picture for my brother

my brother had asked me to make a picture of Mom & Dad for him - over a year ago. Well, the last 1 1/2 year was pretty difficult for us all. Dad had been pretty ill and living with my brother for a year. Then i moved him out here to assisted living and hospice. He had a great 3 months there and died in August. This is my 2 brothers and my 1st Christmas with just us. It was really nice. We did not have a Christmas last year. Dad was really bad at that time and we spent a couple weeks at hospital with him. So- this year i really wanted to make this for him. I have photos of the process. Again- this is from what i learned with Lynne Perella in the "type face"class i took with her. I started with a larger canvas this time - since the picture is 2 people and not just 1. Painted the canvas, added the napkins, then stencils, lots of layers. I gessoed the letters painted them then used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to stencil them. That is the way to go- man what a difference from paint- it is so clear and the stencils came out great. I glued on the letters and voila! I liked it and so did he. I am go glad i was able to do this for him. the letters are their initials - Donna and Rick.

elves

i did not do much this year for Christmas decorations- i have my little ceramic tree out and i put out the Annalee elves - i bought the Santa this year - (yet another great deal at Tuesday Morning!) HA!

collage canvas

I made this canvas for a friend at work, who just retired. She loved Mary Englebreit an was always doing special little things for everyone. The quote was in my family home restroom for as long as i can remember. Mom got it at a craft show, so I used this in the collage. I have 3 photos- 1st one with paint & napkins (yes the collage is napkins), then with the sun - that was the feature part- then the final piece with all the stencils and paint pen, and stamping. I think it was an 8x10 canvas - it was small. I had a great time making it and have to say it was hard to give up. BUT - it is now my screensaver on my home computer- so i get to see it whenever i fire this baby up! Best place for fun napkins is Tuesday Morning- they are closing a handful of them here-sad - but they really have a nice lovely selection and very low priced.

New glue book

My friend told me about a YouTube channel for Crafty Hodges - she is so fun and has the greatest tutorial videos. You can tell she is Teesha Moore inspired- but in a lighter feel. I made this book from an old Quilting Arts Magazine. Check her out on youtube - you will not be disappointed - she is fun. I used Jane Davenport paper for the cover and Danielle Donaldson stamps on the covers and duck tape- the dog page is my favorite so far. as well. Then the inside is magazine images, scrapbook papers, collage, quotes and washi tape - really fun.