I can't seem to get enough of this image. I used it again for this collage with a different color palette. The flourish on the bottom right are My Mind's Eye Bohemian rub-ons, and while they are beautiful, they are not easy to work with. You have to be ultra-careful (as you see I was not) because they rub off easily (and onto anything) with hardly any pressure! I also had problems with it lifting after I thought it was already rubbed on. What a mess...I would still use them again because they're gorgeous, but now I know to be super-careful. xoxo

So this is love...

The image in this collage is from one of my very favorite Renoir paintings entitled "A Dance in the City" (1883). The portrait of the man expertly sweeping a lovely woman off her feet is incredibly breathtaking. You can almost feel the movement as they dance, and you can sense his confidence as he guides her across the floor. Every time I see this, I start humming the waltz from Cinderella, you know the one..."So This Is Love"...mmmmm...So this is love "...if you've never heard this before, check out the clip below. It's sooooo beautiful!

Enjoy your day...xoxo

PS. Forgot to mention how I made this (thanks for your email Jess) -- it may not look like it in the scan but there are a million layers of paper going on here - mostly Daisy D's (from their modern romance line) and Foof-Fa-La, and even some wrapping paper. I also used lots of inks, acrylics and rub-ons; and applied the elements with gesso and mat medium.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNz7wFv8u9Q]

"So this is love, Mmmmmm
So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, Mmmmmm
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine

My heart has wings, Mmmmmm
And I can fly
I'll touch ev'ry star in the sky
So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
Mmmmmm
Mmmmmm
So this is love!"

(The Cinderella Waltz)
Written by: Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston

Invites & Heartfelt Thanks

I finished the invitations for my Valentine's Tea.  I was thinking of a more "Anna Griffin" look, but was really excited to use these new papers and goodies from the new Christine Adolph collection.

My scanner is on the fritz and I'm still getting used to my camera, but hopefully you get the idea. I decided to create a tag and coordinating envelope.That's a chipboard tea charm you see there on the envelope. The tag has a photo on the front that I fell in love with. It's a pink heart laying on a calendar that has Valentine's Day prominently displayed. I added a quote I thought would be appropriate: "Give us the company of friends and our days will be filled with joy". The back of the tag has all the party details. So far, so good...must get my mojo in gear and finish these by tomorrow!

 

Hey, I wanted to pass along a HUGE thank you to everyone who commented on my new look. I appreciate you! I also want to send a big hug to Kathy Was for all her help (thanks girlfriend!).

OK -- I have to rush out the door to run a few errands before everyone gets home. Enjoy your weekend:-)

She hit the road Jack,
And she ain't lookin' back
No more, no more, no more, no more...

She hit the road Jack..and she ain't lookin' back no more...

Please visit me at my new blog: http://www.enchantedheartsstudio.typepad.com

Getting Ready...

I'm hosting a Valentine's Day Tea at for my neighbors this year. Oh joy! I love parties, especially girly parties like teas and bridal showers. It's great to get together with my girlfriends and enjoy all the pretty little femmy things that go with these types of events. I noticed these darling tea cups during one of my daily Starbucks visits (I'm there way too much) and thought they would make great favors. Starbucks is one of my favorite places to shop for great gifts. I nearly wiped them out at Christmas time (my secret is out!). Anyway, look at these adorable cups!  Notice the little pink tulle ribbon on the handle and the "love" charm? How stinkin' cute is that??? These make me so happy! I'm inviting 6 neighbors and these will be at every place setting. I thought I'd fill them with little homemade soaps (rose scent, of course), candy treats and sachets.  And this will be my centerpiece:

I put a pretty bowl in the middle of a rose wreath (left over from Christmas) and filled it with potpourri (Fresh Cut Roses).  I also bought tea lights and votives in the same scent...YUM!

See this cute bouquet? 

I made this for my dear Mom...love that woman, she's so hip! I saw one just like this on display at my local Michael's so I copied it. Very easy to make. The vase is actually an oversized drinking glass. I placed  an oasis block inside, hot glued confetti to the oasis, filled the glass with red and pink shredded stuff and stuck in the roses and little teddy. I also found this gorgeous beaded heart ornament for the front, but you can't it in the picture.

I'm having way too much fun planning this party. Maybe I should quit and do something constructive, like clean the bathrooms, fold laundry, or take care of those dishes that keep piling up in the sink??...hmmm...NOT!! I think I'll pull out my art stuff and work on the invitations! I mean, I do need to invite people, right?  lol..xoxo

January ATC

  I decided to do an ATC for each month of the year ...here' s January's -- better late than never! You may have noticed I deleted my wordpress blog -- too complicated for me -- they need to invent blogs for the technically-challenged! I'm sticking with typepad for now. Enjoy your week!

xoxo,
C.

Checking In...

OK, Ok,....I know it's been forever since I posted here (I told you I was a bad blogger!) , but the holidays were incredibly hectic and now January is half-way over!   Thank you to Audrey and Carlene for the constant nudging to get this thing moving again. In a few days I'll be launching a new blog with a new name.  Will keep you all posted (and I promise to keep it updated!!)

I made this ATC for AAO's 1st anniversary Fat Book project. We were told to keep the artwork oriented on the right (so the book can be bound on the left) and to create our pages around the theme of the number "one". This is what I came up with.  As you can see, I don't always follow the rules!

Talk about being WAY too slow...I still have to put away all my Christmas decorations (no joke!). I have everything piled up in my living room and ready to pack up.  Tomorrow I plan to drench my house inValentine's Day decor...can't wait. 

Anyway, it's been crazy over here, but I am looking forward to blogging with y'all again.  Who said there were 24 hours in each day...I seem to be missing a few!

By the way...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

xoxo,
C.