Happy Halloween!

This book is my favourite book ever! It is a tag book -- and was hosted by Megan Hull. My tags (bottom pic) were made from black cardstock and then I layered book text (most is MacBeth -- but I ran out so some people may have a Hamlet). Then I painted with black acrylic (through punchinella) and use my lipstick cap ro the circles. Then I used my new medalion punch to cut out big scalloped circles, and layered on a circle of chinese newspaper stamped with cobwebs, and then I added an image. Then I stamped on BOO! I like the backs too. I used MacBeth text again and some stamps from Rusty Pickle. I had fun making them. Next time I would add more embellishments -- maybe to dangle off the bottom. It is a book of 20 tags, and I am so happy with every single page. Thank you!

Creepy

I made this and sent it to Lauren in France -- they don't really celebrate Halloween there, but I didn't want her to miss out on my favourite holiday! (remember -- I'm not a cardmaker -- I'm LEARNING). I'm kind of pathetic. I have tons of Halloween stamps, stickers, paper, fabric,etc, but have only managed to make 1 card..... oh well..........
(I'm off now to make popcorn for 80 children)(my students and the other kindie class students) (hmmmm,,, butter and salt? no salt? no butter? decisions, decisions....)I hope that I have 80 ziplock baggies........

October 28

Every year on October 28, I turn 28. I've been doing this for a few years....... and my body is not feeling so "28" any more........ and I'm in a creative slump, so I haven't shown any journal work lately..... Poor crabby Martha.....

Ray is 4 days older than me (so, yes, he's 28 too...). I don't really celebrate birthdays but I was happy to indulge Ray..... I made this card for him. It was very simple, but I LOVE it! The image is Teesha Moore's (zettiology).And I made this coffee cuff for him(aren't Day of the Dead images so fun?)Here he is blowing out the candle on the cake. I made the cake (with a little help from my friend Betty)(Crocker). (It's carrot cake with a whipped cream cheese icing)I'm blaming my mother for the fact that I can't frost a cake -- She never taught me how -- She always bought our birthday cakes. I don't think that I've ever bought a birthday cake. I always make them . (ummm, although I seem to remember sticking candles in a frozen McCain Deep and Delicious more than once...). The cute little decorations were from Megan when she sent the Halloween tag books back (pics of those on Halloween).Are you wondering why I didn't do cupcakes? Well, they're coming. I have to make 60 for tomorrow. And I have to make 40 bags of popcorn for my K kids for Wednesday (we'll be playing 2 games, watching a movie and eating popcorn. On Halloween they are way too excited to do any work -- and when they play they end up going crazy -- I don't like to have a party and fill them up with junk either -- they'll get enough of that later)

Society of Mixed Up Media Artists

Well, we met on Friday night. This month's assignment ("challenge") was based on last month's demo. We rubber stamped with Stazon on a 3"x3" piece of copper, then put it in etching solution. Mine worked quite well, but some other's didn't etch quite as well. I think that the secret is constant or frequent agitation. Hmmm -- that's kind of how I felt about creating the final piece -- agitated. We only had a month to do it -- and all of my weekends were booked up. Here's what I came up with (I borrowed the stamp from Daniza -- I think that it's Paperbag Studio):
I realized that I didn't show last month's challenge either. Here's the before and after of the September challenge. We had a theme "Must be Protected". Birds seemed like a good choice.....This is what I have to work with for next month:
When Carmi pulled it out, some of us had a great big smile. Some of us had a look of "oh, crap, what on earth can I do with this?To see what other members did with their pieces, go to Carmi's website and click on the Extraordinary and Exceptional Society of Mixed Up Media Artists. And don't forget to check out Carmi's shop -- she had great stuff to create with! (Like papers, ribbons, etc, not the dollar store things we're altering)(you have to go to the dollar store to find those....)

Michael deMeng

I was very lucky to have attended not one, but TWO of Michael's classes this past weekend! Polaroid Collages and Tunnel Vision. Ray took the polaroid class too -- we made some cool stuff.I put the polaroid frame on mine, but was a bit disappointed with it, so I played around with it a bit and this is what I came up with:

Then on Sunday I played with perspective -- I used the sister image of Saturday's creation (literally sister image -- I think --- they were from the same family portrait). If you ever get a chance to take one of Michael's classes -- DO IT! I've taken 3 now and loved every one. And by now -- I really understand that colour mixing and layering! This piece isn't finished yet -- but here's my start! I still plan to put some more collage onto the layers -- I'm setting a goal of the
end of the weekend to have it done. Please keep bugging me about that......

This is some of the work that was created in the Tunnel Vision Class. Cool!

At the end of the class (when you hear the theme song for "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly") it's time for a critique. This is one of the most valuble parts of Michael's teaching. He makes everyone feel good about his/her work. I have a university degree in Art Criticism (really). I'm still at the "I like that, it's pretty" stage, LOL. I leave messages on people's blogs all the time saying that. But you know what? I really mean it.

We were all so tired by the end of the 2 days (and don't we look it?)

A bit early for Christmas, but....

