You had Me at Hello.

The title says it all.  For anyone who's never seen the film, "Jerry Maguire," it is the best Valentine's movie EVER. The phrase, "You had me at hello" is one of the more iconic phrases in my vocabulary, and it is the creative catalyst for this altered art project.  And best of all, I used materials from my stash! 

I started with these somewhat "cugly" striped coasters 

which I immediately painted with black acrylic paint.  Bye stripes!

While the coasters dried, I cut out three squares of beautiful vintage

scrapbook paper to fit the coasters, and rounded the paper at the corners.

Next, I adhered the paper to the coasters with matte Mod Podge. 

I usually use a glossy finish for my projects; however, this matte finish

lends itself nicely to a vintage, romantic feel.

One more coat of MP on the top.

I edged the coasters with a bit more black paint, giving it a distressed look.

Then I dug deep into the dark corners of my craft closet in search of love--

love-themed embellishments, that is. 

I hit it big when I found a set of large white chipboard hearts. 

The chipboard has great texture, so I decided instead of covering them,

to stamp a French script design using black ink.  Voila! 

I continued embellishing the coasters with love-ly charms, acrylic flowers, baker's twine, chipboard, washi tape, acrylic tag, and a rub-on.   Then I typed up the wonderful phrase, adhered it to red chipboard and finished all three coasters off with additional Podge.

Then I contemplated how to display these coasters.  For those who know me, you are probably thinking well, of course, she is going to use a lot of ribbon.  That's what I thought.  However, I decided to return to the dark depths of my craft closet to see what other crafty treasures await. 

Lo and behold, I found a distressed green wooden frame. It was one of my Home Goods clearance finds I bought a few years ago for $3.50.

Only problem:  the signage.  It reads:

That will never do.  Unless this project is a gift for my dog.

How nice that Coconut already taped up the sides of the frame, so all I had to do was paint the inside of the frame in a warm antique white hue.

Then I adhered the coasters to the inside edges of the frame.

  

I kinda like it. 

And I know Tom C my husband will like it, too. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Having fun at these parties
A Delightsome Life
Love 2 Upcycle


Two Little Birds Decor
Adorned from Above
Sugar Bee Crafts
Whipperberry
Mad in Crafts
Dear Lillie
Summit Street Joy
Lollipops Cards
Vintage Wanna Bee
Lil Luna
Blue Cricket Designs Show & Tell
It's Overflowing with Creativity
Passionately Artistic
Making the World Cuter
Today's Creative Blog
Polly want a Crafter
Cowgirl Iink up party at Ivy Cottage
A Bowl full of Lemons
At home with K
Serendipity and Spice
Homemaker on a Dime
Ginger Snap Crafts
The Girl Creative
Tator Tots and Jello
Craft-o-Maniac
Skip to my Lou
I should be Mopping the Floor
Under the table and dreaming
All Things Fee
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
I Heart Naptime
Flamingo Toes Pink Sunday
Serenity Now
The Answer is Chocolate
Positively Splendid
Young and Crafty,
Measured by the Heart

A New Look and a New Project

We just love when Elysa is home for spring break -- it's so nice to spend time together, and catch up on her busy college life.   That is, when she's not sleeping til noon!  Anyway, our little Scottish Terrier, Coconut, decided to sleep in Elysa's room all week.  He knows a good thing when he sees one!  Is Kaylee jealous? Yeah, just a little... 

And speaking of spring, here in Los Angeles, we only have two seasons: fall and summer. While most of you in the country are enjoying springtime, we are feeling the warmth of summer -- well, it seems like it with 80' weather and a sunburn from a two-mile power walk on the beach!   Well, with the new season, I thought it was time for a new look -- not for me, for my blog (although I could use one, too!).  I took advantage of Elysa's PhotoShop knowledge, and she helped me create a new blog header! And with a new look, comes a new project:   Here are photos of the altered canvas I made for my Mom.

 8" x 8" and 8" x 4" canvasses tied together with ribbon;

each canvas painted and then decoupaged with designer papers;

Photos added.

Yes, that's really me, minutes after I was born.

Note the year:  1956

(Ahhhhh!  Am I THAT old?)

Scrabble tiles spell out "DAUGHTERS"

Chipboard used to spell "LOVE" 

Further embellishments:  chipboard scroll, button and

silver heart charm tied to "E"

Then added ribbon, brads and flower

Finally, current year of bottom photo:  2010

I had so much fun creating this wall hanging canvas for my Mom. 

With Mother's Day coming up, I think my Mom will be quite pleased with her new artwork.

 

[Editor's Note:  It is now 2013, and my Mom requested an updated photo of my daughters & me.

Well, mostly a new pic of my daughters...]

 

Partying along with:

 

 

 

 

Cheap Crafty Mama