{ Dreamy Talent on ETSY! }

With the Internet, we are blessed to have so many different avenues for inspiration. ESTY is one of those places I like to frequent to swoon over the endless magical creations! I quickly fell in love with this petite shadow box displaying vintage apothecary bottles found here.

This beach cottage burlap pillow certainly speaks for itself found here.

I would love about six of these :-)

I am not sure what I adore more?! The vintage hankys, the gauzy curtain in the background or the tray found here.

And lastly, but certainly not leastly... this super fabulous DREAM Chipboard banner! I have a spot perfect for this and the price is FAB!

Merci Beaucoup to the above artisan for being this morning's muse :-)

Now I must shovel a pathway to my car, ugh! We got another FOOT of that white stuff last night....

Warmest Blessings,

Amy

Etsy-Fabulous Marie Antoinette!

My favorite pass time lately is to browse (maybe drool at little :-) over the talent and creativity of the thousands of artists with etsy shops. I share in each artists desire to create and the greatest gift that someone could give you is acknowledge and share in the same passion! I wanted to spread the etsy love with you, here are some of my favs!
Enjoy!

Amazing original art

Yummy!! Every girl needs one of these in her purse!

A fabulous Marie Tea Towel for your Vanity, Bathroom or Kitchen, Tres Gorgeous - Marie would be so proud! (found in my etsy shop!)

This sweet little party dress totally speaks for itself! Does the slim figure come with it, if I purchase it ?? :-)

Ooh la la - My daughter would look fabulous in this sweet Marie, gorgeously embellished shirt!

This tree is tres fabulous and can be printed and designed on your own -
a fun way to get creative!
I can see Marie in these, can you?

{ Featured Artist - Whim & Fancy Designs }

{Words from the Artist}

First and foremost I must start by commenting on how humbled I am that one would want to read about my creations and my personal endeavors that brought me to where I am today. I am surrounded by and amongst many talented artists and designers in which I find myself on a constant self exploration and evolvement of my own creations or craft as some may call it.

Crepe paper to some may seem like colored tissue like paper. But you see it is more than that. It is a nostalgic tool that takes you back to your fifth birthday party, where you can barely remember who was in attendance. But the decorations, streamers and serpentine that were all strewn about have such clarity in your mind; you can almost reach out and touch them. Maybe the honeycomb decorations that were leftover on the dining room table bring a smile to your face. It's all coming back to you, isn't it? That is how I feel when I create with crepe, it makes me feel at home and for that reason alone, the ideas and feelings flow within me to create what I do. Many of my crepe creations come to me in the middle of the night, when I think most of our ideas do!

I am always on creative overdrive. It is my everyday challenge to find a different method or technique for the use of crepe paper, streamer and colored tissue paper. I am blessed that God has given me a very unusual gift and that is the gift of self-visualization. I believe that if you can see it in your mind and create that very idea into a tangible object with your own two hands, you have a gift. Mind you I don't take it for granted, it must be utilized as much as possible, and constantly bringing to life what you see in your mind. I hope that what I do brings joy and contentment to people's lives and takes them back to that place once long ago when there were no cares in the world and a few rolls of streamer meant it was our day to shine and celebrate till twilight came upon us and the last guest went home.

I am ever so fortunate to be in two current publication just released this month, Stampinton & Company Premier Issue of Apron*ology Vol.1. I am also a featured artist In Lisa Kettell's "Altered Art Circus" Techniques for journals, paper dolls, art cards, and assemblages. I will also be teaching two different Regalo Por Mi workshops this spring at ZNE Convenzione 2009 in Pleasanton, CA.

Ann-Denise Anderson

{ Shop Details }

Ann-Denise's work can be found at her blog : http://www.whimandfancydesigns.blogspot/ ,
Boutique: www.whimfancydesigns.etsy.com

and www.flickr.com/people/whimandfancydesigns.

Viewing Ann-Denise's work is a party for the eyes to see. She can turn a simple piece of crepe paper into a masterful piece of art with whimsy. Her creativity is truly a one of a kind find. Each piece is a precious work of art for the owner to cherish and enjoy. Her creations bring joy to the senses as each one is a colorful spectacle of a fun and fanciful imagination. Thank you Ann-Denise for sharing your marvellous gift with others!

