Indulge Your Shelf

I had a very peaceful time at my table, creating this canvas the other day.  I made it on a canvas covered board and used paint, gesso, and mostly new papers.  But also some antique wall paper.  The quote on this scrapbook paper really spoke to me: I am not afraid, I was born to do this. The pen tells you what that destiny is -- writing: all the story-telling I have been wanting to do, and how important it is to me, and how much courage it takes to put my words and stories out there. Funny -- I sat down to make a Valentine canvas and this is what happened! Maybe it is just my valentine to myself.    Newsflash:  Karla has opened up registration for Bird Song 5  coming up June 5 & 6; it always fills up so if you are thinking of going, get in touch with her as soon as possible! You know if you have read my blog for a while that it is my favorite art event and I never miss it -- alas, I will have to miss it this time.  T...

It's a SNOW DAY here -- not because we have much snow on the ground, but because it's blizzardy and blowing...and very, very cold.  As in, negative double digits with the wind chill. I'm happy to be cozy at home with Ben today.  The photo above was from last night's Troop Christmas get together.  I cannot believe how big his Troop has grown.  So many nice kids. Maybe I will be able to do some crafting today.  I have these ornaments to finish up -- they are all glittered up and just need embellishments!  I have time to do more...the question is, what?  It's a nice problem to have. I wanted to show you how I hung those fun matchbox ornaments on a stamp stand.  I think they look great! Here's another glimpse of some holiday decor: the tissue paper tree I made at the first Birdsong event a couple of years ago ( Carol Spinski's class ), crowned with Lani's crown. Get a load of this beautiful gift I got at my Colorado Springs Button Cl...

Was it...bird song? Isn't this tag beautiful?  Some of my friends who also did the Birdsong Tagbook Swap and I are privately exchanging our "extra" tags we made.  This one is from Tami ! It's every bit as pretty on the reverse, isn't it? And, I've made a few more. (I know.  I can't seem to stop.) I'm keeping this one, my favorite; the little French words, leftover from Mary's August Challenge , say "I love" and "the air"; so, my little crowned bird is saying, "I love the air!"    And I'm sure she does. I found some vintage millinery picks -- those wired white beaded "leaves", which are handmade -- at an antique store the other day.  I bought them all!  I'm going to sell my extras, so email me if you are interested! These tags are now available in Twice Shy Restored, my handmade Etsy shop! Just click on the photo to go to the listing if interested!

That's what I feel like today -- the Queen of the nest! -- after receiving my Birdsong Tagbook swap ! It arrived yesterday, prettily wrapped in a page covered with eggs, tied with Marie-blue ribbon! Karla's beautiful birdcage cover, embellished with... a gorgeous blue bird feather, and her hand painted charm! The reverse of her tag book cover had sweet, tiny rick-rack embellished trim and layers of wallpaper. My first beautiful tag -- a wonderfully layered bird in nest made by Robin Sanchez .  I love, love, love the bird and the tiny farm scene in the lower right corner of the tag, and the shrinky-dink flower that hangs from the bottom!   Look at this sweet, hand painted tag from Laurie May !  I love the soft pink color, her frilly birdcage, and the texture of the piece. Here's the back -- she made is so lovely, didn't she? Terri Gordon's tag -- you already know I think this is FABULOUS!  I adore the paper she used for the background, ...

I met Tami of Vintage Connections at Karla's Birdsong event , and we found we have a lot in common as we are both active in our respective button clubs.  We've kept in touch online, talking about buttons and tags and blogs and such, and then she ended up winning my 300 Followers/600 Posts Celebration Giveaway !  Well -- just the other day I got a surprise in the mail from Tami.  When I opened the box, inside was this scarf-wrapped bundle: And when I untied the bundle, I found... a card, a blank chipboard book, and something wrapped in bubble wrap! The card is just beautiful, and it was made by Tami; see how talented she is with paper? The wonderfully plate-shaped package was exactly that: a vintage plate.  And I make no secret of how much I love those! It's a floral design in taupe, and I don't have anything like it.  Isn't it lovely? Here's a photo of Tami and I together in Karla's garden; I am so blessed by the friendships I have made th...

If you're looking for my Where Bloggers Create post, please click here. I've been enjoying visiting all the wonderful studios where fellow bloggers make their magic, have you? Here are some cheery Birdsong tags I made.  I guess I just can't stop creating them!  The lacy leaf in the background of a few of them is part of stash of embellishments that I bought at the last auction I went to. I love the color of this wired green ribbon with the leaf print; it is part of a stash that I bought years ago from a ribbon store in Sedona, AZ and have been hoarding ever since!  Use your best! I think this one is my favorite. Or maybe this one. For this tag, I had to re-build the bling, whose center stone had fallen out.  That was fun!  I used a pearl and a rhinestone-covered bead that was the "setting" for it. My son is working on some summer homework for his AP English class right now.  School starts in two weeks here!  (I know....