This girl has been smokin' making samples for Paper Artsy. Below I have posted some of the art I managed to get done this week. I plan to do more as the ideas come. If you haven't checked out their beautiful line of rubber stamps, you are really missing out!
It is wonderful when the ideas just some easily. Some days they don't, so I really appreciate the days when they do. I am really enjoying doing design team work and hope to continue, whether for businesses or for publications. I love the challenge. (Must be the Aries in me-never tell me something is impossible-I will find a way to move mountains!) The publication work is really exciting-the whole process of designing something, making it, sending it off and then waiting (Oh the agony of the waiting!) to see it appear on the pages. I just love it! It's very satisfying.
Anyway, I have about an hour more to work before my guys get home, so I had better get back to arting! *waves*
Friday, April 29, 2005
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
I is for Inspiration!
This girl is on fire today! I am working on some Paper Artsy stuff and the ideas are just coming like crazy. I should have some new art to share soon. Hope everyone is having a creative day too!
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Shopping is an Olympic Event!
Yesterday my new friend Janice and I went down to Bellingham for the monthly ATC swap and to shop. I took her to all my favourite stores and we had a shopping good time. I love to shop in the States-there are always things I find that I can't find at home. Here's the laundry list of what I bought for those of you who would be amused by such things:
-The Mini Stack by Provo. 144 sheets of 6x6 printed papers for a mere $5.99
-7 Gypsies Love Amour sticker sheet-fun!
-Collage Cards & Mini Books by Design Originals
-A beautiful Buddha rubber stamp-Bankok Post by Stampington (from Stampadoodle!)
-a package of 5 Dymo tapes in red, blue, green, orange and gold for $4.99
-four large wooden spools (50C each)
At the ATC swap one of the ladies had a trunk full of old Bellingham newspapers. Apparently she knew this doctor who recently died at the age of 90. When he family went to clean out his home, they found a whole box of old newspapers and were just going to take them to a recycling depot. She asked if she could have them and they said yes. They also sold her a dictionary (a HUGE one) from the 1880's for $2. She brought the whole box to share with everyone so I went out to her car with her and got a stack for Janice and I. I just had a very quick glance through the stack, but there are some papers there from the 60's and the ads are fantastic-all the old cars! She also gave us some dictionary pages. I haven't had time to go through everything yet, but I am excited about what I will find. I was hoping to have some old authentic ephemera for the Artwerx class I am taking in August, so I am going to pick through them carefully and clip what I want to save for this purpose.
Have I mentioned lately that one of the things I love best about the altered art community is the fact that people SHARE?!? I think this is one of the best things about this type of art. Everyone has such a generousity of spirit and it just makes for some very happy times and good friends.
The ATC swap was busy. There was a large group that came in from Mulkilteo, Wa. to swap with us. It was kind of funny because we walked into Fantasia and I spotted the group in the back (a bunch of ladies with binders, so I knew they were ATCers) but I didn't recognize any of them. Most of the regular Bellingham crowd wasn't there, which was odd. Anyway, they warmed up pretty quickly and the swapping got underway. I did a quick head count at one point and there were 22 of us there. I think a couple more wandered in later, but I lost track. If the regulars had all shown up, there would have been about 30 there. As it was, we about took over the restaurant.
I was excited to find Jan's books in stock at Stampadoodle. They had a very nice display of them and had also got the matte blank board books in. It's exciting to see a book on a shelf in a store and know your art is living between the covers. That made me enormously happy. I mentioned it to Wendy who owns the store when I saw her later at the ATC swap. She didn't know I had art in those books. *If you are looking for Jan's books, you can order them directly from her web site. Just go to my links page-I have listed her there.*
Anyway, that is my weekend thus far. I am heading out to Vancouver shortly to begin teaching another round of my 6 session AB class. It's a bit cooler today for which I am glad. Yesterday it was HOT-at least 23C and we were too warm all day long. Lots of the stores we were in were really muggy. Janice and I were thirsty practically the whole day. I told her I was beginning to wonder if I had distemper. ROFL!
I hope all of you are having a relaxing and artful weekend!
-The Mini Stack by Provo. 144 sheets of 6x6 printed papers for a mere $5.99
-7 Gypsies Love Amour sticker sheet-fun!
-Collage Cards & Mini Books by Design Originals
-A beautiful Buddha rubber stamp-Bankok Post by Stampington (from Stampadoodle!)
