Blog Hiatus

This blog has been on hiatus for a while and I will likely resume posting here this spring. Meanwhile, I am posting some current projects under my name at Pinterest. Thanks!

"What being in the Creek Feels Like"

This 6 x 8 piece uses dye-based inks, embossing enamel, gold pigment, white acrylic, black India Ink, torn decorative papers, recycled twine (from something mailed to me), a bit of ribbon, a used Canadian stamp, shreds of packing material, and strips of torn brown cello bag from the bulk department at my local food co-op. I am frequently using "junk" in my collages these days. Feels good to re-purpose stuff,

How does one begin to thank a teacher?

I made this piece for Mrs. Palow, who has taught one, and sometimes two, of my children over the past six years. I cannot express what she has done for my kids and how much I adore her. This was a canvas board I'd painted some time ago. I collaged it for her, wrote a letter and added it to an envelope  glued on the back.

The door is inspired by one done in a Fat Book swap some years ago. The door is from Altered Pages and it's oil pastels for color.

How can one begin to thank someone who touches lives and open doors the way she does?

Giveaway winners!

Just did a random draw. Christy Burton wins the pendant necklace, and Cathy (I need to track her down, but know she designs for Altered Pages) has won the pile o' vintage goodies. Congratulations ladies and thanks for playing!

And for a little eye candy today, here's another floral-themed card I made. Poppy stamp is from Blockheads. Really enjoying card making at the moment, after rather a long time away from it.

300th post & 2 Giveaways

I'm not the most consistent blogger, but I'm pleased this is my 300th post. Connecting with others who make stuff--whether it be stamped cards, ATCSs, jewelry or mixed media--has brought me so much joy. In honor of that, and of Mother's Day here in the States, I'm offering 2 giveaways.

The first is a glass pendant with part of a calendula tile stamp from Blockheads Rubber Stamps. It's inked on a hand-colored background.

The second is a rather large pile of assorted gewgaws. There's vintage ephemera, some beads and ink, a couple of stamps, and embellishments galore. These are representative of how and what I like to play with.

Just post a comment here before 5 p.m. PST Monday, May 14 and I'll randomize comments and pick two. Please tell your friends as well!

And first here's my card for my mom, also featuring a Calendula Stamp from Blockheads.

A wee bit o' Steampunk

Got these fun pocket watch keys at Retro Cafe Art Gallery and couldn't resist a little steampunkery. Added a few gears and a couple of olive glass stones, and there you go. Fun & easy.

Scrapcarding

"Scrapcarding" is one of my favorite creativity boosters. I like to challenge myself to make as many cards as I can using only already-cut scraps of paper, bits of background, and discarded or unused bits and bobs from other projects. I work quickly and try to make at least 20 in one go, and they tend to be colorful and a little funky. These are simple cards that can fill the need when I need to let someone know I'm thinking of them or for a quick thank you. Here are the results of this weekend's scrapcarding session.

For my dancing partner of 18 years

This is my anniversary card for my husband. The quote reads, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain." Because Craig is a Green Man, this card features lots of recycled elements. The collaged piece reuses junk mail. The background is a crumpled toilet paper wrapping painted with pearlized paint. Craig routinely brings me what he calls WROs--Wonderful Rusted Objects--for my art projects, and the piece at the bottom is one such find.

We're celebrating 18 years of marriage/24 together this year. That's a lot of dancing! :) Happy anniversary, dear one!

Recent ATCs

One thing I have done is kept current with an ongoing ATC swap amongst a group of six friends. We've been working our way through an alphabet of techniques. Mottled Paper, Luminous Dusting and Grungy Gelled Scraps were recent efforts.

Returning from...Lintland

Last year I found myself at the point of whining and stressing about my lack of time (and lack of motivation, let's face it) for creative pursuits. It's a phase that lasted a lo-o-ng time, about six months, during which time I felt badly about my lack of motivation, criticized myself plenty and finally--finally--just decided to ignore it all for a while and devoted my attention to British mysteries, the dog, the cobwebs in the corner and the lint in my belly button. (The dancing rainbows sparked by crystals in the morning also occupied some time, as did a demanding job and a loving family, natch).

And this blog? I thought about deleting it, making it once less thing to feel guilty about, one less distraction or item of my list of "shoulds." I'm rather horrified to log on and realize it's been six months. I actually have made some art during the time (a bit) but just didn't feel like blogging it.

Ah well, can't go back, so I'll just pick up the threads and move on. Today is a new day!

Last items for raffle

They say she's a little, hmmm, batty

Another fun image from Alpha Stamps.