Happy Monday everyone - Have a wonderful week~

Amy Sutter

{ Featured Artist - Catherine Haugland }

{ About the Artist }

My name is Catherine Haugland, and I'm the owner of Avalon Rose Design which is a graphic/website design business that specializes in vintage-inspired designs. I fell into what I do completely and utterly by accident, however, it is so fulfilling and rewarding. I love creating, and since glitter and glue are not my thing, digital design has become my passion. My love for all things vintage has found its way into my work from the very beginning. Whether it's an old postcard, rusty key, aged linen, roses, buttons, license plate, chipped clock, or a vintage bottle cap (all of which have been part of my work somewhere along the line), I love working with images of old things. Most of my images come from my vast collection of vintage ephemera and items, some I scan and some I photograph. My software programs of choice are Adobe's Photoshop & Dreamweaver, both of which I'm quite familiar with after working with them on a daily basis for so long.

I get my inspiration from a number of places and things...an old magazine ad, my daughter's quilt, vintage postcards, the strange pattern in the carpeting in the local theater, sometimes even a story can spark something. I generally start out with a general idea of where I want to go with a design, but it never ends up looking like I originally planned it to. The creative process surprises me every time. It's the design aspect of what I do that I'm the most passionate about, but the technical side of things in my line of business is just as important. Writing the code that will encompass and support a design is something I do every day, and it's a never-ending learning process. My designs are featured on over a hundred websites, mainly for boutique, home décor, and antiques businesses. I've designed several print ads for businesses that are featured in many major publications, some designs of mine have been featured in Artful Blogging, and my portfolio was featured on http://www.webdesignerwall.com/. I also have two other businesses, one featuring my jewelry designs, and the other vintage graphics available for download. All of my sites have recently been combined into one, The Avalon Rose Collection.

Catherine Haugland

http://www.avalon-rose-design.com/

{ Shop Details }

What a treat to start off the new year! A feature of my favorite graphic design artist!! I have been a fan of Cathy's since 2005 when I bought a Parisian eBay template. I find inspiration is her website designs... each and every visit to her website certainly appeased my vintage "aged" appetite. I eventually bought some of her graphics for sale and introduced them into some of my tags and cards. For my 30th birthday my Hubby bought me one of Cathy's premade one of a kind templates for my website - the best gift ever!

Cathy is by far, in my opinion, at the top of the elite web designers with a vintage flair. Each design is a true test of elegant whimsy. Her eye for balance is impeccable - a true inspiration for aspiring designers using graphics or paper. Each of her web creations are a piece of art as so many business owners have chosen to represent themselves on the world wide web using her creations.

Please take a moment and view her fabulous website above featuring web designs, eclectic jewelry and vintage graphics.

Have a fabulous beginning of a new year!

Amy

{ Featured Artist - Ruth Rae }

{About the Artist}

Ruth Rae is a classically trained jeweler. During Ruth’s tenure as a metal smith she began to experiment with other forms of media and techniques. As time has progressed Ruth’s true passion has become “mixed media fiber art.” Ruth’s pieces are recognized for their unexpected yet elegant combinations of altered fabrics, vintage lace, antique papers combined with transparencies, found objects and words that are bound together by hand and machine stitching. Ruth Enjoys sharing her creative process and has writes for Cloth Paper Sissors, Belle Armorie Jewelry , Somerset Studio and was featured in Artful Blogging.

Ruth can be seen on Quilting Arts TV (show # 204), and has two Quilting Arts workshop DVD’s. Ruth’s most recent collaboration, with fellow artist Kelly Snelling, is the book “A Charming Exchange”, an amazing book that not only includes techniques with bounds of inspiration for creating mixed-media jewelry inspired from charms from an array of 25 artists. Ruth is currently teaching Jewelry and Fiber workshops nationally and if you would like to take the road less traveled then you can join Ruth in Orvieto Italy for a art immersion October 4-10, 2009. Ruth is currently working on her next book about mixed media fabric art that will be released in 2009.

{Shop Details}

You can view her work online at:

http://www.ruthrae.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthrae

http://ruthrae.blogspot.com/

Have a fabulous Fall Weekend!

