Just a Mad Tea Party Pot!

I know, this project is weird for two reasons!  First, I hate tea and second it is so expected to make a Tea Pot mini album when using Marion Smith's Mad Tea Party collection! But what can I say, it is just what popped into my head and it looked so cute, I just had to make it!

My first thing was to go and find the right teapot mini.  I know that I could have made one from scratch but after I saw SaCrafter's I just had to go with that! Isn't it cute??

Here are a few pictures of the inside pages!

As you can see there are loads of places to add pictures and journaling including in the mini, within the mini!

Hope you like it!

M-C

Altered Book Box

I hope that it isn't a sin to have as much fun, enjoyment and even relaxation as I had creating this!  It just came together so easily! I sure hope you will like it!

The pattern paper I used is the Nirvana collection by Marion Smith Designs.  The paper maché book box is from JoAnn's, the sticky back canvas is from Hobby Lobby, and the wood frame on the front of the book is from Michael's.  The metal trinkets are from Prima and were part of Marion Smith's Vintage Trinkets released a few years ago!  I've done some serious hoarding on those and fortunately still have one set of each left even after the ones used in this project! If you want to see all the papers in both the Nirvana and the Mad Tea Party collections, please watch my video:

I have a couple of sets of each collection left in my zibbet store and if you mention my blog post when you purchase, I'll be sure to add a small gift!

Here are a few more pictures of the inside and the outside of my altered book!

I hope you enjoyed! Please feel free to comment and question.  You can also watch my YT video:

Thank you so much for stoping by! Have a very happy week!

M-C

It Finally Happened

It finally happened! On a Friday in September, I became a citizen of the United States of America.  I'm glad to say that the USCIS did a great job of making it a very special event!

Check-in was called for 9:30 in the Annex of St Pius X Elementary school.  Actually no one knew, even at the school what building was the anex which led to a bit of confusion, but we all eventually found our way to the school gym which is, in all fairness in a separate building, in back of the shool itself!. It took a bit over 1 hour to get all 49 of us checked in and seated in our reserved section. We were supposed to be 50, but one person had to re-schedule.

One of the things I found really charming is that they invited grades 7 and 8 to come in and watch and even participate in the ceremony.  The middle school choir sang and four members of the 8th grade handed out US flags to the new citizens!

We were addressed by Federal Judge Amul Thapar, and both the Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundgren-Grimes and our US Representative, Thomas Massie were also present and addressed the audience.

For those who are wondering, I am still recognized by Canada as a citizen of Canada. So this is just my third nationality, since I was also entitled to Belgian citizenship since my parents were still citizens of Belgium when my mother gave birth to me in Canada.

Another fun fact, I am both the first Canadian and the first American in my family! 

Next up on the blog...another project!  Thanks for stopping in!

M-C

My First Blog Award! A Liebster!

One of my lovely and very talented readers, Debbie Buckland  who owns the Blog Arty Crafty, recently awarded me a Liebster!  Thanks Debbie that is both sweet and awesome!!!

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, what is a Liebster? The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Isn’t that sweet? Blogging is about building a community and it’s a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs .

Here’s the rules of the nomination:

1. Be sure to thank the blog that nominated you and be sure to link back to their blog.

2. Answer the 10 questions that the blogger asked you.

3. Nominate your 10 favorite blogs with under 200 followers and ask your own 10 questions.

4. Make sure to let each blogger know about your Liebster Nomination on their blog and link back to your Liebster post.

________________________________________

The Questions I was asked:

1. When and why did you start blogging?I was actually attending my first CHA (Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show) in  January 2007.  That was still in the days when we all waited with great expectation for the news of the new releases to come out once the show opened.  Now that all the companies and designers etc do "previews", I actually miss the fun, anticipation and excitement there used to be when everything was divulged on the same day! Anyway I had promised all my friends that I would share my experience via a blog and that is what I did! :)

2. What is the one thing you want your followers to know about you?That I really am thrilled and truly very grateful that they would stop by and read anything I write or share! 

3. What is your favorite part of running a blog?The people that I've met. Some of my blog readers have become very cherished friends! One is even from the town I was born in, Québec City and I got to meet her on a visit back there. Carole is very talented and very dear to me even if I don't get to see her very often! 

4. Where do you find your blogging inspiration?My crafty friends, whether they are real life, on YouTube or FB as well as just looking at some of the paper collections and watching crafty video's on YouTube!

5. What is your most favorite product you love working with?I truly love most of the Graphic 45 collections. And even when I'm not attracted at first glance, most if not all of them really get my creative juices flowing!

6. How did you choose your blog name? I've moved a lot since 1998 when I first came to the US from Canada.  It's not always easy to make friends when you move so much or to keep in tough with the people that matter to you. Friendships are what keep me grounded and happy.

7. What is your favorite color and what does it say about you?For a long time I didn't think I had one.  But it is obvious when you look at what I create that there is usually some shade of green.  Not necessarily as "the" color but as the supporting color in most things. It is also in just about every room in my home one way or another. 

8. What is your favorite craft tool?I have this piercing tool that my hubby gave me quite a few years ago. It was no doubt originally meant as a dental instrument, and was being sold at a nearby flee market. It means a lot to me that he supports what I do and this is an outward symbol of that support. One that I actually use quite often!

9. In your opinion what is the best thing about where you live?Well I'm now in Northern Kentucky, in the "Blue Grass" area of the state, less than 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. There is a whole lot that I love about living here. But I guess the climate is the best. We have four seasons here, which I love, but none is extreme. Since my favorite weather is in the 65 to 70 range during the day with much cooler nights, I am happy most of the year! 

