tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74422552999563988602024-03-16T11:52:52.653-07:00The Mag RagMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-47288805471391435072017-04-18T10:36:00.000-07:002017-04-20T18:15:21.461-07:00Birdsong!<div style="text-align: center;">
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I license a lot of design work to a recyclable <a href="http://www.pattyreeddesigns.com/">tote bag company</a>, whose bags are sold in Kroger affiliates nationwide. The design, above, was for the Easter/Spring season, and is in stores right now.....<br />
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This was a fun one to design, since I love all things "bird" (I'm from <i>Portlandia</i>, after all...."put a bird on it!"). I found quite a few of these beautiful vintage images on <a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/">The Graphics Fairy</a> site, as well as many other sources, and they all came together nicely for my collage.</div>
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Creating it made me think of an artists' retreat I've been wanting to attend for years, <a href="http://karlascottage.typepad.com/">Karla Nathan's </a>"BIRDSONG" event at her home in Lawrence, KS. Yes, that's a long way away from Oregon, but I've made that trip MANY times because we have tons of family in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. In fact, my daughter even attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence (ugh-- the out-of-state tuition about killed us!), and I'm pretty sure I know exactly where Karla's home is! But the timing of her art events never seemed to align with my visits back there for school, family events, etc. Until this year! I need to go back to see my mother-in-law for her November 5 birthday (she's turning 92) and Karla's event is November 10 and 11....so, if all things work out, I hope to <i>finally</i> attend one of her crafty, fun soirees. And, <i>finally</i>, actually get to meet Karla in person....even though it seems like we've been "virtual friends" for years!</div>
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These bags seemed perfect to bring along for the other attendees to use to stash all their "swag", so I offered to be a sponsor for the event. I managed to find a store locally that still had enough in stock, so I grabbed enough for everyone. I had to go to 4 stores to find them, because....good news for my tote bag client (and me)....they were all sold out at the first 3! </div>
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Kansas, here I come......fingers crossed, anyway!</div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-38388290095862902082017-04-04T18:52:00.001-07:002017-04-04T22:37:39.162-07:00Springtime in Paris!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNigDAPanNj72ruVqC13ExwUYpkp_CHanIN3XAv9qGJH6W5HqTg96EDxsB7v1j1QZWosogIU_hm96kcb7j7olo0jXSzSvoGG1ZF780ZAjIZdFS_2qqIsJw9BR1BW3liOwpGZG6cnwST0/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNigDAPanNj72ruVqC13ExwUYpkp_CHanIN3XAv9qGJH6W5HqTg96EDxsB7v1j1QZWosogIU_hm96kcb7j7olo0jXSzSvoGG1ZF780ZAjIZdFS_2qqIsJw9BR1BW3liOwpGZG6cnwST0/s640/pic1.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Another ATC swap with Kim at ArtJoyStuff...this time it was themed "Springtime in Paris". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A beautiful Christie Repasy painting of a bicycle with a basket of flowers became the basis of my design, seeming to me like the ideal romantic image one might see on a stroll through the streets of Paris.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The basket bouquet was made 3-D by building up different levels of the same image:</span></div>
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And of course, I can't do anything without adding glitter and sparkles:</div>
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Here are the final three:</div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ooh-la-la!</span></span></span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-28239409160430161352017-02-14T12:46:00.000-08:002017-02-14T12:46:43.067-08:00Here's My Heart, Valentine!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: magenta;">Sending out lots of love into the universe.....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a love-filled Valentine's Day!</span> </span></span></span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-61407087840850550392017-02-02T16:36:00.000-08:002017-02-02T20:54:19.783-08:00I forgot how to blog.....but Happy Valentine's Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi to any followers still out there! </div>
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It has been ages since I did a blog entry, and I had to remember how to do it!</div>
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I've been very absent from the whole blog scene for such a long time, not adding to my own, and rarely checking in on my reading list. I don't know why.... I guess glimpsing Facebook and Instagram updates has been satisfying my need to see what many of my favorite bloggers have been up to. And I think that is the case with many folks out there in blogland. It just isn't the same as it used to be. </div>
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AmIRight??</div>
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It has also been ages since I did an ATC swap. So I joined in on "Pretty and Pink", hosted by the uber talented Kim at <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">ArtJoyStuff</a>. I'm SO GLAD she recently decided to reinstate her fun swaps! </div>
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Here is my little creation, done 3 times for a 3 x 3 swap:</div>
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I've also been busy designing reusable shopping totes for one of my regular clients. Just finished were several Valentine designs, and they will be shown to the buyer next week (for Kroger affiliates nationwide, and Fred Meyer here in the Pacific NW)....so you get a sneak peek! There's no guarantee any will get chosen for printing....it's always a crap-shoot for these spec designs, but my fingers are crossed. I went with three very different design styles, hoping one, two, or all three (!!) will appeal to the buyer. Designed a year in advance, these would roll out January, 2018 if selected. Sorry about the big copyright notice, but I have to protect these since they are not 'out there' yet.</div>
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And, in keeping with the Valentine 'theme' of this post, look what i found at the beach this weekend!</div>
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I 'm always on the lookout for heart-shaped pebbles and rocks, and this one was a doozie!</div>
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It's HUGE!</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hope you all have a </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">and thanks for stopping by! </span></span></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-40168641710775437052015-09-21T17:14:00.000-07:002015-09-21T17:14:16.438-07:00Sadly, no more swaps...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sad to say, <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly's</a> "Linen and Lace" ATC swap will be her last. She's no longer going to continue her blog, nor host her wonderful little swaps. I support her decisions, but it's still a little sad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, here are my last contributions to the <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">artJOYstuff</a> swaps:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64sZ0xJvZabLlwQwDzk5VU1eBe5TRWqIpsO6I2ZllrxbzlDEDe6n0X7V1HC6hNek-t-6yJq0LPpmIbqkRHo2TF83SXgLDOKTP2AjcJ0mQ2s-MrWfS6ZsLXwTPBkUeC1vUmDunBse8hqY/s1600/1card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64sZ0xJvZabLlwQwDzk5VU1eBe5TRWqIpsO6I2ZllrxbzlDEDe6n0X7V1HC6hNek-t-6yJq0LPpmIbqkRHo2TF83SXgLDOKTP2AjcJ0mQ2s-MrWfS6ZsLXwTPBkUeC1vUmDunBse8hqY/s640/1card.jpg" width="468" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">"LINEN AND LACE"</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TLx52boeu7jhoto9YOKyNmGTJiIb56ThUmdRc6Gzg1qjsrrbeKO67ZjP4jIg0khoywCcSIY9gdjz7BGcAJog1Qe9AKcJfAPwbiu0hyPkR51zRZv2Ovv4lMkQzvvAcZMAsjPu_dOLa5A/s1600/2cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TLx52boeu7jhoto9YOKyNmGTJiIb56ThUmdRc6Gzg1qjsrrbeKO67ZjP4jIg0khoywCcSIY9gdjz7BGcAJog1Qe9AKcJfAPwbiu0hyPkR51zRZv2Ovv4lMkQzvvAcZMAsjPu_dOLa5A/s640/2cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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I embellished an extra card for Kim, to thank her for her generous hosting:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLZag6OYb5rnsE1BANmvIXtTRrqZ09798e7I_OvItMKgllhyphenhyphensd66qTwuXp6ONTTjmV-T3Nwf1a7m088hN9NWiSedN2zwDtTnca5YUkKSh2PHVdMNlNlgD14w2iGyJpyaXgC_58tXLHsY/s1600/5card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLZag6OYb5rnsE1BANmvIXtTRrqZ09798e7I_OvItMKgllhyphenhyphensd66qTwuXp6ONTTjmV-T3Nwf1a7m088hN9NWiSedN2zwDtTnca5YUkKSh2PHVdMNlNlgD14w2iGyJpyaXgC_58tXLHsY/s640/5card.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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This was a lovely theme to end on. I can't wait to see the treasures I get in the swap return (I've really enjoyed the handiwork of Kim's regular participants, so I'm sure this month's ATCs are all beauties)!</div>
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On another note...</div>
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My turquoise-haired daughter (see previous post) now has short fuchsia and cobalt blue tresses!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0TblozRkzEV6J1ZCuHeXPqA7he-_YRlg7CCNkFfL217U0W0EJ2Eqe4c7is1LLziWAMXuR1RBvhRIE1zskuMXLs5vXqNf8w1l8kNvGpC5p4ZRzXXdoEB7jlCDgHGHX9Bs2u8-_ZF95Iw/s1600/IMG_1002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0TblozRkzEV6J1ZCuHeXPqA7he-_YRlg7CCNkFfL217U0W0EJ2Eqe4c7is1LLziWAMXuR1RBvhRIE1zskuMXLs5vXqNf8w1l8kNvGpC5p4ZRzXXdoEB7jlCDgHGHX9Bs2u8-_ZF95Iw/s640/IMG_1002.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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Never a dull moment....wonder what color is next! </div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-59629679460319022752015-08-27T16:56:00.001-07:002015-08-28T14:05:15.736-07:00Dress Up<div style="text-align: center;">
This month's prompt was </div>
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"DRESS UP"</div>
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for <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly's </a>ATC swap.</div>
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(about a 180-degree turn from last month's "grunge" theme!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JtzEOg2Qo5l7MDwIuRX0b3Vz3DLDV9R5w-vd9BeVSnK6lGntiAOEK7BPGZWdLlKCbzKls2LJEDPLWYrHpaytBpYY4IZ6DAwz78_x3SzGBumEcgCKxzCuxv0LgiujdW2PIS28mWQ48nw/s1600/A6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JtzEOg2Qo5l7MDwIuRX0b3Vz3DLDV9R5w-vd9BeVSnK6lGntiAOEK7BPGZWdLlKCbzKls2LJEDPLWYrHpaytBpYY4IZ6DAwz78_x3SzGBumEcgCKxzCuxv0LgiujdW2PIS28mWQ48nw/s640/A6.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwno_YBN9PoyYT0LCeTglWBKfwl9F_tqXm4uU-wZlGF4acnGiWSKKzodlexCdj4qlB1bQuk_6LWP5MuQdlPAntSL1ULZctRKOzuLINbtN65iQjaQACnb3FdARJy1Aeotr1SjnlOXgtOQ/s1600/A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwno_YBN9PoyYT0LCeTglWBKfwl9F_tqXm4uU-wZlGF4acnGiWSKKzodlexCdj4qlB1bQuk_6LWP5MuQdlPAntSL1ULZctRKOzuLINbtN65iQjaQACnb3FdARJy1Aeotr1SjnlOXgtOQ/s640/A1.jpg" width="448" /> </a></div>
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I went with a frilly little dress interpretation...wonder if some will choose 'dress up' to mean 'costume' or 'make believe'. Hmmm, we shall see.</div>
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I found this line art image (<a href="http://mostlypaperdolls.blogspot.com/2011/05/charm-of-aunt-elsie-1922.html">here</a>) of an old paper doll set:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZJXWVROSshC1kBYig5OChjJesXLjBpbQb2MJAZdj1U5uuU5wZ5KDcBlHGLWQo1X_5Sz4kAVWTQn2LtL25S9b266K3ZIs4ds-ag_FjI0Hl06tEDdGcuMiOttj9Ndb3fJDKs-dJDpfLp4/s1600/ae2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZJXWVROSshC1kBYig5OChjJesXLjBpbQb2MJAZdj1U5uuU5wZ5KDcBlHGLWQo1X_5Sz4kAVWTQn2LtL25S9b266K3ZIs4ds-ag_FjI0Hl06tEDdGcuMiOttj9Ndb3fJDKs-dJDpfLp4/s640/ae2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I lightened it up a bit and printed to some old blue paper, folded it and added washi tape to the side edges to form a nifty little pouch for each card:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsCbLZjLbbOmCvsFJRpcZIuoAp_SkYgA3b5CO_yMEGkDuDM3UR1vtx3sqLzPgvNy8cY-lp5e-OAxFXtmZtdDOoKV57_x8GzXTiCp3-qdYIsb6A0RzWYm_qWyKn-SEElGpgZk_WvBBdug/s1600/A8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsCbLZjLbbOmCvsFJRpcZIuoAp_SkYgA3b5CO_yMEGkDuDM3UR1vtx3sqLzPgvNy8cY-lp5e-OAxFXtmZtdDOoKV57_x8GzXTiCp3-qdYIsb6A0RzWYm_qWyKn-SEElGpgZk_WvBBdug/s640/A8.jpg" width="566" /> </a></div>
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A paper clip shaped like a tiny wire hanger seemed apropos for the theme--</div>
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(amazing--and a little ridiculous-- what I can find in my endless stash of <strike>crap laying around</strike> clever crafting supplies!</div>
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And guess what....my daughter now has blue hair!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ALtN95UeesRGCNFphrKmV5R2ESHqHImDcirDsYNU29-SzOV9r86ZIcSxBBVGF99PhsYS3wdQlyrBxHl9TNnhE4KW-Z3t4xG_uR1NuYR5KnNoWgCq_7TXZQkvmmAvCzy_YH5prQEMeZs/s1600/FullSizeRender+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ALtN95UeesRGCNFphrKmV5R2ESHqHImDcirDsYNU29-SzOV9r86ZIcSxBBVGF99PhsYS3wdQlyrBxHl9TNnhE4KW-Z3t4xG_uR1NuYR5KnNoWgCq_7TXZQkvmmAvCzy_YH5prQEMeZs/s640/FullSizeRender+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She kind of matches my little ATC's!</div>
