My Studio

Welcome to my studio! 

A few of us in my art group decided to share some photos of our creative spaces.  Since I cleaned up for the virtual tour, I thought I'd share my tiny studio with you too. I stood in the center of the space (as best I could), and took these pics in a circle so you can have a nice overview of the space.

It may be small, but it's comfortable. I'm surrounded with all of my favorite things and my most used art supplies are within easy reach.

 

There's even a little bed for Miss Tootsie, my Mini-Schnauzer. She's an awesome assistant! (Apologies for this picture being a bit blurry.)

My desk, which is really an old kitchen table, faces two windows. I found that I can't work without a "view"!

The fairy lights are up all year long. I love the glow they give at night. And I couldn't work without my Ott lights. Their light bulbs replicate daylight.

And yes, there's more storage in the closet. I've outfitted it with two small bookshelves, and they hold all of my reference books and a lot of supplies that I used for my murals. Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my world!

Wishing you a day filled with time to make art!

My Gift Bags

After watching  Roben-Marie's video, I was inspired to make a few of my own gift bags using her techniques.

I dug through bags of lace snips, gathered some of my painted deli paper, black thread and brown paper bags, and spent an afternoon happily sewing away. Sewing is NOT my forte, but I found making these bags very relaxing - maybe because there are no rules.

 You don't even have to be neat to obtain super results!

When I finished the first bag, I just couldn't stop.

And since I'm participating in a "Not So Secret Santa Swap" for my art group, these little bags were the perfect solution for wrapping my not so symmetrical Santa gifts.

 And . . . they're very sturdy too!

Although I'm not a huge fan of sewing, this project was well worth the time and effort! Here are a few more pics of the details.

 

And . . . ta daaaaaa . . . . the finished package just before it was sent to my "Not So Secret Santa" partner!

And to think . . . . it all started with brown paper bags and black thread!

Wishing you a day filled with creativity!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
Author Unknown

I'll be unplugged and away from the matrix for the next few days so that I can enjoy this beautiful holiday with my family. Many blessings to you and yours and best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

Gift Bags

Krafty Gift Bags Tutorial from Roben-Marie Smith

I'm a huge Roben-Marie Smith fan. So when she posted this clever gift bag tutorial on her blog, I made a cup of tea to sit down and watch. Why not . . . I thought . . .  use red, green, white or blue bags? Why not use bits of colored paper and ribbons? Why not use glitter and chipboard cut outs? Hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.

Wishing you a day filled with inspiration!

The Winner & A Freebie

A PNG File

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment this past week! The response was overwhelming. You always brighten my day and put a song in my heart!

Without further ado, the winner of my "Thanks Giving" print  (chosen by Random.Org) is Jean from Bluebirds Living in the Meadow. Congratulations, Jean! Please send me an email with your address, and I'll get this in the mail as soon as I can. Again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway. I'll have to do another soon!!!

Today's freebie came from the public domain. I've posted a png file with the thought that you could use this image for place cards, stickers, napkin rings, etc. for your Thanksgiving table.

Hope you have a day filled with many blessings!

"Joy" - An ATC

"Joy"

An ATC

Yesterday I looked at my kitchen calendar and it seems as though I've misplaced a week. How could it be that Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is right around the corner?

This atc was created for a friend. After all, the "joy" is in the giving. Just a little thought to keep in mind as we all begin our Holiday preparations.

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Reminder - Last Call!

"Thanks Giving"

Print Giveaway

Time is winding down to enter the drawing for my "Thanks Giving" print.

To enter the drawing leave a comment on this post, or this week's previous posts. You have until midnight on Thursday, November 18th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 19th. That's it - easy peasey! If you've been lurking in the shadows, come on out and say "Hello!". This is a great time to introduce yoursel. I love making new friends!

Hope you have a day filled with joy!

Credits: Image of bellhop from the public domain. Roses from Pringle Hill Studio and butterflies from Dover Publications.

Bleached Backgrounds - A Tutorial

My dear friend Roc and I are at it again . . . . this time with a video demonstrating a background technique using colored cardstock and household bleach to create batik-like backgrounds.

This video should definitely come with a warning. After we published our last video, several of our friends asked us to show ourselves on camera. Today's the day for the big 'reveal'! I don't think Hollywood has anything to worry about! LOL!!!

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Reminder

"Thanks Giving"

8 1/2" x 11" Print

Just a reminder that there's still time to enter the drawing for my "Thanks Giving" print.

