Monday, February 23, 2009

Art Canvas Substitute


I have had a few conversations and questions about this substrate I use for about anything I would want to use a canvas for. It's cheap, versatile and lightweight.

I'm going to do a Helen Keller description of this board so you know what to look for if you are interested.

I don't have a brand name, but they call it 'rigid insulate board'. It comes in 4x8 sheets just like drywall. It is 1/2 inch thick. There is a tyvak type paper on both sides with a expanding type foam inside, not styrofoam. You can cut it with a blade knife and snap it just like drywall. One sheet is around $12.00, but will yield boards in any size you would want. I have substrates cut posterboard size down to 2x2inch and my favorite size is 36"x16" for art worthy of hanging over the fireplace. 8x8 works best for shipping (1 oz) in padded envies. It can be cut on the curve too.
First thing you want to do is cover it so you don't ding corners and such. I bought a tablet of gesso canvas paper. I used white school glue, cut box corners and finished both sides. Another way when I know I will end up with layers of mixed medium, I just use gel medium and glue pages of an old book and completely cover it. I do all this covering and mess in one day so that I can store them for later use.
If you have a lumber place that has this stuff, just have them snap cut the big sheet down to 3 pieces so they will fit in the back seat of your car. The coolest feature is that it is so lightweight for shipping or hanging....and being only 1/2 inch thick it can easily be framed.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Blog Party Winner

What a fun Valentine Party!!...just the right size to visit and enjoy all the bloggers in one afternoon. Thank-you Leslie of Flatwoods Folk Art for hosting a fun event!

Kathleen Grace of Kathy's Cottage is my WINNER! Enjoy!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Romancing the Blog PARTY

click here
Happy Valentines Day!!
I joined in with Flatwoods Folk Art for a Valentine Party!
There are over 54+ participants so far
who will be offering you wonderful Valentines. Some with free downloads or random drawings to win some goodies, as well as sharing their blog
with us. I hope you will join us and visit as many blogs as you can.

Here is what you do.... CLICK HERE or the banner, to visit the party host, Flatwoods FolkArt, and on her left column is a LIST of party blogs to go visit and leave comments.

But before you go.... Here's my giveaway!
A steampunk Valentine that you can wear year-round!


This giveaway is open to all! You can enter by just leaving a comment on this post only in the comments area (click the little comments button below). If you don't have a blog, add your email addy so that I can reach you! The random drawing will be midnight tonight...February 14th and we will e-mail the winner.
Good luck!

Here are some pictures with a little Romance to add to your collections....

Rose O'Neill, originator of the Kewpie doll 1907




Friday, February 13, 2009

14 Days of Valentines

Day 14 Last day...Valentines day!!

Angie Hall Haviland sent this felted heart pin and it is mounted on a mini braided rug just like granny used to make.
Thanks Angie for this nostalgic handmade piece!
You can see more of her beautiful artwork on her blog: Angie's Art & Full Life.


Day 13
Barbara Hagerty sent this wonderful "Forever Friends" Banner. Thanks Barbara....I already have it hanging on the Pantry door. You can visit her blog HERE!


Day 12
Isn't this Sweet! A glitzy cupid girl ornie!
Thank you very much, Christy Grant!


A wonderful swap...a wonderful group of gals....sad that it is over, but it has been a wonderful Valentine Treat each day of February!! Thank-You to the group and to Jeri Aaron for hosting another fun one!

A View From Elsewhere


David Castle Art
I was the the last post on David's “view of elsewhere”. He collected views from other artists studios from all over the world and shared them on his blog. It was fun 'trip' to see out the windows where the weather, terrain and views are all so different!
It was fun to follow you David...thanks for a wonderful blog idea!
Click Here to visit his blog!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

OWOH Winner!!

Here it is Feb 12th and it's the day to announce my
One World One Heart Blog Giveaway WINNER!!

What a Blog event this was!! 910 wonderful bloggers united in this 3rd year to giveaway unbelieveably creative and unique pieces of art and handmade gifts in all mediums from paintings, jewelry, quilts, to services like graphics packages...even gourmet food and music!

But what was so unbelievably fun was to visit all the great blogs and hear from people all over the world!
I ended up with 320 comments in which I need to pick a winner of my giveaway....randomly. I picked a number then counted down through all the comments and My winner is...
Francine Cronos of Harps in the Willows!
I will be sending her an e-mail directly!

