Sandee's Sanity

Valentine Mail Art

2012-01-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is for a Valentine post card swap in one of my groups. It needed to have a heART and the word LOVE. This was a wonderful way to start my Sunday!

Play date yesterday!

2012-01-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

Peggy came over to play yesterday morning. We spent the time painting and inking deli papers. It was so fun to see how we both approached it. We did swap some papers and this is what I created with them:

The BIG BLUE HeART in the middle came from Peggy's papers. The rest are from mine. question...who's more abstract and who's more controlled?

Happy Surprise!

2012-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

I suffered from a headache all day today, and after I realized that pretending to sleep was not going to make it go away, I went to go play in my studio. I love my Scrappy HeART journal because some of the pages are very small and not as overwhelming. I decided to paint a small page purple with my new cheapie water colors. Then I took a stencil and sprayed Color Mists on the page. After I removed the stencil and dabbed it with a paper towel, this is what remained...

Yummy...it actually took on the look of batik. Boy, was I completely surprised and extremely happy with the results. This is what I did with the page once I stopped staring at it in awe...

I kept the page simple because I really love the background.. .I almost didn't art on it at all! See, sometimes you just have to PLAY!

At Peace

2012-01-23T21:25:00.000-08:00

wanted to share from this journal. don't usually from this one, but i was feeling the love...

Heart Songs

2012-01-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Felt more like writing than arting today. It's just so dreary outside and my muse just didn't feel like paper, paint or glue sticks.

Goddess

2012-01-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

The goddess...I have a little statue of her in my bedroom. I love her shape and what she stands for...unity. Here is my Scrappy HeART journal interpretation of her.

Scrappy HeART Journal Cover

2012-01-21T11:46:00.001-08:00

I have been working in this journal for awhile but never worked on the covers. This morning I decided it was time:

True to the nature of the title, I used only scraps, well, except for the crown. I didn't actually purchase anything special. I used these tiny heart stickers that I had for years. The background is old book pages that were placed randomly. I sealed them with matte medium and then spread red, orange and yellow acrylics with a baby wipe. I ADORE that technique. I painted the hearts (yes, you read that correctly. I ACTUALLY PAINTED SOMETHING) and outlined with water color crayon and white gel pen. The borders are my painted deli papers. I LOVE those deli papers.....

Sing, revamped

2012-01-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

It felt off to me; unbalanced...

Now I'm a happy camper!

Sing

2012-01-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today's Scrappy HeART journal page. Little different for me, using whites and ivories as a background. Had fun with the change!

Share My HeART

2012-01-18T11:28:00.001-08:00

I woke up feeling down in the dumps today. I really want to get back into the classroom and all I hear from the local districts is budget cuts, no positions available, doesn't look good for the 2012-13 school year. I do have 2 subbing interviews coming up and that is certainly better than nothing.

Here is my piece reflecting my mood. I needed to share my HeART today. It made me feel better. This is a 2 x 4 inch Library Book card (remember those?)

Have a great day, peeps!

Ramblin' On

2012-01-17T11:11:00.001-08:00

Today I journaled first and then did the page. I don't typically work in that direction; I must have had a lot to say.

This is a larger page in my Scrappy HeART journal. Background water colors, acrylics, pen, ink...the journaling is on notebook paper (it's more like a memo pad so the lines are closer together) that I keep handy for wiping my fingers, brushes, etc. I feel like my MUSE is a little tired; I'm having a hard time working my pages right now. I hate that feeling but I keep pushing on.

Sustained in Scrappy HeART

2012-01-16T11:26:00.001-08:00

My page for today. Being unemployed certainly has its perks!

I used my new water colors for the green background as well as some PRANG metallic cheapie water colors. I'm loving these!!!!!

2 More for HeART

2012-01-15T11:22:00.001-08:00

I made this one when we arrived in Cali, but nothing was set up so I couldn't scan it...

...and this one I made this morning. Just playing around with those new water colors...

I used my leftover 140 lb. cold press paper for this journal. I really want to use my Fabriano paper. Next journal...

Water color experts, I'll take any advice you'd like to give me. Teach me, teach me, teach me!

Scrappy HeART is HEAVEN...

2012-01-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

I did a really stupid thing. I left all my scrapbook paper in CT thinking that I really didn't need it. DUMB...because just when you need a certain piece of something...yada, yada, yada...

I played in my Scrappy HeART journal yesterday. I'm playing more with water colors than acrylics these days. I'm enjoying that light and airy feel of them. I bought an inexpensive set of cake (is this what they are referred to as?) water colors at a local shoppe yesterday and will play with them today. The set was $12 for about 20 colors and they seem to be working just fine.

This piece was made with some old water colors that I'm trying to use up.

I'm having a bit of a brain fart when it comes to making anything right now. I'm pretty sure it has to do with all the changes going on in my life, you know...moving across country AGAIN and looking for a teaching job. However, I used my coveted orange and that alone brought a smile to my face!

I'm Published!!!!!

2012-01-14T08:42:00.001-08:00

What an absolute thrill to be published in one of my favorite magazines. Art Journaling asked me to write an article for them and you can find it if you click on the magazine title. It is such an incredible honor to be published with the likes of Kate Crane and Joanne Sharpe! Wow! Wow! Wow!!!!

This is the Winter 2012 issue. I'm just so psyched!!!

Arting in Sunny California!

2012-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Wow...it seems almost surreal to be back here. It's like I never left, except for the lack of employment. Seeing old friends, eating in favorite restaurants, and sunny, sunny skies.

I had some studio time today. I love doing the Mail Art swaps. This swap has an Asian theme. I haven't used vintage images in such a long time so this was a true challenge:

Can't wait to post again!!!!!

3 Days on the Road

2011-12-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

No photos...just words. We spent 3 days on the road so far. EXTREMELY uneventful. We've slept in Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Saw the most AMAZING sunset in Nebraska. It lasted for 45 minutes. I don't think I'll see anything like that ever again. On to Salt Lake City, Utah today...

Moving Back to California

2011-12-07T17:37:00.001-08:00

Yup, that is what we're doing. We are moving back. After four years, we are leaving the snow, the rednecks, the prejudice, and all the things that have made our lives a living hell during our stay here. I have resigned from my teaching position; last day is Dec. 23rd. We start driving across country on Dec. 25th. Yes, we are driving...hence, the JOURNEY theme for this journal. My husband is staying behind to sell the house (he's still gainfully employed and we DO NEED THE MONEY TO DO THIS!) and will join us soon.

I wanted to journal the journey. I've NEVER had a journal just for writing, so this is a new thing for me. Here is what I have so far...

It's a bound 'visual journal' that I bought from Dick Blick's; I think 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. Some pages are Caran D'ache Crayons and some are acrylics. Some are stamped. All the pages are bordered with hand painted deli papers/book pages. I hope I enjoy writing in it as much I'm enjoying making it!

Scrappy HeART page

2011-12-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

I love this journal because it has so many different sized pages, tags, scrap...anything I could get my hands on that was just laying around when I made it. This is on a tag; used things that were just laying on my table.

Family Togetherness!

2011-11-27T10:04:00.002-08:00

Had all my kids in one place at one time. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! Took total advantage of the moment.

Sure hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving.

New page in my Scrappy HeART journal. I'm really missing Walnut Creek. I just wish my stars would align and I could magically be transported there to live out the rest of my life. Here is my page with that in mind:

The house is fabric. I rarely use just paint, but I wanted simpleness for this page. Background is simply water color.

Fabric Postcards

2011-11-21T14:28:00.001-08:00

Cloth, Paper, Scissors has a reader challenge for fabric postcards. It intrigued me so I copied 2 original pieces onto fabric and went from there. Here is the result...

Scrappy HeART Journal page

2011-11-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

The base for this is a library card. Not too thrilled with the pea green...

New Altered Envelope

2011-11-12T17:37:00.000-08:00

I think I had a desperate need for the ocean today. Growing up extremely close to the beach really impacted my life. If I could pick anywhere on the earth to live, it would be in a beach house. Either coast; I'm not picky~LOL!

