lindaalbrecht

Creative souls

I know that you're out there and I know that you understand how we creative souls are.  We never have just one passion for creating.  It's always several... and we are easily distracted by something new, fresh and exciting. 

So, that's me this month.  I have been involved in so many different projects... painting and more painting, freshening up the winter space into the spring place, meeting up with friends, rejuvenating a new nest for my daughter, browsing decorating blogs and imagining what the new fabric I bought will look like for my completed project.

If I don't make a list these days, I forget what I just wanted to do.  OCD is definitely a part of my days and my obsessions are many.  My brain can hardly keep up with my hands. 

So, you understand, right?   I knew you would.

I have just one little project to share that I thought was so simple and fresh and spring like that you might want to make some for yourself.

 All that you need is a couple of old frames (or new discounted one's), a favorite scrapbook paper, some paint in your favorite color (mine is always "white" for my decor), some little bird nests that you find at a craft store and artificial eggs to fit in your nests. 

My frames were both stained a dark brown and I purchased them at TJ Maxx for a couple of dollars each.  I painted them white then when dry added a dark brown watered down paint to the cracks and crevices.  Quickly wipe off the excess brown paint from the surface but leave it in some of the negative spaces.

I then took a small paint brush and applied a few black spots to give them a more distressed look.

You will not need to use the glass for the frames but can use it as a template for your paper size.  I used a nice heavy cardstock paper so I didn't need to back it with anything, but you could use chipboard to back it with for a bit more strength.  Insert the paper into the frame and add the easel back.

Next use hot glue to add your nest to the center of the frame.  I added some artificial greens and twigs to each nest before gluing the eggs into the centers.

So easy and quick, but very trendy and sweet :-)
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The other thing that I need to post is the winner of my blog giveaway from the last entry.  The name drawn for the giveaway was:

Donna M ,  posted on March 08, 2009 @ 2:01 pm. 
(Please email me with your street address so that you can have your favorite project shipped to you asap!)

Thanks to everyone else who posted such nice comments.  I haven't taken the time to email each of you for awhile now, but know that I appreciate the time that you take to comment.  I read each and every one!

Now I am off because my OCD is kicking in again.  I'll be back much sooner than last time as I have a few more thing almost ready for sharing.  Until then....
 
remember to take the time to enjoy the many gifts of spring.
Linda 

A good dose of Spring

Yes, we are going to talk Spring today.  Talk, think, breathe, anticipate.   This post will surely make you want it as much as I do... if you aren't already experiencing it.  Here in MN we get little tastes of Spring and then winter comes  back with a vengence.

First off I have to share this  little idea that I found at the Martha Stewart website.  
 Could this little project be any sweeter?  I love this idea.  Real egg shells in pretty pastel colors filled with candles for the Easter dinner table.  Such a simple yet fun idea.   I'll let you know if I make some-- and if you want the instructions, just click on Martha's name above and it'll take you directly to the page.  So fun.

Okay, so I've been into working with clay lately.  It's easy and sort of soothes my tense little brain.  Here are 2 projects that I added some small clay creations to.

  

This paper mache egg was made using a premade egg that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.  I cut a hole in the center front-- added paint, Melissa Frances polka dot paper (that I made into a ruffley ribbon) silver tinsel, and glitters.  The little "Spring" sign inside the egg is made from one of Melissa's  white resin appliques.

I added some shimmer to the painted dots, clay bird, and eggs with Shimmerz paints.  These paints are just awesome.  They put a finish on items that looks so professional.  I even colored the flower on the top of the egg with a pink Shimmerz paint (it used to be ivory colored.)

This spring party bird sits atop a whole buch of Melissa Frances stuff.  The papers, resin, rub on phrase, silk flowers, and the postcard on the front are all included in her collections.  Those postcards are one of my favorite things.

Another Melissa Frances project that uses her new paper collection called Fresh Twist.  I used one of her paper mache photo album boxes, velvet ribbon,  and some glitters.  The vintage bunny image was downloaded from The Vintage Moth... thank you Abbie for all of the free  images that you share ! :-)

I have several other projects to share, but I need to photograph them.  There seems to be lots going on right now and I'm kind of behind, because we were sick here.  Then when we thought that we were better it came back and kept hanging on.... and on.

Since I feel like sharing something too, I will do a giveaway from this post.  It will be a surprise!!!!  So make a comment here to participate in a chance to win one of the above projects.  You have to tell me which one is your favorite when you post your comment.  Right now, I think that my favorite is the paper mache "Spring Egg"-- with the "Spring Party Bird" box coming in a close 2nd.

Be back very soon with the winner's name and some more new projects!

And just because I love this image.....


Lovely thoughts,
Linda