Memorial Day

In honor of those who wore the uniform....
John Wayne was a Great American! I'll let him tell the story.
God Bless America! Long Live The Constitution!



Why I Love America, As A Great American Put It

WET........

It's been a hard Winter...
and now an extreme Spring, at least in these parts.
All thawed out and now mudded in...here's a couple pictures of the flooding on the Montana side of the ranch where the river went out of it's banks.Soon it will be time for branding, then out to greener pastures.

Altered Spoons

I tried my hand at altering a spoon.
Since these weren't the cool antique silver ones, I decided to completely wrap mine in vintage papers then wire/bead wrap. I picked a sunflower girl and used copper and amber to accent. Hope the girls in the swap enjoy these.
Below are two that I received...the big cool spoon with seashells and pearls is from Jeri
and Gloria sent the silver with gold wire and beads...just love gold and silver combo! Thanks girls!

Gadget Necklaces

I'm on a roll...and having fun!
I am going to put a few of these in my Etsy Shop and see how they go!



Here's another...

Keeping It Handy...

...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".

AB Tip In

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

Nancy, thankyou!
You sure want to go visit her blog if you get a chance!
http://jazzysfavoriteart.blogspot.com/

Altered Book Tip Ins

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...


Anything in TAN

By the Sea

Fantasy

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.

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!

Romancing the Blog PARTY

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

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!

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!!

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Altered Canvas Niche

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...

Jewelry By Sonell

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!




Please take the time to visit their blog and leave a nice blogger welcome....
Blog: http://jewelrybysonell.blogspot.com/

And run...don't walk, over to Etsy to see their collection!!
Etsy: jewelrygals on etsy

Thankyou Sonja and Ellen!!!

Steam Punk My Heart!

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!

ONE World-ONE Heart Blog Giveaway

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!