2nd Entry for the VD Throwdown

This is my second official entry in the Valentine Day throwdown. What? Disqualified, you say, because it isn't in the correct color scheme?? It's all true! But these ideas come into my head and I can't move on until I've put it to rest. This particular idea came to me from images The Graphics Fairy very generously gives. She has so many more to make use of. As for the notion of entries and competition with my friend. Impossible, but I'll take my fun where I can find it.

A Diversion

Love is still in the air here. My scissors and paper scraps are flying in the studio. However, I was unable to rustle up a bookmark for the new book I started. All 4 or 5 of my bookmarks are in use for in-progress books. So, a quick diversion to keep me reading. These horsey theme quotes are from my friend and I really like them. Thus...I used them.

Love Is In The Air

I am feeling so valentiny! I wanted pink champagne and cupcakes...so that's what we had. I baked only 4 cupcakes (plus the initial 4 where I neglected to add an egg to the batter) so that we wouldn't have temptation around for very long. As for the champagne...a whole bottle was barely enough.

Here is my 3rd heart pretty. This one is for Josef. I was telling my friend Ellen (yeah, the "Throwdown Ellen") that I usually futz around at least 3 times with something before I call it done. This heart has 2 more sessions coming. Nothing is even glued down except for the crepe paper ruffle. I have 4 of these blue feather Dresdens that are quite large. I finally came up with a way to use one. The pink & blue color scheme has been in my head, but bubble-gum pink was just wrong. Now, I shall set it aside until tomorrow... Dang I wish I had another bottle of that champagne.

Entry #1

Here is my first entry in the Valentine's throw down my friend and I are doing. I was thinking "dark" today and wanted some alternative colors to the usual pink and red. No new supplies used here: some rub-on's I've had for ages, metallic crepe paper from Castles in the Air, and images printed on my old ink-jet. Now I want to go for an all white theme. Next!

A Little Friendly Competition

Somehow (was it her or was it me?), somebody suggested a little Valentine throw down. Supplies ordered, craft space cleared in preparation, husbands told to step away, pets languishing...the competition has begun. Today I had an idea for a 3-D effect. I added the red netting, which produce from grocery store comes in, because I don't have red tulle. Off with my head! It was a bi...well, let's just say, it was time consuming to hand sew it on.

Another New Recipe

Tonight I cooked Barefoot Contessa's "Roasted Shrimp with Feta" from her latest cookbook. Except I used goat cheese. This is a good recipe; just a few ingredients, nutritious, relatively low-cal.

I buy this goat cheese from CostCo. These are small rounds that are perfect for a salad, or in cooking. So far my new dishes for 2011 are keepers.

Pink & Red & Glitter

I'm trying to work up enthusiasm to get to my studio for some Valentine Day fun. To kick-start, I put out my VD pretties from previous years. My Sis made square shadow boxes for me, Mom and the kids a couple years ago: Very layered with clip-art and baubles, then tucked behind the box lid that is frilled with crepe paper. I kept Garrett's and Jacey's, too, because I couldn't stand to think of them cast aside.

Here's the whole shee-bang, including vintage cards and old embossed advertising calendar tops, and of course Donna O'Brien's ultra-perfect glittery creations. Still, I just want to dive back into my book, which is a "can't-put-it-down" from Michael Gruber, "The Forgery of Venus".