A Little Bit French

Actually I'm not French at all, but I am drawn to everything French, which is what brought me to Rhonda's blog, A Little Bit French and etsy shop, ParisGal56. She makes such beautiful French-inspired items and I was fortunate enough to have won these fabulously fragrant lavendar filled burlap sachets in last Friday's giveaway. And look at the lace pouch Rhonda made to send them in-another gift in itself! Merci Rhonda!

Spread The Rosette Love

Are you drawn to these beauties as much as I am? Rosettes are popping up everywhere in blogland, and thankfully Jill of Gypsy Brocante is hosting a swap and giveaway for all of us in need of a little rosette therapy. Never made a rosette before? Neither have I! Jill has a great tutorial on her blog to help all of us first-time rosette makers. Either the link within this post or the button on the sidebar will take you there. Hope to be swapping rosettes with you soon!

Under The Sea Bliss

It's here! The Under The Sea Chunky Collaborative is complete and what a fun book this turned out to be. One of our group members, Ellen, has graciously started a companion blog for the Altered Art Fat Book Yahoo Group. The entire book is available for viewing via a Picasa slide show (if you prefer still photos, click on the slide show and you'll link to the web album). If anyone's interested, there is a link to join the group on the top right hand corner of the altered art fat book blog . Enjoy!

What's in the Bag?

Are you curious to see what's in the bag? It's soooooo worth taking a peek - trust me. And if you do, please mention that I encouraged you to snoop. Ready to look inside? What are you waiting for, click HERE!

In Keeping With The Heat, Water Theme

Since posting my Under The Sea pages (thank you so much for your kind comments) many of you have mentioned also experiencing some exceptionally hot, with-little-relief type weather.
If you can't be a bathing beauty, at least create with some!
Here are some images for you to use; public domain to the best of my knowledge. Left click to enlarge, then right click and save.

90 Degrees Here, Wish I Was Under The Sea!

I just finished pages for an Under The Sea themed chunky book collaborative in my Altered Art Fat Books Yahoo group. I started by decoupaging pieces of tissue paper in blues and greens to a 4x4 cardboard base. Along the bottom of the page I adhered seashells (collected from Key West and Ft. Lauderdale vacations). Next was some fabulous trim from Flights Of Fancy Boutique. This trim was perfect for giving the look of seaweed and netting to catch........
MERMAIDS!!!!! Lots and lots of fun-to-make, articulated, mix & match mermaid paper dolls. Deborah of Supplies To Go has the collage sheets to make these mer-beauties in her etsy shop. Each page gets one tucked under the netting. Removable but still very much part of the book. Every page was embellished with seahorse and sand dollar charms. I'll be sure to share the finished book later this month.

The Best Bead Giveaway EVER!!!!

Denise Yezbak Moore, a very talented jewelry designer and owner of Rusty Roxx Jewelry is hosting what is truly the best bead giveaway EVER at her blog, Bling It On. We're talking over $350 worth of some of the most gorgeous beads EVER! Hurry over and check it out. The winner (or winners) will be announced July 2nd.

The Secret Garden, Whimsy Style

This book is such a treasure! I only wish my camera and photography skills were better. Mary Ann McKeating, Queen of the Itty Bitty Book, hosted this collaborative in our Paper Whimsy Ning Group. Using PW images we each contributed a Secret Garden themed page. Below is the result. Enjoy!

Tis Better to Give (but still fun to receive)

I really am one of those people who never win anything - UNTIL NOW!!!! I won the giveaway at Carol's crafty blog, Prairie Dreams.
Carol made this very sweet paper doll and darling altered book, and packed them up with some wonderful vintage music books and vintage tablet. She also included two handcrafted clips.
As if this wasn't enough, I am also the happy recipient of this gorgeous collage.
It's like it was custom-made for me. Birds, eggs, vintage music, lace; all my faves.
Thank you so much Carol!
Now it's time for my Grab A Button giveaway. And the winner is
Cathee of Art And Soul
See Cathee, jumping in at the last minute is better than not jumping at all! I'll get all of this out to you just as soon as you email me your address.
Thanks to each and every one who visits my blog. Whether you slip in quietly, leave a comment or grab my button, your time spent here is much appreciated.

Is It Tea Time?

Why yes it is, thanks to the incredibly talented Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist. I'd like to share a collaborative Alice ATC Deco for my part of this madly fantastic celebration.I made my cover from an old canvas purse and the pages from paper lunch bags.
Page by Faye O'Neal
Page by Ann Meister
Page by Pam Ludwig
Page by Vonda RobertsPage by Cindy Hoglund
Page by Bonnie Madonia
Enjoy the rest of the party and thanks for stopping in for a spot of tea with me.

