Bling It On!

Yesterday afternoon I made two very large mistakes. Number one: Thinking that I would have the willpower to just browse around the vintage jewelry and bead shop without needing to buy anything. Number two: Asking my husband to come along with me. Now, of the two mistakes the latter was the most dastardly! Not only did I NOT simply browse the shop, I had the store owner help me load bins and bins of broken jewelry onto the table for me. I then-like a scurvied pirate in search of treasures-proceeded to sort meticulously through each and every piece. On a sort of treasure hunt if you will!

At first my husband was very patient and thought the whole process was interesting but after the first hour it was all downhill. I dug with a fervor trying to stay two steps ahead of his annoyance while also trying not to crack up laughing. Anyhow, I did manage to find some very nice pieces to use in my mini albums and collages despite the conditions....lessons learned.

Changes! Changes!

I was just not liking the way the finished journal cover was appearing so I made a few changes. I ripped off the extra leaves and added more flowers. I removed the extra peacock feather and added seed beads around the image using sticky tape. I like this version much better. :)

Handmade Journal Cover.

Hi friends! I know I've been hit and miss the last few weeks but I just can't seem to get caught up! I am so behind on projects needing to be finished that it has my head spinning. Several of these projects are requiring much more time than I had anticipated with a few of them being given as gifts over the next few weeks.

I did however, finally finish the above journal cover that will be going to a very close friend for her 5 year wedding anniversary next month. She wanted a vintage feel and that was right up my alley. I used a gorgeous vintage image from my LUNAGIRL CD collection and a sheet of the Classic K boxed paper collection from K and Company for the background.

I created the flower embellishments by taking a sheet of aqua blue card stock and glimmer misting it with a pretty blue and then wetting and wrinkling it several times. I did the same thing with a darker shade of handmade paper and trimmed all the layers with stickles. The centers are rhinestone cluster brads from Oriental Trading Company. The cover will go over a coordinating backing attached with binding rings and filled with lined journal paper. I am seriously relieved that it is done and on to the next project as we speak.

Having Fun With Project Overload!

Hello Vintage Vignetters! It has been a while since I have posted because I have been very busy finishing projects that I want to share with all of you. Although mixed media art pieces are more my genre, I have recently picked back up on my love for scrabooking as well. I have been dabbling in creating vintage mini albums in particular and as a matter of fact I would love to share with you the latest one created for my February swap partner over on Life On The Scrap Beach. If you get a chance why not pop over and check out this cool site for yourself. Anyway, let me know what you think!!

*Remember to pause the music at the bottom of the page below.

A Busy Little Bee, Is Me!

It seems to me like it has been forever since my last post! Not really though. I have been very busy revamping my craft room by organizing and destashing. I was able to make some good progress in the last week and have finally finished up everything today. Take a peek and let me know what you think. Also, please stay tuned for some really cool items coming up next week from our friends at B'sueboutiques.com!

*Remember To Pause Music Below.

An Adorable Surprise.

As you all know mini scrapbook albums have become my latest obsession. I love making them and I love receiving them even more. It is so rewarding to make something special for someone else that you have barely just met...I can't explain it but it is a wonderful experience indeed.

Just recently I joined a mini scrapbook swapping group called Life On The Scrap Beach hosted by Kathryn and it has been loads of fun. The January swap partners had been assigned just as I had joined so I missed out on that particular swap but the video below shows the most adorable mini created by Laura from Following The Paper trail for her swap partner's little son Mateo. His reaction from receiving this special gift was just priceless and I wanted to share it with all of you.

*Please Pause The Music Below.

K and Company Vintage Papers For Natalie.

My Michaels was having an awesome sale on just about everything it seemed on my last visit. While standing in line to check out it was just like being at a party. Carts were piled high with goodies as ladies shared their treasures with others in line whom they had never even met.

At one point several people who had just finished their transactions began passing their remaining coupons down the line of those waiting to check out! Laughter and good times...who knew standing in line could be so much fun! I think the post office and the DMV could learn a few things from Michaels don't you think? Anyhow, here are a few of the cool deals I managed to scare up on this fun trip to my husband's most hated store. :)

So sorry about the end of the video where the lighting gets really bad but it was late and I was too tired to re-do it...hope you can get the general idea though. :)

*Scroll To Very Bottom To Pause Music.

Upcycled Tape Reels and A Free Vintage Image.

We all get a kick out making something from nothing don't we? I know I do! Especially when it means I can keep it from ending up in a landfill somewhere. Take a peek at my video below to see how you might do the same with that next empty roll of tape you have laying around.

*Please remember to pause the music below before starting the video.

And another free vintage image for you. Isn't this gorgeous! I plan to use this for as a journal page on the vintage mini I am currently working on. Enjoy.

Click the image to enlarge and save to your computer. For use in your art only please. No collage sheets or image CD's....tsk,tsk...LOL :)

My Vintage Image Resources.

Doverpublications.com -Browse around the site to check all categories.

Flikr.com - You'll need to sign up for account access in order to join the group. I belong to the one that says "Collage Images (not for posting art)".

Lunagirl.com- Image CD's for sale.

Oriental Trading Company Haul!

My goodies from Oriental Trading Company finally arrived! I was so impressed with the quality of everything in my order. It just boggles my mind as to how they can sell this stuff at such ridiculously low prices. You can check them out at the link above or request to order a catalog as well. Also here is the link for the Cropadile kit that I received from HSN as well. Happy watching.

*Please pause the music below before watching the video.