What have I been up to????

In my Marie Antoinette Mail Art group we are doing a round robin bracelet swap that is Marie Inspired of course. We are also including a journal for everyone to add comments and photos of the bracelets as they go around. This is my journal and starter bracelet. I mailed it off the other day and am waiting for the next person's to arrive here so I can add to it and send it on.

Let's see....I am also in an altered art book swap. I showed you all my started book a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures of the pages I have added to books as well...

This one is Cassandra's book pages. The second page has a door that opens up to reveal a little Marie inside.

And this is my signature tag:

And this is the first book I added to for Rebecca:

And my signature tag:


These mail art swaps are a lot of fun! They are a great way to trade things with other artists and learn new techniques. It has made me try things I have always wanted to, but never did....I am making a fan for a swap now....my first one did not turn out the way I wanted it to, so I am doing another one. Here is the first one...Don't laugh now...)

Have a Blessed Mother's Day!

It's been awhile since I blogged. I even missed the "Why I love to blog" party! I have been working on altered books, jewlery, paper fans, etc....And it is the end of the semester so I am trying to get all the grades in order and late assignments recorded. All this and it is getting hot here! I cannot function in the heat, it wears me out...

Anyway, I hope you all have a great day! I am going to go see my momma and my sister. Talk to you all soon. Oh yeah....another giveaway will be posted soon, so be sure and stop back by in a few days to play....God Bless You! Becs

"Blogs n Such"

Hi there! I just wanted to let you all know that my friend Cassandra VanCuren has started a blog for FREE blog backgrounds, headers and graphics. She does amazing work and if you are a Marie Antoinette fan, then I am sure you will find something you like here. She also does other amazing designs...Here are a couple of headers that you can find on her blog. Just click on the link above to get there. Have a great day and I will talk to you all later...Becs

Thinking PINK!

Thinking Pink! It seems like everything that catches my eye lately is in some way shape or form PINK! I love the big plump pink roses on all the bushes in the yard. I love the pink peonies that are blooming. I love the pink, green and white Hydrangeas that are just everywhere! I love all the pink fabrics, papers, laces, and ribbons that I am seeing on everyone's blog...



Spring always reminds me of my dad and his rose garden. He loved roses, in fact we have about 10 bushes and/or trees in the front yard that he planted years ago. His favorite thing was to go out and prune them all after picking several stems for my mom to put in the house in a vase. My sister has carried on that tradition. I find myself cutting roses and putting them in vases, but I am not too good with the pruning...lol



I have been drooling over all the millinery that everyone has listed in their shoppes. My brain is on overload! I want it all! I need it all! I have to have it all!!! Do you get that way sometimes when every store you look in has ten things you absolutely cannot live without? Or is it just me? LOL Spring time always has a ton of cute floral blouses and capri pants that always look good on someone else...I have no tan...I mean I am totally white! And I just burn, turn red, then peel and turn white again...So, unless they are crops or long pants, I do not wear them.... And those cute sun dresses...Oh my, I love them all (for my neice!) She has that tall thin body that looks good in anything!...



If you are in need of some fabulous Spring Pink Eye Candy, check out some of these blogs....they all inspire me!
Land of Nod Studois
My Artful Adventures
Rhonda Mum
Enchanted Revelry
Vintage Bunty
Creative Life Diary
Shabby Lane Shops
Chelsea Ann
The Polka Dot Barn
Whim and Fancy Designs
Twinkle Pink
Etsy Cottage Style
Sweet Eye Candy Creations

46 & Making Paper Dolls Again! Who Knew???

Another fun Art Swap on Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group! This time I made four Paper Dolls. It has been 35 years since I made paper dolls. I forgot how fun it was to decorate and cut out and so on...

I used markers, colored pencils, glitter, feathers, lace, ribbon and flowers! FUN!
These dolls will be traveling, so they are packed up and ready to go! First stop is Connecticut...then...???? I will receive replacements from other amazing artists in the group...I can't wait!!!

Talk to you all soon...Becs

Kody's First Trip to the Spa!!!

