ALTERED ROUTE

Friday, June 27, 2008

Happy 200!!

Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist is having a PARTY!!!
Bloggers love parties...and it's always Big Fun when there is a theme and this Party is a Mad Tea Party. She's celebrating 200 posts on her blog...just Double what I have as I just hit 100 with this post.
I will have a little Free Blog Giveaway at the bottom of this post and all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered and I will pick a winner on July 1st!

Now back to the PARTY!!!

Mad Hatter: Tea?
March Hare: [slices a tea cup in half] Just half a cup, if you don't mind.

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Mad Hatter: Do you care for tea?
Alice: Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea.
March Hare: If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation!

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Cheshire Cat: All ways here you see, are the QUEEN'S WAYS!
Alice: But I've never met any queen.
Cheshire Cat: You haven't? You haVEN'T? Oh, but you must! She'll be mad about you, simply mad!
Alice: How can I find her?
Cheshire Cat: Well, some go this way, some go that way. But as for me, myself, personally, I prefer the shortcut.

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Alice: When I get home I shall write a book about this place... If I ever do get home.

Join the Party by visiting
Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist
There's a long list of other bloggers attending her party...see the list on her blog!

Now for my mini 'giveaway'......just "post a comment" and I will send this off to you on July 1st!! (6 Free Tim Holtz Distress Inks)
I will announce the winner on my blog!!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

ATC's and Feedjit Fun

I confess....I don't do breakfast unless it's at a restaurant or for supper. That being said...this ATC is part of a series of "I don't Do___'s".
The toast sits on top of the plate and is textured with a mix of Distress Embossing powders and the greasy aspect of the bacon,sausage and egg tops is Glossy Accents...Ranger Products, of course.
The other three are just to share....

About this Feedjit thing...it's the box in the left column...all the way at the bottom. It's a Live Feed of visitors to this blog. I have been having a ton of fun with it and I recommend that you add one to your blog if you haven't already. I have learned so much about where people come from; towns and countries and how they arrived via other websites and how they leave, like what links are of more interest. The most important, it shows search words from google and other search engines. Totally cool...check it out!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Americana

I wanted to share some past Americana projects that I sold on Ebay...Show and Tell time...so I made an album with Photobucket. Not everyone goes over to ebay so this is a good way to show my blogging friends. Flag Day Fun!!

I saw this on Youtube, and it blows me away...Watch and you too, can say it has "Elevated" art to a new level!
Enjoy!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Great Mail Day!

After a long and quiet week-end of no traffic in and no traffic out, we made our way out to the mailbox today. Our house was like an island as both roads had water flooded over them from the gulleywasher storm we just had. I knew the Row House Swap package was out there and I couldn't wait any longer! I wish the picture was better as these houses are just wonderful little pieces of art! Thank-you to all the wonderful gals who made these and to Jeri Aaron who hosted. They are so different from each other. I have them lined up above my studio window for the picture and I might just leave them there...a row house valance! Thanks again Jeri and everyone who participated in this swap and to all of you who I was lucky enough to get a wonderful piece of your work!

The other package that WoW-ed me was the generous prize from Ranger for the May Challenge at RangerInkLink. The theme was Crackle-Snap-Pop or something like that and I made a Fathers Day box using crackle medium and Crackle Accents. The Prize was all Denim colored products...how cool is that! Thanks RANGER!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Springtime...

Wow...Where does the time go?? Look how long it has been since I posted! I guess it might be that Spring is here and I have a bunch of landscaping to do because of the addition to the house....or....that I have been busy adding Venetian plaster and paint to the interior walls....there's tons too do!

So...the brandings are done and the cows are out to pasture (aren't those two grandsons cute!)and now we are getting HUGE rainstorms. Now don't get me wrong, moisture in agriculture is a good thing...never whine, right? But enough is enough! We have had 2 sunny-no rain days in the last 17 crazy huh...so I have been working on the yard in little snippets of time knowing full well that whatever I get done now will be less I have to do when it's too hot and miserable to be out there. In fact I know there is a package out at the mailbox that has my Row House swap in it and I am dying to see them....but both roads up to the house have water running over them, so maybe tomorrow.

