I'm joining in on First Wednesday of the Month Party over at Cottage Paper Crafts, part of Etsy Cottage Style found here: Cottage Paper Crafts.   This party is dedicated to all of us who love to create with paper.

A month ago, I created an altered Pringles can for a swap over at Your Paper Pantry for the "Populart" group.  I loved making this for Emma.   So, this is perfect to share over at Cottage Paper Crafts.
I used paper from the Die Cuts With A View paper pack The Primrose Stack.  I used a border punch to cut a trim for the top and bottom of the can.   I also used flat faux pearls to hide the raw edge of the border, plus it dressed it up as well.  The script paper is from Recollections and over that is a scrap piece of paper I had on hand.  Other layers I used was a doily with a label that reads "Shabby" (Emma loves the shabby chic look), flowers, leaves, a vintage key from K&Co., an ephemera ticket, bling flourishes and a butterfly.

The above two photos show the cover.   I used a large crystal 'knob' along with an assortment of flowers, a crystal beaded stem along with a punched 3D butterfly that is actually 'flying above' the can.  I attached it to wire so it 'floats' in the air.   I also used a Tim Holtz adagio ticket.


These pictures show the back of the can.  I wanted to hide the seam of where the papers meet in the back so I punched this piece using the same punch as I did for the top and bottom of the can.  I inked the edges (along with the other papers) to give it that vintage look.   The scrap of paper which is the layer with the label "shabby" on it is the 'corset' for this can.   I saw this on line and had to use the idea.

Here are some close ups of the front showing the layers of flowers and the butterflies I added for a whimsical touch.  I hope my partner enjoys her can.    Oh, we had to fill it with lots of goodies, but I didn't take pictures of those items.

Thanks for stopping by!   I'll be sharing more creations later.

I finished off two swaps for Your Paper Pantry and they've been mailed.  I can't wait to see what I get back!

These pockets I made are for the "Pockets For Your Thoughts" swap and the theme was Vintage Valentine.  I made three nearly identical pockets--they do vary a bit---and I'll get three different ones back.   I'm thinking of making a very small mini out of them.  We'll see.   I also did a video of the pockets that can be found here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3E1e14iYA

Here are the pictures of the pockets:   They are jam-packed with tags and we also had to send in a small goody for the receipient.  I sent each one a small package of flowers from the dollar bin at Michael's.





The other swap I was involved in was the "Artful Inspirations Deck".  For this swap we had to alter 14 playing cards and use a creative prompt for mixed media or for art journaling on one side.  My prompt was "alter an image from a magazine or book" and then I created a 'mini page' using that technique on the other side.
I'm now working on a travelogue, another set of cards for the Artful Inspiration Deck swap and will be making altered salt shakers for the February Romantic Cottage swap in the "For The Home" group at Your Paper Pantry.   I'll post those once I get them done.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh. My. Gosh!   I can't believe it's been 3 months since I've posted, but I do have a good excuse.  Actually, I have lots of good excuses.  I think it might be best if I break everything down into monthly increments, maybe with a picture or two.   I hope you'll stick around and read what I've been up to.  Honestly, I feel just awful that I've neglected my blog. 

September:   This was a month that I don't want to repeat.  Zachery, my grandson, was expelled from school after attending it for 7 days.  Yes, 7 days.  During his time out of school, he decided to get into even more trouble and at the end of September, I had to make a trip to the ER where he stayed for 3 days until he could be transferred to a crisis unit because we didn't feel safe at home--my husband, my daughter and myself. 

On a more exciting note, I became a great-grandmother!!!   My step-granddaughter, Jazmine, gave birth to a boy on September   .  His name is Bentley and he is just adorable!!! 
Also, this month, I started a new job.  I work as a residential aide at a waiver home for the mentally handicapped.  I really love my job, but I had a lot of training--at work and at home, using the computer.   Between dealing with Zachery and starting a new job working 40 hours a week, plus training, I put my blog aside. 

October---This month was very emotional.  Zachery continued to run away, get in trouble with the law until one night he assaulted my husband.  The police brought him to the ER where he spent 3 days before going into another hospital that is geared towards the mentally ill.  Zachery spent two weeks there, waiting for a crisis unit bed to open.  

This month I was in an Altered Paintbrush Swap hosted by Mona at Your Paper Pantry.  I had never made one of these before and wanted to try it out.  It was a lot of fun and I'm glad I participated.  Mona was my partner.   Here's a pic of the one I made:

I didn't take a picture (yet) of the one I received from Mona.  Hmmm, I'll have to do that soon and put that in a separate post.   Anway.....


