Welcome to the Holiday Blog Hop!

Hello and thank you for visiting me on my Blog Hop day! As a participant in the Blog Hop With the Artists, today I will be sharing a fun holiday craft project, giving my answers to the Q & As, and announcing a generous give away from my licensing partner Cardstore.com.

PART ONE: HOW TO DECOUPAGE GLASS PLATES FOR THE HOLIDAYS (WITH A VINTAGE TWIST)




Supplies you will need:
1. A glass plate, bowl, or platter of your choice (from any store or even your own kitchen cubbord)
2. Gold paint (make sure it is for glass painting)
3. Mod Podge
4. Two Paint brushes (one for the Mod Podge and one for the gold paint)
5. Old newspaper or something to cover your workspace
6. Jar or cup for water while you paint along with a dry paper towel to wipe your brush as needed
7. Your favorite vintage materials that you want to collage onto your piece. My mother-in-law gave me some adorable vintage paper napkins that I used to collage onto small glass plates. I found Christmas gift tags on one of my favorite etsy sites, Boston Bag Lady (she has TONS of great things that could be used for a project like this) to collage onto my glass dish.



After you have organized your workspace, turn your piece upside down. Paint the entire backside of your piece with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Place your collage items on the piece in any sort of pattern that you like. Then, Cover the entire back of it with another layer of Mod Podge. Let it dry completely.



Once it is dry to the touch, paint the entire back of your piece with your gold paint. It's OK for the brush strokes to show - I actually think it adds a lot of interest and nice texture to the finished product. Feel free to do more than one coat (I did three), letting each coat dry between layers. Allow the final coat of gold paint dry over night and then add one last coat of Mod Podge to act as a sealer.



Once that has dried, flip it over and enjoy your one of a kind piece! I think they make perfect gifts or are a nice touch to your own holiday entertaining decor. (On a side note, be sure to never paint on the front of your piece if you intend to use it for serving food.)



PART TWO: Q & A

*5 things we might not know about you that you'd like to share*

1. After living in the Los Angeles area for over ten years and on the West Coast for most of my life, my family and I moved to Starkville, Mississippi last April...and we actually even like living here! There is just something to be said for Southern comforts.
2. I have recently taken up running - something that I NEVER thought I would do...let alone enjoy.
3. I own a cell phone but don't really know why because I never have it on, charged, or with me.
4. Try as I might, I just have no sense of direction - which keeps me humble (and lost)...all the more reason that I of all people need to have a cell phone on hand.
5. I was once "tagged" on this blog (about two years ago) and don't know how I can really beat those little known facts that I had once shared. So feel free to click here if you are interested in some silly, little known facts about me. Please note that I am now accepting all challenges to "play me" in Centipede - just don't say that I didn't warn you...

*5 things going on in your creative world*

1. I just completed a small collection of kid's Valentines for Cardstore.com.
2. I am in the middle of designing and manufacturing 500 holiday cards by hand for Amy Lau because (a) I am crazy, (b) I LIKE making handmade cards in bulk, (c) I adore Amy Lau and LOVE working with her, (d) all of the above. My answer is (d) - I am a crazy, handmade greeting card designer and maker who will do anything for a great and inspirational client like Amy.
3. I am in the middle of designing new Baby, Wedding, and Birthday cards (about 20 new designs) for my handmade greeting card line manufactured by and for International Sanctuary. It will be launched in January, in time for the NYIGF.
4. I am coordinating an event/trunk show for International Sanctuary (with my card designs and iSanctuary jewelry) to be held at the hippest coffee shop in town, Little Building Cafe. If you don't live here in Mississippi, you can still "Purchase With Purpose" in the online shop.
5. I have more ideas for illustration and artwork than I have time to create in a day - my mind is always spinning. I plan to pick ONE of those ideas and follow through with it after the holidays. I will keep you posted.

*5 things that really inspire you*

1. My husband, my girlfriends, my son, my family (wait, that's already FOUR things but I am only counting it as ONE) Basically, the people closest to me really bring a lot of encouragement, support, and inspiration.
2. Living in a small town and having to make my own fun.
3. Ambiance (I am much more inspired in a cute little coffee shop with character and charm than let's say in a Mall Food Court that hasn't been updated since the eighties).
4. Daydreams of Italy.
5. Vintage design elements - like in a store display, a flea market, a magazine spread , or an old movie (preferably starring Audrey Hepburn).

PART THREE: PRODUCT GIVE AWAY FROM CARDSTORE.COM

The kind folks over at Cardstore.com have graciously agreed to give away some of my designs for this Blog Hop. Because we all need to send thank you notes during this time of year, Cardstore.com is giving away not just ONE pack of personalized holiday thank you notes, but FOUR packs to FOUR different winners! You can chose from any of my thank you notes and Cardstore.com will personalize them and send you a pack of ten as their gift to you. (Click here to see my entire collection.) To enter, just leave a comment in this post with your favorite featured design and/or a random fun fact about yourself (don't forget to include your e-mail address so I can notify you if you win). I will announce the four winners on this blog on the 24th. So spread the word, have fun, and best of luck!




Don't forget to visit the other artists participating in the blog hop for more creative ideas and give aways.

Day 1 (Nov 14) Terri Conrad
Day 2 (Nov 15) Brenda Pinnick
Day 3 (Nov 16) Tori Higa
Day 4 (Nov 17) Joyce Shelton
Day 5 (Nov 18) Phyllis Dobbs
Day 6 (Nov 19) Cherish Flieder
Day 7 (Nov 20) Joy Hall
Day 8 (Nov 21) Barbara Johansen Newman
Day 9 (Nov 22) Sharyn Sowell

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! Be sure to hop on over to the blog of talented artist Joyce Shelton tomorrow. I just love her work (and think you will, too)!

Happy blog hopping and don't forget to enter the Cardstore.com contest by leaving a comment in this post. You could be one of four winners!