Amy Sutter

{ Featured Artist - Staffordshire Garden Designs }

Background graphics from the Graphic Fairy

{ About the Artist }

Before writing this , I read all of the previous artists featured on Aged Vintage Papier and would like to say that I am honored to be mentioned among such creative and talented souls. My name is Shari Replogle , owner of Staffordshire Garden Designs. My family has lived in beautiful Northern Kentucky for the past 7 ½ years. My husband and I were both born and raised in California ,as were 2 of our 3 children.
My Mother was the most creative individual I have ever met, and my grandmother was a professional artist . I loved making things with my Mother since I was very little , and when I was older , my Mother , Grandmother, and I, loved getting together and creating anything and everything.
I have been in the antiques field for almost 20 years. About 6 years ago after the birth of my daughter, I found a way to join two of my passions, creating , and vintage heirlooms. All my collections of tiny vintage objects and finds, hiding away neatly in drawers, could now be showcased in my new found art. Collage, soldered art jewelry, Broken china jewelry, vintage found jewelry, mosaic, and my favorite, just playing with vintage papers (which explains my blog name “plays with paper“). I love to learn and discover new techniques to preserve and enjoy vintage objects ,especially vintage paper items. My favorite things in my studio include huge collections of vintage wallpaper, Victorian magazines, vintage photos and postcards.
I have been honored to have some of my artwork featured in Somerset Studios and Somerset Holidays publications. I enjoy teaching workshops on soldered charms locally, and am currently in the process of revamping the Staffordshire Garden Web site and Etsy stores. I also have my jewelry in several specialty boutiques around the country. I feel so blessed for everything I am able to do every day, being a Mom of 3 wonderful children ,and in creating my artwork . I often wish there were 12 more hours in every day, and I have never been bored in my life. I am easily sidetracked however ,with new processes or projects, and new vintage finds.
My latest adventure is that I was invited to do the “Pasadena Bead and Design Show” in August. I do several shows a year hear locally in the Mid West, but have not yet attempted to travel across the country to do a show. I am excited about the challenge , and can’t wait to see the show.
I hope to always keep learning , and am honored to be a part of Aged Vintage Papier and so many inspiring talents.

Shari

{Shop Details}

To browse Shari's dreamy website and blog featuring her beautiful and unique handmade jewelry - click below!
You won't be disappointed! Tres Chic!
Staffordshire Garden Designs

http://www.staffordshiregarden.com/
http://www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com/

Have a fabulous weekend!
Amy Sutter

{ Featured Artist - Adeline Country Cottage }

{ About the Artist }

I am a happy married lady, to a wonderful and understanding Greek man; we have 2 beautiful girls, Maddison 7 and Anastasia 6, who keep us on our toes and love to help me with all things Shabby and Chic.

Let’s just say I love anything from Shabby Chic, Cottage Vintage, New Country, Junk Chic and French Provincial. Basically everything to do with design! It started when I was in Warragul about 18 years ago when I came across a show called Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell. I taped every show to be inspired. No one in Warragul and Melbourne had really heard about Shabby Chic nor knew much about it except the few who had actually seen the show.

So I got to work, sourcing furniture, scraping and cleaning to prepare for painting. All on the front porch of the Californian bungalow home we where staying at. People passing by would call out to me "that looks beautiful, would you like to sell it to me?" So this is where my business began. We already had a business in the small town called the Warragul Chicken Bar where we sold BBQ chickens and roasted dinners. All the people in town started calling me THE SHABBY GREEK LADY (I am married to a Greek Man), which inspired me to call my interior decoration business “Shabby Greek Interiors” (copy right law’s apply).

Our girls came along in the car every weekend to garage sales and hard junk run’s. About 5 months before Maddison’s fourth birthday, she picked up one of my books: The Gift of Giving By Rachel. She had the most exciting look on her face, sat down on the floor opened the book to page 158 and said "mummy, mummy, I want a Shabby Chic party, I want the same party, it has to be the same mummy!" I swear my family must have thought I brain washed my child….lol! So I sourced similar fabric, bought the dye and got to work so it was all ready for the big day….Trust me, Maddi always had the book on hand to tell me if I was doing it wrong or yes mummy that’s right….hee, hee. Her big fourth birthday was a hit! She loved everything about it and so did her friends and family.

