Bella Carta

Upcycled chalkboard

I've been working on my craft show inventory - I do several large shows in South Florida and they're coming up quickly (like just a month away!).

I've been looking for something "new" to do - and I am hoping these will be a hit!  I'm using some of thrift store goodies, these are vintage silver trays (some of them may be silver plate, some are probably just silver colored).  I've added a chalkboard surface to the middle of the trays (some are round, some are oval, a few are rectangular) and then punched the ends for a hanging ribbon (I love my crop-o-dile!). 

 

La Musardière

right down the street from Claude Monet's home, a sweet little inn and restaurant La Musardiere. 

 

 I had a galette for lunch, a think buckwheat pancake stuffed with goodness - this was "Fermiere" with ham, mushrooms, fresh goat cheese, parsley and an egg.

its a caturday!

I can't wait to share with you the sweet, lovable, XL sized cat who made my trip to France so enjoyable!  We called him Claude - after Claude Monet - and he belonged to someone, but would come visit and was extremely sociable.  I know he belonged to someone (he was well fed and in general good health, had an ear tattoo and had been neutered).  He was often waiting for us when we got home in the evening and would hang out with us while we ate dinner. 

 

 

hurricane tips for those who never experienced one before:

I'm interrupting my regular blog feed to bring you some quick tips for those who never thought they would get a hurricane. If you're in the path of the hurricane (north carolina and eastern seaboard)  - here are some safety tips from a Floridian who's been through many hurricanes:

1) if they tell you to evacuate, get out EARLY - there are millions of people who will all be leaving at the same time.

2) have food and water to take care of yourself & family for a week (3 days supply at a minimum). If using canned goods - buy either those with a pop top OR have a self powered (manual) can opener. If the power goes out and you have a grill - start cooking the contents of your freezer (you'll lose it otherwise) without electricity to keep it cold. The power will be out for a long time (possibly as long as a 7-14 days).

3) have a plan on how to reconnect with family members if you get separated - you may think that won't happen, but in Katrina MANY families were separated and it took weeks to reunite family. 

4) make plans for your pets safety (take them with you or find pet friendly shelters) - have food and water for them, crates for dogs - carriers for cats (and a litter box).

5) put all the outside stuff away (planters, porch furniture, grill, etc) you might be shocked to see what goes flying around in 120 mph winds. 

6) please keep an eye out for elderly neighbors

7) fill up your cars with gasoline, get cash and enough medications (if the power is out, you won't be able to pump gas).

8) keep copies of your most important papers - esp. your home owner's insurance. (A quick tip to keep other papers safe - buy large plastic trash cans with lids - place everything in bags - seal those up and place inside. duct tape the lid on).

9) charge up all your electronics, get your car charging cords ready (if you have cell service, it will be the only way to keep your phone charged) 

more from Monet

more from the home and gardens of impressionist painter, Claude Monet

Recognize these stacks?   They were the inspiration for a whole series of painting like the one below that hangs in the Art Institute in Chicago.

The Monet foundation has some fabulous photographs that captured Claude and his work:

If you want to see more pics: 

finding Claude

I recently visited the home and gardens of impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny France. 

The flowers there were amazing, the watergardens unbelievable - I can see why he found so much inspiration here.

 

 

Fairy's day off {SFC112}

Even fairies (this is Cute Fairy Girl from Squigglefly) get the day off from time to time - and this one headed to the beach! 

It's SUMMERTIME, and it's HOT. Water. Need water! Some ideas: Watercolors, water splashes, water themed images...you get the idea! Let's see how YOU incorporate WATER into your cards this week, Marvels!

I simply printed her out, then sponged to create a beach, waterfront type of scene.  I added some distressed stickles in antique linen to the beach to make it a bit grainier.  

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Take a peak a what the entire design team has created for you this week:

Marlene Shaw *design team leader* http://disguisedasagrownup.blogspot.com

Dani Chapman http://paulettespapers.com/

Janice Richardson http://huhsothisisablog.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Grohall http://bellacarta.typepad.com/

Kim O’Connell http://paperperfectdesigns.blogspot.com/

Deena Perreault http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/

Rhonda Zmikly http://bumblcreate.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Clark http://savorystamping.blogspot.com/

Jane Westling http://www.ladybugcreates.blogspot.com/

 

If you would like to play along with the challenge - click here for the Squigglefly blog <----- you could win some Squigglefly!

 

 

*anything goes! {ATU38}

The sunday paper and a cup of coffee is a long standing ritual in my home, it was a rite of passage for me and I have read more Sunday papers than I can count while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. 

I used Unity's Mega Tea Cup and the "kissing technique"  <--- (click to go see the tutorial) with the Distressed Dots background stamp  This is one of the first techniques I ever learned when I first started stamping and I forget how much fun it is!   

Play along!!!!! Simply make a card - anything goes :-) as long as you use Unity or Ippity stamps.  One participant will be selected at random to win an awesome prize package from this month's sponsor.  Martha Pineda - and available in her Etsy store:  Creating is Fun or at her ArtFire store:  Paper Love.

 

 

How to play along::

1. Create anything (i.e. card, scrapbook page, altered item, etc.) using your stamps by Unity or Ippity ****Please use only Unity and Ippity stamps in your creation.****

**Be sure to mention ATU in your post. **NOTE:: Please be sure to link to your specific POST about ATU not just your blog! 

3. If you load your creation up in an online gallery, please use the keyword ATU38.

4. This challenge will end on Saturday, September 3rd at 11:59pm EST. So be sure to link up before by then!

5. You can link up as many times as you would like!  But make sure that each entry is new card using Unity/Ippy stamps. 

 

leafing out, part III

One of my other favorite leafs was a small leaf I picked from my large leaf philodendron (I had to hunt for a small leaf - most of the leafs are quite over a foot in length).  This leaf was probably the most difficult to use - it has a shiny surface so the watercolor paint has to be almost dry to use.  But - this leaf held up well over several uses.

That's the last of my leaf prints projects - but come back Sunday for an all new All Things Unity challenge. 

leafing out, part II

This week I have a really fun project to share with you! I decided to branch out and try something new :-) okay, I'll stop with the puns and get right to my project. I wanted to try integrating leaf prints with cardmaking. You can make leaf prints in different mediums like acrylics or watercolors.  I went with watercolors.  I went out and picked a variety of different plant leafs to try.   

My next favorite was the begonia leaf - its was a little large in comparison to the cardstock/size used but it made really pretty prints.  It held up better than the geranium leaf.