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

It's Alive!!!

Yes, I am still breathing.

In case you five that are following were curious.

I have just been creatin' like crazy.

Sooo many pictures to post...once I take them. And take them I will! 'cause I got a NEW CAMERA!!!!! Skadoosh!!! It's still in the box, but it's coming out on Friday. :)

Picture from Cybervally.com

I also received a very lovely, beautiful, soft ATC from Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff just after Thanksgiving. Even the packaging was awesome. Taught me a thing or two about wrapping these send outs. Mine went out in a plastic bag (in case of rain!) which was stuffed into a box which was stuff into another box. I stole her pic (straight up ganked!):

All of the ones she sent out and received were just beautiful! Go check them out...eye candy!

Christmas ATC Swap...

Sent out my ATC for the Christmas Swap with Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff. So happy with it:

Credits: LucieG-Stock, Goth-Stock, Somadjinn, HauntingVisionsStock

I think I've got the hang of this swapping business. Would love to do another swap or two or more....any theme really...just leave me a comment. :)

Little Raveness

I finished this up over the weekend...started it at my book club a couple weeks ago (they wanted to do something artsy while we discussed our current selection):

Credits: Land of Nod Studio, JinxMim and MysticMorning

Meet Little Raveness. The story goes that she gets her powers from ravens, without which she would be decimated by other mystical creatures. So she keeps the ravens around her at all times by enticing them with her shiny wings. Okay, I just made that up. I had no intention when I started creating it. I just liked that little girl's pouty face. :)

Have a great week!

Duh, Winning!

When I got home on Monday, I had this in the mail:

OMG, I love it. It's the first piece of art I've won and I am tickled rainbow! The creator is Laura Carson from Artfully Musing. She had Trick or Treat Giveaways all month long in October and I was one of the lucky ones. Yay!!! I must tell you I have oggled it every night since before turning out my light (is this the cause for my very weird dreams lately.....neeeeh! Probably the full moon approaching.).

Thank you, Laura!!!

Also, I am doing a Christmas ATC Swap with Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff. My first swap! I've already got my idea planned out and I'm ready to execute it when I get home today. Right on. :D

Rock!

I know why the caged bird sings...

I am watching entirely too much tv these days. And the show that has really caught my artist's eye is American Horror Story. I always fast forward through the intros, but this one has me fixated...yes, the babies in jars are horrific, but those cabinet cards and the music and the start and stop and flickering to different photos...wow. It kinda makes me want to create a spooky short film...almost. :)  Here's what I'm talking about:

I have been getting a few moments of creating in before I go to bed (could this be why my mind is running 100 mph as I'm trying to fall asleep?). Here's what I finished last night:

Full Credits

Here's the story: The Birdcatcher catches birds with her music. As she plays, the music lifts out and catches the birds in flight. She is why the caged bird sings...they sing along with her violin playing, they can't help themselves...heh. I think she releases them when she moves on...maybe she helps them with their migration??? :D  The cool thing is that I drew that birdcage....it's simplistic, but I love it.

Rock!

Finished my pages for the The Tallest Handmade Book in the World {Project} and sent them out today. My theme is Artisan du Reve which translates to Architect of Dreams. The architect is a little girl who has fantastical dreams...the last page shows that she has grown up, but inside she still dreams fantastically. :) Oh, and my camera is the suxxorz...as you can see, so yellow:

Front Page

 

Pages in the Middle

Back Page-Topside

Back Page-Underneath

Credits for Stock: JinxMim, Fairiegoodmother, nyaubaby, deathofsphinx and Jamie Miller

Otherwise, I've been arting it up digitally, with a few traditional collage pieces thrown in. Will post pics of those later. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather!

Seriously Witchy!

Full Credits

Had too much fun making this one, especially as that little girl looks just like one of my co-workers. I hope she gets a kick out of it too. :)

SDS, you complete me...sigh.

About a week ago, I bought my first issue of Somerset Digital Studio...and I am in love! I cannot stop looking at it! In fact, I have already been surfing ebay for past issues. These beautiful creations are serious eye candy. Love! I feel inspired. Truly. Deeply. Madly.

I also committed to contributing pages to The Tallest Handmade Book in the World {Project} . I am very excited about this (the book will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to a very worthy cause). Contributors will create 4 pages (or more) and I thought I would do some simple digital work as background on my inside pages...here's one of the backgrounds (it will be embellished later):

And speaking of digital design, I am enamored of Riki Schumacher's e-Workshop blog. It's just so beautiful. My mouth hung open when the page loaded and I said, ooohhh. Her banner is below. Sigh. Best part is that she's got a giveaway going on over there. Check it out.

So many giveaways going on right now...I love the generosity of the art world. I need to do the same but what to give? Hmm. I'll think on it and get back to ya.

Here's to Hopping...

I just joined the Art Blog Hop hosted by Mary C. Nasser. Check it out!




You will also note that I am the only one who failed to crop their thumbnail properly...of course! That says alot about me...I don't read, I just click away. Der! The important thing is that I will get to see what others are creating, get some inspiration and oggle the pretties. I hope there's some weird stuff too...and lots of vintage. :) See you around, Fellow Hoppers.

I conquered!

I finally got up the courage to create my own banner in Photoshop. This program has intimidated the heck out of me for awhile now, but, alas, I conquered! I am very proud of what I created. I do have a problem with overdoing it, so it might change a bit after I've let it sit for a spell. Soon, I'll post some images of what I've been up to lately...here's a teaser:

Until then...