Some Craft Show Peeks

I have been busy for the past month or so, working on projects for the annual Craft Show I participate with every year. The house is strewn with banners and art boards, waiting for ribbon or twine. My craft room is indescribable.....kind of a happy train wreck! Lots of things going on at the same time!

The show is next Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2.

I haven't been spending as much time as I'd like visiting blogs and websites and David said our life is divided into two sections, BC....before Craft Show and AC...after Craft Show. Most things have been put off until  "AC". Then, I will have time to clean out closets and switch out short sleeved shirts for turtlenecks and light-weight PJ's for the flannel kind I love in the cold weather. For now, I can be found going back and forth between 2 bedrooms as I search for the warm layers we are suddenly needing. OK, enough whining!
 I do want to express my appreciation to my wonderful husband...he has cheerfully volunteered to be the chief cook for the next week. Right now there is a huge vat of his  Vegetable Beef Barley Soup cooking on the stove and the aroma is heavenly! I will return to the kitchen... AC. 

I will share with you some peeks of some of the things I have been working on for the show.
I have been working on some Thanksgiving and Christmas themed collages...these are lots of fun to do!

Banners...these are 2 snowman banners I've most recently been putting together...

(This one is actually 5 panels...Pinterest has been invaluable for the vintage images I love to use!)

(The "joy" die cut is from Dear Lillie, here)
Small art boards...

(This is 5X7 and the image was cut twice and layered.)

David helped with the fork project...

Bending the forks so that they stand level is a little tricky, but he did a great job!
Perfect as stands for the art boards!

OK...just some peeks for now! Hope you enjoy!

xoxo
Joyce

Swap Week Part I...Viv's Valentine Swap

I've been making a huge mess of my craft room for the past week while

 finishing up some projects for 2 swaps I participated in. The first swap was

Viv's Valentine Swap

It doesn't happen very often but my partner was a dear friend...

Sandy of 521 Lake Street

Sandy and I became blogging friends through Elizabeth

of Creative Breathing.

Two years ago, while visiting my step-mom in Arizona, Sandy

and I (and my sister) were able to meet and spend some time together shopping, eating and talking

which was a lot of fun.

(l-r my sister Barb, Sandy, Me)

When Viv sent Sandy's name as my partner for the swap,

I did a little happy dance.

Sandy is fun to create for because she loves a lot

of the same things I like.....

red, polka dots, Mary Engelbreit...

I thought about a banner but Sandy already has a few of my banners and journals

and I wanted something different.

I've always wanted to make a pieced art board so this was my chance..

An 8x8-inch canvas board, 9, 2-inch scalloped squares of red,

each square a little art piece. Fun!

There was also a Mary E Valentine...

and some other little treats I thought she'd like...

(Thanks for letting me lift this photo from your blog Sandy)

And what did I receive from Sandy...a box of total cuteness!

A banner, (her first and I might say an excellent job!!)

some cupcake papers, jewels, vintage Valentines, striped straws, an emery board,

a ceramic "Dream" stone and wonderful red buttons and

the neatest twine!!!! I love it all Sandy!

How cute is this banner in my guest room!

 A yellow heart banner for my yellow room!

This was a fun swap for sure..

Thanks Viv, for making a good match!

I'll be back in a few days with Swap II

xoxo

Joyce

A Tribute to Creative Breathing

A tribute to.......

It all started with this postcard........

I posted a photo of this vintage Valentine postcard on Flickr. Elizabeth, whose blog,

Creative Breathing, I had been reading faithfully, saw the postcard and was inspired by it. She created this paper pieced masterpiece. I saw the photo she posted on Flickr and the title "Scrap for Joy" and was puzzled. "That's my name...wonder what this means?", I thought. The mystery was quickly solved when Elizabeth contacted me and asked for my address so that she could send me the piece she had made. I was overwhelmed that someone who didn't know me would be inspired by something I had shown and make an art piece and then send it to me....just like that! Of course I had no idea how completely overwhelmed I would be when it arrived! The attention to detail cannot be seen in a mere photograph. The flowered skirt on the little gardener is not printed paper my friends, but hand-cut flower layers and leaves!

My first thought was that I wanted to send Elizabeth something in return, but what? What could I make that would begin to show my appreciation? Well, this all took place in October of last year, at a time when I was busily preparing for a craft fair and was up to my neck in custom orders as well. So, I sent nothing. I have felt bad about that for a long time. Other prople have inspired Elizabeth since then. She has made gorgeous gifts of love for many others and they have sent her their art in return. Here I was, with only this.... a lonely little bluebird, and a bunch of good intentions!

A month ago I decided that I had pushed this project aside long enough. Not only had Elizabeth sent the beautiful garden girl months before, I also won a contest on her Flickr site with something I wrote. The prize was this awesome pincushion that she created.I would have to let go of my intimidation and embarrassment and create something I love to create...an artboard. I knew Elizabeth's favorite colors, and her signature "logo" is a bluebird. It had to include all of the elements that would be pleasing to her eye.......hearts and dots....

and a flower..... and cute buttons....Even the back of the board had to be kind of cute....Behold the finished project...Gosh, I hope she likes it. It should arrive at her door today or tomorrow.

Last week I took a class at Stamp Fanci with my favorite instructor and good friend, Carolyn Dewey. One of the projects we made was a little pocket booklet to hold gift cards or favorite quotes. This was made using one sheet of 12x12-inch scrapbook paper (with a pattern on both sides) The morning after the class, I took a piece of "Elizabeth style" paper and fashioned this little booklet and filled it with happy stamped messages. There are all sorts of other surprises in the package but I won't spill the beans.

Elizabeth, I hope you realize how much your work, your words and your kind generosity have touched so many hearts. You are an inspiration to all who have become familiar with your art. Thank you for the kindness you have shown to me. I will treasure the gifts you have sent and keep you in my prayers daily.

XOXO....with a cherry on top!

PS-my new blog header is from here... with modifications by Bethanie. (Where would I be without her!)