Teesha Inspired

Well I figured that I would add my Teesha Moore inspired pages to the land of Blog. These pages are fun to do! They take a long time for me to finish. This one is in response to a prompt from Kim at Blissfully_Art_Journaling@yahoo.com .

I have these two pages to doodle on & then do the wording. I find that I can doodle on these while watching TV.

The Real Blanket Stitch Found & French Press Info

This is what the correct stitching looks like!!!!!

If you want to know about sewing with the blanket stitch, my sister found this tutorial from futuregirl http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/09/tutorial-hand-sew-felt.aspx

It is so well written & even has pictures to show the process!!!!

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Freebird asks about my last post. I hope this clears up my mud! If not let me know!!!

A cozy is a "sweater" to wrap around my press to keep my coffee warm for a longer time.

This is a French Press Coffee Maker. I believe this one is made by Clover. (I got the pick off the web)

And here is a pretty good article on how to use one. I learned that if I stir the grounds & water, using a chopstick (I'll use my plastic ones) so I don't break the glass pot, it enhances the coffee taste even more! This one has pictures too!! http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

So now on to better stitching & brewing for us all!!!

Cozy Coffee

Wedding, Vacation, Family & Thanksgiving. That's what I've been up to. Oh and this....... A French Press Cozy.

It is made from an accidentally felted wool sweater, a button from my button box (given to me by my mom) & DMC floss. Decorated with my form of embroidery - see messy artist with everything! I have forgotten how to begin & end the blanket stitch so that it lies properly. Oh well. It was fun to do. This was one of those things that I kept saying I was going to make. So I finally did. Now I need to make one for my coffee cup!

Blog Award

Tammy at http://bonsaihabits.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-award.html?showComment=1258123885973#c702666929066576461 gave me this fun award.

I am sure there has to be an easier way to get the info from Tammy's blog to mine. But I don't know what that is!

I am supposed to pass this on to 5 other people & answer the following questions. Using one word answers!

1. where is my cell phone......upstairs
2. my hair.......messy
3. my mother.....snuggie
4. my father....humor
5. favorite food....pizza
6. my dream last night.....forgotten
7. favorite drink......coffee
8. my dream/goal.....peace
9. what room I'm in....livingroom
10. my hobby...doodling
11. my fear....snakes
12. where I want to be in 6 years.....uuuummmmm
13. where I was last night......bed
14. something I'm not......neat
15. muffins.....please
16. wish list item....supplies
17. where I grew up.....U.S.
18. last thing I did...typed
19. what I'm wearing...jammies
20. your TV....off
21. Pets.....yes
22. friends... yes
23. my life...interesting
24. my mood...ok
25. missing someone...grandkids
26. vehicle....elle
27. something I'm not wearing.....bra
28. favorite store...online
29. favorite color.....green
30. last time I laughed...yesterday
31. last time I cried....awhile
32. best friend....sam
33. 1 place I go over & over.....bathroom
34. facebook.....yes
35. favorite place to eat...table

That is a long list!!!!!!!!!!!! Now to pass this on..........

1. http://paper-paisleys.blogspot.com/
2. http://on-the-banks-of-bay-creek.blogspot.com/

Ok I will have to finish this later. I am getting so frustrated with this process!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stuff & Nonsense

I realized that I haven't been posting much & am trying to fix that. I wanted to show you what I have been doing. I have been playing around with this little scraps journal. It has fabric, paper, paint, marker, yarn & trim throughout it. I saw that I had only a few pics of it so I was off with camera in hand to find it. Well, I can't find it!!! I think it knows that I fell out of love with it and is now hiding from me! I listened to that inner critic and thought that it was just another one of my failed experiments.

When I find it I shall finish it and post a pic or two.

A Journal Page

This is my first spread in my journal for the workshop at ArtistsoftheRoundTable@yahoogroups.com . We are working on Lynne Perrella's Artists' Journals & Sketchbooks.

Is Your Ribbon Wrinkled?

I am trying to do the whole reduce, reuse recycle/upcycle. So a lot of the ribbon I acquire looks like the ribbon in this picture.I found out that my flat iron is perfect for bringing this tired, wrinkled ribbon back to life.
Just a few seconds thru the flat iron and ta-da . Refreshed ribbon!!! Just thought I'd pass on this recycling tip.

