Ribbon Rosettes for Spring

Has it really been a month? I must admit that Library of Memories is keeping me busy, but I am still super thrilled with the progress we are making toward better kept memories and stories.
It's been hinted that I needed a few more items up in my shoppe, and the rosettes are still top requested. I hope to have some of these beauties up in the next few days!

Except maybe that last one- it's may be a keeper! I'll see how much more of that ribbon I have left to make more.

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Green and Yellow Basket

Can you believe May is almost here? It's creeping up soon! I love all the delicious swaps ArtsyMama has conjured up for her Year of Color blog, and the May Basket swap is the latest in a long line not-to-be-missed fun! I've been dreaming up and slowly stirring up the pieces of a basket of little treats for my swap partner. I used a new basket, then grunged it up nicely to an age old patina, then embellished with vintage millinery.
Shall we peek into her basket?

Some pretty ribbons an leaves around a sweet surprise...

A little polka dot crepe reminscing April's color theme...

Gold noblesse and vintage berry picks

Can you guess who it might be for?

Lucky me, my own basket arrived this week- just stuffed beyond capacity with the BESTEST goodies. Kari herself put this one together. I found new treasures every time I sifted through.

Some of her pretty wallpaper, a handmade book, the embroidered table runner, a house sachet from etsy, the nutcups are even filled with tiny bits of ribbon and vintagey bling!

And a little packet of papers with my name on it! Muchos Gracias, Grazie, and Thank you Kari!

Of Cabbages and Queens, Tutorials and Crepes

Ah, lovely spring break. While it's nice not running the three small humans around to various school activities and appointments, I wonder what I'll actually be able to accomplish with them all home!
One thing I did do with the Crown Princess (my oldest daughter Dana) was to make clay buttons from Ranjini's tutorial over on the Year of Color blog. Very fun and unique buttons and charms! Here they are, still drying on the paint tray. Speaking of tutorials, I myself was fortunate enough to share one of my own for Year of Color (it's still not too late to join!-Hurry if you want to participate in the giveaway. Check out Artsymama's blog for details)

The fabulously shabby nests and blossoms tutorial went up last night.

Since April's theme is polka dot, I had to sneak a few in there. Somehow I did forget to leave this pretty photo out.

Also going up sometime today in my shop will be a few more hand-dyed crepes.

Enjoy your spring, we are expecting snow by Wednesday!

Spring Blooms

I was very fortunate indeed to discover the Garlands and Banners class over at Get It Scrapped. I picked up a few new techniques and supply hints, plus loads of inspiration from class teacher Trish Turay. Our homework included making crepe medallions (I've got those down-pat!) and creating a spring banner. The base is Maya Road chip banner triangles, painted with a hand-tinted paint, collaged with Autumn Leaves "Fresh cut" papers, and layered with glitter (nope, never gonna stop loving that!), lace and other trims, ribbons, pearl stickers, millinery leaves, primas, and lots of crepe! all tied up with beautiful seam binding ribbons and a bit of pink tulle.

My banner will hang in a window (not the best for catching photos) so I shot the photos on the backside of a quilt.

Almost as pretty as the little green buds starting to waken outside the window! Enjoy the pretty fresh spring air!

Garland Swap Spoiler

OK, Kathy, no peeking. I warned you!

One of the best parts of being involved with ArtsyMama's (Kari) A Year of Color blog is being able to participate in swaps with other mixed media artists. I almost skipped this swap, but being as banners are just one of my things, I caved at the last moment. The swap turnaround time was very short, so we had to contact our partner quickly to determine colors and themes. Kathy, of Country Chintz, told me she liked one of Kari's "Nest" banners and a blue-grey, vintage look. I'm not sure if I got the blue-grey color, but it is a nice soft blue. I had saved several boxes from the SweetHearts candies to make these pretty shadow boxes. Each piece is dimentional with lots of vintage texture and a bit of subtle sparkle. The original concept of a SweetHearts shadowbox banner came from Teresa McFayden's Winterbella E-zine. (Love those bellas!)

It will be on it's way to you soon, Kathy! And for anyone else interested in a Year of Color, you can still join us and catch the next swap- May Baskets!