Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Who Says Valentines Have to Be Red!

A special white valentine
for my swap partner
in the
Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group...
 It's a vintage heart shaped tart tin
trimmed in silver tinsel
white paper flowers
and white pearls.
The resin cupid centerpiece
holds a rhinestone and pearl heart.
I finished the ornament
with a fabulous winged charm
I found at Michaels.
The hanger is
vintage seam binding.
I'm linking with
Blissful Whites Wednesday
at
Timewashed.


Friday, January 24, 2014

For the Love of Dominoes

Do you find miniature works of art
enchanting?
I was totally mesmerized
the first time I saw
a book made from
two dominoes.
I've since made a few,
this most recent for a Valentine swap
at
 
I think it's all the fussy little detail required
working on such a small palette
that interests me.
(You can click on the photos
for more detail.)
 From The Heart
The cover is embellished
with tiny pearls.
The rose images are highlighted with
Stickles & Liquid Pearls.
 Inside of book
The images I chose are from
I used Stickles, Liquid Pearls,
tiny beads and bling
to accent.
Covers
I used a shabby rose fabric trim
around the outside
of the dominoes.
Probably the most difficult part
of making this
was adding the tiniest ever
pink pearls to the center
of each rose.
 
Pieces of vintage seam binding
serve as closures.
 
I have a few more Valentine projects
in the works
as well as some image freebies
and pictures of my antique
valentine collection to share.
I hope you'll stop back!


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Putting a Little Gleam & Glimmer Into My Life

On a recent Friday evening
I took a stained glass jewelry class
at
a local studio and shop.
 
In addition to being a lot of fun
I find it rewarding
to learn new skills.and
challenge myself artistically
 
These are the pieces
I am proud to say
were designed and created by
me!
 I struggled for awhile
with this pendant.
What I visualized
and what I was able to make happen
weren't always one and the same!
But I am happy with the finished piece.
 
My heart pin
came about as a result
of falling in love
with the pink glass and beads.
And I've always been a fan
of  pink and silver
together.
The heart design was a no-brainer!
 
Can't wait to play with stained glass and solder again.
Off to check out
February's class schedule.....


Sunday, January 12, 2014

Glimpses of Christmas in NYC

It's one of the most
magical and exciting places..
especially during the holidays.
 
No visit to the city
is complete without a visit to
Tinsel Trading...
especially at Christmas time.
 Trims and treasures galore...
 charming vintage displays... 
 so many gift choices...
and of course gifts
 to give yourself.
 
Radio City Music Hall
and the Christmas Spectacular
is always a must see..
 
 and I adore Bryant Park.
In addition to skating
there are numerous artisan shops
and places to enjoy
food and drink.
 
But if you have a sweet tooth
you HAVE to go across the street to
Crumbs Bakery.
 And yes,
that Peanut Butter Cup cupcake
was worth every single one
of those
550 calories!
 
Nobody solicits donations
in such an entertaining manner
as the many Salvation Army volunteers
throughout Manhattan.
 This woman in particular
was so creative and enthusiastic
that her "performances"
should have been televised.
 
Window displays
 so enchanting
you could almost forget
to go inside the store...
Well I did say almost!
 
I hope you enjoyed my
mini tour.
I have one more Christmas related post
of my 12 Days of Christmas swap.
I'll get those pictures
together soon.
Until then
stay warm and keep creating!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Won't You Be My Valentine?

Our first swap of 2014...
Details and sign-ups
HERE.

Monday, January 6, 2014

White Christmas Swapping

My friend Donna
of
and I swapped white ornaments
this Christmas.
 
Donna sent me this
beautiful Joy cone
adorned with a sweet little
white bottle brush tree
and sparkly flakes....
 ...and this very unique and exceptionally pretty
mixed media ornament.
Love the dangling pearls and
vintage 25!
 Both wonderful additions
to my white
all handmade ornaments
tree.
 
I was fortunate to have found some
vintage tart tins
at an estate sale
shortly before the holidays.
I also was thinking bottle brush trees
and the fine
silver tinsel trim
seemed the perfect finishing touch.
 This was my other frosty
layered creation for Donna.
 And while the flakes were flying
and the tinsel sparkling
I couldn't help but make a few extras
for friends and neighbors.
Hope you all had the opportunity
to holiday swap
with friends.
 
I still have the
12 Days of Christmas Swap
from the 
Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group
to share
as well as some
NYC
decked out for the season pics.
Be back soon!