Quick post...

"Birdies with Pointy Hats" tags for a swap!

What a day!

What a fun day I had today!!! I decided to try something new for a change. Remember the House tags that I made for a swap? Well, the participants are also required to make a book for them to be "housed" in (heh, heh...a little humor there...)

I decided to try a deli paper technique that can be found on Marilyn Rock's blog. This is so easy and the results are so much fun to play with. After the paper dried, I cut it into pieces and glued them onto a 12" x 12" piece of card stock (front and back). This was to become my tag book and you can find the directions here on Paper Craft Planet

Making the book was a bit of a challenge because the paper was a little too thick. I did it anyway, learning from my "experimentation" along the way. I'm happy with the way it came out, however, I'll have to make something else with the deli paper next time.

Front cover...

and inside pages. I'm not finished embellishing them yet

I'll also add fibers to the book. I'm just mullinng it around in my head as to how I want to do this...

More House Tags

You just gotta love snow days! It is coming down, and I mean, coming down! My school closed so off I went, into the studio. I love being able to take advantage of these "free" days. It seems like we've had a lot lately!

I needed to finish my HOUSE tags for a swap I'm in. They'll get mailed off as soon as I can get up the driveway!

"House" tags for a swap

I'm participating in a house shaped tag swap. These tags are 2.5 x 4.5 inches. Today was the perfect day to make these because

I HAD A SNOW DAY

and my kids didn't!!! Not like I felt badly for them or anything!

I need to make 4 more and will do that as soon as I have more free time. (Like maybe tomorrow if it doesn't stop snowing????)

I won! I won! I won!!!

I won this absolutely adorable heart from Jo James. If you haven't see her site, you really need to visit. Her work is absolutely amazing and I visit it frequently because it just makes me feel good. I think I was comment #172ish. I never, ever thought I would win. What a wonderful surprise!

Mona's got a whole new gig!

Here's that Mona Lisa smile!

The Final Page

I love my Mixed Media Madams group. However, this journal swap has come to an end. The theme of my book was houses. I love houses...anything to do with them. I also love birds, eggs and vintage images. This is my addition to my book. I never did my own pages!!! This is front to back. The pages will be put together accordion style. The backs are as lovely as the fronts. I'll be able to switch it around whenever I feel the need and see both sides of the lovely artwork! I'll take a photo when I'm finished with it.

I'm a Scrapaholic!!!

When I cleaned up yesterday, I put all my scraps and unused art thingies in a bin. I love scraps (or hoarding, as my DH sees it!). I can't throw away the smallest piece of ANYTHING because I think I may need it at some point. Believe it or not, I really do find uses for these bits and baubles. This whole piece is made from scraps and rejects. And see that little piece of silver tulle on the bottom left? That is what was left over from a 12 x 12 inch piece that I got from my friend Jen about 2 years ago. Mind you, this art piece is only 3.75 x 4 inches! See, I used that teeny tiny piece!



I made this piece in honor of my friend martha. She loves to sew and is so darn wonderful at it. She has always encouraged me to "just do it!" and I try when I have the time (or pieces of scrap!) Sew martha, I did it!

Eeeeeewwwwwwww! My studio was gross!

Well, today was the day. I had to do something about that space downstairs. I couldn't find anything anymore, and was stepping over all sorts of unidentifiables. There were dog toys as well. So, I bit the bullet and cleaned it up. Took me damn near three hours!

And I even had time for a little art when I was finished!

This is my "Book of Why" that I found buried underneath all my crap. I had completely forgotten about it!

Ravens for Marion

I FINALLY finished Marion's Raven pages for my Mixed Media Madams group. I hope it was worth the wait.

They call this a snowday?

For this they closed school? We're supposed to have a N'oreaster. What we're getting is bubkiss! It's not over yet, so maybe we'll actually get 5".

So, what do you do when you have lots of time on your hands? You take a picture of your true love and post it.

This is Petee. Isn't he a cutie?

I was in a Valentine Ornament Swap with some very lovely artists. I've known many of these women for a long time so it was a pleasure doing this with them. Being of the Jewish persuasion, I do not own a Christmas tree to display these, so I chose the next best thing...A NECKLACE HANGER!!!

Notice the fire in the background...cozy, cozy, cozy...








This was an absolute pleasure to do. And a HUGE thanks to our great leader, Barb, for taking the time to organize this for us. Can't wait to do it again!

Happy Valentine's Day!

OK...so I'm a little early for Valentine's Day. I'm in an ornament swap with 13 other ladies and I needed to get these done. I'm so far behind on my other art obligations, I feel negligent. One more piece and I'll be free!

