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!)

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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!

Sweet Angie has given me this wonderful award. I'm always so surprised when I get something like his. Thank you, darlin'! You made my day!

The Karma Award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in 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 writers.

Deliver this award to 5 -8 and include this cleverly-written text in the body of their award.

I wish to pass this award on to some of my Wonderful Blogger Friends....

Barb

Elizabeth

Megan

Tristan

Their blogs are just lovely.

Someone's having a 50th birthday...

So in celebration of this major event, I made this 4x4 birthday card. I can't show you the back, just in case she logs onto my blog. Happy birthday, special friend!

Paper Whimsy Challenge #5

I just love the challenge collage sheets that Gale puts out every 2 weeks. It gives me my "me" time, which I need very badly right now. It just seems that every teaching position I apply for is on the cutting block. Especially a Kindergarten one that I wanted very badly. It's a shame. I really feel that teaching is my life's calling and I can't do a damn thing about it. I have never been unemployed for this long in my entire life.


So when all else fails...make art! (If you click on the image you'll see it better...)

I should have known...

I'm in a Mussie Tussie swap in Paper Whimsy. I was so excited about doing this. Went to the store to get just the right paper, little gifties to put INSIDE of it, etc. I spent all day working on this. When it was finished, I started thinking, "man, this opening is kind of small..." Sure enough, it is small. I was so upset! I just hope the person it's going to isn't disappointed. I wrapped up her goodies in a matching gift bag real pretty so perhaps all will be forgiven.

Live and learn...

Britain's Got Talent

You have to watch this...it's incredible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

It's Susan Boyle...an amazing sensation!!!

I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got my test scores for the first 3 tests I needed to pass to get my permanent CT state teaching licenses. I not only passed, I passed with flying colors!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I want to scream~ WAHOO!!! These first three tests were so hard. They were like taking my high school SATs all over again. I thought for sure I had failed at least one of them. But, I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, G_d!!!

I take the next 2 tests on April 25th. I should probably start studying for them...

Now, don't laugh at my header...

I'm just trying to get a handle on this digital thing. I have accumulated enough digital pieces (compliments of Barb and Tamara) that I just thought I'd start playing. I'll probably have a header for every day of the year at this rate!!!

A Book of Why...

So here are my first 2 Book of Why journal pages. I'm going to try to do them in the "Zetti" style because I really need the practice. I don't own any of Teesha Moore's collage sheets, so I'm strictly on my own here. I don't get fashion magazines either, but the place that cuts my hair gets tons of them and they're always throwing them out. Now they save some of the better ones for me.

There are LOTS of glittery things on this page, but glitter never scans well.

Isn't this a cute banner?

My sweet friend Tamara made this for me. I was just waiting for the weather to get nice enough to use it!

Thanks sweetpea!

I finally did it!

I finally put together this journal. I made the cover from fabric paper about 4 months ago. I made the pages with Color Mists around the same time. I bought a Rubicoil machine a looooong time ago and was afraid to use it. Don't you think it was about time I put all three together?!? I cut the fabric paper to 6x6.5 inches and cut the water color paper to the same size. I broke down, got out my rubicoil and practiced and voila! I have no idea what took me so long!!!

Fabric Pages for Mixed Media Madams

These pages are for Debbie J. in my Mixed Media Madams group. The theme for her "book" is Grandma's Sewing Basket. These were really fun pages to do. The background fabric is from a vintage quilting squares that I bought at a flea market ages ago. I think there were actually around 50 of them that I bought for $5. The orange lace is also vintage, if you can believe that! Nana Norah is the front and the sewing group is the back. This was a little challenging because the finished product was only 4x4 inches!!! Not a large surface to work with.

Debbie, I sure hope ou like them!

Paper Whimsy Challenge #4...and bitch fest...

It was ME time yesterday. I took a couple of hours after dinner to work on the PW Quote Challenge. I needed to do this because the news is just dismal when it comes to employment. I just applied for 2 Special Ed. teaching positions in NY (remember, I live in CT). They keep getting further and further away. One is 30 miles, the other is 35. I know it's not a huge distance, but I always worked 5 miles from home. Teachers are losing there jobs left and right. I read in the paper today that 29,000 teachers in CA got their pink slips. Oh, to be in a profession that's so valued...I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Thanks goodness Gary still has his job.

Anyway, on a much more positive note, here are my uploads. I LOVED the colors in this collage challenge (Gale provides us with the collage sheet). We were to include: a moon, a rose, something silver, a 3-D embellishment, something with wings and a PW image. I realized AFTER I made the collages that I left out a fish, which was also suppose to be in there.
So...I revised the right hand page...
I'm happy with it!

Paper Whimsy Quote Challenge #3

It seems like I have so little time to be in my studio. I have no idea why; I work VERY part time! I wanted to finish my PW Quote Challenge before the next one got posted. I decided to change the format to side by side instead of front to back. That means doing the first 2 over again. When I participate in the challenges it's guaranteed art time for me. I think that's why I love doing them.

Zetti's Egg-cellent Swap

My wonderful friend, Tamara, is hosting a Zetti Egg Swap in the Zetti Zoo yahoo group. These are my sweet things!!!

ATCs for ARTchix

I haven't been active or made anything for ARTchix for over a year. I can't for the life of me figure out why! It was one of the first Yahoo groups I ever joined and I learned so much from that group. Helga is having an "I Love ARTchix" sticker contest, so I decided to enter it. I had so much fun making these this morning.

Purple, Yellow & Green!

Helga Strauss from Artchix has a challenge once a week on her blog. I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to breathe until today. So, since I love challenges and Helga both, I decided to participate in this week's challenge.

Book wisdom for Heather

What a challenge!!! Heather, in my Mixed Media Madams group, has a theme of Book Wisdom. Why is it that anything that has to do with literature gives me such a hard time? I'm a school teacher; this should come easily to me!!!

I chose to provide wisdom from Anne Frank. I read The Diary of Anne Frank many times as a tween and teen. No other book has made such a lasting impression on me as that book. To think that from the ugliest, darkest corner of world history, a sweet sprite had the clarity of mind to write about her dreams and ambitions. Anne Frank is my hero.

Enjoy your pages, Heather!

Paper Whimsy Challenge #2

Gale at Paper Whimsy is providing us with challenges throughout the year. The name of this challenge is Moss, and we had to use a bird, a flower, a shoe, an ornamental element, and a Whimsy image of our choice. Gale provides us with a collage sheet to use, or we can use other elements that we own, as long as all the components are covered. I like to use what she provides because I think the real challenge for me lies with that. Anyway, here's my piece.

You just gotta love snow days!

It was wonderful having a blizzard here today. I had no responsibilities because I couldn't go to work. In fact, no one could go to work!!! So I just moseyed on down to my studio, put the heat on full blast and made my LAST TWO pages for my Alphabetica Yahoo group. It was kind of sad, because I really enjoyed doing the Tip-in with these artists. I guess all good things must come to an end.

Anyway, these pages are for Heather. I had to make pages for the letters Y and Z. Her theme was Life Defined. You pick a word and make art around it. Y was pretty easy, but Z??? I sure hope she likes them.

All the images except for the big yellow bird are from Lisa's Altered Art.

Finally time for art!

The boys are home from school this week, so my days are being spent schlepping them to friends' houses and appointments. It's so much easier when they're in school!!! Anywho, the Paper Whimsy group is having a challenge using poems from Hilda Conkling and certain picture elements provided by the owner, Gale. In this challenge we needed to use a key, a flower, a fish, a door, words from a poem and a PW image. It was indeed a challenge! Here is my interpretation...

I am the happiest girl!

I won THREE OWOH giveaways. I would have been thrilled with just one, but three!!!

This canvas is from Linda Vincent...

This collage is from Mieke at Mykos Bloggos...
and these earrings are from Mary at MJB Designs.
Someone pinch me; this can't be real. Ladies, you absolutely made my day!!!