Fall Art

I know the cool feeling of "FALL" will reach Texas soon! It is still warm and humid here...

I have really enjoyed mixing paints and mediums lately. I've been creating some fun things that remind me of the season. Here is a large canvas piece I made starring two special little friends. I decided on a magical, forest theme. I used paint, paper, and some fun digital images. I added birds, butterfly stamps, and a Norwegian nursery rhyme.

Making Use of My Time!

Thanks to all of my sweet art friends for their support during Hurricane Ike. You are all so kind. We are all doing GREAT! We now have electricity, but there are so many others who still don't have anything yet.

I was SO lucky that our house didn't have any major damage. I saw many of our huge pine trees in the street, some on garages, and homes too! We picked up the many branches that fell down on our corner lot. Everyone was outside cleaning up soon after. We ended up grilling everything we had in the fridge. Our favorite was grilled frozen pizzas. They DO grill nicely! I think I missed my computer and phone most of all. We had no land lines or cell connection. We didn't want to waste any gas, because gas was not easy to find! We walked to friends' houses to see how they were. Some had generators to keep at least a refrigerator going. Of course we didn't...ggrr!

I did make some use of daylight! Since I had no electricity, I used my E6000 to help me create a few things! My first creation ....a homecoming mum for my son's date next weekend. Remember Texas Homecoming Mums?? The heaviest and "most tacky" mums are the best!!
The senior girl wears a white and gold mum...a change from years past with red and green. This mum was fun to make. It has lots of fun toys and games, plenty of high school spirit, and a cute bear with a flower corsage. It is quite heavy...there is a ribbon on the back so the girl can wear it around her neck. I always say, when the girl has to "hunch over" to walk, she has the PERFECT mum!!My second "Post Hurricane Ike" art activity was finishing a goodie bag for a Flickr Halloween Party Swap. My swap partner is the very talented Heather, of Bluhm Studios. Here is a preview of the package. I tucked a lot of fun things inside.

Hope she will enjoy it!

Thanks again for your sweet comments on Ike. We are all safe and sound! :) Mendy

I'm Always Inspired

I was SO inspired by the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. I think it is my favorite issue of all time. Lydia Bee's artwork is celebrated in an article called "Gone to the Dogs." I can't put it down!

I made this large canvas in honor of my sweet pug, Madeline...using the wonderful techniques of Lydia. She explains how to make these fun animal collages, step by step. I hope she won't mind me using her cute clown collar on my puggie! She is so talented!! Thank you Lydia!
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Are you familiar with TweetyJill? Here are a few samples of their newest stamp collections, WOW! Not only do they have totally unique stamps and papers, but their art books are incredible! I am so lucky to be a part of their design team!
I LOVE LOVE this set of Alice and Wonderland stamps! Aren't they cute?Don't be afraid to just dive in and create this week!

Busy Busy Busy!

Look what just came in the mail! It's my fabulous tile art by the one and only Jessi!! She's amazing. I can't wait to put it on my desk at school on Tuesday!

It's my sweet Mom's birthday! I love using her photos to make collages. Here is a digital celebration of her...

Happy Birthday Mom!! You are the BEST!!!! :)

This has been an exciting and exhausting week for me! I started a new Kindergarten class and have worked 10 hour days...ugh! In addition, I was able to enjoy my mascot son's first football game of the season. He is the master of ceremonies for the pep rallys at the High School, and cheers with the varsity cheer squad. Here he is in full gear! He wears a kilt, big blousy shirt, leather vest, and of course his mighty sword (not shown because a cheerleader is holding it).

He is having an incredible senior year as the mascot and MC for special events, along with being the VP of the student body. He'll be 18 next month!

While my oldest starts his senior year, my youngest starts his freshman year! Max is having a blast getting to know the high school and getting involved. Wish him luck...he is running for Freshman Class President! His brother was the president his freshman year too...so we are hoping for the best! Here is his logo...catchy, huh? I copied hundreds of nametag logos for him to pass out to his friends.

Well, things just couldn't be hotter in TEXAS about this time of year!

Lovin' the long weekend!!

Handmade Little Things

I was so excited to get an ATC from my super creative friend Jessi! Here is her adorable packaging... And here is her fun ATC. Isn't she fabulous?? Sure gets me in the mood for Halloween! Thank you so much Jessi!! :)
I got two MORE Dick and Jane books on Ebay! I am always using the images and words in my art. I hate to tear them up, but I can get them cheaper by buying the raggedy ones!

I am NO seamstress, but I managed to make this vintage inspired apron this week! I have a huge collection of vintage and Anthropologie aprons, but this time I wanted to see if I could actually create one myself. I used a Simplicity pattern. It was only 1 yard. I used "piping" on it (the cream lines.) I had no idea what "piping" was until I asked the sales person. Now I know!
Have a great week!

Things Around the House

Welcome to "Things Around My House!" Here are a few things in the nooks and crannies...

I used vintage book pages, music, wooden letters, and other little goodies on these two collages of my sons as little boys. I tried to use the colors of my house, making gold the primary color, with browns and blacks accenting. I have a lot of greens in my house, so I added just a bit of green too. I tried to make sure the floral arrangements on each were "manly," by using feathers, dried flowers, and twigs. Right now I have the collages on my staircase ledge, but I am thinking about hanging them in the den upstairs. I think they are the largest collages I've ever done. I have collection of little boots that I have around them right now...their very first pair are in the front.

Here are a few of my favorite things in my bedroom...

My soldered creations hang on a little dress-form on my dresser. I strung most of the beads myself. I love soldering tiny charms as much as larger ones. I have a huge collection of pearls in all colors. My favorite pearls are mocha browns and pinks.

These are two outfits I wore as a little girl. I just got the hooks and vintage hangers. I'm so lucky to have them!

And now we come to my unmade bed, with a little friend "holding down the sheets. " Only a mother could love this sweet face. Hello Madeline!

More Summer Goodies!

I just received my fabulous Etsy order from my new friend Donna of Undertheredroof!

Look at this gorgeous vintage wallpaper! Love the collection Donna!

I always give my fellow Kindergarten team each a soldered charm for the beginning of the year. This year I made them vintage Little Red Riding Hood charms. I used my Christina Renee Little Red kit.
I also went ahead and made some tiny 1/2" x 1/2" charms with sketches of front doors:These are the backs:
I played around with other tiny glass pieces and used my favorite cowgirls from my collection. These soldered pieces are 1 1/2" x 1/2". I think I'll wear all of them at one time on a long chain.


I'm not sure what I'll do with these fun digi creations. I call these "Carol's Chairs," since my friend Carol loves anything French! I found a great old book at the flea market and scanned the images before playing with them on Photoshop.

I might make them prints or maybe solder small charms? We'll see...