Altered Phone Book for Paper Crafter's Library

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find Your Peace During Your Days
I am trying to do a much better job of finding moments to create harmony and peace for myself when I am traveling for work.  Sitting outside of a Whole Foods to eat my dinner.  Putting music on in my hotel room - music that soothes my soul.  Walking slowly in the airport - not getting caught up in the tumult around me.  I am realizing how important it is for me - no matter where I am - to find my peace during my days.  How do you find your peace?
Today I am sharing an altered phone book project that I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  It seems that a phonebook is left on our doorstep once every 6 months and we like to keep one in the house, but have no use for the others...until now! :)  I used some cardboard, polymer clay, paint and spackle to totally transform this phone book into something I can hang on the wall and look at to remind me to follow my dreams :)  Here is a photo showing the depth of the altered phone book:

If you are interested in seeing the full step-by-step videos on how to make this project, feel free to click on the Paper Crafter's Library badge in the upper-right hand corner of my blog to learn about becoming a member of Paper Crafter's Library!  I create all kinds of projects for them - cards, mixed media, art journal pages, 3-D items.  I will continue to share photos of some of those projects here on my blog :)  I hope you have a beautiful weekend filled with peace and love!!!!!
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Scallop Punch Flowers

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Be Joyous In What You Do!
She was almost singing her greetings as we walked in the bathroom!  If you have ever flown to or through the Charlotte, NC airport, maybe you've heard her too!  There are attendants in each of the bathrooms at the airport and the woman taking care of the restroom on the C concourse is so joyous in what she does!  She sang her greetings and blessed everyone on their departure.  She reminded me that no matter what you are doing, you can positively impact those around you by treating what you do and the people you encounter with joy.  The bathroom in an airport was the last place I would have expected to learn this lesson.  I am so grateful I did!
Today I just wanted to share part of a project I began working on.  It might be difficult to see in the photo - I layered a whole bunch of scrunched and crinkled scallop-circle-punched pieces of card stock and then sprayed them with some ink and applied some paint.  The leaves were made from cut out art tape that I created.  I'm not sure where this project will end up, but the flowers made me think of Spring and I thought I would share them with you :)
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Thoughts & Prayers with Swallowtail Sympathy Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Channel Your Emotions Into A Card
They say things come in 3's, and that seems to be the case for me when it comes to sympathy cards.  Late Saturday night our neighbors had to rush their dog to the emergency vet and, unfortunately, they had to say goodbye to their beautiful canine family member.  We learned about it on Sunday morning and my immediate instinct was to make a card.  I didn't know what I was going to say inside.  What I did know is that I wanted to share in their sorrow and send them some comfort.  This is the card that came out of those emotions.  Something simple.  Something sincere.  The words came easily once the card was made.  What a beautiful gift you can give someone by channeling your emotions into a card.

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Simply Sketched Sympathy Card #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Stretch
I guess the word "stretch" can be interpreted in different ways - Stretch yourself beyond your current limits; stretch your body; stretch your mind.  I hadn't spent time stretching my body in awhile and with tight muscles announcing themselves in my neck and shoulders, I decided a stretching session was long overdue.  I still have my P90X workout videos, so I grabbed the X Stretch DVD and gave my body some much-needed attention.  It felt wonderful!  I wonder why I don't choose to make more time for stretching.  I wonder what it would feel like to make that a higher priority in my life (above things like internet surfing, for example!).  In what ways can you stretch?
Today's card is a second sympathy card that I made for another friend.  I used some of my painted paper and the sentiment from Simply Sketched.  I am really enjoying incorporating my own painted papers into my cards - something about it feels very authentic to me.  I hope you like it :)