These hearts are made from hand made paper material. I covered muslin with watered down glue and then covered it with tissue paper. I found that the colored tissue worked very well. Lots and lots and lots of glue later, they were dry and ready to be cut into 4 x 4 inch squares. They have been glued again with vintage words, then sewn on the machine and embellished with ribbon and tulle. Lots of fun to make and very relaxing.

Ya think it'll take me another 2 months to post something?!?

I am absolutely stunned that I haven't posted ANYTHING in 3 and a half months. I have been so overwhelmed with my new teaching job, that I haven't had a chance to BREATHE!!!!! I have fallen behind in my commitments to my friends and that is really bothering me. Especially since I'm the one that ALWAYS complains about late work. Shoot me!

These pages are for Martha. Her book theme is Vintage Xmas and she LOVES the color pink. I sure hope she enjoys these.

Has it been a month?

I can't believe that it's been that long since my last post. Or, maybe I can. It has been such a depressing summer; between the constant rain and the search for a teaching job, I have been so down in the dumps. My MUSE took a vacation to somewhere much more luxurious that Sandy Hook, CT!!!

Tamara, in my Mixed Media Madams group, has Pink and Orange banners as her theme. She loves digital art and mixing Zetti with vintage. I just completed these for her book. They were actually the first art I really did all summer and I really enjoyed this. I sure hope she likes them...

Jen's pages

I had Jen as my swap partner this month ion Mixed Media Madams. Her theme was "Gazing Through the Windows" Now, rarely do I do a digital collage for a journal page for someone, but these images were just calling my name. They are quite large: 8"x10" (each page). Very fun to make. If you cick on the image you can see it larger than life!

Nature's Calling...

A breather...FINALLY!!! I have been so busy trying to get a job, that I haven't had a chance to breathe!!! These pages were such a welcome release from the stress of being unemployed. In fact, they are a month late; I never fall behind like this. These pages are for Patti in my Mixed Media Madams group. Her theme is nature...

Had these in my files...

We've come a long way, baby! I'm not sure if they have a copyright or not, so if you decide to download them, please use them for your personal art and not to sell. I just thought they would be fun for you!!!

FINALLY...art time!

I have been so incredibly busy studying for my last PRAXIS (teacher license) exam and applying for teaching positions. Applying for jobs is a full time job in itself. Art had to take a backseat. So today, I made the time to go down to my studio and make this Canvas Back Shrine for a swap that I'm in in Paper Whimsy. I think I'm the last person to get mine finished. The deadline is tomorrow! I really enjoyed making this. It totally relaxed me...it took all day and I loved it!.

BTW...it really isn't that dark. I had to scan it because my camera's battery was dead.

WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Five tests done, one more to go!!! Then I am FREE of this stress! I called the CT Dept. of Ed. yesterday asking what happens from here. They told me that I can now teach in this state for good (that is, as long as I keep renewing my licenses!!!). So as of now, I have my permanent elementary education and reading licenses. I take the one for Special Ed. on June 13th. I'm going to pass that one too. Of course, I need to study, but I want that license as well!

I'm one happy camper!! WahOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

New Blog (like we need another one!)

I just can't seem to mix art with weight loss. I'm going to document this journey on another blog. If you really want to see how much I'm torturing myself, just click on the link on the right. It'll tell you!

Dawning of a new day!

So, after much thought and meditation, I decided to once again grab a hold of my life and lose weight and get in shape. Moving is not a good thing for me, both across the country and physically~LOL! It just seems that every time we move, I get fat. Then I get lazy. Not a good thing. It's not like I'm obese; I'm just carrying around an extra 40 pounds that I can stand to get rid of. So, After I get back from the gym today I'm going to document my weight (gulp...) and how I'm doing on my diet. It really scares me to let you all know how much I weigh, but I'm thinking that you can be the support I need to stay motivated. I don't like the way I look right now. But more importantly, I don't like the way I feel. I don't feel healthy. So, come along on this journey with me. And please feel free to join me. I would love to have people to go back and forth with on this loooooong road that I'm on.BTW...I'm doing the South Beach Diet. I owe this to a childhood friend that has also fought her weight her entire life and she's the one that suggested it. (I don't know why she diets...she's always looked great). Thanks Jackie!!!

Let the games begin!!!

(And yes, this is a digital collage. I was way too lazy to make a paper one!)

