New ICAD cards

More index cards for Daisy Yellow's ICAD Project.  I am really enjoying this project, and I'm developing a daily art practice.  I've always had difficulty doing art on a daily basis. Like New Year's resolutions, I would have the best of intentions, but would somehow drop the ball.  Maybe I'm able to keep up with this because I'm letting go of the outcome, not overthinking the process and just trying to have fun and use some of my hoarded art supplies.

Blues.  Materials used: Gesso, Faber-Castell Gelatos, decoupage tissue paper, vintage dictionary page, vintage bird image. 

Freedom.  Materials used:  Japanese paper, found image, vellum, Faber-Castell

Big Brush Marker. 

Linen:  Pencil on index card. 

Rust.  Materials used: Image by Artchix Studio, paper flowers, rhinestones, paper from 7 Gypsies and DCWV, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape. 

Summer.  Materials used: Image from flickr.com, gel pens, decoupage tissue paper. 

Owl.  Pencil sketch on index card. 

Off the Page.  Materials used:  Rubber stamp, Distress Ink dauber, vintage egg and bird image, page from vintage women's medical dictionary. 

Visit these other ICAD participants:

• Art with kids at The Color Palette
• Nathalie Nayer at http://nathalienayer.blogspot.com/2011/06/cockerill-sambre-index-card-5.html
• The colorful work of sirens_idyll at http://m.flickr.com/?done=1&id=5778820990&magic_cookie=e55e5c84cfdb5d8c63616f1c02a9a358&title=&description=#/photos/sirens_idyll/sets/72157626774355301/

The natural world

Hello, and welcome!

Our orange and red daylilies have bloomed in front of our house.  We planted them about three years ago, and they have been strong and hardy plants. This year, a well-meaning neighbor accidentally weed-whacked some of them to about three inches off the ground. Those in particular did not grow much taller, but we are hoping that next year, they'll be back in full force. I'm very glad to see that the non-weed-whacked lilies are bright, shining and happy!

From tiny acorns...grow little oak saplings in our yard.

Our next-door neighbor has a great old oak tree in his backyard, and Steve recently found an oak sapling growing near our hedge. When he pulled it out of the ground, we saw the acorn from which it grew. The roots were growing from one end, and the sapling from the other. Neither of us had ever seen this before! I am sure there's an Eastern gray squirrel responsible for this...

And shown getting ready for a nap is our Norway brown rat, Willow, in the hammock Steve made for him.

Willow's been taking it easy a lot more lately, as he is pretty old. At the end of July, we will have had him as a member of our family for two years! As most rats only live about two years, we feel quite privileged to have him here with us.

Drop me a line and let me know if you'll be in hanging out in your hammock this week. Anyone have a vacation planned? Or even a staycation? I would love to hear about it.

ICAD project

Posting my index cards for Daisy Yellow's ICAD project:

Circles. Materials used: acrylic paint, Sakura gel pens, drywall tape, scrapbooking paper.

Haiku. Materials used: Fun foam flowers, Portfolio oil pastels, rubbing plate, Japanese ephemera.

Marguerita. Materials used: Color Mists spray watercolors, scrapbooking papers, Doodlebug buttons, paper ephemera butterfly, deli paper. (P.S. I could go for a tall, cool Texas Marguerita with salt right now. How 'bout you?)

Spring Flowers. Materials used: Ephemera from K and Company and  Alphastamps.com, scrapbooking paper.

Stamps. Materials used: Paperwhimsy.com image, background transparency from Navel Jelly Studios, miscellaneous vintage postage stamps.

Yellow and White. Materials used: Vintage postage stamp, modern Canadian postage stamp, Japanese paper, vintage garden ephemera.


It's not too late to join in the fun! Go on over to Daisy Yellow's blog and check it out.

Under Construction

Hello, everyone!

It's been a while since I have posted, and I have some news. I'm taking a course with Liv Lane to build a better blog. I began this blog a little over a year ago, and frankly, I'm just not happy with it. I wanted to focus on my art, and to a certain extent, I have. However, I have had trouble maintaining my enthusiasm for blogging, and thinking up topics.

You would think a professional writer would have no problem blogging, wouldn't you? But that's just not the case--at least, not with me. I've felt both naked ("what if I say too much?") and invisible ("nobody reads my blog") and quite honestly, I've wondered if it was worth continuing.

Until I saw Liv's course.

I am going to really try and make this blog a pleasant place to visit, one that you will enjoy reading, and I will enjoy writing. If you have suggestions about things you would like to see here, such as giveaways, guest artist interviews, or freebies, please let me know. I do love hearing from you.

In the meantime, here is a freebie for you today: a vintage rose playing card. Please right-click on it to download, and enjoy!

Also in Bloglandia:

• Daisy Yellow is sponsoring the ICAD project. Read all about it here!
• Lenna and her husband celebrate their anniversary; and 
• If you like armchair travel, visit Paris Breakfasts. I can't say how much I love this blog!

Until next time--take care, and stay cool!

Heart No. 9

Heart No. 9 is a charm made by my dear friend Jean van Brederode of Charmed I'm Sure.

It's raining, it's pouring, and I should be snoring. What a good day to stay in bed! I am really looking forward to spring now. I get to a certain point in winter (and summer) where I say, "OK, that's it--I'm done with this season. Time for the next one!"

Too bad Mother Nature does not agree!

Wishing you all a wonderful last-weekend-in-February!

Heart No. 8

This is another heart from the wedding album I mentioned in one of my earlier posts. It's hard to believe February is nearly over--and I am nowhere near 28 hearts. Oh well...better luck next year. ;)

Heart #7, and Photos from a Late Winter Walk

'

We enjoyed lovely temperatures in the 50s and 60s this past Thursday and Friday, so I took a walk on Friday afternoon to a small stream near our home. And came upon Heart #7 in a neighbor's front yard.

Some leftover weeds from summer blowing in the warm breeze that ruffled my hair. 

The stream that had had so little water in last summer was positively roaring. I dipped my hand in and felt the cold. I sat on a rock and let the sun warm my back, and asked Nature and the Universe for guidance at this difficult time in my life.

Came across this swan on the way home, "swimming" in someone's front yard.

Though the weather is back to normal for February, I was glad for a brief taste of things to come! 

A Happy Couple

Here is No. 6 in the series of February hearts. As some of you may know, I love collecting vintage 1920s wedding photographs. When I was married in 1988, we had a 1920s wedding, and I had my dress made to look like my grandmother's from 1929. Having Grandma's picture wasn't enough, so several years ago I began bidding on ebay photographs from my favorite historical era.

This is one of the photographs I won in an auction. I used it in an photo album/art journal I made to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. I hope you like it!

Happy Valentine's Day

These are my friends Jean and Linda, whom I visited this past weekend for an art workshop by Lesley Venable. The lovely heart is by our friend Kecia. As you can see, Linda is a bit camera-shy, but Jean is not!

I will post more about the class later this week. Until then, have a Happy Valentine's Day! Go kiss the one(s) you love!!!

A charming heart

No. 4 in February's heart-a-day project.

Heart #3

Here is Heart #3 for February--a teeny, tiny oxidized silver heart! It is part of a fabric collage called "Adorable" featuring a Paper Whimsy image, as well as tea-dyed lace, a paper flower, silk ribbon and some little buttons. Enjoy!

Heart #2

Hello, and welcome to a new week! This is Heart No. 2 for February. I've been tea-dyeing doilies, fabric and lace, and stamping words onto muslin for fabric collage. And playing around with the frames in Photoshop Elements 8!

This week I'm getting ready to visit my friend Jean, who will be playing hostess to Lesley Venable and "Mr. Lesley" (a/k/a Tom) as she teaches an altered book class. I'm really looking forward to seeing my art friends this week. Especially since we are supposedly in for (are you ready for this?) another 2 to 4 inches of snow! OK, I give up! I've had it with winter. Can somebody please make the earth turn faster so spring arrives?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

The Heart of it All

Tammy Gilley has suggested "A Heart A Day" for the month of February. I realize I'm a little late, but here is my heart for February 1.

I don't have a heart for February 2 yet, but I do have this little fellow. Yes, it's Groundhog Junior. Hurry up, spring!

 Stay warm--stay well!

I'm Here

"I'm Here" Journal Page, 1/29-1/30/11. Water-soluble crayon and marker.

Lately I've been feeling rather lonely and adrift. Although I have many online friends and am happy to be part of the large online art community, I sometimes wish I had more friends locally. When you're unemployed, you tend to be rather isolated. Sometimes it seems as though everyone else is out there living their life, and I'm here at home, apart from it all.

I know I need to get out more, maybe volunteer somewhere. I spend too many hours in front of the computer, when I could be making art. I suppose I am not alone in that!

I've been staying busy with my online classes, and job hunting. The weather's been so cold I don't want to go out of doors. I suppose that this is where I am right now, and it's OK, and I can accept it.

But a good laugh with a good friend would be a good thing right about now, I think.

Busy, busy!

Hello, everyone!

It's been a busy week for me, but I am not complaining. I have been steeped in some crafty goodness and online workshops.

On and off since the fall, I've been working on a Remains of the Day journal. As the funny and talented Mary Ann Moss explains, it's a terrific way to use those little bits of paper, ribbon, fabric (really, anything) that you've had hanging around for ages. I have a tendency to hoard items, thinking they are too precious to use. Such as vintage ledger paper, transparencies, and things I've gotten in swaps. This class encourages you to just grab 'em and sew 'em down! And not to think too much about it. Which is good for me, because often when I work, I overthink what I am putting onto a journal page or a collage. I'm working intuitively on this, and I'm liking it very much--and I also like the results!

I also signed up for Lesley Venable's Altered Cuff Class, a link to which can be found on her blog, here. I first met Lesley at Art Is... in Connecticut two years ago, then sat next to her in a class at Art & Soul Hampton in 2009. She and her husband, Tom (a/k/a Mr. Lesley) are very sweet and fun to hang out with. I had the pleasure of being in Lesley's Altered Vintage Photo Album class at 2010's Art Is retreat in Danbury, Conn., where I was introduced to her Brother Project Runway sewing machine--leading to my getting a Brother CS600i machine for Christmas this year, with all the fancy stitches! Woot! Anyway...I digress. I am working on my first fabric cuff and promise to post photos of it soon. Like the Remains of the Day journal, it's a great way to use up scraps and pieces of your fabric stash.

And then I decided to take Gail Schmidt's Fabric and Lace Composition Journal class. Yes, I'm in a fabric-y mood. I love lace and ribbon and pretty fabrics, and am hoping to start an Etsy shop sometime soon. I'd like to learn to make journals as well as alter existing ones. So far I am enjoying the class immensely, and Gail is an excellent teacher. She takes you through the process of choosing fabrics, preparing the journal, printing on fabric and other steps patiently and thoroughly. She is also one very nice lady! Gail designed my blog banner for me at a very reasonable price, so if you're in the market for a blog banner, Etsy banner or business cards, drop her a line!

I will be posting photos of all these projects as soon as I can, either here or on my Flickr page. In the meantime, here are some closeups of journal pages I did a while ago. Hope you like them!

Stay well and stay warm!

When A Pet Dies

This is a photo of our late hairless rat, Pinky. He passed away in October 2010, admidst many tears from my husband and me.

Pinky lived longer than a hairless rat is supposed to. He was two years old, as opposed to the expected 18 months. Still, it was very hard to let him go.

