Assemblage figures

My friend Kelley is teaching an altered art / assemblage figure workshop next weekend in downtown Toronto. I'll be there! These are some of the figures that I made last time:

MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP

February 24th, 2007

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CALL KELLEY FOR NEW LOCATION (Bloor and Lansdowne area)

Cost is $75. All materials included.

We will make figures and/or small shadow boxes

Instructor: Kelley Aitken

(416) 533-6798

kelley.aitken@sympatico.ca

****This will be a really fun course -- Kelley brings all of the junk! You just dig through all of HER mess without creating a disaster area in your own house!

Soar

This is the spread that I did in Sondra's Round Robin book. Her theme is "Give Me Wings". Ray said that the bird isn't soaring. I said that it has to let go before it can soar. We all need to let go of something before we can soar. It doesn't look quite this pale and washed out in person. Once again, I'm having camera problems. The book is now off to Debby.

Red

Today is all about Red White and Pink. I got so many beautiful Valentines from my kiddies at school. We've had a fun week making hearts, mail bags and valentines for moms and dads. Lots of collaged paper, punched out hearts, stickers and of course LOTS OF GLITTER! I LOVE glitter. The caretakers don't but they are learning that I don't really care if they sweep up every single little bit.

I'm working on lots of art right now:
- coffee cuffs (all finished for the swap, but I need more for gifts. I love them! Thanks, Sammy for the inspiration, and giving me a reason to make them!)(The cuff to the right was a gift for Cori)
- fabric charms for 2 different swaps (these will be very cool)
- RR books - One with a "Wings" Theme; a turquoise and lime one; a zetti themed one, and a calendar journal!

The RR books have priority!

I will post the progress over the next few days.

ArtFest

It's official -- I'm going! I picked up my passport today. I've booked my flight. I have all of my supplies. The suitcase is on the bed, ready for any additions (such as Shreddies -- my breakfast cereal of choice). I can't believe that I registered more than 4 months ago. I also can't believe that I'm packed and not leaving for, what, 7 weeks?

This is the logo that Teesha has developed for this years gathering. I'm going to do something fun with it, but I'm not sure what yet.......

I'm not as unique as I thought.....

This was kind of cool -- I can't believe that there are almost 4, 000 people with my name in the USA.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 3,837 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Oh, I forgot that there is a book about me! LOL It's called My Name is Martha Brown. She's an 19th century murderer. True story.

Love

It's ATC night at Bizzie B's tonight . Again -- 10 ATCs to trade. This will be my last live trade until May -- I get too busy in March to make anything (report cards and house guests).

For these ATCs I was practicing layering with paper and using a rubber stamped image. I was pretty happy with the results. It's the first rubber stamped ATC that I've done that I've been happy with (the stamp is the large "Document Heart" by Stampington). I layered using pinks and reds and then at the end I used a pinky brown matte glaze to soften the whites and make the whole piece work together.

In addition to seeing all of my ATC friends at Barb's store, I get to have coffee first with Colette and Carmi. Of course I'll bring one of my new coffee sleeves for a test drive!!

And the Winner is.....

Cori! I drew her name out of ALL of the people who posted who they love. Cori, I love your son too, and not only because we share a birthday...... (well, I haven't met him yet, but he sounds very adorable, cute, and lovable) This is what you get, Cori, a lovely heart dangly! I'll bring it with me to Bizzie B's tomorrow!

This is my love letter:
I love my daughter, Lauren, more than anything in the world. She is my sun, my moon and my stars. I am so proud of the wonderful talented young woman she has become. I also love Ray, who puts up with everything I do! All of the mess! The crappy cooking! The fact that I am ALWAYS sick. And he never complains, and is always supportive. And he's pretty cute too! What more could I ask for? A stinky dog? Okay, I kinda like the little furry guy too.

FABRIC, FABRIC AND MORE FABRIC !!!

I made this coffee cuff. It has a thermal layer in it to keep your hand cool/ the coffee warm. Yes, it is for a swap. Everything I make is for a swap! Again, it made a teeny tiny dent in the fabric stash. I'm going to make one every night this week. I can make them in front of the tv while the little dog chews his toys on top of my feet. His second favourite pass-time. The first is tearing the plants out of my garden. Frozen plants. He has chewed off my whole lavender bush and all of my sage. Spring will not be a pretty sight in my yard.

February -- A celebration of family and friends

I received this wonderful heart ornament from Beth (top pic). I traded her for the ornament in the bottom photo (they are the same size -- about 4"x4"). It was a zetti themed trade. Beth is so talented and has this wonderful ability to layer and make all of her art so beautifully cohesive. You can see more of Beth's work at
www.picturetrail.com/artbeth67
www.cafepress.com/bethmoran


In the spirit of love, sharing art with friends, and Valentine's Day I would like to give away one of my heart danglies. If you're interested, just leave a little love note here. Tell me in a sentence or two what or who you love. I'll draw a name from all of the comments on February 6.

( I took this idea (and wording) from Tejae's blog http://www.tejaesart.blogspot.com)(go and look at her art right now -- spectacular polymer clay)

**if you signed up for a little piece of art in the Meme on my post on December 17, could you please leave me a message with your email -- all of the comments are anonymous and I don't know who you all are!

Fabric pages in progress....

It went from this: To this:
The top pic shows my fabric and trim and the bottom pic shows the fronts of the 4x4 pages. I still have to embellish them (beads, sequins and embroidery thread), then make the backs, then bind them and add fibers around the edges (maybe). The images (faces) are by Teesha Moore. http://teeshamoore.com

Who knew that you couldn't complete 16 fabric pages (fronts and backs) in 1 day..........? I gathered my fabric (purples, blues and greens) and away I went. I'm still going. They ar 4"x4".I've made the fronts of more than 20, (I had the bright idea that I'd make extra for trades). These are for an ArtFest Fabric Fatbook. I have to mail them this week. Then Sara will bind them and give them to us at ArtFest. I'll have a 15 page book. The extra page is to make a book for Teesha Moore, the host of ArtFest (with husband Tracy). I'm loving them so far. I want to keep them all. I'll post the final pages within the next day or so -- and of course, I'll post the final book -- but you'll have to check back in the first week of April. (ArtFest is in Port Townsend, WA, from March 28-April 1)
( so far I've used 3 spools of thread and made a teeny weeny dent in the pile of fabric)

Red

Lynnette April's book colour is red and black. I chose the song "Red" by Treble Charger



"Red"

Saw you looking for a light
Face painted cigarette white
You asked the cleanest boy you found
You couldn't see me turned around
His fingers stretched across your empty gaze
That I just can't escape

As the red fades from your wrinkled dress
A picture of the people you've impressed
Hangs on a wall around here
Vision starts to crawl when I'm near
And the evening waits
While you get caught up to your own mistakes
Made up different lines
I wouldn't wanna keep in my mind

I wondered why you'd come around
Remembering your little girl frown
Your answers kept the crowd at bay
With compliments unwilling to pay
I had some things I'd like to say to you
But they just can't be true

Bye Bye Little Women!

I struggled with this book. It should have been easy. The theme is (loosely) paper dolls and the colours are browns and pinks. This is part of what I did in it. I'm sending it off to Debby today -- it will be gone for a year! I wasn't happy with the right side of the spread, so I'm not showing it. Here is the cover and one spread. The title of the chapter was called "Experiments". I really like using the Phrenology images. I have 5 different rubber stamps and I often use the image as a transparency too. Why do I like it? Because it's different. And I'm different.

Tag, I'm it!

I was tagged by Carmi to reveal 5 things little-known things about me.

1. I hate travelling. Anywhere. If I could stay in my house and yard forever, I would.....

2. I don't like to shower-- I don't like the feeling of water falling on me (no, I don't smell bad -- I take BATHS). I stood in a waterfall once and the pictures of me look like the little drummer boy with that painted-on smile.

3. My age. It's little known. I admit to being 27, because I was, once, but this year I think that I'll be 28. So, there you go, I'm 28.

4. I am a compulsive list maker. And I rewrite the lists every day. I might have 20 lists on the go. Grocery lists, to -do in the house lists, to-do at school lists, art due lists, people to phone, people to email, gifts to buy,.... I've tried to keep it all in a journal, or a notepad, but, nope, I like the bits of paper floating around. Just think of it as future ephemera, okay? It really sucks when I wash the black pants with the lists in the pockets though. And THAT happens more often than I care to admit.

5. I keep a suitcase packed all the time. I have a recurring nightmare that I've forgotten that I have to be at the airport in an hour, and I can't get my act together to get there. To make the dream go away, I keep a suitcase packed under my bed at all times. I haven't had the dream since I did it!

6. Rules are for sissies. You ask for 5, I give you seven.

7. Unfortunately, I'm not this amusing in person. I'm shy. Really. No, really!

I can't tag anyone else because Carmi tagged everyone who I know well enough to tag. Except my mom. Mom, when you read this, please email me, or call me and tell me 5 little known things about you, okay? I'd ask Lauren to do it too, but she never reads my blog. But Ray does. Ray, you've been tagged!!!

I've added a #8
8. I hate phoning people. I hate the phone. I wouldn't have one, but then people would be annoyed with me. And confused. "Waddya mean you don't have a phone? That's what they say about the fact that I don't have cable. Because I don't really like televison. I'd say that I'm a luddite, but I REALLY like the computer.

Danglies

Aren't these cute? They are the bottom dangly part for some things I'm making to swap. The fabric part at the top won't show -- it's just to hold the fibres securely. But I can't show the finished art! That would ruin the surprise. But I really like these, and boy-o-boy, was it ever hard to thread the fibre through a needle. Is there an easier way to put beads on a fibre?

Feeling Blue, well not really....

Okay, I said that I wasn't going to make ATCs any more.... but these were so fun to make! Although, perhaps a bit busy looking -- especially when they're all together like this. But they are so easy to mail !!!! -- I'll just pop them in the box to Debby when I mail my RR book to her! Like, tonight! It will be a monthly colour challenge. This month was blue and white. I especially like my new ATC back! (that's the middle image on the top line) It's a stamp by Catslife Press. You can get Catslife stamps here in Toronto at Bizzy B's -- or online http://www.catslifepress.com/ Catslife is one of my favourite stamp companies. I embossed them too! (hey, give me a break, although I've had my embossing powders for 20 years, this is the first time that I've used them) (sound familiar, anybody?) (click on the image and it blows up really huge -- ooh, scary)

Live by this

This is a 4x4 that I did for a mingle. The theme is celebrate. The quotation is from Sam Walton (1918-1992), owner of Walmart. This is the full quotation "Celebrate your success and find humor in your failures. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Loosen up and everyone around you will loosen up. Have fun and always show enthusiasm. When all else fails, put on a costume and sing a silly song." I love it!

Faith

A 4x4 for Vickie. Some artists are getting together to make a Fatbook for Vickie Mack. She is the owner of BMuse -- and she has been hospitalized since Jan 1 with a brain aneurysm. As far as I know -- her prognosis is good. The pages were supposed to be uplifting. I don't know how uplifting this is, but the sentiment means a lot to me. Thanks for organizing this, Sandee. (this looks really beautiful in person -- there is gold leaf under the angel transparency and it just shimmers in the light!)

Winter ATCs

Friday night is ATC night at Bizzy B's -- I love going there and seeing everyone and trying to make something (I don't work well with an audience -- LOL -- not good for a teacher) and learning new techniques. And trying not to buy anything hahahahahahahah. I DON'T like making 10 cards though. I think that my limit is 3...... Here is a sneak peek of what I'll be bringing on Friday!

Playing in Vale's Calendar Journal

I'm in a calendar journal RR!! --I get someone else's calendar journal to use for a month-- I can journal in it, add momento's, and alter the art in the book (or create new art). For January, I get to use Vale's Leonardo's Notebook. I've never done this before --- but I'm really into it! Doesn't it look fun??? This is my first attempt. I might add some more, but I'm onto the next week now!!!! For the first time ever, I'm ready to ditch my leather bound dayplanner (well, the dog chewed it anyway) and buy a calendar journal!!! The one that I want is sold out everywhere though. A Song in my Heart. I have it on order from Amazon, but I'm not holding my breath. Speaking of Amazon -- I just got the book that I ordered with my Christmas money -- Bernie Berlin's ATC Book -- Artist Trading Cards Workshop. What a great book! It has so many cool techniques. I can't wait until next weekend so I can try some.

