Candy Corn & Terra Cotta

What do you get when you mix m&ms with candy corn? 

Well, if you add them to a painted terra cotta pot,

you get a special Halloween treat!

Now I'm not one for much Halloween hoopla. 

However, I am a sucker for embellished terra cotta pots.

So when I read Kim's creative idea at Maiden D'Shade,

I decided to borrow her idea of candy corn painted terra cotta pots.

Plus, I couldn't help myself while walking past the candy aisle

without picking up some of these:

 

Like Kim, I painted the lower part of the pots white,

 orange in the middle, and finally yellow on the rim.

Be sure to allow each color to dry before adding the next.

I sprinkled bright yellow glitter to the top rim of my painted pots,

adding shimmer to this Halloween terra cotta treat.

After shaking the glitter onto the just painted yellow rims,

and letting it dry,

I decided to give it a good spritz of top coat acrylic sealer

to help those little shimmies stay in place. 

Then I gobbled up poured about 1/2 cup of each candy

 into a cute clear bag (which I found in my stash),

tying the bag with orange and black ribbon.

I added a tag, which I had quickly embellished with Halloween paper.

And, as they say in the 'hood:

TRICK OR TREAT!

Check out this Halloween gift idea:

Spooky Socks Gift Package

Party with me at

the ultimate linky

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The Answer is Chocolate BFF Link Party

My Repurposed Life Catch as Catch Can

I Gotta Create

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Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday

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Mop it Up on Mondays

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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

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.

Stamped image onto clear tag.  It reads:

Let's do...

coffee 

lunch

[I placed a rhinestone to check coffee.]

Acrylic tag tied to metal paper clip, added buttons.

 Layered flowers, metal tag, "Born and Brewed in California"

cut from a coffee gift card holder;

"Coffee Run!" stamped on canvas striped ribbon; buttons.

 Ribbons and torn gift card holder layered under flowers and brad;

Pearls added to woman's image to accent necklace and earring.

Tab punched from coffee sleeve, embellished with ric rac and brads.

Stamped coffee definition and cup image onto canvas sticker;

metal coffee cup button added.

And now it's ready to hang on a wall or place on a small easel adding a flair to any coffee room! 

In fact, I decided to add this collage to my Etsy shop. 

If you're interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind art collage,

please visit

Altered Art by Doreen. 

I'm linking up to some fun parties.  Hope you'll join me at:

Linked Up to:

answer is chocolate bff-open-house-link-party)

Made By You Monday

Market Yourself Monday

Craft-O-Maniac Craft Catwalk
Get-your-craft-on-tuesday
rookno17
abowlfulloflemons one-project-at-time-tuesday-link-party

primp-your-stuff-wednesday
bluecricketdesign show-and-tell

whatever-goes-wednesday

handymancraftywoman wicked-awesome-wednesday

homemaker on a dime creative-bloggers-party-hop

the diy club diy-project-party

lil-luna-link-partay-43

thirtysixthavenue

crafty-scrappy-happy-me-thursday

delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party

chiconashoestring decorating flaunt-it-friday

shabby nest frugal friday

serenitynow weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up

Birthdays, Chocolate and the End of Summer

The end of the summer always "begins" with my birthday celebration. Although my hubby suggested I invite friends over for a fun crafting soiree, I chose to spend the day with him and the kids.  Our older daughter, a recent UC Davis college grad [Go Aggies!], just landed a real career-job, and is now living in the OC, closer to home.  While in two days, our younger daughter leaves for the other side of the country to begin college (hello, Boston!).  So I chose to get out of the 107' weather, rack the bikes up to the back of the car, and enjoy cooler breezes and exercise on the beach.

However, there will be plenty of

CT [Creative Therapy]

in the coming weeks.

And I will need it! 

So look for new altered art posts soon.    In the meantime, I want to thank Carol, Head Chocolatier, at the fantastic blog, The Answer is Chocolate.  While she enjoyed her own family vacation and getting her son off to college, Carol featured many incredibly crafty bloggers.  I am thrilled to be one of them. 

So click here to see me over there.  While visiting, browse through Carol's blog to view her creative talents including great craft projects as well as tasty chocoholic recipes.  

Chocolate and Crafts -- You gotta love the combo!

Gothic Art, Momma Style

Gothic art, a Medieval art movement that developed in France out of Romanesque art in the mid-12th century, has taken on a revival of sorts, especially in clothing and accessories.  Sometimes misunderstood, goth is usually considered counterculture.  

Well, this is as counterculture as I get -- my version of Gothic artwork, Momma style! 

Using a new Gothic-style paper collection, I chose paper with a black background and bright pink and lime green chandeliers.  Although I wanted to go with lime green accents, I started this project while on vacation with a very limited art supply. [Boogie board trumps craft boxes.]  So I used what I had, and I chose pink, which at least matched the paper. 

This canvas measures 10" wide x 8" tall. I painted the edges pink, and when dry, decoupaged the paper to the canvas, leaving 1/8" border along the sides. Once this dried, I used very little paint and light brush strokes to make the paper look "edgy."   I tried my best to paint outside of the lines, literally and figuratively.

 

I then cut coordinating card stock measuring 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" and 4" x 6" and decoupaged it to the canvas at an angle. The photo frame will be placed on top of this.

Once home [the vacation flew by way too quickly], I gathered together a variety of coordinating embellishments, and chose those that would enhance the project.



I love ribbon!

 

Using strong double-sided adhesive, I adhered a 4" x 6" acrylic frame in place.



The I added one of my favorite vacation photos.  The great thing about using an acrylic frame is that you can change the photo whenever you want!  I stapled black & white ribbon to the side of the photo frame, a trio of flowers to the top left corner of the frame, and a single flower at the opposite end.  I used buttons and large brads for the flower centers.

