journal inspiration

Want a burst of creative inspiration? Sure you do. Trust me, you will enjoy this. Teesha Moore has very generously posted videos on how she makes her journal books/pages. Her videos are quirky and fun and easy to follow. Check it out. You won't be disappointed. And Teesha, THANK YOU for sharing!

http://www.teeshascircus.blogspot.com/
Scroll down to see the videos. Or go here http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=teesha+moore&search_type=&aq=0&oq=teesha

Enjoy!!!!

Create....Creating

Hellooooooooooooo.

Anyone still out there???????

Forgive me for my absence. Let's see. I starting working part time as a sub. What an experience. Interesting. Challenging. Rewarding. And for the record......everyone should have to sub for at least ONE day in their life and I have said this many times and I will say it again and again...TEACHERS do NOT get paid enough!!!!

What else. I have been trying to suck up the courage to start an Etsy Site. Apparently I have some mind stumbling blocks.

We have a dog that is suffering from separation anxiety....needless to say my return to work has not been ideal for him. We have come home to find that he had been under too much stress and caused himself some bodily harm. But.... I am happy to say that he is getting better. Whew!


I have completed a few things and this is one. My great friends back in Minnesota that I do the regular charm swaps with are doing a stuffie swap. What is a "stuffie" you ask? Well, they are all the rage in the crafting world. They are wildly creative "stuffed" creatures. We exchanged names and I got a friend that was generous to share her home with my family when we were in between homes. We stayed for a couple of months and I am proud to say, it went really well. This friend was always amused when my daughter, a kindergartner, made her appearance before heading off to school. Her sense of style is....shall we say...very confident. She mixed patterns, colors, styles with freedom. So I tried to create my "stuffie" for her with the same sense of style. Another idea for this "stuffie" was that it would "hold" ideas for her.....the two of us were constantly coming up ideas of things to make and sometimes it was just too much. So this "stuffie" will hold the ideas until the time is right.

The idea pocket




notice the "charm" bracelet.....had to do that for my fellow charm swapper!

The legs were created from a pair of my daughter's old tights.

I thought it was more than appropriate!

To say working on this "stuffie" was fun is an understatement. There was lots of chuckling and the timing of creating this as I adjust to a new schedule was perfect. Again....to my Minnesota friends.....THANK YOU! and for those of you who have been thinking about doing a swap or art night with friends.....DO IT. You will be rewarded in many ways!

inspired by foil

oh goodness....more inspiration. So little time! I was enjoying the techniques shown in the video by Christine Adolph...thinking some nice ideas for Christmas. But I gasped when she said you could use the foils on fabric and.....my mind zipped off in warp speed. I have been playing with fabric paper for the stitch alchemy book study so this will be a fun addition to all the techniques I am experimenting with. Check out the video. It is a little more than 8 minutes long and I think you will be inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLNww389bww or here at her blog http://christineadolph.typepad.com/

A little of this and a little of that....no pun intended!

I was able to squeeze in a little crafting time this weekend. I played with some old sweaters and created a "funky" scarf. I think the idea has some potential.

Then I switched gears to some miniature treats out of polymer clay. They are so sweet. Kids can't stop playing with them, I can attest that they are very durable! The lollipops are cute, but the stick needs a little tweaking, not quite right.

And a funny side note about my chock full o'Halloween charm bracelet (see previous post).......it was chock full indeed. Had a heck of a time getting my coat off and on when I wore it this weekend.....maybe it was a little too full?! Is there such a thing??????

Halloween Charm Bracelet

I loaded up my bracelet with most of the fun charms that my Minnesota friends shared in our charm swap. I had a challenge with the spider......he needs his own place...he kept getting tangled with the chain and the other charms. I love it! Thanks Ladies.

golden song and dance

filtered light of gold

sweetness of the slightly damp air

leaves twirling to the ground

to their own song

joining the others that have already danced

Halloween prep despite the flu outbreak

You can't stop Halloween! Our big little town has been shut down due to the outbreak of H1N1. Schools have been shut down since Tuesday and will remain so for a week. Our youngest is worried that Halloween will be cancelled this year. But have no fear...we will have Halloween at our house no matter what!

