New Roomie

Imagine my complete surprise when I realized my studio has a new roomie...not a mouse this time, (thank heavens) but the chubbiest earthworm I have ever seen. I guess she has been living in my little terrarium since the spring and has finally grown large enough to see. I wouldn't have noticed her, except I have been noodling on what to do with the moss that has overgrown the little red mushroom that was lovingly planted in the middle of the jar. I keep looking at the glass jar and wondering what the proper procedure is for grooming a terrarium? I am sure Martha would know! I am delighted to have my new roomie's company and have decided to name her Lou-La-Belle. I think she will be a welcome source of inspiration.

Art on the Road

Well, I have been taking continuing education courses this week so I can keep my business license in the state of Indiana. Trapped in a really chilly basement, eight plus hours a day and stuck in a hotel the rest of the time. The first night at the hotel, I spilled a container of seed beads in the bed. I started laughing so hard, trying to round them all back up again, imagining what in the world the poor housekeeping person would think about the beads in the bed...Who really tries to stitch with beads, while lounging in bed anyway!

I have been wondering about this couple that I found in an auction box. New Harmony auction of course. I am so overdue for the auction next Saturday, but my little buddie, Conner is having his first birthday party and I have been lucky enough to be invited, and of course I must attend the celebration of his birth! I bought him his first crayons; the kind that look like little eggs. I am sure it's a bit too soon for crayons (at least for most people), but really can you ever start making art too soon? That would be a great big-NO!

I woke up night before last and had a fabulous idea for a Christmas card. I have never wanted to make a Christmas card before, so I don't know what came over me at 2am. I woke up at my daughter's house and remembered why I like to have a sketch book by the bed! Now this morning as I was waiting for everyone to wake up, and happily making Christmas cards, I wondered why I didn't take the time to make them before. Yes, the cards are time consuming, but so are holiday cookies! I am not making that many cards, but really, they will be suitable for framing and how much fun will that be? I think almost as fun as cookie dough, but with a longer shelf live.

Inspirations

Here is part of my inspiration board in my studio. This is a little dress that my grandmother made my doll so she could match me when we went out for the day. The dress is pretty much exactly like mine. My cousin had a dress made the same as well, not sure if she had her doll dressed the same, but as for me and my dolls we looked alike when possible! My grandmother has always been amazing at creating something from whatever is on hand. With the economy the way it is, I find myself stretching a little more to use what I have on hand. Heaven only knows I have plenty to work with, especially now that I can find it. I am extremely blessed to be able to look at my board and wonder; "What would Grandma use"?

Day Behind Posting

Here are canvas pieces in process, invention being the mother of necessity...flat spaces at a premium so the wall seemed a good place to hang things waiting to dry in between steps. As an added bonus, they are right in front of me, giving me more opportunity to noodle! I have been absolutely busy, busy, busy-making stuff. I think one of the harder things to manage is getting the pictures taken fast enough to post. I just can't make myself post a good art piece with a bad picture. Unfortunately that does cause a bit of delay, OK a big delay. All in the learning curve!

Part and Parts and Legs and Arms

This really should have been posted prior to the last post. To the left is box parts-maybe anatomy parts are more fitting as a description. My poor husband woke up early morning to find these parts on the kitchen counter. Bless his heart, he was a bit creeped out; he hadn't even had the luxury of the first cup of coffee. You have to know how blessed I am that my husband is able to go with my artistic bend of the moment. He has been very encouraging even though he mostly doesn't get anything I do. A few weeks ago he suggested that I paint something and really "wow" the folks out there. I just purchased 20 or so canvases, so stay tuned to see what is in the works (yes, I am taking my significant other's suggestion-he doesn't know). I replaced "Once Upon A Time" this morning at ONB-a viewer had pulled part of the shoes off, so a re-do was a must. I woke up last night in my usual sweat ( I know more information than you need), and came up with a box idea. Are you ready? Are you sure? "Hot Flash". I have the perfect 1940's vintage paper doll just screaming to be my hot flash queen! I cant wait-and yes matches will be involved along with some red glitter! I think it is safe to say it will be posted on Monday! I don't know about everyone else but thank heavens it is finally Friday-LOL

Whew!!

I am so glad the ONB pieces are on their little pedestals and just waiting for comments. Seven pieces in all, "Another Embarrassing Moment" had a little accident on the way and is awaiting repairs. Naturally, I have not taken photos as per usual. Shame on me! I have such an aversion to picture taking for some reason-I want everything to be just right or I don't want to take the picture. Not really a particularly good way to do things. Something would be better than nothing and all that...

My studio now officially looks like a bomb has gone off. I have parts everywhere and there just aren't enough flat spots. Food for thought, take that Hoosier out and replace it with shelves and a long work shelf on top of some kind of small cubbie storage shelving. Everything I work with is so small, even when you contain stuff it still has to go someplace. I think this is going to require a bit of space planning-sounds official doesn't it?