See my shiny, happy ribbon!!!!! Now to find a project to use them in, hhhmmmm................

First Travel Journal

I spray painted some brown paper bags, large envelopes & paper for this journal. The pics are in reverse order. So here is the back page. You can see that I used brads (can't think of what they are called right now) to "bind" this. The silver is a ribbon glued to cereal box strips. I had a stapler & glue stick to adhere stuff.

The first pages here. My sister brought some greek yogurt. Yummy! I ate both containers!
I love the topiary tree stamp I got for a quarter. I embellished it on this page.

This is the front cover. Oh I found some scotch tape for these. I am not totally done with this journal. I want to add the dates to the cover, maybe some shells.

Here you can see the pieces before assembling began. This was fun to make as well as play in. I learned that spray paint is difficult for a glue stick to adhere to. & I wish that I had some white spray paint. (On my to get list)

Words & Art

I saw this picture and this journal page just over took my brain & I had to get it on paper! It is kind of funny that I reference holding glass crystals up to the light. We had just recently watched the movie Polly Anna http://www.amazon.com/Pollyanna-Eleanor-Hodgman-Porter/dp/1434609723/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251304316&sr=8-7#
The always look on the bright side little girl!
This is currently my favorite, favorite page I have done. This is my go to word. It works under any situation. Good,bad, happy or sad. It is always good to take a step back & BREATHE. If it is a positive situation this helps me to remember & savor the moment. If it is a rough situation it helps me to clear my head & think.

So take a moment & BREATHE today!

Comment & Following Love

Thanks to those of you who are followers, those of you who leave comments & those lurkers (my sister!)

Pixie over at http://pixiesponderings1966.blogspot.com/ explains what Fat Balls are?!

Jackie over at http://lettersandjournals.blogspot.com/ left a comment on Abstract that led to a truly inspiring artist, Pamela Sukhum http://www.infinitevisionart.com/index.htm . I just love her technique. The way she uses her whole body to just flow with the paint as it is placed onto the canvas is mesmerizing.

Jackie has a survey for her upcoming magazine about letter writing and journaling. She has a love of pens & paper and finds all sorts of nifty links to such things.

Oh to be an Art Journal...................

Where it is Beautiful to be Fat & Lumpy!!!

These are just some of my well loved art journals! I do the covers last. Need to do the cover on the larger red covered one, as well as my The Decorated Page workshop art journal cover. That one is falling off the stack in the bottom picture. As I look at the pictures I realize that I need to do more edge embellishments.
How many do you have?

Handmade Journal - Guerrilla Style

This was inspired by Dawn at http://on-the-banks-of-bay-creek.blogspot.com/ check out her flicker site as well. There you will find the pics of her visual journal volume 10. I loved looking at that journal she made (as well as her other art). Dawn referenced Mary Ann Moss http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341bf79853ef011571f2345a970b And I found that Dispatch From LA is a great place to wander around! She gives classes on her techniques. I just found her so haven't taken any classes yet.

This one went together so fast for me. So maybe next time I will remember to take pics along the way!

For a base I used the "fabric" that I made ironing those pesky plastic grocery bags together. I learned how to do this on Threadbangers on YouTube. I started by gathering some papers I had in my stash & on my art table. That determined the size. I sewed paper towels to the inside of the front & back. Then I sewed the denim strip on the outside spine. (from my 15 yr old jeans that just got to thin to wear) Then the next black strip is from one of my husbands ties. The white is the plastic. I added ribbons to it. Took it outside and spray painted with a couple of stencils & then flipped over the stencils to use all of the paint!

The next step was to sew in 2 signatures of my papers. Folded each paper really well, assembled about 6 pages each & sewed them down the middle using a straight stitch.

This is my kind of sewing - guerrilla sewing (to quote Mary Ann Moss). Next time I will neaten up the edges. Oh and I added a pipe cleaner to the front edge to help keep it straight.

This is becoming a visual journal of sorts. I have added stickers off of fruit, tags off of a backpack for my grandson, labels off of a shirt. And I used Sarah Whitmires technique of claiming my journal on the first page. I am not questioning myself . I find a picture or anything else that catches my eye and glue, staple & stick it on the pages.

Art Journaling

These pages are in my journal-altered book for The Decorated Page (by Gwen Diehn) workshop over at the

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistsOfTheRoundTable/

The first is just a silly doodle page. It started with pouring acrylic paint on one page and smooching the book closed. I guess this is a little like cloud watching.