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It started out more teal-green (like Ariel, the Little Mermaid!):</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSzgunn0TxTDxdgl3Cb_4Po1_OaSI_P9SzO9k5NQCkIxtDuAdUGtwN_TdWCCzKBX52X6yuzP98WWClpDUV73T3cWTfVYmrqq5Q99YcVWrhfiuo3HbWNHz9sduDmlhz94e3cGsYhFJjF4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSzgunn0TxTDxdgl3Cb_4Po1_OaSI_P9SzO9k5NQCkIxtDuAdUGtwN_TdWCCzKBX52X6yuzP98WWClpDUV73T3cWTfVYmrqq5Q99YcVWrhfiuo3HbWNHz9sduDmlhz94e3cGsYhFJjF4/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was right after it was dyed...very intense! It has softened up considerably in the weeks since.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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This next photo was taken last week when we went to the Street of Dreams home show. I was in love with that little turquoise bench. Her topknot totally blends into the painting.......great camouflage!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuEQ2mwFT71zJW8Quv4owgrPQUQiyCkw-Ap-Zr-a8FLKF8z40CE9HZ_9kR4o-ZImGucSSVeY4Hu1MW_-PuX5pyb7rUGEubetLwP449201czpjfG8PBmNpHV3rRd4kw0fIJr7tXKg2t-8/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuEQ2mwFT71zJW8Quv4owgrPQUQiyCkw-Ap-Zr-a8FLKF8z40CE9HZ_9kR4o-ZImGucSSVeY4Hu1MW_-PuX5pyb7rUGEubetLwP449201czpjfG8PBmNpHV3rRd4kw0fIJr7tXKg2t-8/s640/IMG_2747.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After 2 years at University of Kansas, she's back home now, and will be attending Portland State University starting next month. She's happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest, at least for a while.</div>
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We're gradually getting used to the hair.</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-43117833195199326202015-07-19T05:00:00.000-07:002015-07-19T14:47:35.093-07:00Grunge Style<div style="text-align: center;">
So <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly's </a>ATC challenge this month was</div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Grunge (Tim Holtz Style)". </span></span></div>
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Here are my cards for trading:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj5muhdUU_Bk8eMDBcJb70QLj5xg_ZxOxDkFPXkPqPyN_jzxXLTUJ5KswewPksnzImKaiJX7_LLvcvK4TaSdl95yOzk2hEOg_Ks4n8xIKuxqp4zjP8OVY21PC8BA736KDHMA7HiiZwfE/s1600/IMG_0966+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj5muhdUU_Bk8eMDBcJb70QLj5xg_ZxOxDkFPXkPqPyN_jzxXLTUJ5KswewPksnzImKaiJX7_LLvcvK4TaSdl95yOzk2hEOg_Ks4n8xIKuxqp4zjP8OVY21PC8BA736KDHMA7HiiZwfE/s640/IMG_0966+copy.jpg" width="406" /> </a></div>
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I smashed some bottle caps and thought they'd make a nice grungy surface for stamping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzXOGkHQd6S3zjO769-F68XCkLGCUMINmH6TP0mWnJkkFPJuHrvwQPvlFn6sR6a4yp2OTBB-A7OJr-uGEqbLzvpxb8G9t9pWIyoh3B3nN6VVE_st4ZnV2TtFnjiC4WQbGP45VcQ9Z_c/s1600/IMG_0959+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpzXOGkHQd6S3zjO769-F68XCkLGCUMINmH6TP0mWnJkkFPJuHrvwQPvlFn6sR6a4yp2OTBB-A7OJr-uGEqbLzvpxb8G9t9pWIyoh3B3nN6VVE_st4ZnV2TtFnjiC4WQbGP45VcQ9Z_c/s640/IMG_0959+copy.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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Ancient metal buttons with worn-off paint were added, </div>
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along with a few sticker embellishments </div>
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from the Tim Holtz product line. </div>
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Paint, rubber stamping, pencils, and stencils added to the grunge factor.</div>
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(<a href="http://katherineuhrig.blogspot.com/">Kathy,</a> thanks once again for that sequin scrim you shared with me!</div>
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Love it for adding the dot texture!!)</div>
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I paid a bit of homage to <a href="http://timholtz.com/">Tim Holtz</a> for the back of my card, below, </div>
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in this little splattered and grungy composition I made in Photoshop:</div>
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I've loved that guy ever since I first saw him </div>
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make guest crafting appearances on the old Carol Duvall Show, </div>
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<i>YEARS</i> ago, long before he was licensing his trademark style.</div>
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Anyone remember back that far??!!</div>
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The finished cards got bundled up in old pattern tissue and TH button stickers--</div>
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This was one of my favorite swaps to date. </div>
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Not surprising... </div>
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all things old and chippy, rusty and grungy, tattered and textured,</div>
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really appeal to me!</div>
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Tim, you're a guy after my own heart.</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-21522605974888761752015-07-10T22:30:00.002-07:002015-07-10T22:30:34.738-07:00Where Bloggers Create....2015<div style="text-align: center;">
Another year, another studio tour! <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">WELCOME...</span></span> </div>
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It's nice to have both old and new friends drop by!</div>
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I'm pleased to be participating again in<a href="http://mydesertcottage.com/"> Karen Valentine's 7th Annual <i>Where Bloggers Create Tour</i></a> <i>(Click</i> <i>on the link to visit lots of</i> <i>other artists' inspiring studios)</i>. </div>
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I had to miss last year, but am happy to be back and part of the fun. </div>
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I had good intentions of having fresh paint on the walls (a very soft muted robin's egg blue) by the date of this blog party. but it hasn't happened yet (<i>someday!... </i>). </div>
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My space hasn't changed that much since I had my last tour</div>
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....except at the moment, it is extremely messy, with lots of projects in progress. </div>
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This year, I decided to include some of the previous, tidied-up photos, </div>
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along with current pics </div>
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showing the <b>REAL DEAL!</b></div>
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Come on in and let
me show you around...</div>
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This studio is where I do all sorts of creative projects, </div>
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which include both the work I do professionally (illustration, graphic design, textile
design), </div>
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and the crafting I do 'just for fun' (jewelry, mixed media, collage). </div>
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I am a <strike>
hoarder </strike>collector of SO MUCH stuff, this room is pretty packed
full. And, like most of you, I love to be
surrounded by all my treasures!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbekG4KweuM4Er3gqHhjQrJ8VLhLaPBQIH9raw_hQBskwfSEkSktPWSJUeZ0K2fuWMnPejNEhmQSVVoebrEMKkvMEj2k-utUaZ58BdzY_XIRbNgqfWlJoC56d2tlt5kU-OjJq0uEBoms/s1600/IMGP4670.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbekG4KweuM4Er3gqHhjQrJ8VLhLaPBQIH9raw_hQBskwfSEkSktPWSJUeZ0K2fuWMnPejNEhmQSVVoebrEMKkvMEj2k-utUaZ58BdzY_XIRbNgqfWlJoC56d2tlt5kU-OjJq0uEBoms/s640/IMGP4670.JPG" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><i>Can you tell I like little houses? I store treasures and supplies inside my vintage doll house.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoe489e9NKgG8iscArfpXxgJMOECKBXV3t7zkQbGpJAmZ2vNdHNCSaDXXeBG75T3vAH5UADL9rXYIqX-wNKfnqxY8uJazQntCM9AIqI2DBEKpbPa3zaGLcvUI4aTvgObpa8MjmSqIPqk/s1600/IMGP4671.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoe489e9NKgG8iscArfpXxgJMOECKBXV3t7zkQbGpJAmZ2vNdHNCSaDXXeBG75T3vAH5UADL9rXYIqX-wNKfnqxY8uJazQntCM9AIqI2DBEKpbPa3zaGLcvUI4aTvgObpa8MjmSqIPqk/s640/IMGP4671.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Old game pieces, my stash of pearls, and other trinkets crowd the shelves.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENeGHFCHtC-87mpCU2XQL1WpcrhpRQR9LwWVlDN-Szq1iwKwg8wysHSDZSJXbzVcsSXnVvsN6Sc-1DhVAhncgGgoAUI-YdbiOKtBUhZidEJ5wsclIPGFLoQFBUQvWIzsvd6rnWhb5K68/s1600/IMGP1920.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENeGHFCHtC-87mpCU2XQL1WpcrhpRQR9LwWVlDN-Szq1iwKwg8wysHSDZSJXbzVcsSXnVvsN6Sc-1DhVAhncgGgoAUI-YdbiOKtBUhZidEJ5wsclIPGFLoQFBUQvWIzsvd6rnWhb5K68/s640/IMGP1920.JPG" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A tiny guardian angel perched on top, watching over the stash</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i> </i></span>Beneath the big house are a couple of smaller wooden houses. One of
them has hooks inside and is just perfect for my etsy jewelry inventory:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-XbHlzh7dhs8h6eLIE-gCNKrcc2hMrZLsovlk4_kjbvhuM2hJf3QVD-RWAmihTSbqMEd0INZLDU88jYiKJrgoI87nP4ga5VLVUSBjetRLmvC218CTQo4poWlt394OUugIeoO5r64s5M/s1600/IMGP1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-XbHlzh7dhs8h6eLIE-gCNKrcc2hMrZLsovlk4_kjbvhuM2hJf3QVD-RWAmihTSbqMEd0INZLDU88jYiKJrgoI87nP4ga5VLVUSBjetRLmvC218CTQo4poWlt394OUugIeoO5r64s5M/s640/IMGP1909.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The bird hooks below hold samples for the soldering classes I teach.</i></span></span><u><br /></u></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My Etsy inventory is low right now (understatement!)...but I'm busy making new items! Check back soon.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgcyWGB2uIVo0-IOInDqCHfC5zyeC81Qxck6r-AUKL-y-EMRmrjIoPFHdGeqK7zXeisXSpR6IejL5GfcurraT41hc_Qu8h7-VjouHL7iKJsiWl_QLEYIBVdtGvDstRjS4OPcAJvMZi2w/s1600/IMGP4681.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgcyWGB2uIVo0-IOInDqCHfC5zyeC81Qxck6r-AUKL-y-EMRmrjIoPFHdGeqK7zXeisXSpR6IejL5GfcurraT41hc_Qu8h7-VjouHL7iKJsiWl_QLEYIBVdtGvDstRjS4OPcAJvMZi2w/s640/IMGP4681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I store jewelry-making bits and baubles inside these metal boxes.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4gw6bG00cf_Lx1qgzSKD2aUEGb2sRJ0dnpyDjvQYNImOiPvZ0ADyqHvnyYmzyb9nBaKzOA10zjpMk-oWHAXLO5gXeXsBmsCMmnzHmDaaTsS4p7Oc-MknuNG-Lo1Pi_sxAwxbjJ2PNtc/s1600/IMGP4688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4gw6bG00cf_Lx1qgzSKD2aUEGb2sRJ0dnpyDjvQYNImOiPvZ0ADyqHvnyYmzyb9nBaKzOA10zjpMk-oWHAXLO5gXeXsBmsCMmnzHmDaaTsS4p7Oc-MknuNG-Lo1Pi_sxAwxbjJ2PNtc/s640/IMGP4688.JPG" width="558" /></a></div>
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I've dedicated one shallow shelf to my collection of cute face cups. I'm always on the lookout for more:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9bUSmJ26KGLW5lqnirnGBGD0oo8cU9iA803BH7dLUr4ZwMU2h5uFdBHdSqPbg4O4B7peXcMzhzM6wHKhau6IFjaKwO98cNd_zUxQl6kUVavX8bGSymi6z0_Pv3qXBCg2_TJvfsoRLis/s1600/IMGP1935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9bUSmJ26KGLW5lqnirnGBGD0oo8cU9iA803BH7dLUr4ZwMU2h5uFdBHdSqPbg4O4B7peXcMzhzM6wHKhau6IFjaKwO98cNd_zUxQl6kUVavX8bGSymi6z0_Pv3qXBCg2_TJvfsoRLis/s640/IMGP1935.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Baskets on the shelves hold stamping supplies, soldering equipment, and
more. </div>
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I hope by the time the next tour rolls around in 2016, I'll have my walls painted that light aqua, and will use these new aqua storage pieces throughout my space: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p_W1GQ1C8IS3hqvIAGx9siD7mjl5LtB4ylchGfuXRhNbI0YEFIHsbIRkiLmblBDkY395ADVx7274cJipTs6RXWNvGb__u6Dd7r_wOASdB-GNRSLkNUFI_YPjV8v-a6LO-EhWjQfGM_Q/s1600/IMG_0945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p_W1GQ1C8IS3hqvIAGx9siD7mjl5LtB4ylchGfuXRhNbI0YEFIHsbIRkiLmblBDkY395ADVx7274cJipTs6RXWNvGb__u6Dd7r_wOASdB-GNRSLkNUFI_YPjV8v-a6LO-EhWjQfGM_Q/s640/IMG_0945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cute little baskets and tins, just waiting for me to get my act together!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx0lqZq9NpPfMrKGwjGE4-vMIhEZvLKmCxTXR5kQFgVltCFpDGEvH-wFCn2WIFBQKOK83u8J5dCpj-TR28eyuY0jYgajVUJI9ZjvobhhTmJiVqjfYwSy7_Q5YgSTspgewVrAXr_V8iTU/s1600/IMGP1888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx0lqZq9NpPfMrKGwjGE4-vMIhEZvLKmCxTXR5kQFgVltCFpDGEvH-wFCn2WIFBQKOK83u8J5dCpj-TR28eyuY0jYgajVUJI9ZjvobhhTmJiVqjfYwSy7_Q5YgSTspgewVrAXr_V8iTU/s640/IMGP1888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Continuing
along the wall, I have closed cupboards plus my photocopier, printer,
and computer. </div>
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Next to my computer monitor, I've hung some of my mixed-media angel
paintings. I scan the originals and from them make wood-mounted prints
and cards. I usually have a few of these paintings in the works.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYNZ89_3HfdE9hbSz-IqAdtCCTi9cSycyBfL-PY-Sk4FWrFxvCcoUix2tsAipKGjPR7q_j2gqvaDnHfV7ZOEF5gZXPOQOd-wXxVPXN8dZ6nKwjY0Ewb3Km6T9KmIZ5-bquLAJg5WHIHg/s1600/IMGP1942.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYNZ89_3HfdE9hbSz-IqAdtCCTi9cSycyBfL-PY-Sk4FWrFxvCcoUix2tsAipKGjPR7q_j2gqvaDnHfV7ZOEF5gZXPOQOd-wXxVPXN8dZ6nKwjY0Ewb3Km6T9KmIZ5-bquLAJg5WHIHg/s640/IMGP1942.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSILs41ThNnBz0mhMDdIdqrgmmvq6p2heqW_udbgzqVI3t0_XI8lgzL6adD5FIxaAI2n1Cp7_6juDUJrLMcEZ7A8TX11MQ8JznAHfwfNN_j2AIFSL8OgXRcIfPjpr21tbdLjHqyq_a_Y/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSILs41ThNnBz0mhMDdIdqrgmmvq6p2heqW_udbgzqVI3t0_XI8lgzL6adD5FIxaAI2n1Cp7_6juDUJrLMcEZ7A8TX11MQ8JznAHfwfNN_j2AIFSL8OgXRcIfPjpr21tbdLjHqyq_a_Y/s640/IMG_0947.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is what is currently on my monitor: a collage I'm working on for a tote bag company. This design is called "Retro Beach", and I'm having lots of fun arranging all the images. Notice that I usually have a bunch of Sudoku puzzles handy for when I need to take a break, ha ha!</span></span></i></td></tr>
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<i> </i>This is what the tote bag 'end product' will look like:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPCIAu46DGIa9r9BqdhLrFlaRvCvgwJq8NxCxJYjLY22nXMAP11M7KRPsG_JihQkVBFaIVwkp65kMYDPMdqB0s8GF0hysbeTNU1fqtPTLYeKz-98UfLDrZi25tNlILLuzB7HJsvn0-bU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-10+at+8.30.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPCIAu46DGIa9r9BqdhLrFlaRvCvgwJq8NxCxJYjLY22nXMAP11M7KRPsG_JihQkVBFaIVwkp65kMYDPMdqB0s8GF0hysbeTNU1fqtPTLYeKz-98UfLDrZi25tNlILLuzB7HJsvn0-bU/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-10+at+8.30.22+PM.png" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A few days ago, I found this bag (one of my designs) in my local Kroger store (Fred Meyer, here in Portland). I've now done several in a series of this 'retro collage' look.</span></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></td></tr>
