THE ALTERED FLEA: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy National Coffee Day!

Rumor has it that yesterday was "National Coffee Day." Since I was busy observing our religious new year, this post is a day late; however, when it comes to coffee, everyday is Coffee Day! This is definitely true in our house, and here is the sign adorning my craft room door to prove it:

So come on over for a visit and share your favorite coffee drink with me! To celebrate this wonderful "holiday," here are a few photos and past posts on my favorite coffee-themed crafts. I've included some links to get you right over to the post for more details.

Post-it note holder made from an acrylic photo frame

I decided my daily lattes were a bit of a luxury, so I created a Coffee Stash Cash Can. I place my extra change in it (and an occasional dollar bill), and use this "extra" money to fund my caffeine addiction. Plus, it was fun to create.

Cappuccino Cash Stash

This next photo shows one of my coffee-theme ensembles. It includes a set of coasters, note-holder and pen desk set, a large note clip, and (my favorite) a clipboard with matching pad of paper. I love how everything coordinates! These make wonderful gifts, especially with a fresh hot cup of coffee or coffee shop gift card.

Coffee Ensemble Makes Great Gifts

Another favorite altered art project of mine includes transforming three mundane square canvasses into a canvas trio that I call "Three Cups of Coffee." I used a lot of coffee ephemera on these, including old gift cards, coffee sleeves and even a vintage coffee spoon. Click here to quickly get to the post to see the completed trio and tutorial.

3 Cups of Coffee

And in case you've "bean" busy and missed my last post about coffee and shampoo...here it is again.

I-am-only-as-strong-as-the-coffee-I-drink collage canvas

As you can plainly see, I am ~~a fan of~~ obsessed with everything coffee. However, I hear that two to three cups of coffee a day --just like a glass of red wine --actually have good health benefits.

That's my story, and I'm ~~sticking~~ sipping to it.

Sharing a cup of coffee with:

Whipperberry flair-link-party
The Answer is Chocolate Link Party

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I am only as strong as the coffee I drink & the hairspray I use

Before I saw this retro card with the quote, "I am only as strong as the coffee I drink & the hairspray I use," it didn't occur to me to put the words "coffee" and "hairspray" together in the same sentence. Maybe it's the image that makes it work -- take a close look at the stylish woman with the fancy hairdo and a cup o' joe in her hand. And get the pearls! I always thought pearls went more with martinis...what do I know.

Well, the card became my inspiration for a new project, a collage canvas. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know of my ~~affinity~~ addiction with coffee. So I just happen to have a few coffee-themed embellishments sitting around just waiting for their name to be called!

Here is my list of "ingredients" for this canvas collage (or is it a collaged canvas?):

6" x 8" canvas panel, scrapbook paper, acrylic paint, foam brush, Mod Podge, hot glue gun, ribbon, ric-rac, coffee stamps, brown Staz-on ink pad, tab punch, coffee sleeve, canvas sticker, pearl and rhinestone bling, flowers, brads, metal label holder, acrylic clear tag, buttons, hemp cord/floss, cute paper clips.

And the instructions are so E-Z:
1. Paint the canvas edges about 1/2" in and along edges of panel.
2. Apply scrapbook paper, using Mod Podge. Let dry.
3. Position card at an angle and Mod Podge in place.
4. Mod Podge over entire surface.
5. Add embellishments, using hot glue gun and Mod Podge.

Here are a few close-ups showing details.