Minori's Christmas Bird

My friend Minori in Japan requested for her exchange a bird for her Christmas tree. She absolutely LOVES Christmas!

I made her bird using grungeboard material instead of chipboard. I thought the durability would be better.

I added a tiny Christmas tree as his hat after my husband cut a slit into the wooden stand. I was able to mount it to the bird using a few glue dots. Trim was added to hide the space between the wooden stand and the bird's head.




This is a closer view of the Santa I cut from a Graphics 45 paper. The Tim Holtz frame is perfect to showcase the vintage Santa.









My art friend, Susan from Stamp Diva showed me how to make paper rosettes. Thanks Susan! I used Christmas paper and added a vintage image of a little girl with her tree.

I applied the image to red background paper and then used a one inch circle punch. Green stickles was added to the tree and allowed to dry. Then I added Glossy Accents on top. Five bells were tied at the bottom. I hope you love it Minori!

Minnie, The Mermaid

The altered Altoids tin is an exchange with another artist. This is the beginning of the process.













I love the Dabber paints! I first sanded the tin and then applied the paints. Awesome....don't have to clean up paint brushes!

And this paint is formulated to stay on metal.













It's best to make a pattern first so your decorative papers will fit perfectly!














I used my "shaving cream" painted paper. I decided to use the double stick tape to adhere all my papers to the tin.











I measured so that the strip going around the sides was a pinch larger so that there would be an overlap for the bottom.












Perfect fit!












I really like how the papers look inside the tin. It really smells great too with the shaving cream residue!














Now the really really fun part...embellishing!















What to choose!














I made my mermaid using watercolor paper and an image of the right proportions. The just right image was very hard to find in my stash. If I had PhotoShop or Illustrator...it would be so easy. Maybe one day.....









I wanted the pearls to be the element to hold the mermaid in place when the tin was closed.















So this is the completed inside.













Oh, do I use the star fish or not?!













I found a sliced shell that I think is even better!














My mermaid tale is written on a tag and attached with a safety pin. I have in my stash the best textured material to wrap my tin.

In the mail it goes to Blue Lotus Flower. Enjoy!

Family Treasure Book - June 19th

I am teaching one of my favorite projects, "The Family Treasure Book". Each student will have the opportunity to make this book special. The students will learn the "Tim Holtz" techniques that I was taught directly from the man himself!

If you are in the Tulsa area....you can register for this class at Croppinsville Studio....guaranteed to be rocking good fun!

Joys Are Our Wings

This is a grungeboard bird that I made for Sharon, who is in my art group.

I really like all the embellishments that Tim Holtz has provided through Ranger Industries. I also love using the product line of Claudine Hellmuth.


My husband suggested that I add a feather to go with the nest. It was great luck that I found a feather in my stash that was the perfect color!

Memories by Patti

Great collage Patti!

"C" is for Cowgirls!

Great job Jackie!