We finished the patio this weekend. It has been a long process but definitely worth it!

Next is the deck and flower beds.

Below are some before/after pictures of our new patio.

This is a picture showing most of the new patio.

Here you can see Tucker's portrait gracing the wall of the shed.

Too Busy to make ART!

Last summer we spent all our time redoing our kitchen and bathroom. This summer it is the back yard!

We have spent the last month preparing the ground for a new patio. Just a few minutes ago we laid the last paver! WooHoo!

Now it is on to the flower beds and decorating.

Our new patio sits behind our shed (which looks like a smaller version of our house and not a "shed") The back wall is blank.

Today I took an old window that I had purchased a few years ago for another art project and turned it into a decoration for the back of the shed. It will hang there with a window box full of flowers. I have been trying to decide what to paint on this window. Hubby said he wanted a "scene". Finally, this afternoon, it came to me so I grabbed the window, cleared off my art desk and got to work!

I used JoSonja's sealer for wood, metal and glass to coat the glass. I then painted Tucker looking out the window using acrylic paints. It was a new challenge to work on the back of the glass. It is like working backwards!

BTW Tucker doesn't usually look this angry but lately he has been miffed that we are all in the back yard and he has to stay inside. I think I captured that look exactly. LOL

I really love working with the bees wax. I got a little bit of time last night to start a new piece and tonight I got to complete it. (and start another). This is a 5x7 canvas board. Hopefully tomorrow night I can finish the project I started tonight, it is on a 6x6 canvas board.

I am finding that I really enjoy coloring with the water soluble oil pastels. I like the challenge of coloring in an image and keeping the colors soft and where I want them.

I also like the look of coloring an image and then laying another copy over top so the colors are muted underneath.

I wasn't sure the "swirly" paper would work as it has a bit of a shine to the finish but it turned out great. The colors became much richer.

I wanted to attach the asian charm with a bit of red ribbon but after digging around for about 15 minutes without finding any I just attached it with some wax. I now think the ribbon would have been a distraction so I guess I am thankful that I am not totally organized. :-)

More Bees Wax

Today is Sunday, laundry day at our house. Plus, tomorrow is my son's birthday. So, today I need to do the laundry, bake a cake and clean the house (company coming for the birthday ya know).

What have I done? I did do one load of laundry! I cleaned my desk (which I hadn't seen the top of since way before Christmas). And then I played with bees wax!

Here is the collage I created today. It took me a while to get started. Maybe the thought of all those chores was distracting me. But I finally got going and just played.

I originally had the girl stamped on tissue. I put her on the canvas, wanting the text to show through but the tissue was so transparent she got lost. I tried highlighting her hat with blue oil pastels, her outfit with yellow and her cheeks with pink. But she still did not show up as much as I wanted. So, I stamped her again on plain computer paper, hoping it would be translucent enough for the text to show but opaque enough that she would still be visible. To my surprise and joy, the text did show but so did the color I had applied before (I put the new image directly over the old one). So now she had the soft, rosy cheeks I wanted!

Bees Wax Collage Class

I took my class today and I had a BLAST!!!! Corinne Stubson was our teacher and she did a fabulous job explaining the techniques and possibilities and then she let us go to create to our hearts content. It was so much fun!

The smell of the melted wax is so relaxing, add to that the myriad of colored papers and supplies littering the table, the ringing of laughter in the air and the sheer joy of the artistic process and you have the makings of a wonderful day!

I had packed up a fair amount of papers and images to use in class. I had one preconceived idea but no clue what I would want to do for the other projects.

I knew I wanted to create a collage using pictures from my family. I have been wanting to do something with these for a long time and this seemed like the perfect time. I would be using new supplies and techniques with familiar faces urging me on. :-)

Below is my first bees wax collage. It is a 5x7 canvas board. I used a napkin for the background, xerox copies of old family pictures and images I stamped with permanent ink on white tissue paper.

The baby in the upper left corner is my maternal great grandmother. Next to her is my maternal grandmother. Besider her is my mom. And down in the lower left corner is me. Aren't I cute? LOL I even gave myself rosy cheeks. :-)

This is my next collage, again, a 5x7 canvas board. It started out with some fabric paper of letters and postcards. I used water soluble oil pastels to shade the images. But, after moving things around and playing for quite some time, I ended up purchasing some more images so I could find the focal picture of the small boy. He ended up covering up my great shading job! I wonder why I am so hooked on French images lately?

This is the third and final project I completed in the class. I used a 4" chipboard square as the base. I was just experimenting and now know that I want to gesso the cardboard before collaging. I wasn't too thrilled with the dark gray color showing through. I did add the red pastels to help hide it and I like the effect.

