perfect witchy parfait

happy halloween!
i have lots of fond memories as a kid creating the perfect halloween costume using items around our house, bobbing for apples at parties, going on hayrides, and running all over the neighborhood trick-or-treating with my brothers.   i'm not so much into the tricks, but i'm absolutely giddy over the treats.....especially when the need for that afternoon-sugar-rush kicks in, because let's face it, without something sweet-to-eat i tend to get a little, well, witchy.  so i've decided to create my own little witch-parfait using all of my favorite childhood halloween candies:  layer one is candy corn!

the next layer is a blast-from-the-past......cow tales, bit-o-honey, and smarties
(but please don't tell my dentist.....)

then on top is the chocolate.  lots and lots of chocolate, in the form of mini snickers, kit-kat bars, and junior mints.  this is a critical step, and it really can't be overdone.  smooshing the chocolate in the glass is necessary as it creates more room for more chocolate, and any overflow/spillage of chocolate during this step should be eaten immediately.

lastly, i've added a personalized sweet message with a subtle witchy warning:
have broom, will travel.....to hunt anyone down who even thinks about devouring my parfait, especially during that critical afternoon-sugar-rush time slot.  heeheehee


happy halloween, boo-tiful bloggy sweeties!!  xox


{parfait supplies:  tall glass, assorted favorite candies, lots and lots of chocolate.
broom tag:  scrapbook paper, "broom riders" stamp set, black ink pad, foam dots, popsicle stick, orange stamp pad}

inspiration monday

i have long believed that the best way to find inspiration is to spend some time with other artists....and this past saturday i had the honor of sharing some creative cursive with 13 extremely talented, sweet little birds in manhattan, new york!

we talked about our abc's......

and practiced, practiced, practiced.

 then we got out our favorite supplies and added our own personal touch......

and we even gathered lots of ideas and created some dreamy artwork!

but most of all, we spent the day as only artists can do.....by sharing some laughter, lots of encouragement, and a little bit of chocolate with each other.
thank you, precious little art birdies, for a fabulous day!
i loved meeting each one of you.....you truly rock the casbah,
and i wish i could tell you how much you taught me!

and to my beautiful kindred art buddy michele, who puts her loving heart and soul into providing inspiration for others through her little bird studio.....well, as the saying goes, you better put on your sunglasses 'cause your future is looking mighty bright, girlie!  you are so very appreciated, and i thank you SO much for inviting me to your fabulous studio!  xox

little bird in the big apple

i'm busy packing my supplies and trying to get organized

because i'm headed to little bird creations in new york city to 

teach my creative cursive workshop  this weekend!  woo hoo!!  

i've got lots of information all printed out.....

and tucked into folders for everyone.

and my art apron, name tag, and all the other "important stuff" is ready to be packed....
 guess which one goes into the suitcase first!  :))

hope you have a terrific weekend!
xox

inspiration monday

halloween is right around the corner, and i've been dreaming about my favorite part.....the chocolate  candy!  but the mere mention of it makes my jeans a little tighter, so here's a hip friendly "sugar" project using a mini white pumpkin, glue, strong double-sided tape, rubber stamps, card stock, and some extra fine glitter.

first, put a line of glue in the creases of the pumpkin and shake a generous amount of extra fine white glitter until the glue is completely covered. (you can also use glitter glue, but getting glitter everywhere is half the fun!)

make sure this is done over a piece of paper so the excess glitter can be placed back in the container and used again.

while the glue/glitter is drying on the pumpkin, stamp a fun image onto cardstock.

now place double-sided tape onto the stamped image.
(i used wonder tape, but it wasn't wide enough, so i placed two pieces next to each other)

cut out the image.
(using non-stick scissors makes this a lot easier!)

remove the protective covering from the tape, and sprinkle the white glitter over the image until the entire surface is covered.  shake off the excess.

now the image looks sugar-coated!  use a small punch to make a hole at the top, and place some twine through the opening.

now tie your sugar-tag onto your glitter pumpkin,
and you have a subtle, but very hip-friendly-and-sparkly-sweet decoration for halloween!


{supplies:  mini white pumpkin, glue, extra-fine white/clear glitter, white cardstock, hole punch,"boo" stamps by technique tuesday, black stamp pad, wonder tape, non-stick scissors, twine}

tiny blessing

i have a new friend....
he is pure miracle and blessing wrapped up
in a tiny, perfect, precious little package named gunner.

congratulations and many hugs to his loving parents, jim and hildy!
the world is a much sweeter place today.  xox


{supplies:  fabriano medioevalis paper, derwent inktense pencils,
micron pens, 4B graphite pencil}