I HEART YOU! ALTERED HE(ART)!

Greetings, dear reader!

Well, with the advent of February 1st comes the madness that is the Clouse House Valentine's Day preparation.

First of all, I relentlessly mock friends and family for "sappy sentiments" and loving gestures. HOWEVER, I confess (seems I'm doing aLOT of that these days) that I too, am a sap. Yes. It's true. When it comes to Valentine's Day and drawing and making little hearts of ALL kinds, I am rendered helpless. I succumb to the red and pink festivities and begin decorating the tree (THIS YEAR I found an aluminum silver one! WOOHOO! I can't wait to get it set up and decorated with my vintage valentines!)

All that being said, here is what I've been up to lately.

I love, love, LOVE these! I found these little hangers all boxed and beautiful, and immediately knew that I would find a way to use them for Valentine's Day...aren't the little charm hearts just darling? Here's what I've done:







I've used lots of brand new items fresh off the shelf from CHA...Prima flowers, Prima Glitter Transparencies, Making Memories Rouge Embellishments, and Vintage trims.








I have 5 of these little beauties for sale (and I'm keeping one for me!) All you need to do is drop a pair of earrings, chocolate, or a necklace into the little heart, and voila! A stunning valentine for a dear friend or family member! If you want one, just email me or leave a comment and I'll give you details. :-)

I've also been altering matchboxes, (7 Gypsies Matchboxes. ..which are sized perfectly for ATCs!) books, behold:



I especially love the cover of the matchbox. I've been wanting to try my hand at foiling, flocking and glittering...and I really like how it turned out.







Most of the 6 ATCs have vintage images on them...some are even actual old Valentines!







And finally, here's a peek at the altered book I've been working on. The book pays homage to women and their importance and beauty:



My niece Emileigh had a part in the book too...she is a completelytamazing artist...and her sister Aria is an incredible photographer...I expect to have a page dedicated to each of them before all is said and done!

One more big announcement...but I'll save that for my next post!

Love, love!

More soon,


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

DING! DING! DING! MUCH AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT!

Greetings, dear reader!

I am thrilled to announce the second annual from Paula's Palace of AltAred Art!

Altered Art: Collaging, embellishing, enamelling, stamping or doing anything else to a book or other household item to reflect a creative idea, theme or narrative. Making the old new again! It's being GREEN at its finest!

I am currently getting details in place, but wanted to give you the dates so you can be planning ahead. I am currently looking at a weekend in March: Friday, March 20, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday March 23. I have 2 (possibly 3) locations in mind. One is very local (i.e. in "the Vern), one is about an hour away (St. Charles, MO) and third is about a 5 hour drive in the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri! The prices are approximately the same, so the only additional expense would be travel to/from. If we decide on the Ozarks destination, I can drive our van and seat approximately 6-8 folks. (not counting luggage) :-) Some are handicap accessible, and some are not. The ST. Charles destination is an older Victorian home and therefore has little or no handicap access...with the possible exception of the Carriage House in the back! WOOT!

While I am in "information gathering" mode, I would like to hear from YOU, dear reader, to help discern what location is favored, and what projects you'd like to work on. I have some ideas already, but want to make sure things are as you'd like them!

The retreat will include travel costs, lodging, (2 nights, 3 days) all meals, projects materials, and class instruction. Isn't this exciting? Start saving your shekels now artists! You'll be SO glad you did!

(PS This would make a GREAT Valentine's gift from the hubby, don't you think? WINK)

More information soon!


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

WEBSTER THE WONDER DOG

Greetings, dear reader!

As promised, here are the photos of Webster the Wonder Dog frolicking in the snow...he seemed to have mixed emotions about the whole thing. At first he was very unsure...





Then his friend Benji showed up...





And Webster HAD to prove he was the baddest dog on the block:





And so he went mushing up and down the hill a few times for good measure.



He was definitely a pupsicle (boo) when this was all over!

Still scanning photos of my travels...check my facebook page for "Photo Confessions of Aggie the Clown!"

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

FEELING NOSTALIGIC

Greetings dear reader!

I come to you this evening in a bit of a fog...I had been awake for several DAYS (with only brief nodding in between) and finally could take it no longer. I ingested a goodly amount of Advil PM (only the recommended dose...don't worry!) at 10:30 pm and promptly waited to drift off to dreamland. At 1:30 a.m., I was awaiting dreamland still. And at 3:30, I gave up the fight and got up to sit on the couch. Since I was awake already, I took hubby dear to work, and then came home and promptly PASSED OUT at 7 a.m. I knew nothing again until late this afternoon when I was jolted back to life by a phone call reminding me of a counseling appointment. ARGH! WHO would be out driving in this mess? When I found out the client had to drive further than I did to get to the office, I succumbed to the inevitable and went in to work. Now, it is almost 24 hour later, and I am again feeling Sister Insomnia sneaking about. *sigh*

I am also here to give you fair warning that I am feeling quite nostalgic regarding my former days of travel and cultural experiences. I plan to share a few of those with you in photos...however I must scan said photos first, so if you will kindly give me a day or two, I will be back with "proof positive" of my travels.

Meanwhile, we in Southern Illinois are "iced in" and all is "crunchy" around us. I plan to venture out with Webster the Wonder Dog tomorrow, and will photograph the antics that ensue.

Stay warm! More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

RETURN OF 16 THINGS ABOUT ME

Greetings, dear reader!

Here are the last 8 things about me...I'm sure you're all RIVETED and awaiting my post with anticipation that nears hysteria...and so I shall get on with it! lol

9. I was in a 6 person music group (a sextet) in Junior High and won the Illinois state competition! (I still sing and remember the song we sang: "Stay with us sweet songster, lovely nightingale..." (SHEESH)

10. I played clarinet from 4th grade through 7th grade. I hated every moment of it. (I wanted to play the trumpet instead)




11. When I was 7 years old I remember watching my mom as she read "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." She was often sniffling and quietly crying...it left a very vivid mental snapshot in my head.



12. I love the beach...the sand, the sea, the surf. But I can't swim a stroke. Never learned as a kid. Tried to teach myself via the "sink or swim" method...I sunk. Twice. And had to be dragged to the shore by my sister in law. How humiliating...twice in one day!?



13. My favorite number is and has always been (as long as I can remember) 7.



14. I ALWAYS drive. Driving relaxes me. My husband prefers to be chauffeured. I prefer NOT to passively ride. It's a perfect fit. We're kinda like Driving Miss Daisy...except reversed.



15. Hubby dear and I are actively seeking out a "canned ham". (a vintage camper...behold the HAM)





16. And FINALLY, I am a closet cowgirl. Yes. It's true. I LOVE cowgirl paraphenalia ...something between a genuine "out west" cowgirl and a junk gypsy.

There you have it, dear reader! 16 little known (or cared about) facts about me. Go ahead. Laugh your fool heads off...I shan't be disuaded!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare