100th Post and 2 new ornaments!

Gosh, some people give things away on their 100th post or whatever.  I'm selfish so I'm giving myself a pat on the back for just getting to that 100th post.  I don't even remember when I started this crazy blogging but it's a good format for showing off my work. Wait, work isn't the right word!  It should have been "play"....there's a big difference! So here's two of my latest "plays" and I'm up to 4 of 12 ornaments I'm determined to finish by Christmas.  Fortunately some of the grands aren't going to be at our house that day so I won't have to have theirs until later.  Wonder how "up" I'll be for making ornaments AFTER Christmas???  Hmmm.....maybe I'd better push for getting them all done by the 25th.  The one on the left is actually 10" tall....it will have to be for one of the spaces on the Christmas tree that is missing a branch and needs to be filled in with something!  Don't forget to click so you can see the hot glue strings....LOL!

Santa Ornament

My first ornament of the season....took all evening and part of the afternoon to finish.  I finally gave in and used the glue gun as there were just too many things to fasten.   Hate all those stringies from the hot glue but I may be able to melt them away with the heat gun.  I used clear glass ornaments and poured cheap acrylic paint into them....did't get many swirlies but the 4 of them seemed to get better as I went along.  Hoping to get several more finished in the next 2 weeks for the adult grandchildren.  Thanks to my Wacko friends, Sally Paul, and the gals on Latest Trends in Mixed Media for ideas and encouragement.  (Why do I wait till the last minute? ) Click to enlarge!

Peat Pot Santas

I made 5 of these peat pots with Santas, bottlebrush trees, some crepe paper garland and mica flakes.  Lots of fun!  The trees were very dark green and I read somewhere that you could bleach them with 2 parts water to 1 part bleach!  It didn't take long at all and they look quite vintage in person.    

In case you might be wondering, I have not touched Photoshop Elements yet....just too many irons in the fire.  It may even be a January project at the rate I'm going!  Happy Thanksgiving to all...........We get to go elsewhere for dinner tomorrow!  Yipeeee!

Photoshop Elements 8

Wow, I just bought myself a birthday present!  I am now the proud owner of Photoshop Elements 8 which I purchased at Costco for $49.95 with their coupon!  The regular price at Costco is $79.95 and probably close to $100.00 elsewhere.   My Yahoo group "Latest Trends in Mixed Media" is so helpful with these things.....everyone jumps in to help whenever you have a question or problem.   A great CD was included by Linda Sattgast  that appears to be the perfect tutorial.  I'm excited about learning so watch for me to post something soon!  If you are interested in the software, it's available for $49.95 for a while longer....ask for the coupon at the customer service counter if you didn't get one in the mail.  The CD from Linda is considered to be superior in helping in the learning curve.  Wish me luck!

Missing Stuff, Sketchbooks, and Blogging Without Obligation

Just can't figure out why my "Best Places To Visit" has disappeared from the right hand side of the page.  I can see it when I go behind the scenes but the actual blog doesn't show it anymore.  Boo hoo!  I did just put a link to a neat little video that CNN put out regarding sketchbooks.  I just completed one and haven't scanned it yet but eventually I'll post it here.  I got the idea from Roberta Schmidt (we just pretend we're 'cuzzins' since we share the same last name) because I fell in love with hers.  Mine has no rhyme or reason....just stuff I've collected forever and finally found it's home in the pages of the book. 

I'm blogging now WITHOUT OBLIGATION.  Such a great idea....no more pressure!
PS:  I just looked again and the "Best Places to Visit" is back!!!!  

Apple Pie

I got busy and made an apple pie tonight. Served up a piece to DH and didn't hear any comments good or bad. I finally asked him how it was and he said it needed more sugar and more cinnamon. It had 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of white.....hmmmm. Wonder if the fact that he's under the weather could have accounted for him not getting the full taste? Maybe I just can't accept that my pie isn't up to par! I'll admit it's not the prettiest pie in the world. I've only been at this cooking/baking deal for 56 years! Anyway, pies are a pain to make and Costco makes a fabulous apple pie. This might be the last apple pie to find it's way out of my oven. Bah humbug!
PS: The apple peeler/corer/slicer is the best thing ever invented!

Sewing Assemblage

Vintage sewing items and old advertising scrap is what makes up this assemblage. It's at Katrina's in Folsom on Sutter Street. I think it turned out pretty sweet. Everything is removable.....held together with glue dots. Old spools, little bottles of buttons, odds and ends of sewing ephemera. I had made another and permanently affixed everything.....people wanted to take things out! I'm very stingy with my advertising scrap but just had to use the old Coats and Clark advertising on this piece.

Leather Pendants

Here's a couple of leather pendants made for an online class .....New Trends In Mixed Media Yahoo Group. I made several and traded one for one. They have little "books" inside. Always have in my mind a teeny tiny pencil to put through the front but the only source I could find said they were discontinued! If anyone know a source, I'd love to know. They aren't fat like golf pencils.....they are only about
1/8 th inch thick.

Here is the Crow Theater starring Miss Crow-Ella Birdsong. She not only sports the shiniest black feathers, but has a crown on her head, a necklace and an ankle bracelet! This is about as "Halloween-y" as I get. Crow-Ella is a famous singer but only sings on stage....not outdoors. Occasionally she yells "CAW! CAW!". The glitz and glitter don't show up but it's there! Get ready, Crow-Ella....the show must go on!

Never Leave Me

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Whew......what a relief! This whole Etsy thing started eating away at me and what was supposed to be an adventure in the selling of our wares became a monster! My friend, Char, and I really and truly thought this was what we wanted to do, but suddenly we became acutely aware that is was a JOB now and no longer fun! So once the decision was made, I could again "play" and feel free to choose what I wanted and not what I thought our potential customers wanted. Charlotte designed a gorgeous banner for our blog and for the store. I wish we could use it for something just because I like looking at it! I admire all the Etsy members who pursue this way of promoting and selling their art and handcrafts because it is a heck of a lot of work and planning. I'm retired and want to stay that way!

Here is something I finished today. DH made the wood part for me. When I finished it, he said "who are those girls?" I said "they're your sisters .....don't you recognize them?" NOT! The key is tied with some very old silk bias tape (which is actually a soft aqua and not blue like the photo) and some vintage millinery flowers. I bought a little bunch in Amador City at Sandy's Country Home and I'm being stingy with them. Millinery flowers are hard to come by and expensive! They are limp and faded but I still love them. In fact, the wood isn't blue at all so why does it appear so in the photo? It's cream with a little crackle. The photo isn't good....I need to try it in a different light. The top photo is a close up behind the rusted antique metal fence....the rolled up letter says "Miss you. Come home soon". My mother had 3 sisters and left home at 18 for the big city. She missed her sisters so much and cried for them. This reminds me of all the sisters who have had to leave theirs behind.

Finally finished this cowgirl/boy box. I've had it for 2 years just waiting for inspiration. I still need to put some words in the left upper corner by the big nail. But nothing is coming to me right now.

The little hangings were fun to make from scraps. Might make a few with vintage ladies. They're about 4 x 6....give or take. My good friend Charlotte and I are working on an Etsy store in the near future.

The "loving cup" is another use for cabinet cards. I used 6 original cabinet cards on the 6 cups...they're nice and stiff .....better than photographs.

Ancestors Charm Bracelet

Got this idea from one of my groups....Red Lead...from St.Louis. Kitten (Debbie) made such a charming bracelet that I couldn't help myself and had to make one for our upcoming family reunion. I suppose both sisters and a few nieces will try to take it away from me! Wearing charm bracelets makes me sort of nervous...all that clanking around. Maybe I'll get used to it! I still think it's cute as a button (or a scrabble tile!) Thanks for the idea, Kitten!

Hydrangeas....Altered Art?

I couldn't help but post my 2 year old hydrangea (bottom picture). I tried to make it turn dark blue to no avail but it did go from pale lavender to lavender-pink. I'm convinced it will never be blue!

The little hydrangea in the top picture is just in it's second season and started out as a little branch which I just stuck in the ground! It isn't even a foot tall and blooms it's little head off! It loves being blue but had no choice since I fed it regularly with "Tru Blue" aluminum sulfate. I think they need to have a tendency to be blue on their own before the aluminum sulfate actually works. Is this called "altered art"???

4 year old Lauren

Grandmother's Day Gift from Lauren
Clay pot transformed with crackle paint, tissue paper, real ferns and pressed daisies. Gel medium used to apply all materials.
Same technique as the frog pot. Paper napkin bird and nest. Pressed pansies. These are really fun to make!

Had to post this! Little Lauren is my arts and crafts buddy and I couldn't help but share her pre-school picture. She just turned 4 and attends preschool and is smart as a whip. I can't help but wonder what she will become! I do hope she keeps her interest in art. She is forever making wonderful little things with her full cupboard of art and craft supplies. Yesterday, I received a little heart doilie completely covered with tiny stickers and her name printed on the back. It was delivered in 3, yes...3, envelopes. (?) I think providing children with fun materials at a very young age encourages a strong desire to create. But, on the other hand , I had nothing in the way of supplies as a child and I mananged to develop a strong creative desire. The creative desire must be built in...I 'spose you either have it or you don't. I'm glad I was one of the lucky ones. Can you say "never been bored?"

Artist's Trunk Show....selling our wares...

Surprise! I can't even imagine where I've been for two months regarding this blog. I just suck at blogging I guess....I think about it and then by the time I figure out what I will post, I've gone on to something else. I did decide to post the picture of our table when we tried our hand at selling our wares on May 16th. I am referring to Charlotte Stott...my partner in crime. We had an opportunity to join with some others in Folsom at an Artist's Trunk Show sponsored by Bobbi and Katrina...owners of Not Too Shabby, (shabby chic), and Katrina's specializing in vintage laces, ribbons, trims, etc. As it turned out, some of the other vendors didn't show up, nor did any customers for that matter! It was the hottest day of the year so far and for the few people who braved the elements, it was just too hot to stand in the sun and look at the merchandise. We displayed a lot of our funky jewelry, collages, journals, tags and more. It was somewhat disappointing but we knew it was due to weather and the economy.

I am going to try to do better at this blogging thing....promise!

I made 10 of these puppies....errr, bunnies for a swap. Can't wait to get 10 different ones back! 10 is manageable....44 is not! : ) The flowered paper is wall paper and I loved the colors so much it was a shame to cover it up. I had this anaglypta (embossed) wallpaper and rubbed a green inkpad over it.....reminded me of some leafy green garden stuff. Then I made some 3D carrots with Sculpey and glittered them. That's it!

Here's a little Easter arrangement I made after seeing Cindy Powell's on her blog. http://www.cynthiapowell.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Cindy! Hers is so enchanting and I feel like mine is really rather overdone. As usual, I don't know when to stop adding! Oh well, 4 year old Lauren and 5 year old Sam will like it!

44 Page Spring Tag Book!

This tag has embossed "Spring Fashions" in pink at the bottom though it's difficult to see on here. Better IRL!
The Morning Glory tag is my favorite. It has beautiful blue glass chunky glitter on it which really makes it pop.

These are the tags I made for the Red Lead Spring Tag Book....I made 22 of each for a total of 44! They are about 3 x 6 approximately. I really don't like making that many of anything because as I was finishing up, I kept finding fault with them and actually remade several from scratch. I'm blaming all this on my friend, Sally Paul, who forced me (at gunpoint) to join this swap. I don't think anyone actually dreamed there would be that many participants. It's going to be one awesome tag book....can't wait to see it. So that's the reason I haven't been posting or creating other kinds of art. I can't wait to get these out of my hair....and to the Post Office for their journey to Ohio. Whew!
Another note:
I put Sally's Shutterfly album link over on the right under the heading "Places to Visit"....what beautiful work she does! Check her out when you have time to be transported into a beautiful world of art!

Cuties

Are these too cute? You can make them out of felt or paper....go to http://pixiesponder ings1966. blogspot. com/ and get the template for both boys and girls! Hope is the creator of these precious shoes and is giving them away on the 30th....sign up now! She suggests putting a little chocolate in them for a valentine! : ) I have to get going on these!

Paper, Glue, I Love You!

Went to a fun day at the Stamp Art Shoppe with about 16 other girls and we had a delightful time making valentines. I think, in all, we made about 8 different projects. I have sent some of mine off already. Sandy and Richele always make their workshops fun....we had a great lunch and little surprises throughout the day. I even won a doorprize! So here are three of my valentines.... The top card has one of the Tim Holtz "acrylic fragments" over the paper. I actually am not much of a card maker, but I learned to use the Cuttlebug embossing technique where you use double sided paper and sand the top to reveal the second color! Love that! The post below this one shows a sympathy card using the same technique.

Sympathy Card

What? It's been that long since I posted anything? I don't know where the time goes. I have been making valentines but what I have here is a sympathy card that I made to send to my cousins in Illinois. Their mother was my aunt who was only 6 years older than I, and died after only one month of being informed that she had bone marrow cancer.Her children adored her and I thought this was better than a commercial sympathy card. Inside I wrote a personal message and added this poem because she was a very selfless, generous person not only to her children but to everyone in the community.

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces
of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care
for pie." T. Jordan

There have been some very sad situations in my family as well as families of friends this past week or two. Hopefully, things will look up and I'm waiting for the sun to shine! The card was made on the double sided cardstock that I ran through a Cuttlebug with an embossing plate, then sanded the brown side to reveal the pink inside.

Valentine Fatbook

I just finished 16 of these for our Altered StART's Valentine Fatbook hosted by Dee Moran. I know it's going to be one awesome fatbook....can't wait to see it completed. Here's my page....all 16 of the little cherubs are popping out of the page with their heart in their hand!

Lil' Sweetie Pie and Valentines!

4 x 6 Valentine
Lil' Sweetie Pie open
Lil' Sweetie Pie closed

Here's a little folded ATC (well, almost! After it was finished, I measured it and it was only 2 1/2 by 3....what happened to that other 1/2"???!!!) I swear I didn't realize it till it was all finished. My swap partner was sweet enough to say it was fine with her....otherwise I was going to add a piece on the side....now that would probably have been a band aid!

The valentine is for a 3/3 swap on the Latest Trends in Mixed Media Art group...a fantastic group with loads of information and talent. I guess I have lurked long enough so thought I'd play in this one! It is 4 x 6 on watercolor paper. I used Golden light modeling paste over a doily to give some texture...then removed the doily. (Thanks, Charlotte!) When it was dry, I poured on the ultra fine glitter which doesn't show up at all!!! Then I mounted the image using the sticky dots so it would be raised a bit. The birds are red foil from a box of chocolates punched with Martha's bird punch. Glad I only had to make three!