I Do reserve my evenings for a bit of blog surfing and art. I'm finishing up a project that I have been working on for Stampington & Company and have the beginnings of a recycle project for Arty Girlz recycle challenge. I have been in a funk when it comes to blogging here...so I will try to make more time to share.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Cowgirl Assemblage

I just have to share the cool package I got in the mail today!
Jeri from Texas sent me this cool Cowgirl Assemblage in an exchange.
Isn't that miniature rifle cool! Thanks Jeri!

"JERI'S Blog"

Saturday, May 17, 2008

I LIVE IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD

Pam, at
"Blog Cabin Fever"
has a fun challenge on her blog called I LIVE IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD (and they know me here).
Since I feel isolated and live in my own little world, I felt this was a perfect challenge. We have been under construction since Feb, but I DID just finish re-doing my artroom/studio. It is where I blog and I wanted to share some pictures...so here goes!

To play we must....In the title space on your own blog write: I Live In My Own Little World Challenge. Then blog photos of where you create your blog (don't forget a pic of your computer) and all your favorite, inspiring places around the house and yard.
You can post anytime between now and Sunday, May 18th.
For more detailed instructions just head over to her blog.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"Buffalo" Bill Cody

Lil' Cowboys....
There's a show in town!
Read all about it!

When this lil'cowgirl was 8 or 9 or so...she used to play basketball in the huge loft of Buffalo Bill's barn. The lower level still housed the horse stalls, the tack plus various old farm implements, but the loft was clear of hay and was big enough for a full size court and two hoops. What stands out in my memories were that the barnwood walls were papered with the huge posters of the Wild West Shows. These posters were glorious and I would go from one to the other just like in a museum. Some were in color and some in black and white with names of towns and cities from all over. I'm sure I had no idea of the rich history and how lucky I was to run and play and explore the barn, buildings and home of the famous Bill.
The 'posters' are what inspired the 3 collage canvases below.

A few years later the family turn the homeplace over to the State for restoration and it is now Scouts Rest Ranch State Park, in North Platte, Nebraska. This was the headquarters and resting place for Bill and his family as well as the troupe between all the shows....thus the name.
"http://www.richgros.com/Cody/scouts_rest_ranch.html"

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Row House Swap

Jeri Aaron invited me to participate in her Row House Swap that she has on her cool blog....I'm so glad I did. There are like 33 of us playing, but we only needed to make 11 to swap out. I will post pictures of what I end up doing with them when they arrive.
"http://artfulgathering.typepad.com"
Go check out the all the great projects she has going on!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Doors...

Since I have been playing catch up here on my blog, I wanted to share the neat results of a swap I was in, back in January that was finished in April. It was called the Doors of Discovery in which we created 18 doors that depict our world and the back side to reveal a resolution, a personal challenge, adventure or discovery in our lives for the new year.

Mine is the barn door of course and the back shows my ranchey environment with burlap, real hide/fur, baby calves and a woman horseback...waving. I was trying to say....I may be isolated in my world, but I am trying to reach out and meet new people in the art world and the wonderful ladies at the Creative Underground have been an inspiration and amazingly talented bunch to get to know.
A Great swap and a wonderful book of great Doors!
They have a website and a store full of unique and wonderful things if you would like to check them out.
"http://www.creativeunderground.net"

What a Surprize!
I missed this while my internet was down last week....but my blog won a "Blog of the Day" Award!! How cool is that!
Thanks Bonnie!

Click here to see....

"AWARD"

Monday, May 5, 2008

Yo Ho! Gotta get my Pirate ON!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Lost Time...

Making up for lost time!! I have been 'without' internet for just over a week now. It's kinda like being without electricity or TV....I keep wondering what I am missing out on!

Last Saturday my server started their upgrade of new services that went from being down for 4 hours...to being non-functional for 4 days...then the Blizzard came! I must confess that my satelite is mounted on a lean-to particle-board in a makeshift fashion so the house could be resided, but it did work. Then the storm came.

Not sure how long my internet time will last so I am hurrying around trying to read posts and e-mails as well as entering a few things here.

