Little UpDate..

We still have room in all the classes but the Spun Crepe Hearts class. It is full!

We are closing Registration on MAY 18th. So, you have Approx. 3 more weeks to sign up.

Our registrants are invited to join the Yahoo Groups we have set up for Paper Cowgirl. There are some awesome swaps going on...hate for you to miss out on Swap night..

Hope to see you there!

tina

Mendy's Mini Collage "Hangers," ...A Tutorial

Hi Y'all! Paper Cowgirl Instructor Mendy here, with something fun I've been working on. After each year of Kindergarten, I like to make a little something for my "graduates." This year I am making little "hangers" for each child. Making mini collage "hangers" is a perfect way to give a lot of personalized gifts. I am making 22 collages.

The first thing you will need are photos of your subjects.

You will need pieces of heavy cardboard. I used inexpensive shirt boxes. Cut pieces approximately 3"x5".

Choose a favorite extra large punch punch out one shape for each collage. Put a pop dot on the back of each shape. I used my favorite folk heart. Decide on your variety of scrapbook papers. I like all of my papers to coordinate. My collection is My Mind's Eye "Bohemia."Next, cut different quotes from an old early reader. I purchase my readers from Ebay. Down Our Way is one of my very favs. I always match the quote with the child's personality. This is the fun part!

You will also need ribbons, strips of fabric, etc.

Now to assemble...

Print out photos and cut out the backgrounds. Here is the stack of photos I took. The ones in the front are my "models for the day..." Thanks moms!

Cover each rectangle "mini canvas" with background paper using a glue stick. Attach the photo. Attach the quote from the reader, but make it choppy by cutting the sentences into chunks. Add the heart with the pop dot on the back. Cut out a fun crown from the scraps and attach it to the photograph. Next, attach a strip of fabric or ribbon to the back of the collage using a hot glue gun.

Here a a few of my finished mini collages. Hope they will enjoy them! Any questions? Please feel free to email me at mendytexasart@yahoo.com.

See ya at Paper Cowgirl 2009! I'll be the one wearing the big vintage corsage! hehe! Hope to see you in my afternoon class! :)Mendy

WHAT IF "ATC" STOOD FOR "ADORABLE TALL COWBOY"???

Oh, NOW I have your attention! LOL

Well, ATC COULD stand for "Adorable Tall Cowboy" but in this case it stands for "Artist Trading Card" and that's exaclty what my swap is all about - an ATC Swap with the theme being "Cowgirls Just Wanna Have Fun" and THAT simply means that it's a cowgirl themed swap.

I suppose if you really thought hard about it, cowgirls and cowboys do go together so you could use an Adorable Tall Cowboy on your ATC's!

For those of you that have never participated in an ATC Swap before, I'm going to show you some examples that aren't cowgirl themed, but they'll give you an idea of how simple you can make yours or how detailed.....

If you've never delved into the world of ATC's this is a really good chance for you to start a love affair that you might be rolling your eyes at right now.

I know I rolled my eyes whenever anyone mentioned ATC's...........until I made my first one. They're so much fun! And so stinkin' easy!!

.

Trading them is like trading MOO cards.You will covet the ones that you receive, you'll collect them just for yourselves *they're not to trade and then sell*, you'll display them like I do, when you get enough you'll wallpaper a door in your studio with them, and you'll have your favorites (probably mine. Oh, I'm just kidding.)....

.

As I said earlier, ATC stands for "Artist Trading Card" and that's just what they are - kinda like Baseball Trading Cards, but get real, a whole lot more fun.

They are the size of a playing card from a deck of cards. And, in fact, I usually use a playing card as the base of my ATC's.

.

And, as incentive to get you to play, if you need a pictures of cowgirls because you don't have any to use in the "Cowgirls just wanna have fun ATC swap", I'm happy to share. Just email me:)

I really want you to play because, well shoot, it won't be any fun if you don't.

.

And, now that you've read how much fun this is going to be, sign up and join in the fun! J.T.

.

(Go to the DATABASE on the Yahoo group page and you'll be able to sign up there. AND, then go to MESSAGES and scroll back a few messages until you find my announcement about this swap and read up on the rules - like I'd have many rules. If you know me, then you'll know that the rules were just to make Heather happy. ..................KIDDING, HEATHER! lol!!!)

.

Questions??? EMAIL ME! polkadotbarn@gmail.com - that's what I'm here for!!

.

Warmly,

J.T.

OH, BY THE BY, THIS SWAP IS OPEN TO RETREAT REGISTRANTS ONLY.

"Registrants" - That's a big word that means if you're not coming to the retreat then you can't be a cowgirl that just wants to have fun.

Sorry.

Hey. I know.

Register for the retreat, plan on coming, and THEN you can have fun!!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy in a cowgirl kinda way.

Trail Ride give away drawing is today!

Joanna put all the names in her Cowgirl hat and drew out: Sherri at Tied up in Ribbons!!

Sherri, Joanna will be in touch with you about your goodies, Thanks for riding along with us!! Thanks to all of you for riding the blog trail ride and visiting the Cowgirl blogs!

Registration will continue Until May. So please join us for some Altered art fun in June! You can use the button the right to go right to the sign up post. Hope to see you soon!!

tina

Listen up ya'll!!

Ann-Denise's class Spun Paper Hearts has SOLD OUT!! as of right now!! yea!!

Charlote's Altered Compact class has ONE seat left!!

We are dancin' a jig here in Cowgirl central that we have a sold out class and an almost sold out one!!!

Hope to see you soon!

Tina and Cindy

Round Top Update from Joanna

Howdy Cowgirls!

It's me again! Just got back from Round Top, TX, one of the biggest dang flea market/antique marketplaces in the states. It was 3 days of heavenly bliss...I've never seen so much....stuff, I was in "hog heaven". I just wanted to share a couple of pictures with you...I have to admit I went a little crazy! I even found a great GIVE AWAY for those who attend my class....not going to show you here...it's a SUPRISE! (You are going to love it...i promise).

I bought a little bit of this and a little bit of that, some of these things will find there way into my GIVE AWAY on the blog here. Remember to post a comment on my original post so that you can be in the drawing....

I will be drawing the name on Thursday night with the winners name to be posted on Friday, April 10th. GOOD LUCK, again! Just some of my favorite things: perfume bottles, the Kitty book, gold double edged satin ribbon, huge bingo cards, a jar of spools, vintage chess pieces, leather gloves, and last but not least something special for Miss teedubya.

See you in June gals!