The next 2 are inspired by the 4th of July (bet ya couldn't guess that). The flag is a folded flap & I have written about the fun I had on the 4th on the back of it. It also is a sort of experiment with black paint and working with a dark background. The page on the left is painted with artist grade acrylic - has sort of a satin look & feel to it. The page on the right is cheap craft acrylic - matte & has a chalky feel to it. I used watercolor crayons to draw on it. Next time I want to experiment with what pens/paints will write on the black background. Do you have any suggestions?

Abstract

Abstract pretty much sums up me lately! Here is a pic of one of my latest canvases. I think it is done. It looks some what different "in real life". There is some mica powder in it. So it is hard to catch that shimmer.

Great Mail Day, Thanks Kim!

I keep forgetting to post the wonderful goodies that Kim sent to me. Just for participating in the group. Hey I guess I get a gold star for playing well with others!!

Here is her blog http://ankira.blogspot.com/.

Remember Headstands?

I remember how much fun it was to jump & tumble around. Carefree & laughing.
This is just a quick sketch in response to the prompt Headstands on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blissfully_Art_Journaling/?yguid=293415097 Kim provides some great prompts some are fun, some are deep thinking & some are globally thinking.

I really enjoy art journaling!! I have some canvases that are looking at me, trying to tempt me! I will have to listen to them soon!

A Little of This & A Little of That

This is the large goodie bag I received from Sarah Whitmire. Visit her at http://www.souljournaling.com/

So I have been neglecting my blog. Maybe that's a good sign that I am enjoying life!? I have recently joined Facebook. I am not sure why. Maybe to get my artwork out there. I have a myspace as well and I have not signed into that in ages.

I am trying to become educated on the use of Photoshop Elements. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheLatestTrendsinMixedMediaArts/ is where Cindy Powell is giving basic instructions.

I just got The Artist Way by Julia Cameron and am liking what I read so far. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blissfully_Art_Journaling/ is where Kim Owens is leading group discussions about this book.

Overwhelmed?

This Art Journal spread is in response to Kathryn's prompt at True North Arts http://collagediva.typepad.com/truenorth/2009/05/creative-kindling-quick-easy-ways-to-get-your-creative-mojo-heated-up.html

http://christinekane.com/blog/ Christine Kanes blog is really interesting. Go on over and take a look. I have signed up for her emails. It is nice to get something positive in your inbox!

Scavenger Hunt Results

Over at http://sarahwhitmire.blogspot.com/2009/05/soul-journaling-prompt-tools-and.html you will find the items needed for your own journal spread. There are 17 items to hunt for and use to create with. Here are just a few: something plastic, something shiny, something that starts with the letter A. Can you find those items in my journal pages?

For my Soul Journaling yahoo group journal I decided to use the binder clip & cereal box journal. I also use some of the junk mail to make pages. I will see where Sarah takes us this time!

Something Else

Not feeling very arty lately. Let me see if I can find something else I did a while ago. HHHHMMmmmm...........................

This is one of the first things I altered a while ago. I think it held an AOL disk that came in the mailI put a scrap piece from a patchwork project on top of an outdoor photo and added beads. Simple and fun.

AAARRRGGG

I lost my blog roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was messing around with trying to put a 3 column template, but that got rid of all of my widgets. So I decided not to do that. Then I started playing with the colors and now I don't have my blog roll. But I do have it on my dashboard. Is it because I changed the font size?
Well back to messing with this.

My True North Arts Map

Kathryn Antyr, The Collage Diva, http://collagediva.typepad.com/truenorth/ has us making our personal maps. This is my interpretation of the prompt. Take the Freedom Ferry from Cape Fear on the Isle of Despair, to Port Hope in the Land of Creativity.

The Land of Creativity is defended from InnerCritic Air by Soul Armor Defense System. So you are safe to sip from the stream of techniques and ideas and swim in the pond of positive thinking.

Visit with your friends in yahoo groups ville or over at blog burbs. You can be certain that your creative muse will visit often. When you get hungry visit Just Do It Cafe. They serve large portions of what you are craving.

House on a Hill

This is a canvas I finished a little bit ago. It's done with acrylics. It has had several other faces until I finally settled on this one. I am being lazy right now, I am not sure of the measurements but it is sitting on a desk chair in the picture. I had a lot of conflicting emotions while painting this piece. Let me know what you think.