I finished working on her design...a Plankton costume. Lots of chuckling last night as she ran around the house working her new costume. I made a LARGE cloak for our 12 year old, who wants to be a ranger..a character from a series of books that he enjoys (his cloak has been hemmed and will fit him.....basically all through college if he chooses to wear it that long...which knowing him....he might.) Our oldest, 14, wants to be Snoopy...that will be our focus today.

How are your Halloween plans coming along??????

Halloween Charms!

Look what I got from my wonderful Minnesota Charm Friends..........

They are so fun, so creative and I am so lucky!!!!! I will be whipping up a loaded chuck full o'fun Halloween charm bracelet.

Halloween is in the air

The typewriter has finally found the perfect spot, or rather....I finally broke down, bought the console table and created the perfect spot that was brewing in my head. I love it. I have typed up The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe in the typewriter. Perfect for the curious looker.



So in light of the focus on all things Halloween/Fall/Spooky I played with some pictures.

photo editing fun

Spent most of the day practicing the lessons from my on-line visual poetry photography class. Next week we are going to learn how to use texture....can't wait.

Kitchen Clutter and the Pioneer Woman

oh good grief, this is funny. Just the laugh I needed after battling with some mystery .... is it a cold or the flu...... for tooooooo long...minor illness mind you, but irritating that I am not functioning at 100% or even 95%...just enough to bog me down. Check out Pioneer Woman's blog about kitchen clutter. Sadly, I can relate. Check it out. You will chuckle too. http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2009/10/my_pantry_ate_me/

Oh, you have to check out the side bar too.......15 hours after the post she had an update on her project. I burst out laughing!

Halloween Beads

Halloween Charm Swap 2009 has begun. The ladies in Minnesota met last night at a fun wine bar and swapped Halloween themed beads. Here are the ones that i sent. I probably over analyzed, I tried to throw in a combination of goofy/filler/traditional...I could have easily done a bunch of quirky ones, but opted to throw a mix together. I can't wait to see what they send me!

Now.....an update on my latest addiction....paper beads. I love 'em. Now I need to start making something with them. I love being able to see words, I have decided as an artist I am drawn to including words into my projects. I don't always do it obviously, but I definitely don't avoid the opportunity.

Visual Poetry

ahhhhhhh......................
sweet smells of summer. taking an on-line photography class with Susan Tuttle. Today was my first chance to play with the tutorials. This is just the beginning. Lots more to learn and lots of practice awaits me.

Unloaded the kiln and sent off some charms. Halloween theme charm swap is scheduled for next week. Can't wait to see what little goodies are coming my way. I'll post pictures of my charms after they swap next week so I don't spoil the surprise.

until next time..............

more beads!!!!

I am hooked. More paper beads! Took them even further with the process.

New typewriter is a HUGE hit. Now I have to get the musty smell out of the carrier it came with.

Any tips out there???

Aside from leaving it outside for a

l-o-n-g time?

Glazing and firing this weekend. Look for updated...glazed...fun charms!

Have a great weekend! Cheers!!!

Paper Beads

The pressure is on to finish my Halloween theme charms for the swap with my friends back in Minnesota. So......just because.....I tried a new technique from Kelli Perkin's Stitched Alchemy and am Loving the results! These beads have several layers of UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Powder)...some clear, some that I colored (trick I learned from Tim Holtz). Very fun! VERY fun. Try some, you won't be disappointed.

Also.....our new fun toy over here is.....

Yes......"old fashion" typewriters. The kids think they are a hoot. The one above is in...cursive and has a smidgen of ink left in the ribbon. It is the funniest thing to hear one of the kids clanging away at the keys. So. why you ask, would I want one of these buggers (no...not the kids but the typewriter!) Well, I have this vision.....as always.....of having a manual typewriter in the entry way (not that the entry way is THAT big mind you.....but I am tired of waiting for the "perfect" house. I am going to decorate and have fun with this one). In this typewriter I will leave notes (that may have to printer off my computer since the ink will only last for so long) in the typewriter...encouraging visitors or family to peek. I want our house to be interactive, not a "look, don't touch" house. So.....today I hit the Goodwill again and found this beauty!