Here is a link to Corinne's blog so you can see the rest of the class. http://glitz-oh.com/journal/

I have been working on a lot of projects lately but have I remembered to photograph them before I mail them off?! No! LOL

Currently, I am working on a collage canvas project in the badbabyart group at yahoo. We each have a small canvas. We create the background and then mail it to the next person in the group (they are groups of 4). Each person adds a little bit and finally a finished piece of art returns home.

Here is the background I sent out.

I will post a picture of the finished work when I get it back. I am really excited about this! I have worked on one other canvas so far. (2 more to go). It seems everyone is having a great time and the hostess is talking of about starting a new round once this one is complete. I am pretty sure I will join again.

I am also working on a "Purses and Shoes" mini board book. The hostess sent out teeny 3" board books. I alter the entire book and then return it to her. She will swap out the finished books so I will receive someone elses finished project to keep as my own. I have some ideas but then I wonder how I will feel about letting it go. This should be a lot of fun though and I really can't wait to see what I get and also how the person who gets mine feels about it.

And finally, I am taking a class next weekend. Beeswax! I can't wait! I have wanted to learn wax collage for a long time (seen it in a lot of books) but didn't want to invest in the materials just to find out that I really couldn't figure out how to do it from pictures in books. So, along with jury duty this week, I am gathering up photos, paper scraps, ephemera and other supplies. I need to clean out my tote from the scrapbooking party I went to last month so I can carry it all.

I thought I better get pictures posted of my most recent projects before tomorrow. I am going to an all day crop day. Now, I don't scrapbook BUT I will be bringing lots of stamps to play with and share. I will be working on some ATCs. And most importantly, I will be spending the day with friends, laughing, eating and crafting. Does it get any better than that? I think not!!

Below is the Eiffel Tower book that Marilyn sent me. I created my first spread in it and will take it along with me tomorrow as well.

I have also been working on some letters. The local craft shop has 4 inch wooden letters with magnets embedded in the back. I made one for myself then decided it would be a great idea for a swap I was in. When I got those done, hubby decided he needed one as well.

Here is the swap one. The only criteria for the swap was that it had to "hang" and have "danglies". I really like how it turned out.

Here is hubby's. I used photos to show things he likes such as trains and photography.

Long Time Since I Posted

It has been ages since I posted. It has been ages since I created anything. We spent months remodeling our kitchen and bathroom. After that I spent all my time baking...which is a form of creating! I baked cookies by the dozens, cakes, pies, brownies. You name it, I baked it. I also ate it which then created my New Year's Resolution! LOL

So, I am back at my desk. My artistic juices are slowing coming back to life.

I finished up all the decos I had sitting on my desk (but forgot to photograph them)

I joined another rolodex swap for this year. Below is my first entry. The theme is "Love Song"

I also signed up for a Junk Mail ATC swap. The requirement is that it has to be created entirely from junk mail (other than the base you build on). I don't get a lot of junk mail so this was a challenge. Once I got started though, I couldn't seem to stop. I need 3 cards and I made 5 (so far). I have more scraps cut out and waiting. Now I have to decide which cards to mail and which to keep.

Charm Bracelet

I got my charm bracelet in the mail last week from the charm swap I participated in. This was from the badbabyart yahoo group. It turned out even better than I expected.

Here are some pictures.

The first is of the entire bracelet.

These other two are close ups so you can get a better look at the charms.

I have to say, this thing weighs a ton! And, I can't wear it to work because it jingles so loudly. LOL Other than that, I love it!

Boy has it been hectic around here. DH refers to the remodel as "The Money Pit". haha

Today it was like Grand Central Station around here. The electrician arrived at 8:30. He was rewiring the kitchen. The countertop installer arrived around 9:00 to measure for the kitchen and bathroom counters. He and the electrician were stepping all over each other for a little while.

Sometime today the inspector is due to come and check out the new wiring. (what happens if it doesn't pass? Do they turn off our electricity? hmm)

And to think, when I asked for this day off months ago, I thought I was going to get a relaxation day. Ha!

I was trying to get some projects done this morning while they were rumaging around my house. I was in the middle of finishing up my rolodex cards when they turned off the power. That left me without all my items printed so I had to wait a couple hours to finish up (but I did and got them popped into the mail) Forgot to take a picture though so that will come in a later post.

I also got my "Freestyle" artwork packaged up and mailed. I actually completed it on Sunday but the sealer just refused to dry. I like how it turned out but couldn't get a really great picture because of the glossy surface. Anne used formica samples. I have never seen ones so big. They were great to work on! I tried to recreate the pattern of the tile onto the back of the facing one to complete my spread. The color is off but the pattern is close. Hubby and I both think it works well. :-) Trust me, it looks so much better in person!

I have been so busy shopping and picking out things for the new kitchen that I haven't had any time to create!

Today while hubby tore the kitchen down to the bare walls I locked myself in my artroom, cranked up the toons and got a little work done.