I am dangerously low on boxes to work with. I did my first 3-D piece without a box, as I couldn't find one the correct size. I also did my first box that was not black..."I want to be Malibu Barbie" is white/off white. I guess the good news is-I must be growing creatively or I think I would have been a stressed out puddle on the floor, due to lack of appropriate supplies. I just keep thinking; "use what you have"! Luckily there are several auctions this weekend and I think I am going to invite my husband on a treasure hunt. It will most likely be one of the last fabulous weekends before the real weather begins.

Thanks to Amy for the reminder yesterday-much appreciated!

Wonder Women

What a fabulous group of women I am getting to know! I was thinking on the way home last night that it is so nice to be meeting like minded people. I think women in particular can be very nurturing for one another. I unfortunately, havent really made too much of an effort in the past to make those valuable connections. Well, that's all over now!!


The "Born Knowing" art piece pictured above is now at the J.E. Smith GALLERY. 56 Adams Avenue, Evansville, Indiana. You can call about the hours-812-455-8982. They have really beautiful things and some great events. I personally am looking forward to the "Clay and Cocktails" event.


I successfully emailed Glamour Girl photos with only three bouncing back, I was really careful about putting in the email addresses-apparently that paid off. I will get those three wayward photos to the owners in the next day or so.Thank you for all of the lovely return emails I have recieved -what a gift to me.


My rapid rust concoction didn't work our so well. I really didn't take off enough of the tin paint-so I have lovely rust spots, with a lot of perfect painted surfaces. I'm going to leave the tins in the solution for another 5 days or so, just to see what happens. OK, who am kidding, I am working on the ONB pieces.


The ATC girls that I met at Funk are to be given huge credit from me; they unknowingly helped me with my own ATC cards. Its funny when you just follow directions, how much is left out. All I had to do was pick up one of their lovely creations to know that mine were so wrong!
I have six cards that are going to be attached to the current piece I am working on; "To Be". They are almost finished and so much superior to the cards I have done in the past-Thanks Ladies!!


Hopefully, "To Be" will be finished up tonight. I am really excited about posting her.

Mana Moon Studios: Celebrating 100 Sales Giveaway

Mana Moon Studios: Celebrating 100 Sales Giveaway



OK-How, did I forget to hit the POST button! You just have to go to her blog and sign yourself up to win one of her absolutely fabulous bracelets. Please, don't let me know if you are the lucky winner, I might have to have you over for dinner. You also might want to check yourself at the door to make sure you have everything you came in with:) Good Luck!!!

Just in case I didn't link it correctly...manamoon-studios.blogspot.com

My First Arts Festival

Would you look at this gorgeous banner-purchased from manamoonstudio.etsy.com!! I have used it for my price tags for the Arts Festival this weekend. Spent this morning trimming photos and admiring how nice everything looks. Took a look yesterday to see where I will be sitting tomorrow-looks to be a much bigger show than last year. Very exciting to think about participating instead of just looking. My friend Kate has been helping me remember everything and Just Faux It is moving my furniture to the site. I will take a picture when I get there!

Parts in Progress

Here is the wedding couple in process, too fun! The dress was a little plain so I glued individual vintage aurora borealis sequins all over the lace. After I did that; the base looked too plain so I added pearl rope and individual pearls to highlight the diamond shapes. Lends a more cake like feel to the topper. The second photo is the top half of the box where the topper is going to rest on the domino dance floor. I like the repetition of the polka dots. I use mirror frequently, in this case the mirror was really needed as the box is deeper than boxes I normally use and it was much to dark in the back of the box. The mirror works to expand the space and also bounces light around the box. The bottom interior of the box is now covered in white feathers; I glued them down with craft glue (what was I thinking?). Feather usage 101: never cut a feather and then try and glue it down-it falls apart. Every time I cut a feather and try and glue it down, I remember that I shouldn't cut the feather before I glue. A little late in the process to be sure; but some days are brand spanking new.

I have been noodling on the Mary Jane's. I am leaning toward a gold leaf background with velvet shoe inserts. It would be fun to have a Faberge looking box for my little shoes, just to marke certain that everyone would know that they were irreplaceable treasures. I thought instead of using glitter for "bling" I could use seed beads in a pattern on the outside of the box. I think that idea is worth a trip to the library to check out some fab egg designs.

The other box that I have been thinking of, is from a game piece that was given to me about six or seven years ago. The game was "Pin the Leaf on David". Big Mike's David of course. I have gathered up plenty of goodies to go in the box, it just hasn't seemed quite enough of the right things. I decided this morning it was because I was morphing my bible stories. Adam and David really didn't have the same performance in the Bible and I guess I made up my own little story to fit my box parts. Now I think the box will be called " I wish I were Adam". I will think on that for a day or two and see if it holds up with the box parts.

Chances for today. Starting a blog post. Closing the office early ( for the weekend). Taking photos of other people's landscaping without their permission.