silver bella sneaks...

i participated in three very cool swaps this year. i really love the idea of sharing creations with other girls who enjoy the look of vintage goodness.
so. much. fun.

first of all, the silver bella souvenir journal hosted by the amazing michelle geller...this one was all about paper! my favorite.




the love chapter...hosted by my sissy and i...this is our first go around at hostessing. it's very exciting!




and finally, the three x three inchy embroidery swap...hosted by a couple of super sweet iowans tami stroh and kris malone...





there you have the swap sneaks.
next up: vendor table.

happy day!

artful thursday - happy anniversary!

here are a few photos of the card i made grandma and grandpa for their 65th anniversary.
easy supplies:
bingo card,
flash card,
a couple of love birds,
and a few
embellishments to personalize it.
hot glue it all together.
add a lace ribbon to hang.
pretty.



now. something inspiring and amazing and wonderful and just so oh.my.gosh.cool! that sweet amy powers, who i like to call silver bella friend, has been at work, girls...

check it out!
"inspired ideas"

happy day!

artful thursday - beautiful bulletin boards

this year, i have whipped up three of these little pretties.

recently, both sets of my grandparents moved into independent/assisted living arrangements. AND they are at the same facility, which we lovingly call "the college" - like a big dorm. they spend their days partying, visiting, and showing off (their great-grandchildren) whenever they can. see? college!

anyway. moving into an apartment after you have lived in a house for years, is a bit of a change. less wall space, storage, furniture. everything is smaller. both grandmas needed a bulletin board for photos, snapshops, important phone numbers...you know, stuff. well, sorry to say, but the brown cork bulletin board just doesn't scream "home". so. we make it pretty. : )

the bulletin board shown here was transformed for princess beatrice and the pink palace. she needs an art display space for her precious drawings and paintings. the boards i made for my grandmas have a more grandma-ish feel. i used gorgeous cabbage rose type waverly prints, dark colors, and rich tones. beatrice definitely need something that sings - girls just wanna have fun!

here we go.
start with a bulletin board. they're about 2 bucks at goodwill.



paint the frame.



pick your fabric. cut to the correct size, and glue directly onto the cork board. mod podge works great for this. i use a sponge brush and paint on the glue.



here is what it looks like once the fabric has adhered.



add trim around the outside.

here's a close up.



make some cute tacks to use. these are pompom balls (love) attached to poker chips and then glued onto thumbtacks.



here is one of beatrice's paintings. doesn't it look lovely on her new art display space?



here is the full view. we glued some scrabble tiles onto thumbtacks, too.



it's a fun, easy, and totally inexpensive project that can be totally personalized to reflect you or your home.

okay. one last note about my precious grandparents. both sets are celebrating anniversaries this month. 65 years of happily ever after for my mom's parents, and 70 years of wedded bliss for my dad's folks! can you believe it!!???!!

happy day to all of you!
i am so glad you're here!!!

SURPRISE for me!

hello everyone! happy september to each of you! i cannot believe how busy life has become these past couple of weeks. it's good to be back.


last year, i attended silver bella in omaha. let me just say right now, this was a big time event in my little life. i was absolutely awe-struck with all of the creative minds, sweet souls, and glitter loving girls gathered into one place for this paper event. opening nite, karla and i found a table up close to the front, introduced ourselves to a few gals, and made ourselves at home. one of the sweethearts we sat with, was leanne. : )

leanne grew up in australia, is an author, and is just one of those so sincerely kind women.

anyway, she made my day! after having to use my crabby teacher voice a few too many times, i came home from school, and was more than a little beat. well. there was a PACKAGE for ME!!!!! from leanne!

look at all the little pretties...

am i a blessed girl, or what???!!??


i was no longer the crabby queen, i was transformed!


she also sent this pulpit commentary on proverbs...so cool.

thank you, dear leanne! you make me smile!

happy day, friends!