A paper crown, that’s almost an oxymoron. One is so plain and unimportant, the other so regal and set apart.

I enjoyed creating this work of art. It was one of those pieces that came together with no previous conception. I started stamping on a piece of rough paint-able wallpaper from a roll I found at a thrift store just to see what the results would be. As I stamped several Layers of Color Fleur Hearts in a row, they reminded me of a crown, so I took the idea and ran with it to the end of the project.

There are several layers of paper. I stamped and cut out separate leaves, bent and applied them so they stand out. Using flower punches on white paper, I bent and folded them into 3-D flowers. Markers and glitter glue adds the color and sparkle. I love how it looks decorating a leaded glass dome in my studio… when I’m not wearing it!

Somewhere I heard that every blog should have a dog. I think that’s a misquote about a boy and a dog. They just said it because it rhymed. Well, I like the playfulness of it…and since I have both a blog and a dog, here he is, 4 year old Tyler.

But, first a little story on how he got a person’s name. We had twin brother miniature poodle puppies. I wanted to give them names that would go together, you know, like Lolly and Pop, making them together, Lollipop. However, they were both boys, so since they were black, I named them Beau and Ty, as in my “Little Black Bow-tie”. Their birth certificates have formal names of Beauregard and Tyler. When Beau was no longer with us, Ty was given more significance by being called Tyler. And now he gets the special title of Official Blog Dog!

My Art Studio

I haven’t given it a name yet, although it deserves one. It would have to be something that conjures up creative and joy filled thoughts. Because creativity flows freely from me, often like a rushing spring river, my art studio is more than another room in the house to me.

It’s my place to:

• Create, learn, discover and challenge my skills

• Transform plain into wonderful, participate in metamorphosis

• Escape from pain, find distraction and joy
• Dive into the beauty of texture and color
• Express how I feel, who I am and how I see the world.
• Make gifts that bless people and glorify God, the one who created it all!

Creating art is a celebration of all things learned and seen miraculously sorted and organized in the artist’s brain then expressed through the hands.

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“FAITH” is embossed on the metal cover of this 5″ accordion fold book. I created the book covers at a class that taught “10 Second Metal Embossing”. I really loved the techniques, the process, and the results. This was one of those classes that got my heart pounding with excitement and racing with ideas!

Back in my studio I placed the names of God among the pages with stamped designs and beautiful layers of color. The book can be read on the opposite side which focuses on faith through the Word of God. I hope you find the Bible a source of inspiration, too!

I painted this wooden tray in my favorite colors and subject. I have furniture, ceramics, kitchen accessories and red walls to go with it. It’s one of my favorite pieces. I keep it on my kitchen counter on a stand. One day I plan to make more things to go with it.