I've been working on Christmas gifts. I wanted to sign up for a "12 Days of Christmas Swap" but it was full. Happily, Heather decided to host one! 12 Days to Christmas. How exciting! I've started making my gifts for it! Then, last week, Holly emailed to say the someone had dropped out of her swap -- An Artful Christmas -- was I still interested? Yikes! But since I said I'd be the "back up - waiting list person' I said Okay, I'm in! The catch? That one had to be mailed by today! I finished it -- whew. Here's a sneak peek. The wish picture is the wrapping -- I think that it needs to be distressed a bit more -- but I'm sure that it will get that way naturally in the mail! So, that's how I got to be in 2 Christmas swaps -- the real fun will begin 12 days before Christmas! More about that in exactly 2 months......

Bizzy B's -- I love our hive!

Last night was ATC night at Bizzie B's. Barb and Tony surprised me with a cake and a copy of Sew Somerset! We all celebrated me being on the cover -- and then they tortured me by making me sign a copy -- and I agonized for over 4 hours over what witty comment I could make -- only to decide on something lame like, "xoxo, ~martha" -- okay, I did plant a big lipstick kiss on the front too, LOL. Because I love you guys! Anyway, it was terribly embarassing -- but I finally got to actually see the magazine --- and I REALLY AM ON THE COVER! with 4 pieces inside! WOOO HOOO!!! (see, Cori, I really do say wooo -hoo! all the time). This Sew Somerset is my FAVOURITE of anything that Somerset/ Stampington has issued (even if I wasn't in it) . Here are some pics of my pages. Bizzy B's will have more issues of the magazine shortly. -- call them to reserve a copy. Hey, I'll kiss it for you! (okay, possibly not a great idea -- since I've been sick lately) (Thanks for all of your help, Cori -- and thanks for the picture!) (I look so tired because I WAS tired -- it was almost midnight -- past my bedtime)(At least I'm not showing you the picture of me reading on the throne)




My inspirations for the pieces are really funny. HEY, I sound kind of intelligent. Kind of. Maybe. Click on the pics to read the inspirations.

(Somerset actually has sent me a copy of the issue -- but it appears to be missing -- and the wonderful, helpful editor, Amanda Nolan emailed me to let me know that she will resend it if it isn't here in another week)(every time I have emailed her, she has responded within a few minutes -- and with follow up emails -- she really does her job well)

MAIL DELAYS
I'm concerned about missing / late mail. It seems, that all of a sudden, mail is getting really slow from anywhere to Canada. Since our dollar is so strong right now -- I think that lots of people must be ordering stuff fromthe US and perhaps there is a huge backlog at the border (customs). Right now a package of RR books that was sent to me in August is MISSING -- and the tracking says that it entered Canada on August 23. Of course, everyone in the RR is worried, especially Melinda and Penny -- the owners of the books. Please think positive thoughts for a speedy recovery of the books.

What Alice in Wonderland Character am I?

You are The Cheshire Cat

A huge grin constantly plastered upon your face, you never cease to amuse. You are completely confusing and contradictory to most everyone.
Take this quiz!

tags

I didn't used to see the point of tags -- but all of a sudden I love them. Okay, I know that they've been around for years, but I'm a bit slow on the uptake.......

I made these tags in Daniza's Distress Inks class at Bizzy Bs. We used Tim Holtz's Distress inks and Powders to create cool backgrounds. I wasn't a big fan of the embossing powders (I can only handle one new technique at a time!) But this ink distressing is my new favourite technique! The green one uses Mustard Seed, Broken China and Peeling Paint inks. The peeling paint (a green) is that darker mildew - like colour. For the pink and orange tag I used Worn Lipstick, Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade -- aren't the colour names fun??? I originally stamped some words on the orange tag -- but I don't really like the distress inks for image/ word stamping and I wasn't happy with it, so I sewed on a little fabric collage.

Thanks Daniza! (Daniza is teaching a Vintage Christmas class at Bizzy Bs coming up on October 17, and then again on October 21! It sounds fabulous!)

(yes, I'll be adding ribbons and fibres to the holes -- I wanted to scan these tags to get a good close up of the distressing, and adding ribbons makes it too dimensional to scan)

Sunset

Jill's colour theme was Sunset. I liked the idea that you could buy a ticket to sail beyond the sunsets.... The quotation is from Ulysses by Tennyson.
I really like the red splotches on the lower left corner of the page with the ticket, and below left of the word sunset on the other page. These are my new journaling stamps from PaperBag Studios! The little girl image is from ArtChix.

The little bird on the ticket page looks really sweet in real life, and not so isolated... It's a bit "dimensional" for a book, but this book has big rings binding it, and can handle a lot of dimensionality!

Pretty Birdies

For my ongoing bird ATC swap.... these ones are off to Patti B -- and are very late....... They are all fabric -- except for the text.

Kooza!