THANK-YOU to everyone who left wonderful comments on my blog...that's what is so wonderful about these blog events and this years OWOH was awesome!!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Day 11 Steampunked!


Today is my gift day...
Here's a sample of what I sent out to everyone and I have more pictured in a prior post if you want to check them out.

I also added some new things to my Etsy shop....Pendants and charms...if you want to check them out, just click on a link in the left column. Thanks!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Day 10 Strawberries & Champagne


Cris Cunningham from New York is a wonderful and talented soap maker and her treat today is just delightful!!
First of all, it came in a wonderful Chinese Take-out container covered in hearts and the contents was Not Sweet and Sour...it was All Sweet!! Wrapped in toille tissue was a ribboned wrapped soap that is sweet Strawberries and Champagne scent...and if you take a close look...a sweet ducky!!
Love this wonderful Valentine Chris...Thank-You!!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Day 9 Calendar


Diann Scholl of Dianns Art Spot sent this very useful 2 year pocket calendar. Boy, could I use one of these! Love the papers and hearts she slipped in behind the clear cover.
Thanks Diann!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Day 8 Book Necklace


Gail Austin from Illinois Created this cool Book Necklace. I think she has used as many Mixed Media techniques as one could possible do in a smaller piece. Lots of details and techniques to enjoy!
Thanks Gail!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Day 7 Valentine all Year Long...


Gloria Hanes from Michigan sent this BEAUTIFUL Hanging Heart Calendar! She used Stampbord as the base and added Victorian Valentine images...too Sweet!! Love the bag she packaged it in and had to add a picture of it. Thank-You Gloria!!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Day 6 Heart Truth Day!


Todays gift is from Gwynn Thoma from Calif. A watch part necklace and beautiful tin!! I thought the tin was the gift and was so happy and then I opened the box! Thank you so much Gwynn!

Have to tell you .... I went and got dressed this morning in a red turtleneck so I could wear my new necklace from Gwynn..then found out Feb 6th is
Heart Truth Day ...officially... Celebrate American Heart Month with The Heart Truth!
I don't have a slinky red dress, not that I would wear one, but I feel right up town and trendy!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Day 5


Today the Valentine comes from Jean Bennett. First of all, the neat muslin Bag with vintage transfer is wonderful, but wait till you see what was inside....


I had to wait and find out how she made the covers on this lace embossed book. It looks like clay with all that detail and I found out it's Fimo with lace ran through the pasta machine. There are 5 watercolor signatures bound with burgandy mulberry paper and then hand stiched chain style..It is is a wonderful variation of stab binding. Just wonderful craftmanship!!
Thanks Jean!
This is such fun to open a handmade gift every day until Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Day 4 Valentines


Day 4 of this fun 14 Days of Valentine swap comes from the hostess, Jeri Aaron. She made the most beautiful heart tag and wrapped the package with tissue paper and a toulle bow with 'Journey' key (love that Tim Holtz stuff!). Then I unwrapped a pretty handmade 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Journal book. A Cute Cupid all glitzed on the cover and pockets inside to hold something sweet...


I think I will have to fill it with delectable, delicious Chocolate recipes, sweet quotes and poems, vintage valentines...all things sweet! Thank-you Jeri!!!!
ps....If you might be wondering what happened to Day 3, my PostLady must be enjoying it. It was from Nancy and I got to enjoy it by visiting the other swappers blogs. She went to alot of work and it was sweet...hope the PO is enjoying!

Monday, February 2, 2009

14 Days Of Valentines

Hosted by Jeri Aaron of An Artful Gathering, who gathered up 14 artful friends to join in the wonderful 14 Days Valentine swap!

Day 1 is from
Susan Tidwell of Artful Musings. Banners are all the rage and I am so happy to receive a Nostalgic Traditional Valentine!! Beautifully done with lots of detail. Thank-you Susan! Head over to her blog if you get the chance.


Today's gift, DAY 2, is from Shelly Rae Wood. A wonderful Valentine Tin! Sweetly done with Valentine quote on love and hearts. Check out this cool way to make a brown bag package...I'm thinking this would be a wonderful way to package up some homemade goodies to send to school for the teachers. (we can do that in these parts..lol) Thank-you Shelly!!

Here's a link for tutorial on bag.. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com:80/resources/geniebag.php

Happy Groundhog Day to everyone...haven't heard the results and not sure I want to. Hoping the weather just lightens up a bit as we are heading into calving season and it sure would be better for everyone if it would not be so extreme.