Thank you all!

I really appreciate all the positive comments both here and personally. To answer a couple of questions. The canvas that I used was a board canvas that I cut with an Exacto knife. I broke through the board and then cut with scissors. I am so impatient and not so good with one of those knives. I sanded the edges and then glued decorative paper on the back of them. Treated the canvas with some gesso and painted with acrylic paints. Applied the tissue paper and then the napkins using gel medium.

As far as those lovely butterflies...I just took a piece of card stock and painted them with acrylic paints. Using a coral, yellow and a soft green that I just squirted on and used a foam brush to splat the paint around. Once dried I used my favorite ink pad India Black Ink from Stewart Superior and then cut them out. You can't see in the photo but I layered the butterflies. There are at least 3 of them just using some pop dots to give it dimension.

The large butterfly on my dad's picture is a lace butterfly that also was painted. The wings of that butterfly are also raised to give it more depth.

I was going to connect them but decided that they would look great on the mantle resting on book plates.

Peace to all my friends!

Happy Early Birthday MOM!

Next Monday the 25th of Feb. is my mother's 87th birthday and she was supposed to have her cataract surgery this Friday but due to a condition that she has developed (Desert dry eye) they can't do it. This means she has to wait another month for it. UGH! She is so disappointed. So I decided that even though the pins that I made for her are so pretty she would not be able to see them. I started thinking that they should be mounted on something. Well since "houses" are in and I have not attempted to make my version I decided that the pins needed a "house" to live in so Mother can see them better. So this is what I created for her. I am so excited to take them over to her but have to wait until Sunday to take them over.

I made them from a canvas that is 9x12 inches and cut them in the shape of the house. I covered them with Angel tissue paper and napkins. The butterfly image is from Inka Stamps. I love that stamp!!! I think it is one of my favorites. You can do so much with it. Most of the other images are also from Inka Stamps.

I think my UTEE pins are very happy in there new home and will adorn my mother's mantel this Sunday.

I know these are not the best pics but I am no camera geek and the shine from the UTEE I can't get a good one. But you get the pic! LOL!

YOU MAKE MY DAY AWARD

You Make My Day Award

Gayle from "A Stampers Touch" and a good artist friend of mine awarded me with the "You Make My Day Award! What a nice thing to wake up to this morning! "The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going ~ here are 10 of the 100's of blogs that keep me inspired and bring a smile to my face. Check them out when you have a few minutes... perhaps there are some new friends to be made!

You know it is very difficult to only choose 10 because there are so many!!! So I will list those that are very dear and near to me and those that have offered inspiration and friendship to me over the years!

Melissa Because she loves fairies and delights the world with her creations! She is the mother of four beautiful children and still finds time to create. You go girl! Remember Mel near or far you are always in my heart.

Linda Cain - we have been art friends for a while. She is most kind and generous. I am so happy to know her! And a very talented artist!

Clara Stacko - is the Managing Editor of "Altered Arts Magazine". She certainly deserves this award because she has to put up with me! She edits my articles and that in it's self is one heck of a job. Thank you Clara for all you do!!!

Cindy Roland Cindy and I go back to the days when I first started rubber stamping many many years ago. I met her on "StampSmith" yahoo group more then 10 years ago!

Estelle - Ah now there is a lady! Estelle is the owner of "The Stampsmith" Rubber Stamp Company located in NY. Her rubber stamps are just beautiful and top notch! If you love photo art stamps then this is the place for you!!

Tim Holtz Need I say anymore!

Suze Weinberg A truly remarkable and talented woman! She is always there to stimulate you with new and exciting ideas and her videos are just spectacular! An inspiration for all of us! Suze you rock on girl friend!!!!

Gillian Allen the heart and soul behind Art-E-Zine! Where else can you go to view some of the most spectacular art work of many artist! Thanks Gillian!

Mary Jo McGraw oh WOW!!! My Idol! Some day I will get to meet her!

Last but not least and oh I wish I could send out 110 more awards....

Cyndi Duncan Founder, Editor-in-Chief of Altered Arts Magazine and Altered Book Club your Mailbox Muse! Thank you Cyndi for giving me the opportunity to work with you and the magazine.

Ok there it is 10 blogs, friends, sites that I frequent, keep in touch with or just enjoy so much!

Peace to all my friends!