I also had a lot of family and friends asking for my advice as to what color they should paint their rooms, and where they should move furniture. Many times I was told I should do this for a living. Unfortunately we sold our business and had to move back to Melbourne. All our family was down there and we felt it was the right thing to do. So once we got settled in at my father in-laws, I decided to enroll myself in the interior design and decoration course, 2 years of study, I had know idea how hard it was going to be!

My girlfriend had a baby so I made her a gift tag to put on the present. She loved it and said I should go into business, so this where I found my way. I started reading the secret and changed my whole way of thinking and started applying the secret rules in my everyday life. I believe it works! I got busy making tags and listed them on eBay, things where going well, but even better when I received an email from Vintage Glamour. They requested I make tags for furniture and chandeliers as price tags. They loved them so much they asked could they sell them in the shops, of course I would!

Three weeks later they put my tags in a new magazine called French Provincial, as part of their product line. You can read all about that on my blog. I also had another review in a magazine called Country Home Ideas. I have now opened the doors to my very own shop! This has been such an exciting experience for me!

I would like to thank a few people if I could...

To my Hubby for carrying all my stuff around, with out getting sick of it and throwing it out :-)

To my beautiful girls Maddison and Anastasia, for a putting up with a screaming, yelling stressed mummy sometimes! T

o Jenny, Linda and Karen, for teaching me everything I need to know about Interior design and decoration

To Vintage Glamour- Maritza and Paul, for selecting me out of all the other sellers on eBay, to be your resident designer of tags for both your shops.

To Amy- at Vintage Age Papier- for opening my eyes and doors to a whole new world of blogs and other creative ladies, and asking me to become a member.

And last but not least thank Me, for putting up with all of the stress and hard work :-)

Hugs

Kirstie

{ Shop Details }

When I first saw Kirstie tags, I knew she would be a perfect fit for AgedVintage Papier! He style is vintage yet perfectly shabby. Her online boutique is amazing and full of eye candy as you view each delish page! And her Store front looks so appealing... I wonder how long the flight is from NY to visit, lol! Thank you Kirstie for sharing your story. It is certainly inspiring for me and I am sure it is for others who are dreaming of owning their own brick and mortar boutique someday.

Warmest Blessings and have a refreshing weekend,

Amy Sutter

{ Featured Artist - Esprit * D'Art }

{About the Artist}

A married mother of two older sons, I’m entering the second half of life with gusto and open spirited energy. I’ve done the things I had set out to accomplish in that first half of life and the road is mine again, to be and to do as I wish. At this moment I’m consumed with writing, my art journal and creating cards and collages. With a recent and addictive interest in ATCs!
I’ve loved art since I was a little girl, always with a coloring book and crayons, paper dolls, paper and pencils, sketchpads, water colors, pastels, a spirograph and an etch-a-sketch. I doodled on all of my notebooks at school and while I was always creative and interested in color, design and pattern, I did not follow this up for a degree. I’ve reached the stage in my life where I am self-taught with everything I try and feel no need to acquire a degree. I’m not sure there’s time in my day to fit in regular classes, though I am going to be taking an on-line class with artist Paulette Insall at the end of June which I am very much looking forward to.
I love shabby chic and vintage, I love French and English country cottage décor. I find I am drawn repeatedly to the same patterns, textures, colors, images and within this, I am still trying to define my “style”.
I enjoy creating for myself and for my etsy shop and within the next few months my goal is to expand to fulfill and even bigger dream. I have recently been asked to become part of a design team that I admire which is an honour and a stepping stone towards my growth and potential. I am proud to be a member of the Aged Vintage Papier team and have recently become a member of the Etsy Cottage Style Street Team where in both places I have had the honor and privilege of meeting other wonderful artists.

Shop Esprit * D'Art

http://www.espritdart.blogspot.com/

{Shop Details}

I usually talk about art at this point... but in this blog I will start by speaking of the person behind the art. Sherry has a way of blessing and touching everything in her path... I can't quite recall how long I have known Sherry but she seems as though she is a life time friend. Not just to me, but hundreds of bloggers that are in her path of sunshine. She has lifted my own personal creative spirit countless of times with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Her art is a reflection of her soul and what a beautiful one it is. Please join me as we now encourage an amazing asset in the Blogging and Etsy community by placing a comment below and better yet go shopping here and visit her blog above.