Light

2011-11-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

I would have journaled sooner, but we had a Nor'easter on Oct. 28th that took out power in most of CT. We went for 7 days without it. Now, it wouldn't have been so bad if we were on city water and natural gas. But nooooooooooooo! We have a well and septic (which run on electric) and an electric stove. And it got COLD. However, we did fair better than most: we had a generator which allowed us to run our pellet stove for heat, hook up our fridge and our freezer, and most importantly, run the TV and DVD player.

My studio is in the basement and there is no natural light down there. I spent the week making jewelry and will post that as soon as I can.

Here is my ode to the storm:

Stay warm, peeps!

Heart Journal

2011-10-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't journaled since school started and I feel like a beginner all over again. Not too thrilled with the way it came out, but now that things have settled in fairly well at school, I may be able to get the rust off my fingers and start up again.

This is a teeny tiny piece, maybe 2 x 4 inches. Needed to start small...

Wild Thing

2011-10-23T17:29:00.001-07:00

You make my heart sing.......you make everything, groovy...wild thing........Dear Lord, I think I'm digressing!

I really just meant to post my Monochromatic Bird for a Monochromatic Bird Swap. Alas, it gave me Jimi on the brain!

Why I picked browns I can not tell you other than it has been a long time since I have dabbled in it and, perhaps, needed to have a brown fix~LOL!

MAIL CALL, again...

2011-10-20T10:48:00.001-07:00

I'm home today with a very nasty stomach bug that has already knocked 1/3 of my teaching staff on their arses. It is NASTY!!! So, after spending too much time trying to fight this thing, I dragged my tush down to the studio and decided to make some mail art. I swear, I could have stayed down there for ever, but nature started to call.

The background is made from Caran D'ache crayons. I just LOVE using these. There is also some art-ed deli paper and painted book pages that just accumulate on my work space. Sure wish I could stay home and play all day...

Nothing like a deadline!

2011-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so good about fulfilling my swap commitments; I don't usually sign up for any if I think I can't manage it. But September got away from me in a BIG way. First Irene...which caused havoc everywhere. And then the delayed start of the school year. To add insult to injury, I was completely overwhelmed with my teaching job...so many needy children, so little time.

I have two swaps that needed to have art uploaded by today...and I DID IT!!! The following are for a Zetti swap and an owl themed swap. It was so nice to be able to do these, even if I was racing the clock!

Hallo-lu-yah!

2011-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

A FREE day to do some art!!! I thought I'd never see my studio again the way the school year has started. Home today for Rosh Hashanah, and spent some quality time making this mail art for a swap. There was no theme to this, but I chose Halloween because I love the holiday.

Found my webbing spray paint from a hundred years ago and had fun with that! I'm not a stamper, but I love these Halloween stamps. What an incredibly relaxing afternoon.

Dearest sweet friends...

2011-09-27T20:37:00.002-07:00

I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth.. The new school year has started and, being a kindergarten and first grade reading teacher in a high poverty school, the work is just overwhelming. I do plan on getting back to my art as soon as I can breathe! Perhaps this week sometime???

Halloween Banner Swap

2011-08-29T13:42:00.001-07:00

I'm in a swap with 7 friends. The banner is 5 x 7 3/4". I'm not really convinced that I'm finished with it. I'll play around with it a bit tomorrow.

I'm baaaaaacccccccckkkkkkkkk!

2011-08-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was away in Delaware for a week with a friend. No husband or children; just friends. What a RELAXING week. Then back home and back to work!!! I did manage to squeeze in a piece for a swap today.

Now time to go prepare for Irene. Sheesh!

Today's the Day

2011-08-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

In my 'thru my eyez' journal. Background is Caran D'ache crayons.

Stop To Think

2011-08-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm trying very hard to continue working in my journals every day. This page is in my 'thru my eyez' journal. I swear, I'm feeling more and more like this these days!!!

Totally Modern Mona

2011-08-12T10:04:00.002-07:00

This is for a Zetti Mona Lisa swap in one of my art groups:

Trying to Journal Every Day...

2011-08-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, to be a teacher. As much as I love my job, it is so hard to go back to work. Especially since the school year was extended by 10 days due to the MASSIVE amount of snowfall we had here in CT. That meant summer break cut by 2 weeks. Now I'm not looking for sympathy; however, just remember that my salary does reflect the amount of days that I work...

