Happy New Year....

To my blogging friends (old and new) all the best for 2012!

Tag Tuesday

Fiddlesnips Jo told me about a new challenge going on sponsored by Carolyn called Tag Tuesday. Check it out!

Looking to be back State side on Friday. Today is my parents 55th Wedding Anniversary (which means I am at least you know what this year LOL). Spending time with them both to celebrate.... Cheers Jewels

See ya later

Well tomorrow morning bright and early I am off to Canada for a week. This will be a different Christmas as I plan to stay with my family the whole time rather than make our annual "after Christmas" run to the cottage. But that's okay - family is a priority at the moment.

Hubby and I wish you all the best. I'll be doing my own 2011 Reflections shortly. HOWEVER, if everything goes as planned I hope to come home to a computer next week. So you may not hear from me while I'm figuring it out LOL. Stay safe and happy holidays. Jewels

Curtain Call

I don't consider myself a great sewer - maybe a good one. I clearly recall my sewing classes in Home Economics were not that successful at the time (on the other hand, my family suffered many a weekend morning eating "cinnamon toast" that I had learned to make). My Mum sewed - I remember the doll clothes she made (wish I still had) and curtains for our Volkswagon van amongst other things. As I got older (high school) I made a gazillion (or it seemed at the time) felt mice for the Church Fair - another year Turtles (I think that might have been for Girl Guide camp). I made a few clothes for high school and university so I knew how to at least read a pattern and make sense of it. My quilting renaissance was the late 1990's till I recently got hooked on fabric art and collaging...

Bottom line - I can at least sew a straight line (if no wine has been involved before or during) which brings me to this weekend's project. My kitchen window overlooking our woodlot usually has a valance of flowers which really do not fit the Season.

I wanted to make something that could stay up until March without too much guilt (you know, like the folks who leave Christmas lights up AND on).

I thought this material fit the bill (and cheap from JoAnnes).

The right shade of red and white - though hard to tell on this dull day. As you can see we had snow over night...

The picture above my window is by Claudette Castonguay from Quebec City (but of course, how Canadian eh).

It is a combination of painting (background) and paper piecing (the three people) ... the snow flakes are painted on to the glass. Hubby and I went to Quebec City in February one year - LOTS of snow and cold - this picture reminds me how colourful and unique it was...just love it every year when I pull it out for the holidays. Enjoy. Jewels

Hats Off Part 1

So when Fiddlesnips Jo says "want to do a swap, just you an me" HO! I am right there...(those of you who know Jo please don't be jealous - have you seen the number of swaps she does? I'm sure your paths will cross some day)....

My mail art showed up Wednesday...amongst all the Christmas cards so hubby did not even blink as he was sorting the envelopes. I really expected some kind of comment about odd Christmas greetings from English relatives and that strategically placed green leaf  but I think he has gotten used to some of the bizzare things that have showed up this year in the post box (LOL).

The theme we agreed to was "Hats" - I never get more specific than one general idea so totally open to interpretation. I love Jo's card - my Mum was a knitter when we were young so I got my share of handmade items. It was the first thing I thought of...thanks Jo! Yours is in the post and I am keeping my fingers (toes and eyes) crossed it makes it over the big pond in good shape...but I won't post any spoilers until you get it. Cheers. Jewels

And the Winner Is...

While mightly intrigued by not one but TWO bribes, Miss Gwendoline decided to do the right thing and do a blind pull of a name for the ATC give away...

And the winner is (drum roll please)...Leslie S, one of my Mail Art buddies! Leslie I think I know your adress by now *LOL* so will get the Ski Bunnies into the Post shortly. Thanks everyone for leaving comments, they are ALWAYS appreciated. Jewels

December Collage

There's still time (but not much) to enter Mary's monthly collage challenge. This month she provide a sweet lady, a map of Europe and a calling card....

And here is my entry. I actually flipped the image of the woman, changed her from b&w to sepia and chalked colour in to give her some pop. The whole piece is the size of a postcard. I cut up the calling card to use the flowers. The background is scrapbook paper I stamped and "aged". Anyway, run on over to Mary's site to see more entries including my pal Beth - it always amazes me what different folks do!

Winter Give Away

OMG - arty friends there is hope! While working on this ATC hubbie, who was walking by, actually came and asked "What'cha workin on?" followed by "Something Christmasy". I just about fainted. I explained that I was celebrating  >18,000 hits on my blog (which we agreed I probably accounted for half that number LOL).

Anywho, made my day. I found this image in a travel book which just felt right for the time of year. I think it was actually taken at Lake Tahoe. Love the girls "nordic" sweaters. Can just see the two of them going for hot chocolate (maybe spiked with a little brandy) at the Ski Lodge afterwards. It's "holiday" neutral so you can display till all the snow melts if you like! If your interested just leave a comment on this post (be sure I can get to your email address) and I'll let Miss Gwendoline randomly pull a name next weekend. Enjoy. Jewels

On Display

I have literally binders of Artist Trading Cards...I started creating them back in 2006 (has it been that long!).

At first most of my ATCs were made using fabric and I had the very fortunate opportunity to swap with three other ladies in my Guild for a few years. This has always been one of my favorites which I show off on a little stand.

When I "discovered" working with vintage images I started making more ATCs with paper ephemera. "Busy Bea" was done for one of Mary Green's classes. I liked how she turned out and framed her.

Recently I've been getting into retro and many of my current ATCs are from the 40's/50's. I wanted to be able to see them so I could stay "inspired". Kimberly over at ArtJoyStuff had posted this great stand filled with some of her ATCs. She got her's at Michaels but I ended up tracking one done through Amazon. You can always hint to loved ones about an addition to your Christmas gift list (LOL)....

These are going to my new office at work to remind me at the end of the day I WILL get creative time back home. How do you display your ATCs - would love to know.... By the way - I am closing in on 18,000 blog hits (really!) so I think I will just have to do an ATC giveaway to celebrate - stay tuned....Enjoy, Jewels