Warmest Summer Blessings,

Amy Sutter

P.S. Sherry will be hosting our very first blog giveway coming soon!

{ Featured Artist - Praierie Papier Ponderer}

{ About the Artist }

Hi!

My name is Anita and I live in western North Dakota. I am married to my best friend who supports my addiction/obsession called stamping. He's been down this route of crafting with me several times before, and I think it's wise on his part that he just let me be! We have four grown children; one daughter and three sons, and two beautiful granddaughters. I also have one two pets that fill my empty nest somewhat-a black cockapoo named Buddy and a gray tabby almost full-grown kitten named Scruffy.

I actually didn't start stamping until I signed up to be an independent demo for a nationally known company almost two years ago. My first stamping project was preparing 300 swaps as my youngest sister (and upline) and I decided to attend the yearly convention a couple weeks after I signed up. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. She said that stamping/scrapbooking would take office supplies to a whole new level for me, and she was right! I've had an affinity for colored paper and pens for a long time-and have been crafting in some medium even longer. My first "crafting" project started as a young girl of six, cutting "paper dolls" out of catalogs and making their clothes from a wallpaper sample book. I then progressed to sewing, embroidery, counted cross-stitch, quilting, doll-making...

In the mid-late 80's I began designing and manufacturing a full line of primitive folk art dolls that we marketed to gift shops all over the US and Japan. I developed carpal tunnel and an allergy to fabric sizing and polyfill, so had to quit. Since then I've been busy with other ventures and raising my family, and then 3 1/2 years ago I developed a headache that hasn't gone away. I decided to give stamping and paper crafting a try as a diversion to the pain, to keep my mind busy, and to give me a creative outlet. I've fallen in love with yet another "hobby" that is never boring.

I'm inspired by so much-other artists, fashion, decorating-but most inspired by our past-vintage fabrics, photos, linens, old books, cards, papers, etc. I love color, and working with many different mediums, as well as incorporating different techniques. Ribbons and buttons are two of my favorites-I think because of the texture and the huge variety that is available. I'm also accumulating quite a collection of vintage-looking paper. My style is eclectic because I'm still fairly new to this, but I definitely lean towards vintage/shabby chic/grungy. I'm currently in the process of moving into a bigger studio (who would've thought I'd outgrow my little space so quickly?), so haven't done much in the way of developing a shop yet, although I have sold some alterables, and created some Christmas card sets. I've got so many ideas and can't wait to get more play time in (I'd call it work, but who am I kidding?).

Today I was selected to design cards and other pieces for a relatively new rubber stamp company, Artistic Outpost, and I'm so excited! It's my first design team position, and I love all their stamp sets. They only do vintage, so I feel right at home! I'm also the head of a technique/online class team for an online group of demos (rubber stamping).

I also like making art journals, paper bag scrapbooks, altered items, and gifts for friends and family. Paper crafting has become an important part of my life, especially stamping, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. Being a part of Aged Vintage Papier has been an unexpected blessing-to be in the company of so many talented artists is beyond comprehension...I am honored...thank you for featuring me...

My blogs:
My "main" blog:
Praierie Papier Ponderer
http://www.anitastamps.com/


My "other" creative blog with more rambling (or babbling?)
Praierie Papier Ponderings
http://www.anitastamps.com/praeirie_papier_pondering/


Anita Van Hal

{ Featured Artist - Katzelkraft }

{ About the Artist }

Hi,

My name is Beatrice AKA Katzele, I'm 46 and I'm french. I have been a card maker for 6 years now and before that I practiced origami for 15 years.

My first cards was iris folding which I discover with a friend of mine but I quickly find that rubber stamping was my favorite style. There were no rubber stamps shop here which forced me to buy all of my stamps in the USA. So then I came up with the idea of opening a store in France, and I did!

I started to sell on Ebay and after 2 years I opened my own online shop Katzelkraft where I sell my rubber stamps line.

I try to keep time for stamping and jewel soldering, which is my newest addiction.

First time I saw Tim Holtz's DVD I found in the bloopers section, he was singing 3 little words "because I love ink" I definitely agree with this statement! Rubber stamps are nothing without ink and I love to play with them, I have a ton of ink pads, bottles and reinkers and feel like Dr. Jekyll with my crazy experiments!

