Thankfulness and Nutcrackers with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Milagros Rivera

Thanks to Hurricane Maria, I skipped Halloween for the first time in 23 years.  No Thanksgiving either, although, I sat down with the kids and told them the million reasons why we needed to be thankful.  I refused to skip Christmas!  I found solar Christmas lights online and put them up. There's no shortage of sun here!  Last week, we got power at our work places so we're immensely grateful. Can you imagine celebrating 75 days without electricity?  Well, home is that way and so it is the reality for more than 60% of Puerto Rico.

After the free vaccination clinics we did, we're now spaying and neutering the same amount of dogs, 753 to be exact. It's the reason I'm still helping my husband at the clinic and you barely see me anywhere. Not that I don't miss you, which you know I do like crazy, but there's no time and almost no connectivity to the internet to go on social media as I used to.

I have collected nutcrackers since my son was a baby and about five years ago, I started creating my own using blank wooden nutcrackers to alter with paper. Last year, I experimented with Relics & Artifacts gorgeous Dresden trim collection to create one. This year, I thought I'd have to forgo the tradition when I spotted a single box at my local K-Mart. It was a girl, a Plum Fairy one at that and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed wrapping her hair in gold!  Her face is highlighted by one half of the wings!! Dresden certainly gives me a lot of creative license in how I use them and with their sparkle it's the perfect touch for the holidays!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim
Wood Nutcracker
Craft Paint

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue

We continue our Fracture Fairy Tale with Cindy receiving the invitation for the Royal Monster's Rock Ball and in the excitement, a secret pocket located inside the envelope has gone unnoticed.  Ambassador Milagros Rivera takes us through Cindy's preparation for her bangin' weekend.

After reading the invitation, Cindy felt pure exhilaration. She started to think about what she could possibly wear to such a massive party. Her closet was impossibly empty of anything worth wearing. She knew none of her sisters would spare her a piece of clothing.

After much thought, she climbed into the attic. There, amongst all the boxes, she found her mom's gorgeous leather pants. But would they fit? That was the great dilemma. In another box she found the perfect match, a lacy bustier that would rock the evening. Not to mention, it really made the "girls" look great. She took all the treasures to her room and begin mending and tailoring.  She also decided to forego the stale cookies on her dresser and opted for some apples and peanut butter to munch on. 

While she worked on getting her sleek, svelte figure back, she realized that her outfit was missing something.  She needed THE PERFECT accessory but what? 

She had a moment of pure genius while ruffling through her box of odds and ends.  Crossed revolvers, vintage blood red roses, gorgeous filigree, and of course, a family heirloom.  The skull was perfect to tie her entire rocker chic ensemble together.

For the previous chapter, written by Larissa Heskett, please head over to the ColoriQue blog and stay tuned because tomorrow, Ambassador Sherry Matthews continues our story!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts "Archangels"
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Marie Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Verdigris, Avocado, Pink Ice,
EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

"Art Journal" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros C Rivera

I hope you are all enjoying our month collaboration with Canvas Corp Brands.  When I received my package I did a very happy dance.  You may not know this, but I love to draw and getting a whole notebook with blank pages is like Christmas for me and with a super size too!!!  So, inspired by summer, the beach, and sunsets here's my piece!

I wanted you all to see how gorgeous the High Impact Paint, Glimmer Glaze, and Glimmer Mist work with the Relics & Artifacts.  And what's more summery than sea shells, right? The Coquille set works on mixed media projects, jewelry and even scrapbook layouts.

Milagros has prepared a Snapguide tutorial so you can create your own beach inspired journal of your own.

Don't forget we are having a giveaway at the end of the month.   Here's the information.

Here is all you need to do.  Be sure to use #RACCBmatchup so that we can track you down!

-Leave a comment here on any or all of the Match Up Posts during the month of July with Relics & Artifacts® and CCB.  You can leave one on each post for more chances to win. 

-And/or leave a comment on the CCB Facebook page.

-And/or leave a comment on any of the CCB Instagram posts where you see any of the projects from the CCB team or the RA team. 

Feel the urge to join the addiction that is Relics & Artifacts®?  Take a look in the Sandra Evertson shop and stock up.  You can also join our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook and be inspired by fellow creatives in the best creative group on the web!

Be sure to follow along by searching #RACCBmatchup too.  If you love what you see and would like to join our Facebook group, the CCB Collective, just click the link and ask to join today.  We would love to have you! 

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Coquille
Relics & Artifacts® Regalis
7Gypsies Architextures Journal
Canvas Corp burlap
7Gypsies Architextures stickers
Tattered Angels High Impact Paint
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist

"The Reliquary" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros C Rivera

A reliquary, also a shrine, is a container for relics.  It may include bones, pieces of clothing.  It is important for Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and many other religions.

