Guest Post~Meet Doreen @ Altered Artworks~

Hi everyone!  Hope this Tuesday is finding you all well.  The weather here is starting to cool down a bit and we are loving every minute of it!  It is funny when 95 degrees feels divine.  I guess that is what happens after a summer of 108, 110, 112, etc.  95 feels rather cool after a while :)

Today I have a guest post from Doreen @ Altered Artworks.  Doreen is a crafty lady with some great ideas.  I think you will love her stuff as much as I do!

I am sure she can tell you about herself much better than I can!  Take it away, Doreen!  :)

A warm hello to Lori's Paisley Passion readers!  I am thrilled to guest post on Lori's wonderfully inspiring blog.  The blogging world has opened up so many avenues of friendship and creativity.
Ahh, so many ideas, so little time...

Just a typical day in San Francisco

 A little about me: Born and raised in San Francisco, I now live in Southern California. I moved from total fogville to warm, sunny days most of the year. As the song says, “I left (part of) my heart in San Francisco.” However, it’s such an amazing city to visit, and we do so often. After a 12-year advertising career, I have been fortunate to stay home and raise our two daughters. Over the past 16 years, I have served my time as PTA President, Girl Scout leader to two troops, and volunteered on every school committee until my kids couldn't take it anymore and begged me to get a job! (I thought volunteering was a good thing?)

 "If we knew grandchildren were so much fun, we would've had them first!"
My Dad, Mom, Elysa &Kaylee

I am a passionate crafter. My Mom taught me how to sew and knit, and I always dabbled in what is now called altered art. I think one of my very first projects was covering cigar boxes (when the tobacco stores gave them away for free) with wallpaper samples. Fast forward to today. After many years of handmade gifts, I was encouraged to sell my altered art at local craft boutiques. However, I quickly realized that instead of selling my work, I wanted to share my love for the actual process with others. Thus, Altered Artworks was founded.

I host workshops in my home and provide the opportunity and supplies so that people create their own personal handmade treasures and gifts. More important than the artwork itself is the "creative therapy" that transpires during the workshops, where life stories are shared and friendships are made. Seriously, I wonder if we could get closer to world peace if everyone at the table was given some paper, paint and a cup of Mod Podge!

I am a self-confessed crafts hoarder - I sometimes buy duplicates of what I already own. Seriously, how many bottles of Liberty Blue acrylic paint does a girl need?

 I think the 40% off coupons are delightfully vicious. When I'm not buying products, I'm always in search of great storage containers. Save me! My favorite craft must-haves include ribbon, Mod Podge, buttons, paint, beautiful paper, metal embellishments & more ribbon. And I love altered art that showcase photos. My altered art usually transforms mundane items into beautiful and useful conveniences. Here are a few of my favorite projects with links to the specific posts.

An altered shutter becomes a creative memo keeper

Two panel canvas photo frame

Coffee-theme Ensemble

My favorite altered wall canvas
(Above: Me in 1956. Below: Me now.)

Love, love, love altered clipboards!

A Valentine's Day inspired notebook.

Coffee-inspired Post-it Note Holder

My Lemonade Phase

To see additional altered art and a few tutorials, please visit my Altered Artworks blog. And if you live in the Los Angeles area, I hope you can join me at one of my workshops.

Have a great day!

And thanks, Lori, for letting me share my story and love for altered art with you and your blogger friends.

Doreen
http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com/

Thanks Doreen for taking the time to guest post today!  It is always fun getting to know other people out there in blogland with a passion for creativity!

For all you Paisley Passions readers out there, don't forget to join in on THRILLING THURSDAY here at Paisley Passions  and link up those creations you are working on!  :)