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But I digress. Back to my studio...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32YO2UQ-F2rrDiXz-bXJBPAaGbaGXcNiXC7RQmE-1SUyl5M5eKyPLa0VMxTiNWOaAFpcO0Dmz-KCZ_v0s0GNKcqxnD5v3smFOD62mmPFhmfd7-40mhWlvt_wwfZ0JMz8UJAfsMEx2K3Q/s1600/IMGP0451.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32YO2UQ-F2rrDiXz-bXJBPAaGbaGXcNiXC7RQmE-1SUyl5M5eKyPLa0VMxTiNWOaAFpcO0Dmz-KCZ_v0s0GNKcqxnD5v3smFOD62mmPFhmfd7-40mhWlvt_wwfZ0JMz8UJAfsMEx2K3Q/s640/IMGP0451.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The
french doors lead out to a small balcony, ao even here in rainy Oregon I
get lots of natural light. The pennant banner above the doors is also
part of my blog header, and welcomes crafters who come to my studio to
attend my collage and soldering workshops. Nice and neat and clean, right??...</div>
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...and here is what it currently looks like! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eDnxrPdo2kbENHEJcZkCD52ttqWFWpPWFaZYozygmr-JvhS7by61vOmHznTIVAD7yEchmaHOsL6gYl92te2fQUWW6f2o-Upi7FDc3Pu-1qTWv3kqQhKMrSaZD2Gb1MLiTg1hczZeyz4/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eDnxrPdo2kbENHEJcZkCD52ttqWFWpPWFaZYozygmr-JvhS7by61vOmHznTIVAD7yEchmaHOsL6gYl92te2fQUWW6f2o-Upi7FDc3Pu-1qTWv3kqQhKMrSaZD2Gb1MLiTg1hczZeyz4/s640/IMG_0935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Yikes! what a mess! Paper crafting and jewelry making, all in a jumble. I have a new printer, too, now making a home at the end of the table.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7srl9tDTMn5y2acWFEWA6ckrOxZRhs-9vgHKTFfO0gV36sAaINKtNkdx9_P8WhDocAhpCwxmRce0lmGF3nX73fE63MRuDFz64zox_pVHnWMkXuG2CZiwtgdshRAxa0ZOy0EjYIPJWjGo/s1600/IMGP0467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7srl9tDTMn5y2acWFEWA6ckrOxZRhs-9vgHKTFfO0gV36sAaINKtNkdx9_P8WhDocAhpCwxmRce0lmGF3nX73fE63MRuDFz64zox_pVHnWMkXuG2CZiwtgdshRAxa0ZOy0EjYIPJWjGo/s640/IMGP0467.JPG" width="530" /></a></div>
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Lots of
collage supplies fill these shelves: old books, sheet music, maps, wallpaper, etc.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO06HUurVAL0IXOmX8hx6lQukfRFa9xQYcjopcIkEKcvsxIeREuSbVForpfsdsnR3Pw14iROwS5vmKXUwg1koX43_BM-y7GyAtFnrjArw7QmWaFTdhJ8llD-YfPch-NEcDt4yIsqh8Yw/s1600/IMG_0943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO06HUurVAL0IXOmX8hx6lQukfRFa9xQYcjopcIkEKcvsxIeREuSbVForpfsdsnR3Pw14iROwS5vmKXUwg1koX43_BM-y7GyAtFnrjArw7QmWaFTdhJ8llD-YfPch-NEcDt4yIsqh8Yw/s640/IMG_0943.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">..except at the moment, I can't shut these drawers because the paper is crammed in too tightly. Time to purge!</span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnkTp8Hi8Zc8B714qG_MiZb2AnhXpxuFhJdRTvq_u47CQ3HdZjykYl_9XzQca14-IKCpUa9XDs22teX37mJdDu32OdsNAT5yp_i8Ag5Wz-cuP-_4L1hy8-lZ46AvDHRfDl8pr-d8eNo/s1600/IMGP0475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnkTp8Hi8Zc8B714qG_MiZb2AnhXpxuFhJdRTvq_u47CQ3HdZjykYl_9XzQca14-IKCpUa9XDs22teX37mJdDu32OdsNAT5yp_i8Ag5Wz-cuP-_4L1hy8-lZ46AvDHRfDl8pr-d8eNo/s640/IMGP0475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The baskets hold textiles, trims and laces. Then there are my tins full
of old postage stamps, and cute wooden boxes filled with old buttons
sit below the little window. </div>
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Currently, I have a stash of linens and laces out, trying to come up with some new sewn things for a holiday bazaar my friend and I host every year. Not sure what I'll make with these...maybe some little zippered pouches? Pillows, maybe?...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRi2au0cu6mLrBaBb9e8EfRIGBRrOSsqhYyJr0P8F3DbmeNoZI3LmqdE-kgVnhZNMHeptWD2xepAPozJLBWhwppc144J1GwR6AnGe4UNu7UzQA8z246CP8r_CyxVSJVHnapgMxM2AiWU/s1600/IMGP1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRi2au0cu6mLrBaBb9e8EfRIGBRrOSsqhYyJr0P8F3DbmeNoZI3LmqdE-kgVnhZNMHeptWD2xepAPozJLBWhwppc144J1GwR6AnGe4UNu7UzQA8z246CP8r_CyxVSJVHnapgMxM2AiWU/s640/IMGP1964.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN00vKSAmcLU9TTlpssctENW9GQ1hmTcEimH5jy5YiPEjwCTFx80JhLI_laCU9mP8d-ZIOZwAwhEiRDy51FteKQVLSJHEBc3bXU9dvIOedjJwpyS1fJ2UpSG1ka-egEW09f_I-n2n420/s1600/IMGP0537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN00vKSAmcLU9TTlpssctENW9GQ1hmTcEimH5jy5YiPEjwCTFx80JhLI_laCU9mP8d-ZIOZwAwhEiRDy51FteKQVLSJHEBc3bXU9dvIOedjJwpyS1fJ2UpSG1ka-egEW09f_I-n2n420/s640/IMGP0537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what the cute little boxes look like....</span></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyu7rYKDtB2hB93Xxjh0Yn0ytdWQQrdXCbyGxKs-sBYp11nU_Vzfmd4NHpyvgegJeUF6IoBM8CrEJWEyqp2ZZ-BCsSadKKtIiohyphenhyphenxmtYvSdoqCJgpONhIW4FGD82shy6n0nyOWr9xTFM/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyu7rYKDtB2hB93Xxjh0Yn0ytdWQQrdXCbyGxKs-sBYp11nU_Vzfmd4NHpyvgegJeUF6IoBM8CrEJWEyqp2ZZ-BCsSadKKtIiohyphenhyphenxmtYvSdoqCJgpONhIW4FGD82shy6n0nyOWr9xTFM/s640/IMG_0942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">...IF I could see them! If you look hard enough, you can see a glimpse of their lids in the far back corner....I need to find a home for all of this stuff!!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWE9wweDZAogUOFynRfj_VYQ0u8FD0xqtOc0I9vJRY7p0gYNMetKIEBEYAqGUcsRSCUQBUKmosKiz0AZyhOJeRXxUKdHGUc2SFszZcCrKJLScxzc__oPrFNUARMr4miPNgsgdX25urG8/s1600/IMGP0484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWE9wweDZAogUOFynRfj_VYQ0u8FD0xqtOc0I9vJRY7p0gYNMetKIEBEYAqGUcsRSCUQBUKmosKiz0AZyhOJeRXxUKdHGUc2SFszZcCrKJLScxzc__oPrFNUARMr4miPNgsgdX25urG8/s640/IMGP0484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My
drafting table is the hardest thing to keep organized. As I work, I am
just MESSY, and end up doing my work on any tiny clean surface I can
find. The built in light box is invaluable, and its glass top is great
for xacto-cutting.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now......Keepin' it real: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw2tjB4UmkwVZXs_eTdrQNB6HKGrvkvc4ZEsaK1CBrBqmz4uNt07Z9nv_JRdnCfE9ANbi_jci7eFrKoyeMtkHevDF7qyBiq1KRdG2ePN59csk7OnP1dHzSZg7MHP8BbpetnZO054p7pQ/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw2tjB4UmkwVZXs_eTdrQNB6HKGrvkvc4ZEsaK1CBrBqmz4uNt07Z9nv_JRdnCfE9ANbi_jci7eFrKoyeMtkHevDF7qyBiq1KRdG2ePN59csk7OnP1dHzSZg7MHP8BbpetnZO054p7pQ/s640/IMG_0937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It looks like this right now! I had a big illustration project due this week, and chaos ensued!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I do fashion illustrations for Simplicity Pattern Company, and when a job comes my way, I drop everything to get it done...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeJPN9HIhbrOcIg-NwV1vt3iFxqiBnLrXVlSxYNTuyceHri4zOEC3l6q_WKH9gQIfW0trcOOyhopBn772kqromxLZwTmL2GYjPZTd4Moxi7D1xroTt53lWAkVjDIQkfI_1M1wGctbmPM/s1600/IMG_0941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeJPN9HIhbrOcIg-NwV1vt3iFxqiBnLrXVlSxYNTuyceHri4zOEC3l6q_WKH9gQIfW0trcOOyhopBn772kqromxLZwTmL2GYjPZTd4Moxi7D1xroTt53lWAkVjDIQkfI_1M1wGctbmPM/s640/IMG_0941.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is the fleece poncho art I was working on, here in its ink-line stage of the process</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq6fxCFAYIW-NZbPTOWDj1LzjGpw_eAxNq94sKheGNV3XNRCbzIUYDeBu8dPVQ7IRafcKJLrLUDRY-JM1Z60TgcvZFmdrWDM-v-P-ET6tuBJ1H9wjOEknLZs8QWQ0xN1iGWQbOU4OoRs/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq6fxCFAYIW-NZbPTOWDj1LzjGpw_eAxNq94sKheGNV3XNRCbzIUYDeBu8dPVQ7IRafcKJLrLUDRY-JM1Z60TgcvZFmdrWDM-v-P-ET6tuBJ1H9wjOEknLZs8QWQ0xN1iGWQbOU4OoRs/s640/IMG_0951.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Think I have enough markers?? This is just a portion of them. I color the inked sketch with either these watercolor markers, or I'll use concentrated inks or regular watercolor paint.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I got the illustrations done by the deadline...whew!! Here's how the girls' version turned out:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIyzoH-iNHYNnt8Q_L-SWL-_QPUgjCYdfM29HEZYvdiudnOSe9UEqBbqiAaCySbzBVgJrE1L9WIdt4scJO5YcXBLmzVLD9RTqnBPQ2ROWdaJRtcZAlLxr9kSW4pyUuwpDs5Ey_ukhT5E/s1600/poncho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIyzoH-iNHYNnt8Q_L-SWL-_QPUgjCYdfM29HEZYvdiudnOSe9UEqBbqiAaCySbzBVgJrE1L9WIdt4scJO5YcXBLmzVLD9RTqnBPQ2ROWdaJRtcZAlLxr9kSW4pyUuwpDs5Ey_ukhT5E/s640/poncho.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is a little grainy, since it's a scan of a photocopy, not the original...but it gives you an idea of what I do at my little work table. This art will be in the Simplicity pattern catalog in about 6 months.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LpdfDnKbJ8CimDt7vxlxUcPuNAU9nZYid_tqMHTOCLx6u3vq5tHFDjsuWmeqtiI6TFc3nw2y4TJNFBjsLlIt17e0AFpjq6bR0WZOXxy0z9ftMJ7ayuRpcVH17ygBJbkPAgoJtemzrDQ/s1600/IMGP0488.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LpdfDnKbJ8CimDt7vxlxUcPuNAU9nZYid_tqMHTOCLx6u3vq5tHFDjsuWmeqtiI6TFc3nw2y4TJNFBjsLlIt17e0AFpjq6bR0WZOXxy0z9ftMJ7ayuRpcVH17ygBJbkPAgoJtemzrDQ/s640/IMGP0488.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The desk when it is "clean"....as you can see, I never really have a completely cleaned-off surface. There's always STUFF!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHyCn00lmrEHz2-ebwIfa-Z0Kk2VWoxy3z_Im2YGcLIVfI4V_1JenyXgeLPHdfOadpoGmRUaPXn5FbU-UhjW_XldP4Nz5YWe4Ub1BcOhsxpgEHJr-45lsdfiPy63ePUUDt9bvehGuFa0/s1600/IMGP0496.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHyCn00lmrEHz2-ebwIfa-Z0Kk2VWoxy3z_Im2YGcLIVfI4V_1JenyXgeLPHdfOadpoGmRUaPXn5FbU-UhjW_XldP4Nz5YWe4Ub1BcOhsxpgEHJr-45lsdfiPy63ePUUDt9bvehGuFa0/s640/IMGP0496.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzzCFTAHm4hxCeLpRfSCDPEH4mYAijZL3YylGL4oyshR8t21nh2Svc-fQOcCPhtUz4_9kbo4VrVoCVJ8T6wHzPDYQ2G-vyVI3F9zn_4x1ZOa0Ceix8FdzUdCe1nJLhV3MaKt1-LEiYoc/s1600/IMGP0503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzzCFTAHm4hxCeLpRfSCDPEH4mYAijZL3YylGL4oyshR8t21nh2Svc-fQOcCPhtUz4_9kbo4VrVoCVJ8T6wHzPDYQ2G-vyVI3F9zn_4x1ZOa0Ceix8FdzUdCe1nJLhV3MaKt1-LEiYoc/s640/IMGP0503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next
to the desk is a storage closet. More hoarding lurks behind the door,
in a semi-organized state--bins full of this and that:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz7jM8mvWqaYvwZ2Lh6ti3RcdOKYDbh4VPugvzjDKdjl6RBmOObUfpjaK95I_QBwJIgvZj71fc5bE0AWOdiTVu5CIuZlSmz1QJYlykYkpnYISQVCM3EnTLhKkgJ6HkzWe63T75Nm5dYI/s1600/IMGP0512.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz7jM8mvWqaYvwZ2Lh6ti3RcdOKYDbh4VPugvzjDKdjl6RBmOObUfpjaK95I_QBwJIgvZj71fc5bE0AWOdiTVu5CIuZlSmz1QJYlykYkpnYISQVCM3EnTLhKkgJ6HkzWe63T75Nm5dYI/s640/IMGP0512.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The inside of the door holds a a few old illustrations done for Simplicity. I spent years as art director of Daisy Kingdom, Inc., a
fabric, craft, and publishing company based here in Portland, until it
was bought out by Springs Industries, and they did a great deal of
licensing with Simplicity. I still do freelance illustration and design
for them and other clients.</div>
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</div>
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Well, that's the end of my tour. <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks so much for visiting</span> </span></span>and seeing where I work and play. I'm looking forward to peeking inside your creative
spaces! So many kindred spirits out there--and a special thank you to
Karen Valentine for hosting this wonderful event where we can all hobnob
with each other! </div>
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Again, I'm so glad you stopped by, and </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I'm hoping <span style="font-size: medium;">you'll
leave me a comment and let me know you dropped in! <span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And I'd love for
you to become a follower...a girl can never have too many friends!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now, I'm off to go snooping inside
<i>your</i> studios!</div>
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.mydesertcottage.com/2015/06/its-party-time-again.html"><img alt="My Desert Cottage" src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/My%20blog%20stuff/WhereBloggersCreate2015Button.jpg~original" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mydesertcottage.com/">http://mydesertcottage.com/</a></div>
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</div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-46037679860500748082015-06-03T14:58:00.000-07:002015-06-03T15:44:31.428-07:00Etched Copper...Personalized<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n8VjVwczzXdJD8Ew0AVUcoIUW-pPbScUSZ9S2uLGoWrQ_ZSEc3MfL-ITHuWsV2ueQKOTl5fZR0aPG1kEJn8JBl17RKW2D90A3S71EmH0TCU8H4Nbh5SFinI8M2627enxfsXZhKi-5Ew/s1600/coraCross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n8VjVwczzXdJD8Ew0AVUcoIUW-pPbScUSZ9S2uLGoWrQ_ZSEc3MfL-ITHuWsV2ueQKOTl5fZR0aPG1kEJn8JBl17RKW2D90A3S71EmH0TCU8H4Nbh5SFinI8M2627enxfsXZhKi-5Ew/s640/coraCross.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I worked on a project last week, and am kicking myself </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I didn't take more photos of each of the steps. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I enjoyed it so much, that I plan on doing more </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">ETCHED COPPER </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
projects very soon, and will snap more pics of the process.</div>
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Our GodDaughter was confirmed this past Sunday, and I wanted to give her something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that had to do with her faith journey, and also something personalized just for her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I toyed with making a piece of jewelry, but wanted to steer away from that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I've done that with past gifts for her.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I called her mom and asked what her "Confirmation Verse" was ~ each Confirmand chose a verse from Scripture that was meaningful to them. So, the phrase I used in the project was the first part of that verse. I decided to make an etched copper cross, and played around with some lettering:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwwjTb-aZJyuSaP5WNFiJOuHnpugC7nyCQN6GcvFk91anKueWWZTXFiXjx_NGegTNnAMadpXPU-qIfKTdlPb_cK4VB1Dsqz1v9Fy6ovYXXnp329j4dQLHMX82jgA1kscyTfiraBKSMaI/s1600/crossSketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwwjTb-aZJyuSaP5WNFiJOuHnpugC7nyCQN6GcvFk91anKueWWZTXFiXjx_NGegTNnAMadpXPU-qIfKTdlPb_cK4VB1Dsqz1v9Fy6ovYXXnp329j4dQLHMX82jgA1kscyTfiraBKSMaI/s640/crossSketches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Then (in the steps I failed to photograph), I cut a cross out of copper, filed the edges,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and drew the design directly on the copper with a black fine-point Sharpie. </div>
