Where did the month go?

I've been busy, busy. Some of the highlights:

1. Went to a fabulous exhibition at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University. Beverly Rayner and Liza Ryan were the exhibitors and I LOVED their work.

From Liza Ryan's Fragment

From Beverly Rayner's The Museum of Mesmerism

2. Hit up some antique stores around town and got some great pieces to use in my assemblage work.

Bucket o' Hardware

3. Finished an altered book project.

The Butterfly Girls

Credits

4. Took over 500 photos in my first photo shoot that lasted through four costume changes and a gazillion props (poor Ava!).

Some of the Photos I have in my DA gallery.

Some of the Stock I plan to offer.

5. Started redecorating the master bedroom, my first project:

 Spray painted old lamps, yay!

6. Learning, learning, learning Photoshop.

Played with Photoshop tools.

7. Made a button for my deviantArt account and posted it on the right.

8. And now I am off to learn how to use this Intuos tablet that I have had forever and have been too intimidated to use.

BooBaby says Goodnight!

Whew!

It was a breeze...eBook cover...

My friend Ellen E. Johnson's first eBook is coming out soon. It's a historical novel set in the American Colonies and it has all the elements of a great read. A firm created a lovely cover for her and she will be using that, but I wanted to play around with her story idea and make a cover too. Here's what I got:

Credits

Learned a lot, especially how to use Step Backward!...I even figured out how to draw that ruffly, vest-like thing over her dress. Best part of the experience was that I realized that I LOVED doing it. I knew I would enjoy it--I've wanted to make book covers since 2004, but I was so intimidated by the software--but now I feel like it's a calling of some sort. I still have a lot to learn but I'm ready for my next one. I may have to make up a story just to have something to do though. Or, here's a novel idea, maybe I should write a novel and then make a cover!!! Whoa. 

Have a great week!

Peek a Shoe!

Finally happy with my shoe:

And here's a peek at something I'm working on:

"Tethered"

I hope you all have a fantastic week! :)

Shoe du Jour!

One of the many things that I love about altered art is the fearlessness it promotes. Made a mistake? cover it up...Don't like something? rip it off... And that's what I did. Check out how I changed the shoe in the previous post ("Despite the Difference"):

From this...

To this...

Close up of the top...

Close up of the bottom...

I titled the new version "I Wait for You." I covered the shoe with cream colored paint and then removed it in areas for a distressed look. I tore an old scarf I found at an estate sale and added that. Then I twisted wire around the middle and tucked some of the straps in. Added some vintage photos and some paint. Threw on some bling. Wahlah! I still plan to use the elements that I ripped off the previous version when I alter the right shoe, so nothing going to waste.

And I am already thinking of ways to change this...sigh...:D

Hope you have a great weekend, Peoples!

Snow and a shoe...

I tell ya, I do not like driving in the snow, but it sure is pretty.  Even the kittens think so:

Griffin and Achilles

In the beginning...

The morning after...(with weird photo distortion from my phone)...

It was definitely an inside day. So, I finished altering a shoe..I do not love the colors though and will probably re-paint, but here's the first draft:

Despite the Difference

 Close ups of the top and bottom:

He's a very guarded man...

She's an open book...

Despite the Difference, they maintain a connection. The quote at the top reads: "I just hope you'll be available if needed."..."Of course." 

Of course!

Alotta Firsts...

What does a crafter do when the gift that they hoped/expected to arrive does not?? And the party is just hours away?? I wasah scramblin' (first time I've made anything jewelry-like):

Then I made a very simple envelop out of cardstock (I got the star from a mail ad):

And I also finished my swap piece for the Oddities & Lovelies Swap...it had to have a broken heart and a face in it. Here are pictures of my piece, which I titled "Progression of a Love Story"...:

Oh, love! Don't you just love it? (I mean love in general...ups and downs and all arounds) :) That's my first polymer clay "sculpt"...actually enjoyed it. And that's the first tin that I have altered...enjoyed that too!

V-day is close, very close. What to do? I would really love to see a light-hearted romantic film and have a delicious dinner, something with shrimp. How about you?

Rock on, peoples!

Addicted....sigh...

Hence the follow me button...:D