Early Morning Thoughts

Creating again...

Well, this past month has been a busy one and I found myself longing for my studio more and more, but other responsibilities needed attending to first.  So, I have been staying up a little bit later to fill my need to create and this is what I have done so far.  I have a handful of unfinished projects that still need last minute touches and hopefully in the next week or so I can complete them and show you, but until then this is what I have so far.

 

 

 This is a  8 1/2 x 5 1/2 handmade book that I made.  It has 10 pages, counting the backsides, would make 20. 

 

 

 

This is a gift bag with 4 handmade note cards and 2 handmade tags.

I have listed these in my etsy.

Vinyl....

For my next creation, I wanted to try something that I hadn't used before, but something that has been around for awhile...that is where vinyl comes into play.  I was sitting one day thinking,what if I had something that was valuable, delicate or needed protecting from everyday hands, but could still be beautiful sitting out.  I originally didn't have the thought of making a book, but it ended up being that way.  I have some very old, but yet beautiful material that dates back to the late 1800's, early 1900's, that I wanted to use.  I was worried about it holding up under handling and the beating of my sewing machine, so I decided that instead of placing it under glass, I would go with vinyl instead.  When holding this book, it feels very light in my hands, but also, it has flexibility that I don't have to worry about it being bent.

 

 

On this page, I actually laid a leaf behind the vinyl, but not really like the colors that were showing, I painted over the leaf and gave it a new look...how cool is that.  Just think of the drawings that kids could do on vinyl and then be incorporated into a book.  I could also, incorporate their past drawings, dried flowers, etc., that they have given me over the years and this would protect them.

Sanity...where are you???

Ok, this month seems to be one that I can't seem to catch up.  With end of school year activities, birthdays, father's day, and working on orders, gifts, etc... I have been trying to catch my breath and wondering, what was I thinking and where did my sanity go...lol  Can I accomplish every thing that I set out to do.  Now, even thou my life at times is a little crazy, I wouldn't change it, this is what memories are made of.  In my house, we tend to laugh alot at ourselves.  Many nights, we have sat around with popcorn and reminisce about how funny we all were, running around with our heads barely hanging on. 

 I just sent out boxes with the mailman, now all I have, is my last two book that I am finishing up on and I will be free to start on new things...yes!!!   I have some new things, but they need last minute touches and then they will be ready to show.  Since, I can't show you what the finish pieces looks like until they reach their destination, I will give you sneak peaks of them.

 

Thanks for visiting, hope everyone is taking time; to make memories, to laugh at yourself, for life is to short to get upset over mistakes and enjoying life. 

The visionary

This is the third of the 4 books that I have been working on, "The visionary".  As you can see from my work, I love the old ways and the look of vintage.  That being said, what most people don't know about me, is that since of an early age, I have had a thirst and passion to learn about the west and indians.  So, when KC Willis offered an on-line class to teach her techniques on aging, fabric collages, etc., I couldn't of been happier.  I have to say, I was a little hestiant, considering that I already knew about aging fabrics, sewing, etc., but after watching her videos and using some of the techniques...I am thrilled that I joined.  Each of us have our own method of doing things, what was great about KC's was it allowed me to incorporate hers and grow from the experience.  I came away with a different preceptive on how to incorporate things, aging fabrics and stepping out of my way of doing things.  So, with that being said, I chose not to do the fabric wall hanging first, I made a book.  Like you guys didn't see that coming...lol 

  

 

 

Now, I am off to finish book number 4, some note cards and also, start a wall hanging, using KC's techniques.

Mini book...

This is the second book of the 4 that I have been working on lately.  It is another one of my mini books, "Faith".  I decided to work with a new color of paint that I had never used before, Sea Breeze from Americana.  I figured that it was only $1.79 for the paint, so if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be out of alot of money.  Also, sometimes, working on smaller scales helps to lesson the intimidation of a project too.  Well, after using it, I loved it!!!  This is not my normal choice of colors, but I have been working with myself to step out of my comfort zone and stretch myself as an artist more.  This is what is looks like using it on a hardback book cover...

