Now Interrupt this Sleepless Night for Some More Art and Other Creative Endeavors

Okay, so I wasn't even asleep or in bed when the biggest Christmas tree in the house (7') toppled over at 1:30 a.m. Really wasn't expecting that to happen so soon. We forget to put a brick on the feet of the stand under the tree skirt. Haven't had to do that in a few years, but I guess we have a new batch of curious felines. So, several broken ornaments, an awakened and grouchy DH, a run of the vacuum, and some Super Glue later, it was finally time to finish up some art projects.

My 4 x 4 Friday book page for the lace theme is pictured in the post below. That allowed me to feature my newest obsession, Blythe dolls. Lilly London now has a sister, as yet unnamed, who arrived today, an ADG Brunette #3. She quickly wanted to get comfy and put on her nightshirt, robe, bunny slippers and get her hair rolled. No problem. Lilly, on the other hand, wanted to keep trying on outfits, including her sister's new pink boots. More photo opps.

Following this, I was able to complete my paper clay snowman ornament for Viv on a Whim's swap, and it will be off to Mary B. next week. With one snowman head left, I decided to make an Americana paper box, using aged red, white and blue paper, canvas ribbon stamped "joy," from Random Arts, two sizes of gold tinsel, a brown crepe paper ruff and some gold spray glitter. This might turn into a Christmas present.

A Productive Night!

I think I was so excited to register for Art and Soul (and not have the checkout hassle that some registrants did) that I was inspired to head directly to the studio. I don't think I moved for four hours. And, although I only have 5 ATCs to show for it, I am happy with them. One is for a swap with Dana of Fairy Dusted Mermaids (shhhh!) and one is for a birthday goody for Debbie Metti (shhh!) in the mailing with my Chubbyville December fat book page of "Christmas Memories" which she is hosting. These are all made with background papers from Shabby Cottage Studio, and as a design team member I say "get yourself to SCS!" My mini giftie bag and ATC are featured! Order a dozen or two.

I also spent some time on my four ornaments for the Pink Christmas Ornament Swap and planned my snowman for Viv's Snowman Swap. So, I am winding down on my holiday to-do list. Maybe I can finally get some stuff on ebay and feed my habit(s). Speaking of habits, here's a pictures of a cute button bouquet I found on etsy and a new mosaic from Flickr.

Art and Soul, look out! I am registered for Acrylic Glazes, Landscapes of the Mind and Drawing Blast- and what a blast it will all be! My instructors are Carla Sonheim, Ann Grgich and Diana Trout. "Art By the Sea" is the theme for 2008. It will be like a mini-vacation to the beach. Counting the days!

A Good and Crafty Weekend

Saturday started early, and I was going to pull the covers back over my head until I remembered it was Stamp Camp weekend. Cris http://sassafraslass.blogspot.com/and Angie of Creative Cottage put on a free three-hour card-making fest for those in their monthly Stampin' Up order group. So I went to North Webster to see what they came up with. We decorated candles by melting tissue paper on them, and we made some great Holiday cards.

I followed this with a trip to the local rubber stamp store to see Jan here http://www.stamp-n-toys.com/, and then to the antique mall for a quick peek. I came home with a Lamb Chop (as in Sherrie Lewis) and another printer's tray to embellish later. I figure Lamb Chop is nearly extinct now, and for $3.50 I felt like saving her. I have become rather attached to dolls, books and figure from my childhood- a sure sign of growing old.

The drive through the lakes, past Tippecanoe, Irish, Sechrist and Barbee to North Webster was absolutely beautiful with the sun on the trees, and of course I forgot my camera! I figured I'd go back Sunday, but today has been very wet and gloomy. A good day for sweats and potato soup for sure! And a nap. Always a nap.

Between all of the that, I finished my cottage for http://thelittlebluebirddiaries.typepad.com/Lil Bluebird's Charming Cottage Swap for my partner Priscilla at http://sweetremembrance1.blogspot.com/. It is due Dec. 1, but there's not very many weekends between now and then, and weekends are reserved for art.

The chipboard papier mache cottage, seen here, has wallpaper, flooring, curtains, a rug, artwork, a bottle brush tree with non-working lights, and the outside includes German scrap, background papers, a wreath with "lights," spray snow, tinsel, liquid applique snow and glitter. It does not have a fire extinguisher.

Fire extinguisher? Yes, while heat-setting the liquid applique snow I accidentally set the flocked wallpaper and the tinsel garland on fire. My little cottage was smokin' and not in a good way. Back to square one. Anyway, now it is done and drying.

On to my mermaid swap, pink ornament swap, snowman swap, 4 x 4 Friday Face challenge and Chubbyville 4 x 4 Holiday Memories book page. I bought a Zutter book binder, so I am looking forward to putting my pages together into my first fat book.

Here's a look at some great Flickr photos from my contacts. More info here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12448123@N07/1971134265/. Happy Sunday! My Betseys are on the way from Sadie Lou http://craftilyeverafter.blogspot.com/, my Star Dancer is on the way from Tokyo. See her as Zelda here at the cutest blog ever http://adventuresofmolli.blogspot.com/. I don't have to be me 'til Monday. Thank you, country music.