I am trying to journal every day. Here are pages from yesterday and this morning.

That poor heart has a HUGE mistake underneath it. I had to save the page because it is a part of my 'thru my eyez' journal.

Time to go to the town pool; it's glorious outside!

Yay! Time for art...

2011-08-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

I was away for a long weekend with my family (son came up from SC with gf. He goes to college down there...) Went to Lake George with my kiddos, husband, bro and sis in laws and my niece and her bf, and rented a speed boat...OMG! What a GREAT time! However, no time or place to do any art. I went thru a bit of withdrawal. Finished this page today; unfortunately, I forgot what I had originally intended to do on it so I had a bit of a brain fart when working on it. I hate when I lose my momentum!

Square Peg

2011-08-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

In my 'thru my eyez' journal. Had fun making this!

Art Itinerant Week 3

2011-08-03T09:21:00.001-07:00

Week 3's theme was Recycling and since I had craft paper from some package that I received in the past I used that. It didn't quite come out the way I envisioned it in my head, but you live and learn, right?

Outlines are too dark and the hearts are getting lost. At least the message is a good one~LOL!

Plant A Seed

2011-08-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

A small page in my scrap journal. The page is 2.5 x 5.5 inches. I'm still using the scraps on my work table. This was made with spray mist, scrap paper, hand made paper, acrylics.

Some New Mail Art

2011-08-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Way too much fun making these!

My baby is 16!

2011-07-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that 16 years ago I had my baby. He was a difficult pregnancy, but well worth it!

Happy Birthday Zach!!!
(Dave, what are you doing?)

Here's a piece I made in my HeART scrap journal today. Thinking about the kiddo!

He stole my HeART!

HeART Love...feelin' it!

2011-07-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Great doctor's visit last night. However, it took HOURS to get through it all. Still can't sleep well so I got up and made some HeART art in my scrap journal. I think the theme will be HeART for this one. Seems to be the path I'm taking.

This was made on one of the huge tags: acrylic paints mixed with a baby wipe, stencils and spray mists (I totally messed up and needed to cover some of it), handmade paper, Caran D'ache crayons (I love how they can be rubbed...), Staz-On inks. Fibers will be added at a later date.

Fun in New Journal

2011-07-29T09:06:00.001-07:00

I'm going through a bit of a health crisis right now. Too early to post what it is, but it does have my mind preoccupied when not doing art. I love my art journals. They give me an opportunity to just tune out the world and the stress that I'm under.

Here is the first page in my new journal. Background is Caran D'ache, some acrylics, Sharpie paint pen, my new stencil, spray ink. I love the heart but not too thrilled with the star. C'est la vie!

Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose

2011-07-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

I chose to repurpose. I'm still on my "need to use all my crap before I buy anything else" mission. I decided to go through all my stuff to see what would make a fun journal page. Wow, did I find stuff! Look at what I did with them:

I found huge tags, old unused time cards, and the cards you use to stick in the pockets of library books.

I also found lots and lots of water color paper pieces of various sizes. The largest pages are 9 x 6. there are some as small as 2 x 4. I used my Rubicoil machine to bind it. Can't wait to see how it will look when it's all finished!

Art Itinerant Week 2

2011-07-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Week 2 was acrylic paints, magazine images and being a woman. I NEVER just slop paint onto paper (well, sometimes I do..) but I just took some bright colors and painted. Nothing fancy, just sponge brush and paint.

Sketchbook Project Page 2

2011-07-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

I just wasn't feelin' it. Too much on my mind right now.

I Love My Toes!

2011-07-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Barb, this one's for you! Smooch!!!!!

Art Itinerant Week 1

2011-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

The theme was LOVE...

Sketchbook Project 2012

2011-07-21T12:22:00.001-07:00

I FINALLY sat down to get this started. I pulled the book apart and replaced the paper with watercolor paper. Instead of having a bazillion pages to complete, I now have just 16 (8 pages front to back). I think this is much more manageable. The book can't be wider than an inch when completed so I feel pretty safe with this.

The cover needs tweaking. I'm not completely satisfied with it yet.

I haven't touched the inside covers yet. The back cover is complete but nothing to write home about. Here is the first page:

I like the way this came out. BUT I NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM ORANGE! (I can't help myself sometimes. The color makes me so happy...)

