Monday, January 31, 2011

Dress Up 2011- February

This Months Artist is

quoted from



Gustav Klimt!  I'm sure you recognize The Kiss.  Klimt completed this "fascinating icon of the loss of self lovers experience" in 1908.   I immediately thought of The Kiss and how perfect Klimt is for February...the month for love!  Sexuality, regeneration, love and death are major themes in Klimt's artwork.   He founded the school of painting called the Vienna Sezession, which, according to the Paris Web Museum, "embodied the highly keyed erotic, psychological, and aesthetic preoccupations of turn of the century Vienna's dazzling intellectual world."  The Sezession is also known as the Viennese version of Art Nouveau

I chose this as my inspiration


I love all the shapes he uses to do his drawings..
which I thought lent itself to
Zentangles
As in mine below


He also is know for nudity....
I didn't want to do any of that,
 But my rendition of this is the the circles on the bust
I know it looks nothing like it..
But I cannot mimic his art
It is to wonderful
So I made my own
With shapes and sizes as he does

please head over to



and check out all the dresses
DeeDee

Christmas Craft Party

I know, not the right season to be posting this....
but still a fun time for all to see...
and was a fun time for us all too...
I have an annual Christmas Craft party for the same set of friends and 1 guest every year. I have been doing it for 7 years now.
See these are my good freinds....
my non crafty friends..for the most of them.. 
(we will let you be the judge of that at the end of this post)
I believe everyone can be creative and crafty.
And they never fail me..
or themselves either..

We join together to do some crafts,
catch up with the years events..
we all work or are associated with the railroad
so most times our schedules don't mesh very well....
the age gap spans a few generations
and makes this the most fun mix for me ...
I learn so much from each of them
I so look forward the entire year...
preparing for this one fun day.


Here are the projects that they could choose to make...
or for the brave could spend the day with me and make them ALL!

The Canvas idea I got from


and the original idea come from
check hers out she has done some awesome things with this one tree cut out.

The Christmas Bulb idea I recieved from
she sent me a Halloween one I just adored so had to do these too.

The cards also come from 
this was my first try at Iris Folding..
I am hooked now and making my own desgins

The Two Picture Blocks I desgined last year
at my freinds Christmas Craft party

The Skol Can Jewel Boxes are my favorites to make and give too
you know me and my recycling ways


My freinds all settled into crafting and having a good time.
here is Sandy and Mother/Daughter
Pauline and Becky


And the other Mother/Daughter team, Barbara and Cindy along with
Ann Marie...shes the brave one in the bunch
as you will see later in this post.


Sandy did some lovely work on them blocks, don't you agree?...
She says she has a few more things from home to add to these
and then they will be finished
I think they looked great this way too


She also worked on the tree Canvas....
the letters are a light blue to match the back ground
I love this project becasue they all turn out great
no matter what is done to them
She doesn't like her distessing ..but I loved it..
I think it looks like rusted metals
Give her a vote of confidence my freinds..
she reads my blog


And her lovely rendition of the Iris Fold Christmas Card


Becky did the Jewel Box to start out...
I just love the flower over the knob on the top
I will sneak this idea into a few of mine
and the colors on this were oh so pretty


She also did the Cork Toppers
(which I now realize aren't in my picture above
but you can find them
Here ) or below



aren't they just adorbale?



here is one close up...I just love the personality for this..
Sweet and precious just like my friend Becky


Also she did the card, and made a beautiful fall pumkin



Cindy had to work this day so arrived late....
she was catching up quickly and didn't get to finish some
but the parts she did are beautiful..
I can see some beautiful things coming to life
we will meet again for a follow up
Love the birds in the tree on her canvas..
and the wood texture of her wood block


Barbara, did a Christmas themed tree,
 It looks like candy to me and I loved her
Iris fold card lots too


Then Ann Marie
The Brave one...
stayed to make almost all the projects offered
She crafted late into the night
we talked and laughed and had a bit of fun

her cards turned out awesome too


And a pink little jewel box for her


I loved her picture block, simple in design
but add a picture to this and
it looks so lovely


She also did this lovely one for a childs
school teacher....and the stash from her basket


Her bulbs, which I love turned out awesome.
She always loves the ornaments
So every year I search for one just for her



Remember the railroad deal...
this one is so cute...