It comes in it's own case.......Ahhhhhh...I will have to decide which one fits my needs. But I couldn't pass up the "suitcase" style box. But the kids will be thrilled that there are two to bang on tonight.

Coming soon.....pictures of the entry way!

InspirAtion

I finally had the chance to peek into my new art book, Stitch Alchemy written by a fellow Michigander, Kelli Perkins. It is WONDERFUL!!!!! I am planning to participate in a book study of Stitch Alchemy with the online mixed media art group that I belong to. If you are inspired to learn more about the group or book study check out crazy art girl musing's blog http://www.alteredbelly.blogspot.com/. I am really excited and will definitely benefit from the encouragements to work on techniques listed in the book. I believe people would say the book study will help me FOCUS, which clearly is an issue for me!

Here is a page in the book that got my attention.......considering I just whipped up some "day of the dead" charms......I just chuckled and continued to be inspired!


Aren't they fun. She creates her own paper fabric. The technique is very freeing and definitely, DEFINITELY a project to do with the kids! Can't wait.

Speaking of kids.......................

You know what I love about this...... I guarantee you she will get some looks today at school, probably some chuckles from the adults, but she won't even notice, won't bat an eye......... because she is who she is. My wish for you today is that you have the confidence, like she does, to go for it! Just do it!!!!

Heather Bailey's inspired fabric flower

All is good in the world......I not only made some clay charms but........I found the time and energy to whip up a fabric flower. "Whip Up" is a good term. As Heather implied in her video, these really don't take that much time. I will admit, her felt colors totally rock, which truly makes a difference in the overall piece. So....I do believe I will be ordering some of her fun colors in the near future. This flower measures 3 1/2 inches across, it is a good size flower. I am not sure if I would personally use one larger than this, but time will tell. I am thinking a funky denim purse to go with this flower. See how my mind works.....this project leads to another and another and........

managing Time

I am puzzled that year after year, as my kids drift back to school I seem to struggle initially with my new schedule. One would think that I would find "time" on my hands, but oh contraire! I feel a bit slammed each day with a list of tasks and hopes to "create". Well, after a week of not getting it quite right, I shifted my time management a bit and viola....I am creating again. Honestly, why I slip is beyond me, because when I create....the balance that I find in my life just makes everything happen, even my "chores."



So, this morning I have managed to create some really fun charms for my latest charm swap with my Minnesota ladies....with the theme of Halloween, of course. Let me just say, these were a hoot to make. I can hardly wait to have them out of the kiln and ready to glaze with some FUN colors.

For a quick fun project.....check out Heather Bailey's blog
http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/ She has detailed directions (including a video) to make fun, fabric flowers. Another project added to my wish list! May be just the thing to have in the car for when I have a few minutes (Heather says that they can be made in about 10 minutes!!!) in between taking one of the kids to a practice......never understimate the power of multi-tasking!!

Last sips of summer

I apologize for the hiatus in posting. I think intuitively I am savoring every last sip of summer. Summer always takes on a different tone once the kids return to school. The weather, however, has added a "feel" to summer. A feel of Fall. A feeling that summer has swept past us. Now, I know that we will have warm days again...for those of you not living in Michigan.....we have had a cooler summer. Let me put it to you this way, tonight it is supposed to get down to 38 degrees....yup....that probably gives you a sense of the "feel" that we are experiencing. So luckily, I have followed my instincts and have been sucking the last bits of summer with the kids and not blogging.

Creatively, my thoughts have not been tempered by the weather or my activities....I have lots of ideas floating through my head. Yesterday I managed to get some time with polymer to continue my bead odyssey. My clay tiles (those that I have carved....still more to carve) are slowly drying to insure nice, flat tiles (sure makes adhering a heck of a lot easier and more professional looking!)