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The Sharpie ink acts as a resist when the piece is put into the etching acid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">(Side note ~ with the bankruptcy of RadioShack, many of their stores ~~not all~~ are closing and liquidating their inventory. I got a bottle of etching acid for $1.40! Everything was 90% off....they only had one bottle left, or I definitely would have stocked up on those $14 bottles. So, be on the lookout for closing stores.)</span></div>
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Next, I needed to add a patina to darken my etched metal. But all I had was some Novacan Black, </div>
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which really only works well on silver soldered stuff. Since it did very little to darken my copper, I resorted to just using a black Sharpie since I was in a time crunch (<i>what else is new</i>...).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeaE6nDoxrBU_9o1hR3_GC1x4QTtcbvA2MDj3yUB5ghoxhXsshUPpYVG5clh9_g5lTZJIR46WOFVx1QQjj4tSG2lH4-1-KGICD3ORu8tiXZla586ZYZ0IwolJHJOkQUsX2qIrRDnoGSc/s1600/crossSharpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeaE6nDoxrBU_9o1hR3_GC1x4QTtcbvA2MDj3yUB5ghoxhXsshUPpYVG5clh9_g5lTZJIR46WOFVx1QQjj4tSG2lH4-1-KGICD3ORu8tiXZla586ZYZ0IwolJHJOkQUsX2qIrRDnoGSc/s640/crossSharpie.jpg" width="546" /> </a></div>
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Not ideal for permanency, but it worked okay. </div>
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Then I used 0000 steel wool to polish off the raised layer, to bring up all the etched detail.</div>
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My plan was to add the cross to a journal, so I bought a plain black Moleskin and tried it out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1v23v5_Q3OCcAYZYVBBX9AZBcBgTNyOwUkmBPqYRkR0WwPVHsv2hyphenhyphenBXVIAJZIjDY0C7qKyehiZotNicyouGaW-y4Ok5JUkaUFUMMr3vpnnT7KM_TPrPEO1TO0GOCfs4CwdnfRaK5m3k/s1600/crossOnMoleskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1v23v5_Q3OCcAYZYVBBX9AZBcBgTNyOwUkmBPqYRkR0WwPVHsv2hyphenhyphenBXVIAJZIjDY0C7qKyehiZotNicyouGaW-y4Ok5JUkaUFUMMr3vpnnT7KM_TPrPEO1TO0GOCfs4CwdnfRaK5m3k/s640/crossOnMoleskin.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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...but it just looked kind of blah, flat, and maybe too much like a Bible. </div>
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Plus, that elastic band was bugging me.</div>
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Then I came upon this gorgeous little journal! It looks like a treasured antique, </div>
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and has a neat little clasp on the side ~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEh2Z3GM3U6o8WKVA_Kf7nMb1qPEk6ETNDordY4J1t-c3fu3z6NNK3W6VUyJZoSPcGfz7fUa97rZkPUdbPAT3o1NaIuzLad77SrlERujmnnfFI43ztR006wqUG_9BZ5Lo37ahlkjYATg/s1600/crossFilagreeLabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEh2Z3GM3U6o8WKVA_Kf7nMb1qPEk6ETNDordY4J1t-c3fu3z6NNK3W6VUyJZoSPcGfz7fUa97rZkPUdbPAT3o1NaIuzLad77SrlERujmnnfFI43ztR006wqUG_9BZ5Lo37ahlkjYATg/s320/crossFilagreeLabel.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I just love how it turned out, like a relic from the past, and hopefully our GodDaughter loves it, too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz2yHweW33IqN-U3MkZNH3hYJRp9f94QwwBT5rnNax94y73prWPgQ-Tln10MU4WvoF-0rxacNzqu2Khpp9x8DaZx3U2enqG8qa68b7Hg2ecWxien-YNTjR56J-K2UvGgHcanPnmEisVE/s1600/crossFilagreeNoLabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz2yHweW33IqN-U3MkZNH3hYJRp9f94QwwBT5rnNax94y73prWPgQ-Tln10MU4WvoF-0rxacNzqu2Khpp9x8DaZx3U2enqG8qa68b7Hg2ecWxien-YNTjR56J-K2UvGgHcanPnmEisVE/s640/crossFilagreeNoLabel.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
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We were on our way to church that day for the Confirmation service, </div>
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and snapped a quick family pic in the backyard.</div>
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So glad my girl is home from college for the summer!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYatoHn5wI3nW35LchTiwBkLil-aVRsbOf1uom8__Cjz2d47Kliov_fmNQtjhZxwNJwwiLWbL6Za4atPXjA3suW_Ipiv-jP9B-ngxUB4AKSRMNnpeMRZyp2qp7Q8h7_xKlqYx3YbgT-kw/s1600/famPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYatoHn5wI3nW35LchTiwBkLil-aVRsbOf1uom8__Cjz2d47Kliov_fmNQtjhZxwNJwwiLWbL6Za4atPXjA3suW_Ipiv-jP9B-ngxUB4AKSRMNnpeMRZyp2qp7Q8h7_xKlqYx3YbgT-kw/s640/famPic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More <span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">etched copper</span></span></span><br />
on the horizon for me. I love the process. It's really pretty easy, with great results.<br />
And perfect for a personalized gift!</div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-63718643023768572802015-05-26T15:31:00.000-07:002015-05-26T16:21:56.384-07:00Life is a Circus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bLCSWLSIhOOe43KUwfxcJ_KmD89jz8DPly86-EHGRL5jOgnSN6itfWdPbJ_-JDJfru7Y0N97b9ac5icFhrdolpqnbCG0YIlZhJM5pl6EjP9v5j0woHs0Oib71FVBgxBgrO3vhs4yjLE/s1600/circusSingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bLCSWLSIhOOe43KUwfxcJ_KmD89jz8DPly86-EHGRL5jOgnSN6itfWdPbJ_-JDJfru7Y0N97b9ac5icFhrdolpqnbCG0YIlZhJM5pl6EjP9v5j0woHs0Oib71FVBgxBgrO3vhs4yjLE/s640/circusSingle.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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Another monthly swap over at <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/2015/05/join-circus-atcs-are-in-mail.html">artJoystuff</a> . . . </div>
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this time with the theme <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"JOIN THE CIRCUS!"</span></span></span></div>
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I used a colorful image of a robed elephant </div>
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and added jewels and glitter for more sparkle</div>
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<i>(alas, I wish the image hadn't included the prod-wielding trainer. Our local zoo is under scrutiny for past overzealous prod misuse, and it makes me furious and disgusted! </i><br />
<i>And, truth be told, animals in circuses, caged & hauled around in trucks, bother me quite a bit, too--</i><br />
<i>but the imagery is sure great...).</i></div>
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The elephant and the circus label are both raised up to be 3-d.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyK_JWsHq7Pye7194Xn_2g_DbOrzn5yaWyiUphx2BRuDYoAjSh0POtBVp8uobb_q3MzbpFh-l-MIxPaO63mfZ0iv2CIJeglOumtor7spUi078PH2ywRADpy-uL8nJKJ0n_WloO4hmUlU/s1600/3circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyK_JWsHq7Pye7194Xn_2g_DbOrzn5yaWyiUphx2BRuDYoAjSh0POtBVp8uobb_q3MzbpFh-l-MIxPaO63mfZ0iv2CIJeglOumtor7spUi078PH2ywRADpy-uL8nJKJ0n_WloO4hmUlU/s640/3circus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Always on the lookout for apropos clipart to add my info on the backside,</div>
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I found this goofy booted elephant to keep with the theme:</div>
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and tucked each card in a bright envelope, adding a little tag I made from a darling old photo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu_8IXRUU96LMRRHD8AIYh-8asZ9k09vtm7I_HjsDjcnM2-BlTiyLe_V6KcQ-3QWZE1n8tzj_wBvgXV7o9igYT4vhMX4mpY2pIKWTOC9epN41ALfeDaQWAVV2JQ_fvP7Gz5OCWAe6Tnw/s1600/epsFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu_8IXRUU96LMRRHD8AIYh-8asZ9k09vtm7I_HjsDjcnM2-BlTiyLe_V6KcQ-3QWZE1n8tzj_wBvgXV7o9igYT4vhMX4mpY2pIKWTOC9epN41ALfeDaQWAVV2JQ_fvP7Gz5OCWAe6Tnw/s640/epsFB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had some extra bits left over and made a specially labeled envelope for Kim:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52WmgHRQKANVslT8zlXoWdzBP9PFQn9SDmO_wx8krY4M4lSlzc1NKsdwe9KJI_QMhIpAd86ZxkYrwSyHE_CVgW4ZY3OJl7yELVfaAtEY5Hrnitr6TaZ3izMoY53T2NjUVMMZgKwTEhLI/s1600/kimEps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52WmgHRQKANVslT8zlXoWdzBP9PFQn9SDmO_wx8krY4M4lSlzc1NKsdwe9KJI_QMhIpAd86ZxkYrwSyHE_CVgW4ZY3OJl7yELVfaAtEY5Hrnitr6TaZ3izMoY53T2NjUVMMZgKwTEhLI/s640/kimEps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And look what came in the mail today!! ~ </div>
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Okay, I MUST go to the Post Office and get these fantastic circus postage stamps!!! I hadn't seen them before and they are so wonderful! I will even brave the long line, the horrible service, and the very unfriendly staff at my nearby station ....or maybe try to order them online?!?<br />
Yes, that's a <i>much</i> better idea as I believe these may have been issued a while ago. <br />
But I digress........</div>
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Inside the package I found these delightful ATCs, each colorful and clever...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GNMdW_sx-s5uNnhHD8dT98ZVA9-wz4J78YT6m9FesoGlyxOB53gM2uA273Zb0d5IseWP9RD9mZkXq__0QDsMQj_zcbDGl0ltvhcrglM3B87U0UP2CExGvemwf7z9Qk59ZY3cm9D0-6s/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GNMdW_sx-s5uNnhHD8dT98ZVA9-wz4J78YT6m9FesoGlyxOB53gM2uA273Zb0d5IseWP9RD9mZkXq__0QDsMQj_zcbDGl0ltvhcrglM3B87U0UP2CExGvemwf7z9Qk59ZY3cm9D0-6s/s640/IMG_0887.JPG" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;">left to right, by <a href="http://uniquelyella.blogspot.com/">Marlene</a>, by <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kim,</a> and by <a href="http://createology.blogspot.com/">Sherry</a> (complete with dancing rhino!) ~ Thanks, Ladies!!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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...along with a happy little vintage clown that Kim included with the swap:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Circus Fun!</span></span></span></div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-27400138155904673652015-05-09T16:12:00.000-07:002015-05-09T16:12:04.390-07:00Easy-Peasy Handmade Cards<div style="text-align: center;">
I have 2 friends retiring from long careers in teaching, </div>
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and wanted to make them each a card, but had very little time to do so. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG1eWcnrc7o0GLVfovwJ5VVEDEw_SYak1Y8pSmdHPLBrurrlmUYrF2sa-6oMQ80bO7rtQqi_yjHkDiKabVvGZyM7fONYqSw2oUGQRLwNKPIi7qbTKgkOfycGmhyphenhyphenruM8_ndVyO9Imp3Mk/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG1eWcnrc7o0GLVfovwJ5VVEDEw_SYak1Y8pSmdHPLBrurrlmUYrF2sa-6oMQ80bO7rtQqi_yjHkDiKabVvGZyM7fONYqSw2oUGQRLwNKPIi7qbTKgkOfycGmhyphenhyphenruM8_ndVyO9Imp3Mk/s640/card.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thegraphicsfairy.com/">Graphics Fairy</a> to the rescue! What would we all do without that amazing, generous site??</div>
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Someone else was clever enough to come up with that cute phrase, so I just borrowed it and printed the image in simple black and white on matte photo paper. A little pink Prismacolor pencil gives her cheeks some color. <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/"> Kim</a> had sent a bunch of paper cut-out flowers a while back, and I added smaller flowers I punched from some aqua foil paper I had in my stash. Light aqua stick-on pearls from the $1 bins at Michaels (all that stuff tempts me so!!) add a little pizzazz, along with folding the petals upward for dimension. Kraft paper card stock frames everything and is a nice contrast to the white and aqua.</div>
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How easy was that?!</div>
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I much prefer giving handmade cards instead of store-bought. So much more economical, plus I just really enjoy making and personalizing them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBhtv823nWMWvXl9ILPo7YG5lOVCGHkApr5Uqo_97wMifHmJSPcMaIf7gP2OwFKJMXH7KalgRoHqChFlQjTAocuEmNsV0jx03jFp3p8bJsqItAl5z_MluVZHi8wuNYExdUcwvCDdEbpo/s1600/cardEPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBhtv823nWMWvXl9ILPo7YG5lOVCGHkApr5Uqo_97wMifHmJSPcMaIf7gP2OwFKJMXH7KalgRoHqChFlQjTAocuEmNsV0jx03jFp3p8bJsqItAl5z_MluVZHi8wuNYExdUcwvCDdEbpo/s640/cardEPS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I decorated the envelopes with another flower and pearl, plus some white gel pen lettering and flourishes. I love using white pens or pencils on brown kraft paper....I think it looks so snappy!</div>
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(Remember my little Etsy gift boxes from a <a href="http://www.themagrag.com/2013/02/making-little-boxes.html">long-ago post</a>??):</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEVvKucgAhI1vVb-yn0Yp0GB3R354dNmYzoP9EU4T3CQjSRNxu0CukE51ydrIXQ-67VA01sm8umQO3Pg9AcLwR5RALZmdouEirCLAgkNgVuy_jYQmsALko1xiQouRLn75tU-m1Ks4tNE/s1600/boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEVvKucgAhI1vVb-yn0Yp0GB3R354dNmYzoP9EU4T3CQjSRNxu0CukE51ydrIXQ-67VA01sm8umQO3Pg9AcLwR5RALZmdouEirCLAgkNgVuy_jYQmsALko1xiQouRLn75tU-m1Ks4tNE/s640/boxes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;">White pencil on the left, white gel pen on the right. The white adds so much extra 'oomph' to the brown paper.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Here's the other decorated envelope (the card was identical):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8ofchVicu49HbtBcojx-QCHDrV2fTyjUp8xveuEUfYdDSKy5rYxWNL8UgrT2s7z2gTPVUz2eE5OYJcHQgORziF5N7xCpJcKxcdJthXJXmRYwtRdwQjdzjqTfxp7vRvcwpMsfYg9khyphenhyphenw/s1600/andrea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8ofchVicu49HbtBcojx-QCHDrV2fTyjUp8xveuEUfYdDSKy5rYxWNL8UgrT2s7z2gTPVUz2eE5OYJcHQgORziF5N7xCpJcKxcdJthXJXmRYwtRdwQjdzjqTfxp7vRvcwpMsfYg9khyphenhyphenw/s640/andrea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY9q5Dskhxw219UwYRPZxX9HpysBWiBbg9bBHjEHpx7T3matzD5Xvjj0W19WZfJXr50vrkviUKTLNJuOeCtODV6eSWsqPEo56U4D8fn2pao_NWzvw9wdWBHqx-b5JDb494Bo5uia-x10/s1600/eps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY9q5Dskhxw219UwYRPZxX9HpysBWiBbg9bBHjEHpx7T3matzD5Xvjj0W19WZfJXr50vrkviUKTLNJuOeCtODV6eSWsqPEo56U4D8fn2pao_NWzvw9wdWBHqx-b5JDb494Bo5uia-x10/s640/eps.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Easy Peasy!</span></span></span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-38172876136095129022015-04-30T16:58:00.000-07:002015-04-30T17:25:03.779-07:00French General....c'est si bon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CaaoXIWlRJdHWnjzDrsQiKft5iIbMFdPRP29Fb83elGio6kXyfMja4gujMFXigsN9ZwoAgjhSx1vmd76WtpWPtBR8hITwgs2eSMzPQIPbalvrE1Gv2yOXpPGn1pNnut-u7wWKstjcd4/s1600/IMG_0795+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CaaoXIWlRJdHWnjzDrsQiKft5iIbMFdPRP29Fb83elGio6kXyfMja4gujMFXigsN9ZwoAgjhSx1vmd76WtpWPtBR8hITwgs2eSMzPQIPbalvrE1Gv2yOXpPGn1pNnut-u7wWKstjcd4/s1600/IMG_0795+copy.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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Another <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">artJOYstuff </a>swap to share... </div>