Bobbin Charms

Today I made a set of charms from sewing machine bobbins! The top pic shows the bobbins with the paper around the core. I coated the paper with diamond glaze (2 coats) for durability. The middle pic shows the danglies I added -- beads, and washers and gear things. I put some on with a head pin and some on with jump rings. The bottom pic shows a finished charms on the right, but the left charm is still waiting for more jump rings full of goodies. I really like these, but they might be too funky for some people. I've already attached some to a bracelet that I have!

Charmed, I'm sure....

Okay -- I finished the first charms and am well on my way with the next set. I'm still not sure which set is going to which swap though!!! I'm happy to trade with anyone who wants one and doesn't get one though!!!

The top picture shows the slips of paper -- some are waiting to be glued (I folded little lines from a book in half and then glued them) the book is --- Alice in Wonderland!!

The next picture shows the vials all lined up (they are poked into a piece of foam core -- they have to stay upright for many hours)-- they have been filled with the slips of paper and some tiny seed beads (7 or so....) then they have been "capped" with a larger bead, and then sealed with diamond glaze (2 coats of glaze -- let dry 4 or 5 hours in between-- preferably overnight). They really have to dry in the foamcore -- if you move them, the inner sead beads will all stick to the top (don't ask me how I know........)

The bottom pic shows the finished charm!! They are just over 1 1/2 inches long. I did most of them like the bottom one - but with more wire. I wrapped copper wire around them (20 gauge?). Next time I would put a little copper bead or something copper inside.

I'm happy!!!!

Next charms will post tomorrow!

Friends

I had a lovely afternoon with my friend Colette yesterday. She is THE most generous person ever! She is a true "kindred spirit". She shared some of her fabric and paper stash with me. Oh such pretty fabrics!-- and some really cool fibres made by someone near Toronto (I'll have to buy more of these. They are so precious and I have a hard time using things if I only have a little tiny bit). Hence my giant apartment that is FULL! Colette has the most lovely apartment full of beautiful art -- her own and many other artists too. It is a true atelier!!! We shared some wonderful "whole flower" tea -- it looked so pretty unfolding in the cup. I wish that I had pictures! How will I live up to that when Colette comes to visit me?

Today is Robin's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN. Must call Robin. Must call Robin..........

Charms

For the next few days I'll be focusing on making charms for a few swaps -- one is Dawn's and the other is Amber Dawn's. I'll likely bring similar ones to ArtFest too. I'm going to start with some little glass vials and put in little "messages" (in many different languages). Then I'm going to wrap the tops with copper wire and age the wire with stinky liver of sulphur. Then I'll hang off some little dangly washer thingys. Wish me luck!
The top photo is my desk with my supplies on it. Okay, this desk is an antique harvest table about 5 1/2 feet long. I work on a space about a foot square. Surrounding me is a mountain of supplies. LOL.
Th bottom photo is my preparation of my papers -- I coat both sides with acrylic medium. It's not quite as durable as a resin (like envirotec). But I plan to seal the vials.

My Other Angel

I promise -- no more puppy pictures! Ray has been playing with the camera. Honestly, he only looks angelic. In reality there should be a movie: The Devil Wears Westie Fur...... I'm going to do some altered pictures of him -- then you'll see his true nature!

My Angel

This is my angel -- my raison d'etre.





Below is a small gaggle of guardian angels that I made for Teri's Zetti swap. This is what was on the cards that went with them:

“Our Zetti Lady of the Lost and Found” will help make all of your art creating stress-free and give totally fabulous results ! She happily guards your art space against lost art supplies.

I think that this is all for 2006. Happy New Year and good night!

After the Bath

There he is in all of his glory -- the little stinker. This is Andy being all soft and fluffy after the bath.

Cori! I did it!