I then added a mini frame, an acrylic key and lock, and two pink photo turns, framing "best buds" which was printed on a transparency. [Hint:  When using transparency, print on rough side of paper so the ink does not smear.]

See the "edgy" pink & black-dotted bead trim? I adhered it to the back bottom of the frame. I love how it dangles from the canvas. I also love the fact that I finally used this trim as I have had it in my stash for over ten years!

 

This Gothic-inspired wall canvas is now ready to hang. 
Of course, it doesn't match any room in our house...at least not yet.

Linking to:

Cheap Crafty Mama It Pays to be Cheap Contest

todays creative blog craft-link-up-party

delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party

firefliesandjellybeans.show-off-your-stuff-party

Wicked Awesome Wednesday

answerischocolate BFF Party

Keep Calm [and Ride On]

[This post originally appeared as a guest blog on Positively Splendid.]

Being a student in a small college town has its perks -- like riding your bike from your apartment to class, meeting friends downtown for coffee, and stopping at the library for a study session, and then cycling back home, all while exercising your brain and your body. 

In June, our older daughter graduated from this bicycle-friendly academic world that she enthusiastically embraced for four years.   Is she ready to go out and make her mark on the world?  Well, ready or not, here she comes!  And in this day of high unemployment and economic despair, I am happy to report she just landed a professional job in her field of study. 

As a mother, it is nerve-wracking exciting to cheer from the sidelines, as one's children take their first steps towards becoming self-sufficient in the "real" world. I know she'll be fine. I'm not so sure about me. Thank goodness I have my creative therapy. Thus, I present my altered art canvas entitled, "Keep Calm and Ride On."

                                          

This two-piece canvas uses the college graduation announcement and one of my favorite photos from that special day.  The photo captures her walking away, while taking a quick glance back.   I love how this represents her moving forward with her life, while always treasuring her wonderful college days. 

The supplies:

12" x 12" and 12" x 4" artist canvasses

four eye screws

acrylic paint

cardstock - two solid colors and coordinating paper [I used the college colors]

chipboard letters

large and small Prima flowers

Buttons and hemp cord or embroidery floss

2011 tassel (found at Dollar Store)

decorative pearl brad

3 different coordinating ribbons, 16" in length

acrylic parentheses

bicycle stamp and black Staz-on ink

college announcement

photo

The process: 

Paint both canvas pieces.  Let dry.

Cut solid color cardstock 1/2" smaller than larger canvas.  Cut coordinating papers to fit accordingly.

Decoupage cardstock and coordinating paper to canvasses.

Stamp [bicycle] image onto printed paper.  Trim and mat with solid paper, adhere to canvas.

Mat photo.  Position in place, but do not yet adhere.

Apply chipboard letters [I looped the tassel to one of the letters] and acrylic parentheses.

Using hot glue, adhere buttons to wheels on bicycle image.

Decoupage announcement and text onto canvas.  Hot glue layered flowers and small button, slightly overlapping onto announcement and text.

When dry, decoupage entire canvas which adds luster and holds chipboard letters in place.

Using 3D foam squares, adhere matted photo to canvas and hot glue pearl brad.

Measure and mark 3" in from sides on canvas edges [bottom edge for large canvas and top edge for smaller canvas].

Twist eye screws into canvas at marks, so canvasses line up.

Cut ribbon into 8" lengths. Tie three ribbons together, inserting ribbon through matching eye screws.
This connects the canvas pieces.  Trim ribbon ends at a diagonal.

The altered artwork canvas is now ready to display and can easily be mounted on the wall using one nail.

Now one question remains: Who gets to keep it? The proud Mom [me] or the new college graduate [her]?

Linking to some of these crafty blogs and:
That DIY Party
Creative Jewish Mom
Three Mango Seeds
Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Reading
its so very cheri /its-party-time
homemaker on a dime creative-bloggers-party-hop
a bowl full of lemons
Making the world cuter Monday
Just Something I Whipped Up
Today's Creative Blog
share-wealth-wednesday
savvysouthernstyle wow-us-wednesdays
Flaunt it Friday

Keep Calm and Ride On

OMG!  It must be my incredibly lucky day because today I'm featured on Positively Splendid.  Amy's wonderful blog is packed full of everything creative -- crafts, sewing, baking, painting, tutorials, decor and...well, everything!  I'm totally exhausted just thinking about all the inspiration that Amy shares. 

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea (I'll have a large iced latte please) and join me over at one of my favorite blogs, Positively Splendid, to see my newest altered artwork, "Keep Calm and Ride On."  It's a two piece mixed media canvas, celebrating.  Celebrating what?  Hop on over and see for yourself.  Then I hope you will come back here and leave me a comment with what inspires your creativity. 

See you over there!

Guest Posting at Someday Crafts!

Here it is mid late July, and the summer passes me by like rushing whitewater against the sandy shore.  I have so many creative ideas that need to be channelled from my right brain to my coffee-themed craft room.  I'm not even going to begin with my excuses...that would be an entire post in and of itself! 

Well, today is a new day!  And to spice things up a bit, I am guest blogging on one of my favorite blogs, Someday Crafts.  Michelle just had a beautiful baby boy and needs all the sleep she can get.  So while she's catching up on some much needed zzz's (right, who are we kidding?), Michelle  is graciously sharing her popular site with guest bloggers--and today is my turn! 

Here is a sneak peek of my guest post:

 You'll have to click over to Someday Crafts

to see the entire project and tutorial.

When you do, come on back and leave me a comment that you did!  It's Monday, and I can use all the affirmation I can get today (LOL). 

Have a great week!
Doreen