To enter the drawing leave a comment on this post, the previous post, or any of this week's future posts until midnight on Thursday, November 18th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 19th. That's it - easy as pumpkin pie! If you've been lurking in the shadows, this is a great time to leave a comment. I love making new friends!

Hope you have a day filled with good friends and laughter!

Giveaway

"Thanks Giving"

8 1/2" x 11" Print

How could I begin to thank you, My Friends, for your friendship and encouragement.  In the spirit of the season, and as a very small way of thanking you for your lovely visits, comments and support, I'm giving away a professional print of my journal page "Thanks Giving" just in time to celebrate our Thanksgiving Holiday celebration in the States later this month. (FYI - It's one of my most viewed listings on Flickr.)

To enter the drawing just leave a comment on this post or any of this week's future posts until midnight on Thursday, November 18th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 19th. That's all you have to do! No flaming hoops or fancy dances with feathers! If you've been lurking in the shadows, this is a great time to leave a comment. I love making new friends!

Hope you have an awesome day and remember to be thankful for the "little things"!

Zetti Ornament

A Christmas Angel

This month one of the challenges issued in my art group was to create a Zetti Christmas ornament. The only rule is that it's to be sized 4" x 6" - not including the hanger.

I've never created an ornament doll, and I thought I'd answer the challenge. Needless to say, I had a lot of colorful fun!

And since she's my version of a Zetti Christmas angel, she's perfect for the angel challenge over at the new Take a Word challenge site. If you have an opportunity, drop in to see this great new site and wish Marie well in her new venture. You can go there by clicking here.

Hope you have a bright, happy day!

Credits: Thank you to Land of Nod - Flickr, for the doll's head, to Dover Publications for the wings and flowers on the purse, to Crowabout Studio B @ Deviant Scrap for the dress and legs, and to Ceremony - Etsy for the tiny heart.

Sunday Postcard Art

"The Best"

4"x6" Postcard

It's been quite a while since I've participated in one of my favorite challenges, "Sunday Postcard Art". When Mandy asked me to be this week's guest, I was thrilled and honored. My choice of theme this week was "Hats 'n Crowns". It's always a pleasure to play with old friends!

Wishing you a day filled with old friends and smiles!

Credits: Thanks to Tumble Fish Studio-Etsy for the very manly man, his crown, belt buckle and beautiful wings. Special thanks to Sharon for the beautiful scrap butterflies!

Friday "Freebie"

Little Boy

ATC Sized Jpeg

I found this little guy while browsing through a few public domain sites this week, and thought you might enjoy him. Many apologies for not providing a PNG file - I've been under the weather with a terrible head cold. He's been cleaned up, but not too much, so he still has a lot of vintage charm.

Wishing you a day filled with lovely surprises!

My Butterfly

 

Several months ago, my friend Trudi from Two Dresses Studio, put out a call for a very special art project hosted by the Holocaust Museum in Houston, Texas. The goal of this worthy project is to collect 1.5 million butterflies - each one a representation of a child who's life was sacrificed during the Holocaust.

 

When I began this project, I approached it as another exercise in creativity . . . a simple art project. Never did I realize the profound effect it would have on my spirit. As each layer was applied, the significance of each symbol left an indelible imprint of sadness and loss. And, when the final bead was strung, I sobbed.

 

How does one reconcile the beauty of a butterfly with such profound sadness? Trudi expressed it beautifully when she said, "It's so terribly bittersweet, so sad and difficult to express the 'joy' of a butterfly with the young innocent lives that didn't have a chance to blossom."

I hand painted deli paper with bright colors to symbolize the beauty and individuality of each child. Numbers were added, as well as a symbolic stamp that represents how the children were restrained. Copper metallic spatters represent the bloodshed. The child in the center is raised, because I truly believe each of these little spirits went to Heaven immediately. She is holding a bouquet of flowers in remembrance. Finally, the moonstone beads strung on fibers represent the tears that were shed as well as hope and love.

I am humbled and honored to participate in this worthy project. If you'd like to participate too, you can click here to read more about it or click on the "Butterfly Effect" button in my sidebar.

May we always remember and never forget.
 
Credits: Thank you to the Graphics Fairy for the top half of the doll body. Thanks also to Tumble Fish Studio - Etsy for the bottom half of the doll body and the crown. All images were hand colored and altered.