November:  Zachery was finally transferred to a crisis unit in Belfast---3 1/2 hours north of us, although it's not what we wanted.  My daughter and I spent the day  in Belfast/Searsport area of Maine.  We stopped for lunch then did a little bit of sight-seeing, but had to cut it short as it was cold and we had along drive back home ahead of us.  He spent two weeks at the crisis unit and was transferred to a crisis unit closer to home in Saco.  Meanwhile, I'm still busy at my job---training for my CRMA and my DSP title.  

I also attended a Stampin' Up with Tara" crop in Wells with my daughter Jackie,  and had a great time.  I finished a mini album--the only thing I worked on and was pleased.  It was actually a kit I purchased from The Button Farm two years ago.  I have sooooo many kits, so I usually bring one or two to a crop in hopes of finally getting them completed.


December:   Busy as always.  We celebrated Thanksgiving on December 1st because I had to work Thanksgiving Day.  It was so strange to celebrate a holiday on a different day. 






 My days are filled with decorating,  shopping and working.  I started to keep notes for a December Daily, but so far, I haven't even made the book!   I just have so much on my plate.  Today was Zachery's 15th birthday, so my husband and daughter went up to visit him--I couldn't because I was working.   I'll share some photos of my Christmas décor (such as it is) and an updated pic of Bentley:

I'll post more Christmas decorating in another post.  But, for now, that's about it.  Thanks for reading along.  Stop by soon and I hope I'll have a more positive blog post.  

I've been a busy gal.  I thought I had a hectic summer, but it seems that I'm just as busy now as I was a couple of months ago!   I only have a small amount of time to create which doesn't leave much time for blogging and well.....this poor blog has been ignored.  I have to start making myself post at least a few times a week.   I know that when I visit other blogs and see that nothing has been done in a few weeks, I wonder if this person is truly interested in their blog or finds it a waste of time.  I hate to say it, but it's kind of a 'turn-off'.  I don't want to do that to the many members I have here.  I'm not even sure how many of you check in, but I hope that some of you do.  So, onto more FUN stuff!    

Here are the swaps I've made and received.  Most of the swaps I join are either through Your Paper Pantry or Mini Album Scraps.  These are wonderful sites for inspiration---lots of swaps, items to buy and great inspiration.

The first one I want to share is a Baby Boy Mini album that my daughter wanted me to make for one of her co-workers.  It's a very simple mini using Fancy Pants' "Baby Mine" paper.  It's such a cute line and I had to use it.  It's an unusual size:  5" x 10".  The mom who's receiving this doesn't scrap or craft, so I wanted to make this as simple and easy as possible.  All she has to do is add a photo to each page with some journaling if she chooses and she's done!


I cut out a cloud from a sheet of the paper line, inked the edges and viola!.  I also made a banner using the banner already on the paper.  I just cut out each triangle and changed it up a bit. I then added rubons for the title.  It's just enough for the cover.  Not too much or too little.    This is the inside of the front cover.  I just added rubons to the left and kept it as is.

This picture starts with month 1 (of course!) and continues through month 12.  I left plenty of room for a 4x6 or 3x5 photo.   Here are the other months:

   
 
 
 

This next project was for the "Revamped Vintage Purse" swap over at Mini Album Scraps.  The theme was 'vintage feminine' using dusty rose/mauve and pink colors.   I altered a wooden purse bought at Michael's and filled it with goodies.  This purse went to Nicole Durst.  Sure hope she likes it!






And, the last project is Altered Cigar Box.  The theme, as you can see, is Steampunk.  I had alot of fun making this and hated to have to give it away.


Now for some swaps I received:

This is the cigar box that LaDonna M sent me as an angel because Alina never sent me the box she was supposed to have made for me.  (Note the steampunk box above that I made for her)  I just love the colors LaDonna chose!

A closeup of the embellies on the top of the box

The inside of the cigar box showing all the goodies!

The extras that LaDonna sent because I never received my swap.  The flowers in the upper left corner are gorgeous!  She left the centers blank so I could add my own.

This is the Garden Journal completed with all of the pages the swappers made.  This was for the Junk Mini Page Swap over at YPP.

This is my page (on the right)--very simple

And the back of the page (left side).  Oops the photo is going in the wrong direction.

This is the final album for the "Great Outdoors" themed junk mini page swap.  The cover is very simple so that we could embellish as we liked.

The top two photos are my pages.   Such a fun album.  Can't wait to add my camping photos!

And I also went with my daughter to watch her pick out a wedding gown.  She looked so beautiful trying on all the gowns and as I sat there, I remembered back to when she was a little girl playing dress up as a bride.  Here's the gown she finally chose:






So, that's what's been happening for the last month or so.  Now I'm working on more swaps as well as getting items ready for a craft fair in November.  

Thanks so much for your patience and for stopping by to see what I'm up to.  Hope you'll stop by again.....soon.

Wishing you a creative day!