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!

Fun Grunge Necklace

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!

Magical Wand

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"!

The Economy and ART

Not so Sure if I Ought To.....



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.

1938 Always a Market for Dolls
Commissioned Art 1930's
The ArtClass 1937

Have A Heart!

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.

Altered Container

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!

January Diet Poem

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

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

New Year's on the Ranch

Top 10 Ways to Spend New Year's on the Ranch

1. Wait for the chickens to lay the first egg of the New Year.

2. Sweep the pond and get out the skates.

3. Leave the fireworks to the city folk and the suburbanites. Herald the New Year by watching Grandpa using the cutting wheel & welder to recycle old steel.

4. Host a party for your friends. Attire: Camo casual. For fun, conduct Skoal spitting contests, rousing games of Name That Road Kill, and a few rounds of Farm-Opoly.

5. Forget watching the ball drop. Ring in the New Year by launching full scale frozen terd attacks and rocket propelled horseapple grenades from the pastures.

6. Spike the cows' range cubes then go tipsy - cow tipping.

7. Go deer hunting at midnight. There's nothing like bringing in the New Year with a buck.

8. Open a beer and the pen of green broke colts…then watch the boys get busy.

9. Turn your pigs into New Year's babies. Diaper them, then draw straws for changing duty.

10. Have your guests catch their own turkey or antelope. Just don't tell them they have to take it home with them.


This is My version of the list on Confessions of a Counterfit Farmgirl's Blog.

2008-- Going ,Going, Gone!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!

I wanted to share some of the goals I'm challenging myself for 2009.

I am TRYING to move myself beyond my comfort zone in my artwork and seeking to try things I have never tried before. I want to use techniques I have not yet tried, stay with a process long enough to enjoy it, use what I have before buying new and lose the inner urge to always think practical...as in, does this have a useful purpose or is it worthy to hang on the wall?
And another thing... I want to be a finisher. I am so guilty of getting into the process and then when it comes to finishing off the piece, I fall short in the creative freedom to embellish or adding the final details or whimsy that makes the project complete...drives me nuts!

I'd love to hear what you folks have in mind for strengthening your artistic selves for 2009.


CLICK HERE to take the quiz to see if you were paying attention in 2008!

Here's wishing you all a very Healthy, Happy and Artful New Year!

Merry Christmas

I want to send warm holiday greetings....to friends, old and new,near and far away.
Despite the dismal news on the economic and foreign peace fronts, the meaning of Christmas and the Spirit of the Season still makes this a special time every year.
Enjoy it with family and all those around you...then hurry back to blogging in the New Year! Blessings to you all!

Day 12

It is day 12 and the last gift was just opened...it comes from Virginia Madison from Richmond, VA. Isn't this little puffy quilted poinsetta pin just the cutest thing!! Thank-you Virginia! And Thankyou Jeri Aaron for organizing such a fun swap!

The 12 Day of Christmas was great fun and made the Christmas season so much brighter by having a special little something to open each day. You are all wonderfully creative gifted artists and participating with you has been the best gift of all. Thankyou and Merry Christmasa to ALL!!

Day 11

Isn't this necklace just beautiful!!!!
Todays Gift comes from Jean Bennett, way down there in Florida! I just love it and the handmade box that it came in is sweet! Thankyou Jean!!
Tomorrow is day 12 and I'm sorry to see this fun exchange coming to an end.
There's been talk of doing this again for Valentines...can't wait!

New Book Exhibition 36

Susan Tuttle's new book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations has just been released in bookstores and online. She will be giving away one copy to an eligible person if you go to her blog and sign up by following the instructions-- the random drawing will be held on Tuesday Dec. 16th.


Jennifer Williams, "Trial and Error" sent me this wonderful award. Blogging is about the friendships we create too....Thank-you Jennifer!

This award states: This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends, they are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these artists.

I am passing it on in no particular order to the following people:

http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/
http://thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/
http://somethingtwocrowabout.typepad.com/
http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/
http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/

I hope you Visit them and come to appreciate all of them as much as I do!


and....I just had to share! My 12 days surprise and autograph Birthday present from my favorite online Guy!!
Just goes to show what a super guy he is!! Thanks Tim!!

Day 10

The gift for today comes from Susan Tidwell and it is a sweet soldered ornament!! The little girl with her teddy is waiting for Santa! So Sweet!

It came all neatly packed in a polka-dot TP tube...clever way to make sure it's journey to my house was safe! Thanks Susan!!
You can visit her blog by Clicking Here!!

