Metal ATC swap

This ATC was made with aluminum HVAC tape randomly placed on a recycled cereal box. I then sanded it then smeared on some paint. After the paint was dry, I sanded again revealing the metal tape. I stamped the stems with Staz-on ink.

Chocolate Chunky pages

I made these for a personal swap with Theresa.

Spoons!

These are vintage sterling spoons from my Grandmother's silver chest. They were odds and ends that didn't match anything but were perfect for altering!

I used alcohol inks to color them. This was my second time ever using these inks. **Note to self: wear gloves!! Ink stains hands and fingernails!**

I used hubby's drill press to make the holes for the jumprings. **Note: use an awl or set to make a starter indent so the bit doesn't try to "walk" around.**

The chain and jewel attached to the jump ring are parts of salvaged jewelry. The wire and seed beads wound around the spoon just seemed to give it that final little touch I was looking for.

I'll be keeping one of these myself and sending the others to be swapped. I will put the 3 I receive and the one I keep together to make a "spoon book" as seen in:

Cloth Paper Scissors® Magazine Issue 18

I loved these in the magazine so when I heard about this swap I knew I wanted to do it. Incidentally, I already own an awesome "spoon book" made by Kat.

Patriotic Tip-in Swap

I've signed myself up for more swaps.

This is the first one I've tackled.

You'll be seeing more in the coming weeks.

Super cute purse!

Check out this purse I found in my mom's closet!

She was keeping her hair rollers in it!!! What a waste. I asked her if I could have it and she let me..yeah!

I think I'm going to change it a bit because I'm not completely sold on the stuff on the lid.

Autism puzzle

My friend Theresa sent me 3 pieces of a larger children's puzzle to alter. The completed puzzle with pieces from various artists will be donated to ART FOR AUTISM NOW.

Before I began I tried to think of what I wanted to say in this piece. I just sat back and thought of my boy and how sweet and loving he is. He is my totally unique, one-of-a-kind, sweet boy who just happens to have autism.

Bird theme altered book

I got a chance to play a bit today.

I've had this book sitting waiting to be inspired.

While cleaning up my table a bit, the ideas finally struck.

Paper bag scrapbook

A good friend and neighbor asked me if I could make a paper bag scrapbook for her niece that just graduated from high school.

She brought a pile of pictures and some tidbits about the grad. Luckily for me, I know the girl as she babysat my kiddos before and we have spent the last few 4th of July's at her folks house which is right on the parade route. Handy, besides being a really fun group to hang out with. :)

For obvious reasons I can't show all the inner pages of the book but here's a sample for you.

Yikes...hail!

We got hit with the first round of storms earlier this afternoon. We snapped a couple of quick shots of the hail out the doors.

The weather folks are saying we'll be getting another round overnight. Joy.

Upon our preliminary inspection the, up to quarter size hail, didn't do any real damage to our house but we'll have the roof inspected by a pro after this week of storms in finished. Yes, I said week. The forecast is chance of thunderstorms every day for the next 7. Joy.

Macro digital photos

Before clumsily falling down the stairs on Saturday, effectively taking me out of commission for several days on end, I had been planning on posting this.

I have been playing with the macro setting on my digital camera.

I thought this was a pretty cool one. The camera was less than 3 inches from the subject. The roots under our crab apple tree are sticking out of the ground and this cute little moss is growing around them.

Keep in mind this is an 8 year old digital camera...the media storage that it uses isn't even produced anymore.