Circles!!!

2011-07-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is in honor of my day today; trying to get a hold of my doctor to discuss a test result. I was not a happy camper!

Using more crap, I mean, scrap...

2011-07-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

Here's another journal page using only the items found on my work table (and on the floor!)

I was gone for a couple of days...

2011-07-17T10:12:00.004-07:00

I spent a GLORIOUS day boating on Lake George (NY). Gary rented a 20 foot speed boat that MOI got to drive. We rented water skis, a wake board and a humungous tube and spent 8 awesome hours in 82 degree, extremely low humidity sunshine. Of course we had 2 of the 3 boys with us. But it was still amazing!

My studio was calling to me this morning. I am now challenging myself to use up all the CRAP that I own and/or have on my work table. Well, it's not really a challenge because there is so much stuff sitting on top of and on the floor surrounding my workspace that it's easy to find things to play with. I don't want to spend any money on supplies. However, I did find that the new Sharpie PENS (not paints or the markers as we know them) write BeAuTiFuLlY on ANY SURFACE!!!!!

I bought a three pack of black and a pack that had one of each of orange, green, purple. And I didn't actually use real money. I got them at Staples using my ink cartridge recycle check. Here's what I created:

Let's see...I used beach blue spray mist, acrylic paints, gesso, more acrylic paints, stencils, glue caps for small outline of circle, Staz-On inks, my lovely Sharpie Pen, painted papers...I think that's everything. I'll journal on it later today...

Ta-da!!!

Happy Heart!

2011-07-13T07:47:00.001-07:00

No news could be better than finding out you have a healthy heart. (Well, maybe finding out that Brad Pitt would like to meet me, or that I won a 5000 sq. ft. beach house in Hawaii might be better news). However, today's news was EXCELLENT! After finding out last week that a routine EKG was abnormal, I was FREAKING out!!! I went for a stress test on Monday and waited until this morning to get the results of that.

Apparently, the stress test also produced an abnormal EKG. However, the films and photos of my heart showed no plaque, no clogged arteries, no muscle damage, etc. What may show up as abnormal is, hence, quite normal for me. More than likely born with this. I am considered a VERY LOW RISK for a heart attack and my doctor and the cardiologists gave me their blessing to exercise my ass off if I choose to do so.

A Happy Heart makes a happy owner. I am a VERY happy person!

Pink?

2011-07-12T17:33:00.001-07:00

I am so NOT a pink person. However, after two glasses of Pinot Grigio, pink started to look really good! Here's my journal for today...

Before and after...

2011-07-11T15:52:00.002-07:00

The finished page using Roben-Marie's technique. However, I curse the
pen that managed to RUN OUT OF INK as I was journaling. Urgh! I'm
NOT happy with the lettering...C'est la vie...

Heart Health

2011-07-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

OK...I thought I was doing the right thing. I'm turning the big 5-0 in October and I thought it would be a GREAT idea to get a complete, and I mean complete, physical. So, I endured the girlie exam, the blood work, and surprisingly, an EKG. My doctor does that routinely with all people over the age of 21. Now just imagine my shock when my EKG came out ABNORMAL!!! Now, I'm an extremely healthy person, good cholesterol, blood pressure, vitamin levels, calcium levels, negative girlie exam...but my ticker has a glitch?

Off I went to take my stress test today. After almost 24 hours of fasting and 4 hours of staying completely still, running,staying completely still again, probing, pricking (let's talk about STRESS!!!!!!!!), I'm home and able to journal. Here's the last page in my 'Orange Journal'. Time for a nap.

For Those of You who Love to Art Journal...

2011-07-10T07:07:00.003-07:00

There are great videos to watch: here is Roben-Marie Smith's techniques. Lots of wonderful ideas...she shows you how she made this page. Very cool. I think I may have to give this technique a shot today! I'll upload when I'm finished...

OK...pre-journaling...not exactly like Roben-Marie's example; I used a previously gessoed page and I don't own Adirondack Spray Mists. But I did use a lot of gesso, acrylics, a stencil, inks, etc.

Enjoy Life

2011-07-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

It seems like all my art has been so morose lately. I needed a lift. This is for a 'Bird' swap in one of my art groups.

Is This Piece Scary?

2011-07-08T16:32:00.001-07:00

Gary thinks it is. Not really what I wanted to hear after working on it for 2 hours. Sort of hurt my artful pride, if you know what I mean. This is a 4 x 6 piece for an animal themed zetti swap. Really, is it THAT bad?

Crazy Love

2011-07-07T07:33:00.002-07:00

Just another adventure in motherland. Anybody want a couple of teenagers?

A New Blogging Venture!

2011-07-07T06:44:00.002-07:00

geri centonze over at My Heart Art is starting this. Please check it out!

Mail Art Altered Envelope #3

2011-07-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

It was just so dreary out yesterday so I decided to spend the day in my studio where it's nice and cool and FAR, FAR AWAY from the chaos that is my life! Created Mail Art instead!

Havin' a Little Fun

2011-06-26T03:07:00.003-07:00

Collage Play with Crowabout Challenge week 126:

Super Powers

2011-06-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

On a happy note, I just finished my June journal prompt page. The prompt was, 'if you had super powers, what would they be?' Had fun with this; I'm sure you'll be able to relate to my response since I don't know ANYONE who hasn't felt this way before.

Sadness

2011-06-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

In a tough place right now. Trying to vent through my journal. It does help...

Vision

2011-06-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

A page in my 'thru my eyez' journal.

Traveler

2011-06-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Having fun with zetti and birds!

With Wings all is Possible

2011-06-19T18:04:00.001-07:00

I haven't felt much like art with the end of the school year and all that entails, and all the crap that's going on with my offspring. However, I did drag my bootie down the stairs to the studio and tried to get going. This is what came out:

I Can Just Spit!

2011-06-11T08:03:00.002-07:00

I swear, this town is a horrible place to live. When we moved back to the east coast from CA we chose to live in CT. We NEVER realized what a closed-minded, anti-semitic, mayonnaise town we moved to when we first got here. We have since learned that if you're not from here; if your family did not grow up here; if you don't belong to the same place of worship as everyone else here...you're an outsider, an alien and a threat to their all-white Stepford community. And the Stepford people have given the administrators in the school district and the police force all the power they need to make outsiders unwelcome. I really don't want to live here any more. Especially after what happened to my children this week. I want to go HOME!

So please understand that my journal page is my way of getting some of these feelings out before they fester inside of me. If the phrase KISS MY ASS offends you, so sorry. In the meantime, DH will be looking for a job back in CA. I need to save my kids from this dreadful place before someone kills them!

Boy, was I in a MOOD!

2011-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

After a REALLY crappy day, I had to come home and vent. And since NO ONE here really listens to me anyway, I vented into my journal. Thank G_d for art!

Masking Tape for Journaling

2011-06-05T14:37:00.003-07:00

I wish I could take credit for this idea but I got it from roc and terri and a group I belong to. I placed masking tape over the page where I didn't want any medium. It acts as a mask. I used 2 inch wide tape so I tore the sides to give it a more grungy look. I spread my 89 cent acrylics along the edges and used ink mists on the rest of the page. To make the circles I used the top of a prescription bottle and the top of a glue stick. Once dry, I removed the masking tape and went over some of the paper with punchinella and Staz-On. Once I journal I'll figure out what I want to do on the 'clean' parts.

and the finished product...

The page is a little bigger than my scanner so a bit of the words are cut off...

Mail Call!!!

2011-06-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

Some mail art for a swap. This is ADDICTING!!!

Had to update the profile photo...

2011-05-31T17:18:00.010-07:00

I haven't cut my hair in months; well, maybe a trim. But I just don't look like the picture I had here. So, hence, a new photo. It was taken on my lovely porch sitting on my newest acquisition:

Bought it at Target. Actually got 2 of them. When the price is right...

And this is what I saw while sitting in this glorious chair:

It's dusk and just gorgeous during this part of the evening. I got up to look at the woods (I'm surrounded by 2.5 acres of the green stuff) and thought I'd share...)

Went back to sit on the chair and worked on the really S-K-I-N-N-Y page of my new journal and this is what I came up with:

That's all from this end. Enjoy the moment!

I NEED TO DECOMPRESS!!!

2011-05-30T16:32:00.003-07:00

Lord have mercy...sometimes I wonder why I had children. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY, REALLY love my sons. But I have been challenged by all three of them far more than I bargained for. Today I was told by my 15 year old that I was F*@#%KING PSYCHOTIC! Maybe so, but I would like to be a HAPPY F*@#%KING PSYCHOTIC! Too much going on here with him. However, it did inspire me to look at my new acquisition. A book by Traci Bunkers called ART Journal Workshop.

I was stuck in a real "precise and planned" rut and needed to LET GO!!! Her book is great and you can find it here.

Here is my new journal:

Unfortunately, the whole page doesn't fit. But I think you get the idea.

New Journal Cover

2011-05-24T07:22:00.004-07:00

This is the second time I tried to make this journal cover. Why is it that I can make the art in the journals but the covers cause me so much anxiety? This isn't perfect, but I'm not making it again. Perhaps when I get motivated, I'll add to it.

The windows are made with altered slide mounts. I'm trying desperately to use up all my supplies before I even think about buying anything else.

Mail Art Altered Envelope

2011-05-20T18:33:00.004-07:00

I've never participated in an Altered Envelope swap before and it sounded fun. Here's mine...

Prompt 4 Journal Page

2011-05-19T18:40:00.002-07:00

The prompt was "If I weren't afraid I would..." Here's mine:

Never Hide

2011-05-17T18:26:00.002-07:00

A page in my Orange Journal. Sure wish I had more time to play.

These Old Bottles

2011-05-14T08:57:00.002-07:00

For some reason, these vintage bottles have my interest. Can't explain, but I'm running with it!

More Fun with Crow About Challenge

2011-05-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying this challenge since I finally have the time. You can find the group here. The different interpretations from one collage sheet is just amazing.

This is for a bird quote/adage swap. Simple but sweet!

Having fun in my Orange Journal

2011-05-05T18:03:00.001-07:00

Just having fun!

2011-04-28T18:28:00.002-07:00

I haven't done the Crow About Challenge in so long. But I really needed some down time with the school year winding down. It gets so intense this time of year. This challenge is so much fun; you have to try to use all the collage pieces assigned for the week. It really is a challenge....

Journal Page

2011-04-28T13:17:00.006-07:00

The journal prompt this month was 'if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and write a postcard to someone from there'. I had a MAJOR LEAGUE hard time coming up with the art for this one.

For those of you who know me, you know that I lived in CA from 1998-2007. This past week was our first trip back since we moved and am now completely homesick for my friends there and the lifestyle we had there. Sigh...

The Raven

2011-04-16T08:30:00.002-07:00

For an Edgar Allan Poe swap I'm hosting in one of my art groups. Needs tweaking but it'll have to wait until after I come back from vacation.

New Art Journal Page

2011-04-09T16:41:00.003-07:00

This is the right hand side of the journal spread. I would show you the actual journaling part but I can't seem to get the scanner to work again! Sheesh...sometimes I just hate technology.

Wait, wait...it's working, it's working....and...Tah Dah!!!!!

Corny as it may be.......

Egg-cellent Taste!

2011-04-03T13:33:00.001-07:00

For an egg swap...

Face and crown by Tumble Fish Studios

Bunny's got her own gig!

2011-04-02T14:12:00.003-07:00

For a Zetti Easter Swap.

Black Project

2011-03-24T04:21:00.003-07:00

I'm in a swap challenge where we have to use a black background to make a zetti piece. It's also rather large for me; 8.5 x 5.5 inches. I had to go back to this over several days because I had such a hard time with it. I'm on the fence with it...

Crown, star and wings compliments of Tumble Fish Studios.

Nasty Head Cold

2011-03-17T09:48:00.002-07:00

I've been home the past 2 days with a horrifically stuffed nose and joint aches. I don't think it's the flu; I think it comes from just laying around!!! Not one to just be able to sit, I went into my studio this morning and made this for a Bird/Home Sweet Home swap.

Something to CROW About!

2011-03-16T07:15:00.002-07:00

This was quite fun to make!

