Meaningful Creations

I am a huge fan of getting cards and letters--nothing makes me feel better than to find a note on my desk at school, or to get a card in the mail.  It doesn't matter what its for...birthday, Christmas, valentine's, weddings, babies, or encouragement.  I love it!

There have been many times that I have spent forever looking for the perfect card for a certain occasion and didn't find what I wanted.  So most of the time I try to make my own card.  Its fun, cheap, AND more meaningful (for the one receiving and the one making!).

Here's how I create a meaningful card:

You will need:

Blank Greeting cards (found at any craft store)

Magazines

Scissors

Modge Podge (Glossy or Matte)

Paint Brush (fat and skinny)

Black or Brown Paint (for antiquing)

1. Cut out different colors and textures that stand out to you--then organize based on color.

2. Arrange colors and textures on front of the card and start Modge Podging!  Put a layer of Modge Podge on the card first and then add the picture.  Then paint another layer on top.

3. Let the Modge Podge dry and then come back with your skinny brush and some black/brown paint to outline or smear around edges for an antique finish.

And that's it!  Simple. Fun. Meaningful.

Here are a few examples I came up with:

Everyone loves a hand-made card!  Make one today:-)

Happy Saturday!

Today I'm linking up to:

Saturday Spotlight at Sas Interiors

Show and Tell at Be Different Act Normal

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Newbie Party at Debbie Doo's

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

a little bit of sewing for a change

I love painting and ceramics...but sometimes its good for me to do something different.  I've really enjoyed my sewing machine lately and thanks to some of my blogger friends, came up with these creations:

Dana at Dana-made-it has an awesome tutorial on these cute summer/spring/whenever ruffled scarves.  They are GREAT for gifts and really easy for beginners!  Check out the tutorial!

The idea for these Romantic Ruffled Bracelets came from Beverly at Flamingo Toes...check out the tutorial which is also super easy!  Thanks Beverly!

This is a frame a painted and antiqued with a flower made out of muslin.  I used the same idea for the flower that Beverly gave in her tutorial...except I added some embroidery thread around a hand-made ceramic bead.  So fun!

Did you know that when melted, polyester fabric makes awesome ruffled petals that make a cute flower?            I got this idea from Angela on her post about creating Floppy Flowers.  You have to check it out!

I would love for you to share your sewing creations!  Always looking for more great ideas:-)

Happy Monday everyone!

Today I'm joining these parties:

The Newbie Party at Debbiedoo's

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Thrifty Table Centerpiece and...My First Blogger's Award!

Lately I have been on a decorating kick...but trying to be thrifty of course!  I've been to a few garage sales and consignment stores lately and am planning on posting about what I do with all the treasures I found!

Today's treasures are some colored glass votives and a tablecloth (I got for $1 and it looks like it came from Anthropologie!)

I made a centerpiece for my table--maybe a little early for the flowers but I am really ready for Spring!

The colored glass bud vases along with the white distressed stool are from Hobby Lobby (I got them 50% off the other day!)

My $1 tablecloth...perfectly match my place-mats from Target (I already had).

My finished decorated table!

And then the artist in me...inspired by the place-mats...painted this:

I primed over 3 square tins from Dollar Tree...Am I crazy?

Thanks to my wonderful friend, Angela Mcinnis, I entered the world of blogging and thanks to her I have also won:

Award!  Thanks Mrs. Mcinnis! You have always been a constant encouragement and inspiration for me!  Please check out her blog here!

The Rules For Receiving this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Answer 10 questions.

3. Pass along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered & enjoy.

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

And the 10 questions are:

1. Why did you create this blog? I want to be an inspiration to others--through my art, writing, and sharing of ideas.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow? Anybody who creates, interior decorating, before/after projects, people who I love and admire
3. Favorite make-up brand? Bare Minerals

4. Favorite clothing brand? Forever 21, Anthropologie, Gap
5. Indispensable makeup product? Lipstick--I hardly wear it.

6. Favorite color? Teal blue, mustard yellow, orange

7. Favorite perfume? Lolla: RELAX (from Anthropologie)

8. Favorite film? Return to Me (even my husband loves this movie!)

9. What country would you like to visit and why? Argentina--My dad grew up there.  And South Africa because my sister lives there right now! Visit her blog!
10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face? Of course blush on one side of my face!  