My store : http://www.katzelkraft.fr/

My blog : http://katzandstamps.canalblog.com/

Béatrice Neumeister Katzelkraft

{ Shopping Details }

Beatrices story is such an inspiration! To be original and unique...To see a need and fill it! Her shop has the most unique, original stamps... also carries ink, embossing powders, glitter, stickers, paper...and much much more!!! She also sells her beautiful handmade cards and art pieces... Her work is so warm and original using mostly stamps on solid color paper to make her paper "patterned". Take a peak at her shop today, you won't be able to resist purchasing directly from France!

Blessings,

Amy

{ Featured Artist - Melanie C. Designs }

{ About the Artist }

Hi!
My name is Melanie and I live in Kansas with my VERY scrapbook-supportive husband, Kyle, our two teen-age (oh, heaven help us!!) boys, Kyler and Connor and our two dogs, Bodacious and Riley Ray. I began scrapbooking more than ten years ago. I have always had a passion for Art, to which I give full credit for to my amazingly talented and artistic parents! I started scrapbooking for the same reasons many scrappers do. I had two small children that I was literally taking photos of daily! I loved the idea of doing something really special that would last forever with all of those photos. I’m pretty sure that I was hooked immediately after finishing my very first layout. I think it was that very moment that I literally fell in love with this hobby! I spent years and years creating scrapbooking layouts late at night after my boys had gone to bed. Today, more than ten years later scrapbooking and paper crafting is such a HUGE part of my life that I really can not imagine myself not doing this! (I don’t care what they say…I really do plan to take all of my papers and supplies with me when I go, so I can do this in my next life as well!)

Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting have brought so many wonderful things into my life. Ranking right up there at the top would have to be the amazing opportunity (aka: LUCK!) I have had to design for several major scrapbooking manufactures. I have been designing for K & Company for eight years now! Working with them has allowed me to travel all over the United States working and teaching at conventions, expos and scrapbooking stores. They are like family to me. I love this company, their product and the people so much!

After working more than 22 years for a large company in a job that had absolutely nothing at all (zip-nadda!) to do with any of my interests, I left that job a year ago to do what I love most! I now design full time for K & Company and myself! In addition to my design work, I am still teaching classes locally and I recently opened my own on-line shop where I sell my finished paper goods. ( http://www.strawberryhill.etsy.com/.) I have a real passion for card making. I love he instant gratification aspect of card making. I love that you can start and finish…with out hours or days spent on the project!

I could spend a whole day coming up with reasons of why I love to scrapbook and do paper crafting. One of those reasons would actually be that I love the beginning process of just choosing the materials that I want to use. I can easily see in my mind what I want and make it happen. Some people have a keen fashion sense and love to create fabulous clothing ensembles. (me, not so much, just give me a t-shirt and jeans any day), but I do LOVE choosing all of the materials to use in paper crafting projects. The gathering, the coordinating, the mix-it-up and planning it all out! I am opening a second Etsy shop on March 3rd where I will be doing just that… hand-selecting the perfect items for card making kits! (http://www.cardmakingboutique.etsy.com/) I feel so blessed to have found this hobby ten years ago!!

Melanie

{ Shopping Details }

If you adore layers of paper, embellishments, 3D stickers, more embellishments!! Did I say embellishments?!?! Then you need to shop here! When I first laid eyes on Melanie's shop, I knew she would make a great addition to Aged Vintage Papier. Each item she creates is composed of several layers of trendy papers, 3D stickers, buttons, gems, ribbon, glitter and flowers. With a versatile selection of unique cards, tags, pre-made scrapbook pages and albums... Her style is classy with clean-lines. She also has a keen eye in the placement of each of the elements in her art, simply delicious! Please also check out her blog Melanie C. Designs !

Have a great day!

Amy

{ Featured Artist - Pink Paris Paperie }

All images copyright © Pink Paris Paperie

{ About the Artist }

Hi
My name is Paulette. Some of you may know me as Paper Nosh on Etsy or my designs on Pink Paris Paperie my web site. I am a bit new to the paper world, although design is my background as an Interior Designer for over 25 years. I have owned antique and home accessory brick and mortor boutiques and worked as an Executive Senior Designer in Commercial and Residential Design. I also have another web site, Chez Paulette’s French Market, that I have operated for about four years now. I always so admired people who created pretty stationery and loved being at Market and the Stationery Shows picking out lots of great stationery and cards to sell in my stores.

