Marco's 5th birthday... Angry Birds Theme *photo heavy, but worth scrolling through* ;)

A year ago, I couldn't even tell you what the Angry Birds were.  Now, I know more than I care to about these characters and the game that has made them so popular. haha!  

My son decided about 6 months ago that he wanted his next birthday to be Angry Birds theme.  Yes, I am one of "those" moms that likes to do themed parties.  I really do!  

Anyway, thanks to Pinterest, I was able to get a few ideas.  I didn't actually do all the ideas I pinned because we found out that the temperatures would be 110*+, so my husband suggested we get some sort of water activity for them and we rented a big jumper water slide. Got a great deal on it too!  

These games, as cute as they were, were not going to be able to compete with the jumper. lol

 I saved up some soup cans and then painted them with acrylic paint and a sponge brush.  Then I just (free-hand) painted the faces.  I added a crown using cardstock hot-glued to the top.  I bought three balls at the dollar store and BOOM - one game done.

These are centerpieces that I made using Baby Formula Cans.  Just peeled off the labels and then painted each can with acrylic paint.  Then I painted the faces on each one.  I just googled Angry Birds and went to images so that I could see what the different birds looked like.  These were my best attempt at copying them.

The second game I made was this tri-fold presentation board turned into a frisbee toss game.  I used an x-acto knife to cut the circles and then painted the faces and details with acrylic paints.

I can't take credit for any of this goodness!  My good friend Lorany of Nany Sprinkles made these amazing cupcakes for my son.  She made almost 70 of them.  Each cupcake had some kind of fondant topper on them and you can see the amazing detail that went into each one.

The amazing set up (frame) was built by Lorany's husband, Robert.  Everything was just perfect.

This is not what I made this for...but it works too!

Here are the cans, stacked and ready to go!

Frisbee toss was a little harder than I thought it would be, but it was not impossible for them.  Lots of fun.

Watch out!!

This game was a favorite! The kids kept coming back to this one.

We also had lots of water balloons, thanks to my friends, Rick and Desiree.  They even let Marco keep this cool pouch to carry his balloons.  He said he felt like David and was looking for Goliath. haha!

I can't believe he's five now and starting school at the end of the month.

My four babies. My oldest is going to be starting her senior year and my youngest is starting Kindergarten.  Any trouble I go to, to make these days special for them, is worth everything to see them happy and help make great memories for them.  My life. I love it. =)

Caged In...

 I covered up some old journaling that I had already done on this double page spread with gesso and then covered it with some striped tissue paper.  I applied the tissue paper with matte gel medium.  I left it like that for a while before I decided what would go on the pages.  I drew out bird on an old piece of map paper, cut it out and colored it with oil pastel.  Then I stuck it on the page and drew the cage  and the heart - also with oil pastels.  I journaled using a black Sharpie marker.

This page was covered with gesso and then I added some torn map paper here and there with matte gel medium.  I used water color pencils to fill in the color on the background.  I also did some light journaling just to get some "stuff" off my chest and then promptly covered it up.  My bloggy friend, Lea, sent me a sweet package a way back when and there was all kinds of ephemera and goodies tucked in it.  One thing that was in it was a piece of material that was painted.  I've had it in my drawer forever waiting for a special use.   I tore it into strips and then used Mod Podge to adhere it and I also covered it with Mod Podge.

I added some details with the oil pastels again and also some Tim Holtz Distress Stain.  I love that stuff.  They come in bottles with a little dauber at the end for application.  Title was added with a black Sharpie.

When working in my soul journal, I am more interested in what I have to write or say than I am the "art" work usually.  However, because of the personal nature of the journaling, I often end up covering my words.  That's okay.  I'm still getting the journaling out there and I'm also allowing myself to be expressive.  There are times that I write out my words like a prayer and there are other times where they are just random sentences, thoughts, rambles that just come to mind.  I was speaking to a friend about this recently and I think I will be approaching my journaling a little differently and see what happens.  I really feel like I'm playing it safe sometimes and not being fearless with my art or my words.  That has to change. It's just something I know.

When you art journal, is it serious? Light-hearted? Does it mean anything?  All of the above? =)

Altered Water Bottles

Each year, we like to give a little gift to each father that comes to church on Father's Day.  

We do this for the mothers on Mother's Day, as well.

 We bought some inexpensive water bottles in a neutral color.  

Then, using my Cricut and the Alphalicious cartridge, I cut out "You're the Best" and "DAD" from some vinyl adhesive and applied it to the bottles.

We gave one to each father in attendance that morning at church.  

You don't need a lot of money or talent to put a smile on someone's face.  

All it takes is a little thought and creativity! 

Finding My Wings...

I guess you can see a progression here on the pages.  I didn't realize it, but I think I tend to turn to my soul journal more often during the difficult or confusing times.  I don't know, I think it may be because I don't have to betray myself with words that would not suffice.  I am not a complainer.  I don't like to be negative - even with my closest friends or family, so I turn to my books.  I do journal happy times to of course, but sometimes your heart is heavy and you just need to have an outlet.  I find myself praying as I play with the different mediums and textures.  I may not always love what I've created, but I always feel a little better in spirit.  You should try it.  Clearly, you don't have to be an artist.  Just do what moves you. 

It's GIVEAWAY time!!

Oh WOW. I'm so excited to learn that my facebook page, Altered to Perfection, has reached 106 fans. =) 

I'd like to celebrate reaching 100 fans by giving all of you a chance to win one of my CUSTOM DESIGNED JOURNALS. 
All you have to do to enter this give away is: first, make sure you are already a fan by "Like"ing the page on facebook and then SHARE my page on your facebook wall (click the little gear in the top right corner of the page and click SHARE) and then come back to let me know you did that by commenting here on this post or on the facebook thread about the giveaway. =)
As always, thank you for your awesome support.
I will keep this open until Friday 10 p.m. Winner will be announced Saturday morning.

 I sometimes add a pocket in the front.

 I also add tags if I have some cute ones around.

It's my goal to try and personalize your custom book as best as I can.  

I take great joy in trying to really match the person for whom it's been ordered.

You can see more of my work and items for sale by clicking on the ETSY bar on the right on this page.

A Beautiful Life...

This canvas has been re-purposed and re-painted several times.  It has recently just been a work in progress for me and I think I'm finally happy with it...for now.

I've been super busy creating graduation announcements with/for a friend.  I have also received several orders for my journals (thank you Jesus).  Here are two more to share.  These are a little more colorful and fun. =)