Look what I managed to get my hands on this week. I was just so in awe of it with the half celluloid/half velvet cover, the mirror and the picture...and most of all that it's on its own stand. So cool! Now, what ever am I going to do with it? Any ideas?!
Definitely think I'm going to just sit and admire this for awhile:)
I've never been into playing with dolls. Sure, I had a few Barbie dolls as a young girl, but that's about it....until I had a little girl of my own. Now I find myself standing as an estate saling oogling these funny little Ginny dolls for 20 minutes. I bought these four at $2 a piece! Look at the gorgeous crocheted dresses and the vintage flower bouquet. I love them! I've been thinking about dolls, doll trunks and doll accessories ever since being asked to be part of a new doll collaboration by the wonderful Cerri. I'll put these lovelies in my studio for inspiration.
Love this punk Marie Antoinette doll! hehe. Speaking of which, you must go check out Pam's post about the Marie Antoinette collaborative that she was in with some fabulous artists. She provides links to many others that contributed. Talk about inspiring!!
Also found this gorgeous tin. Love the yummy colors!
I've listed 25 new items in my etsy store. Lots of odds and ends. All at garage sale prices! A fun "junque" pack with blank album, ready for your muse to strike. Lots of vintage goodies from aprons, to game pieces, fabric pouches, stenographers books and sheet music. 
These hoops (including the fabric) are for sale, after being inspired here. Now it's your turn to try!
I also have this piece of original ArtsyMama art for sale. It went all the way to ArtFest and back with me and graced the 8x8" collage wall there. It also was the center of attention on my tea party post. It's looking for a new home.
My latest little project was creating these mini-inspiration boards. I've been inspired by so many inspiration boards that I've seen on peoples blogs. I found these fun sunshine yellow retro trays at an estate sale. I then began my quest to find the most gorgeous vintage buttons I could get my hands on. I splurged on ebay and got some very old, very intriquite and lovely buttons that you will adore. I put magnets of the back and dug through my stash for some little bits of this and that to get the inspiration started. Of course you will put your own gorgeous treasures on the board and it will look absolutely fabulous. These easily stand on a wooden plate stand or easel. If you plan to participate in Jenny's swap, this will be perfect to display your treasures. There are 10 different trays in the shop. Have fun looking around and don't forget to hit the lemonade stand on the way out:) 
I've been working on on a fun little project for my etsy shop. Hope to have them in the shop by the end of the week. I'll let you know here.
I received my Scavenger Hunt Swap package from Heidi. This swap was so much fun! We got a list of about 15 things from our dear host, Brieanne, and we were to scrounge and package 10 of the items on the list for our partner. Dear Heidi sent a huge hat box filled with goodies all swimming in gorgeous flowers! Here is what it looked like when I opened it. Wowza!
She labeled each of her fabulous finds and wow did this girl pay attention to every detail.
Her handmade item was this sign. How perfect for a librarian!! Thanks so much!
Speaking of scavenging, I must get back to gathering all our "treasures" for the garage sale I'm going to have Friday. 
If you've read my blog very long, you clearly know that I love collaborating with other artists. I love doing round robins; where you start a book, then mail to one partner or more and eventally get your book back filled with your work and the work of other artists. I love seeing the work of others in the flesh. It looks so different than pictures on a blog. You can see all the color and texture up close and the touch the bits of this and that. I love being a part of a collaborative experience. The joy of having someone elses art enter my home, I add a piece of my own and then send it off to another destination. Even better are the books that I get in return and display around the house. Love to have them a part of my everyday life.
This is really where my art began. I used to do a lot of swaps, round robins and what were called "tip ins". These were pages that people would do a certain size and the recipient would tip them into thier altered book and have a book of several artists work. My art has evolved in many different ways, but I feel collaborating is where I am most comfortable. That being said, I am beginning a new collaborative round robin with my new pals Tammy and Donna. I'm really excited about this!!
We're eaching starting a book with a different theme. I chose to start working on the ledger book I began altering in Pam's class at ArtFest. I haven't done anything with it since I got home, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to dive right in! Before dear Tammy and Donna get upset with me for working so quickly (we decided on this round robin last night!) I must say I've had this theme of a carnival brewing for quite some time in my head. Just wasn't sure how to take off with it. It was even what I had in mind when I began the book in Pam's class. Now that I gave myself the theme and the green light, I was really able to run with it. I used lots of fun stuff here. The piece of fabric on the Birds of a Feather page is vintage from my friend in Germany. The fabric on the last Dream page is from LK Ludwig. I love using my good stuff in collaboratives, whether its in my own book or someone elses. I feel this is the best way to share and pass on the art love. So here's what I have so far. Lot's of different colors and styles here. It's more of an art journal. Just creating and playing around. 
These are climbing roses on our fence to the backyard. Love them! 
These spring round robin books with Marilyn and Lilia keep coming. We each did two books. They are so much fun! These are my pages in Lilia's book. Marilyn's work is on the left (below) and mine is on the right.
Mine is on the left (below) and Marilyn on the right. Paper is by Heartwarming Vintage.
P.S. All the blogland secrets were revealed and Lilli opened up shop.
These little books are part of the spring round robin I'm in with some very lovely ladies. This treasure chest (literally) began with Cassondra. She did the bottom book. Julie did the middle book and I did the top book. It will then move on to Lilia and Melissa to do books of their own. Finally ending up in Cassondra's hands again filled with delightful goodies of all sorts!
Inside my book box, I decorated with vintage wallpaper and German die cut images. I then made a little accordian book. Love this button card I got from Donna.
This is the little book I made for the inside. Such a challenge for me to work so small and had never made a book accordian style from scratch. I kept it simple and used lots of romantic girly stuff like flocked vintage wallpaper and these gorgeous cards (also from Donna) and some vintage jewelry. What a fun challenge this was!
I received this wonderful book in the mail to review called Sock and Glove by Miyako Kanamori. It's absolutely darling! It reads as a simple story of two friends, Billy the glove dog and his pal Marcus the sock monkey and all the new friends they meet made from cast-off socks and gloves. These critters are adorable and the second half of the book contains step-by-step instructions with pictures for making each of the 14 creatures. Everything is clear and precise with lots of color how-to photos. What a joy this simple little book is! Can't wait to try one for myself:)
My husband returned home from Japan yesterday safe and sound. Thanks for all the kind comments. It's so wonderful to have him back! Loved seeing his pictures. Quite a trip.
Today I posted my last interview of May for the Create a Connection blog. It was with the wonderfully talented Lori Marie. The blog is associated with the justBe...connected: A gathering of creative bloggers in Cape Cod this October. I will be teaching 3 altered art classes with Lia (aka ArtJunk Girl). Getting really excited for this event! I enjoyed finding creative bloggers to interview this month and had a blast getting to know them a bit better.
These pictures are sneak peeks of my swap items going to Heidi for the Scavenger Hunt swap that Brieanne hosted over at For Love of Vintage. Hope she likes everything.