 

The thing that I like about the words that I used, are it applies to all areas of our lives.  Whether that be raising kids, working at your job, paying bills, finding time to balance out your family, friends, etc., We all need it... 

***The winner is....***

First, I would like to thank each and every one of you that entered into my blog giveaway.  I am honored that you would do so and touched by all of the wonderful comments.  Now, onto who will be getting this beauty...

The winner is:

Gail        scs182@lgschmidt.net

Congrats...if you will send me your address, I will get this out to you right away!

 

 

Whispers...

This is the first of 4 of my newest books that I have been working on lately.  I have really enjoyed working in this one.

 

 

 

I just have a few more touches to put onto it and it will be ready. 

***Blog Giveaway***

About time, don't you agree?   I actually meant to do this many times, but something was always coming up and got pushed on the back burner.  I finally decided that I needed to do this.  I was hoping to have this last month, which would of represented my first year anniversary for my blog and etsy site, but as you can see, that didn't happen...oh well, better late than never! 

I wanted to do this, to say thank you, for actually reading my blog...lol  and second for anyone who ever bought from my etsy.  This has been an awesome and exciting year for me.  First, I have meet so many new and interesting people, whether that be in person, internet or by mail and second it has allowed me to grow into the artist that I am becoming.  Since, my art teacher in high school actually told me that I had no artistic ability and should not peruse art, I never really felt that I had what it took to be an artist.  I decided 10 years ago, that I would give it a shot.  Since I was starting from the bottom, I felt that I wouldn't have very far to fall, if my teacher was right...lol  Well, since then, I have grown and stretched myself as an artist and don't regret one day of it.

Ok, this is how it works...I have really put alot of thought into this and felt that all you have to do is leave a comment and your e-mail address, on what/who inspired you to become an artist and yes, everyone is an artist.  Remember, it is in eye of the beholder.  Not, everyone who see's your art, will get it, but then..., it wasn't meant for everyone.  Take that leap of faith, like I did and believe...what do you have to lose?  I tell my kids alot, if I have at least touched one person with my art, then I did what I was meant to do with it. 

So, starting today,I will hold this open until June 1st.  That will give you 15 days and only one comment per person will count.  I will then put everyone's name in a container, shake vigorously and have one of my kids pull out a name. 

Shown below is the book, that I will be giving away...I just adore this book!  It fits in the palm of your hand nicely and of course, it is bulging with pretties.

The size of this book is roughly, 5 1/4 x 6 1/2.

 

 

I really enjoyed making this book, I haven't made one of these in a while.  Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment to be able to get entered in the giveaway.

I'm back....

I made it back from a 2 day retreat that I took in Los Gatos, CA with DJ Pettitt .  What a wonderful retreat this was...  It was put together by Cindy O'leary thru Artful Journey.  I haven't taken many 2 day retreats, but this one was awesome.  From the very beginning, Cindy made all of us feel very welcome.  We had 21 students in class, but you would never know this; we had so much room to work on our projects.  Cindy not only made us feel welcome and waited on all of our needs, but she even catered our lunches herself, along with her friend Char.  The food was amazing and I even hinted that she needs to do a retreat where we do art and learn some cooking.  I will for sure, be signing up for more classes thru Artful Journey.  I came away with a ton of techniques, along with making new friends that I look forward to meeting up with again.

If you have never been to Los Gatos, CA, you are missing out.  What a beautiful town this is.  I could of stayed another week and still want to stay longer.  I look forward to coming back there and staying longer.

Now, anyone who has ever taken a class with DJ, knows that the class is sure to be awesome.  Shown below is the book that we made in her class.  I still have the inside pages to work on, but I love how this is turning out.

 

I look forward to working with the new techniques that I learned in DJ's class.  Now, I am off to unpacking my bags.

embracing...

What if I choose to embrace my journey, instead of fighting it or running from it....  Sometimes, things happen to us that are unfair or we feel that we got short end of the stick.  But I wonder, what would happen if I decided to embrace my journey and make it something great.  So, this is where my next book came from...embracing our journey and believing that you can and will triumph and overcome whatever life throws at you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of the pages in this book.  I am listing this in my etsy.