Brent & Traci Family Photo Shoot

I had the best time with my Brother and Sister in law and their kids this week doing a fun family photo shoot. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and so were my subjects.

Here are some of our favorite shots:

A Holiday Open House Party

My college roommate, who is a very dear friend of mine hosted a Holiday Open House this past weekend and invited me to be one of her vendors. I was so blessed to be a part of the event and got to spend the day with a group of really great ladies. Thank you Abby.

This was my booth display, with some of my new artwork.

 I spent most of last week creating new stuff for this party..... unfortunately not everything got photographed. Here are a couple of things though (they will soon be listed in my etsy shop).

 Thanks again Abby. We may have to make this a holiday tradition.

Love ya roommate! ;)

The Looking Glass Effect

I recently a posted a pin on my Pinterest board featuring really beautiful photo of a lamp that was painted to look like it had an antique mirror finish using Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. This is the site it came from: http://www.ivillage.com/diy-hacks/7-b-363227#363228 

So I searched all over and finally found some of this wonderful paint and tried it on a couple of projects of my own.

I made new Christmas ornaments and gave a lovely new look to an old glass candy jar. I have many more ideas in mind so I must plan a trip to the second hand store soon. :D

Check out the process & what I made in my tutorials here:

http://theartgirljackie-tutorials.blogspot.com/2011/11/getting-looking-glass-effect.html

A New Tutorial

I just posted a tutorial about how I created this Bible cover.

Check it out here: http://theartgirljackie-tutorials.blogspot.com/2011/11/making-bible-cover.html

Signs that do Double Duty

Anybody have one of these kind of signs in your home?

If so, I have a clever idea to share with you.

 You can find decorative signs like this just about anywhere and if you display it on a stand like I do instead of hanging it on a wall then you might like to do this little craft and let your sign do double duty during the holidays.

 Using scrapbook paper, scissors, Mod Podge, and a little paint and glitter I transformed the back side of this sign into something new. First I measured and cut the paper to fit and covered the back side of my sign gluing and sealing with Mod Podge. Then I distressed the edges with a little black and brown paint using a dry brush and added a little red glitter all around each side.

 Note: I covered the holes on the back of my sign with masking tape, you could also fill them in with wood putty, glue or polymer clay if you don't plan to ever hang the sign. Mine sits on a decorative plate stand so I can just turn it around to display either side.

 Here it is on the stand above my kitchen cabinets. Right now it has fall leaves all around it, but it will also work with my Christmas garland. Then after the holidays I can turn it back around the other way.

I'm not real fond of my own handwriting on signs like this so maybe next time I'll use stencils, but I still am pretty happy with the results.

What would you do with your sign? I would love to see pictures if you try this project.