surprise....a midweek giveaway

So there I was last night. Rummaging around my studio. Organizing this and that...I've been in an organizing sort of a mood lately. Have you? I think we all tend to do that in January, that's why all the shops bring out the organizing stuff right after Christmas.

And I can never just sort and file, especially when it comes to books and magazines. I'll stop and look through old issues. Read favorite articles and discover ones I missed the first, second and third time around.

I only discovered Where Women Create two years ago (I know...where have I been?) It was this very magazine that opened up a whole new world of living an artful life for me. It inspired me to set up my very own place for creating. One that would proudly say I am creative, love art and this is what I'm all about. It literally changed my life.

Most of you probably know that all of the Stampington magazines are pricey. Almost all are $14.99 so I only get them from JoAnns when I have a coupon for at least 40% off. They are my one splurge because I will go through them over and over and over again.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I somehow  purchased two copies of the 2010 May/June/July issue! And it's taken me this long to realize it. Oh what state my poor brain must have been in to have done that...

So anywhoo, I thought I would share the extra copy with one of you. I am rather obsessive about my magazines so it is in excellent condition. And if you would like a chance to win it just leave a comment and tell me where you like to create. Do you have an entire studio room, dinning room corner, bedroom, dinning table, hutch, roll away cart? Anything and anywhere...I'd love to hear! My studio is our tiny dinning room. You can see it here if you like but it's changed a bit since I did the post for
Where Bloggers Create back in June.

I'll leave this post up for a few days and pick a random winner Saturday night. There are wonderful and inspiring spaces in this issue as always and if you happened to miss it or have never checked out WWC here's your chance to get one for free!

Now if you haven't checked on the January Artful Bags  in a while, I urge you to go and see (button is on the top right sidebar). There are some really beautiful paper purses being posted....And I'm still working on the art/tech project with my brother (7 down and 3 more to go), but found that it works better if I take a break and work on my own stuff too. I am also getting ready to celebrate my one year blog anniversary on the 22nd and I have a little something planned for that as well.

Hope you are all enjoying the middle of your week!



celebrate your creative spirit and challenge #2

Wow! I am having the best time visiting all the wonderful little bags being made for the Artful Bag Challenge. I love all the different silhouettes everyone has come up with and the way you guys are trimming your paper purses is just amazing. Thank you to all of you that have played along. There's still lots of time so if you have thought about trying a new challenge this year check out my new challenge for 2011. You can still add on to this month's theme which is Playing With Paper.

I'm already trying to think of something for next month's theme,  Altered Art. I have been eyeing little mint tins everywhere but a few other things have caught my eye too. Now I find myself looking at objects all day and wondering how I can make it look like an artful bag! You can click the button at the top of my right sidebar to see all the pretty January bags.

It's also time for another one of the monthly challenges I participate in which is Cindy's Celebrate Your Creative Spirit. Last month I created a collage inspired by Vanessa Valencia's tutorial in Somerset Workshop. I just love trying the different techniques she shares and her art inspired me to learn and try something new again.

I'm also linking up to Sandy's Challenge #2 at Sandy's Space. She asked that we share our favorite projects from 2010 and I think this would have to be the one for me. A close second would be the wardrobe I made for my paper dresses in November :)

"Little Brother"

This is paint and collage. I made it last month and gave it as a Christmas present to my brother. Yes the same little brother I talked about in my Ski Lessons post. The one who decided I should go down a crazy intermediate slope for my very first ski run! There is just the two of us and he is also my very first best friend. We grew up in a military family, moving all the time, so we spent lots of time playing together. This piece is about those treasured  memories. I also made a print and framed it which I gave to my mom and I love that it gave her happy tears! ♥

Have an inspiring and creative Monday.

Be sure to visit Cindy at Whimsical Musings for lots of great creative fun and stop by Sandy's Space for favorite projects from 2010.

dress up 2011, they're baaaack

Last month we bid adieu to the paper dress challenge at Alice and Camilla. I was sad to see it end and so were many of the other dress makers playing along. Well Angela at Sew Loquacious decided to pick it up and is hosting this year. Hooray!

Angela added her own twist by giving each month a different art theme. This month is Impressionist art. I chose Monet's garden at Giverny for inspiration. I love the watery blues and greens and the bold pinks and fuchsias in his other works.

Since I have been painting all week I decided to paint my dress as well. I also made a few changes to my dress template.

I washed blues and greens onto a patterned paper then dabbed on some yellow gold and bright pink. I also used a metallic copper to age the edges.

I added bronze tulle and gold ribbon to give it movement and of course I had to use my favorite blue paper flower. It is a garden theme after all. And every garden needs butterflies so mine has a pretty glittery one.

I think this is going to be another fun year. Make sure to visit Angela to see all the other new dresses. The challenge is open all month long so how about playing along?

Don't forget my January Artful Bag Challenge is open all month too!