Being under construction is the pits and making appointments for satelite techs to get my satelite relocated and rewired to new locations around the house has been the biggest headache in this whole construction project. Hopefully this week he will show up and bring an end to this.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Swashbuckler Soiree

Sweet Donna O'Brian is having a Pirate Party on May 3rd and has a open invite to join in the fun...blogger style.

Count me and me bottle o' rum in! I could stand to be "Queen of the Swashbuckler Soiree"! or not....just sounds like a ton o' fun!

check out her Invite or iffin you have a questin:

http://donnaobrien.typepad.com/the_ribboned_crown/2008/04/my-100th-post-a.html?cid=111846490#comment-111846490

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Grandkid Fun!

Last Saturday on our way to a few auctions and we stopped by the flea market. We had our two grandsons with us and they both found themselves a skateboard and were just thrilled. They had old stickers and scratched up paintjobs, so Sunday we had a play day with the spray cans and lessons in refinishing. James the oldest is studying the planets and the universe so he knew what he wanted to paint in hopes of being able to take his for show& tell at school...smart kid! And John wanted to do something cowboy. We had a blast out there on the deck and enjoyed the 80 degree sun...here's how they turned out. It's great to be the Grandma!

Tickled Pink!!

Yesterday I went out to the hwy to get the mail and there was a nicely wrapped issue of Artful Blogging in the box. Now I know I didn't subscribe (yet), so why did I get an issue? This is great! Tonight when I was going through some blogposts on my Blogarithm lineup I ran across a gal... Donna Downey http://donnadowney.typepad.com/ via Tim Holtz's blog...who had the same thing happen to her. She had been mentioned in the issue about her blog banner. Then it dawned on me to page through and check things out. I was going to save back some time to relish the issue this coming week while waiting at the vet clinic, but curiousity was killing me.

There it was! Remember back in February when there was over 400 of us artful bloggers who participated in the very successful "One World-One Heart" giveaway event that Lisa Oceandreamer hosted? Well, my gifty and comments were featured...how cool is that!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Steampunk...the next FUN thing???

OK...I have to admit that I am a BIG fan of Michael DeMeng and his style of rustic art pieces. They force you to look 'up-close' to discover all the unusual found objects added on and are great as conversation pieces. Then there is the Steampunk trend that involves taking found objects that are functional and revert or alter them to look like they are from periods past. I totally GOT the whole concept when I read the wikipedia defintion where it said "fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne". Remember 'Time Machine'?

Love this steampunk cd player! And check out Micheal's blog ... http://www.michaeldemeng.blogspot.com/
or just google Steampunk to take a fun e-journey to all the fun sites that give an overview of the genre...Steampunk.

I think it will be the next fun thing in Mix Media groups...I know I have been on a mad search through all the piles of junk-treasures that I have stored over the years...how about You?

Another blog friend that has a cool Lamp/Light....http://zeborahloray.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Construction Zone

(notice I wouldn't let them take my internet satelite away...not til the last minute!)

I finally took some pictures!!

All the framing and wrap on...roof is done, soffit and facia up, gutters a lil later. It's suppose to snow again tonight so we will see if the siding goes up or we head indoors for a some drywall work. Need to get the office cabinets and wood flooring ordered yet...I have been holding off until we see how the wood ceiling stain color looks as I hate it when there are a mix of woods.

The best thing so far that has come from all this construction mess is that when they installed the new french doors to my art studio I had to move a ton of stuff and was forced to reorganize my Space. I put 4 more drwer units in and converted the closet to all shelving and wha-lah...what a big difference it makes. I will have to get some indoor pics taken...can't wait to get back to making some things!!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

I just love creative YouTubes and other Artsey mini movies and slide shows on the internet. This is a 'performing arts' video and it sure would be fun to do or see happen....Mt Rushmore would be another great place to do this.

Frozen in Grand Central Station - Video

http://www.maniacworld.com/frozen-in-grand-central-station.html

Over 200 people gathered at Grand Central Station in New York to pull off a 'frozen in place' act. The onlooking travelers who weren't part of the act were mystified as to what was going on.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Call Me Crazy!!

It has been said that marriage and moving are the two most stressful events in life. Rank remodeling your home right up there as well.

We are about three weeks in on a new room addition and remodel....and I'm going nuts.
We are adding on to the front of our house, a new foyer with mud room one way and office the other way, then a new living room. The old living room becomes my new dining room and the old dining room will become an enlarged kitchen. Now add a new green roof and new siding, new windows, new AC/Heat Pump with all new venting and 2 big new decks. I guess we should have just started from scratch.

We were going to start construction in the spring, but to get the 'good' contractor...we had to work with his calendar. Frozen ground when the foundation was being dug, snow and below 30 and wind chills with the framing, and now mud and icicles with the roofing....and we are still calving cows, so lack of sleep added to the mix makes everyone crazy. I haven't even had time to post anything on my blog for ages...so tomorrow I might start snapping pics of the work in progress.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Soldering Fun

Had some time over the long weekend to get all the soldering stuff out and finish up some fun necklace bobbles. Some for everyday wear and a few for this summer in the Americana theme.

The things I have discovered in soldering is the importance of sal ammoniac in tinning or silvering the tips. The other is a gel flux that keeps the flux where you put it....sure keeps the flow going smooth. Speaking of smooth, I have also decided that if a person thinks their soldering is not perfect, so be it! A few bumps and varying thickness here and there gives it a handmade artie look. If you want perfect, go to a jeweler or spain or wherever.

These Americana ones are 1x1 and double sided. I will be putting these on Etsy (cheap) so head over and see.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

What If 's????

Mollye from http://mollyedoozey.wordpress.com/ TAGGED me. Here are my 7 What if's...

1. What If I could meet anyone in the world to chat with:

I would love to meet with Nick Cage...or Tim Holtz...and hang out with them in their own working environment, it would be a TON OF FUN.

2. What If I could travel anywhere in the world:

I would take a trip to Ireland. I have a group of 6 adult friends how have traveled here 10 years in a row to spend a week of their 'holiday' and I have always said that if I ever traveled abroad, it would be to see them in Ireland. Cheers!

3. What If I could have one wish granted to benefit all of mankind:

I would instill a conscience in everyone about 'going green' and taking measures to slow down global warming. See my non-art blog.... http://bitronglobal.blogspot.com/

4. What If I could live in a period other than the present for just 24 hours:

I’d go back to the 1840’s and take my digital camera with me...and 24 hours would Not be enough time!

5. What If I had to become an animal for 24 hours:

I would be an Eagle so I could fly overhead without the danger of other preditors. We live in such a beautiful part of the world and the trip would be fun, however I would want to wait until Spring.

6. What If I could make-over three areas of my body:

I’d take off a few pounds that I have accummulated, well maybe more than a few. I would have lasik surgery and then maybe a new DO...I have had long hair for too long and a flippy carefree style would be great!

7. What If I could bring anyone back to life for 24 hours:

I’d would ask to be with Mom. I'd share this time with her so my son and 2 grandsons could get to know her. We'd visit and catch up on the last twentyfive years....what a wonderful treat that would be!

NOW…..TAG…..YOU’RE IT!

vivian http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/
Eleanor http://www.abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com/
Pam http://artaries.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://melslazydayz.blogspot.com/
Jeri http://artfulgathering.typepad.com
Aileen http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/
Mary http://greenwomandesign.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentines Day!!

I wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day.
The ONE World-ONE Heart event has been a huge success! There were 426 blogs involved...that's fantastic!!
I want to thank everyone who participated and I want to give a special thank you to Lisa Oceandreamer from Heart of the Nest and Imagination Cafe for organizing what morphed into a Major Event.... this was a real treat!

This wonderful ONE World-ONE Heart Event was such a gift to us all.
The 14 days of FebruARTy has be a fun adventure in Blog land. I joined on the 1st with my entry and each day tried to visit all the wonderful blogs as they were added to the list. The very best part was meeting all the wonderful people and having an opportunity to peek into their gorgeous blogs.

My stats in 14 days...1330 visitors, 274 prize comments and 45 additional comments on other topics...wonderful fun!

I used the random number generator that Lisa had mentioned on her OWOH blog and my winner is ...

KarenHarveyCox !! Congrats Karen! I have sent you an e-mail and your giftie has already been packed and ready!
Her Blog is...http://karenharveycox.blogspot.com/ A Scrapbook of Inspiration