My Orange Journal

2011-03-13T15:21:00.002-07:00

I never uploaded this entry. I had hit a real dry spell.....

Left side...

and right side.

I wish I didn't have to work!!!!!

2011-03-13T14:44:00.002-07:00

Then I could play all day in my studio. Thank goodness I belong to a journal prompt group/ I'd never get anything done!

This page is teeny tiny. Not alot of room for art because I had too much to say (surprise!!!) The prompt was "What do you believe?"

Mini's for Altoid Tin Swap

2011-03-13T14:33:00.004-07:00

In one of the groups I belong to we had to choose a theme and alter an Altoid tin to fit that theme. There are five people in my group. Here are their mini's for their tins. Each one is 2" x 3 1/4"; just a little smaller than an ATC.

Hope's owl theme:

Marilyn's children theme:
Astrid's bird theme (I love working with birds...):

Renee's Zetti theme:

AND mine! I love Zetti too; had to make one for myself!

Orange Journal

2011-02-06T12:12:00.004-08:00

Those people that really know me know that my favorite color is orange. I decided that this year, I would make an Orange Journal. In the past I have started a bazillion journals, stopping at some point due to frustration: size is wrong, book is BOUND, color is wrong, I can't draw, I can't THINK, too much on my plate, etc. But a recent trip to Michael's gave me a new attitude. In the $1.00 bins (come on, admit it, you check them out too!) were these packages of 6 x 6 inch white chipboard pages. Now I'm thinking to myself, "Hmm...a dollar for 5 pages; 10 if you count front and back. Ten cents a page. I can handle that."

I absolutely loved the size of the pages and the fact that they WERE NOT BOUND! Hence, a huge part of my frustration was eliminated just by having the pages loose. I loved the tabs on the pages as well. Needless to say, I bought all of them. And much to my surprise, they were 40% off! So, 8 packages, 5 pages each, 80 pages front and back...all for $4.80!

No, I'm not using all of them for my Orange Journal. I've gessoed and painted just 2 packs of them. But I wanted to share some of the pages. I won't share all because some of them are very personal, but there are others that are just quirky. So, enjoy the orange side of me!!!

front cover and inside front cover:

a two page spread

LOVE Birds

2011-02-05T13:38:00.003-08:00

It's so gray and rainy here today that I had to spend some part of this afternoon in my studio. Here is what I came up with. It's for a mini bird journal swap. This month's theme is LOVE. It's only 3.5 x 5 inches. Not Zetti-ish at all, although I was thinking about going there!~LOL! It's hard to see on the scan, but the birds are actually outlined in glitter from a glitter gel pen I found laying around in this mess of a room!

Heart Themed Zetti Swap

2011-02-05T07:21:00.003-08:00

Isn't she a cutie! This piece is 4 x 6 inches.

February Journal Prompt

2011-02-01T13:06:00.005-08:00

I'm having way too much fun with this journal group. This month's prompt was "what do you love?" Of course I love my family and my dogs; however, I didn't feel compelled to choose either of those. Job was out of the question. I really do love the simple things in my life.

Background is gessoed vintage text that has been painted over for some depth. Lots of homemade paper as well.

Little Bird Journal

2011-01-30T11:55:00.004-08:00

I'm in a bird page journal swap and needed to make a book to keep the pages in. The book is about 5.5 inches high and 3.75 inches wide; not very big at all. Here are the fruits of my effort. This is the front and back cover; not quite finished yet. I still need to add some text and a crown onto the red bird...
This is the inside. I incorporated some of my older art into this book. I really like this idea...

On the right hand side is an accordion book for some bird atcs I'll be getting in another swap. I find that all these things get lost, so I decided to make it an all-in-one!

Yet another snowy day...

2011-01-18T14:13:00.004-08:00

Freezing rain joined in so school was canceled. I'm getting very used to being home; what am I going to do when I go in tomorrow???

Here are a couple of journal pages I made the last 2 days. Head and crown from the top collage and wings and crown in the bottom collage are from Tumble Fish Studios. Marsha has GREAT images for sale in her Etsy shop. The head in the bottom collage is from Nancy Baumiller (Crowabout Studios) at Deviant Scrap. If you love Zetti, these two ladies have awesome digital and collage sheet images.