Configuration Box...Complete

 

While this box took a long time to make (from turning a UPS box into the configuration box to making all the little doo dads) it was well worth the time and effort.  it's my first configuration box and it cost a whole $3.00.  Two dollars for the angels and $1.00 for the 4 pack of rulers.  i made the bird's nests from twine and jute and hot glue.  Fortunately my fingers are immune to hot glue burns (since they've been burned so many times) the nests took no time at all.  my favorite part are the little "books" i made. (note's and Journal and the box next to it with the music note tissue tape)  i will say this is a very addicting process.  i loved making it and now i have to find a place to display it.  there is a benefit of having so many craft supplies and no room to store them in one place; i was able to do this without spending much money :)

Two "Befores"

 i am working on two projects. One is a configuration box.  I have been wanting to create one of these for some time, BUT i just haven't had the $$$ to purchase one.  So when i received a UPS box (the flat small size) at work, Inspiration struck and i created this.  I cut off the top and then took the top, cut into strips to create the 'shelves' once i chose all the placements, i taped them down with packing tape, then decoupaged with Dictionary pages.  is it perfect??  NO WAY!  But figured the whole idea behind Mixed Media and art in general, is NOT about perfection....we shall see how this turns out....

 Onward to the other project I'm working on. i have become obsessed with Altered jars.  ever since i purchased the Tim Holtz Rock Candy crackle paint i have been 'crackling' jars right and left.  Below is one i started last week (not quite done yet)

it feels unfinished, but i cannot rush it.  once i realize what 'extra' it needs, i will continue.  but of course, me being me,  i began a few other projects.  For example.....

i got this at the 99cent store. and i loved the bottle. i of course had to crackle it and i am quite pleased with the result:

work in progress. i cannot rush it.  Next time, i will have the completed projects. Wish me luck :)

Angels Project Complete

I finished!  I'm not totally in love with them, but i think they are a vast improvement  from the generic silver :)

 First i spray painted them white:

i let them sit over night and then this afternoon, grabbed by "Antique Matte Mod Podge" applied some tissue. then used some of the Tim Holtz Tissue tape and covered each one of the 'skirts" except one. I fiddled, with them for some time until i got a look i could live with.  Although from the pictures you cannot see the the crackling affect on the wings (courtesy of Tim Holtz Rock Candy Crackle Paint) but you see the crackling on the white one?  that's what the wings have as well.  You'll have to take my word on that :)

   

Before....

this is the Before. i just purchased these at Walmart for a whopping $2.00.  I love the shape, but not in love with the color...lets see what i can come up with...

Things I Have Made and Love...

I am a crafter. I love to create and I really love to create something from nothing.  yes, it may have taken four hours to make, but hey, it didn't cost me a dime!  The cross above is an idea I got from a blog and of course I cannot remember which one it was :(  It was from over a year ago and when you follow almost 300 blogs it's hard to keep track.  I love the old tattered, distressed and altered look.

This I one of my favorite pictures.  This was taken April 24 2012.  These baby Canada Geese (Goslings) were only about 2 days old.  Fortunately for me, their mom and dad allowed me to photograph them and they were nice enough to pose for me.

 

 this was a veganaise jar. You know in person, this altered jar is SO cool if I do say so myself, but I tell ya, sometimes when I photograph things I've made, no matter what I do, the picture does not convey it's true beauty and details :(  Oh well, you'll have to trust me

         This is my baby Leo.  Yes, he is watching TV.  he does this quite often.  There were about 3 seconds before this photo was taken there were hundreds of Iguanas on screen and he really liked those...

Another altered bottle.  It WAS a Jones soda bottle, after some decoupaging, paint and several doo dads and of course, Our Lady Guadalupe, this bottle was completed.

yet another picture of my baby.  Seriously, could he be any cuter?  Not only is he the cutest little man on earth, he is the sweetest :)

This Lovely Canada Goose is known to me as Nancy.  There are no words, well just one: Beautiful

This male Western Bluebird was taking a break while fetching food for his offspring.  I could hear the babies, but mom and dad made sure to keep them hidden

That moment of the day when the sun has not quite risen, but the moon is still out. The fog was rolling out and the drizzling rain dampened the foliage and rocks....

The First and Only time I have ever seen a Bald Eagle. This was taken in February of this year. I had just parked near the trailhead and I looked up into the trees and saw him.  He was magnificent!  and he allowed me to photograph him for some time.

  Have I mentioned how much I love this cat?

This is Nancy (from Above) with this year's goslings.  That little bugger climbing all over her like she's a jungle gym is Sid Jr (named lovingly after his father who recently passed away)  He is definitely his father's son.

So let's see, I love animals, crafting, nature, hiking and of course my sweet little man Leo.  these are the things that brings a smile to my face, that brings peace in  my heart, that well, make me happy.