I am a dabbler. I love to create using all sorts of mediums...pattern papers, stamping, fabric, assemblage, collage, altered art, a never ending smattering of whatever strikes my fancy in whimsical moments. I find creating allows my soul to be fulfilled and love to spend hours in the studio.

Lean On Me Gothic Arch

May 4, 2021

This arch has been created in extreme neutrals to highlight the image of the little girls. I used various digital ephemera that I layered underneath the photo. The edges of pattern paper were lightly inked, and then white craft paint was blotted on the arch. I gave the arch a second mat by adhering it to cardstock and cutting closely along the edge. The lace was glued with Fabric-Tac and then buttons were added.

Song lyrics (Ray LaMontague) were typed in Microsoft Word. printed and cut out with paper trimmer. I glued the lyrics into place.

Love Will Abide Gothic Arch

May 2, 2021

Sharing another Gothic Arch with all of you today. This one is done in a more shabby style with pinks and beiges. Little bits of dictionary paper, stamping, buttons, washi tape and paint are the accents on the piece. I also inked the edges and placed the arch on cardstock and recut the shape.

National Stroke Awareness Month

May 1, 2021

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and I always share information with my readers on this month.

I am an acute brain stem stroke survivor. 22% survival rate. I feel very blessed to be here. My fight for the the last 6.5 years has been constant. I have many physical deficits from my stroke and I still continue to see doctors and do PT/OT off and on. This is my new normal.

Only 20% of stroke survivors have no deficits. Each stroke is entirely different.

I have been battling for years to get the American Stroke Association to change their acronym to “B.E. F.A.S.T.” as shown in the graphic above. My symptoms were under the B category. I actually thought it was my inner ear messing with me that summer afternoon, and waited to go to the hospital. Had I gone sooner, I may have has less deficits and they would have gotten tPA into me sooner.

Stroke knows no age. Babies have strokes during birth. Young women are having strokes at alarming rates, yet it is rarely talked about.

If you read this post, please take a moment to look at the graphic above and be familiar with the signs. You may save someone’s life.

Mini Tag Fold Out

April 30, 2021

Today, I am sharing this simple little Mini Tag Fold out. I used mini tags that were digital to create this project and printed them. Then Distress inks were added to the edges. I scored a piece of card stock allowing space between folds.

Then the tags were placed on each section (there were four.) I added bits of torn hymnal music and decorated each tag with a Tim Holtz paper doll. Finishing touches were tiny mother of pearl buttons glued on and vintage seam binding tied at the top. Super easy!

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