Do You ATC What I ATC?

Yet another wonderful class! This one was with Carolyn Peeler and she was terriffic! Learned some new tricks, which is what I love when I take a class. Our album has a Christmas picture on the front, but I'm using it for my SB souvenirs, moo cards, labels, wrappers, all those little things you collect. I love the way the baseball card pages are cut into thirds and then attached to the book. This was my first time covering a book like this. Getting the wires off and on again is certainly exasperating! I heard about a machine called a Zutter that cuts the holes and binds the book all at once. I may splurge if I make a lot of books. (Notice how optimistic I am about continuing with this crafting bonanza). Actually, this is another project that I have finished. And there are more to come.

Silver Bella Bank

Okay, this is just a little silly, and certainly not my best ever creative endeavor, but I have to show you my Silver Bella Pringles Bank! I started this when I signed up for Silver Bella 2008, covered it with inspirational sayings, and added money to it, a little at a time. I took it with me, and didn't open it until Omaha. This was my spending money for Vendor Night. It wasn't as much as I hoped it would be (Is it ever???) but it helped me to do some serious shopping. Here is the secret. It must be taped and covered so you can't get the money out. Just cut a slit in the plastic lid and then secure it. Oh, and you have to promise not to open it no matter what the crisis is. I've started mine for 2009, but it isn't decorated yet. Just a dollar or two at a time should add up by next November. Because, I am definitely going again!

I know, I know, I really have to start taking better pictures.

Bella Bella Bella

Here are some more of my completed projects! This was Jenni Bowlin's class and she was terrific. The class was called Tiny Treasures and we made three of the cutest little projects. Her bingo card was lots of fun. I really like her little packages of crepe paper strips. It's all about the crepe paper now, I think. Crepe paper and glitter. The tiny book with the key in the binding is also so cute. She came over to every table to show us how to do the key, and chastized me just a bit for not speaking up about having a bad key. She changed my key to a better one and told me that I was paying a lot of money for classes and shouldn't be afraid to speak up if my materials weren't right! I actually liked my bent up, wonky key but it wouldn't have worked very well for the book edge, so I'm glad I changed. She was so sweet, and helpful, and very sharing. A very good class.

Isn't this little spool the cutest thing? I really liked all the projects because they were quick and cute and would make perfect little gifts when you need something small. I also bought her little Bingo card baby book, and bottle cap ornament kit, and some of her vintage findings. Love her site. Please check it out. I'm really not a scrapbooker. I have boxes and boxes of photos, but just getting them barely organized is all I can do. With five children and seven grands, I can't even think how may albums that would be with just a few pics on each page($$$$). I do love the little books and accessory items though.

Oh my! I think I have beaten my record for monthly posts. Dare I say------see you tomorrow????

Silver Bella Bling

Here's my very first project at SilverBella. On Thursday nite-oh my, it was a week ago, already! the entire group made these darling little door hangers. The secret is to stamp the image and then embroider over it. It adds so much dimension to the picture. I even sewed some seed beads to the wings. (Thank you, Sandy, for being so generous with your supplies) A crepe paper ruffle, a velvet ribbon, a peace banner, and some mica finished everything nicely. Cute and simple. And finished! I just love it that I was able to mostly finish most of my projects. I did go back to my room most evenings and work on my projects. I think I was really in need of some quiet time so I did enjoy it. I do wish that I had mingled with all those Bellas who had those late night chats though. This was the first time I've gone anywhere without a roommate so it was quieter.
I promised to post on time today and didn't quite make it. I just got home from my monthly night out with friends. We started our Craft Nite over 30 years ago, and tonite I took all my new projects for an informal show and tell. I'm pretty proud of myself that I've completed these, and loved talking about the fantastic time I had. I think they probably want to be Bellas too.

Back from SilverBella Land

I went. It was wonderful. I am still wandering around in disbelief. I had an incredible weekend. I have a few pictures but not as many as I'd hoped. Just as I started to get into it, my battery was dying, so several pics came out poorly. Visit Jodie's blog, Everything Vintage. She is an extraordinary photographer. And such a good, new friend.

Here's a picture of the centerpiece from our lunch with Mary Engelbreit. Simply wonderful. This was a Saint's candle, I believe, wrapped in vintage book paper, and decorated with crepe paper and velvet ribblon. It's on a nest of shredded vintage paper, with shiny Christmas balls and lots and lots of glitter. The little sign says "Living the SilverBella Life". Glitter and crepe paper are the most popular ever, with lots of vintage ephemera. I still have trouble using real ephemera. With my history background, I want to save and protect everything. Cutting it and glittering it is just a little blasphemous to me, even though I love the look and feel of the originals. I have to say it: I usually want to copy it and save the originals.

We had a total of six classes. I've been working on my projects, and almost all of them are finished! I'll have photos of them tomorrow. Yes, I said tomorrow. I am a new woman.

So come back again, and I will have more to share.

Wherever Does Time Go?

Okay. Here's the thing. I just can't seem to get the knack of this posting habit. Days, and weeks and months go by before I know it. Yes, a lot has been going on--I just can't seem to write about it, can I? All right, I am resolving to do better.

The biggest thing in my life right now is SilverBella, coming up next week. I am so excited to go to this art retreat. Of course, I haven't started getting ready for it yet. Have to have a tiara. That may be all of my prom nite costume. Last year I think the theme was Gypsy Something. That I could have done. But Prom? Not so much.

Stay tuned. I will be posting. Really, I will. I'm hoping all these inspiring artists will inspire me when I see them IN PERSON.