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this time the theme was "<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">French General</span></span>", </div>
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drawing inspiration from designer Kaari Meng and her <a href="https://www.frenchgeneral.com/">wonderful line </a></div>
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of fabrics, embellishments and paper goods.</div>
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I had to start my ATCs from scratch, however, since I didn't have any actual products from her line to use. Instead, I pulled together images and elements that emulated her 'look':<br />
red damask prints, vintage-looking red labels and trims, and French icons.<br />
My design is all lined up and neat & tidy,<br />
which to me, is again part of the French General 'look'.</div>
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Remember the prototypes for my new bag designs I showed in <a href="http://www.themagrag.com/2015/03/what-ive-been-working-on.html">this post</a>? Well, the French grain sack design was really a perfect match for this theme. I took that large image and shrunk it down to make this miniature pocket to hold the ATC:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigWlFHIR-QDb7B6hyphenhypheniGMsOqU3HT5gqL-U3Tw0sQFJJj1RXr5AYMFQWjpF09vmaRTPHb6wTCFBhVQJEZGx02UpbHEjGee7axtcHFHpABWH4qqFI9i0RxEFTNykoCOnudXQhdUtuOMacB0/s1600/inPocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigWlFHIR-QDb7B6hyphenhypheniGMsOqU3HT5gqL-U3Tw0sQFJJj1RXr5AYMFQWjpF09vmaRTPHb6wTCFBhVQJEZGx02UpbHEjGee7axtcHFHpABWH4qqFI9i0RxEFTNykoCOnudXQhdUtuOMacB0/s1600/inPocket.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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I used my serger on the edges and they turned out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamA70WQUmJhZQZ13ooDleFo7u-Os9BhNwrppnk14JY1j0uGmHhkAhCZzoUWRE82cXo7-ZOxjHMu2gH3_u4FKRhFoKGWkHeVEAsehgeZpRGvA_xGUytEJ75aSrtD0BQfuu6R9gw347hLM/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamA70WQUmJhZQZ13ooDleFo7u-Os9BhNwrppnk14JY1j0uGmHhkAhCZzoUWRE82cXo7-ZOxjHMu2gH3_u4FKRhFoKGWkHeVEAsehgeZpRGvA_xGUytEJ75aSrtD0BQfuu6R9gw347hLM/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" height="640" width="578" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi0Hscpaep_Qye61Z4Y-aStLt2bYtAk3I8oqB0afFUymBxa_U-LLXvzU5BH60GIMDiQ1XZpNmU9bUUy0dj2SK-l8NgFMGsv_pFJJ0mi0f4sprHRnLvRVlTBYTmJRS2AB5d8Qvafy1W0E/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpi0Hscpaep_Qye61Z4Y-aStLt2bYtAk3I8oqB0afFUymBxa_U-LLXvzU5BH60GIMDiQ1XZpNmU9bUUy0dj2SK-l8NgFMGsv_pFJJ0mi0f4sprHRnLvRVlTBYTmJRS2AB5d8Qvafy1W0E/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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I used little lifts and levels to give each card a bit more dimension:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKZ_owKafIIhx6gU_EQEHSHQzkiYU6tXsQYDy8tA-Enzj_tl7Izvv1O5_I3j0UIuk5z60eKeFqP7m_-t-D_SNZaj09HcdmlXzAu3R3Mv-pEP_VVRiKLn6Ql0wYkjhK8tnFwX032Oqlzo/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKZ_owKafIIhx6gU_EQEHSHQzkiYU6tXsQYDy8tA-Enzj_tl7Izvv1O5_I3j0UIuk5z60eKeFqP7m_-t-D_SNZaj09HcdmlXzAu3R3Mv-pEP_VVRiKLn6Ql0wYkjhK8tnFwX032Oqlzo/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></a></div>
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and tried to make the back pretty, too:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz8ZqdRi5rOF_vAn13L5pzoebcGQYOvDLarqNTmwjxeJd4JvskgPuPmWEtp0qnHfgzAj57zyOHZSbRg1mLaJbhhRymH8vdqzB0CAgdf4bIPuBwkAr45qVcOg6hfX8wytk6Ev4HG2xqWQ/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz8ZqdRi5rOF_vAn13L5pzoebcGQYOvDLarqNTmwjxeJd4JvskgPuPmWEtp0qnHfgzAj57zyOHZSbRg1mLaJbhhRymH8vdqzB0CAgdf4bIPuBwkAr45qVcOg6hfX8wytk6Ev4HG2xqWQ/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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I got three lovely ATCs swapped in return, and our host Kimberly sent pretty French General papers in a little pennant/bunting kit to each of us~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIPosVbTBVresrL39KbdsoenEZIFAQMjcj79WImrVv6zV10_yPhe6Q5oQOrGkbJnQTUCyEhFhCvkFQP9MYRmWjYL15kmTxmyQztBY4EUYy1dbHeQsDaS3fJPu6w7zR_V3vzzE29pfvXo/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIPosVbTBVresrL39KbdsoenEZIFAQMjcj79WImrVv6zV10_yPhe6Q5oQOrGkbJnQTUCyEhFhCvkFQP9MYRmWjYL15kmTxmyQztBY4EUYy1dbHeQsDaS3fJPu6w7zR_V3vzzE29pfvXo/s1600/028.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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I love everything in that French General line, especially the old graphics and the wonderful way all of it is presented and packaged. Right up my alley!</div>
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<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="height: 36px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">c'est si bon!</span></span></pre>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-7842799909149515022015-04-17T12:47:00.000-07:002015-04-19T16:29:50.373-07:00Wedding Card Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2xBtTOropClZiLy-n02ujkhijayWSVhe4ZO9aIDzjyj4jD7P95QzJYXoJdhU7WKwZqfNrT10Hb2E63Po5pBLtFZG7AGU1QOeczUSddAeKdFZL8ktEMrpzteBmQh_oe9a1FNInAbl_GE/s1600/allisonDanielCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2xBtTOropClZiLy-n02ujkhijayWSVhe4ZO9aIDzjyj4jD7P95QzJYXoJdhU7WKwZqfNrT10Hb2E63Po5pBLtFZG7AGU1QOeczUSddAeKdFZL8ktEMrpzteBmQh_oe9a1FNInAbl_GE/s1600/allisonDanielCard.jpg" height="640" width="536" /> </a></div>
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My darling niece just got married and I wanted to make a personalized wedding card for her. </div>
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Hmmm, how to start?</div>
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Well, I had already designed this one, below, for a "White Wedding" swap a year ago, </div>
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and was pleased with how it turned out. I simply used the same basic layout for the new card </div>
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(glad I saved a photo of the original before I swapped it!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwskN9BarcBawbJuTqJvjoHohSr_dheLUaQPghvcbbVsa3wgED_VdSVEz3F2f7oc2TexICHX2X35-DbTUpYgOS3P0K6KGJc4uUQtZwFVQ8qIQVat-UWQTG0UhwHYq1-DjMOEoYMhJZsL0/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwskN9BarcBawbJuTqJvjoHohSr_dheLUaQPghvcbbVsa3wgED_VdSVEz3F2f7oc2TexICHX2X35-DbTUpYgOS3P0K6KGJc4uUQtZwFVQ8qIQVat-UWQTG0UhwHYq1-DjMOEoYMhJZsL0/s1600/card.jpg" height="640" width="532" /> </a></div>
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It went together lickety-split, since I already had the general template and technique figured out.</div>
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My flower stash was different this time around, so those got a new arrangement ~ and of course, the photo of the new happy couple was used in the little frame.</div>
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It was so nice having a quick and easy project for a change!</div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-65343403670640862962015-03-27T12:33:00.000-07:002015-03-27T12:33:41.110-07:00What I've been working on...<div style="text-align: center;">
My latest ATCs </div>
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for <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">artJOYstuff</a>'s March swap, "Fairy Garden"... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptywUVdLmndNBVUH6hOwXmU0IKGLVPw8fAP6Ux00u4aFU0q5rSS1kTVPWsefRSkM37thkcnqjpwDVyuN07C6PoRBns3Dc8rjnW3abZoPBkKeEAwGiZzgDAVUSRRNI6AfKmpCx6X-N6s8/s1600/IMG_0779+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptywUVdLmndNBVUH6hOwXmU0IKGLVPw8fAP6Ux00u4aFU0q5rSS1kTVPWsefRSkM37thkcnqjpwDVyuN07C6PoRBns3Dc8rjnW3abZoPBkKeEAwGiZzgDAVUSRRNI6AfKmpCx6X-N6s8/s1600/IMG_0779+(1).jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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Twigs, moss and little flowers (and glitter, of course!)</div>
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added to the sweetest image of a baby fairy... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiTjAuZpCAJaG2ZSAD6eWoJFrnNVe2tG33DEzFtXq6uFnlamNga-tSaWGCHtAq6MWyYGTlUEWAxpI6y81qAewFgvhmGGnh2hK_7X1gV3BunBbp_gbsXE5UfO6v2C-Kg9kZOJ6NbE1XLQ/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiTjAuZpCAJaG2ZSAD6eWoJFrnNVe2tG33DEzFtXq6uFnlamNga-tSaWGCHtAq6MWyYGTlUEWAxpI6y81qAewFgvhmGGnh2hK_7X1gV3BunBbp_gbsXE5UfO6v2C-Kg9kZOJ6NbE1XLQ/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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I found this darling image in my clip art books </div>
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to scan and use for signing the back... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFORELQvbyPDKWEv9vHNkk1VOSiYSdTPhC1AEKAhPfDuW6rAOLj7mSZB_CiUpoz1nxbq8cxSNOnMeNTo60prH6fbYHIM8_7WjuGkQ1-8W4QaUT1Qsm-vofqjxTlPfN6K70Uc8k6av3AI/s1600/IMG_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFORELQvbyPDKWEv9vHNkk1VOSiYSdTPhC1AEKAhPfDuW6rAOLj7mSZB_CiUpoz1nxbq8cxSNOnMeNTo60prH6fbYHIM8_7WjuGkQ1-8W4QaUT1Qsm-vofqjxTlPfN6K70Uc8k6av3AI/s1600/IMG_0783.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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My regular work has kept me busy. </div>
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I've been doing more surface designs for tote bags, and</div>
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working ahead for the next holiday season. </div>
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Here's a peek at a new chalkboard-style Christmas bag:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVaDWu1bQKdOebkW7fXx9km8_nWLDL6cFaEF51bYJPjEewOSViay0HKnO-ec0neuxS3Y2qptmpn0fsmK-tsG2GmZjorYiv2kRByadCpIzHxIME-PKiqBAj2Go3Mp4N6nKjjCjk3XVU4k/s1600/chalkboardChristmasForBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVaDWu1bQKdOebkW7fXx9km8_nWLDL6cFaEF51bYJPjEewOSViay0HKnO-ec0neuxS3Y2qptmpn0fsmK-tsG2GmZjorYiv2kRByadCpIzHxIME-PKiqBAj2Go3Mp4N6nKjjCjk3XVU4k/s1600/chalkboardChristmasForBlog.jpg" height="592" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sorry about all the copyright watermarks, but when these get reposted on Pinterest or elsewhere, I can't risk having them copied and printed by others.</div>
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Here's a peek at another chalkboard-style design for Halloween:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5ABmLnlcZ8kPM7AxAvyeF7UFR1WKqQqaQM0b5bsGESAYgjFPJzh3J1VxWNdNwfZMjtFNSLTI0mz-3K5xwe8PejwFfhhqfjD_dYu1HYJbSLcevABXGtQ026wZjtkosLf8S68Pww3l5s8/s1600/HalloweenChalk2forBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5ABmLnlcZ8kPM7AxAvyeF7UFR1WKqQqaQM0b5bsGESAYgjFPJzh3J1VxWNdNwfZMjtFNSLTI0mz-3K5xwe8PejwFfhhqfjD_dYu1HYJbSLcevABXGtQ026wZjtkosLf8S68Pww3l5s8/s1600/HalloweenChalk2forBlog.jpg" height="596" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a 'retro' Holiday design:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvhNWVn35w5geyoaoXm1fmCPRwAl9s3f6uIv1O_F5J7MAHTaNvPL0tnk1byAxV0lZWpYDcjBuYK_3goQc4b6i96h6p15rmPWMB-yDr48w27TICiHaBbmbE_5G6tTe7egjw6RMgT_mhyphenhyphenw/s1600/HOLIDAYpackagesForBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvhNWVn35w5geyoaoXm1fmCPRwAl9s3f6uIv1O_F5J7MAHTaNvPL0tnk1byAxV0lZWpYDcjBuYK_3goQc4b6i96h6p15rmPWMB-yDr48w27TICiHaBbmbE_5G6tTe7egjw6RMgT_mhyphenhyphenw/s1600/HOLIDAYpackagesForBlog.jpg" height="596" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to re-paint the central figure on this one. Her hands and packages look very weird.</span></span></td></tr>
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And, finally, one more generic design for next Fall:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvrJh8Nj84S8yivjjydVM6JukBdyPvxJNKcBNq4tH2-DjBtVtyttjJt2-KSBa2ZyLbmVKpVeavJrOdarpoSKEBstcGfvSvlj07unEwZ6k8QbiRuA3_qLiI4yiUGqhBZpJMQYh5UXMd8k/s1600/GrainSackForBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvrJh8Nj84S8yivjjydVM6JukBdyPvxJNKcBNq4tH2-DjBtVtyttjJt2-KSBa2ZyLbmVKpVeavJrOdarpoSKEBstcGfvSvlj07unEwZ6k8QbiRuA3_qLiI4yiUGqhBZpJMQYh5UXMd8k/s1600/GrainSackForBlog.jpg" height="596" width="640" /></a></div>
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As usual, the buyer "loved" (I quote, skeptically) these, </div>
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BUT the purchase orders still haven't been signed for these to go ahead and be printed. </div>
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So I am on pins and needles hoping the orders go through. </div>
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Not fun to put in hours and hours of work, on spec, with no guarantee </div>
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that I'll see actual income from these. </div>
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Fingers crossed!</div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-17132805858851245082015-03-06T17:46:00.000-08:002015-03-06T17:51:36.982-08:00Parisian Beauty Swap <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sweet "Parisian Beauty"swap mentioned in my last post brought me three delightful ATCs from other swappers. And I received a 'party favor' as well, from swap host <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly</a>!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcmu-qP73G2O5ZwQArDX8Z3-hvV6ul6BfustqoZ59mzet_vm-09Nz0n-Ydo1kotGmJEFl3Rso8KaaQYwlV-EAaEMEl6dMsuMIn86KmE6ZHZsifrAlF-_AO777lZzAnFazeRQ5ZaUdP6k/s1600/IMG_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcmu-qP73G2O5ZwQArDX8Z3-hvV6ul6BfustqoZ59mzet_vm-09Nz0n-Ydo1kotGmJEFl3Rso8KaaQYwlV-EAaEMEl6dMsuMIn86KmE6ZHZsifrAlF-_AO777lZzAnFazeRQ5ZaUdP6k/s1600/IMG_0758.jpg" height="640" width="548" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Kimberly sent along these very pretty earrings. I love them! And they
