Of Fairies and Fashionistas...

Happy Saturday, everyone! 

Hope the weekend is going well for you all--we've had a very lazy day--except for the part where we went across town to acquire a gorgeous VINTAGE piano from a friend...for ***FREE***!  When she told me they were getting rid of it, I jumped at the chance! 

I love tall, old pianos...this one was made in 1879, and was apparently used in a saloon at one time.  Used to be a player piano, but it's player parts were removed quite a long time ago...it's beautiful!  Has a wonderful sound...a few clinker keys, but I adore it!  I'll take some photos of it tomorrow and share them with you tomorrow...Some days you just get lucky!

Got a couple of things to share with you today...getting ready to go to CHA with Crafty Secrets next week--I'm SO excited about it!  Sandy Redburn asked me to join her and the amazing Vicki Chrisman at the show and help them out--lucky me!  Excited to see, learn, and of course, help out!  I won't have a laptop there, but I'll take lots of pictures and tell you all about it when I get back home...

Here's a project I made yesterday with Crafty Secrets' new "Fairy Scraps"--these are so beautiful!

Isn't she great?!  Love that pouty face...

...she looks perfect holding the "party pooper" card, doesn't she?  She deserves it...naughty fairy!

Such a great cupcake image--love it!  Of course I had to overdo the silver and gold Stickles on this...oh, well!  No restraint here when it comes to glittery things!

The chipboard piece is from Crafty Secrets' "Sweet Chips and More" set--some really wonderful pieces to work with.  I used three different colors of Glimmer Mist on the chipboard...hard to see unless you click on the photo to see it up close--I really love the look! 

The fabulous "Fairy Scraps" will be available VERY soon!

Here's another one I did using those gorgeous Graphic 45 papers from the "Fashionista" collection:

Love those fat, cabbagey roses! 

This collection is loaded with beautiful images--the fashionistas, the flowers, perfume label images...so many things!  I can see I'll be using this quite a lot...

...there's just so much to inspire you to get out those scissors and get cutting!  I went FAIRLY simple with the embellishments on this card...wanted to let all the luscious images do the talking...

Well, that's it for tonight--couldn't believe I hadn't posted since Wednesday!  It's been a busy week--I'm sure it has been for all of you!  Off to watch a movie with the family...have a wonderful night & I'll see you tomorrow!

A Little Birdie Told Me.....It's Time for the 12th Play Date Cafe' Challenge!

Good evening, everyone!  Hope it's been a great day for you!

I have a couple of things to share with you today...first of all, it's The Play Date Cafe's 12th challenge this week--so much fun!  A big thanks to everyone who's playing with us--you make it so much fun!  This week, our host is Alison, who chose these beautiful, icy cool colors--just perfect for the chilly winter most of you are having right now!

See what I mean?!  This was my take on the challenge this week:

Ahhhh, more lovely Graphic 45 papers from the gorgeous "Renaissance Faire" collection!  The image is from the same collection--I just love it! 

Used my favorite real silver shavings glitter, some grey silky ribbon, and some yummy turquose crystal rhinestones to sparkle it up a bit...also went a bit too heavy with the Clear Crackle Paint...

...but when I got over that fact, I kind of liked the aged, crackly look it gave the image--like a close-up view of an oil painting...

Can't wait to see what you all have to share for the challenge this week!

Next, I played along with the Crafty Secrets' challenge at Splitcoast this week--love those ladies in the CS forum--they've become such dear friends!  Hi, girls!  The marvellous Darlene was our hostess this week, and challenged us to do a card with a birthday theme--a good thing, as I've got lots of birthdays coming up and needed some more cards!

I love this image from Crafty Secrets' "Birds & Blossoms" Creative Scraps--they're all just so beautiful!  Also, used my Martha Stewart Eyelet border punch...love it!

Typed up my own sentiment on the computer using one of my favorite vintage fonts--"Apricot". 

I treated myself to a new Martha Stewart punch heart punch the other day--has slits in it for sliding a ribbon or string through--it's scalloped and everything--just perfect!  (thank-you, 40% off coupon!)  I covered it with Glossy Accents and then with Dazzling Diamonds...they look like miniature sugar cookies!

...and some Swarovski crystal rhinestones just HAD to make an appearance on this sweet birdie's crown!

Finished it off with more silver shavings glitter, some gold Stickles, crocheted lace, ribbon...and that's about it!

Well, that's all for tonight!  Hope you have a wonderful evening with your families...anyone already hooked on this season of "American Idol"?!  I'm afraid we are!  See you soon!

Love is in the Air....

...it is, isn't it?  Wherever you look, Valentines are springing up all of a sudden!  Sweet, chubby cherubs are shooting their arrows, hearts are sparkling with glitter, flowers and candy abound...it's just everywhere!

I thought I'd add to that a bit today, as well!  I was invited to a bridal shower on Saturday and made this card for the bride-to-be:

I really had fun with this, just kept adding things till it felt right...a paper doily was covered with different colors of Glimmer Mist, then topped with...

...some sweet images from Crafty Secrets' "Joys of Life" booklet...The words are from their "Cherish" stamp set--such a beautiful bunch of stamps!  The background paper and the cut-out flowers are from their "Pastel" paper collection.

Lots of silver shavings glitter, some lovely half-pearls, ribbon, lace and that's about it!

Just look at this gorgeous sentiment!  I love the fonts and illustrations from the Art Deco period--they always make MY heart flutter!  This is also from the "Cherish" stamp set--this is the inside of the card.

Yesterday I made a little Valentine...wonder who it's for?  Again, I started with a Glimmer Misted doily--seem to be enjoying that quite a bit lately!  The adorable chipboard heart is from Crafty Secrets' "Sweet Chips Frames & More" set.  I covered it with "Tattered Rose" and then Clear Crackle paint...then gave it a healthy dose of mica flakes!

Again, had so much fun just adding & adding till I could add no more!  Love the muted colors and shabby Valentine feel of it...The trio of flowers is from an SU! flower punch...

This sweet image is from Crafty Secrets' new "Couple of Cuties" stamp set--just perfect for Valentine's Day!  I covered the colored image with Clear Crackle Paint...

...here you can see the crackling a bit better--I really love this effect on vintage images!

Here you can see a bit of the musical paper I used as my background...this is from Crafty Secrets' "Pastels" paper collection...the saying is from the "Couple of Cuties" stamp set, also.  Then, just added some lovely lace, ribbon, buttons, a bunch of Martha Stewart's "White Gold" glitter,  and that's a wrap!

Hope your Valentine "season" is off to a lovely and creative start!  Can't wait to see what you're all creating! 

Now, go hug someone you love! 

See you soon!


***Stop by and check out Erika Taylor's fabulous giveaway here--it's a good one!***