 While frequently taking the form of caskets, they range in size from simple pendants or rings to very elaborate ossuaries.

Since the relics themselves were considered "more valuable than precious stones and more to be esteemed than gold,"  it was only appropriate that they be enshrined in containers crafted of or covered with gold, silver, gems, and enamel. Ivory was widely used in the Middle Ages for reliquaries; its pure white color an indication of the holy status of its contents. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe ( Virgen de Guadalupe), is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated image enshrined within the Minor Basilicia of Our Lady of Guadalope in Mexico City. The basilica is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, and the world's third most-visited sacred site. Pope Leo XIII granted the venerated image a Canonical Coronation on 12 October 1895.  

I visited the Basilica and it is such a spiritual place.  Here's my homage to the Virgen de Guadalupe.  My own Secret Shrine.

Supply List:

Relics & Artifacts® Imperial Eggs
Relics & Artifacts® Coquille

"Follow Your Heart" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

We all have it within us, a need to look to the skies above, a need to improve ourselves, be better, set goals and reach them.  We just need to follow our heart and reach for the stars!

As always, the Relics & Artifacts® pieces have a way of whispering which direction they want to take me.  I debated on this one as I had two possible choices that would lead me through different paths. By incorporating Seth Apter's new die, I had the perfect platform to work the Relics.   I envisioned the hands, holding a fragile gold thread, representing the good in our lives.  This one was dictated by Cat Kerr's stamp, "follow your heart". 

When I was little, my dad used to call me Sol.  He would say, "Oh the sun is out!" I don't know if it was because my hair was really blond or because I was a very early riser, but I have very fond memories and those prompted this next piece

I decided to add Cat's stamp,s"he flies with her own wings", both in Latin and in English. I also gave her wings.

(One last close up.)

As on my night version, I added stars here as well.  You'll be able to follow along on Snapguide for the first piece!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Archival Case Wood Tray I
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Seth Apter "Ray of Light" die set
Cat Kerr "Follow Your Heart" stamp
Cat Kerr "She Flies With Her Own Wings" stamp
The Crafter's Workshop paints
The Crafter's Workshop white gesso
fabric
chipboard

Day 7 with That's Crafty! and A Recap with RELICS & ARTIFACTS®

What an amazing week it has been here at Relics & Artifacts®.  This week, we had the opportunity to collaborate with another company and show the world just how versatile not only Relics & Artifacts® craft blanks are but how equally versatile the products offered by That's Crafty! out of the United Kingdom are.  We were able to work with MDF and acrylic pieces, stencils, stamps and really flex our creative muscles.

We find inspiration and creativity in places we least expect it and in arenas we swore we'd never enter. 

 Day 1:  "Inspiration in Unlikely Places" by Chrissy Colón

All week long, we showcased individual works from each of the Relics & Artifacts® Ambassadors in a parade of creativity, vision, and one of a kind design, like simple everyday items which become intrinsic to our identities and personalities.

Day 2:  "Glasses With A Story" by Milagros Rivera

We can rediscover our own spirituality or possibly be inspired by another culture's beliefs systems.  With art and inspiration, there are no wall, no boundaries.

Day 3:  "Ganesha" by Monica Downing

Thoughtful affirmations struck chords within our hearts and caused us to take a step back and truly believe in the power within ourselves to just reach for the stars.

Day 4:  "The Stars" by Lynne Moncrieff

Poetry married with mixed media breathed new life into the basic substrates laid before us.  A vision and a story begin to form and our hearts are unveiled.

Day 5: "The Heart, Unveiled" by Sherry Matthews

Finally, art and the blending of items within our creative arsenal can take us on a journey through time.  We can go back to times long forgotten and rediscover the timeless treasure of inspiration.

Day 6: "Ancient Rome" by Heather Thompson

You see, what this collaboration and celebration of creativity with That's Crafty! has done, is spark a new flame and opened a new realm of possibilities within our own creative selves.  We were challenged and thus inspired to look at substrates we would not necessarily have thought to pair with Relics & Artifacts® and breathe new life into not only our creative souls, but our imaginations.  From this collaboration came pieces we had not dared to try or ideas that were merely ideas collecting dust in our proverbial rolodex of thoughts.

We hope this week has been as inspiring to all of you as it has been for us.  The ladies over at That's Crafty! were a pure joy to partner with and we were honored to work with each of them.  Please be sure to visit That's Crafty! today and see what Lynne Moncrieff has in store on this final day of our creativity celebration. 

Don't forget to visit each day's post and leave a comment to be entered in our giveaway.  A winner will be drawn Monday and will receive **3** sets of Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin Craft Blanks of their choosing. 

Cheers!