were so cleverly presented, strung on the tiny mannequin tag, mounted to
vintage French text. I will feel <i>tres chic</i> when wearing them!</span></td></tr>
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Three variations on the theme, from three talented crafters:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdPNunfvXpJB45Y4s8BR4v4WzxnEl8FlM1_EiIVGT2ADSTRYZzMg5c-ohBdaREbEl0c2i29zlKRma_CpvAkAmDeARjqz0XNdOU0hqvyGZhAjKSQLd0g4TZML8RqpUfbXu8EYlnU7pmYY/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdPNunfvXpJB45Y4s8BR4v4WzxnEl8FlM1_EiIVGT2ADSTRYZzMg5c-ohBdaREbEl0c2i29zlKRma_CpvAkAmDeARjqz0XNdOU0hqvyGZhAjKSQLd0g4TZML8RqpUfbXu8EYlnU7pmYY/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Left, from Kimberly, <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">artJoystuff</a>. Middle, from Susanne Talbot (no blog). Right, from Sherry, <a href="http://createology.blogspot.com/">Creatology</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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Notice the paper I used in the background of these photos? It is the beautiful handmade creation of Kathy from <a href="http://kathyinozarks.blogspot.com/">KathyInOzarks </a>. I won several pieces of it in the Grow Your Blog drawing that she had recently. I can't wait to use it in a special project. I love all the texture. Thanks again, Kathy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj2pDp8E7Sc_c3CDWhrLA83iR6nt3UqauzaAMVE2kJ5diK8VxIhndBdI4Es8a9xxLEYGTTJUzCS-M42sAGqKXqB5r_yHYOeza8s6BvMZcikjv4z8GSeP-Kivzq8n86HA1qcsVDxYa0jA/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj2pDp8E7Sc_c3CDWhrLA83iR6nt3UqauzaAMVE2kJ5diK8VxIhndBdI4Es8a9xxLEYGTTJUzCS-M42sAGqKXqB5r_yHYOeza8s6BvMZcikjv4z8GSeP-Kivzq8n86HA1qcsVDxYa0jA/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-87320070918817781172015-02-17T10:50:00.000-08:002015-02-17T10:50:40.831-08:00Ooh la la!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">"Parisian Beauty"</span></span></div>
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... the theme of this month's ATC swap Kimberly is hosting at <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">artJOYstuff</a> ...</div>
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and here's what I came up with:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWjqHRDmBoq3gFCb2zXdArTvaMJEW5RuwA_koo21V895rofxgEzGFTqC04Cc3DvKwdURPMVyOJH2oH3Tlp6-VVfB-rxXOu2z30rO-b6ed5S52nW-Lo71G299x-g7aSMH7uBKaki1w950/s1600/paris1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWjqHRDmBoq3gFCb2zXdArTvaMJEW5RuwA_koo21V895rofxgEzGFTqC04Cc3DvKwdURPMVyOJH2oH3Tlp6-VVfB-rxXOu2z30rO-b6ed5S52nW-Lo71G299x-g7aSMH7uBKaki1w950/s1600/paris1.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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I found this image of a Moulin Rouge can-can dancer, and thought, "ooh la la...it's perfect!" </div>
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I added in some type (that fanciful font is called "Rage", and it is the same one I used in my blog header and water-mark. Actually, I use it all the time on LOTS of projects; definitely a favorite!). </div>
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Her dancing outfit got an extra 3-d flounce layer of pink lace, gathered up and sewn on. </div>
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Three ATCs for my 3 swappers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNTfLDtBwGSkJau8YbAjrn8x9t8zV1bIfS9YDNQ4V4jGbF9T78bITuR-R5KtpDhZC8KZnXaWMeXed2BwC-SixOy6JdtW3MkfKc96-ByK0l_7bx1ICdDfvkL8jy4pvsf4iU9qX5eQfhig/s1600/paris2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNTfLDtBwGSkJau8YbAjrn8x9t8zV1bIfS9YDNQ4V4jGbF9T78bITuR-R5KtpDhZC8KZnXaWMeXed2BwC-SixOy6JdtW3MkfKc96-ByK0l_7bx1ICdDfvkL8jy4pvsf4iU9qX5eQfhig/s1600/paris2.jpg" height="640" width="410" /> </a></div>
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... and all wrapped up in some tissue and pretty vintage trim:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBPdvuMucfV1LdR2hHBjaWzaFGZo1buBzC30u6A7ZTMzebhVFdLogxW3DG7qjorVRK5-QeOzfpCq2AOn08RTeyEp1pWaZlLr15Y1PxoBn6fs6MKOwR8rIZD92NhrdoCBoQVKBNx2a7AY/s1600/parisPkg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBPdvuMucfV1LdR2hHBjaWzaFGZo1buBzC30u6A7ZTMzebhVFdLogxW3DG7qjorVRK5-QeOzfpCq2AOn08RTeyEp1pWaZlLr15Y1PxoBn6fs6MKOwR8rIZD92NhrdoCBoQVKBNx2a7AY/s1600/parisPkg.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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<br />It will be fun to see what French-inspired lovelies I get in return.</div>
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I love a good swap!</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-12584533911409256412015-02-15T12:52:00.000-08:002015-02-15T12:52:04.329-08:00Giveaway WINNERS!!I had so many nice visitors to my blog for the "Grow Your Blog" party, who left such kind and affirming comments. Thank you all so much, and a special welcome to my new followers, too. I hope you come back often and that we can become friends!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">The winner of my Soldered Heart necklace...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvUp_kayXfNrFFjL9uJVQMNiq3q6PwuckpWG9QSR5mM6Ur32oUjOv_EBLpqmX0AwaFEa9SGou9jBbvQ6TG9oK0xmGkR6jAPgJucJb_q286XCZ45et_wziD9tvuiN_Oe9opUQwQkEjwOs/s1600/lava2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvUp_kayXfNrFFjL9uJVQMNiq3q6PwuckpWG9QSR5mM6Ur32oUjOv_EBLpqmX0AwaFEa9SGou9jBbvQ6TG9oK0xmGkR6jAPgJucJb_q286XCZ45et_wziD9tvuiN_Oe9opUQwQkEjwOs/s1600/lava2.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
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...is <span style="color: magenta;">GILLY</span> from</div>
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<a href="http://gillymakes.blogspot.com/">gillymakes </a></div>
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<br />(Gilly was commenter #23)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCX13RonnRdaQGliaOmHd9sPFxlB7P8qystp0TYF9f8HnL_XnM41ozN0XExm9HT-k1naNsTJ8HOMZfYd0kHcgcyoKZ9BhKIA5qVp-DN3mH1aEZO9N3DouScOgwfX7m8vYZwET1QYt99E/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCX13RonnRdaQGliaOmHd9sPFxlB7P8qystp0TYF9f8HnL_XnM41ozN0XExm9HT-k1naNsTJ8HOMZfYd0kHcgcyoKZ9BhKIA5qVp-DN3mH1aEZO9N3DouScOgwfX7m8vYZwET1QYt99E/s1600/23.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">The winner of the Angel Card...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qP6NFeJiLL_XIgp0NiLNKb1VYtfa4T0-vHTbuYGSch7gV-oFLoDgD8qSbtA4Va_IkrDj4TAHNw4agpvKb5hoBG_hL8nBC2BkHEyg3s8dKtyXvz8hm2EgL9xVPlzSkCQsdPcZOSeHCpI/s1600/angCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qP6NFeJiLL_XIgp0NiLNKb1VYtfa4T0-vHTbuYGSch7gV-oFLoDgD8qSbtA4Va_IkrDj4TAHNw4agpvKb5hoBG_hL8nBC2BkHEyg3s8dKtyXvz8hm2EgL9xVPlzSkCQsdPcZOSeHCpI/s1600/angCard.jpg" height="640" width="568" /></a></div>
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...is<span style="color: magenta;"> CYNTHIA CRANE</span> from</div>
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<a href="http://www.thecranesnest.com/">theCranesNest</a></div>
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(Cynthia was commenter #30)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCA5fVT_WUfcpgecTwcKi-Bx59Sjh93apBVY7KYQebuSEZ_gMnPt1RjGEiwStx_RM6UOsibeBYOuYux20XhFUN_-hM-ZT2f5eZa6YYowDSOXZAi6XaTZbHmxe8brNnakm3SG523pA2rQ/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCA5fVT_WUfcpgecTwcKi-Bx59Sjh93apBVY7KYQebuSEZ_gMnPt1RjGEiwStx_RM6UOsibeBYOuYux20XhFUN_-hM-ZT2f5eZa6YYowDSOXZAi6XaTZbHmxe8brNnakm3SG523pA2rQ/s1600/30.jpg" height="200" width="179" /></a></div>
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Just for the heck of it I decided to have a <span style="color: magenta;">"JUST BECAUSE" extra drawing</span>, for another Angel Card:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdGsJYTdZ7ROQUwE-AnKdETW4KE8zvb5C3US-i7fxOZ6UZnYvwF5Pqwpv4Xb2S2R5dAxh4tZqf2UtzWojJcGVLzGYjaBSMmL3XqH8VhEstOE_hFQ9eK6P-drrAk8taqOSPJLHmnfE_7I/s1600/angelCardPkg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdGsJYTdZ7ROQUwE-AnKdETW4KE8zvb5C3US-i7fxOZ6UZnYvwF5Pqwpv4Xb2S2R5dAxh4tZqf2UtzWojJcGVLzGYjaBSMmL3XqH8VhEstOE_hFQ9eK6P-drrAk8taqOSPJLHmnfE_7I/s1600/angelCardPkg.jpg" height="640" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Not the greatest photo, since I left it in its cello bag)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
is <span style="color: magenta;">WENDY </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from <a href="http://appleapricot.blogspot.nl/">AppleAndApricot</a></div>
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CONGRATS to all three winners, and thank you again for stopping by my blog. Hope you visit again, soon!</div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-87179480755271408322015-01-25T00:13:00.000-08:002015-01-27T02:03:07.039-08:00"Grow Your Blog" ...and a GIVEAWAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">WELCOME</span></span></span>, <b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: magenta;">to new visitors and old friends alike</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;">For the 3rd annual "GROW YOUR BLOG" party!!</span></span></div>
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So glad to have you stop by as
you go through the massive list of bloggers that Vicki at <a href="http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/">2 Bags Full</a> has generously compiled! Hope you can stay a while and have a look around, and then enter my</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">at the end of this post!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">"Hello again" </span>to old friends who come by often, and <span style="color: magenta;">"so glad to meet you"</span> to my new visitors! You'll see old photos I've posted before, and a bunch new ones, too, that will give you an idea of what I blog about. LOTS of photos ahead...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhBZd3oGpJU1hQ05lgeelLN4xr3Yiig-Lydy3gj6UwguFM6_kzUlUs7VmbMtBVoUgZW6rvuTd8piMxwi45EUrLzpUxxNt5Y4bZ6xdyWw6Jak7FznK9qlkZzzVZpE0ErLFiSPF6aQYsYY/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhBZd3oGpJU1hQ05lgeelLN4xr3Yiig-Lydy3gj6UwguFM6_kzUlUs7VmbMtBVoUgZW6rvuTd8piMxwi45EUrLzpUxxNt5Y4bZ6xdyWw6Jak7FznK9qlkZzzVZpE0ErLFiSPF6aQYsYY/s1600/a.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love to make soldered jewelry...here is one of my signature shadow boxes</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me introduce myself:</span><br />
My name is Maggie, from
beautiful Portland, Oregon. I've been a professional illustrator and
designer, mostly in the textile and home-sewing industry for many
years. I devote much of my free time to my love of crafting and
painting. I enjoy blogging because it has introduced me to a great many
kindred
souls out there who share many of my passions. I like to use my blog as
a journal of sorts, to share the projects I'm working on. It also
serves as a doorway to my Etsy shop,
which is woefully bare right now, but should be stocked again soon with
the soldered jewelry and angel paintings that I love to create.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvEKEEHJHmDPzpTmZ8WF3QeQqvSxGLFN7HU0zQki9zT0wk-WD7vn3DbaJYE7CijXut1Zql_9wrD_1sFzfRrrMUSqaLfEebD-GtUbx9EQsds_ADkBshRva0YrXlo1Kvmg3F8vUlgjjGKE/s1600/IMG_0251+copy.JPG" height="628" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">Painting folk art angels is a passion of mine, and sometimes I use miniature prints in my jewelry</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cz7TeGymR5Q4HtWoK1iSCUjqYUDcMkL2NqfsBHAknIC2N6qAnxBwBo_c3ngDp4HbeHQJ5nyl_gBDeIa9DZjV4kCoo-HOIFNTxW2ww8ram7WzYmlYnlosS9sTXpipTf2JFZVMN9Q3pI/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cz7TeGymR5Q4HtWoK1iSCUjqYUDcMkL2NqfsBHAknIC2N6qAnxBwBo_c3ngDp4HbeHQJ5nyl_gBDeIa9DZjV4kCoo-HOIFNTxW2ww8ram7WzYmlYnlosS9sTXpipTf2JFZVMN9Q3pI/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" height="572" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkngK-q3muHmCkhWZC0zm9YZehekLP74rP8hyphenhyphenh09f6cFxQnApXo45KpdQPe-e2bsHTuI5miAfWNXu4eJXnPdq8x2GRbayrz82Tbj-LSE1TXNntsGXkn-HmExeoRJDXj8WdqKW0-ct3FTM/s1600/jewepru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkngK-q3muHmCkhWZC0zm9YZehekLP74rP8hyphenhyphenh09f6cFxQnApXo45KpdQPe-e2bsHTuI5miAfWNXu4eJXnPdq8x2GRbayrz82Tbj-LSE1TXNntsGXkn-HmExeoRJDXj8WdqKW0-ct3FTM/s1600/jewepru.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">more of my soldered mixed-media jewelry</span></span></td></tr>
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I love to do paper crafting and this blog has also been a wonderful way to participate in
various crafty swaps and challenges, and get to know the other
participants through the sharing of our little creations:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's fun to swap Artist Trading Cards at <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">ArtJoyStuff</a> (I love the wonderful swap themes that <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly</a> comes up with!)...</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpROksRZHdC0jjSexYeqXDJ94vuzHeP-_EemTsvFN-WhJuuXGuJb375_jpl1cDFqyfudOU2f_lbD4aIc1IDgXdXq7-B5tiVHD27pEFdkhem8jlHZWHjvKJ4CFvAnmYsp-I8nCOsl9l5g/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpROksRZHdC0jjSexYeqXDJ94vuzHeP-_EemTsvFN-WhJuuXGuJb375_jpl1cDFqyfudOU2f_lbD4aIc1IDgXdXq7-B5tiVHD27pEFdkhem8jlHZWHjvKJ4CFvAnmYsp-I8nCOsl9l5g/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof3vFUiN5XZMac6sQ9WDsC2BCdlF3gQ4QglkgvwnN62f-V0jl1QRM9PG9JiBsacN-31FgW-H-DeVlcEkx7xnElDvZIoNGBjpU8YFtQvVze3dQmzHtYK0geauiILl0FF9aRgs0utGDcz4/s1600/tag.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="440" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">...or to participate in the weekly challenges over at the <a href="http://tagtuesday.blogspot.com/">Tag Tuesday</a> blog...</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Oawcn_wxRvXEiDWT-spoiNiMMn-qF1x5DMEbjWSWRTzkEGGlUkQMjEHlYvnuiT2TmV79d3tgwlcesxrrU8iZaJrMIlVNxa7SohhQsTXGe0ozl_qc9dmWV64XMiC5I6EhyphenhyphenmgmTGnPRB8/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Oawcn_wxRvXEiDWT-spoiNiMMn-qF1x5DMEbjWSWRTzkEGGlUkQMjEHlYvnuiT2TmV79d3tgwlcesxrrU8iZaJrMIlVNxa7SohhQsTXGe0ozl_qc9dmWV64XMiC5I6EhyphenhyphenmgmTGnPRB8/s1600/card.jpg" height="640" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">...or to trade crafty projects at <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/blissfullARTswaps/photos/albums">BlissfulArtSwaps</a></span></span></td></tr>