Day 9

Todays giftie is a bamboo tile necklace made with gel transfer and a beautiful jewel dangle. It is cleverly mounted to a Van Gogh playing card, love that!
Shelly Rae Wood is the artist and I want to Thank-You for such a wonderful necklace!
Now for the gift wrap...here's what she says...
"I made them by ironing freezer paper to snowmen napkins. The pouch is the pull treat pattern from http://www.splitcoastampers.com/. You don't untie it to open it, you just pull on the bow and it "magically" brings out your treat!!" Pretty cool!!
CLICK HERE to visit her blog!

Day 8

Todays present comes from Jeri Aaron. Isn't this cool...an antique teacup pincusion! It is the same Germany dish pattern as my Grandmas (that I didn't inherit), so now I feel all warm in the heart that I have sweet piece to remember her by ...and practical too!It came in a wonderful little gift box too! Thanks Jeri!!
You can visit Jeri's wonderful blog by Clicking Here.

Day 7

For Day 7, Gwynn Thoma sent this elegant dress ornament. The skirt is a dainty hankie scalloped fabric with crystal beaded fringe over the prettiest snowflake sheer fabric - in fact, it's the same fabric that my Day 3 gift was wrapped in. The package was just as pretty, a cotton fabric Bag tied with tinsel...everything so pretty!! Thank you, Gwynn!

Day 6

Is this not the coolest antique spoon?!!! I love it! And how sweet that the little girl in the snow is doing her chores just like a farm girl....I can relate.

Gloria Hanes sent this giftie all wrapped in wonderful music fabric with rusty bells and tags. It sure compliments the gift! This is wonderful, Thanks Gloria!
Take time to visit her blog!

Day 5

I don't know the story on these lovely earrings yet as Diann Scholl is out of town. Aren't they delicate and just beautiful?? Not sure what the stone/bead is but it is sure to match anything. Thank-you Diann!

Tim Holtz 12 Days Surprise!!

I just had to share....I'm a Winner!!
You all know I'm a big fan, been blogging about his 12 Days, heck my grandsons even know who Tim Holtz is!! After school yesterday, James wanted to see the new technique and we were reading down the red highlighted list of prizes and he read them like the Rudolf reindeers list. It was so cute and we were having a good time writing the modified lyrics for our comment to Tim. Low and behold when I went to see Day4....he had us listed first for the prize!! Can you tell I am excited!! A day early for my birthday, but what a surprise!!
Can't wait for James to get home!!
Go See!! I BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC!!

http://timholtz.typepad.com/

Day 4

Can you smell it? This giftie, a wonderful homemade soap, comes from Chris Cunningham.
Click here to visit her blog. Thanks Cris! I will put it out when company comes this Holiday!

Day 3

Todays Wooden Angel was my contribution to the 12 Days of Christmas swap.
I have to admit, that I bought these unfinished wooden components about 5 years ago. They were by the dozen and wholesale....so I got a few. I made some up all rustic for my booths to compliment our barnwood stuff. Long story short, I found a couple boxes that were stashed away and decided to shabby glitz a few with distress inks and stickles and they turned out pretty good... so I decided since I need 12 for the swap that these would work perfect! Hope every enjoys them!

Day 2

This wonderful Art Angel ornament is the Day 2 Gift of the "12 Days of Christmas" swap and was created by Barbara Hagerty of Artiphy the Heart. Love it! Thank-you Barbara!

Getting my Jingle on...
I'm guilty of leaving some blogs on my computor, just to enjoy the music...
Farmchick's blog is a daily stop as her music list is just wonderful! Visit her at Fresh From The Farm for great recipes and great music!

Also...
Don't forget about Tim Holtz's "12 days of Christmas" Tag techniques.
CLICK HERE and head over to his blog.

Another note...
Lisa Vollrath of 'ten two studios' is having a Countdown to Christmas. She will post free new downloadable images each day. Be sure to check out the "rules."

Day 1

of "12 Days Of Christmas" swap!


Hosted by Jeri Aaron of An Artful Gathering, who gathered up 11 artful friends to join in the wonderful swap!
Today's gift, Number 1, is from Angie Hall Haviland. Wrapped in a sparkley snowman bag comes a sweet vintage snowgirl domino necklace. I love the light green and festive look...it will be so much fun to wear this holidays! Thank-you Angie!!

You can see more of her beautiful artwork on her blog: Angie's Art & Full Life.