One more thing....

I posted the covers of the photo albums I made for my cousin to give as gifts. My cousin, J, called me and told me how much she loved them. Well, the 2 people she gave the albums to loved the albums as well and were overwhelmed!!! That made me so happy. I am glad that j's wonderful idea and my work pleased everyone.

Just a few...

I didn't post all 12 months, just a few of my favorites. I can say that see just loved the calendar and container. I hope that the calendar will brighten her days at work. She inspires me to do be creative and is one of my biggest supporters. Thanks, Sis, love you.

December, 2006

A few little presents tied with festive yarn. 

September, 2006

She is a chocolate nut!!  

January 2006

The lunch pail file comes with 12 white cardboard inserts (lucky, no?) Each one became a month that she can display by attaching card to front of pail with a bull nosed clip. 

Calendar Container

This is a lunch pail file by Basic Grey. I decorated the front with a lot of rhinestones and used lots of ribbons on the handle. 

Merry Christmas to all

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I am posting some photos of the calendar I made for my sister's Christmas present. I must add that I made it in record time, 4 days, 4 long and wild days when I thought I would never get it done. Finished it 12/23 just in time to give to her on Christmas eve. The photos are a bit dark but you can see the pics okay. My DH took the pictures!! Enjoy.

Happy Holidays

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!! This is the little tree I have in my art space. I had some help from my friends in decorating it. My wish is that you spend the holidays with loved ones and friends and that all your days be merry and bright.

WOW

I worked a long time on those 2 photo albums. I am glad that the albums are finished and safely in Fla. with my cousin J. When she called that she received the albums, I could tell by her voice that she was pleased with my work. That made all the hair pulling, nail biting, paper cuts and mishaps all disappear for me. The Dad of those 2 also loved the albums and told me that I had done a wonderful thing in creating the albums. I thank J and B for allowing me to do this for them. I thank B for allowing me into their personal lives to create a keepsake for his children. It was J's idea to do the albums, J was the Mom's voice and I was her hands. That what J and I told each other when working up the idea for the albums. I think J has a loving heart to do this for them. I worked up the covers, made several inside pages of family photos and several pages dedicated to their Mom. The rest of the pages are blank, and I am hoping that Din and Dr. G. will fill the pages with other photos and memories. Of course, this is my last venture into photo album/family heritage books, geez, it wasn't easy but very enjoyable to stretch myself into mixed media work. I did the albums for J because she asked and because I love her.

Mom's Picture 2

This is the same photo laid on a painted canvas board. I took a picture of her art work and laid the board on top. Attached to the ribbon at the bottom I put a tag, which I covered with a section of her artwork and printed on vellum the same saying. Their Mom died a year ago so I hope that they are happy with the artwork and the sentiment, 2. I just felt that she was asking to me to tell them that.  

Mom"s Picture

This is a picture of their Mom as a little girl. This photo is in Din's book. Theie Mom was an artist and her picture which I copied b/w and cut out and chalked was laid on a copy of a picture she painted which I copied on canvas paper and attached to a canvas board. Then I laid a transparency over it. The transparency reads " I grew up to be a daughter, sister, sweetheart, wife, mother, traveler, artist, companion and friend. I grew up to love my family and friends and the world around me. A life fulfilled." 

Photo Album Cover 2

This is the second photo album cover for Dr. G. which I made for my cousin as a gift. I used a transparency of a picture of him as a medical student. Listed on each side of that is information about Dr. G. To the top left side is his last name spelled out in tiny lettered bottle caps. Family members are in slide mounts along the bottom. A 7 gypsies large black rubber band on far left side says observations. I used a knob on this album, 2.  

Photo Album Cover

This is the cover of 1 of 2 photo albums I was asked to make for my cousin as gifts for the people pictured on the cover. This is for Din. I had a photo of Din looking over her shoulder, which I copied b/w and cut out, chalk her jeans and shirt. Added rhinestones to jean's pocket and gave her an earring, 2. Under her cut out are strip of a photo collage that I put onto a transpancency and cut into strip, along the side is info about Din. The sheet of paper is 7 gypsies which I inked and sprayed with Glitz Spritz in gold. The knob says 'open'. That was scary poking the hole into the book, what if I goofed up after doing the cover and the rest of the book. My cousin loved the photo albums which made the whole 4 month process a real success. I have other photos to show you, so take a look, please. It was a real labor of love. 

More thanks...

(Sorry, I got bumped off!) The phone call was like she was right next door, so clear and wonderful to hear her voice. She studied for 18 months at Oxford for architecture and fell in love. She married a teacher and now lives in South Hampton with her son and new husband. I am thankful she found love again and is happy, well and enjoying her life. It made my day. Thank you, E. Like others, I am thankful for my art and all the wonderful friends I have made in this artful and colorful world. You won't make better friends than those in the art community. I am thankful for a wonderful, beautiful and artistic goddaughter, K, who means the world to me. If I had a daughter is would be her. And, yes, her sister, 2 that lives in England. Love you both to pieces.

I hope you all had a wonderful day filled with many things to be thankful for, and please remember and carry those thankful memories with you for the rest of your days.

I am thankful for.....

Thankful for my family, friends and all the blessings the Lord gives me everyday. I am thankful for my wonderful husband who never ceases to delight, surprise and support me. No matter my mood, he is cheerful, funny and lifts my spirits. Thankful for my Mom and sister who love me as much as I love them. Thankful for girlfriends who are always there to share and care! I received a phone call today from my niece who lives in England and that really was a treat that she was thinking of me and my family today.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am wishing all my family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving. I received this card from a special friend a few years ago and would like to share it with you. It is highlighted with tiny, tiny clear beads, and it is very precious to me. I will be busy coooking pasta and turkey, yummy! So I am sending everyone my heartfelt wishes for a happy and safe holiday. Be with the ones you love and enjoy your day. Be thankful for all you have because it is often more than we need.

 

Autumn Beauties and more...

I am glad I got to post those artist trading cards. I finished them up in 2 days, one day to put together and one to embellish. That was fast for me! I admit it, I take a lot of time with placement and I like every thing to have a certain balance to it. And after I fiddle around with it, my muse, Scarlet, screams, 'enough already!' and I know then that it's perfection (to me anyway.) So working on ATCs, my big project (yes, still working on that - placement and perfection remember) and a few thousand other projects. No complaining, mind you, I just want more hours in the day, who doesn't? There is a quote about DaVinci, Michelangelo and other greats had the same number of hours in the day as everyone else. I know, I know but they might have used their time better. I do daydream once in awhile (bet they did 2.) Have an artful evening!!

Autumn Beauty 5

This autumn beauty was the first one I completed in the set of 10 artist trading cards I made the the swap. I love the letters. I posted 5 of my favorite eventho the rest are just as beautiful!! 

Autumn Beauty 4

This one is a really cutie. 

Autumn Beauty 3

 

Autumn Beauty

I love the serenity of this autumn lady, don't you? 

Autumn Beauties

Thought I would share these artist trading cards that I made for a swap themed Autumn Beauty. I guess I wasn't thinking leaves but ladies. 

Took the day off....

I took the day off and enjoyed the beautiful fall day, put the top down on my car and away I went. I did a bit of shopping, what exactly is a bit?? I still don't know. Had lunch out and just enjoyed the day. I told Scarlet to take the day off because we have a lot of work to do and she needs the rest. It is so freeing to have the wind blow your do around!! LOL I think it's good to drive around with the top down in autumn just as in summer, I love the crisp air and don't really care that my car gets loaded with falling leaves. Fun day. Now I will have to get artfully again. I did get Scarlet, my muse, a few new things to play with like colorful chalks and ribbons. Now I need to settle down and get some art going. It's so hard when autumn beckons you outdoors. Be artful everyday.

Pictures Worth 1,000 Words

I am so glad I got these pictures up on my blog. I was writing to my goddaughter and decided to take pictures of my art space. Since I took the time to take the pictures, I thought I would scan and send pictures to my blog. I am glad I did. My art space looks just like the pictures, that is saying a lot since I don't take the greatest pictures some days. My goddaughter says that an art space is very important and I agree.

 

Where the magic happens

Magic happens on my work table. That is if Scarlet, my muse, is up to the task. I took this picture before Scarlet worked her messy magic! 

At Last - My Art Space

Here it is. My little slice of heaven on earth. It has been a long time coming but now my muse and I have a space to call our own. And we are very happy. 

Hello

Just killing some time while my photos dry. I have been printing my photos onto photo paper. I find that I get a better print by using that type of paper. It takes 24 hours to dry completely but I can handle it at least so that I can check how it will look when I use it in my artwork.

Right now, I am working on my project and making good progress!!! Keep your fingers crossed.

Busy, busy...

So now that I have my art room, I have been busy working on my 2 largest projects to date. I need to really concentrate on them so that I can get the project done on time. With moving into the art room I wasn't able to work on anything for about 2 weeks, needless to say, I was art starved!! No more excuses now. I have a lot of things to work on, there is a deadline for everything I am working on right now, you know, holidays and special artwork for people I care about need to be done and wrapped for the holidays. So maybe I should shut up and get to work. I wish you an artful day.

Great News!!!!

I have my own art room! Yes, after 5 years on the kitchen table, meals are now served in the kitchen and art is served in my art room. I hesitate to call it an art studio because I don't think I'm ready to call it that just yet. After a few more masterpieces in altering and collage maybe I will. Everyone has one, now I do, 2. It's wonderful to have my own space, surrounded by my artsy stuff, paper, glue, paints and all that glitters. I can clean up my work table or not. The work table is new, a wonderful creation 53 in.wide on wheels!!! Large enough to work on 2 projects at one time. I will take pictures and post them soon. I am still pinching myself.

Lastest Venture-Ebay

With all the other things going on, I have decided it was time to do some fall housecleaning. I have way too many craft books that I no longer use and I am going to let these books, my treasures, go to others to use and enjoy as I have. I will let you know when I have listed them and you might want to check them out. Everyone is doing it, so I thought I would join the crowd. I might have a few other items of interest in my store as well.

