Finally, new Inchie for Monday, Rhythmn

Finally, I got around to making an Inchie for Inchie Monday. I love making these little pieces of art! And this one was fun, after all a girl has to have her music!

Julie Haywood Thompson

I signed up for a class by Julie Haywood Thompson to learn how to make her paper clay figures, however was unable to attend due to work obligations! I guess that is why it is called work! Anyway, a friend was able to attend in my place and came home and imparted all the wisdom she learned in the class. I am thrilled with my first attempt. Here is my party dog! I will call her, Dotti.

My friend Mary Jane

This is a photo of a childhood friend and her cousin. My friend is on the right. I think this is about the cutest photo I have ever seen. And, the expressions on their faces then are the same as now. My friend still prefers to be in jeans and comfortable and would be scowling if she had to don a bonnet, ribbons and fancy shoes. Her cousin has always been very girly girly! Hope she likes it! It is a collage done on a cigar box lid. I love those cigar box lids, go figure! Probably not something to get into now.

Matchbox Exchange

Different I know, but I just participated in a matchbox exchange. We were to alter the box, then fill it with things that reminded us of spring. I can't follow directions and made a little shadowbox collage instead. Here is mine.

Growing Up

My little, well not so little anymore, granddaughter got her hair cut and her ears pierced recently. I think they have more fun than we do. I want a pink Vespa!

Valentine Banners

A group of my art friends have been making these fabric WELCOME banners for the seasons since last fall. This is my Valentine addition. These are in the style of Ruth Rae, a fabric artist I admire. They are my first attempt at some of the techniques she uses.

Inchie Monday

Well, I am way late posting these and late creating the maudlin inchie. I just couldn't think of anything until the recent events in Egypt. Anyway, sure do love making these little things. Some of the ones that are posted are so intricate, it is amazing. The little clown is my mirthful representation. The one with the little flowers is just another mirthful idea, since spring flowers do bring smiles to my face.

Inchie Monday (on Tuesday)

The theme this week was caring. I thought this little girl with her heart on her sleeve was the epitome! I wish I could figure out how to photograph these better.

Inchie Mondayj

Here is my "Powerful" inchie for January 10, 2011! I always think of the Statute of Liberty as a symbol of our powerful country.

Inchie Monday

Here is my first inchie ever! This sounds like a fun project for 2011!

Wow!

Boy, has it been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog, and in 2010 when I vowed to be more conscientious about publishing my progress in my artwork! It has been a busy year as I think February was just last month instead of 7 months ago! Time flies when you are having fun. Don't want anyone to think I have been lazing around reading movie magazines and eating bon bons. I have gotten some art done, too, even finished up a few projects that have been waiting in the wings.

Art Journal Gypsy Week Two

Here is week two version. I have a difficult time following directions, but overall did do what was suggested!

Art Journal Gypsy Group

Here is my first weeks version for Art Journal Gypsies.

Cuffs and more Cuffs

Fabric Cuffs ala Ruth Rae Part II

So, here I go on to adding some of my own things. I used some old crocheted edges from hankies, different images, vintage buttons and hand dyed silk ribbon and some beads. What fun.

I think my favorite part is still just picking out all the bits and pieces and the relaxing part of sitting and doing the hand stitching in the evening.

Fabric Cuffs ala Ruth Rae

First I started with Valentine's Day cuffs. I ordered a kit from Ruth Rae. It had lots of goodies in it, instructions, etc. These were my first attempts. I enjoyed the hand stitching and the composing with the tiny bits of fabric, lace and buttons, that I just had to go on to more.

The Child's Garden of Verses

Thanks to Karen BP, or commonly known as Batty Pants, I finally finished or nearly finished this assemblage box. The photo is my granddaughter, yes I know, as usual, but why use a photo of a stranger. This started with a fabulous cigar box (I haven't found another like it, dang!) which was about 12 X 14 with French type doors on the front. And a second smaller cigar box with the lid removed. I ended up removing the doors on the larger one, which was disappointing as I loved that box, but it just didn't work.

Valentine Project with Perler Beads

I am trying desperately to make a Valentine banner with my 5 year old granddaughter. She has gotten addicted to Perler Bead projects. So, we are making Valentines from Perler beads. However, she keeps taking the hearts and hiding them in her room because she wants to "play"with them instead of hanging them up. They really look pretty with all the pink, red and white.

Winter Banners

I participated in a great swap with one of my wonderful yahoo art groups where we made fabric banners in shades of white and a bit of blue to celebrate winter. I have tried to show them in my dining room window with the snow falling behind them. I was not very successful, but it does add to the wintery scene.
Here is my contribution to the swap. I used a base fabric, layered a thin layer of fleece and then added stripes of different white on white fabrics with silver lame and a pretty silver print on cotton fabric. I also used a couple of stripes where I added sequins between the fabric and an overlayer of shimmery tule. Those sequins had a mind of their own and went where they wanted, but over all it turned out okay. I added some random machine stitching with metallic thread in a turquoise and silver. I added a long dangle of beads that were meant to be icicles for the Christmas tree at the point. Oh, and some vintage silver ric rac I have had stashed around forever. This was the perfect project for it. They are all so beautiful, every person had a different idea and the variety of techniques and elements was amazing. They are a bunch of amazing artists. Anyone that can make a piece of art out of a few bits of fabric is amazing.

Journal Pages 2010

Both of these journal entries focus on family and family history and memories. I strongly believe the history we have behind us, our family is, if not the strongest, one of the strongest influence on our lives. So, here is one of my favorite photos of myself, just have been about 4 years old saying thank you. The transparency of my mother is sandwiched with a baby photo of me and my favorite photo of my father behind. A family sandwich! Yea, I get to be the filling! I used several kinds of pens to write first horizontally and then perpendicularly over the top.

This last spread is just bits from my table over my favorite paint, the craft paint from Hobby Lobby you get on sale. I know it has lots more gesso type material in it and that limits its use for many other techniques, but here it makes it opaque and it also gives the page a good tooth. I added the little glassine envelope with several little pieces of paper with words of affirmation and a stamped favorite image. I like that pout. I love this journal style/technique. It is a combination of several of my favorite journalers, Teesha Moore, Pam Garrison, and many more that I can't remember right now. Each month I go over each new issue of Somerset Journaling issue to find a new technique I can incorporate into my journal. I'd like to say I am original, but what I am is a very good learner from those who have already invented the wheel!