I WON! I WON! I WON!

Greetings dear reader!

I am writing to you "LIVE" from the "winner's circle" at Creative Breathing! Elizabeth is famous (or should I say, "infamous") for her puzzle giveaways. Well, I am miserably terrible at puzzles...especially things like Rhebus puzzles, (picture puzzles) etc. However, I am PERSISTENT. So I guessed. And guessed. And guessed again. In fact, I guessed so many times I don't know WHAT the right answer was...but I WON! I WON!

Can YOU figure it out? Here's the clue:

PUZZLE: This garland is keeping a secret. What is the secret it is trying to tell you?

HINT: THE ORNAMENTS APPEAR OUT OF ORDER in the instructional post, but are hanging in the correct order below. Why is this?



Isn't it the cutest little thing? AND it's red and aqua! I am beyond thrilled! You really need to go check out Beth's blog posts for this garland...she even included patterns! I personally think they are beyond me, but many of you are not the sad seamstresses I am!

Speaking of sad seamstresses, I have completed my first sewing project...which consisted of several parts:

1. Figure out how to thread the sewing machine.
2. Figure out how the bobbin/tension work on the sewing machine
3. Figure out how you sew AND control the foot pedal at the same time.
4. Read the pre-printed instructions for the pre-printed project.
5. Sew the project.

Okay, bear in mind that in Beginner's Sewing I had to turn in my sewing project 4 times to get a "D". Yes. Sad. But, well...to quote the illustrious Bill Murray, aka BOB, from "What About Bob"(who was deathly afraid of water and then decided, to conquer his fear (so that he could be near the daughter of his beloved psychiatrist) strapped himself to the mast of a sailboat) and cried, "I'm SAILING! I'm SAILING!" The very same words were squealed as I successfully accomplished the above 5 steps, AND created something that actually RESEMBLES the pattern! "I'M SEWING! I'M SEWING!"You may stand and raise a raucous cheer here)



So, without further adieu: (drumroll please...)

(insert Space Odyssey 2001 music here)

BEHOLD, THE APRON!


Apron Front
Apron Reverse


Apron Detail

And a couple of peeks from my art journal (me thinks I am on a proverbial "roll" as far as stitching goes!) I bought artist canvas by the yard at JoAnn Fabrics, (waaaaaay cheaper that way). and then cut the pieces to about 8.5 x 11, just to paint, stamp, and embellish. They can be cut to size later.

If you click on the pictures, you can see much more detail. I used Distress Paints for the background, and inks, glimmer sprays, and distress inks for the stamps. I have used rubons, fabric swatches, hand-dyed ribbon, and other embellishments (I'm not NEARLY done with the embellishing!)

More soon!

Peace!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

THE NOTION OF "HOME"

Greetings, dear reader!

If you are reading this, (and you know who you are!) I would like to ask a favor of you...read on!

I was out yesterday walking Webster, and it occured to me how very lucky I am to live in a relatively safe area in a relatively safe town, and how fortunate and blessed I am to have 750 sq feet of dry, comfortable shelter. And then I thought that the idea of "home" evokes such warm and safe feelings for me...So what is it that makes our little house a home and not just "shelter"?

So many things came racing to mind...and then I thought, "I would LOVE to have an art journal full of ATCs with the theme of "home"! I could make them all, but I want to know what friends and family members think when they hear the word, "home."

So here's the favor: Would YOU, gentle reader, do me the honor of creating for me an Artist Trading Card with the theme "home"? I'm asking for just one 2.5 x 3.5 little piece of art...that captures your heart for "home." I will include it in my art journal and display it here on my blog and on my Facebook page. AND I will send each person who contributes a little RAK as a thank you!

Consider it a therapy assignment. Consider it a favor for a friend...consider it a chance to creatively think about the notion of "home" and make it visual. Whichever of these scenarios that motivate or inspire you, please take to heart and begin! (The excuse: "I'm no artist" is not acceptable.)

I'd like all ATCs to me by the end of July. That gives us all time enough to think, process and do! I believe most all of my readers know my snail mail addy, if not, please email me and I'll be glad to send it to you. I am hoping some of my international readers join in the fun! (If postage costs are prohibitive ( from wherever you are), let me know and I will help defray the costs!) SUCH a deal!

So in summary, here are the details:

1. Mail to me a single 2.5 x 3.5 ATC.
2. The theme is "HOME"
3. Due by the end of July
4. RAK will be sent your way!

I will be posting sneak peaks of my art journal in the meantime...thanks in advance!




XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

CRAFTS FROM YESTERYEAR

Greetings, dear readers!

I have been feeling a bit nostalgic lately...missing my mom and dad, my family...my sisters. And so I've been thinking about the crafts we used to do as a group in VBS and Sunday School...simpler things in simpler times. At least, it seems so to me...

Anyway, while I've not undertaken the matchstick cross or the loop-de-loop potholders (yet), I have remembered a little craft that has become once again "all the rage": pom pom creatures.

Yes, it's true, the little yarn fuzzies have found their way into my heart...I wasn't sure I remembered how to make them...the ready-made pom poms just aren't "right" for the kinds of little animals I'm thinking about. So I purchased a tiny blue skein of yarn, and did what I remembered...I wrapped the yarn around two fingers, tied it tightly in the middle, and then began snipping.

I decided I needed to make a little bird who could sit beneath the shade of the mushrooms. I'm not sure why he came out with a beret and paint palette, but I believe he'll act as a "creative muse" while I sit at my craft table...



Exhausted from the photo shoot (I am only showing you two of a dozen or so photos snapped), he decided to sit a bit...



This little bluebird truly makes me happy...who'd have thought that the resurrection of pom pom crafts could be so cute?

Thanks for stopping by! Stop by again when you'll hear Mr. Bluebird say, "I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!"


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

NEW "MUST HAVE" TECHNO GADGET

Greetings, dear readers!

Here is my latest and greatest new techno-gadget purchase:



It's a printer! Isn't it the coolest thing? It prints on 2x3 sticker paper that develops as it prints...no ink cartridge! It connects directly to your cell phone or camera! It has its own lithium battery, and can print up to 15 photos on one wireless charge. The photo paper is inexpensive too...only 4.99 for a 10 pack.

FINALLY a printer I can take with me everywhere!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

ATC ANCESTOR SWAP

Greetings, dear reader!

I am participating in Red Lead's Antique Ancestor ATC Swap! Here are the ATCs to be traded:




Here is a peek at an art/inspiration journal I've begun:



More soon! Hugs and a kiss!


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare