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Sneak Peek #2 - Provence Inspiration Box

This is the second of three sneak peeks -- one yet to come, again, my apologies - I really wanted to get it all uploaded this evening but as I was photoshopping, I realized that the photos for the main project (the naked handbag book) are voluminous -- so editing them will take a bit of doing. I am shooting now to have them posted by Saturday morning.

This one here is another side project made with papers from what will be the add-on paper supplement and filled with bits and pieces, some of which will be in the main project kit. I've really been getting into altered boxes as art forms, can you tell?! This is one of my favorite projects!

I loved the idea of a Provence inspiration box, and I think it's the springboard for many boxes yet to come. Being a collector of various bits and baubles, I am always looking for ways to incorporate the things I collect into my work. I really loved the idea of an inspiration box. Sort of like a designer's swatch board except it's all contained in a box -- anything and everything that reminds you of a particular place or theme. Very visual and tactile, something you can pull out and touch and drool over. This is where you tuck in that bit of trim so beautiful you can't bear to use it or that vintage brooch you treasure. This will probably be the first of atleast a few more inspiration boxes that I have in mind. I love the idea of putting everything you associate with your theme into a box, and viewing it as a collection -- there is just so much visual inspiration that abounds, plus it gives you a great way to keep those beloved and cherished mementos safely tucked away and yet easily enjoyed, again and again.

For this particular project, I used a Seven Gypsies Cigar Box - (this won't be part of the kit, but you could really use any type of cigar box or a box with a lid that opens on top). Stationery boxes are a good source for this - try TJ Maxx or an upscale stationery store for those boxes with hinged lids that open up. For the Art Box I showed yesterday, I used a calligraphy set box that came with a book, very cheaply discounted at Barnes and Noble. Just keep your eyes open until you find the box that works for you - if you're like me, you probably have a stack of them at home ready to use anyway. More tomorrow!

More Project Peeks

Sorry!! I got back from groceries last night and meant to post the Chere Provence projects but I was so tired, I crawled into bed to cuddle with Alekha just for ten minutes, and fell asleep in the process!

So I don't have time to do the full post this morning -- but I'll start off with a peek and finish up this evening, promise!

This is one of the side projects (made with papers contained in the paper supplement to the Chere Provence kit) - an Art Box and card, intended as a gift for an artsy friend about to embark on a journey. I have always wanted to create a little box of art supplies to take with me on trips so I can sketch or draw or paint to my heart's content without lugging a ton of equipment. This is the perfect little box of goodies. The gold fabric rose is from Hobby Lobby - look in the bridal decor section. That gorgeous brooch was an ebay find. And the little metal disc that says Artful - new from Tim Holtz - those will be in the main kit (words in each kit will vary). The resin cameo will also be in the main kit.

And here are a few more peeks from CHA projects for Melissa Frances (still more to come). I LOVE those resin frames. I can't get enough of them!

 

New Melissa Frances/Summer CHA Peek

Melissa Frances has some gorgeous new products coming out for the summer CHA release. My favorite is the new Winter themed patterned paper. If you love vintage -- you will love the new papers. They're so dreamy and soft and wintry. I have a few projects I'll be sharing. Here's a shadowbox I made with some of the new winter/holiday papers. The shadowbox was simply a box with a plexiglas clear lid that contained some stationery I had purchased at Half Price Books. I covered the box with the new MF papers. The gorgeous resin frame and crown inside are also from Melissa Frances. I will have some more peeks for you tonight, along with the full reveal of the Chere Provence projects. Gotta run now!

A party fit for a princess

Alekha turned five yesterday (*sob*). My baby is growing up, waaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

We had a sweet little party for her at home (just me, Bobby, Alekha and my Dad) since the one with all her friends is going to be this weekend. She was at my inlaws home over the weekend so she was totally surprised and thrilled to come home to this. I wanted to make it really super special - so even though it was just family, I tried to recreate a magical little setting for her.

Love this pic of her - she calls herself "rockstar" every time she puts them on, lol!

Here's the spread!

Found a bunch of darling little painted wooden critters at Joanns in the dollar bin, along with the cardboard blingy letter A in pink, The gumdrop tree a few pics down is Christmasy I know, but I just had to add it in for color. 

Isn't this darling? Found this bumblebee cupcake at Whole Foods and also that decadent Norwegian Heaven Cake at the end of this post. I gained ten pounds just looking at it. Seriously. 

By the way -- the photos have been punched up in Photoshop using various PS Actions (recommended by Keisha) and the fantastic black frame was found on a link from Keisha's blog. I have really been loving getting into some of the links for Photoshop Actions Keisha has referenced on her site. Seriously, they can take your photo skills from mediocre to marvelous -- and once you get comfortable with the actions -- you can take a basically decent photo and make it superb. Plus add all sorts of wonderful effects. Here's an example of one of the effects I just love - I took a basic photo of Alekha's cake (the color one is the before pic) and turned it into a part colorized black and white photo after kicking it up with some actions:

That's it for today -- still working on photos of the Provence projects -- will have them posted by Friday.

Chere Provence

Alekha's birthday is tomorrow so I am a bit harried today and this post will be short. But here's a sneak peek of the upcoming August project kit called Chere Provence (Dear Provence). If you've ever been to or wanted to go to Provence, this kit is going to be a must have for pure inspiration.

The base of the project is the Seven Gypsies Naked Handbag Book shown here. You'll get a bevy of gorgeous paper from K & Company, Seven Gypsies and Sassafras Lass, lots of beautiful seam binding in vintagey provencale colors plus some other goodies I'll be sharing soon. There will be an add on to this kit as well. Just some good things to look forward to! Hopefully I'll be able to share the insides of the book by the end of the week. Have a blissful Sunday!

Happy Fourth!

Sorry for the long absence but I've been a busy bee! I have a few lovely projects up my sleeve... I'll be debuting a Provence kit, hopefully within the next month. I can't wait to show you the projects I've created. There is a Provence altered album using a new Seven Gypsies album, a Provence Inspiration Box, an Art Box and a few other minor things I have been saving to show you. Stay tuned for the projects --- it's going to take me a bit of doing to get the kits together so let's just say I hope to have them up for sale sometime in the first weeks of August. You're going to love the colors -- french blue, lavender, cream, gold and a bit of green. Really, truly, lovely. Should have project pics posted hopefully by the end of the week.

After I post the projects, I'll be going back into hiatus mode -- I have a stack of new CHA pretties from Melissa Frances that I will be working on. Let me tell you -- the new line of papers are GORGEOUS. That's an understatement. You're going to want them, I assure you. So stay tuned for peeks of that as well.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing this fourth, safe travels to you and hope you enjoy the weekend surrounded by friends, family and good times. I want to take a moment too to thank the men and women in our armed forces overseas and their families for the sacrifice they've made for their country. God bless and keep them safe. Happy Fourth of July!