Tinkerbell Meets Tink!

After watching my progress on the Tink doll I thought everyone would enjoy seeing the final product with the real thing! (Okay so an actor in Florida, but you get the picture!) Jenny, Belle, and Tink went to Disney! Tinkerbell loved herself in doll form! She even said I must be a new tinker fairy and I do wonderful work! So fun! I'm so glad Tink is getting loved to bits and having a wonderful time with little Belle. This should make my busy long day a bit more cheery! Thanks Jenny!

Wonderful Score!

Hat and Box
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Yesterday was the first day of the yard sale season. It always kicks off with our giant community sale, which is mostly just junk and clothes. The other sales that were going on in town, was where I scored! There were only 5, but we hit them all and I was more than happy when I bought this hat and box for only $5! The hat box is from a store here in town that has been open FOREVER! Something like at least 80 years. It is fun to have a piece of local history. The hat is great too. It has the original hat pin in the back and a lovely label inside, which I forgot to take a pic of. The label says a store name and 5th Ave. New York. I'll do a bit of research on it later to see what I can find. There is another pic of just the hat on my flickr account as well. I also scored a sweet tiny Asian lantern, the pic is on flickr.
To make the day even better I woke up to find out that my Kama Sutra embroidery was featured on Mr.XStitch's blog for NSFW Saturday! You can find his blog link in my blog faves to the side. Check it out!

Water Color Portrait

Water Color Portrait
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I tried this awesome technique that I saw on Craftster. I had done it wayyyyy back in high school too, but forgotten all about it. I didn't have the masking fluid, but remembered that in high school we used rubber cement. I ended up having to do 2 coats of the rubber cement on every white part, but I like how it turned out. It is my sister, who is now 8, and I. The pic is pretty old as she is only about 3 in it, but it is still my fave pic of us together. I painted it to frame for our Mom for Mother's Day. I'll have the reference photo up on flickr if you'd care to see what the pic actually looks like. I just hope it is recognizable!

Still no new crafts!

Crocus
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I still can't show any of my new crafts so I thought I'd share this picture! I'm so excited as these crocus bulbs were planted 2 years ago and just bloomed this year! I planted a huge amount of them and only have these and 3 others blooming! I love the color though. They are so pretty! Nice to see something bright after such a long winter. We did manage to get the front gardens cleaned out and the grass raked.
On the crafting front I haven't work much lately on anything! I'm stitching away at the pillowcases for that swap. I'll work on them again tonight during UFC. I should be able to finish the first one soon. I better! I have to send them out May 6th! Yikes! I took a break on my other swap stuff since the sendouts aren't until June 1st. I wanted to send super early, but I have to get the pillowcases done first!
Anyway, enjoy a bright and cheerful day!

James Memorial Art Center

James Memorial Art Center
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just wanted to share this beautiful picture! I was asked a while back to become a board memeber for our local art center's preservation society. The building was built in 1911 so it is very historical in our area. It is a gorgeous building that has been used for many different uses over the years including our towns first library. It now houses art exhibits, children and adult art classes, musical performances, and other community events. I'm not officially on the board and super excited to help out. I'm going to work on the grounds to bring some more color and fun with flowers and also work on the education board to help with the children's art classes. I've even been asked to teach a class this summer! I took some random shots of the building and you can see them on my flickr.

Swap goodness!

Swap goodness!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I haven't blogged a swap package in a while. I plan on blogging all my pendents that I have gotten together so while I wait for the last 2 I thought I'd show you what I got from audio-astrophysics! I painted her the Venus painting. She sent me 3 great things straight from my wist! The little mushroom with zipper accents and a cork stem! I love it! It found a home on my spring table. The little wallet with card places and a zipper pocket will be perfect for taking on vacation this summer since I can't take a large purse. The other is a paisly brooch! I just love the colors and the zipper accents! I have a purple hat I'm going to wear it on. Thanks so much Audio!

Venus in miniature

Venus side
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I did this mini canvas for a personal swap on Craftster. It is another of my 2x2 canvases. The person said they loved the painting "birth of Venus", but just wanted my take on Venus's face. They also gave me a great reference pic from the web. I used the reference pic and free handed it to the canvas and then painted! I'm so happy with it, especially since I am not very good at human faces or forms. She received it today and loved it! I think I could fill a whole gallery with these little works of art!

Yes, it is spring!

Yes, it is spring!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Today was a beautiful day! In the 60's! After such a long winter it is nice to start seeing the yard, even though the yard looks terrible! All the dead junk laying in the beds awaiting my hands and pruners. I went for a little exploritory walk around the yard to see what is greening up, poking through and on it's way. I found this little viola, vibrant and trying with all it's might to come through the deadness of winter! So heroic! Next week on my day off I'll be cleaning the beds. Yes, it takes a full day to clean all of my flower beds! The hubby will help by picking up my piles and bagging them for the trash. He doesn't trim or pull, as we've had some unfortunate accidents because of his lack of gardening knowledge! I'm filled with excitment and wonder and can't wait to see the blooms coming soon!
I have a ton of tulips poking through and wonders of wonders, my Hops vines are coming! I planted them last year and worried all winter that they wouldn't make it! They are poking through and very promising! Enough about the joys of spring! I'll post pictures of the yard as I go!

My First Blog Award!

I was nominated for my first blog award!

The award goes to those who take the time to comment, or leave a word of encouragement, or a compliment on something I have created or shared. Thank you, OddDotty! And now? I shall spread the love!
Here are the rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.
And the nominees are...
http://doecdoe.blogspot.com/

http://craftydame.blogspot.com/

http://myhidingplaceincyberspace.blogspot.com/

http://knickertwists.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-day-job.html

http://brookowens.blogspot.com/2009/04/100-sales.html

Ahhhhhh!

So I have several new crafty projects done and some in the works, but sadly I cannot share! They are all swap related and I'm afraid a lot of my swap partners check my blog. Just know that the fabric and yarn shown earlier is now a poppet that rocks! I'll post her picture once she has been received.
I also sent out partner pm's for my embroidered pillow case swap today! I already bought my pillowcases and hope to transfer the image to mine before ANTM tonight so I can stitch during Tyra's boring rants. :)
I also have my first pretty large scale papercraft project underway. I hope to finish it on Monday, since Sunday is Easter and I'll be hiding eggs for my sister.
I've also been asked to make another of my mini paintings for a personal swap. I have to make a run to get more canvas and then I have 6 canvases to stretch. 2 for swaps and the other 4 for a mini art piece for a friend.
That is about all for now. I can't wait to have more pictures to blog!

Gnome Trio

Gnome Trio
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is my offering for the Friends of Craftster Raffle that is going on right now. 3 of my hand stretched 2x2 inch canvases painted and collaged with gnomes. The theme was spring and when I think spring I think about getting to put my gnomes out in the yard. I love how this turned out and I can't wait to find out who will win it. If you'd like to see close up's of each painting check out my flickr account.

My GIANT Garden

My GIANT Garden
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is what has been keeping me from blogging, crafting, and being home in general! Yes, this is what I do! Each of those little plants you see is put there by yours truly! I use my pointer finger on my right hand and plant all of them! If you look wayyyyyyyyyyy down the line you can see some empty containers awaiting there little treasure. This is about 2 days work. If you look to the left you can see benches that are still empty. Well today I started on the bench to the left so it isn't empty anymore! In a month all of these little darlings will be blooming and ready for sale. I know I'm crazy, this just proves it! I still have about 6 more days of transplanting to go! Then it is to the fun stuff, planter design. At least that makes me feel crafty! If you'd like to see more of what I do check out my flickr account!