...because handy matters! I know I will take more pictures and at the 'right time', if my camera was more handy. Sure, I have the zippered black hard case that I use to throw my camera in the bottom of my purse, practical, but not so handy. I want my camera handy so that I can quickly grab it and go and have it ready to shoot at a seconds notice. Cameras are small enough nowadays that, why not wear it like a necklace?....to wear at family events, nature walks, sporting events...you name it!
There are alot of times you just don't want to pack a purse around or wear something ugly hooked to your belt, if you even wear a belt. I just need to have my hands free and my camera handy. And that goes for cell phones, MP3 players,iPhone/iPods or any other smaller gadget! I also wanted it to have a jewelry artsy look much like a ATC. So this is what I came up with....
It measures 3.5" x 5" and hangs by copper chain that matches the Tim Holtz Idea-ology trinket charm. I used batik moda fabic and lined it, so it's soft and non- scratchy. Pictured here with my 4.5"x2.5" Motorola Q phone (since I was using my camera to take the pictures), but my Pentax Optio fits perfect..it's 3.3" x 2" x 1".
I received a Tip In today. The theme for my altered book is History....old west and US history. The challenge was to add a horse or horses. Nancy Bridges from South Carolina sent me this wonderful watercolor Tip In.
I think she nailed the theme... The quote says, "Look back at our struggle for freedom, Trace our present day's strength to it's sources and you'll find that man's pathway to glory is strewn with the bones of the horse." ~ Author Unknown
Participating in a Horse altered book exchange this month, where the receiver picks the theme of their books and I am to create a page for it. Here's what I came up with...
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.
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!
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....
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!
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!
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!!
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!!
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!
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!
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!!
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!
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!
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!
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!!
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.
The girls in my 'Latest Trends in Mixed Media Art' group started a discussion about niches in art canvases. I did one a while back and want to share what I did here on my blog as well. Keep in mind, this one is 2x2" mini, but the technique could be used on any size you choose.
I will try to explain....
First I take the near completed canvas and decide where I want the niche. I make an x cut in the canvas and fold the opening back, then cut more snips in the four flaps to make a circle opening....fray the thread of the canvas a bit.
Next I made 5 or 6 squares of waterpaper just an inch larger than the hole opening. The first square I ripped a hole in the center matching the size of the hole in the canvas. The next 4or5 pieces, I graduated the ripped holes just fractions smaller that the first. I used an embossing pen and embossed the ripped edges of the holes, distress inked too.
Next I stacked them one on top using glue dots(for dimension) on the four corners of the squares, smallest under the next smallest and then to the back of the canvas, giving it a tunnel effect.
Then I backed the hole with a background paper and added my seed. The back of the canvas is finshed off with cardstock or chipboard. Hope that made sense...
I had some very exciting mail today! ...and I mean EXCITING!! Two friends from Nebraska partnered up a few years back and started a business called Jewelry By Sonell, the name derived by combining Sonja and Ellen. They do western jewelry and fine jewelry using Precious Stone. Just beautiful pieces! They have a huge following of great customers already, but they decided to start 2009 by going online with a Blog and an Etsy shop. They needed a little help getting started....so I jumped in to help.
Their Etsy shop is stocked and ready...and their blog is off to a really good start! The two wonderful necklaces below are wonderful examples of their work...and they are mine!! I can't believe it! It's like winning the lottery!
I love to play with clay and these steampunk hearts are sure a good way to play and add junk! CF Originals has great downloads on their site with great steampunk designs. I think the fish is just awesome!
Steampunk is a style, a look, sometimes even a philosophy. It’s all gears and clockwork and levers and straps – a bit of machinery, a bit of fantasy. And of course, the contrasts of textures and different metal colors are just such fun to play with!
It's that wonderful time of the year!!! It's time for the ONE World-ONE Heart giveaway. This annual blog event is sponsored by Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka. You can visit her by clicking on the OWOH badge.
This event is just too awesome! It brings bloggers and readers together in a special way. Thanks to Lisa we all share the love all around the world by visiting many beautiful, inspiring blogs. While visiting there is a chance to be the lucky winner of eye candy prizes!!!
In celebration this year, I am offering a 8 x 8 collage that is inspired by Kelly Rae's Taking Flight book.
My giveaway is open to all! You can enter by just leaving your blog address or email addy on this post only in the comments area. Be sure that you leave the correct addy so that I can reach you! The random drawing will be on February 12th. Good luck! I can't wait to visit all of the awesome blogs that are participating. Thank you, Lisa for hosting this exciting event once again!
Had to SHARE a necklace that I made for myself...and that never happens! I wanted a fun grunge piece that I could wear with something casual like bluejeans and a sweatshirt. Those are my two Grandsons and the turqoise silver pin with feathers is a reclaimed hatpin that their Dad used to wear in his cowboy hat when he was young. I used aged copper and a bit of grunge board scrap, glass circle and screen...a fun piece to create!
Time Flies! It sure does for me anyway. I start on a project, hunt and dig through supplies, clean an area to work and before you know it, Hours have gone by before you even start. My AAWA group is having a wand swap and I knew the minute it was announced that my wand had to be magically enhanced so the recipient could feel the powers this little wand would bestow!