Fall has Arrived

Fall is here, my favorite season of the year. I love the chill in the air, the smell of the leaves, and the rainy days. I am sad to see summer go but what a display of color fall brings when it arrives. Right now, there isn't much color in the leaves except for a few trees but when you least expect it, the reds, yellows, and oranges will be rustling along the curbs and lawns. Don't you just love the crunch of leaves underfoot?? I do. Any rainy days are going for creating art, trust me, it's true, the start of every season renews my interests with the shape and color of things outside my window.

New Projects

I will be starting work on my next project which is 2 heritage books. I purchased two really large photo albums from Paper Source. The albums are 12x13, black cover and pages, I like to work on a dark surface lately, I don't know why. Anyway, instead of putting a scrapbook together I will be working on the covers, the inside of the front and back covers and sprinkling some artwork throughout the book. The object is for the receiver to continue adding photos and personal items to the album. Okay? Seems easy enough but I want everything to be just right so. Of course, I have to work out how I am going to do all this. I have several good ideas that I have been playing around with. I have started working on gathering all the materials I need and soon I will take the first scary step into the abyss of creativity. Wish me luck. Oh you know, putting down the first piece and hoping it will look like I imagine it will. No sweat. It's going to be fun and challenging. I have a few other things that I will add into the mix while working on the books. It feels good to be busy with art.

Hello

It's been awhile since I have posted and even added any new art. I was reminded of that by my friends in St. Louis, thanks girls!!! Anyway, I did the composition notebook for Kat, she's a real hip chick that just graduated from the Art Institute in Chicago and has moved a few weeks ago to Santa Fe, NM to continue her art adventure. She was altering Barbie dolls before we thought of it. LOL Anyway, I just cut out various parts of models from a fashion magazine and put it all together to compose the gal on the cover. I love the face and I have used it on a lot of other covers I have made. I think the look is so cool. I am sure I will be using it a lot more.

This is a cover I did on a composition notebook for my goddaughter who just graduated from the Art Insitute in Chicago. I think it captures Kat's wit and charm. Hope she likes it!!! 

Be Artful

So I will think about my big 3 projects and also about the smaller but just as important as the big ones. I hope you will be artful and create your art today and everyday. Have fun with it, talk with you soon and of course, I will tell you how things are going!

Artist's Lament

Like I said, I have been busy with summer. I have several projects that I am getting ready to begin and thought it would be a good time so take a break and collect my thoughts. So before I plan out my projects, I took some time to just let everything go and do just what I wanted to do with my time. 3 big projects are on my mind, I will spend some time planning them out and then writing down my ideas for them. You know that sometimes the best laid plans go, if you don't know the quote, go look it up. LOL Of course, you know that in the end you will do the art in your heart and the plans will just float into thin air.

Hello

It's been awhile since I have posted, I have been busy enjoying summer!!! I have put the artwork on the back burner and just enjoying the sunshine.

I saw a few things...

I saw a few things on the online groups I belong to that I want to try.

1. A book of me
2. Album w/protector sheets used as art journal

These 2 things are on the top of my list along with a new chunky book project called my favorite things and calendars for 2006. I have a few other things to do so it should be a very busy end of summer 4 me. Woo-hoo!!!

Thank you

I received so many wonderful comments on my bracelet cones. Thanks to everyone, it lifted my spirits that you liked my artwork. It's great because the cones were so easy to do and I had fun making them, you recognized that, oh joy!!! It's a great feeling. Share your art, put it out there and good vibes will be returned to you, 2.

This is my bracelet cone 2. I made this one for my sister. She calls it her 'queen hat.' I told her what it is for but she doesn't want to ruin it. She won't, silly girl. 

I feel good

A small thing in the scheme of things, I mentioned on a group that every one should have a blog and some gal Took (heeheehee) my suggestion. That was a wonderful feeling. My friends encouraged me and I feel good that I could pass it on. Good luck and have fun with your blog.

Artfully Day

So I did a lot today, artwise, that is. When I zone in with my creative muse, Scarlet, I forget to do anything else. Forget the dust bunnies!!! I made my bracelet cone yesterday and did another today. I will post a pic later. Now I think I will do one more. Once you start something it's not easy to stop. And besides, I know how it works now. I experimented with mine, the 2nd one was easier and the 3rd will be a charm, I hope. Why do I say that, I hope??? So negative of me to say that. No more negative waves here. Be artfully, it's good for the soul.

My bracelet cone. I wish the pic was clearer but this is the best I could get it. Anyway, I turned a Vicortian Cone upside down and made it a bracelet holder instead, just slip on the bracelets and no need to look in your drawers for your jewelery anymore. I love it. 

Newest Favorite Things

1. Book-Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
2. Music-The Beekeeper by Tori Amos
3. DVD-National Treasure with N. Cage

This is my Girlfriend book cover! I had such fun with this, can you tell?  

It's June, celebrate the coming of Summer. 

Board Book. 1 more boy page. I told you I had fun with this.