Today, I learned that an art friend lost her beloved pet cat. Then, I read a sad post by Katherine at Apifera Farm about the passing of Gertie, one of her pygmy goats. Not long ago, Katherine lost Georgie, another pygmy goat. Both posts brought tears to my eyes. Whenever I read about someone losing a pet, I cry. I guess I am just a softie at heart.

To my husband and me, animals are not just animals--they are family members. Since I was a child, I have believed animals go to heaven, where they are looked after by St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. As an adult, I learned about the Rainbow Bridge. I believe someday we will be reunited with our animal companions, as well as those people whom we were privileged to know in life.

Blessings and comfort to those who have lost beloved animal family members.


Peace to you all.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown...

A Conversation Heart

Hello, and welcome back to my blog! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and that your New Year will be equally great.

Personally, I like New Year's Eve better than Christmas. It's, shall we say, more relaxed. No gifts to get ready, no food to prepare (other than what hubby and I will eat) and no pressure.

Speaking of gifts, I made seven of these Conversation Hearts for family and friends this year. I  learned how from a class taught by the amazing Tammy Gilley. Each  heart featured hand embroidery (I still can't believe I did that!), buttons from my good friend Linda Schultz at www.collagecloset.com, beads, a silver angel charm, hand-dyed seam binding from Memrie Marie and cute little paper forget-me-nots from 32NorthSupplies.

As a result of the class, I've become interested in crazy quilting. I'm  not precise enough for "real quilting" but crazy quilting leaves me a lot of latitude!

Enjoy your holiday, and have a happy, healthy New Year!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Art and Soul 2010

Hello,

Welcome back, or welcome to those of you who are new to my blog!

I will start by saying I'm not the best blogger in the world. In fact, I'm rather laid back (and more than a little behind in my posts). I've been back from Art and Soul in Hampton, Va., for more than a week, and am just getting around to going through the many photos I took while I was there. I have three to share with you today.

First, upon arriving at the tea party on Wednesday night, May 19, I immediately spotted a red-haired woman across the room. And I do mean red! Orange red. She was heavily tattooed and bejeweled, and I whispered to my friend Erin that I thought the redhead was one of my favorite authors. Indeed, it was Rice Freeman-Zachary, author of Creative Time and Space and several other books. She's one of my Art Heroes, and she and her hubby, the Ever Gorgeous Earl, were at Hampton on assignment for a new book tentatively titled Creative Destinations. I introduced myself to her, and we had a lovely conversation about writing and my destiny. Seriously! She gave me something interesting to think about: What do I really, really want to do for a living?

I need to think about my answer...

My first class was with the wonderful LK Ludwig. We are not related, but I've been told we look alike. (I've also been told I look like Jack White, but that's another story.) The class was "Natural Beauty," and we learned how to do gelatin monoprints, to print on metal mesh, and to incorporate our photographs into our journals. LK brought her beautiful journals to share with us. My attempts at monoprinting turned out tolerably well, but the mesh printing was very difficult and I think mine turned out more like Rohrshach tests than like the ferns and leaves they were supposed to look like!


This is an example of my monoprints. They were done with an artificial zinnia (left) and a maple leaf (right). Not bad for a first try!

This is one of LK's journal pages. I love the simplicity of her designs. I just ordered her new book, Creative Wildfire, from Amazon.com, and I can't wait till it arrives.

Well, that's it for today's show and tell. I will return with more photos and stories as soon as I can. Until then, stay well and stay cool!

The Time Has Come...

Now that spring has really arrived, I've decided to launch my new blog. I'd like to share my artwork, including some of my photography, with my readers, and hopefully make new friends in this vast, wonderful world of ours.

Bleeding hearts are one of my favorite flowers. Dicentra spectabilis comes in pink and white, and though I have planted several, I have never had any success in their behaving as a perennial. In other words, they never bloomed the following spring, but died a quiet death. I wonder why? They are supposed to be hardy in my region. I've tried both pink and white, to no avail. Maybe they are not so hardy after all.

In any event, I hope you enjoy this photo, and my blog.