Wood Carved Kestral

So I was updating my pinterest site and decided to add

some of my wood carved birds I've done over the years.

Somehow I never posted this one.

An American Kestral.

Created several years ago. I made the legs from welded wire and epoxy.

I carved the bird them placed him on a natural deer horn,

Created the stones and rocks from water putty.

carved the cactus from wood.

A true labor of love, it takes me around 3 months to complete a project like this.

Secret Santa Swap & Daily prize Package Giveaway at Alpha Stamps

I participated in a Secret Santa swap this year in a Yahoo group I belong to

 I was like a kid on Christmas morning and

couldn't wait to open my present from Martina at Stempel-Gewerkel 

Oh my gosh, she really outdid herself sending so many wonderful things.  

She also included two Beautiful ATC's

and a Lovely Christmas card. Thank you Martina.

I LOVE it all!!!

I played Secret Santa to Kris at Nostalgic Collage

I can finally show you what was in the box I made.

Lots of vintage ornaments, lace,

Vintage Christmas cards and lots of things to play with.

I played in another swap. An Altered Tin

hosted by Wendy at Bliss Angels

Here's the lovely Tin I received from Lynn Fox

The outside. Has a beautiful Christmas cabochon

The inside A darling child and Santa himself.

Isn't it just the cutest! Thank you Lynn.

Heres the outside of the tin I made for Lynn

The inside includes a ornament for her tree.

Images by Alpha Stamps

Speaking of Alpha Stamps

 today kicks off their end of year sale and daily Giveaways.

Huge prize packages will be given away each day until Nov. 1st.

So be sure and sign up on their blog each day for a chance to win.

Christmas cards and Gifts

As I had mentioned in my last post I am running so far behind.

So this is a LONG post!

My mailbox has been running over this year with all the Wonderful cards and gifts I've received.

Here's some I'd like to show you.

From Petra at Kunterbunt Cottage

. I had admired those darling bee bottle caps on her blog and

she offered to send me some.

 Little did I know she would surprise me with so many other goodies.

 Lace, Fabric, Chocolate! Yum Yum.

From my sweet friend Vada at Vada- Stamps Ink and Paper.

  This darling Mitten. Its now hanging on my tree.

Cindy at  Crimson Heart Studios  is a fairly new blogger friend

who sent me the most darling metal wire birdcages,aren't they adorable!!!

A bunch of polymer pieces she created and a bundle of gorgeous torn fabric.

Cindy  has a wonderful giveaway on her blog

 right now so be sure and stop by and say Hi!!

From  Renee at Where The Grass Is Greener 

 these sweet little wine charms that can double at Christmas ornaments!

Aren't they cute!!!

Zoe from  This Little Place   sent me a cool Friendship hanging,

A darling crown ornament ( now on my tree) and the pretty heart pendant.

She also made this adorable Santa card. Love the puffy fur!!!

From my sweet friend Suzz at Suzz Stamping Spot 

who has so much talent, this Gorgeous Card.

I wish the photo showed all the lovely texture!

Sherry from Createology sent me a beautiful Christmas card,

 but this quilted Postcard  had me oohing ahhing!!!

Gorgeous, I'm going to attach a hanger to add it to my tree.

From the uber talented Kimberly

at Art Joy Stuff

This darling atc. It was in a stitched envelope

With this little ornament on top. cute!!!

                                            From my dear friend Jo at My Paper Playhouse

From Marie at Marie- Lost Bird Studio  a darling Angel tag.

A most Gorgeous tag/card  from Louise at Kard Krazy

Love the touches of pink.

From my dear friend Barb, She doesn't have a blog, just lots of talent!

From Lynne at Adorn

A darling card in her famous Lynne style!

From Helen at Stamping By Helen This cheerful stamped card ,sweet!

From my dear Friend Cindy at Whimsical Musings.

a Christmas card and this cool Steampunk ATC. She knows I love Steampunk!

From Shell at Bungalow Bling ,A package arrived yesterday filled with goodies.

Some darling bird ornaments,this adorable gift box with a vintage bird all decked out with a glittery hat. Inside the box was some vintage silver and white tinsel  (LOVE) and a Merry Christmas German scrap.

