My Decision to Divorce the World

By Theresa Calderini on March 4th, 2013 »
My decision to "divorce" the world was not an easy decision to make for me. I've been on a journey, and at each bend in the road I've struggled with what path to take, knowing that there was a right one and one that would be not so right. Let me explain how I arrived at this point... Several years ago I left the "corporate" world, desperate to identify where God was leading me on this journey called life. I returned to school to obtain a counseling degree, in my mind I believed that I was destined to work with foster children or broken women, or possibly as a death educator. All these options are unique to themselves but I had this "feeling", deep down inside of me that God was taking FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Card Creations, Religion | 8 Comments »

Friends are Friends Forever

By Theresa Calderini on March 2nd, 2013 »
C.S. Lewis said “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” Friendships are so wonderful to have and for some, they are life long relationships which become a precious part of our lives. I was commissioned to create a special gift for my friend Joy which she was giving to her friend as a keepsake. Joy and her family are moving and with that, I'm sure, comes mixed emotions. You are excited for what lies ahead but also go through a bit of grieving for relationships that change because of the miles that will be between you. Joy mentioned that her friend was a support and encouragement FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Crafty Things, Religion, Spellbinders | 1 Comment »

Elegant is as Elegant Does

By Theresa Calderini on February 20th, 2013 »
   I am deeply mesmerized by the power of black and white when used together in something I create! I began this morning with no idea as to what I would create. All I knew was that I was going to pull down one of the cigar boxes I picked up recently and somehow incorporate it into my project. I sunk into a chair, gather paper samples, mixing and matching things for quite some time, but nothing was creating an "ah ha" moment for me, so I decided to stop and step away for a while. I went for a walk as this always helps me to refocus.....breathe in....breathe out....don't forget to walk......lol! Out of nowhere, I remembered a statement from Mr. Bivens which has come to me quite frequently FULL STORY HERE.......
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Sweet Hour of Prayer

By Theresa Calderini on February 12th, 2013 »
What began as a desire to use a song sheet in a card, turned into a day spent pouring over the words of this hymn, and recognizing the opportunity for a deeper, more meaningful prayer life with God. When I decide to create a card / card set that shares my faith, I am able to spend time reading Scripture, listening to music, talking with my Heavenly Father and creating. I've learned that if I don't willingly enter into a place where I can close off the world and be alone with God, my ability to create is affected. I'm blessed to have this special time with Father, it is precious and sweet to me. I grew up singing this song and hearing my father play it on the marimba. If I close my FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Card Creations, Crafty Things, Religion | 8 Comments »

“Art is life with wings”

By Theresa Calderini on February 8th, 2013 »
  "Which came first....the quote or the canvas?" What began as a blank canvas, ended up as a mixed media piece that to me really speaks to the spirit of creating. It's not really about the finished piece, for me, it is about the journey one takes in order to arrive at the place that allows you to look at something and say "ok....this is what I wanted this to be". That, I believe, is the beauty of self expression and art! Lots of elements going on in this piece (would you expect otherwise? lol!) Mod podged paper and paint as the base, LOTS of additional paint and stamping, rolled paper that was inked and stamped and placed as a backdrop for the winged lady. This little winged lady FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Mixed Media, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Wine a bit…you’ll feel better

By Theresa Calderini on February 6th, 2013 »
I'm a quirky individual about certain things.... When I have my morning cup of coffee, I take a moment to select which coffee mug I'm going to use. I've got to get that special feeling inside of me when I'm choosing it, it's just something I do. Same goes for those times when I decide to indulge in a libation, especially a glass of wine. I look over my wine glasses, I may reach for one glass, only to be persuaded by an unseen force to another. If the glass isn't the right choice, it messes with the experience in my book. See....I told you I was quirky! I enjoy the enjoyment of things, meaning, if I'm going to do something, like drink a cup of coffee or tea or, enjoy a glass of wine, FULL STORY HERE.......
Posted in Crafty Things, Mixed Media | 2 Comments »

Gifted card box with tutorial

By Theresa Calderini on February 1st, 2013 »
   Hello blogger friends. After a few months of creating cards, writing up descriptions and settling on prices, I was able to get my Etsy Shop open this week! I'm so thankful that I am able to create and share my things with others, including, this tutorial for card boxes which I hope you enjoy and use! Many of my cards are larger squared creations that have a lot of elements on them. They can't be placed in envelopes as that would smash them or make them fall apart. I was perusing other Makers blogs a few weeks back and came across a beautiful card made by Becca Feekan at Amazing Paper Grace which came with a box. I loved the design idea she had but knew I needed boxes that allowed more FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Tutorials, Uncategorized | 25 Comments »

Bursting Black and White

By Theresa Calderini on January 29th, 2013 »
Hi everyone! It's me.....it's early....and I've got something new to share! I'm good with #1 & #3.... it's #2 - the "it's early" thing that I'm not sparkly about. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful and blessed to be able to walk through another day and I don't take this for granted. It's the "early" thing that rocks my smile this morning. We have a "ginormous" king size bed with a pillow top mattress.....oh yeah, this thing is the center of my sleeping universe!! It's soft and enfolds me in warmth and coziness each night that I go to bed. If one could prove that a bed loved them......I would be the one to prove it because deep down, I believe my bed does in fact have love for me. FULL STORY HERE.......
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Posted in Card Creations, Spellbinders | 2 Comments »

Bright Winter Butterfly

By Theresa Calderini on January 24th, 2013 »
Hello blogger buddies! I know it's winter time....even here in "sunny" Florida the thermometers have dipped down low making it a bit chilly!...but whether it be cold or hot, dry or wet, a crafter must be diligent and press on with new creations! I spent the day yesterday in my studio in a "play" mode, which to the untrained eye can look a bit chaotic...but I assure you, it was a successful day of creation for me with several new items coming to life! I recently obtained a few new Martha Stewart dies and knew I had to tinker with them for a spell! This edge / corner punch set is from the "Butterfly Lace Punch Kit" and has so many possibilities! I love these dies for creating different FULL STORY HERE.......
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Enjoy the Journey

By Theresa Calderini on January 11th, 2013 »
I LOVE a good journey, don't you? Mark and I went to Italy a while back and I can honestly say, that was the most wonderful, memorable journey I have ever been on! As I grow older, I'm learning to appreciate each day as a journey, unique and splendid in its own way, every day is a gift from God and I am thankful for each day He provides me! I etched out some time this morning to get a little inky....the perfect way to accomplish this is by making something abstract with Tim Holtz distressing inks! Time to build up my supply of these types of cards, they can be used for so many different occasions and are so simple to make! This card measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2". I used watercolor paper FULL STORY HERE.......
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SUPPLIES USED IN THIS CREATION:

Stamps: Tim Holtz Flights of Fancy, Tim Holtz The Journey , Hero Arts - Italian Poetry Background
Paper: Watercolor, Bazzill - Rust
Ink: Tim Holtz distressing inks: Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans, Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Tumbled Glass, Dusty Concord. Momento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Tim Holtz Ideology Button , Seam Binding, Dimensional Dots