I finished up the Book of Wings deco. The shape of the board book just reminded me of a butterfly...

I also searched for images for a book my boss wants me to make for her (by Wednesday!) She asked me on Thursday....Sheesh!!!!!

Plus, I have a few ideas for another deco titled Freestyle. I get to do my own thing! WooHoo!

AND I also have to kick in to high gear and get some rolos done by the end of the month. Uh Oh!!!! I think I am going to be seriously stressing here in a couple days!

I finished the last of my envelopes and mailed them out on Monday but haven't had time to get the pictures posted.

Ok, I should be working on the rest of my envelopes for that swap but instead I am cruising the net and bidding on rubber stamps on ebay. LOL

In case you haven't read hubby's or Tucker's blogs, we are heading into a major remodel at our house. We are gutting the kitchen and redoing it entirely AND we are sprucing up the bathroom. Like I don't have enough stress in my life already! I have been out shopping every night for the past 3 weeks....picking out appliances, cabinets, counters, hardware, paint... I like to shop but I have about reached my limit!

So, today I am taking the ceramic tile class at Lowe's so I can do my own backsplash once the cabinets and counters are in. (just another big craft project, right?) Plus, this afternoon my new refrigerator arrives. :-)

As far as I know I don't have anything I need to do for the remodel tomorrow so hopefully I will get those envelopes done.

AND, I still need to get my Dragonfly deco done so it can go into circulation. Hmm I wonder how well I would do if I just skipped sleeping tonight LOL

I haven't had much time for creating and even less for blogging. I finally finished my "At the Seashore" rolodex cards. I struggled with this theme and I have no idea why. I love the beach and have lots of stamps that would fit this theme. Anyway, here it is (before I cut out the holes at the bottom)





I am in an envelope swap. We have to create 8 envelopes. I decided I wanted all 8 of mine to be different. So far I have 4 done. They are due on August 9th (or sometime around there)

I did it!

Deco number 2 finished!!!

I completed my spread in the "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" deco. I highlighted the flowers and veil on the stamped bride (The Stampsmith) with Twinkling H2Os but you can't tell that in the photo. I used chalks to give her cheeks a rosy glow.

One Down

One to go....

I finished the Inspiration deco. I was supposed to create art that shows what inspires me. Hmm, difficult to do since I seem to be inspired by everything under the sun.

Ok, I NEED to work on some decos!!! I have 2 sitting here plus I have to create one of my own to get started into circulation. I am writing this so everyone will see...... by this time tomorrow I will publish pictures of the two decos I have here. If I don't someone please email me and yell at me!! LOL

Seriously, I wish I knew where the time goes. This week I wanted to work on decos and bears. Instead hubby dragged me out to every home improvement store in the valley. He decided it is time to remodel the kitchen and bathroom. I am thrilled with this but it doesn't leave much creative time. I have not had a home cooked meal in over a week! The dust bunnies are getting to be so numerous that the cats think we've adopted more pets.

Tomorrow morning I am going to clean off my desk (well, Tucker sort of started that yesterday by throwing several of my things onto the floor to make room to sleep) and then I am going to work on the "Inspiration" and "Wedding" decos.

People have posted the question and also emailed so I thought I would answer here.

The charm I made is for a swap for the badbabyart yahoo group. That is also the group I do the rolodex cards for as well.

The charm bracelet has 25 players so it will be something spectacular when I get it back! I will definitely post pics so everyone can see it.

The rolodex swap is for the entire year. We all signed up for a 1 year commitment but you don't have to do all the months. I think I am actually participating in 9. That reminds me, I need to go and check the list and find out if I signed up for July and what the theme is.

My teddy bears are for a swap in the Art_on_a_budget yahoo group.

All the decos are for the divadecoswappers yahoo group.

I have been working hard lately. I still need to complete 2 bears for the swap but in the meantime I completed a miniature Tucker out of felt.

Isn't he cute? Almost as cute as the real thing!

I finished my rolodex cards for June. The theme is Italian Summer. I love this woman stamp. She is just called "Maiden" from Paper Inspirations but she has always seemed "Italian" to me. When I saw the theme I knew I had to use her.

I also completed my charms for a charm bracelet swap. I am such a bracelet nut I just had to join! I am a bit nervous though, I hope mine measure up. I stamped and masked them using a total of 3 different stamps. I then colored them with colored pencils. I rubbed chalks on the background and then sprayed them with fixative to seal in the color without giving a glossy glare.

These little bears are addictive. I can't seem to stop making them. They are only about 2 inches tall when sitting. Somehow I have to choose 2 to swap but they are all so cute I hate to part with any. Hubby has already claimed 2 as his own and Tucker steals them when I am not looking. LOL

I think I am going to go on a quest for some different colors of fuzzy felt, other than the traditional colors I already have.