******************************************************************************

Ouch! That scale hurt! I'm at the heaviest I've ever been in my life, and I cried. I weigh 174 pounds; I think more than half of that is in my boobs. The good news is, is that I'm ready to commit to this life change. It's time. I don't want to become diabetic and I want off of my high blood pressure meds. And, I want to live long enough to enjoy my grandkids. So, I'm doing it.

The personal trainer was an absolute doll. Becki is very committed to her clients and she is ready to take this journey with me. I met with her again next Wed. for more training. However, I'll be at the gym first thing tomorrow morning.

June 20, 1958-May 20, 2005

Four years ago today my brother died from AIDS. I miss him more than you can imagine. Even though people can live longer from the drugs that have been developed, many, many people are still dying from this disease all around the world and in particular, in underdeveloped countries. Please donate to AIDS research groups.

Elton John AIDS Foundation

amFAR (The foundation for AIDS research)

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

San Francisco AIDS Foundation

AIDS Foundation South Africa

The AIDS Memorial Quilt

Every little bit helps...

Some digital art fun

Every once in a while I like a good challenge! I happened to find one on Rosie and Linda's Awfully Big Art Adventure. I won one of Linda's BeAuTiFuL art pieces in the OWOH Giveaway. I love her site. Anywho, this is a digital collage using the photo from their challenge. I really like the way it came out. Simple, yet 'tweet'.

Remember that Rummage Sale Table?

You know, the one from a few entries back? Well, here it is...all rehabilitated. I think it came out pretty well. You can't really see the color; it is a beautiful sage-olive green. I found the birdhouse at Joann's at 50% off; it is waiting for a plant to come and live in it. The basket and eggs are from TJ Maxx. The eggs were a clearance Easter garland. There were about 100 eggs on the garland; I got it for $2.00. The remainder of the eggs are awaiting a new life in my studio.

Overall, I think it looks pretty good! Maybe we won't replace it any time soon.

Zetti Zodiac

In my Zetti Zoo Yahoo group, 14 of us are putting together a set of Zetti Zodiac ATCs. They could each be made by hand (NOT!), made by hand and photocopied, or done digitally. I chose digitally because I figured it would give me some practice. I have Virgo, the Virgin. Here's my interpretation.
I don't think all the signs are taken (we included the Moon and the Sun as well). So if you like Zetti, check out Zetti Zoo here, join the group and climb aboard!

Paper Whimsy Challenge #6

Talk about being challenged! I was very spoiled by Gale at PW. She always included a matching set of background papers on her challenge collage sheets. For this challenge we had to make a tissue paper textured background. Ouch! I had to work this one!!! I'm not quite sure if this is good chemistry here, but it is what it is. I'm pretty happy with it.

If you click on the picture, you'll see the details. The silver butterflies are actually butterfly sequins that I pressed onto an embossing pad and then smeared in silver embossing powder. We had to include something silver AND a butterfly in this challenge. I figured I had them both covered by doing this!

Butterflies are free.......

This is a spread for Alexandra in my Mixed Media Madams group. Her theme is Vintage Nature. I sure hope she likes it; it's quite simple in its make-up. Sometimes I think less is more.

BTW...the wings of the three butterflies are not glued down; they really do give depth to the page...

Rummage sale with hubby...

I went to a church rummage sale today with Gary. I had planned on being there earlier in the day, but job hunting must take priority. So, after applying for a teaching position and copying all the paper work that goes along with THAT task, Gary and I were on our way.

We got to the sale quite late (after 12:00 noon) and as you all know, as far as rummage sales are concerned, the good stuff is gone already. However, the good news is that after 12:00, everything was FREE! Yup, they just wanted to get rid of everything. Gary found a Scott's seed spreader for the lawn (we had one just like it years ago), and I found a pair of Mikasa champagne flute glasses that were brand spankin' new! I just couldn't believe they we still there; they were marked $3.00 initially.

Then...we came across this table. This very red, very primitive table. I think it was originally a prop for a play. It's VERY, and I mean VERY primitive in its design and make. But, being that it was free, Gary wanted it. So, in the trunk it went and to the hardware store we go.

As you can see, it was primed. I wish I had taken the pictures BEFORE it was primed. You would be laughing your head off if you're not already. The table legs are at different angles and roughly cut. We are putting this in the entry way of our house, with the back of the table actually being the front. Now, mind you, we are going to paint this table a sage green and try to paint it or decorate it somehow. If worse comes to worse, I'm going to make a table skirt for it. AND, if it still looks like crap, no harm done. Remember, after all, it was free!

I'll upload the finished pictures as soon as I have them. Wish me luck!