When I gave up my brick and mortor shop and moved from the wonderful art community of Mendocino, CA and back to the Midwest where I grew up, and an aging mother, I knew I had to reinvent myself to survive ! I purchased my first computer for me, and went about meeting people who designed web sites and opened my first Ebay store, then my first website selling home furnishings with a Frenchie sort of theme, always dear to my heart. As great as it is it didn't really give me the creative outlet I needed. One of my newly acquired web masters ( and great friend, Elaine) took me under her wing and introduced me to the techie art world of Photoshop CS2, Corel Paint and Corel Draw, and Illustrator and then a Wacom tablet and pen. All so overwhelming ! I would break into a cold sweat just trying to do anything in Illustrator. But....I loved Photoshop and Corel and began to make little doodles and then progressed to creating watercolors and paintings in Corel. I learned to do digital collage, make my own brushes and patterns, and then I was addicted. My friends who saw my work encouraged me to make cards or prints of my work. I bought the best laser printer I could afford and learned everything I could about specialty papers, archival inks, and pretty embellishments. I began to make a mound of cards, package them and then put them away, never dreaming that there was an Etsy where people would like my work and actually pay for it !

I now work 18 hour days in perfect bliss producing my designs, printing, cutting, glittering and packaging my cards and stationery for shipment all over the world. Nothing leaves my overflowing studio without a touch, or a lot, of glitter, a Swarovski crystal or two and a pretty shimmering box and big satiny ribbons.

I have found what I think I was meant to do in my life with this new endeavor. What’s next? A new wide format printer where I hope to produce original wrapping papers and canvas art prints of my own designs, plus I would love to begin a dream of learning letterpress.

Paulette

{ Shop Details }

I am personally thrilled to feature Paulette... I am in awe of her talent, using some of the greatest technology to bring her beautiful art into digital existence. Her creations are all original, spending hours upon hours teaching herself to make sure she gets it just right… her standards are impeccable. I recommend taking a gander at her original art creations…each depicting a story of French yesterdays… creating accurate representations of what I think to be late 18th to early 19th century France. Although she owns two successful websites and is the Senior Diva Administrator/Creative Director for Divapreneur…she still seems to keep her humbleness in tact and is not afraid to give advice and share some of her adventures as an artist. Please take an afternoon’s stroll in France at Paulette website's above and her blog here!

Warmest Blessings,
Amy Sutter

{ Featured Artist - Scrap and Stamp }

{ About the Artist }

Hi,
My name is Isabelle NORRIS. I was born and raised in France but have been living in south-east England for the past 11 years with my husband and our three children.
I started crafting 8 or 9 years ago but got into stamping in 2003.
I quickly became addicted to rubber stamps and inks followed by paints, gesso, gels and glazes..
I’m now a freelance tutor and demonstrator here in England and in France but will also teach in other European countries in 2008.
I like all styles, but vintage is my favourite. I enjoy making cards, ATC as much as scrapbooking, especially mini albums. My latest addiction is altered books and I can’t wait to find more time to play more.
My first book (in French) was published last year : “Les Encres, Carterie et Scrapbooking” and is about the use of Distress inks in card making and scrapbooking.
I’m on PaperArtsy and Katzelkraft DTs and I use their stamps a lot in my work. I also work for Magnolia and Embelliscrap.
I’ve recently set up a website (http://www.scrapandstamp.co.uk/) where I have gathered all my work and where I also sell stamps and embellishments.

I am really happy and honoured to be part of this community and surrounded by such talented artists. If you visit my blog or website, please leave a message. It’ll be great to hear from you!

My blog : http://isascrapandstamp.wordpress.com/
Website : http://www.scrapandstamp.co.uk/

Isabelle Norris

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Isabelle's work is a feast for the "aged" pallet. Using several mediums to create her masterpieces she is not content using just the average ink and stamp. With her paints and glazes at hand she creates rich Victorian scenes with a touch of whimsy. I am sure one can only completely understand their beauty until holding in ones hand...to touch and feel the textures she imagined into existence... Please visit her website and blog above!

Many Regards,

Amy