Day 2 with That's Crafty! and "My Glasses: A Story" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Milagros Rivera

It's day 2 of our week-long shindig with the lovely ladies of That's Crafty! in the United Kingdom.  All week, we are partying it up with fabulous projects featuring That's Crafty! melded seamlessly withRelics & Artifacts®.  Be sure to follow along with us all week because there is a giveaway at the end of the celebration!  Keep reading for details.

Today, we have Milagros Rivera and does she have an awesome story to tell!

Since I was little, my mom used glasses.  She actually has had to wear them since her teens. I was the designated companion to help her pick her prescription frames.  She always purchased an inside pair and an outside pair.  And they were BIG!!!! II loved being able to help her make the decision and I secretly loved trying them.  She wouldn't let me try her glasses because she was afraid the prescription would hurt my eyes, but in the store it was game time!

Come of age is here and now it's my turn to need glasses and to bring my daughter with me, and I totally know she has the same fun experience because she tries dozens every time she comes with me!

Back in January for Creativation, I had the pleasure of seeing Sandra again and to meet for the first time fellow Art Sisters, Monica Downing, Cat Kerr and Heather Thompson.  My current choice of glasses reflect those treasured trips I with my mom to eye doctor. I enjoy them immensely and they have an effect on people I can't describe.  They are a conversation piece of sorts and I have ended up talking with a lot of people because of them.  So when the time came to do my collaboration piece I decided to go with this Visage piece I hadn't used and make a me of sorts on the That's Crafty substrate!

Besides giving you a closer look to my textures (I made you a Snapguide) I will give you a closer look at all the people that wore them while in Phoenix!

Gorgeous Sandra Evertson sporting the look!

Switcheroo between Monica and me!

 Heather Rocking it!!!

Yes Cat wore them too!

Jamie Dougherty looking great!

Yes! Dyan Reaveley was also wanting to try them too! Turns out we have the exact same prescription!

As you can see we had a lot of fun, and I thought my post had to reflect that equally! Who knows?  Maybe you'll get to meet me and rock my glasses as well!  Enjoy the next post over That's Crafty!

Now for the giveaway details!  Be sure to follow our celebration of all things Relics & Artifacts® and That's Crafty! all week.  Visit the Muse for inspiration, leave some love along the way, and be entered to win ***3*** sets of Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin craft blanks of your choosing!

Be sure to visit the That's Crafty! blog and see the beautiful project Carol Fox has in store for you today!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Visage"
Relics & Artifacts® "Regalis"
That's Crafty! MDF Upright "Decorative Top"
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil "Floral Background"
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt Dazzling Metallics
DecoArt Americana Acrylics
DecoArt Metallic Lustre
The Crafter's Workshop White Gesso
The Crafter's Workshop Modeling Paste
 

"Faux Mercury Glass Easter Eggs" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

With less than a month until Easter Sunday, I'm totally in the spirit! I love decorating my home through the seasons and I also love visiting the stores and seeing what's out there.  I'm a huge fan of mercury glass and because it's spring, the colored mercury glass is right on point.  What started as a home decor item quickly turned into childhood memories of opening foiled chocolate bunnies!

I thought to myself, "How cool it would look if I actually made them into pendants!"  I went with the sweet colors of the season and instead of using glass spray I went with Deco Foil in silver to create the faux silver mirror effect that looks so pretty on mercury glass.

Using Apoxie Sculpt, I sculpted two sweet bunnies for inside my Imperial Eggs.  They were painted with Ancient Gold, that sort of looks like milk chocolate!  I think I need to string more beads 'cause I'm in looove!!!!

For my green I used two different types of foil, silver and turquoise. I made you a very small tutorial on Snapguide so you can follow along with what I did.  It may inspire you to create fun elements as well!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Imperial Eggs"
Apoxie Sculpt
Deco Foil Silver
Deco Foil Turquoise
Dina Wakley Paint "Ancient Gold"
Metallic Paints

"On Angel Wings We Soar!": A Very Cool Feature with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

Since you already know our Christmas here in Puerto Rico lasts long into the New Year, I thought I would share this tree with you. If you take a closer look at the presents underneath the tree, you'll see they are all David Yurman bags.  Yes, David Yurman, the jeweler!  Don't I wish they were all for me, but an even closer look would reveal this:  Relics & Artifacts® ornaments!!!!

I made *50* of these beautiful chandelier pendant ornaments for this display.  My eternal thanks to David for rushing them out to me!

This year has been a whirlwind for me. I can't even begin to describe all the good things and opportunities I have been given.  The words "grateful" and "blessed" have been on my heart all year. Going back to the way it all started, I remember doing my New Year's Resolution this way:

It was actually good to go back and read my last post of 2015 and all the hope I had for 2016.  As the new year approaches, I bid you creativity, opportunities and wings, as I feel that on angel wings we soar!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants