i had to give you one more lookie at the sea sheep since i got a clearer picture today. aren’t they so sweet?
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so i was thinking, you all need a nice colorful place to put your dreams. and who better than you to make such a place?

DREAMBOXES folks, lets get out the crafts and play.

this dreambox was custom made for melissa. she wrote to me and requested a special space to put all her sacred dreams. when asked what colors inspired her she replied: “midnight, magnolias, the caribbean ocean, seaglass, peacock feathers, fairy wings, and tori’s eyes.”

tori’s eyes and midnight jumped out at me as the base color, so i mixed bright blue and a deep violet to get the indigo shade. i just love it and have been using it in everything since.

to make your own dreambox, pick a color (or more) that speaks to you-and don’t be afraid to mix! i would recommend acrylic paint-any brand from the less expensive small tubes to the finer paints like golden-my personal favorite. (they have some blues that look just like a mermaids fin) you will also need a box. the one i got was wood and purchased at michaels.
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paint your box, inside and out. once dry, decorate the top. i cut out inspiring words from scrapbook paper and mod podged them on. the butterfly is also from michaels and i added a little gold glitter for embellishment. in between the words i used fairy dust glitter, white seed beads, and sea glass. you can use anything on your dreambox-shells, pictures (it is easiest to photocopy personal pictures onto to paper) glass beads, sequence, paper flowers-whatever speaks to you.

for the inside of the box-i layered different shades of blues and green tissue paper with mod podge. the silver letter beads are secured nicely with the mod podge. (you all know my favorite glue now.) the tissue paper can be used on the outside too-and you can also layer with it patterned paper, rice paper, bits of poetry, glitter, dried flowers, etc.

this is the bottom of the box. the star is actually a sticker-even though it looks painted on. details, these little boxes are all about the details.

when i was done, i mod podged the whole thing to get it nice and pretty. however, the box then got stuck shut. once i pried it back open, i sanded the inside of the lid and all was well. just in case this happens to you-that is how you can fix it.

here are teeny fairy wings for melissa, to go in the box. i was thinking this is a really fun project to make for a friend. there are so many personal touches you could add.

something else i wanted to share are these cute vintage lunch trays i scored at a yard sale recently. they are perfect for organizing art things-for you and for when your friends come over to play. i was in the dollar store today and found some fun turquoise trays and of course i had to get those too. i have also seen some at target.

um, i really love letters.

i am such a geek i starting alphabetizing my letter cut-outs.
no i don’t have kids
and yes this is how i spend my free time.

here is another thrifty tip-second hand stores are great for collage supplies. buttons and ribbon and BOOKS. photography books are great to photocopy and use in your art journals. this KISSING book has some beautiful photos.

i also found some pretty oracle cards.

i thought they would be fun to copy and put in
etsy orders.
i love to receive tiny extras,
don’t you?

lastly, creative friends,
i would like to introduce you to 3 new
mermaids that have come to live with me.

my first suzi blu print:

(technically i don’t know if she is a mermaid but she looks like she
may have a tail under that long emerald dress)

more mermie love:

from sweet penny:

and from sophie, age 9.
she made this herself!

on that magical note-

i wish you all joyful creating
and many many moments of bliss
today.

see you all soon-
and keep linking your artwork!