Picture Play

I still have focused a lot of my time on working out/improving my health (My cousin Tara is my total inspiration). Further free time is split between some recent books (new releases I've been waiting a year for) and being a cleaning monster, RWAR!

While dusting the mantel (in my French maid outfit and heels) I repositioned my frames post-swifter cloth, only to question putting three empty frames back in their places. All three are from Target's Re-Nest line; bright punches of color, next-to-nothing prices and completely worth it.

I tried to fill these voids with plain 'ol photos. But they bored me. Plus, lacked representation of my favorite almost two year old. I choose my first subject to be my dear best friend Jessica Smith. I've always loved this picture of her twirling a straw wrapper. I think its proof she isn't as serious as she might seem!

Mission: brighten the dark background. With Photoshop Elements, I cut her out and created yellow-organish rays bursting from her head. Not satisfied with flat color I used the comic book effect on the lighter of the two colors. Upon putting it in the Kelly Green frame I decided it further decoration was required. Thanks to McDonald's for providing the inspiration/materials (see below).

Second picture I used/needed was that of sweet-angel-face Jameson. When I was home last I had the camera constantly in his face. Above is this adorable candid face shot he had after Dixie licked his hair up like Alfalfa from Little Rascals.

Picture play on this photo started with once again isolating the background to distort. I cropped the picture, added more blue tint, reduced the redness of his skin and used a watercolor effect. When I look at this picture I always want him to say "¡Aye Dios mio!"

There is still a third empty frame. Could you be the next victim subject? You'll find out soon!

Lots of Love

Sarah
P.S. If you guessed that I added a curly McDonald's straw wrapper to Jessica's frame you are correct!

Frida Kahlo, favorite artist- EVER!

As seen in my post last Monday I purchased several trinkets on clearance at Michaels. Taking a broken necklace, two of the Frida Kahlo charms, 4 eye pins, 2 decorative headpins, 2 earring hooks and various jewelry making pliers I created these two beautiful earrings.

There are several books, online tutorials and magazines that show you how to mold a eye pin or headpin into a loop on both ends but I like the trial and error method. It just takes some patience and a desire to twist wire into a little loop to connect or be connected to another loop.

I am in love with the end result. I thought I needed some more Frida inspiration and drew on her famous unibrow. These are perfect to wear on Wednesday for Cinco De Mayo!

"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality." Frida Kahlo

And You Can Dance for Inspiration... Come On.

Madonna has had me in the groove since last week on Glee, with its tribute to Madonna. I thought I'd share some inspirations that I hope to turn into craft fruition shortly.
When I was at the antique mall the other day one of the jewelry booths had this huge pickle jar of broken necklaces, beads, earrings and other potpourri. I love LOVE LOVE big bags/jars of random small objects.
I love these old fashioned post carts with the blue and red rhombuses. I got this at the antique mall for a couple of cents. I'm still pondering how I can have more mail love in my life.


Every time I am in the jewelry section of Michael's I see these Mexican "tokens" one of which is a Frida Kahlo (my favorite painter- EVER) charm. Though I have never been inspired to pay $5.99, but $1.99, HELLO!!

I'm seeing a theme here. I got this awesome scarf for $2 at (say it together now) The Antique Mall! I was having a Lady Gaga inspired moment here. I might look bad in most hats but headbands, pill boxes and a tulle look awesome on my head.

Y'all let me know what is inspiring y'all right now. I would love to know.

Lots of Love,

Sarah Elizabeth

A Very Special Picture

I know some people get to expierence having both sets of grandparents together at the same function pretty regularly. I, on the other hand, have two large families on both sides, plus I grew up on the East coast while Grandma Duty reside in Oklahoma (as did Grandad Duty, R.I.P., we miss you ) and Grandma & Grandpa Teeter live in Texas.

This photo is a rare moment where I have both Grandmothers in the same picture. Dad's mom, Grandma Duty on the left, and Mom's mom to the right, Grandma Teeter. Over the weekend I was moving pictures around in various frames when I realized I was unhappy with the quality of the above photograph. After a scan and some Photoshop Elements enhancements including getting rid of nick marks, I am very satisfied with this gem of a photo.

I find the best feature to use on any photo pre-1990 is Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Variations > Reduce Red. Unfortunately nothing can be done to fix the awful taste of the left over 1970s color palette sofa, throw and wallpaper.

Lots of Love to both sides of the family,

Sarah Elizabeth

Organization Sation.

Okay, so this weekend was put up or shut up for cleaning my apartment. My craft room being the Death Star of my mess. For the past several months wrap up he conversation with my parents they ask, "What are you going to do?" I say "Clean." They retort with "But you always say that!"

True, true. I do always say that but then I get distracted by an episode of The Office, find a new blog, reread a romance novel (well the good parts) or just cat nap.

The beauty of my After photo should be enhanced by the mess of my "Before" photo that I cannot for the LIFE of me find. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. I think it can best be depicted with Lady Talking Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock.

Afer lots of hard work, bags of trash, boxes of Goodwill donations and then cleaning out three Targets of those storage bins on the bottom shelf and on the top I am SO excited about the final Ta-Dah! The possibilities are endless!

I'm now going to continue listening to '50s and '60s pop and rearrange my book shelves.

Lots of Love,

Sarah Elizabeth

Reunited and It Feels So Good

I made myself a promise. I would not say one of my New Year's Resolutions would be craft and blog more, because I felt like that would be like my perpetual weight loss goals. Sure enough at the end of January and beginning of February most of my favorite bloggers had a post titled: "I am the worst blogger ever."

I felt good about not putting that pressure on myself. Though February turned to March and now there are April showers soon to be May flowers. Crafting hasn't been the biggest priority for me. I think I was exhausted with unfinished projects. I have been reading non-stop. I appreciate the beginning and that there is an end with reading a book.

Another thing I wanted to improve before more craft blogging was my photography skills. I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D40 DSLR. My skills haven't improved but the possibilities seem endless.

I am now ready to start sprinkling craftness again.

I'd like to thank everyone who casually asked me when I would start back with this blog. It encouraged me more than you know. If you have a craft request, let me know!

Lots of Love, Sarah Elizabeth

Triple Threat: Fierce Mama, Cake-Baker and Quoter of Family Guy

Okay, okay so my baby sister is more than just a devoted mom and even though she can quote the hilarious Peter Griffin from the show Family Guy better than most people I know, she is much more than that. Though you are probably wondering about the delicious secret that has surfaced; Claire Snelson is a cake boss!

There is classic picture of Claire on her first birthday, we collectively both got a swing set as our gift. Claire is in one of the swings with a package of M&Ms, they were melting in her mouth, on her face and her hand.

Claire would not let her son Jameson share this same fate for his first birthday. In a jungle themed party she created a cupcake tower and two layer safari cake. Using fondant she created the details of zebra stripes, giraffe spots and leaves for the cupcakes. As you can see Jameson gave review of two thumbs and fistfuls of cake up!

Last week Claire's sister-in-law celebrated her 8th birthday with a slumber party. Claire's cake creation shows Mariah and her friends asleep on a cake bed. Fondant once again is used for detail, such as the girl's heads and the bedspread. The little bodies under the "sheet" are Little Debbie treats.

I can't wait to see what she bakes up next. Maybe she can even do a tutorial for me. Craft and cooking never looked so good. "Proud of you," Peter Griffin. Lots of Love!