I had so much fun this day with all my CRAFTY freinds....
and am already looking forward to next years party

Merry Christmas to you my freinds

Well while Ann Marie was crafting away over there
I put on my crafters hat and started to play a little
I have been having lots of back problems
so wasn't doing much
but I did manage to get this

Longhorn Card
done, this is of my own design
and I must say
I just loved it
and will be making more


Then for a matched set we ofcourse needed
A Texas State Card too
this also my own design

not my favorite...design needs some work


I hope to offer these designs to you once I tweek them to work everytime
so stay tuned if you do and do Iris folding


Well there you have it..I know it was long...but I cannot skimp on my friendships now can I
NOPE!

thanks for traveling thru my fun day with my freinds
leave me comment on how crafty you think they are
I think they are!!...
I know they are!!.
one day they will know it too..
Happy Crafting to you my blogland freinds
Merry Belated Christmas to you too

DeeDee

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Home for a Break

My Daughter called me yesterday with a small surprise... Her hubby Gabe is home from Afganistan for his 2 week break... she posted some great pics on Facebook for me to see.... Well not just for me, but I feel like they are.. I live for them... it is my closest contact out side of Skype. She picked him up at the Airport by herself....and he went to the sitters house to surprise the kids....

here he is waiting for them ..
they thought they were playing Hide n Seek with the other kids


A great picture of them both seeing Daddy!!!


and the full engulf of love in one hug..
This says it all for me
he is such a great dad...
I love him for that
Plus he loves my Girl lots too...
side bonus don't ya think



he always is on thier level when he is with them
all 6' 4" of him...lol


tired and worn out from long travels home
gone for a precious moment in time


Aww!! those dimple Smiles that only daddy brings
(ok I am crying as I write this)
yes I am a bawler


A favorite movie on the screen
Prally Goonies or Sand Lot
whats up smalls.


A little girls dream...Being in her daddy's arm
thats a million dollar smile right there.


he come bearing gifts...so special they are
but nothing compares to
him being there.


My Daughter always expresses herself
in so many ways.
She memoralizes the
Special Day in her own way
She types funny things
and makes us all think
but behind that lense is
A women I am proud of
my own little trooper
all grown up
with weight on her shoulders
I cannot imagine.
I love you my girl
with all a moms heart...


Please all my blogland friends,
 keep our troops in
your daily prayers.
My family is but a small
part of the bigger picture
they need us,
as we need them.
God bless them all
and keep them safe
to love thier family
for now
for always
forever
again

Love you Srgt. Riley
Mom #2
DeeDee

Saturday, January 29, 2011

LBH Get It Together- Week #3

Large Embellishments

I got me some organizing going on here, this was an idea I had already started in a small way...but took it to the next level this week..I sepereated by holidays first
then the rest is still in a drawer, not real sure how to seperate it just yet
need to clean out some stash
here we go



I had enough room for my Valentines stuff


And my Halloween/ Fall stuff


But my Christmas stuff
fills this box


and the two tins on the left side...lol
I get this out every year and craft from them
the tin itself brings back memories
and sets me in the Chrsitmas Spirit
and the Craft Spirit too.


I still need to get to The Little Blue House to get my
Chalk Board papers cut into labels and tags
to get all my stuff marked
I have the stuff to finish off my book
holders, but need the tags to go with

Head on over to The Little Blue House
and get you room all together too
Happy Organizing
DeeDee

Friday, January 28, 2011

Heart from the Heart Swap

I got myself involved in the

A Heart From The Heart Swap 

over at my freind

 Debbie's Mosaic Magpie Blog 

you have to make a stuffed heart to fit a small flat rate box. 
And style, any color, any way you want.