10. What one post on our blog do you think everyone should read? (provide the link)

One of my favorite posts of all times was one on cell phone etiquette. Unfortunately the best part of the post was the video that has since be taken down.  That said, I guess the post everyone should read aside from this one is the one that I will write next, since it covers a new adventure into crafting or friendship and if I'm really lucky, both!

MY LIEBSTER NOMINEES!

Here are my 10 choices for a Liebster Award.  Please take a moment and go show them some love! I have put them in alphabetical order since I like them all and most are friends of mine!

Chuy-Creativity - Marie Soto's personal blog! Lots of fun stuff!

Heart of a Gypsy - I recently discovered this blog and I am really wowed by her projects!

Miriam's Crafting Blog - This blog is full of neat ideas from Miriam and some of her designer friends.

My Little Crafty Heaven - Jan is no doubt one of the nicest ladies on the planet! She is kind and crafty and so supportive of her crafty friends!  I'm lucky to be one of them! Go and give her so love, won't you?

Paper and String - Cathy makes great cards using her Cricut. We've been online friends and have even been able to spend some quality time togehter

Queen Kat - There is always something going on in Kat's life, well a lot of somethings!  Enjoy!

SA Crafters - The lovely SA not only creates great papercrafting projects, but she also makes and sells great things in her zibbet store!

Serenity in Him - Christine is this wonderful and creative friend of mine!  We met a few years ago and have kept in touch!  She is a real sweetie!

Tabbasco's Chic Cottage - Jonnie is a sweet lady who loves all things shabby chic as you will see on her blog!

The Jules Box Shop - New blog for one of my favorite places for lace! Go Jules!

Here are the questions for my nominees:

1. When and why did you start blogging?

2. What is the one thing you want your followers to know about you?

3. What is your favorite part of running a blog?

4. Where do you find your blogging inspiration?

5. What is your most favorite product you love working with?

6. How did you choose your blog name?

7. What is your favorite color and what does it say about you?

8. What is your favorite craft tool?

9. In your opinion what is the best thing about where you live?

10. What post did you recently read, yours or someone else's that made you think oh wow, that is really special?

Summer Prima Doll Tag

Sometimes I'm a little bit shabby and sometimes I like things to be vibrant! Here is my latest Prima doll tag, again I made it a bit ago and I gave it away to a friend as part of her birthday present! 

I colored the doll using my Spectrum Noir pens and I paper pieced her dress, headband and shoes.

I used two different color washi tapes on the left to help ground everything as well as a Prima wood embellishment which I also colored with my SN pens.

The multi-colored fiber at the top of the tag was an Etsy purchase that had been sitting in my stash.

The pink and aqua flowers are from my stash as well, and the yellow one is a flower that my friend Erica gave me. It was white and you guessed it,  I colored it with my Spectrum Noir pens!

The stamped saying says:Friends are Life's Nicest Perks!

I also used my Spectrum  Noir pens to color the half back pearls, the red flower on the right,little and the lace, both were originally white!

I just love the comment a friend of mine, Barb made about this tag on YouTube: "I am just loving the colors you used, this looks like a hot summer day and she is dressed for a cool glass of lemon aid!!! "

Speaking of YouTubem here is a link t the video:

Thanks everyone for stoping in!  Please feel free to leave me a comment!  You never know what can happen, when you do!

Have a happy, crafty week!

M-C

My Altered Box Project

Hard to believe, but I had never altered a wood box before, at least not using paper, lace and paint! I had, a long time ago, added wood elements and a monogram to a box and varnished it as a special present for hubby's grandfather. But nothing like this!

I had a specific look in mind for the cover of the box and I spent days searching the internet. I finally found the image I wanted on Etsy from a buyer called Graphic Market Place. You really should check them out!

My video of the project contains more details about the lovely vintage lace I used and more!

Have a great day and I'll post another project very soon!

M-C

It's Time for a Tiki Hut

There are times when I look at a paper collection and wonder what I can possibly make with it!  I've given myself the challenge of using most if not all of the Graphic 45 collections this year.  That means that even if it isn't in my comfort zone, I'll make something.  I've only skipped a couple of collections over the years including Bird Song. When Bohemian Bazaar came along I really wasn't sure what to do.  The colors were so vibrant and outside my comfort range!  But it finally came to me, as a full colored image in my head! And here is what the image looks like when the project is done!  Hope you like!

                        It really started out looking a lot like a previous project.

I cut up some balsa wood for the bar 

 I turned over some wood pots added wood circles and voila, stools!

I wrapped all but two of the columns with some twine from JoAnn's.  I also brained and glued the twine to the edge of the bar to make the edge look more finished, but only after I'd added a nice coat of blue acrylic paint to the whole structure.

A little raffia from my stash took careof the thatched roof. I trimmed the raffia so it would have the look I wanted!

I used some pretty miniature elements like the glass and pitcher of orange juice.

Deviled eggs, gouda cheese and crackers a pot of jam, some cola cans and some chips and salza!

And of course I added...

AN ALBUM IN A BOX

I bought the box at hobby lobby and it was too high but just the right circumference for the Milissa Frances round chipboard pieces I'd been hoarding in my stash.

I also made a video of the project that you can watch here! 

One of the things that keeps me intrigued with paper crafting is challenging myself to use products and paper that are outside my comfort zone. I do like how the project came out!  Thanks for stopping by and have a truly great day!

M-C