Last night we went to see Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza. Tres Cool. (Way better than the Ballet, Lauren) The contortionists were my favourite. Their bodies bend in ways that bodies aren't supposed to..... I don't usually buy stuff at performances, but I really wanted a t shirt. Of course I didn't like any of the "basic" (super expensive) shirts -- I had to have the special (super duper expensive) one. It's a soft heavy cotton -- very drapey and assymetrical and orange -- and it has zetti clowns on it. Very me. Why doesn't Cirque sell postcards? I wanted to send some out.... or even notecards..... They do sell programs ---- for $30!!!! but I'm not going to cut a $30 program into postcards, LOL. Check out YouTube for lots of snippets of the performances. Here is one link

Cover Girl!

I had no idea that my work was on the cover of Sew Somerset. You'd think that they would have warned me! I found out in the Creative Chix Yahoo group that I have 4 (!) pieces in the publication, AND that I'm on the cover. I knew that I had some work in it, but I didn't believe anyone that I was on the cover. Colette had mentioned earlier in the evening that she thought that I was on the cover, but I didn't think that was right. But I checked the website, and there it is, my 8x8 birdie collage. It will be for sale on etsy as soon as I get it back from Somerset. Meanwhile I've listed a similar piece on etsy, and some more pins.
I can't wait to get my issue of the magazine! I'm not totally sure what pieces are in it -- so I'll wait until I see it until I post the pics.

Meghan Monaghan's Art

I met a friend last night for dinner and presented her with this wonderful painting, from the staff at my school. I bought the painting at Trinity's Art in the Park a few weekends ago. It is so hard to choose art for someone else, but I went for something that I loved, and hoped that Miriam would too. Miriam has gone to another school (at least for this school year). Good Luck Miriam, we miss you! The artist's name is Meghan Monaghan (from Toronto) Check out her website -- her other pieces are fabulous! The piece is 11x16.

zettigirls

I meant to post these a long time ago. I forgot. Some were for a swap, some for friends, and some for my own collection. Don't you just love the wonderful natural patina of my garage windows? And the broken glass? (The slumlord don't fix nuttin') Actually, I really love the natural crackle of the paint, but it can't be good for the wood....... (click on the pictures to say "hello" close up)

Black and White

I haven't been online much lately -- I'm a weeee bit behind. I got these in the mail last week, and made the necklace this weekend. I had a few charms left (including my own) that I couldn't work in, so I'll wear them as pendants I wear a different pendant every day. I have enough charms/pendants to last the school year now!

Thank you to Amber Dawn (host!) and of course, I forgot to make note of who did what, but I'll try.......
Amber Dawn (on the finished necklace -top 3 on left, and second and third down on right)
Heather Bluhm - vial with sparkles!
Sharie Myers --joy
Heather Kayser -- cowgirl soldered
Ruth Rae -- resin "desire"
Mary Lind -- polymer clay deco
Jan Bartlett -- babe in cup (on silver) with the silver music sign
Cris Peacock -- Polymer clay turle fetish (black)
Peg Krzyzewski -- top shape with swirls (to the left of my big dice one)
Anne Downen (circle paisley)
Ellen Gray (2) rulers; small dice dangle, and tiny dice on tiny safety pin, hanging down the back
Lori Anderson -- buttons and beads
Michelle Johnson (centre charm on finished necklace -- with heart)
Kathie Kushner -- Don't Postpone Joy
Denice O. Face on ? domino cut in half?
Ronda A -- Large face
Me! I made the giant dice charm that was too large to go on my necklace. Oops... (lower right on single charms)
Those were all of the names that I had. If anyone can tell me which ones are theirs, I'll edit the post..... (Thanks Amber!!!)

(here in the end is the small print -- a public apology to Lauren. She didn't steal my tweezers..... well, not really...... they were found on the floor of her bedroom.....(here in Toronto), the caterpillars have now been banished.......)

Pink and Orange

This is a spread that I did in Megan's pink and orange book in August. With all of the excitement of school starting, I forgot to post it. The pink ticket was to go into Chartres Cathedral in France, I think. I went in 1991. I left my toddler at home with her Daddy and Nana, and went to France with my mom. Now that toddler is in France, and not even with her mom! The nerve of her! And sheesh, she took my tweezers! My eyebrows are getting bushier by the minute. I told you, somehow it all comes back to Lauren....

What's all the buzz about anyway?

It's Bizzie Bs 2nd Anniversary! For tonight's ATC exchange we were to make cards with the theme of "B" or "bees".
I made these last night. I worked hard and fast. I actually made 11 (2 didn't scan well). I'm quite impressed that I managed that many. I was in bed by midnight, and I even stopped to visit with my best friend Robin for an hour or so. Normally ATCs take me about an hour each. These are created from paper, fabric, transparency, fibers, sequins, beads, and some paper flowers.

It's hard to let go...

My baby left for France yesterday. I won't see her until Christmas. Now I get to clean up the big mess she left in the bedroom. And she took MY toothbrush! (and her own) . That made me less sad and more annoyed, LOL. I'm pretty sure that she will miss me. And, although she's all smiles here, I'm pretty sure that she WON'T miss the dog.

Yeah, this would be me.......

You Belong in 1989

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

This is My mom, Lauren and me in 1989. We all look so happy! And we're all still happy! My mom hasn't changed a bit. Lauren has changed a lot :) I wish that I hadn't, but I've changed too -- a bit greyer and a weeee bit heavier. Oh well.......