My Favorite Artisan Entry- Altered Book

My favorite entry for the Artisan Award was this Altered Book. It was a true labor of love that required over 100 products and probably over 100 hours! I worked on it for weeks.

I went to the used book store's vintage section and bought an old book. I used Crystal Effects and glued the pages together into blocks. So, it became more like a board book. I then altered each block page. The book depicts the tradition of cooking and baking in my family.

 All the DSP is the Love Letter DSP from last year's catalog. I used a stencil on the front cover.

 You can get a good sense here how I glued the pages together into blocks. You can also see how full it was and why I needed a ribbon tie closure!

 I used some digital elements from MDS. The Handle with care tag was made on MDS.

 The first page is about my grandmother. It includes scans of her original handwritten recipes.

 More scanned recipes.

 This is called a "niche." The pages were very fragile so the SU punches had no trouble going through 10 at atime. I punched half way through, leaving pages behind it in tact so it didn't go all the way through.

 The next sections talks about my mom and her cooking.

 Another section of my mother's hand written recipes (scanned and printed out.) This niche is in the shape of the top note. I couldn't get it  through the Big Shot, so I traced the shape and carefully cut/carved it out with a razor. The insert is from MDS.

 The next section is about me learning to cook from both my mom and my grandmother.

 This last section talks about how my mother and I continue the tradition by teaching my girls to cook and bake. More scanned recipes from my collection.

And one last niche!

This is the one project that I would give anything to have back. When you enter the Artisan Award, you don't get your projects back. I am Ok with it, but really would love to know what happens to them after convention. To think about this treasure ending up in the land fill makes me want to scream! Surely that's not what happens to them...

This was a fun project even though it was labor intensive. I plan on trying it again in the future and encourage you to do the same. Altered books are actually something they do in the art community. My mom, who is an AP Art teacher, has her student's make an altered book as part of their portfolio. They paint on the blocked sections. They are amazing!

Thanks for all your kind words both here on the blog and at convention. Being an Artisan Finalist really is amazing and takes the sting of not getting this treasure back a little easier to handle. :-)

A few projects...

I've been packing boxes this week- Yuck! We move on Friday- Yay! I can't wait to be in our new home! But, I am so ready for all this limbo and packing chaos to be over!

One of the classes I took at convention was called Village of Cuteness. And that it was!

 I actually didn't get it finished while at convention. I brought it home and did it this week. I have some very cute ideas for this little house concept. Stay tuned!

I've also been finishing up all  my Estate Sale finds!

Dresser before:

Dresser After:

It's going to be under the TV in our kids' TV room. All the drawers will store DVDs, Wii junk and art supplies! I tried to make it look old and beat up.

 That's the way it will look after spending time with my 3 kids anyway! I was just beating them to the punch!

Clock Before:

 

Clock After:

 Its cute and funky. Don't know exactly where it will go yet, but I like it!

Don't forget there is only 1 week left to take advantage of the Starter Kit Special! I would love for you to join my team! Whether you want to SAVE money on stamps or MAKE money on stamps, this is a great deal! Please do not hesitate to contact me to find out more. You can also READ HERE to learn more!

And if you sign up before the end of July, you will get this amazing Christmas Box Kit. Fun!!!

Retired Stamps For Sale- Only a few left!

I am listing what is left of my remaining retired stamp sets. Email me to claim the ones you want and also send me your zip code so that I can figure shipping. I will send you an invoice via PayPal and mail them the day after I receive your payment.

All are used and mounted (unless noted.) I will remove or post SOLD next to them once they are gone. I have them listed on a tab at the top of my blog as well for future use!

 So Happy for you $8                         Eat Chocolate $5 SOLD

 

 Long Fellows $8 (I found another one that is unmounted)             Afterthoughts $ 6

 Large Blossom $3

 

 Tropical Party $7   SOLD          Christmas Punch $8

 

 Lots of Bots $6  SOLD           Sprinkles $4

 A Flower for All Seasons $5       Wellness Wishes $ 5

 Things I Love $7              Forest Friends $5 SOLD

 

Swap Card #2 and Home Office Tour

This card was kind of a last minute push. I had an idea for using the pennants like this and saw a card on Pinterest that was done in shades of grey and black. So, I put them together with the new Under the Big Top stamp. After I adhered the pennants, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.

 To make my ribbon go farther, I cut it in half down the middle. this gives it a frayed look as well, which I really like.

 He needed a little bling on his belt!

On Friday, we took a bus over to the Stampin' Up home office. Wow! It was so beautiful!

And of course, the rolled out the red carpet for us!

My roomie Tammie and I posing in front of the infamous SU Rock

 

Have I mentioned how much I love the mountains! I kept trying to get pictures of them, but of course the pictures didn't do them justice!

 

 This shows the growth SU has experienced this year.

 They had a small display hall that kind of told the story of SU. Lot's of things from the catalog and Stampin Success covers

 Love this idea! Thos are old locker baskets attached to the wall for storage!

 Pinwheels are VERY big right now. They were everywhere!

 It's hard to tell, but the wreath is make of paper.

 I want some of these ledge shelves in my house.

 This needs to be in my girls' room!

 Pennants!

 The distribution center was HUGE!

This is the "Idea Room" where all the amazing things happen! It was wall to wall dry erase boards! Demos were writing all kinds of messages.

I want this for my classroom!

And more Mountain Pictures!

Don't forget about the amazing Starter Kit Offer going on right now. I am so excited to grow my downline and share all these fun things with friends both her at home and around the country. This special price is only good through the end of the month, so don't wait!

Also, if your looking for retired stamps, I have a few left!