I added a link! You were right -- Beta is easier! Now I have 3 people who read my blog and 3 links. LOL! You're all "C" names too! Woo-Hoo! Life is getting easier.

Levogyrate and Lethal

White

These are some ATCs I made for an AAO swap. The theme was "White". I'm really happy with them. I trapped little bits of ephemera between fabric and a transparency. Thank you Ruth for suggesting that I put little movable bits inside!!! There are sequins and beads in there too. Except for the little "smart" boy -- he is all paper, but I had to get that out of my system before I began on the fabric. Because that little boy has been haunting me for a year! Thank you to Sharon and Carmi who got him to me!!!! I'll give some close ups of my favourites. I call the phrenology (those heads) ones "What's inside my head" Apparently I have a lot of languages and some math in there too. Along with some fibers and beads and sequins. And pretty fabric.

Busy finishing my RRs

I have finished and mailed out a few RR books lately. This is one that I did for Mija. It is quite simple, but I am really happy with it. Her colours were green and purple and her book was "The Complete book of Lawn Care" -- or something like that! I've used song lyrics in all of the books that I've worked in in this RR. It has rained here all day today. It sure doesn't feel like winter.

meme with a difference

Since I signed up on Colette's blog, it's my turn. I'd provide a link to her blog on my sidebar, but I don't know how to add links yet..... but I'll paste it here -- check it out!!! http://a-bird-in-the-hand.blogspot.com/

"The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of art made by me. The only catch, of course: as with most memes, if you sign up, you have to put this in your own blog as well."

The art will be something fabricky and will help to celebrate the new year.

Finished the Tree!

I couldn't put on everything that I wanted. I collect vintage glass ornaments and I'm too afraid that the puppy will try to chew the tree and make it fall over. Most of my ornaments are pink and sparkly. I collect little birdies too. The paper angel for the top was on my parent's tree when I was growing up -- it's quite tiny -- about 4 inches high. I'll try to take a picture of a different ornament every day for the next week. There are still a few more ornaments to go on -- some special ATCs and some small art from friends.

We listened to Maybe This Christmas AGAIN. The puppy seemed a bit interested in the tree, but really was more interested in playing with Lauren or eating the bits of cookies dough that Ray dropped on the floor. We'll see what tomorrow brings.......

Naked Tree

This is my naked tree. Well, it does have the lights. It looks way better in person! We don't use the back door during the winter, much to my pup's confusion.

Lauren will be coming over tonight to help me decorate. This is her first year living away from home so I think that she misses the festive air...... Ray is going to make cookies while we decorate. We'll be listening to the Maybe this Christmas album, or maybe watching The Grinch (cartoon version) or maybe Rudolph, my all time favourite holiday movie. But hey, why aren't there any Solstice movies? If anyone knows of any, please let me know. Because I celebrate the solstices, you know.
Stay tuned for the finished tree and some close ups of some very very special ornaments.

Holiday Fun

I've been so busy creating things for the holidays tht I forgot to slow down and relax. Now I'm pretty much finished everything and have time to post my thoughts and reflect. This is a card that I made for an artist who inspires me every time I look at her work. It's a surprise so I can't say who it is!

Epiphany!

I found what I really love to do! I like to make dolls -- okay, I kinda already knew this -- but I'm drawn to it in everything I make.

This is an ATC I made for a "Gone Postal" trade.

And to the left is a paper doll that I made for a zetti trade.

In both I pieced together different rubber stamps (the zetti doll is 4 different stamps)

Keely Barham this weekend!

I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel! I've finished my swaps and can now concentrate on family stuff, the puppy, school planning and organizing my studio space.

This weekend I'm taking 2 classes from Keely Barham! 1 is a bracelet and the other is a fabric box. I'm sooooo excited. And I get to meet some people who I only know from online. It will be a very special weekend. And relaxing I hope...... because...

After that I have to do REPORT CARDS -- uggg.

After that I'm getting ready for the Holly Jolly show! (November 25 at the Swansea Town Hall in Bloor West Village). This is the first show/sale that I've done with my new jewelry. I'll be posting pics of it if the camera ever comes back from Nikon..........