Sweet Finds

Butterfly Wishes

Did you hear?

Mary of Green Paper issued a challenge...

Print out the "Miss Mary Hayes" collage sheet

and use all 3 of the images in any kind of art piece you'd like.

- 

I've been known to pass up many challenges,

but this one...   just seemed like fun.

I knew almost immediately what I wanted to do.

 

What do you think?

Can you "spot" the 3 images?

 

1.)  Miss Mary-    hmm,  that's obvious.  :)

2.)  vintage envelope-   butterfly wings

3.)  floral cigarette clip art-   Miss Mary's "crown"

and the little twig that she is holding.

(top)

(bottom)

 
 

I'm really pleased with the way my collage turned out!

Now I just have to find the perfect place to display her.

Mary (of Green Paper),  if you are reading this,

I hope you post another challenge soon.  : )

xoxo, Joanna

Biggest Winner?

I'm participating in this:

It's a 8 week program that is being offered

through the gym at my office.

It focuses on physical activity & nutrition.

So,  with the new year & lots of talk in

blogland,  (Jessi'sboot camp, Carol's new lifestyle,

Tiffany's encouragement),   I thought I'd give

this a try.   It starts TODAY and I'll

be competing against other individuals,

both male & female.  Eeek!

-

So, this weekend , I made this cute little journal

cover to document my day to day journey.

(pages to be added soon)

This is the inside.   I just love the lil' pocket!

It's perfect for holding my work out schedule

or my grocery list for this week.

Anyhoo,  the fabric is vintage.

I'm thinking from the 70's.

I'm hoping it's bright, cheery colors are going to

motivate me to work out & "write" in it.  LOL

 Wish me luck!

I could use it.

  hugs, Joanna 

Swap Packaging

The day has finally come...

Time for me to package all the
ATC mini-books and send them off
to the participants.





I have to say,
as a first time swap hostess...
I finally realize just how much
work really goes into it.  :)

But, in the end,
 it's all worth it!

Check back for pics
of the entire book.

It's adorable!  You'll definitely
want to see all the work each
participant put into their ATC.

xoxo, Joanna

Winners~

 

Drumroll please....

According to my notes,

the winners of my

"destashing give-away" are:

 Liz W.

(package #1)

And

Michelle Palmer

(package #2)

Congrats, girls!  :)

Please help me in Congratulating

the lovely ladies.

xoxo, Joanna

Goals

If you've been following my

blog the last week or so,

then you already know that my

"theme" word for 2009 is "focus".     

I have an entire list of things

to focus on...  artwork &

  hosting swaps being two of them. 

Anyhoo, after some serious thought

& inspiring conversations,

I finally decided to host

a private art swap.

I e-mailed a couple of crafty friends

with the details... and the rest is history.  : )

  

To challenge myself further,

I signed up to participate in

this amazing swap, Petite Inspiration Box.

 

I can't wait to find out who my partners will be.

(edit: I just found out that my partners are:

 Maria, Jeanne, and Hope

Boy, am I super excited!)

I think I'm off to a good start

with the "focus" thing.

I have January & February covered.

so,

How 'bout you?

What actions have you taken

to reach some of your goals 

for the new year?

xoxo, Joanna 

Giveaway~

Anyone interested in some freebies?

I've "stashed" these goods for far too long...

So, I've decided to follow in Donna's

foot steps & have a little

"destash" give-away!

I have decided to do 2 separate

give-aways.  All you have to do is leave

a comment indicating which give-away

you would like to win.

(I'll do my best to pick your name!)

Option #1

 

Option # 1:

 CTMH Life Delights Memory Showcase

Maya Road's Fresh Chipboards (37 pcs)

Foamies- Pink Crown Stickers

1 Package of Dimensional Stickers

Amy Butler Glitter Rub-Ons & Gems

Rub on Stitching

Basic Grey Periphery (43 pcs)

9 tags

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Option #2

 

 

Option #2

2 Jenni Bowlin bingo cards (Lucky & Grow)

2 vintage bingo cards

1 vintage Quizmo card

7 vintage flash cards (school related)

5 vintage book pages

4 pieces of vintage wallpaper

Aunt Martha's Hot iron transfers

10 English/French flash cards

1 tube Coccoina glue

1 pink vintage pin cushion

4 pin

2 yrs. lace ribbon

vintage postcard &

3 pieces of seam binding

Ok, you know the drill.

Leave a message (on this post) indicating which

package you want....  Option #1 or Option #2.

You have until Thursday evening (8 pm Central).

The winner will be announced on Friday.

xoxo, Joanna

Bird Swap

"Fine Feathered Friends"
A Silver Bella Swap...

