I love colorful Christmas wreaths and if I can't go for the fresh green ones (which can be expensive); I figured I would think outside of the circle so to speak.
These three wreath projects were inspired by a magazine article I read last year. I wish I would have worked on them sooner. I also liked the idea of reusing items I already had or were easily available. If I can get my act together, I may do the Christmas card wreath next year for my Girl Scout troop. I'll just have to remind everyone to save their Christmas cards. If anyone is interested in a tutorial, I'm happy to add that.

This is made with old Christmas cards and a large snowflake punch. I still haven't found the right bow for it.




This is made from old ties. I tried to stick with red, green and gold. I'm pretty happy with it, although looking at the picture, I realize my front door needs to be painted badly! : ) Oh well.



A different version of the tie wreath with more of a quilt colors feel.


I'm still playing with this wreath idea and trying to find the best way to hang it since it doesn't really hang in a circle. Still, I'm pretty happy with it. I used a thin metal wire and Christmas ornaments to tie together. I know I can do a better job with this, but wanted to get this up and see if anybody has any good ideas.


Thanks for looking. All comments and ideas are appreciated and welcome.

WOO HOO!! I received my package this afternoon!! I had promised to wait until daughter got home from school, so we opened it together. I had to fight her off, because it is such a great package!! You are very talented Silvana!! I love everything. Everything was tied to some of the best quotes in the book: I got a great T-shirt with one of my favorite ideas on it; the coolest and cutest key chain pair featuring a lion and a lamb; a beautiful bookmark that is an amalgam of the Bella bracelet, a journal (which is great because I am a writer!) and a set of magnets featuring the Cullen clan (and one werewolf!!!--he has always felt like family after all!)
I'm sorry if my pictures don't do justice--it was dropped and hence doesn't do close-ups very well!

the whole package

the shirt

the key chain and bookmark

the journal

the magnets--sorry for lame pictures




I wanted to be the swap angel simply for the good karma and I got that and more!!! I love everything! Thanks so much!!

Can I tell you how stupendously happy I am with my package!! Good things really do come to those who wait! Oneyedsally was so great with her communication and was worried about being late. Actually, my birthday was Saturday, so this was a great bonus present!!! I was gone all day and had a slip and had to pick up from the post office. Then I had to fight off my daughter when opening the package. Without further ado:


The whole package:


The coolest bag ever! I told my partner I loved swimming so she made me a tote with waterproof lining! How cool is that?



My very own cool little box that also doubles as a Magical Herbs and Fungi book


Inside were more surprises including a Scabbers cat toy filled with cat nip and a Sirius Black initials necklace!! I love the bling!!!


I got a wonderful cache of chocolate covered wands from Honeydukes!!! (Two are already long gone!)


And my favorite!!! A scarf, property of Sirius Black and  modeled by my daughter, who no matter how cute she is CANNOT have!! I love it too much!



Thank you so much for making my first swap such a great experience! You are the best oneyedsally!

Lorraine, per your request, I'm posting pictures of the seamstress dummy and some of my other projects.
The dummy isn't finished. I would really like to have every empty space covered, but I really try to pick the objects carefully. The base consists of buttons from my past, concerts, school, old political ones. I've begun adding other items and may eventually include little words from the poem magnets, but I'm not totally sure about that.



Don't know if this shot is much better. It looks a lot emptier in the pictures, but that will probably help as I fill it in.


This is a fabric collage I've been working on. The flash shows the layers too disntincly. It kind of looks cooler in real life. It includes pieces of vintage hankies, vintage fabric from my mom, a friend's mother's earings, some of my son's clothes as well as from daughter and a hanger from my old Dawn doll.



I apologize for the glare on this one. I actually made this a long time ago as a way to store my earings. I have a layer of cork behind what was a image from an Andy Warhol calendar photo.


This is a vintage train case that I found at a yard sale that I've augmented. It has images of some of my favorite albums and bands. I plan to write a few lines of poetry on the inside and add a mirror.



Finally, I've been making theme candles for a local store, I use different themes (I love the ridiculousness of the Exciting career game as you can see) as well as a pulp fiction theme. Sorry if the images are a little blurry.



thanks for looking!

I contemplated where to put this topic since I tend to use "found" objects in my work. I wouldn't call myself a pack rat, but I discovered that I have a tendency to keep little things, pins, board game pieces, all kinds of stuff that have some personal history. Instead of clogging up my drawers, I decided to add them to things and give them new life. My decoupage skills are still being refined. I've learned a lot since making these pieces. I'm tentatively thinking of calling the bulk of my work: "From Here to Ephemera." I would be curious to hear feedback since I tend to work in my own little world. I need to take and post pictures of my main project--an old seamstress dummy covered with, well, junk--including pins from high school, girl scouts, my very first music concert (Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom tour in case you were curious). It's coming out pretty cool. I'll post that later. Enjoy.

This one is inspired by Osa and Martin Johnson. I think everyone in my family has their own copy of "I Married Adventure."


A closer look. Sorry the photography isn't better.


This is based on an extremely old and quite sexist board game that suggests careers for girls--model, actress, teacher, airline hostess. I made it for my niece when she graduated from college and was heading out into the work force just to remind her it could be a lot worse! 


This is a closer look. It has charms from an old bracelet, some old Barbie accessories.


This is my hubbie's favorite. Andy Warhol was from my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA and I've always enjoyed his sensibilities and live by his motto "Art is whatever you can get away with." This is my tribute to him.