Fun with Color

Color is the prompt of the month over at Create Every Day (see the button on the left). My favorite color was blue when I was growing up. My sister and I shared a room. Her color of choice was orange. So my mother let us each have our own colors. So imagine, if you can, a small room with two single beds on either side of the room. Each bed was decked out with our choices. My side denim blue bed spread, I think it had patch work flowers on it, deep blue fuzzy throw rug, I had teddy bears and I remember a poster of running horses. Now my sisters side had an orange, yellow & green (flowers I think) bed spread, a bright orange fuzzy throw rug and psychedelic black light posters. She was(is) relatively neat. I was (am) relatively messy. I am not sure the name of the magazine that would have a picture of our room in it!!!

I favor the color green now days. My living room walls, one of the bathrooms & accents in our bedroom (mine & my husbands this time!). Now that I think about it I go for black & green in my wardrobe. I have been told by one of our sons "You need some color in your clothes!!" I guess paint splatters don't count!!! I do have the occasional urge to buy something in the orange family. I wonder what that says about me!

The colors I use in my art depend a lot on my mood. But my favorite color right now is acrylic phthalocyanine green! It seems to creep into a lot of my art lately.

Well have some fun and take some of these quizzes. Kate Smith's sites are a great reference tool for color info. Let me know what your colors are!

Take the Color Made Simple - True Value Color Quiz
http://www.truevaluepaint.com/content/Color/ColorQuiz.aspx to see which color matches your personality. The test tell me that my color is black. HHMM interesting.

BLACK

Nothing can stand between you and your demand for a calm environment. To be free of conflict and disagreement is the only way to live. In fact, it’s this philosophy that probably allows you to be comfortable in conditions that would normally bother others. Your ability to focus is undisputed, and while you enjoy attention, you still have problems understanding how to handle it. No other color out lives by the golden rule as much as you do

Take the Better Homes and Gardens color quiz

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/quiz.jsp?catref=cat740170&quizId=/templatedata/bhg/quiz/data/whatsyourcolorpersonality_10232003.xml

Your Results
Your color personality is: GREEN


It sounds like the hue you most relate to is green -- the color most evocative of nature. Adjectives such as kind, gentle, and contemplative likely describe you. You enjoy being involved with your neighbors and coworkers, but you also require plenty of time to yourself to recharge. You are social yet introverted, and modern but not trendy. Surround yourself with your signature color to create a restful, soothing environment. From sage to hunter, green can work well in virtually every room of your house. Use it generously to create a haven you'll love coming home to.

To learn more about my color or your color Kate Smith's Sensational Color http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-messages-meanings/color-meaning-symbolism-psychology/all-about-the-color-black.html is a wealth of information about color!! Color in your home, your fashion, your life.

It is a very interesting place to spend browsing around. While you are there check out her blog as well. I took these color quizzes when I read her Squidoo page http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert. I just learned about Squidoo today.

Let me know if these links work or not. This is a skill I need to improve upon.

A Little Spring on these Rainy Days

Faces of Spring

the buds of the hostas

the curls of the ferns




the tulips say

farewell

to the daffodils



as that which is

spring

begins to stretch her wings



by

Laura Kay

4/18/09

Morris Dancers

Click the title to get to the YouTube video. This is another spread in one of my art journals. The prompt is from Milliande at http://milliande.ning.com/ . As I watched this clip I was to think about form, movement, color, shape & emotional response. So this is my interpretation. The picture is my mom! She is so beautiful!

This book is almost full!! I like this size. I still have to get more books to journal in.

A Small Canvas

This is my recent creation. I feel so-so about it. It looks best close up. It doesn't follow that 10 foot "rule" for landscape or still life painting. Oh well. Maybe the next one will. I had fun doing it. I don't have to many stretched canvases to work on right now. I have to find the good sales on them!!! There are a lot of textures in this. I attached the pussy willow branches with metal fasteners.

I am off to do a cover of my first soul journal altered book. It is almost full and Sarah W at
Caspiana and Kathryn at collagediva (see the links at the side, I can't paste the links right now?!)are creating their own place for prompts. So I want to start 2 more books. I have used altered books for the prompts and now I'm trying to decide on which to use. A stop at my local used book shop or at a craft shop? decisions---decisions!!