Enjoy some recent pictures from our garden. Again, trying to savor summer. I know I will reflect on these pictures in the winter months for inspiration.

One other quick note. I am proud to say that I had a charm chosen for the Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine charm swap. The issue just hit the news stands. I am in very good company. The other charms are beautiful, creative and thought provoking. The issue itself is very fun, you won't be disappointed!

Wild Woman Poster...free

How perfect is this. After watching in sheer bewilderment this morning on the Today show as the editor of Self magazine attempted to justify the air brushing they did to Kelly Clarkson for an article called "Be Your Self"....be your self, but hold on we need to tweak your body a little here, a little here...oh what the hell......let's just give you a make over! The irony. Again...we wonder why our culture and society is the way it is.... Ugh! So...when i stumbled upon this....

Well....I am thrilled, tickled, happy, invigorated. Thought you might enjoy it to!

Thank You BlissChick!!

Head over to her site and get yourself a free copy of this rockin' poster!

http://www.blisschick.net/2009/08/free-wild-woman-poster-for-all-you-wild.html

Have a wonderfully wild weekend!

Fabric Postcards

A slight distraction from my previously planned art projects.
The mixed media art group that I belong to on-line is having a fabric postcard swap during the month of August. I was going to get to them, but once I started receiving some.....the pressure was on. So I used that as incentive to get going on them. They are fun to make. Mini pieces of art. I started looking through my fabric pile...which as some of you know is a bit out-of-control...to see what inspired me. Once I had some fabric in mind I sat down with sharpie in hand and started sketching. Then viola I had and idea and a basic pattern. I am pleased. I added some fun thread art and some beads. It really is exciting to discover a little piece of art in your mail. A little bit of sunshine. My fourteen year old would agree!

Zetti hat races on Lake Louise!

Batik Heart from North Carolina.

Mine will go out tomorrow....

there's some potential in them there beads!

I think I seem some potential in the new beads. I am loving it! I need to make MORE!!!!!!!!

Polymer Inspiration

Over the weekend I finally got the chance to dive into a new book.

LOVE it! So refreshing, inspiring and......let's just say I have started to work on my "Halloween" theme charms for the next charm swap with the Minnesota ladies!

I have enough to make a bracelet, a funky one I might add. Photos to come.

Speaking of Funky I made some molds of the design tiles for the back splash I am designing....not so good. I had to trash all of the molds. Super frustrating. So I have taken a couple of days off from that project and will get back to it tomorrow. I knew my frustration would only hinder my progress. So.....I let loose with polymer clay instead.

Have a great day!

Visual Poetry

Super excited to be one of thirty people taking Susan Tuttle's Visual Poetry: Photo manipulation on line class! Now I won't feel so left out when the kids go back to school and get to sink their teeth into new projects! Check out her site, you won't be disappointed. http://ilkasattic.blogspot.com/

Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Traverse City Film Festival Summer Fun

Summer Fun! Last night we sat outside in the open space in downtown Traverse City, along the marina and watched, The Goonies. This was one of 5 free movies shown in the open space during the film festival. Talk about super cool. We took advantage of it all. After parking our chairs and blankets we wandered around. Spotted a large cruise ship which we all quickly made stories up about their adventures.

Downtown was Friday Night Live. The streets were filled with people, live musicians and entertainers......jugglers, puppet shows, numerous bands, local restaurants selling food. We were in a long line waiting for none other...ice cream!

Finally we made our way back to our seats. Listened to more live bands and waited for the show.

It really was a perfect night. I did remark that we needed to lock this memory in our minds, because once the snow flies......well you know.....this was the kind of night that can get you through a long winter!

more inSpiration

Who knew that there was a water plant called the mosaic........


We spotted this at the Como Zoo in St. Paul. Years ago I started a quilt after taking a class with Maxine Rosenthal. I really need to finish it. See the similarities....

Have a Great day.
be inspired!!