It was Kody's first Big Boy bath at the groomers today. Poor guy...he is traumatized...LOL (not really) I have never left him anywhere except when he was neutered and he was only 6 mos old then. He is almost two and too big for me to give him a bath in the tub anymore....I took him to Cathy. She is the one who groomed my Lhasa for years! (huge size difference) Cathy called me and said he was ready to be picked up. She said he was very well mannered and listened and did everything she told him to. She said she doesn't see that many dogs this well behaved. I asked her if she was sure she was talking about Kody??? LOL! Then I thought "His school paid off!" No, really, he is very smart and wants so much to please....But he is terribly spoiled! Or as my dad used to say, "Not spoiled, just very well cared for"

So I wanted to take pictures of him before he pulled off his pretty blue ribbon....
You can almost see the edge of it in the picture above.



Playing with his rope (his BFF in the whole world) is his favorite thing to do...at least three times a day!!! He jumps really high! I was trying to throw the rope and take pictures at the same time.....



Isn't he amazing? Sheesh, do you think I like him??? One last picture then I am off...

A Blessed Easter!

I hope you all are having a blessed Easter.

RAIN ON GOOD FRIDAY!

Is it storming in your neck of the woods? We have had some rain and thunder storms here. I love this weather! My sister and I were driving in the rain and she said, "It has always rained on Good Friday. I can't remember a time it hasn't."

Isn't that awesome that God still brings the rain on Good Friday? I love it!

Here are some pictures of some Marie Altered art pieces I just finished. The first one is an ATC Accordian Book inspired by Marie and Cake! This was my first ever accordian book. I am mailing it to Tristan from Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group. Tristan is an amazing artist! Click his name and go to his blog to see his work.


This is the cover


This is one side of the book


And the other side...


Here is my book for the Altered Book Swap. The books are going around and each artist will do two pages in everyone's book. When my book returns it will include art from all over the world! I am so excited!!!

This is the front of my book


And the back...

IT'S GOOD FRIDAY!

It's good Friday. I just want to take some time to remember the cost that Jesus paid for our salvation. His love for us was enough. I often ask myself if He could say the same about me. Is my love enough? This thought is very humbling. How often I am reminded that no matter how little I show Him or tell Him I love him, it is Still enough for Him!



The awesome thing is...Jesus Loves Me! He just does! He gave (it was not taken) he willingly gave His life, so that I may live!

" Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit John 19:28-30 (NLT)

Thank You Lord!



Have a Blessed Easter!

GIVE AWAY WINNERS!!!

My birthday celebration has come to an end. The winner of the Marie Inspired Charm Bracelet is ...... Lori Kolecki of Pink Faded Roses Congratulations Lori!

Winner #2 is the winner of an awesome goodie bag full of paper and embellishments and goes to......Ellen Prinsen of Nostalgic Times Congratulations Ellen! Ellen is from the Netherlands so this package will have wuite a journey!

Winner #3 is also the winner of an awesome goodie bag full of paper, ribbon and embellishments and goes to....Arlene Mobley of Altered By Me Congratulations Arlene!

All you items will go out tomorrow! Thanks again to everyone for making my birhtday special! Becs

LET'S PARTY!!!! BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am joining with Cassandra and other Marie Antoinette artists to celebrate the release of the Special Publication of "Marie" by Stampington & Co.'s The issue is jam packed with Marie Antoinette Art.

Many of the members over at Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group (an awesome group BTW)are published in this very beautiful Magazine. So CONGRATULATIONS to all the very talented artists that had the opportunity to be in this special issue!

I also want to announce that this week marks the birthdays of two very special people! (One being me of course...lol) And the other is none other than Marie Antoinette Mail Art creator and leader, Cassandra! Happy Birthday Cassie! MAMA's Queen Marie!

In celebration of our birthdays, I am having a giveaway. I will be drawing a name on Monday April 6th, from all the people who post a comment on my blog between now and then. Just let us know what you are celebrating this month. The winner will receive this Marie Inspired Charm Bracelet (pictured below.)