It had to have all the elements of time intensive 'detail' that consumes precious time in the studio. Doll making, woodwork, beading, jewelrywork, computor graphics, painting, stamping, fibers and embellishing. This 'TIME' muse would also have to have a stand so that it could be ready at all times, god forbid she'd be put in a drawer!
Everyone just knows that Time Flies when you are busy with your art, so this wand is magical. You just wave it over your project and say, "I will not be Queen of the Last Minute"!
I don't know who to credit for this sweet YouTube, but I found it on Crabby Gabby's Blog. Heidi creates wonderful ART dolls, is doing all the right things to get them exposed to the public and I would just hate to see her take up golf or something....
quote by Heidi... "When you create something and no one asks, comments, or bids or buys your stuff, it really does effect ones self esteem."
Heidi girl, I think I can speak for many...That what you do is unique and wonderful!! You are not in this alone and I think many great and gifted women feel the same way. The soft economy and lack of confidence in the government is changing the dollar viewpoints of many, but not the viewpoints of what they consider special art.
No longer are we able to feel accomplished, reassured, inspired or directed in what we are doing with our art by how it is sold and for how much. It's not the TRUE response of the public.
Judging your art's worth or whether there is still an interest in it, cannot be judged by how it sells.
The Art Community as a whole has enjoyed great monitary success in recent years. Finished art in all categories as well as retail merchandise and new product development has seen it's boom days and now with the uncerntainty of the economy, people are just holding back on what they spend their money on. It is no reflection of how they would LIKE to respond to your work. Buyers are just being conservative and cautious with the family's Dollar. The TRUE reponse to your art will have to be judged in other ways...maybe whether it is selected by a gallery, a shop, a Magazine or perhaps by comments left on your blog or from online art group members... will have to do for now.
Financial Woes should not be our Woes....Art is for the soul. Who knows what the future has in store for us and being just one generation away from those who told stories of the Depression....here's my advice. Do what you love, create what feels good and enjoy the fact that at least WE will be entertained by the skills we have (and the stockpiles of supplies in our studios) when the rest of the world will be scambling for survivor skills to keep from going crazy of boredom.
Does your blog Have A Heart??? Valentines Day is just about here and there are many of us signed up for swaps with online art groups or perhaps you are planning on being involved with some Online Blog Parties. Maybe you are going to decorate with red or pink eye-candy, have a Valentine Giveaway contest or offer up free ephemera or vintage pictures?
If you are planning any Valentines 'Event' on your blog...this button is for YOU! Display it and let all of us know you are going to do something wonderful for Valentines Day and that your Blog Has A Heart! We'd all like to be sure to visit!
A sweet Award...the Lemonade Award. (kinda Springish...just what I need!) Thank you goes out to my friend Stacey of Prim Primitives for honoring me with this award! Stop by & check out her wonderful blog!!
Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you also pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude. Here are the rules: 1. Put the logo on your blog or post. 2. Nominate blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! 3. Link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award. Here are a few blogs that I think show great attitude and gratitude.
I'd like to Nominate all of my "Followers" that are pictured over on the left column. These bloggers have clicked on the 'follow this blog' line and added me to their blog lists. What this means is that my blog is listed on their private dashboards so they can be updated whenever I post something new. I feel they have attitude and gratitude!!! To visit their blogs all you do is click on their mini picture!!
So girls, pick up this award and follow the above instructions as you will and I Thank-You for choosing my blog worthy of following!
If you would like to "become a follower", I'm honored. If you just enjoy stopping by and reading, but choose not to go that route....I love it when you leave comments or just take a few minutes out of your day for a quick visit.
This month we have a Container Mingle with one of my Yahoo Groups and this was my attempt to get in a Spring mood....I soooo have cabin Fever!!! There are tons of great container ideas possible with Valentines Day coming and Easter down the road, but this is just for Springtime's sake. I was glad to put away the Christmas stuff and change up the colors for a while before doing 'red' again for some Valentine's swaps coming up. Here it is 9:45 in the evening and my UPS man just pulled in the yard to deliver a package. Poor Guy...crappy roads and light snow, late and long hours and he always has something wonderful to say and with a smile! UPS rocks!
It was the month after Christmas and all through the house nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste, at the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number! When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber). I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared; The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared, the wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese and the way I'd never said, "No Thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt and prepared once again to do battle with dirt. I said to myself, as I only can "you can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So---away with the last of the sour cream dip, get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip every last bit of food that I like must be banished till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie----not even a lick. I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread or pie, I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry. I'm hungry, I'm lonesome and life is a bore, but isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot. Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Author: Unknown
Friday, January 2, 2009
Want to participate in this on-line social event?
What better way to celebrate the day of love and romance than to have a Valentine's Day Blog Party!
On Valentine's Day, have something special for your visitors to download, like a collage sheet or a special image, a poem, romantic saying, etc. How about a random drawing for a special give-away? Decorate and alter your blog for this special event if you wish! Leave comments and meet some great people! Have some fun!
Go to Lesley's blog - Flatwoods FolkArt - and read all the details and pick up a button to put on your blog. CLICK HERE
