Well, I'm off once again for vacation - 9 relaxing and wonderful days away from it all!!! We're going to be doing some creative things and I'm doing some shopping while I'm gone too. When I get back I'll let you in on the latest trends out there at the chic boutiques and what I made during my vacation. Until I'm back with great news, I'll leave you with this photo from my last vacation. Ahhhhh...

Joan

I've been crafting...

and it feels sooooo good! I've been itching to get some crafting in and well, I just plain ol' made the time and it was wonderful!

I've always been one to organize my tax papers throughout the year (OK, in a previous life I did work for the IRS for 5 years!) - I always keep a file folder in a convenient place to just drop the papers in as I get them. This year I decided to make my "holder" a little more fun and pleasing to the eye. I found the cool wood box at my local craft store and wanted a wash look, so I added water to Tulip Soft Fabric Paint and brushed it on. I wanted a soft look to my photo, so I tore the edges, but didn't like the white, so I painted them with Copper paint. I adhered my photo to the box with Aleene's Thick Designer Tacky Glue. It's so much nicer than an ordinary file folder. Ahhhh, now to start saving money...

I'm getting ready for my vacation and want to take along a journal. I just couldn't stand the plain cover, so I tore around the edges of my photo and glued it in place on a purchased journal. Now, I have my feather pen and I'm ready to let my thoughts out. Just a few more days...

Then, (yes, I crafted a lot this weekend) it was my sister birthday and being the thrifty person I am, I wanted to wrap her gift in something useful and save by not buying wrapping paper. Her gift was her name spelled out in ceramic letters. We're always reminding each other to remember to play so I found the sand bucket at my craft store for only a dollar and added a large flower and bow.

I even got some ceramic painting in this weekend. Whoosh, I had so much fun and I vowed to craft more often.

Make it a great week!

Joan

A blast from my crafting past...

Well, my mom brought out one of my old creations - we think I made it 20 years ago - I made it from posterboard and wrapping paper. I remember forming the posterboard around the bunny shape, bending and shaping it to fit the pattern. You can see I used tape and how it aged. Oh, if I'd only known about Aleene's Tacky Glue back then!

Doug and Bows

You asked for instructions on Doug's projects...well, here's the link to learn how to make his fabulous bows - he had about 60 people learning how last weekend! More of his projects coming soon - I'm helping him out with his website where he'll have oodles and oodles of projects soon. Here's the bow making link:

http://www.myalice967.com/pages/DougAlvesBowInstructions.pdf

Spring in to Spring!

My oh my! Did I have a fantastic day on Saturday - I got to see beautiful model homes, learn how to make a bow and watch my extremely talented friend Doug Alves create!

He made a fabulous placesetting using the Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ and Tulip® Soft Fabric Paint™. He used a stencil and the Soft Paint to paint the flowers and then accented them with the 3D paint. For added flair, he decoupaged daffodil giftwrap paper on a clear charger plate. I was so impressed!