-a package of 5 Dymo tapes in red, blue, green, orange and gold for $4.99
-four large wooden spools (50C each)
At the ATC swap one of the ladies had a trunk full of old Bellingham newspapers. Apparently she knew this doctor who recently died at the age of 90. When he family went to clean out his home, they found a whole box of old newspapers and were just going to take them to a recycling depot. She asked if she could have them and they said yes. They also sold her a dictionary (a HUGE one) from the 1880's for $2. She brought the whole box to share with everyone so I went out to her car with her and got a stack for Janice and I. I just had a very quick glance through the stack, but there are some papers there from the 60's and the ads are fantastic-all the old cars! She also gave us some dictionary pages. I haven't had time to go through everything yet, but I am excited about what I will find. I was hoping to have some old authentic ephemera for the Artwerx class I am taking in August, so I am going to pick through them carefully and clip what I want to save for this purpose.
Have I mentioned lately that one of the things I love best about the altered art community is the fact that people SHARE?!? I think this is one of the best things about this type of art. Everyone has such a generousity of spirit and it just makes for some very happy times and good friends.
The ATC swap was busy. There was a large group that came in from Mulkilteo, Wa. to swap with us. It was kind of funny because we walked into Fantasia and I spotted the group in the back (a bunch of ladies with binders, so I knew they were ATCers) but I didn't recognize any of them. Most of the regular Bellingham crowd wasn't there, which was odd. Anyway, they warmed up pretty quickly and the swapping got underway. I did a quick head count at one point and there were 22 of us there. I think a couple more wandered in later, but I lost track. If the regulars had all shown up, there would have been about 30 there. As it was, we about took over the restaurant.
I was excited to find Jan's books in stock at Stampadoodle. They had a very nice display of them and had also got the matte blank board books in. It's exciting to see a book on a shelf in a store and know your art is living between the covers. That made me enormously happy. I mentioned it to Wendy who owns the store when I saw her later at the ATC swap. She didn't know I had art in those books. *If you are looking for Jan's books, you can order them directly from her web site. Just go to my links page-I have listed her there.*
Anyway, that is my weekend thus far. I am heading out to Vancouver shortly to begin teaching another round of my 6 session AB class. It's a bit cooler today for which I am glad. Yesterday it was HOT-at least 23C and we were too warm all day long. Lots of the stores we were in were really muggy. Janice and I were thirsty practically the whole day. I told her I was beginning to wonder if I had distemper. ROFL!
I hope all of you are having a relaxing and artful weekend!
Friday, April 22, 2005
Updates!
Oh the fiddling is endless when you have a web site. I live in mortal fear that at some point Kelly is going to tell me I have reached my image limit. At that point, I will have to remove some of the old art to make way for the new, but till then, I will just keep updating with my fingers crossed!
So for those of you keeping track, the updates have happened on the following pages:
More Words: I added a wonderful new quote sent to me by my friend Jeff. "We Are Made For These Times" has alot of personal meaning for me.
Gallery 3: My latest ATC-I will be adding more probably later today.
Gallery 6: My newest collaborative book pages-2 ABC pages and a page for Celine's project as well. I have one more ABC page to finish and I will add it as soon as I do, so keep watching!
I have also noticed that some of you have quietly added me to your links. Thank you! If you have and you haven't told me, please drop me an email and say hello so I know who you are. Don't be shy!
Okay, lots to accomplish today-I need ATCs for tomorrows swap in Bellingham. Off to the art table!
So for those of you keeping track, the updates have happened on the following pages:
More Words: I added a wonderful new quote sent to me by my friend Jeff. "We Are Made For These Times" has alot of personal meaning for me.
Gallery 3: My latest ATC-I will be adding more probably later today.
Gallery 6: My newest collaborative book pages-2 ABC pages and a page for Celine's project as well. I have one more ABC page to finish and I will add it as soon as I do, so keep watching!
I have also noticed that some of you have quietly added me to your links. Thank you! If you have and you haven't told me, please drop me an email and say hello so I know who you are. Don't be shy!
Okay, lots to accomplish today-I need ATCs for tomorrows swap in Bellingham. Off to the art table!
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Thank the Muse!
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I have joined a brand new design team for my LSS. I have just begun working on art for the store. It was a bit overwhelming to have so many possibilities but I have managed to create a couple of items I am happy with.
I am not sure about the "rules" of sharing this art on my blog, so I will have to check and see. If it's not kosher to do it now, I might have to wait to post pics till the art is no longer being used as a store sample. Don't want to step on anybody's toes!
Anyway, I am just glad to know my muse is alive and kickin'!!
I am not sure about the "rules" of sharing this art on my blog, so I will have to check and see. If it's not kosher to do it now, I might have to wait to post pics till the art is no longer being used as a store sample. Don't want to step on anybody's toes!
Anyway, I am just glad to know my muse is alive and kickin'!!