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Sometimes I share tidbits about my family. My only child
is far away for her sophomore year at college (and I'm still adjusting to
the empty nest!), and I share news about her, my husband, or my friends and family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's where I do much of my graphic design work, but I've recently gotten a new bigger Mac</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I hold small soldering workshops here in my studio, but it has been a while. Hoping to have one or two classes in the new year. My workspace is <i>rarely</i> this tidy. I'm lucky to have tons of natural light from the french doors, though sometimes that's rare in our rainy Pacific Northwest!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've
spent many years illustrating for Simplicity Pattern Company drawing
mostly little girls' fashions such as this...sadly for me, they use photography almost exclusively these days, but I still do occasional jobs for them. This is an oldie, but a favorite: illustrating a furry kid AND a dog! I was corporate art director at Daisy Kingdom for a zillion years, too....some of you may remember them for their crafts and kids' clothes.</span></span></td></tr>
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The work that I do professionally includes illustration and graphic design. I have my own company, <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Raguse Creative Services</i></span>, and do artwork for a variety of clients. Lately, I've been developing surface designs for a tote bag company, which is a lot of fun. I'm really into vintage, collage-y images right now.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA3bQq_8p_OHGEYdlt2-zaJN1wCW3v0ecq682GKJ9RC2DfBgtw1J6pIUIxWGqgU6anLyHFA9qv76MxcqNMEcrzhth07-bOkidp3pta7o-okTRQom5zQeePmrjonR7orARxkZxxv2z9nM/s1600/bagAtFreds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA3bQq_8p_OHGEYdlt2-zaJN1wCW3v0ecq682GKJ9RC2DfBgtw1J6pIUIxWGqgU6anLyHFA9qv76MxcqNMEcrzhth07-bOkidp3pta7o-okTRQom5zQeePmrjonR7orARxkZxxv2z9nM/s1600/bagAtFreds.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">I recently found one of my new designs at our local Kroger affiliate, Fred Meyer...always a thrill to see it on the racks!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJWE45Ng7dUR0NAKX6qMWIhHE4UDE8Onhm6NrbTGaPgLDtYhK2fZJb07HcjsaaRoEWGDooDUEHd0rG-QuY6cdhhGVMDIIwrrq7ftvktuFaCscWumSgRg4u8FKQvK_yiJU8SOThX6nUdo/s1600/grocLadyToteBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJWE45Ng7dUR0NAKX6qMWIhHE4UDE8Onhm6NrbTGaPgLDtYhK2fZJb07HcjsaaRoEWGDooDUEHd0rG-QuY6cdhhGVMDIIwrrq7ftvktuFaCscWumSgRg4u8FKQvK_yiJU8SOThX6nUdo/s1600/grocLadyToteBlog.jpg" height="392" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what the final art looked like. I created it in Photoshop...which I really just started learning when I did this design about 9 months ago. I'm still a 'newbie' and learning as I go!</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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Here's a sneak preview of three new tote bags I designed. Not on the market yet, but soon...You all get to see them here first!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkLYiYgaiNy64nUifHqucRUiwqCcrwqB4xLOSNglKe2Bibt7uaqaYe_s91s5I2uwL25U65OrVS4tPjQoYsOsZ-FFz7KZCGhOgT_UB2dA7dc1VQELFXaKyCY_2cSL-JkmBqhc0_gCo9gw/s1600/BICYCLEcollaged+copyBlog.jpg" height="376" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">'retro bicycle'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMpi3GPWIOX4PKl8-SOM_i06A3y7DvfbaeK-Hd-1iw0GHi6WhhwgF36MGYECr8MwsQs6q4195J24lTL3zKNP3Cdybia4AArxqyv3NDB1pbMuLfsSS3PePjQSaTzPLF_WYk5v_NCmhVTA/s1600/CowgirlBagBlog.jpg" height="372" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">'retro cowgirl'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT96CcGxo3U2CA-kdBzGNLrtW-zGB3F1CGCuvRzvYl4FUoEFsdgRBSGjUwLHpxULNzLu-lX6z7HsW_GxjFEu1W2cGKv6mDTuDG_MgRR-Xeq-R1qulF-bybalb19ZPjPJNxA1AZhIpb-0/s1600/chalkboardBagBlackBkgd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT96CcGxo3U2CA-kdBzGNLrtW-zGB3F1CGCuvRzvYl4FUoEFsdgRBSGjUwLHpxULNzLu-lX6z7HsW_GxjFEu1W2cGKv6mDTuDG_MgRR-Xeq-R1qulF-bybalb19ZPjPJNxA1AZhIpb-0/s1600/chalkboardBagBlackBkgd.jpeg" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">'chalkboard dreams' </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">(in the last blog post I did, below, you'll see the various hand-lettering projects I've worked on recently)</span></td></tr>
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Well, hopefully you've gotten to know me a little bit through this
post, and I can't wait to go through Vicki's list and get to know some
of you better, too!! I would <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">LOVE</span></span></span>
for you to visit often and keep up with what I'm working on here in my
studio either professionally, or just for fun...just click on the "Join
This Site" button in my sidebar to follow along, and I'll do the same
for you!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And now, for my <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY!</span></span></span> </div>
Actually, I'm doing <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TWO GIVEAWAYS,</span></span></span> so you have <span style="color: magenta;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">two chances</span></i></span> to win! To enter, please <span style="color: magenta;">LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>on this post</i></span>
to let me know you've stopped by (make sure there's a way to contact
you if your name is chosen). Anyone can enter, and on February 15,
2015, I will randomly select two lucky winners. Here are the giveaways:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqkwjbQCnCpvZUmPrVGqiala37Ka3vLuzmg9JzTSupbvaHHUZsTQnUYRLLhpZ8j8Bnqbh-00hmR-UYc9vIw08wfFYP0QN_sbssKZGo4gXHQSQ1quIV39OXzw6AxIxCCi0-oqDD_l3mpQ/s1600/lava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqkwjbQCnCpvZUmPrVGqiala37Ka3vLuzmg9JzTSupbvaHHUZsTQnUYRLLhpZ8j8Bnqbh-00hmR-UYc9vIw08wfFYP0QN_sbssKZGo4gXHQSQ1quIV39OXzw6AxIxCCi0-oqDD_l3mpQ/s1600/lava.jpg" height="640" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY #1</span></span> -- <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first name drawn from 'the hat' will receive one textured soldered heart necklace (I have hearts on my mind for Valentine's Day!) similar to these pictured. </span> <span style="font-size: large;">Molten solder is impressed with a random swirly texture and given an antiqued patina, for a one-of-a-kind keepsake:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHQ2l28VrT_YOOFJQOKqdjMTVeHZjvIaalEjsR6v4qn8e5rpraxHuR_vh1NPfOP3eXpmhXbSnoDNGEZtAbype0TGlawZeH4GwvKS-UCUBgoCXjqClYks0GE_M9f6lc_Iz6sfHNGc-NkQ/s1600/lava2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHQ2l28VrT_YOOFJQOKqdjMTVeHZjvIaalEjsR6v4qn8e5rpraxHuR_vh1NPfOP3eXpmhXbSnoDNGEZtAbype0TGlawZeH4GwvKS-UCUBgoCXjqClYks0GE_M9f6lc_Iz6sfHNGc-NkQ/s1600/lava2.jpg" height="640" width="486" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY #2 </span></span>-- <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
second winner will receive </span><span style="font-size: large;"> a hand-crafted blank greeting card featuring a high quality print of my
original mixed-media Angel painting "Joy Within", enhanced with touches of glitter to make the halo
and wings sparkle, then further embellished with embossed gold foil
trim:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LNKQlqdbxztb_XMoOpXI0Bfvt78GnbEiZXm4XSXq4L0mOl0uhFnnsYbY640evrLtLHA-3s3B7h7A5e2wNJSK6kAUnRnWdDOfj4a4rTKnA6aPcHWJF_jRhu-TSNv-Z20fWIyH0L7w9Wc/s1600/angCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LNKQlqdbxztb_XMoOpXI0Bfvt78GnbEiZXm4XSXq4L0mOl0uhFnnsYbY640evrLtLHA-3s3B7h7A5e2wNJSK6kAUnRnWdDOfj4a4rTKnA6aPcHWJF_jRhu-TSNv-Z20fWIyH0L7w9Wc/s1600/angCard.jpg" height="640" width="568" /></a></div>
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Good luck to you and <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU</span></span></span> so much for stopping by! Consider becoming a follower if you'd like, come back often and we'll get better acquainted! And thanks again, Vicki, for hosting the party!<br />
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-43323071143301806292015-01-23T13:43:00.001-08:002015-01-23T15:46:19.968-08:00I love Hand Lettering!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For as long as I've been able to hold a pencil, I have loved doodling and hand-lettering. I love to make swirls and swashes and fit letters together like a puzzle. And lately, I've been doing more lettering projects than usual.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExMPjPz0aQx3adhD7PiXiml5qcjkYv3XRGl4jgYBVBtELzDVog66gfibsxtegfrPtASfq6Yu5Y0ctjL4LNbjRVvQ9yOCFCFwuTvcSEQxeAU2HIcfcl3bITDYD0qpL8sXIaXKoBZmPN3I/s1600/chalkboardBagBlackBkgd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExMPjPz0aQx3adhD7PiXiml5qcjkYv3XRGl4jgYBVBtELzDVog66gfibsxtegfrPtASfq6Yu5Y0ctjL4LNbjRVvQ9yOCFCFwuTvcSEQxeAU2HIcfcl3bITDYD0qpL8sXIaXKoBZmPN3I/s1600/chalkboardBagBlackBkgd.jpeg" height="596" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm thrilled that chalkboard art is so popular right now! This is a design I just did for the tote bag company I do a lot of work for, and it was just bought by a big store chain yesterday! So, in about 6 months, it should be printed and shipped and in the stores as a large recycled poly tote bag. (and I think I'll make some prints and cards from it and offer them in my etsy shop).<br />
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Here's what it looked like when I was playing with the design:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkYCT3Z0c9_THgURim1K34T6zlkCHels3ijHd8GopqE53AAbEgx4n9pzhHCjweLisastNYTHLkkOJcq9r_fyJ2h7zJ6MVObV_4mfrk2MFlzlOsPzekNkteK1xqcsJjwpCCtOTAZIGM9E/s1600/dreamsRough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkYCT3Z0c9_THgURim1K34T6zlkCHels3ijHd8GopqE53AAbEgx4n9pzhHCjweLisastNYTHLkkOJcq9r_fyJ2h7zJ6MVObV_4mfrk2MFlzlOsPzekNkteK1xqcsJjwpCCtOTAZIGM9E/s1600/dreamsRough.jpg" /></a></div>
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I work out the "doodle" at about half size, doing a lot of scribbling and erasing until I like the result. I like to work on tracing paper, which lets me jot out ideas and layer them, auditioning how they might look.<br />
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Here's another design I'm developing:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkSwZdggb75yxdOthY7WxCI_JOMHh2TBxuY6IznmEA7kAts8Qv-BYdcvTN34KF4xnyYzYQsmIC4HnAO8EmiPxD8f8pFoqPl06zCmAdOrfgCURiNeZR7DQq55UP_k2f0CCziOxMwuoF78/s1600/scaresQuote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkSwZdggb75yxdOthY7WxCI_JOMHh2TBxuY6IznmEA7kAts8Qv-BYdcvTN34KF4xnyYzYQsmIC4HnAO8EmiPxD8f8pFoqPl06zCmAdOrfgCURiNeZR7DQq55UP_k2f0CCziOxMwuoF78/s1600/scaresQuote.jpg" height="608" width="640" /></a></div>
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and one more:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXWWOG9zDPv86iRmBOzBGFUbzLoy2As1lM-UW5cI8yBJS4S-3g-nqA977LhefiCtaWhBpvX4asY2-Uf4CDHsRCA4dYR17B9dJ0EpHHWpHhsalzLzPWfW47LqltcJ1VbZlYL6OkYMOzI0/s1600/slowDown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXWWOG9zDPv86iRmBOzBGFUbzLoy2As1lM-UW5cI8yBJS4S-3g-nqA977LhefiCtaWhBpvX4asY2-Uf4CDHsRCA4dYR17B9dJ0EpHHWpHhsalzLzPWfW47LqltcJ1VbZlYL6OkYMOzI0/s1600/slowDown.jpg" height="622" width="640" /></a></div>
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Over the holidays, I did hand lettering on a mirror as a gift for a young friend. The words are lyrics from a Justin Timberlake song that are meaningful to my daughter and her BFF:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho29Vv5LJnf2xkadz5Qwwzw3feDyB4H6Yg9oK1tbUMhh9gsKW4EivQbFVU3idtz37xQrK0ZVDEytYtuRRBp5ltwtO1Ff0w6yUZoseoCTvHq9w5-LBTgXcm3L2mQl5w58-V3fuN1q7DyE4/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho29Vv5LJnf2xkadz5Qwwzw3feDyB4H6Yg9oK1tbUMhh9gsKW4EivQbFVU3idtz37xQrK0ZVDEytYtuRRBp5ltwtO1Ff0w6yUZoseoCTvHq9w5-LBTgXcm3L2mQl5w58-V3fuN1q7DyE4/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" height="564" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had some enamel paint pens that work great on glass. HOWEVER, working on that reflective surface about made me go NUTS. It was hard to transfer a guide to the glass, and then hard to draw a line and have a doubled reflection of it show up underneath it. Between the fumes from the paint pen and the double images, I ended up with one killer headache!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievlDryVQ3UF0GcNozomGRe8JzmDJ6W1adg2oWE1UEOUxzpCOZEgqxIW9b6P5s7u_Bo9GDdRA5iupUAA0OQjwyYuVgBg8nQz7arNSiby4seuELxLMO4Vtug38q1Tqr4f6KB2DCXDA3mpY/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievlDryVQ3UF0GcNozomGRe8JzmDJ6W1adg2oWE1UEOUxzpCOZEgqxIW9b6P5s7u_Bo9GDdRA5iupUAA0OQjwyYuVgBg8nQz7arNSiby4seuELxLMO4Vtug38q1Tqr4f6KB2DCXDA3mpY/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" height="640" width="612" /></a></div>
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And it was also <i>really </i>hard to photograph that mirror surface! I have to hand it to pro photographers who can do that so well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Gv53wIu5kwpo_zgSjfI-kx4mg1fyE2v5-5wEcst_F6-1H6QYgyUjy6sirwOn9DV5agFHp_A5n0hfUBSe11EZ1C1BIFUfL0-9syXd9IDhScTc3zh17es3HTrbS8Y6AL9eDIGF1MCgBDQ/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Gv53wIu5kwpo_zgSjfI-kx4mg1fyE2v5-5wEcst_F6-1H6QYgyUjy6sirwOn9DV5agFHp_A5n0hfUBSe11EZ1C1BIFUfL0-9syXd9IDhScTc3zh17es3HTrbS8Y6AL9eDIGF1MCgBDQ/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, one more lettering project I recently completed.....my daughter is an RA at college and wanted to give her residents (all 32 of them!!) a little belated gift for Christmas. She came up with the idea of a little stamped charm with each girl's initial. The charms were super inexpensive, ordered from <a href="http://firemountaingems.com/">Fire Mountain Gems.</a> While she was home on winter break, we stamped and then gave each a hammered texture. (They had been very shiny bright silver plated brass, and the hammering made them look a lot richer.)<br />
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Anyway, back to the hand-lettering. On dark blue cardstock (school color!), I used a white gel pen to script each name. She also had to come up with new little "Door Dec" nametags for the new semester, so she was able to use these little cards to serve that purpose as well. Two birds ~ one stone!!</div>