I haven't done hand work for some time so
I thought I shall try this out...
so it began...
I cannot believe I have no sketch to go from...
thats my norm in paper crafts ya know...

So here is my rough layout


With a few fun things on the side
She is made from reclaimed fabrics
A few skirts
A few jackets
Antique beads
And reclaimed ribbons
Its a place to start



I worked a couple weeks on this project...
which is not normal for me
and I loved my results


lots of small little details


Antique beads from my friend Alice,
  some cute ribbon roses
a little bit of handwork


Some Glitz and Glamor
and a beautiful necklace
made of pearls and gems stones
the gem donated from my freind Sandy


And a small message for my new blogland freind


I told Debbie I think I just might have
seperation anxiety from this pretty girl
She is so my style, But I pass her along
Because I know I will recieve in return
Heart of matching loveliness
to swoon over and enjoy.
thanks Deb for letting me join
and to my new blogland friend
I hope you love her as I do
From my heart to yours.
DeeDee

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Texas Hugsister Meet-Up

I have been a member of the PCCrafter Message Board and have many freinds there..  my freind Venus and I met a few years ago in person...and we decided to get another little meet-up together. We decided Corsicana,TX was the spot...Scrappin Good Time was the scrapbook store there... I have to tell you the ladies there are so nice and they are working to open a retreat site there....check it out...

There were 4 of us going to meet- up
Venus and I both brought Make n Takes to work on

left to right back row: Sandy (my Freind)
DeeDee (Thats Me)
Amy (Flower class insructor)
left to right front row: Susie (shop owner), Venus (Venus), Irene (Zippimom)


Venus brought a fun litte treat box to work on...
and included the candy too
Valentine themed...YUM!


then she gave us this Sweet Little gift made from a paper bag.
creative uh...I love them both


here is Miss Venus with all her fun stuff we made
I so wish she lived closer so we could craft more together
keep a prayer for her 2 boys in Afganistan
She is a lovely lady and a good friend


And then theres Miss Irene. Her first time to a meet up with us
all the way from Houston, TX
She is so photogenic
and makes all kinds of fun stuff


And my Freind Sandy...she is new to paper crafts,
but does some awesome beadworks
and her paper crafts aren't bad either..
I love spending time with her
and she inspires me in many ways.
I am so glad she come with me this day


Then Miss Venus showed us this little cutie
isn't it just adorable?


And she then pulled this out
I Love, Love , Love this
little needle keep


My make n take was a Valentines card
cute little cupcake and envelope


and this was supposed to be my gift but I didn't get them done
so our other make n take was this little box


with Chocolate!!! inside...nice uh...lol


My gift is a small jewel box for each of them


and inside was a small charm
with one of my favorite friends graphics



and on the back...
the famous saying on our message boad
"Hold on Tight We Won't Let Go"


Then Miss Amy was so nice to give us a little class on making flowers
at a great price too!!!...
I have wanted to make these for EVER!...
so I was so very grateful for
the spur of the moment class.
Thanks Miss Amy

we used scrap scrap paper...I will make some really pretty ones soon


We were all getting hungry so we headed down town to a place called
Dee's Cafe  ....funny uh
well it has a new name now but the side of the building still has this on it
it is the last remaining Soda Fountain in Texas they say
and some great potato salad the ladies at Scrappin Good Time reccomended
it is sweet in taste...not the mustard kind I am used to



They had a live Country singer and all
and he player requests if he knew them


here is some history on the restraunt on the front of their menu


Then me smiling with my stuff
I had a great day with my freinds
made some new friends at the
and hope to attend a weekend retreat at thier new place
Thanks for having us Miss Susie,
Step and Amy so nice to meet you too!!


Then Miss Venus pulled out this lovely Christmas gift for me
I seen her make one of these and just adored it
I love it and it has its new home right there next to my sewing companion


I hope the next meet up that we do more ladies will come join us
it is just so much fun
Happy Crafting my Blogland friends
DeeDee