MY NEW FAVORITE...

Seriously? How freakin' cool is this?

Image transfer to wood..

I found this idea, where else of course, but on Pinterest.

After watching the Way Cute Tutorial Video, I knew I had to try it.

So I went and got my supplies...

Mod Podge and Gel Medium were found at Joann Fabrics.  

I had a 40% and 50% coupon, so I got both for a little under $10.

The wood came from Lowes - 16x36x21/32.  It's pine and was just under $7.

My husband cut the sizes I needed.

The photos are from Staples.  

Three 11x17 copies,which is their largest size, each $.98.

 The key to the photo is that they need to be on regular copy paper,

and done with a laser printer, not ink jet.

You should definitely watch the video and give this a try your self.

A simple piece of customized artwork like this would make 

the Perfect Christmas gift.

SMILE :)

I have been working on the wall space above my desk every since we moved in six months ago.  Well, not really working on it... but thinking, designing and planning it.  Then, due to the Incredible heat we've been experiencing here in Central Virginia, I had the perfect excuse to stay in my Craft Cave (which is in the basement) and finish up a bunch of projects I had started over the last couple of weeks.  I'm so glad I did, because after I got it all hung yesterday, I just LOVE it!!

One of the projects was the magnetic bulletin boards.  

There are two of them, and they started out looking like this...

I found, what I'm assuming are cookie trays, at Goodwill for $.50 each, a couple of months ago.  I loved their textured pattern, so I bought them not really knowing, at first, what I would do with them.  Then it dawned on me that they would make great magnetic bulletin boards for my "Office" Collage.  I spray painted them white, and then took some old magnets, I had from Ikea, and either covered them with fabric or added fabric/felt flower embellishments.  They work perfect!

Another project was inspired by something I had seen a Long time ago in a craft blog Linky party.  I had seen this cute way of displaying pictures, and the idea really stuck with me. I just had to find the perfect frame.

Then, I was lucky enough to find this one at Goodwill.

After a couple heavy coats of white spray paint, and a roll of way cute contact paper from the Dollar Tree, I had what I had envisioned from the original inspiration.

Now, I'm not usually one for Inspirational sayings, but when I saw this one on Pinterest, it really struck a chord with me.  I used an old photo canvas, primed and painted it, and then using my trusty Cricut, cut out the letters.  Now if only I can follow it's advice.

This cute little initial is actually from a friend's wedding invitation from back in 2000.  I've saved it for 12 years, knowing someday, I would eventually do something with it.  The frame, I made probably 15 or so years ago.  It's made out of miniature bricks, which when I decided to use it as part of my collage, I spray painted white.

This funky artwork is also from a wedding.  It was actually the envelope for their invitation to their wedding in Hawaii.  I think I've been saving it for about 3 years.  I just loved the design.

This artwork is a pencil drawing I did the summer after I graduated college some 20+ years ago.  It was from a black & white magazine ad, but I can't remember what it was advertising.  The paper is starting to yellow, but it's one of my most favorite things I've ever drawn.  It also hung in both my boy's nurseries.

And finally, my new Lamp!  I found the lamp, back in February, at a garage sale for $10.  I LOVE the big chunky base and the over sized shade.  I think the whole thing overall, stands like 3' tall.  In this picture, it is sitting on a filing cabinet next to the desk, which is 8" shorter.  When I got it, I knew eventually, I wanted to try my hand at covering the shade, I just had to find the right fabric first.  And I think I did!  It's fun, funky, graphic and colorful!!

I just LOVE how everything turned out, and how nothing matches.

Every time I come upstairs, I have to stop and look at it all.  It just makes me SMILE :)

JOY AND A SNOWMAN

Can I just tell all of you how much I LOVE my Cricut!?! For those of you who don't have a paper cutting machine, I'm sorry. Save your pennies and get one. It will be SOOO worth it.

If you've been following me since at least Halloween, you know about my 36" of table space for any type of Holiday decorating. It's pretty much all I have with the exception of my mantle. After whipping up a few things from paper, this is what I've created for Christmas.

This artwork is actually using the same frames I used for my Thanksgiving artwork, which were an unfinished light wood.

I didn't want that look for my Christmas vignette, so I modified the frames by "re-facing" them with white posterboard. I cut a "frame" to fit, and then cut 1/2" wide strips to cover the inside thickness of the wood frame.

Sadly, I don't have a color printer, so I usually have to pass up all those awesome holiday printables out there. However, someone (I'm sorry, I don't remember who) offered one that would print fine in black and white. Thank you whoever you are, for this sweet Subway Art.

The little Santa on the left is "vintage"... well, it's something I've had since I was a child. Unfortunately, I don't remember the story behind it. Maybe, once my Mom reads this, she will enlighten me.

And now for the snowman... a couple of little black circles, an orange triangle, a hand cut hat, and a scrap piece of wired ribbon for a scarf. Stick them all on a lampshade and voila, totally cute Snowman!!

Hope this little table offers you a little holiday inspiration...

and lots of joy.

I'm linking up here... be sure to visit them and see all the other awesome projects.

The Creative Little Daisy

This project was Featured here...

JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON

For the last couple of weeks, ALL OVER the craft blogging world, I have been seeing different versions of "Specimen" Art like these...

Jen at Tatertots & Jello created Bat Specimen Art

Jenny at Embellishing Life created Pumpkin Patch Art

I believe the original inspiration came from something being sold by Pottery Barn,

for I'm sure a ridiculous amount of money.

Well anyway, I decided I didn't want to be left out, so I jumped on the "Specimen" Art Bandwagon. The choice for my "Specimen" was based on what my Cricut cartridges had to offer. Since I only have (2) Shapes cartridges, I really only had ONE choice... a Leaf.

Here's my Oak Leaf Specimen Art

I got the frame at the Dollar Store for five bucks. It's a nice bronzey color so I thought it would look great with fall colors. Using scrapbook paper scraps, I cut (20) 1" leaves of various fall shades, and then I cut (20) 1.25" leaves out of the same black paper as my background.

I then used craft foam to act like little spacers to give a little relief to each leaf. The black leaf is elevated, and then the colored leaf on top is also elevated. I think it gives it nice dimension.

I added it to my Mantle Scape this morning.

since my husband's deer head is such a prevalent

part of our mantle, I had to include it in the decorations.

it's antlers make great hanging hooks.

I'm link up here. Go check them out to see all the other great ideas!!

This project was Featured here...