I have to admit,
I was very nervous about signing up
for any of the swaps.

However,  Heather quickly reassured me,
saying:

1.) I would regret NOT participating
2.) not to worry about my artwork

So, like any good friend, I listened
and joined five.  :)

The 1st being Fine Feathered Friends ATC
hosted by Gina Grable.
 

  Gina designed the cover & created this
cute little book for us using all of the ATCs.


just look at how thick it is!

 
(Natalea Kandefer)


(Heidi Woodruff)


(Marsi Bennett)


(Stephanie George H.)


(Julie Baxley)


(Nancy Tokarz)


(Julia Hackney)


(Linda Richter)


(Danielle Muller)


(Megan Lawton)


(Mine ~  Joanna Lewis)


(Heidi Gordon)


(Stacy McGinnis)


(Judi Andersen)


(Mollie Morrison)


(Bianca Gaspard)


(Heidi Wallingford)


(Karen Lea)


(Renee Aberdeen)


(Marian Ballog)


Gina even made this cute little
pin for us to wear.  It's serves as a
badge (sign) that we participated in
the "bird" swap.


We'll 1 down, 4 to go.  :) 

I hope you enjoyed looking at all the artwork.
I apologize for such a long post, but the hard
work is evident.  So, I wanted to make sure each
participant was included.

xoxo, Joanna

Buttons ~

 Last night, I was sorting through my stash
of buttons, in search of 72 vintage buttons
 I can use for a Silver Bella Button Swap
that I am participating in.

And it got me to thinking...
about everyone else in blog-land.

Do you have a stash of buttons?

If so, do you sort them by color or size?


Or just toss them into a old jar?


Better yet, maybe you display them?




Whatever it is, I'd love to hear about it!

xoxo, Joanna

PS.  Would anyone be interested in setting a date to "show off"
off their buttons?   What if I threw in a prize for the most
creative use of buttons?  Let me know if you'd be interested in playing along.

Hello, my name is...

Hello, my name is Joanna...   and I have an A-D-D-I-C-T-I-O-N!  An addiction to junk! stuff!   

Over the last several months, I have turned into a complete clutter bug.  My organization skills... well, them seem to be on vacation!  And my craft room has turned into one messy storage facility!

Not long ago,  I had a great turn around time for all the items I purchased.  I wasted no time tagging & placing them directly in my booth.   But not anymore!   :)  Now, I'm so indecisive.   My mind toggles back and forth between... Should I sell it?  Or Keep it?   

I definitely need to get a handle on this situation!   ...and quick. 

I read a post a few months back... unfortunately, I do not recall the name.  But basically, the lady challenged set a goal of collecting 100 items (within her house) that she no longer wanted/needed & planned on donating them to charity or tossing them out.    So, I'm thinking I should do the same.

Anyone else up for the challenge?

I'm going to use the "Clean House" approach. 

Hopefully, my "Donate", "Sell" and "Toss" baskets will come in handy. 

The clutter bug,

Joanna

PS.  Be sure to check back tomorrow!   I will be participating in Tiffany's party.

Dream Vacation

Hello All!

Would you believe my husband came home with my "dream" vacation packet put together!

He's says it's an early birthday & anniversary gift.

Anyhow, I meant to grab everyone's personal address before heading out the door...  but I just lost track of time.   (you know how it is...   I had to pack for myself, him and get both the kids packed to stay at grandma's).

I had hopes of sending each of you a post card & a special treasure that I picked up while on our Mediterranean holiday.

Read this itinerary:   (my DH really out did himself!)

• Barcelona, Spain
• Cannes, France
• Florence/Pisa, Italy
• Rome, Italy
• Naples
• Venenice

Can you believe it? 

Me, getting the opportunity to visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vativan City...  and the Roman Colosseum.  Touring around on this cute little scooter, taking the water -taxi tour through the Venetian canals & lagoon in Venice. Shopping in Florence.  And taking a boat trip to the beautiful island of Capri.  Oh, and let's not forget about all the wonderful food.  (PS.  I'm not going to worry about my diet on this trip.  LOL)

I'm in heaven just thinking about it!

I'm sorry that I do not have more photo to share...  it's still early in the trip! 

But be sure to check back. 

Surely, I'll be able to capture some amazing pics that will just "wow" you.  :)

********************

I hope you enjoyed my little "dream" vacation. 

Oh, you're NOT ready to step back into the "real world"?  Then head over to Mommy Holly's...  http://mommyholly.blogspot.com/ there are several other women just waiting to whisk you away from your laundry and any other chores you may have.  :)    Holly, thank you for putting this all together!

xoxo, Joanna