I already put those in my studio! Sorry no pics I guess I got ahead of myself! LOL

From my dear friend Sarah at Vintage Figments

A precious tag. Love that image.

From one of my very best friends Mindi,

she crotchet me the sweetest cupcake treat!

even with sprinkles on top!!

My other BFF Debbie gave me the most darling necklace made by Betsy Johnson

and she gift wrapped it in her beautiful hand crafted box. ( a gift in itself)

Remember when I mentioned Jann from A-Vintage Heart 

and I got together for coffee?

Well she made me this darling Christmas decoration.

A salt shaker filled with glitter that holds thee darling images

that have a sprinkling of glitter all over them.

Its just Darling!

                                        and Last but not least Marva at Purple Paints Muse.
                                                       sent me this cool on the edge die.
                                                 Can't wait to have some play time. LOL

Thank you all for making my Christmas so special.

This has been a very difficult year for me and your friendships

 mean more to me than you'll ever know.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Pendants for my BFF's

Oh my gosh. I seem to be running so far behind these days. With Christmas parties and all the prep I've had very little time to blog. I did want to share two little gifts I made for my two BFF's. Since they have now received them I can show them to you.

This one was for my  GF who Loves anything France.

Of course it has an Eiffel tower and lots of vintage jewelry pieces.

 I started with a heart shape that I fashioned from a piece of brass

then added all the elements.

This one has Angels, crosses, pieces from a Rosary and lots of vintage jewels.

Again started with a brass heart.

Here's how I packaged them. In little pull top tins.

Yes they Loved them!!!

Hope your all enjoying the season of giving.

I have lots to share with you soon.

 So much happy mail. Just need time to photograph it all!!

Christmas Ornaments and more

A tin ornament created for my dear friend Jann.

Jann made me a wonderful gift that I will share with you soon.

Image available at Alpha Stamps

Some holiday tags created with images from Alpha Stamps

A fabric and lace mitten ornament a gift for a friend.

Image by Alpha Stamps

A holiday ornament made with vintage mercury glass beads

Available in my Etsy shop

A Christmas pendant made with collage image

and finding all from Alpha Stamps

A fabric and lace Tussie Mussie with vintage glass bulbs, frozen Charlotte doll,

 feathers, collage image, sugared star and little silver glass glittered bottle brush tree.

This is a gift for a friend

Another one available in my Etsy shop

Some of these pieces were made with inspiration from Nancy at

 Sugar Lump Studios

Nancy did a wonderful post for the 12 days of Christmas.

 Be sure and check out her blog .

If you missed her 12 Days of Christmas she has an E-book with all

the directions and pictures available on her blog.

I'm linking this to White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

and Knick of Time Interiors

Day's 11 & 12 Final Tags

Well here my final 2 tags for the 12 Tags of Christmas.

For the 11th day Tim had us make charms from shrinky dink in a melt pot.

A added a touch of glitter as it was setting up..

 I opted for a snowman.

The stamps are from Artistic Outpost Frosty and Friends

Day 12 The Final Day and What Christmas is all about to me.

I have dolls but thought this was much more appropriate.

 I made a mold and cast of the Madonna and Child.

After it was dry I painted with a silver leaf pen.

I created a Heart from fabric and lace stitched together for their backdrop.

I used Silver glass glitter around my tag and on the flourishes

I hope you have enjoyed my version of Tims 12 tags of Christmas.

May you all find peace and have a Blessed Christmas.

8,9 and 10 Tags of Christmas

Were winding down for the 12 Tags of Christmas.

For Day 8 you were to create a Steampunk Christmas.

 I thought a Santa's Steampunk Toy Shop was in order.

Stamps by Oxford Impressions and Artistic Outpost

Santa Claus Works collage sheet by Alpha Stamps

For day 9 I didn't have the die cuts so I went with A KEY For Santa.

The die cut from Tim Holtz, background holly stamp from PSX

Day 10 Was to create ornaments using gems. Evergreen stamp from Artistic Outpost 

 Collage image by Artchix Studios

I added vintage mercury glass bulbs and silver wings for the Angel Images.

Only two more days to go.!!!