Friday, April 15, 2005
Letter Q
This is a page for the Abecedarium collaborative book I am participating in. The stamp is from my friend Tracy Roos, from her personal stamp line. I added the 17 on her crown is because "Q" is the 17th letter in the alphabet. On the reverse it lets you know this page is for letter Q, in case someone can't figure it out. The background was made using a shaving cream technique I learned last week from Pat. Thanks Pat! If nothing else, my page smells good! LOL!
That little rhyme is something I used to say as a kid. In Winnipeg where I grew up, the winters are ledgendary. There was a Safeway near my home that would have the big plows come and clear the parking lots, pushing the excess snow into piles on the edges of the lots. Over time, the piles would get enormous. One of us kids would scramble up to the top and yell "I'm the Queen/King of the castle and you're the dirty rascal!!" The rest would then charge the mountain of snow and try to push the Queen/King off the top and take their place. It's a wonder none of us ever broke anything or got a concussion-the piles were pretty high and anyone being pushed would tumble head over heels down to the bottom! I just remember playing that for hours.
A friend of mine was one of those "dirty rascals" and she actually wrote a song with those words in the lyrics, which is what gave me the idea for this page. (If you want to hear the song, click here. Hit the "listen" button on upper right on the page.)
I have 2 more letters to complete (C and H) so more pics coming soon!
That little rhyme is something I used to say as a kid. In Winnipeg where I grew up, the winters are ledgendary. There was a Safeway near my home that would have the big plows come and clear the parking lots, pushing the excess snow into piles on the edges of the lots. Over time, the piles would get enormous. One of us kids would scramble up to the top and yell "I'm the Queen/King of the castle and you're the dirty rascal!!" The rest would then charge the mountain of snow and try to push the Queen/King off the top and take their place. It's a wonder none of us ever broke anything or got a concussion-the piles were pretty high and anyone being pushed would tumble head over heels down to the bottom! I just remember playing that for hours.
A friend of mine was one of those "dirty rascals" and she actually wrote a song with those words in the lyrics, which is what gave me the idea for this page. (If you want to hear the song, click here. Hit the "listen" button on upper right on the page.)
I have 2 more letters to complete (C and H) so more pics coming soon!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Thoughts
Today I feel compelled to comment on a show I watched last night. You will have to forgive me this indulgance but writing is art too as far as I am concerned.
So about the show: it was a special about the structural steel ironworkers who are working on the rebuild on the World Trade Center site. Some of the men working on it are second or third generation ironworkers. Some of them had fathers or grandfathers who worked on the original towers. Many of these same men went down to ground zero in the days following and did what they could to help with the clean up. It was heartbreaking hearing them talk about the impact doing this had on their lives. Many of them are suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and with good reason. One man said he started drinking to dull the memories of what he saw there and it cost him his marriage.
As always, they showed footage of the towers falling on 9/11 and as always, it made my stomach churn and the tears came unbidden. Even after all this time, it still hurts me deeply to see it, to know even a fraction of the impact it has had on people's lives. I think of my friends who lost their son, because he got up and simply went to work that day.
I guess all I want to say is please don't forget them, the people who were killed, the people who were traumatized in the course of wanting to help and the families that suffer still. Please send them your thoughts for peace and healing.
So about the show: it was a special about the structural steel ironworkers who are working on the rebuild on the World Trade Center site. Some of the men working on it are second or third generation ironworkers. Some of them had fathers or grandfathers who worked on the original towers. Many of these same men went down to ground zero in the days following and did what they could to help with the clean up. It was heartbreaking hearing them talk about the impact doing this had on their lives. Many of them are suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and with good reason. One man said he started drinking to dull the memories of what he saw there and it cost him his marriage.
As always, they showed footage of the towers falling on 9/11 and as always, it made my stomach churn and the tears came unbidden. Even after all this time, it still hurts me deeply to see it, to know even a fraction of the impact it has had on people's lives. I think of my friends who lost their son, because he got up and simply went to work that day.
I guess all I want to say is please don't forget them, the people who were killed, the people who were traumatized in the course of wanting to help and the families that suffer still. Please send them your thoughts for peace and healing.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Update!
Okay after rebooting my computer a couple of times to work out some technical difficulties, I have managed to upload a new piece of artwork. You will find it in Gallery 1 under assemblages.
Big thanks to my friends Angie for her beautiful marbled paper and cool fabric scrap which fit in so nicely. Also, thank you Karenann for the beautiful feather, all the way from Arizona! The best part of art is when someone sends you something that inspires you or can find just the precise thing you have been looking for. I am *SO* blessed by all my friends. Truely!
