'I am Free'

I have not created anything in a few days...aaagghhhhh. Trying to get taxes finished is just taking up too much of my time. But I am glad to get them done. I wanted to share with you some framed art work that I made for my daughter a couple of months ago. She has watched me for over a year now, making things for craft fairs, special orders and such, and she kept asking me when I was going to make something for her room. Talk about feeling guilty. I had not made her one single thing.
Well I decided that I better and I wanted it to have a lot of meaning behind it. Her favorite song is 'I am Free' by Newsboys. it is so wonderful seeing her so excited about a song for Jesus Christ, and she dances and sings at the top of her lungs every time it comes on. You can hear it by clicking on my playlist down at the bottom of my page.
Anyway, i used that song as inspiration. Each piece has a bit of that song as well as old music for a hymnal that I found in an antique store. The music sheets are songs that she liked as a young child. 'Jesus loves me', 'What a friend we have in Jesus', and 'Jesus loves the little children'.

Stamps used are Stampin Up and the paper is from Basic Grey.
Thanks for looking and God bless.
Alissa

a penny for your thoughts

Do you keep a journal? I love the idea of keeping one. I have tried to journal every so often in the last 20 years. However I can't seem to keep up with it.....so I want to know what the secret is. While I don't currently keep a journal (who knows, maybe I will try one again), I lOVE to make them. I just use the comp books that you can buy anywhere and add paper, ribbon, ephemera, and I recently started added some soldered glass charms that I started to learn how to do. I always cover the insides with paper, too. My favorite to use is vintage music sheets. Another favorite is vintage flocked wallpaper. I just love the texture.....Here are a couple of my favorites.



This one uses the flocked wallpaper. I found a roll that is about 6 inches in diameter by 20 inches long....for $5.00!! What a steal!



The stamps I use are mainly from Stampin Up. I just love their style. I also used the Angel Company scrabble tiles stamps. The letter are Quickutz, and my current favorite embellishment is glass glitter. The silver glitter is sterling silver so it will tarnish after time...lending another vintage touch that I love.
Thanks for looking and God bless.
Alissa

new treasures

I went out of town yesterday....I was in the mood to do a little thrift shop browsing. I went to Goodwill, and a couple of thrift shops. I found all of this for under $40. The biggest splurge was the silver bowl and lid that I found at Goodwill for $8. I don't need it nor do I know what to do with it, but I thought it was pretty. The vintage music books was a great find (in my mind anyway). They are large enough to alter some cigar boxes that I have. I found about 10 packages of seam binding for 75 cents for all of it. The candle sconces are an ugly faux gold but I loved the flourish design. I will probably end up painting them either antique cream or a distressed robin egg blue. Which do you think? The little metal accents aren't antique but I thought that I could paint and distress them for my books.


close up of the little metal accents. I love the little wings. The design on them are so delicate.



I was hoping to have time today to make something new. Had it all planned out. Until a lady I go to church with called and said that her granddaughters were staying with her and wanted to know if Emma would want to go to the park with them. Of course we went. It was so nice today that I even enjoyed the time outside.....for 2.5 hours. Needless to say that after that and grocery shopping...i better make the trip to town a productive one...we didn't get home until almost supper. Maybe i will have time tomorrow to create something to show you. Until then have a great evening and God Bless.
Alissa

a day of creating

This is what happens when I am not on the computer or watch tv on my lunch break.


and these


These are table decorations for a salad luncheon that is put on by my mom's church. My mom and a friend are hosting 2 tables. The hostesses are responsible for the table settings, decorations and inviting guests. It is always a fun time. Great food, fun entertainment, and a wonderful time talking to friends. I will post photos of the table after the lunch.

because I was busy creating I had no time for these...



I have gotten these the last two days and haven't had time to look through them yet, so I am going to curl up on the sofa tonight and surround myself with reading material.
Everyone have a good evening and God Bless.

love is in the air...........and a challenge

yes, i realize that valentine's day was last week, but our whole family was sick with bronchitis all last week, so we missed it. our valentine's celebration is a bit delayed.
we are also celebrating because we have a wedding in the future. my brother is getting married april 2009! congrats jay and linda!! there was a bridal fair yeaterday in their home town that we went to for ideas. they had several vendors and a style show. it was fun to see all the different dresses. i was really looking at the flower girl dresses, since emma is going to be their flower girl. i have to say that it is going to be hard to pick just one dress, because there are so many cute ones.



now for the challenge. i was reading rebecca sower's blog and she is posting a challenge for everyone to 'unplug' for one day or two evenings if you work. unplug the tv, phone, and computer so you will not have distractions and to be able to focus on your creativity. my day to unplug is thursday, and i am not sure i can do without my computer. i am looking foward to at least trying so i can focus on some things that i would like to make. so this is my challenge to you. to 'unplug'. then lets all of us come here to share what you made. can't wait to see what we can do.

Welcome! Glad to meet you.

Hello to all my family and friends. I have decide to start a blog, though I am not sure why! First, I wanted to share with all of you, who I am. My name is Alissa, and I am a paper craft artist. Sounds like it is the first step to admitting a problem!
I am a farmers wife and a mother to a beautiful daughter, Emma. I started scrapbooking about 6 years ago and have moved to paper crafting. I am inspired by vintage items and love to go to flea markets and antique shops. My background is architectural drafting, interior design and art. I love to create things for my home and for sale at local craft fairs, as well as a few local retailers. I am thinking about starting a etsy store and will let all of you know when I do.
I thought I would leave you with my very first picture. It is framed art that I made a couple months ago that says it all. Thank you for visiting and I hope you will enjoy coming back.