National Craft Month Wrap Up

Can you believe that March has flown by so fast?  National Craft Month is just about over.  I've been busy most of my days this month doing something craft related...or tried to anyway. 

 I took on a project and have been playing with altered art (in a simple form).  Picture frames and clip boards have been my subjects mostly and I have really enjoyed making them and the finished product as well.  Paper has been flying, ripping and tearing and being sanded and glued to death.  Some are on my Etsy and Artfire sites...go purchase one please. ;o)

I've even broke down and bought some rhinstones to accent my picture frames.

So what did I do for National Craft Month?  I shared a crafting day with my friend Autumn and we painted the cutest chicken popping out of an egg.  Diane and I participated in a craft show early in the month.  In addition, I also attended the Las Vegas Crafters Guild meeting last week.  I was able to keep my space stocked at Goatfeathers. (By the way, all Easter product is now 30% off). I picked up a wholesale account.  Oh, I even spoke with the class coordinator at Joann about teaching some classes in the near future.  I did my share to keep craft stores afloat.  Please post a comment about what you've been up to for National Craft Month...I will even have a give away drawing for one of my picture frames on Saturday for all those crafty people who leave a comment on this post.  Good luck and keep crafting.

Clipboards with Style

I've had an itch to create some stylish and crafty clipboards so after I finished my blocks project today I pulled them out.  Sorting through a stack of scrapbook paper, I found two that I thought would be perfect.  This first one is a reprint of some lovely fabric...a simple but stylish pattern.  I embellished it with with some super cool stickers that are really interesting and complimentary.
Mod Podge has really been my friend lately and these are more mod podge projects.  The butterfly stripe is an embossed sticker.  Of course...I love the typewriter key stickers.  Here is a close up view for you.

This second clip board has an real altered art look to it.  I ripped some papers to go over the base paper (which I love)...again, Mod Podge rocks.  Just a few letter stickers were applied, they say "take note".  With both clipboards, I made sure to keep the details at the edges so there are lumps and bumps when you're writing on your paper.  After I photographed them, I brushed on a smooth coat of satin varnish to protect the project.    Look for them at my Esty shop soon.  These are a first for me and I think I am loving them, need to dig out some more clipboards.  Another National Craft Month project...woohoo!

Some new items...

finally. I know it's about time I really painted something. I started painting on cabinet doors last year and they have been well received. Here are three I completed this week. I think I like the one with the flags and watermelon the best. I listed it on Etsy today. And summer seems to bring out the patriot in all of us anyway so I also have the one with "Old Glory" around it. You know I have to be writing on my work and the borders on these are just screaming for it.

A Busy Weekend

Things are going to be crazy this weekend so just in case I don't get to it...I wish all the moms I know a Happy Mothers Day! The sacrifices mom's make for their children is something to behold. Our kids (and sometimes hubbies) never know what we are willing to give up, share, or do for them to make ends meet or make dreams come true. Happy Mothers Day!

Yes, this is a busy weekend around here. It starts tonight with a fundraising dinner for my nieces' Girl Scout troop. It's a mystery dinner like we used to do for Boy Scouts. It will be lots of fun for those who attend...and good food to boot. Saturday I have a board meeting in Boulder City for the ATV Club, but first I will drop off my car on the west side of town (I live on the east side of the valley) to car pool with other board members...that way I can hop in my car and head to the company picnic on the far northwest end of town. Timm is striping the pastures for parking this morning. Ahhh, I remember the days when our Scout troop worked the event...now I just have to show up and have a good time. It's going to be a hot one this year though so lots of water will be consumed by all. Kids will love the bounce houses, games, and petting zoo. Adults will love the band, booze, food and more. Sunday will take us back to the Lutz home to cut down a couple of palm trees near the pool that are starting to effect the block wall. Should be plenty interesting, scafolding will be involved. It's a favor in return since we had friends come cut down 11 trees in January. And of course I need to see my mother on Sunday...I made her a cool gift this year I think she will really like. Its an altered art scrabble board with everyone's names on it. It still needs a ribbon. I will finish my weekend at our oldest son's house with a BBQ for Mother's Day...and their wedding anniversary. I still need to finish that piece today. So.....I guess I'd better get to it and get my projects completed. See you all on Monday.

Altered art anniversary gift

It's hard to believe that my son will have been married a year already in just a few weeks. (Officially, they got marriend in March but we held the wedding ceremony in May...I know confusing...it was in insurance issue). Anyway, I wanted to make them something that was uniquely them and this is what I've come up with. It's an altered art/collage piece.

It still needs to be mounted and framed but that will come next week. I'm telling you I must have 1000 scrabble tiles and several game boards. I purchase them everytime I find one at a thrift store.

They met in her home state of Minnesota so I have that on there in a vintage 'greetings from' postcard, they live here now so I one for that also. Pictures from the wedding are in included and where they were married.

I think it turned out totally cool and unique and after it's framed out it will be awesome! They make such a cute couple and they are really good for each other. (So far they say no kids...just dogs)