It's Time to Rush

I'm joining my 150+ sorority sisters around the world in the inauguration of the Bloggerette Sorority. I hope to visit all my sister's blogs eventually to see what I'm certain will be some of the most creative rushes(?) ever!
We were to take our "official" bloggerette photo and create something, anything, using that image.
I chose a 50 cent metal thingy from last weeks garage sale expedition as my base, added some fabric flowers, old pearls, vintage lace, the "official" photo, and what seems an appropriate verse. The author is unknown to me and I did take the liberty of altering the words some.

And that's me peeking out of the bottom flower!
I hope everyone had as much fun as I did rushing for our sorority. A huge thank you to our fearless leader, Karen of Some Days Are Diamonds for organizing all of this.

A Little Something for Father's Day

Left click to enlarge, then right click to save (image public domain to best of my knowledge).
Have fun with it!

Troisième partie, Merci Marsha and Cari

I received my inspiration boxes from the Speckled Egg swap. It feels like Christmas in Paris!
From the lovely Marsha of Sassy Mini Dolls....

The box itself is a treasure, but take a look at all the goodies.

And from my other lovely partner, Cari of Lucky Girl Gifts...

Lots more Parisian goodies.

I couldn't have asked for better partners. It was a swapping pleasure!

Petite Inspiration Swap, Paris Edition, Partie Deux

Many thanks to Heather at Speckled Egg for hosting this magnifique swap! Here's a mini tutorial on how I created my box, for those interested in making one, or those considering joining in on a matchbox swap. In this swap we used the large boxes. They're pretty easy to find in grocery stores, especially this time of year, and they're very inexpensive.
I decided to collage torn page pieces from a vintage 1903 French poetry book to the exterior (sleeve) of the box. The pages were already old and yellowed (perfect!) and I used an antique decoupage finish. I then painted the box with a coordinating acrylic paint.

Next, I simply adhered a piece of heavy vintage lace around the entire sleeve.

I then took this gorgeous ivory parchment flower, sprayed it lightly with adhesive, sprinkled it lightly with glitter and adhered that to the sleeve as well.

Next I cut a piece of French stamped ribbon woven through a piece of fine lace and adhered that. I purchased both the ribboned lace and parchment roses from Homestead Treasures.

Time now to rummage through the vintage jewelry stash, where I selected a section of a very pretty off-white pearl necklace. I knotted off the ends of the string and adhered each end with glue dots under the ribbon.

Using vintage pattern pieces, I lined the interior of the box.

Now comes the fun part-stuffing it with goodies!


Time to ship them off to my wonderful partners (I made two), Marsha and Cari. I hope they love them!!!!

Troisième partie.....sharing my swap returns....coming very soon.

Grab A Button....Win a Button

Okay, if you grab my new blog button and put it on your blog, you're entered to win... well a little more than a button.
I've gathered together some vintage buttons, spools, needle pack, snaps, pattern pieces and ric rac for my Grab A Button Giveaway, to celebrate my new blog button.

My gorgeous Vintage Dragonfly button was made by the lovely Cat, of Studio Paisley Cat. She also has another wonderful freebie blog, PaisleyCatScraps which is a must visit for all you vintage lovers.
All you have to do is grab my button (and leave me a comment so I know you did) between now and June 26th. If you become a follower, you're entered twice. The winner will be selected by random.org on June 27th.
Good luck & thanks for playing!

Won't You Be My Sorority Sister?

Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds has started a Bloggerette Sorority-how much fun is that?!?!?! Check out her blog and become a sister. You can never have too much family!

Ooh La La

I just signed up to be part of this swap hosted by Heather at Speckled Egg.


Hurry over if you want to play-it's limited to 40 participants!!!

Please Remember

why we have the freedom to enjoy this day of parades, and picnics with family and friends.

I Can't Help Myself

No more posting tonight! Get off the computer! That nagging little voice. Oh, but this is simply too gorgeous not to share.

Visit Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade for your chance to win.

Raspberries & Rose Petals

Lori at Raspberries & Rose Petals is also participating in the Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway. Take a look at this beauty!

Isn't This a Lovely Giveaway?

Barbara Jean (the winner of my blog giveaway) is having one of her own. Visit Treasures From The Heart for your chance to win.