You make me smile...

Hey everyone! I'm sharing a project I made for the Basically Bare CHA booth. It's a Walnut Hollow 12" shadowbox that I coated in gesso and then sprayed with tons of Tattered Angels glimmer mist. I used several Basically Bare embellies on this piece.







It really has become one of my favorite projects because it's all about my sweet girl. She LOVES to sing along to the radio, just like momma! We both love "You Make Me Smile" by Uncle Kracker and I turn that baby UP when it comes on. To hear my baby girl sing along with it and tell me she "loves this song so much mommy" just fills my heart with glee. I want to always remember that, and that is what I think of when I look at this piece..

Trash to Treasure: Upcycling is cool!

I've done several posts about "scrapping green" or "upcycling" or "trash to treasure"...

No matter what you call it, the facts remain the same. You simply take something someone else threw away or no longer wanted, and you repurpose it into a storage piece or home decor. You save it from the land fill, which is something we really ALL ought to strive for. You may think that just one person "saving one little old thang" won't make a bit of difference, but I strongly believe that it does. The more of us crafty and frugal folks that do this, and actually SHARE it with others, the better. Why? Because word of mouth really does work. Take this blog post you're reading right now. I may not personally know all the people who read this blog by name, but that doesn't matter. The fact is, if you see this, it JUST might inspire you. If it inspires you, you'll go out and upcycle things in your neighborhood. You'll share it with your friends and family, and they might join in too. Before you know it, there are thousands upon thousands of folks out there repurposing things and keeping trash OUT of the land fills... See how that works? I find it very liberating, and I do so hope that you will join me in this!

Today's project was something that was actually in the trash bin. I saved it because it seriously ROCKS and so much can be done with it! It's a Coin Changer Tray that banks use. I loved the patina from years of use, so I only lightly wiped this down to keep that old look. Have a peek, wouldn't YOU save this baby if you saw her in the trash?





Wow, isn't she just beautiful? This is one HEFTY piece of work, let me tell you. Honestly, I wouldn't mind having her as a keychain. If someone messes with me, this thing would knock them cold. It is that heavy, a beautiful and bold chunk of metal. You can see in the picture the things I chose to alter her with. Lots of textured trim, Simple Stories papers, and my trusty Epiphany Crafts Button Studio tool. I had a good time playing with these things, and in the end, I love the results. Check out my new showpiece, just days earlier left for the dumpster.. NOT on my watch!

Basically Bare and Epiphany Crafts news you don't want to miss!

I've got some cool things to share today! First up, a few more of the new Basically Bare albums. Check them out at CHA in booth #2704!





If you can't be at the show, check out pictures of the booth over on the Basically Bare blog today!

Now on to Epiphany Crafts news! They have several new products debuting at CHA. Visit them in booth #2978! Check this out, do you see the new shapes?



I've got a feeling that pennant is going to be a huge hit! Also, did you see that it's time for a DT call?



That's right! Here's your chance to join the Epiphany Crafts DT! More details HERE along with a cool Echo Park blog hop!

Basically Bare CHA sneak peek # 3..

It's time to show another new album from Basically Bare! This one is called "Polly's Pockets" and is filled with pocket pages, just perfect for tucking away all kinds of special memoribilia!



Check out the details on the Basically Bare blog!

Basically Bare CHA sneak peek # 2..

It's another sneak peek day for Basically Bare! Check out the Wonky Windows album inspired by the amazing Suzy West!



Head over to the Basically Bare blog to read more!

Let the Basically Bare CHA sneaks begin!

I LOVE CHA season! All the pretty new bits and baubles and papers and colors and books and shapes and...and... Whew, take a deep breath there girl, LOL! It's an exciting time for sure! Today I'm sharing a peek at the new Betty's Brackets album from Basically Bare. You can read more about it here.



Isn't it amazing? Wanna see it in action? Visit Basically Bare at booth #2704 at CHA!

Teach them young...

I believe I've posted before how much my children, especially my daughter, love to craft and create alongside me. Rylie loves all things crafty, and even expressed a love of photography recently. She likes to model, and does that very well, striking her sweet poses! But she also said that she wants to be behind the camera, to capture those special moments and then "scrap them like momma".

Well, wouldn't you know, Santa must have heard her wish, because she got her first camera for Christmas! She absolutely loves it, and takes it everywhere. Many times each day I am told to "turn around mommy," and there she is, with her camera in my face, trying to capture the moment! I love this time in her life, six is a beautiful age. She is so smart, so eager, and the world really does belong to her! I hope that she continues to embrace her creative side. She wants to be a "scrapbooker, photographer, and nurse" when she grows up. I tell her she can absolutely be ALL THREE if she wants to!

I have a page to share today, that captures my budding "Future Photog". I caught a picture of her, taking a picture of me! I think it's just a tiny glimpse of the incredible future that lies before my baby girl. I used the Paparazzi Set from Basically Bare on this!