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And that, dear readers, is the tale of my latest adventures in <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">hand lettering</span></span></span>!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-47109695790213933152014-12-05T16:11:00.000-08:002014-12-05T17:07:47.386-08:00Christmastime Already??Hmmm....I last posted my 4th of July stuff. Guess it's been a while since my last update....<br />
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The holidays sure snuck up on us! I <i>just</i> put away some lingering pumpkin deco last week! But this morning I officially got in the Christmas Spirit by stomping around a tree farm and hauling a big, tall and skinny Noble fir home.<br />
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I think it's about 10 feet tall or so (maybe taller? It may surprise us once we get it inside :-)), perfect to tuck into a corner of our family room. Good thing we have a 2-story ceiling in there!<br />
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Also Christmas-y are two swap creations I did to trade over at blissfulArt, a holiday card and tag. I love to make the little pleated rosettes to layer up, and now it will be easier because a friend just loaned me her scoring board.....Score!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added in a little bit of holiday de-stash for my partner, too.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The package from my swap partner got lost in the mail....crappy swap stuff always seems to happen to me (she says, whining). But I still enjoy having an outlet for these frivolous little bursts of creativity.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Happy Holidays! </span></span></div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-71327038159999201252014-07-04T18:25:00.000-07:002014-07-04T18:26:44.830-07:00Land of the Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Independence Day!</span></span></span></div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-62328011732435503772014-06-27T14:21:00.001-07:002014-06-28T04:53:11.405-07:00My Birthday GirlHi, this is Dan, Maggie's husband, guest blogging today. Actually, unbeknownst to her, I've snuck into the Mag Rag to post a message on this very special day,<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Maggie's 60th birthday!</span></div>
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I thought it would be fitting to tell her blog followers just how amazing she is and how lucky I am to have had her as my wife these past 37 years. I find it difficult to believe so much time has passed since I met this gorgeous woman and even more difficult to believe she married me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UnVvj0OvCtK1L9P3liDj2QZrdkgKft6_58EL1GD3AphbGxiTYakr1EIxlx54ZzxXsBuLEwlfUyaFLLHCDbBAn3zsEdXdRFkz_g9sTcjCtF1xsN3EhArVyQQXPuFYtPAmt3Bf2H_Ahtlm/s1600/MagDan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UnVvj0OvCtK1L9P3liDj2QZrdkgKft6_58EL1GD3AphbGxiTYakr1EIxlx54ZzxXsBuLEwlfUyaFLLHCDbBAn3zsEdXdRFkz_g9sTcjCtF1xsN3EhArVyQQXPuFYtPAmt3Bf2H_Ahtlm/s1600/MagDan.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pictures show that we've aged a little, but when I look at her today, I see the beautiful college girl who swept me off my feet and created my fondest memories. I see the artist who continuously awes me with her creations and ideas, and inspires me with her gifts. I see my best friend who challenges me, who laughs with me, and who forgives my screw-ups. I see the loving and patient mother who raised our daughter and helped a father to understand that love is patience and action. I see my confidant, my encouragement, my better half, certainly. But most of all I see the love of my life, the one who will always make my next day better.<br />
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Happy Birthday Margy! We're growing older together and I couldn't be happier! I love you--always.<br />
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DanDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903371434589542948noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-3260925554704903182014-06-16T16:41:00.000-07:002014-06-16T19:26:21.985-07:00Variations on a Theme...<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been doing more paper crafting lately, snipping and layering away. On my last post, I showed the little springtime ATC I made for a swap. I liked that pretty floral illustration a lot, so I decided to use it again for a friend's birthday card, since it was already scanned and in my photoshop files. Here's the new card:</div>
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This is the ATC I had done earlier:</div>
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The flowers were originally on the cover of a seed catalog from the early 1900's. </div>
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Such a great, vivid illustration! </div>
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For my friend's card, I photoshop'ed her photo in the midst of the bouquet. I tried an old-school crafty decoupage trick from long ago: I printed out another copy of the flowers, fussy-cut the two tulips and layered them on top, elevating them with a little foam lift for dimension.</div>
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So a little later, another friend was retiring....and since I really liked the summer-y look of the yellow dots with the colorful flowers, I kept with that theme for this card, too, using different flowers:</div>
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I did the 3-D layer trick again with the large roses and the butterfly wings:</div>
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My husband's birthday is coming up.....somehow I think one more variation </div>
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on this flowery theme </div>
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may be a wee bit too 'girly' for his birthday card! </div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-19937054697378942932014-05-03T03:00:00.000-07:002014-05-05T13:06:26.011-07:00Springtime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPxSswnRnw2f8O3xg4EePY67qr2NPLgSz_GgOWX7EHzi7qdcT1mppWvasYHw5Juue7hodnLmDM0j0KP_cn_bLngtZtXCOdbFpCLW2bnCy6TSAVbxi3srtSlFvpdNU4v0UgCCvTEpSukI/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPxSswnRnw2f8O3xg4EePY67qr2NPLgSz_GgOWX7EHzi7qdcT1mppWvasYHw5Juue7hodnLmDM0j0KP_cn_bLngtZtXCOdbFpCLW2bnCy6TSAVbxi3srtSlFvpdNU4v0UgCCvTEpSukI/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" height="640" width="496" /></a></div>
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After a dreary winter, it's so nice to be enjoying a beautiful <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">spring</span></span></span>. The last few days have been glorious in the Pacific Northwest, and the sunshine works wonders on my morale!<br />
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My last couple of projects reflect the season....here's a Springtime ATC created for <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/">Kimberly's</a><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Tea in the Garden"</span> </span></span></span>swap. I'm enjoying working a little more in Photoshop, combining a vintage sepia image of a little girl with an old colorful illustration of a teacup, then placing that image on top of a gorgeous old seed catalog cover, adding some shadows here and there for depth. These are all fairly easy steps in Photoshop, but I am still such a newbie and always feel like celebrating when something actually "works" and I haven't broken my computer in the process! The teaspoon is a separate cut-out, which I've raised up a bit for dimension. Little pearls and rhinestones, plus tiny flower clusters and itsy-bitsy hair bows complete the three I sent off for the swap.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj9gvxpl3WtLrbKL54wWQnVXjSyShI4ngkCEOA2aNSYYLBWTpeuvvLUlaz5VbYAYbr-YrSKZkJnr7hf1g4UYnxpguoi0_c6V9el6bHO7XIr_IoeKGaZRhQDv8JEPWWCDTQyCFWZBxVqc/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj9gvxpl3WtLrbKL54wWQnVXjSyShI4ngkCEOA2aNSYYLBWTpeuvvLUlaz5VbYAYbr-YrSKZkJnr7hf1g4UYnxpguoi0_c6V9el6bHO7XIr_IoeKGaZRhQDv8JEPWWCDTQyCFWZBxVqc/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also did a spring-themed project with<a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/blissfullARTswaps/photos/albums"> BlissfulARTswaps</a> in April: <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"Spring Nest"</span></span></span>. Here's what I traded with my partner:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIPjIdysrwDevTpPfkltGG9suR1SEQovMHwZqUZL0k1-aYhy5D61KSIGvgfXI3d14_0Bs3Zni8qLpVRJFS0aFcIk1q_4mBA95_dkIeQKJghEDhAD_IyuMJyWbj2qoSUyeCxWTG67uFoc/s1600/SpringNestSwapForAlice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIPjIdysrwDevTpPfkltGG9suR1SEQovMHwZqUZL0k1-aYhy5D61KSIGvgfXI3d14_0Bs3Zni8qLpVRJFS0aFcIk1q_4mBA95_dkIeQKJghEDhAD_IyuMJyWbj2qoSUyeCxWTG67uFoc/s1600/SpringNestSwapForAlice.JPG" height="544" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now each month, the newly-formatted task is to create an ATC (or a tag), plus a card, along with a small assortment of de-stash crafty items (not pictured) for your designated partner. I decided to decorate the envelope with washi tape to make it coordinate with the card... I love how it turned out, and think I'll do that again (I'm always a little stumped how to best use washi tape... are you?)<br />
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The ATC has a 3-d wire nest. It was an extra one I had, left over because it was too big to fit into my <a href="http://www.themagrag.com/2012/04/shadow-boxes.html">soldered shadowbox pendants </a>(see sidebar photos). I went out in the yard for a couple of tiny twigs for it to nestle into.<br />
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My partner, Alice, sent me a wonderful <span style="font-size: large;"><i>pile</i></span> of <span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">springtime</span></span></span> goodness! I don't believe she has a blog, so I can't link up to her site.</div>
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Her ATC and cards (she sent two!) are very sweet...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoMynMfbYfmHe-bAQTJMiygsaMsiEmvIg8OfgmPNRg2jws3-U7lJI1w0dQ_DDhwbK1CPWVL3-8JxEm-XV6KbwP7fXYiILoYVsHQU5RzgqxvVgjvtr0O4GI_Eq0yH2d3uB7vkooqkG_ws/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoMynMfbYfmHe-bAQTJMiygsaMsiEmvIg8OfgmPNRg2jws3-U7lJI1w0dQ_DDhwbK1CPWVL3-8JxEm-XV6KbwP7fXYiILoYVsHQU5RzgqxvVgjvtr0O4GI_Eq0yH2d3uB7vkooqkG_ws/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" height="640" width="564" /> </a></div>
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and she sent along a bunch of fun stuff I'll love to play with on future projects:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ3pfHcGyEWHdkPYlHUAhgf30_cgD22WuIQnJiZTcJ8I_QyBCBikKxAHczTMOfkAg00ll8OnILAWiGosCst9v5fC7Vat-aAlsmcABIwyhFRciUJ_FLv8LiP1P925PVX4pnp7E4fk3KJo/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ3pfHcGyEWHdkPYlHUAhgf30_cgD22WuIQnJiZTcJ8I_QyBCBikKxAHczTMOfkAg00ll8OnILAWiGosCst9v5fC7Vat-aAlsmcABIwyhFRciUJ_FLv8LiP1P925PVX4pnp7E4fk3KJo/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" height="576" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY SPRING!!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;">ooops, I spoke too soon....it's going to rain today, and looks like we have more dreary days ahead :-( Come back, sunshine!</span></span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7442255299956398860.post-46968898311515644342014-04-01T13:55:00.000-07:002014-04-01T15:36:12.916-07:00Pink, Black and Bling! ~ and I didn't buy a thing!I love it when a swap has a great theme, one that sets very specific parameters to work within. Kimberly's latest ATC swap at <a href="http://artjoystuff.blogspot.com/2014/03/pink-black-and-bling-swap-sign-up-here.html">ArtJoyStuff </a>was <span style="color: #c27ba0;">"Pink, Black and Bling"</span> and here's the bling-y confection I came up with ~<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsM6Da9U7Icb9QIHlDMKYA3U8PBqKazFiofeQOZjo-s5QxwECCILg0OhwoApKyEZSIEeJ23O5gM9exSjXNAYSxl8SRnYwyNpDAVEQB6mmJd6ULFvKTnQdrqfk_DsZPBTB1c9YDm2FXd0/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" height="640" width="436" /></div>
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I made three of them for the swap, each with their little pink organza bag ~<br />
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I wanted to send Kimberly a little thank-you gift, and went to my stationery stash and found the perfect card ~ </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0grQnKg5x6zVBGJUUGQdvB77hbb98lz0uDSS_TH-ZFYJaUOwmw7V9nFNQnBaXMNFYYAj94k1AiCfy8FC9AJNf1EfsTsIoETVK7OPZSbMORRYKunLFOy3y1wehDcwhySuH9FXE3qd2-8/s1600/IMG_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0grQnKg5x6zVBGJUUGQdvB77hbb98lz0uDSS_TH-ZFYJaUOwmw7V9nFNQnBaXMNFYYAj94k1AiCfy8FC9AJNf1EfsTsIoETVK7OPZSbMORRYKunLFOy3y1wehDcwhySuH9FXE3qd2-8/s1600/IMG_0357.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: small;">I actually found a whole BOX of these . . . I remember picking them up years ago at a church rummage sale for a quarter! Want some? ~ I believe there are now 11 of them remaining in the box . . .</span></span></td></tr>
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and I tucked this bling-y black cross inside ~<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQbCN9FBVAbRZ9kYf-rzWn6VlhinJemjjklMVt-6tsb8tjtpzNoMNZYM2No3JG_CtJhm_SM1PbhDuNDBAKgE893Tu6dCzMokUAc6F7SlsqbkEVKSdLZlnP3YFg1J1vc84GUUNrh0nYXA/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQbCN9FBVAbRZ9kYf-rzWn6VlhinJemjjklMVt-6tsb8tjtpzNoMNZYM2No3JG_CtJhm_SM1PbhDuNDBAKgE893Tu6dCzMokUAc6F7SlsqbkEVKSdLZlnP3YFg1J1vc84GUUNrh0nYXA/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg" height="640" width="497" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have about 12 of these left over from a jewelry class I taught . . .</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It amazes me what I can find when I dig through my endless stash of STUFF. Leftover bling-y charms from another project, little organza bags I had stuffed in a cupboard for some unknown reason (probably to hold birthday party treats for my daughter, is my guess), tiny pieces of ribbon and trim that I can't bear to toss, endless bits of pretty papers . . . you get the idea! <span style="color: #c27ba0;">I love these little projects that let me JUSTIFY MY HOARD :-)</span></span><br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11845885549679362791noreply@blogger.com11