There will be some other giveaways between now and the 8th when the celebration ends. You can post as many times as you would like and you be entered each time for the giveaways. The other gifts are a surprise! Who doesn't like a birthday surprise?

AND....if anyone else is having a birthday this month, please let me know!

I would also like to add that this is a very special time to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. What an awesome time for celebrations! IF you would like to share with me in celebrating our Lord during this passover week and into Easter, I will be doing another giveaway on Easter. Just leave a comment on my blog telling me how you plan to celebrate our Lord.

My Marie Altered Shoe!

Well I finally got this shoe finished! It took me longer to decide what I was gonna do than it did to do it! Have you ever been in that spot? This shoe will be going to Sherri on the Marie Mail Art Swap group. Hope she likes it...I am so Nervous! Here are a few pictures. I used one of my sister's red pumps. I painted it pink, then put vintage french music paper around it. I added a 1 1/2" ribbon ruffle all the way around and added paper roses, feathers, ribbon, tulle, pearls and rhinestones. I also made an ATC and placed it into the feathers and ribbon. I also put a cute little pink bird in the roses....

For the pictures (not so good, I waited too long to take the picks with not much light)

Please sign my Guest Book!

My First Ever ATC's!

I have made my first ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) Ever! I had so much fun! I started by making digital collages, then embellished them after printing them on Water Color Art Paper. They are all Marie Anotinette Inspired. I have several more started, but I wanted to show these off. They aren't as beautiful as most I have seen, but I think they truned out great with my limited abilities...LOL! Here they are...

My Vintage Marie Antoinette Inspired Charm Bracelet

I made this bracelet last night for a demo for a Marie Inspired Charm Bracelet Round Robin in the Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group I belong too. I haven't made a bracelet in so long it is unbelievable! If you are interested in creating outside the box, this is the group for you. You can click on the picture and it will take you to the group.

The base bracelet is antiqued bronze base metal with a toggle clasp closure. I used Japenese Tensha Beads and Poly Clay Roses for my focal beads. I also used some pearlized pink Czech glass beads, pale yellow vintage lucite, and glass imitation pearls. I have several charms, coins with Marie on them, hearts, Eiffel Towers, Keys, and a Fleur di Lis. I accented with Swarovski Crystals.

This is a fun and reasonably priced project too!

My First ever Blog Banner

Here is my feeble attempt to make a blog banner. I was inspired by Barbara at Village Bunty. I would still like to take a class, cause my PSP and I struggle ALOT! Take alook and see what you think. I an totally opened for suggestions. Thanks and happy blogging! Becs

Merci Bu Coup Ingrid!

Look at all the amazing french inspired goodies I received from Ingrid! I was so excited and amazed at the detail and packaging. Ingrid sent me tons of french cards and ephemera (Some I suspect she made herself), Lotsa Dresden foil trims, crowns, wings and other goodies, paper millinery flowers and velvet leaves, buttons, charms and mirrors, french ribbon, Victorian lace, french book pages, Oh My Gosh! There was so much packed in the envelop! I am gonna have so much fun using these items in my new Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group! Ingrid even made the card of Marie up in the corner. I Love it All Ingrid! Thank you so much! If any of you would like to venture over and check out this group, just click on the picture and it will take you there. I will be making an altered book for a round robin, an altered shoe for a swap, my first ever ATC cards, post cards and a CUPCAKE! Who Knew???

Now I have lotsa of goodies to help make my book cover! I better get busy! Thanks again Ingrid!

Check out this Amazing Group!

I am sure most of you have heard of Marie Antoinette. I had heard of her before, but never really considered her to be an art style. Oh My Gosh! She is so popular, and so FUN! I was invited to a Ning group called Marie Antoinette Mail Art. It is an awesome group, and if you like creative swaps and working outside your comfort zones, check this place out! And what a great group of artists!

Here are some pictures of the Marie art made by some of the members. Click on the photos and they will take you to their pages.

This shoe was made by Cassandra

This shoe was made by Rebecca

And this box was made by Bobbi