Another Gift Certificate? Oh yeah - it's your lucky day!

Please visit Quirky Momma's blog to see all the skinny on the next giveaway!

Free Jewelry Gift Certificate to [Redeemed] Unique Art

How to showcase a small item

I had a small vintage Texas A&M University (Aggies) patch that I wanted to frame and make more significant.  I started by looking through several books with pretty pages and nice poems or sentiments.  I found this one that I thought was very appropriate, beautifully illustrated and worked well with the patch:

The Seed
The greatest dreams on Earth
I trust to you my child.
You are the seed of humnakind
The hope, the future of the world.
(Tran Duk Uen, 20th century "A Letter To My Future Child", Vietnam)

I carefully removed the page from the book using a craft knife, then looked for a frame that would be the right size.  I found this pretty frame and mat, OK artwork, but not my style:

I removed the paper backing, pried up the staples holding the cardboard backing in place, and removed the artwork:

Next I hand-stiched the patch to securely attach it to the page:

Now all that was left was to put the page in the mat (being careful to get it straight), place it back in the frame (don't forget to clean the glass!), and push tight/replace the staples.

You may even want to add brown paper to the back for a professional finish.  I use double stick permanent tape around all the edges, press the paper on snugly, then trim with a craft knife:

Viola!

Now your piece of custom artwork is ready to hang!  Here is another (more complicated) version using a shadowbox frame:

Now you know how - what are you going to showcase?

For everything else...Now accepting credit cards!

[ReDeemed] now accepts all major credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

It's even easier to own your piece of custom artwork!

This is my most recently commissioned piece.  It is in the style of "Soul Tattoo". 

This large piece measures 19" x 62" and was shipped to Tennessee!
It is a [ReDeemed] cabinet door with aproximately 25 old-time favorites like
"Amazing Grace", "Old Time Religion", and "Power in the Blood".

What would you choose for a custom order?

One Pretty Thing

I have been following this blog for some time.  I just am inspired (and awed by the vast amount of information!) each time I see it! 

I thought that you might enjoy it too!

$25 Anthropologie Gift Card and autographed copy of "The Find"

I found another great giveaway to share! 

A few months ago, my BFF Lori introduced me to Anthropologie.  Actually, she looked at me like I was from another planet when I didn't know what it was and then assigned me homework to look it up, but I digress!

I was reading a blog over at The Craft House (which also has a nice giveaway this week), and she pointed me to Fiona and Twig.  (I'm going to be so busy reading all these inspiring blogs I've found!)  They are giving away a $25 gift card to Anthropoligie and a personally autographed copy of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details.

I really hope I win!  If I do, that $25.00 gift card will go to my BFF Lori, but the book is all mine!  I'm sure I will be even more inspired to find things that need to be [ReDeemed].

Fall Bloggy Carnival Giveaway is here!

I am excited to be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate and free shipping to one lucky winner!  Here's how to enter:

1. Post a comment on this blog (1 entry!)
2. Follow my blog and leave me a comment letting me know (1 entry!)
3. Become a Facebook fan and post a comment telling me that you are a fan (1 entry - even if you are already a fan!)
4. Browse one or more of my galleries and tell me what you'd like to spend your gift certificate on: Wearable Art, PINK, Home Decor, Functional Art, Inspiration Gallery for Wearable Art Custom Orders, Inspiration Gallery for Home Decor Custom Orders (1 entry!)
5. Post a link to this blog or my Facebook fan page and post a comment with that link (1 entry each link!)

That's a lot of chances to win!
The drawing will be held on Sunday evening, November 1st.

BONUS (aren't you glad you read to the end?) If I break 500 Facebook fans, I will DOUBLE the gift certificate to $50.00 - are you ready to spread the word and win?

Click HERE to visit the other "booths"!

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway

Tomorrow is the big day!  I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog, along with many other blogs!  For details, click here. 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for your chance to win!

A Fairy Tale (or the making of Jordan's costume)

My 8 year old is very creative (wonder where she gets that?)  She decided that she wanted to be a "peacock nymph fairy" for this year's round of fall festivals.  We had big plans for all those feathers we were going to order from an online supplier.  Then, I balanced the checkbook.  So, no big peacock feather shippments for us!

If necessity is the mother of invention, then frugality is certainly the sire!  We rumaged around the house and gathered all the supplies that we could.  Here's what that looked like:

Then we got started.  The blue dress came from a thrift store for $1.97.  I picked it up several months ago, figuring that we would use it for something.  It was a bit snug, so I let out the sides then we trimmed both layers of the skirt in varrying points.

Next, we used the kite as a template and cut the posterboard into wings.

We custom mixed a shade of blue-green with silver, then painted the wings:

Next, I pulled a greenery bush off the top of my bookshelf, shook off the dust, and dabbed it with the same paint, then sprinkled it with shimmery glitter.

While all of that was drying, we washed up and headed for the studio for some sewing.  I gathered up all the ribbons we could find in appropriate colors and cut them in varrying lengths.  Using one wide ribbon as the waistband, I attached them and then added the fabric left from the bottom of the dress (upside down and gathered) as second and third layers of the dress:

Now the wings and leaves were dry, so we added wire to stabilize them:

and sewed leaves and a broken necklace around the neckline of the dress:

I pulled out the colorful feathers and arranged them inside one of the painted leaves, then stapled it closed over them.  I handstiched them to the shoulder, then covered it with another leaf:

Now, it was time to make the wings really pop!  Using a real butterfly we found:

as inspiration, I painted both sides of the wings, each in unique styles just like a real butterfly:

We decided that the dress "needed" some extra flair, so I added more leaves, around the waist and the hem.  We finished attaching the wings to the harness, creaded with elastic and heavy-duty cardboard:

Jordan is very happy with her costume!

Shhh - don't tell anyone that it was made from junk!

GIVEAWAY!

I'm excited to be invited to participate in the 1st ever Bloggy Giveaway Carnival!  The carnival starts on Monday, October 26th - so be sure to check back for your chance to win on my blog and lots of others!

(Have your own blog and want to participate?  Click here to see how!)

I am giving away a $25.00 gift certificate plus free shipping on your purchase!  What could you use you gift certificate on?  Here are a few ideas:

Or - add a little extra and choose something larger!  Either way, the shipping is on me!

I'll meet you back here on Monday with the official entry post!  Spread the word, let your friends know - everyone likes to get something free!

a new endeavor...

I haven't blogged in a very long time. I'm not even sure where this will go - but perhaps a few of you may come along to find out.

I am a multi-media artist. I enjoy thrift shopping and garage-saleing. I come from a very creative and economical background, so naturally I became a re-designer!

Later this week I will share how a pile of junky thrift store finds became my 8 year old daughter's costume! In the meantime, feel free to take a look at a piece of my wearable artwork:

"Harvest Tree" Washer Necklace - $22.00 Available

Courrier and Ives print [ReDeemed]

Fender washer [ReDeemed]

What can be [ReDeemed] for you?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29629128