So NOW for the list of blogs I've recently discovered and now follow!

1. Kristen at The Knotted Nest

2. Jessica at James and Jessica Kent

3. Sally at Justin and Sally

4. Amanda at House Revivals

5. Kristin at Bearing the Stamp

6. Christi at Tilly and Fran

Melanie at You Made That

Congratulations to all of you--you are an inspiration to me and I want others to know about you too!

 Today I'm linking up to these parties:

Newbie Party at Debbie Doo's

Take-a-look Tuesday at Craft Edition

Bearing the Stamp...A Look Into My Sister's Heart

I'm dedicating this post to my beautiful sister, Kristin, who lives in South Africa and is using the gifts God has given her to make His name known there.  Her blog has so inspired me that I decided to post some of her photos and comments on mine.  She is definitely inspiring me to know Christ more through the thoughts and experiences she shares. 

I hope you enjoy seeing a glimpse of my sister's heart.  And it is big.

"...more than anything, i want my heart to be broken for the people of this land...so it will be all the more pressing that i share w/ them the hope that i have been given...that i have been entrusted with..."

"...to know that you have the hope she needs. the answers she's looking for. the rest and peace that she can't find no matter how hard she tries. no matter how many times a day she prays. or bows down to an idol that cannot save...

...to sit in her home only a few feet away from her and hold this message of His HOPE...it makes me catch a tiny glimpse of understanding at Isaiah's words when he said 'your word is in me like a fire, burning away at my bones, and i am weary of holding it in.

indeed i cannot.'

His words of life just waiting to be unleashed. waiting to be planted. "

"So, during our trip down there, we got to witness Grant and a local pastor baptize some of those new believers! They did teaching on baptism...how the water doesn't save you, only God does...and they also had a discussion about the charms the people were wearing...telling them that since Christ was now their Lord, there was no need to carry on the superstitions the charms represent.

So, as we made our way down to the water, the believers took off their charms and were then baptized! It was so awesome to see the Spirit at work in their lives!"

Jesus is worth losing the comforts of this world...so other people can know.

Dear Kristin,

Talk about "Outliving Your Life"...Your story has encouraged me and so many others to do the same.  Thank you for trusting Christ enough to allow Him to do the seemingly impossible.  Your love for people truly "outlives" your human capacity to love.  All of us can learn from your humble and willing spirit--I pray that you feel the weight of eternal blessing that is awaiting for you at the feet of Christ. (2 Timothy 4:8) 

I can't wait to serve with you this summer.  Looking forward to seeing more of what the Lord does through in and through you during your time in SA. 

I love you.

Michelle

Free Day to Create!

Yesterday we had a snow day--No school yay!   I was in the "Valentine mood" so... I came up with this fun, easy, AND cheap idea for a painting:

So here's what I did...

1. I primed an old canvas I found in my closet with Guesso. (you can find this at Wal-Mart in the craft secition)

2. To get the raised, textured look on the heart, I applied some sheetrock mud and spread it with a painter's palette knife. (You could use your fingers, a spoon, or a rubber spatula).

3. I painted the heart...I used a lot of warm colors like reds, pinks, magentas, oranges, and yellows.  Then I painted the background with dark blues, teals, and purples.

4. Holding my paint brush really loosely, I painted different color circles in the background to give it that "pop"!  And wa-lah!

5. Lastly, I glazed the entire painting with an antiquing medium (Valspar Antiquing Glaze) I found at Lowe's.  Just paint and wipe off with a soft rag.  And here's the final product:

Please come again Ice and Snow!  

Post your comments and let me know what you think!  Happy early Valentine's :-)

In the Creative Mood,

Michelle

Today I am joining:

Debbiedoos for her newbie party,

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphasis Monday,

The Girl Creative for Just Something I Whipped Up, and

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday