Spring Jar Swap

Here's what I sent my partner for the Spring Jar Swap. The front:

 The back:

 I took some tissue tape and applied it to the lip of the jar, and then added some lace on top of it. The top of the jar is covered with green tissue paper, a vintage pin and some paper flowers. I used butterflies to decorate the jar, one's from a napkin the other is stamped and colored by me.
Here's what I put in the jar:

 buttons,

 some vintage jewelry, Easter stuff, and some candy.

I felt like I didn't have enough stuff in my jar, so I added some linens in the box.

I had an extremely fun time with this swap, I hope to do it again in the future.

Vintage Petite Spring Jar Swap

I participated in Michele's Vintage Petite Spring Jar Swap, my partner was Julie. I received my jar on Thursday, here's what I saw when I opened the box:

 And here's the jar:

 Here's what I found inside the jar: buttns, trim, shell beads, chocolate, and a tiny matchbox.

 A close-up of the matchbox:

 And the contents of it: a piece of trim, flower gem, pom pom and a piece of ephmera.

I sent Julie's jar to her, and will show you what I sent her when I know it's been delivered.

Thank you to Julie for sending me such a cute jar and cool things inside, and thank you to Michele for hosting. I would love to do another one of these in the futute.

I'm Stuck

Well over a month ago, Liz Mathews posted this project on her blog, she had at the bottom of the post said she would send her leftover heart pieces to the first commenter. I was the first commenter, I got them around Valentine's Day.

Here's my project so far:

I originally wasn't going to make a big piece like she had, but I couldn't find an smaller artist canvas to use. I started gluing the hearts on, then had to add hearts from my collection. When I was done with that, I thought I'd "lightly" go over it with alcohol inks, but I got too much on it. Then I tried fixing it by rubbing a red ink pad over it, and adding some vellum pieces to lighten up the color.

This is where I am, I don't know where I'm going from here. Anyone have any advice?

Remember this post? I got the return package in the mail today. And let me tell you, it made my day, I've been having a trying day at work, and this definitely helped.

Here's what was in the package: 

Some extra tags to use as I wish

 Starting at the left top corner, here's who these are from: Mags, Ragina Wells, Cheryl and Christal Gill

Teri Galen,  Cheryl Reese, no name, and Marlys.

 Suzanne Reese Cave

Stacy Boyd, Shelley, me and Mary.

There were also a bunch of quotes about art. There was a note in the package informing us that we could add to the ring throughout the year.

Very cool, thanks ladies.

Inspiration Rings Swap

On one of my Yahoo groups, I joined an Inspiration Ring Swap. We were sent 12 kraft paper rings that we were supposed to decoration in any way. Here are my rings:
I first glued them to various pieces of vintage paper, and then watercolored them, after that they all got different details.

Starting at the top left: Purple, I added a piece of ribbon and a circle cut out of some Egyptian money; Flowers, I love flowers and the brightness they add to things, so I used various forms of flowers on this one; Fabric, I love using fabric for my art, so I added a lace flower to this one.

Starting at the top left: Dress, this started with the dress, I added the head and some yarn for hair; Bling, this started with the adhesive jewels at the bottom, the bird is from a Valentine kit and I thought the heart just went with it; "Send a boy to camp", this one all started with the green stamp that says "Send a boy to camp", I then found other stamps that went with it; Bliss, everything on this one is rub-ons, I love the lady under her umbrella; Buttons, I love collecting and using buttons in my artwork, so I had to use some here, they're all vintage buttons.

Starting at the top left: Leaves, there are paper punches, a glittered plastic leaf, and a leaf button; Ribbons, this is my favorite (so much that I made an extra, so I could keep it), I layered some bright colored ribbons, a feather and some buttons; Birds, I used a dictionary bird, one out of wallpaper, and a sticker; Butterflies, I may add something 3D to this one, there are paper punches, a sticker and a plastic butterfly; Flower, I love the simplicity of this one, the flower sticker just goes so well with the yellow background.

These will be going out in the mail tomorrow, I hope everyone likes them. As I mentioned above, I couldn't part with Ribbons, so I created a 13th circle to send in. I seem to do that a lot with my work, when I make something I try to keep one for myself.

new stuff

Mom and I went to Memory Bound yesterday. I spent less than $30, I'm very proud of myself, here's what I bought:
A tri fold arch paper display (my most expensive purchase at $11), a pack of chipboard butterflies, guinea pig stickers, peacock stickers, a pack of alphabet stickers.

and three pieces of paper. I bought the top left one solely for the "Beautiful Dreamer" square, I bought the top right one for the alphabet, and the bottom one for the butterflies.

My plan is to decorate the tri fold with bright colors, butterflies and the beautiful dreamer piece.

It all began with an owl...

I've had creative block lately. Yesterday, I made the following:
I think it will be a wall hanging. It all started with the owl pendant I received in a swap. I knew, when I saw it that it wouldn't be a necklace. Sunday night, I got it and a piece of fabric that looked like a tree branch, then I decided he needed to be sitting in a night sky. The background fabric has black sparkles in it too, but I decided to add some of my vintage buttons as stars. Then I needed a moon, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted until I found a napkin in my stash. Now it's all sewn together but I still need to add a hanger, something to stiffen it up and a backing.

What do you think?