Vows for your Valentine

Here's what my hubby will be getting for Valentine's Day:It's a little pyramid box with our wedding vows written across all three sides. Tucked inside is a token gift ... because I already got him something else. It's really easy to create: I found a "tetrahedron" template on this website and cut one out on regular paper to cut and fold as a practice. I printed our vows, layed out in three triangles. You can type yours or write by hand, just measure so they fit within the panels of your pyramid.
Begin folding your tetrahedron after you've cut out the template on your nice paper.
Then cut out your three triangles with your vows and glue onto each side. I layered my red triangles on a sheet of white and cut each with decorative edge scissors. Add ribbon embellishments - I used tape for my two. Tuck in some treats and perhaps a personal coupon! :-) Fold up each side, inserting the glued tabs to secure it.
To see another version of sharing your wedding vows I did years and years ago ... but just blogged about last Feb., see this Valentine post.

Valentine Sparkle

I just made this little Valentine gift for my daughter:
"You are loved" is the theme. The idea is for her to see each ribbon as someone who loves her. She loved it [well, of course, it's pink and sparkly!] She's only 3, but it was a special moment to sit with her and touch each ribbon and have her name someone who loves her: we went through all her family members, some friends, Jesus, etc. It was cute! :-)

Here's what I started with:This was a 70% off Christmas item at a craft store. It's a bead-covered styrofoam ball, about 5 in diameter. I went to my ribbon basket and pulled out a variety of widths and textures in pinks and creams:Cut short lengths and tie each with a simple knot around the hanging loop. Work your way around, covering the entire loop. Make a little tag to say "You are loved!" I embellished a store-bought die-cut tag with my message printed on pink paper that I tore into a heart shape. I layered it on another torn heart and glued both to the heavier tag:

Cool Find!

Just wanted to share the details on the little retro diner order ring that some of you noticed in my studio pictures:Isn't it great?! It's from Blessings Unlimited. This is a home party type company that has great inspirational products. You can see their catalog online and find a rep near you if you'd like this item or anything else! (This is called "Rotating Photo Card Holder" and no, I'm not a rep.)
And this is just a fun magnet I liked ... but don't know the artist to give credit: Have a great weekend! I'll be starting on Valentine's next!

Custom Push Pins Tutorial

Now, a little something to go with my fun new inspiration board -- glass bead push pins!
I had been eying those neat glass stone push pins and magnets in cute shops for quite some time and this summer I decided to have a go at making my own. I used some art patterns I had designed last year for a different project. You can use artwork, scrapbook paper, photos or initials. I printed mine out: Cut out little circles. Glued them to the flat side of the glass beads [available at any craft store]:Then I found some flat headed push pins and glued those on, too!Tip: Following several recommendations, I used Diamond Glaze adhesive. It really does work best at hiding the flaws and ridges in the glass.
I also bought some of the bigger glass disks that I haven't used, yet. With those I hope to be able to fit some Bible verses and images from my paintings on! You can also use small photographs, initials - almost anything! And it's the same process for magnets, too.

The Ultimate Inspiration Board!

Yipppeeeeeeee! My inspiration board has finally gone up!!I'm so excited to have this fun door up and usable! It has been a long time coming! Do you remember what it looked like from an earlier sneak peak of my studio? (here's a link to my "Big Project / Art Studio" progression.)
My husband hauled this treasure home one day from the dump - A solid hardwood core and ALL the glass in perfect condition! We thought we could use it to replace our pocket or office door in our 1930s home -- but alas, that never happened. Still, I had high hopes for alternative uses for it. First it was going to hang in the living room to showcase black and white photos. Then after our next housing move I knew this door was going in the office ... it just took a while to find it's way there!

After hesitating over painting the wood, I bit the bullet. The wood grain was so beautiful ... but somehow it wasn't old enough to be "cool". So, black it is!
Next came the cork. The sheets came in 1/8" an 1/4" depths. Since I was adhering it to the glass, I had to be sure the standard 3/8" push pins would not put any pressure on the glass itself. For a standard cork board, you can get away with applying a thin sheet of cork to a wood or MDF backing. Because the wood panes on the door are routed, I thought using two - 1/4" sheets and making a total depth of 1/2" would make the cork stick out too far. So, I chose to buy one roll and glue 3 - 1/8" layers on each pane. Phew! :-) It was recommended to use linoleum paste. Messy stuff!!!
For aesthetic reasons, I opted to leave 4 panes uncorked. And after leaning against my wall for a few months, we managed to get this baby hung over the holiday break! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I snapped these pics so you can see my board clearly before I fill it up with my stuff! More studio pics and projects coming this month!

Happy New Year!

May God bless us in 2009!
Recipe from Epicurious: Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Glaze. I did two layers of ganache, cooling between them to set. Then a third thin layer swirled over the top. I created the white medallion in frosting. I piped the number outlines in plain chocolate on to wax paper. When set, piped in the centers with a chocolate peanut butter mixture and popped in the freezer for a quick set. I lifted the numbers off the wax paper with a spatula and set carefully onto the white medallion.