ART Party Club Matchbox Swap

 This month at Art Party, a club that I belong to at our local Stamping Store Stamping Details, we swapped altered matchboxes made into houses with a Christmas theme. Everyone did an amazing job, and the creations were so much fun to see! Above left is the lovely house that Mary Ann created that I was the lucky recipient of, and right is the house that I created, which was for Ginger.

 This beautiful gem on the bottom was made by Lorraine, and the cute house on the top was made by Rosa.  I believe Lorraine's went to Mary Ann and Rosa's went to Vicki.

The feathered beauty was made for Lorraine by Ginger, and Santa's house was made by Vicki for Rosa. All the houses have cutouts in them so when a candle is inserted inside the matchbox the light shines through!  I am so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful club.  It's so fun to get together each month with this fabulous group of creative ladies.

Marie Antoinette Explosion Box

My wonderful girlfriend, Lorraine, taught me how to make Explosion Boxes, and I have caught the bug.  This one I made with a Marie Antoinette theme for mon amie Mary who I was lucky enough to go to Paris with and visit Marie's home of Versailles.  We loved Versailles and especially loved Petit Trianon, which was Marie's little escape on the grounds, and her Hamlet, which was a replica of her town in Austria that she had built on the grounds.  Tres magnifique!

 Marie slept here!

 Petite Trianon

Her Hamlet

Christmas Cheer Tin Swap

I was lucky enough to be a part of Wendy's Christmas Cheer Altered Tin Swap.  I love her swaps because I always feel challenged and use the opportunity to try new things.  I've made a few altered Altoid tins in the past but I have never taken the tin apart to create a house.  I used the top as the stand and used the bottom to create a little house.  I made this for Marfy, and was the lucky recipient of her tin, which was a gingerbread house.  Thanks so much Wendy for another wonderful swap! And, since this is pink, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to put in Beverly's Pink Saturday Link party.  Happy Pink Saturday everyone, and Happy Holidays too!

Brady's Painting

Look what my son Brady painted today!  It was for a class assignment in history, to create a painting in the "romantic" style.  Brady you are an artist!

Dia Del Los Muertos Alter of My Dad

Happy Dia De Los Muertos! Here is my alter to my dad. I like to remember him every year at this time. Amidst the Katrina dolls are some of his favorite items: Coors Light, potato chips and a tennis racket. I love you and miss you dad!

My "Ghouls"!

Here are the "ghouls" that I created out of cards and housed in my altered altoid tin. I just love creating different little witches and making a deck of cards with them. These ladies are all good witches! Too bad Halloween is now over. I guess it's now time to go Christmas shopping!

Halloween Altered Tin Swap

I participated in a fabulous Halloween Altered Tin Swap hosted by the wonderful Wendy Aspinall at www.blissangels.blogspot.com. Here is my entry for the swap - inside the recipient will find a deck of "ghouls", altered playing cards dressed as witches. Thanks Wendy, this was great fun!