Big thanks to my friends Angie for her beautiful marbled paper and cool fabric scrap which fit in so nicely. Also, thank you Karenann for the beautiful feather, all the way from Arizona! The best part of art is when someone sends you something that inspires you or can find just the precise thing you have been looking for. I am *SO* blessed by all my friends. Truely!
Shaving Cream!!
Last night was a wrap up pot luck dinner following the last class of the 6 session AB class. This wonderful group of ladies have been getting together since February to learn Altered Books and it has really been a treat to teach them.
Anyway, while we were together last night we learned how to marble papers using shaving cream and re-inkers and food colouring. It was hugely messy but so much fun. The main trick was to remember not to lick our fingers as we worked-the shaving cream with the colours in it looked like coloured cool whip and it was just *so* tempting!
I have posted the papers I made. (Keep in mind this was my first kick at the can. I plan to play some more maybe later this week and experiment with different colours and textures.) It's so much fun to learn something new and thank you Pat for being so generous as to let us make this mess at your house!
Anyway, I have a newly finished piece of art to add to my website later this afternoon, so I will post where to find it after I go pick my son up from school! Back in a jiff!
Anyway, while we were together last night we learned how to marble papers using shaving cream and re-inkers and food colouring. It was hugely messy but so much fun. The main trick was to remember not to lick our fingers as we worked-the shaving cream with the colours in it looked like coloured cool whip and it was just *so* tempting!
I have posted the papers I made. (Keep in mind this was my first kick at the can. I plan to play some more maybe later this week and experiment with different colours and textures.) It's so much fun to learn something new and thank you Pat for being so generous as to let us make this mess at your house!
Anyway, I have a newly finished piece of art to add to my website later this afternoon, so I will post where to find it after I go pick my son up from school! Back in a jiff!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
This is just to say...
...that art is happening again! I am working on things so I should have some bits to share shortly! YAY! :)
Monday, April 04, 2005
How It Goes
I am still breathing. I think I have finally managed to shake off the bug I had last week and I hope this is the last of it! In the meantime, just for fun, I managed to break a toe. It's the most beautiful shade of purply-blue, a colour not normally seen in nature. It's slow healing and quite painful.
I am hoping to actually sit down some time later today and get some art started. I have a laundry list of things to work on, including my pages for an ABC collaborative book and the beginnings of my journal for the True Colours Journal RR I am hosting. I have ideas brewing that I am anxious to get working on.
Next week my 6 week AB class is getting together after the last class to have a potluck dinner. This is just the nicest group of ladies and it has been so much fun working with them. The lady who is hosting is also going to set up a shaving cream marbling station so we can all try it. I can't wait. It should be alot of fun.
Next week I am also going to a meeting for a new design team I am going to be working on. I am looking forward to seeing what we will be doing. Apparently the team is really diverse in terms of syle and experience so there should be a good variety of work done. I am the altered art girl. LOL!
Okay, I had better finish the tidying I need to do this morning so I can move on to the things I want to do. Hopefully, I will have new art to post shortly! Stay tuned!!
I am hoping to actually sit down some time later today and get some art started. I have a laundry list of things to work on, including my pages for an ABC collaborative book and the beginnings of my journal for the True Colours Journal RR I am hosting. I have ideas brewing that I am anxious to get working on.
Next week my 6 week AB class is getting together after the last class to have a potluck dinner. This is just the nicest group of ladies and it has been so much fun working with them. The lady who is hosting is also going to set up a shaving cream marbling station so we can all try it. I can't wait. It should be alot of fun.
Next week I am also going to a meeting for a new design team I am going to be working on. I am looking forward to seeing what we will be doing. Apparently the team is really diverse in terms of syle and experience so there should be a good variety of work done. I am the altered art girl. LOL!
Okay, I had better finish the tidying I need to do this morning so I can move on to the things I want to do. Hopefully, I will have new art to post shortly! Stay tuned!!
Friday, April 01, 2005
For those of you in the Lower Mainland:
The infamous Craft Cartel will be hosting an art sale on
Sunday, April 10 @ the Butchershop Gallery
(26th & Main) in Vancouver
from 10am to 6pm.
It promises to be a dubiously good time with a dangerous raffle, criminal bakesale, a knitting workshop and tons of "legitimate merchandise" to buy! Awesome art, captivating clothing, amazing accessories, cards, magnets and more, you name it, they've got it!
My friend Carie will be peddling some new t-shirts and two new lines of greeting cards. You can also purchase raffle tickets from her. They are just $1 each with a chance to win one of three prize packs.
Everyone's welcome so please tell your friends. Come one, come all!
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