New Chimenea

We've wanted a chimenea for years but the kids were just too young and it would have been dangerous. We finally decided they are old enough so I went with a neighbor and bought this one. I bought a terracotta saucer to put on top to keep the rain out but we pondered how to keep the rain out the big "mouth" in the front.

I did some thinking then sketching and came up with an idea.

Hubby scoffed at me, so I took it upon myself to make it myself. I started it yesterday but was unable to complete it before he got home. I hid the whole works because I didn't want him to see it until completed. Boy is he going to be surprised when he gets home!!

Project cost: $0.00 I only used items we already had around the house.

I think I did a pretty good job.

What do you think?

Imperfection tip-ins

I finished my tip-ins for the Imperfection swap. They were fun and fast to do once I decided on a design.

I've been into houses lately so it seemed logical to me. I had the "New Perfection" stamp from Stampin' Up! (no affiliation) and thought it would make a great flag.

Awesome day!

Today has been just one of those wonderful days that everything seems to fall into place. Usually it's just the opposite. I forget or misplace things, someone is a crabby butt, nothing productive gets accomplished, etc...you get the picture.

Here's my list of wonderful things for the day:

• both kids slept in--HOORAY!
  
• beautiful gift from a friend arrived (spoon book w/knife)
  
• get to see my bracelet in print (pages 101 & 225)
• baby girl graduated from preschool
• tried welding for the 1st time -- it's REALLY fun

Texture ATC's

I went ahead and signed up for a couple more swaps mainly because they are being hosted by Elizabeth, who is also hosting the 2 ABC Anniversary swaps. If I hurry, I can combine the postage and send them all together as well as get them returned together. Gotta save those pennies everywhere we can these days!!

These are made from some fusion paper I made at least a year ago. It was kind of a wild experimental day if I remember right. Never quite knew what to do with my result. This texture ATC swap seemed like the perfect answer.

The second swap is called imperfections. Meaning, go ahead and use those not so perfect circles or the colored paper that just doesn't seem to go. Hopefully I'll get my tip-in completed today so I can mail some packages tomorrow.

ART NOW FOR AUTISM

I came across this a couple weeks ago, bookmarked it and totally forgot. I do that more than I'd like to admit.
Check out the website here at www.artnowforautism.com 100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to Autism Speaks.

I'm planning on sending off these 2 pieces that I've made over the past few years.


This is a cause VERY near to my heart. Our boy has Asperger's Syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum. He is doing extremely well these days. We are so proud of him and how far he has come. People who knew him as a preschooler can hardly believe that the 8yr old in front of them is the same child.

Fusion papers

I got my workout and shower in, so then it was playtime!

I haven't made fusion paper for ages mainly because I don't have enough time to make it and have it dry somewhere before little "helping hands" get to it. It's very breezy today and with the strong sun, I figured they should dry pretty quickly outside.

Happy Mother's Day

What a treat this morning, I got up and had a peaceful cup of coffee *all by myself*.

Then my sweet boy came with his gift he made at school. He's been very patient this year and was able to keep the gift a secret. They made an accordian fold book with pockets that held all kinds of goodies. Coupons for chores, a funny poem, a recipe for love and a bag of tea.

Actually, I waited to open my gift from him and my little girl's hand colored card until all 4 of us were present. Hubby cleaned up the kitchen this morning and is taking the kids to his folks house for a visit today. More peace and quiet... I think I'll go workout, come home and shower then go play with some paints, glue and paper.

Under the Sea

I got a wild hair today and created an assemblage.

It's really funny to me that when I sat down I was hoping to make something for our barren wall over our new buffet in our eat-in kitchen. My muse took a drastic turn from food and wine to the bottom of the ocean. Go figure. Our upstairs bathroom is slowing making the transition from BORING sea shells to a more tropical reef feel.

Here are 2 views...in and out of the frame.

I had originally envisioned the piece free floating by the wire inside the deep frame. I knew that wasn't I good idea in humid conditions so under glass it went.

The substrate I used is the cover of a discarded book. The wire is bailing wire I found in the garage. The mesh on the piece and the back ground are from the same doily. I stained it with instant coffee then cut it apart. I created the seaweed from both sewing patterns and mulbery paper run through gelmedium, water and craft paints.

Black and White

It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't posted my last 4x4's.

They are currently flitting there way off to Tennessee along with the rest of the colors.

New digital challenge

I've been having lots fun playing with the latest theme: Weddings

The couple in the photos are my paternal grandparents. I never knew my grandmother and have no memory of my grandfather as he died when I was under 4.
I've been told that I resemble my grandmother. I don't see it in this photo but there are others that I do see myself in.

I can only enter one. Please help me decide.

(Click on a picture to get a better view)

Green completed

Well, I got something completed today! I wasn't sure that was going to happen. My folks came by to take me out for my birthday ...yes...
!Mi cumpleaños es el cinco de mayo! ... now where's my margarita!

All- in- all, it was a very low key birthday..which is FINE BY ME. Tomorrow I'll get a little ME TIME...so, it's all good.