Wire and Beads...

make pretty little things.

:: bird nest charms ::

Aren't these charming?!

***

Just wrap wire around the bead 

and soon enough you will succeed.

Twist, twine, and curl a few...

make one for yourself and for a friend or two.

 materials needed:

Beads

22 gauge wire or 28 gauge wire

jewelry pliers 

It is the simple things that make me happy!

Enjoy

Washi did you make...?

:: fabric tape ::

Tons of it too!

Oh, how exciting...

these could be used for art journal pages, 

small treasures to be given to artful friends, to decorate a gift, or use to embellish a tag.  

Endless possibilities.

This was fun and very easy to make.

Wish to create your very own?

You will need

masking tape

wax paper 

scraps of fabric

Mod-Podge

paintbrush (to apply glue)

scissors

Apply strips of masking tape to wax paper.
With paintbrush, coat tape with Mod-Podge. (apply an even coat)**
** not too thick or thin
Lay fabric down and use an old credit card to smooth out any wrinkles.
Once it is COMPLETELY DRY, cut into strips. 
Now you have washi tape too!

Enjoy.

Macaroni and Me...

:: ornaments ::

Look at these delightful ornaments!

Such a sweet and cost-effective gift or decoration to be hung.

:: First :: 
select macaroni.

:: Second :: 

spill them out, move them around, and come up with a few designs of your own.

Materials needed for this project:

wax paper

Glue (strong bonding)

paint brush 

acrylic paint (white)

Mod-Podge

Glitter

 Once the macaroni ornaments are completely dry, attach ribbon to be hung!

Simple and sweet.

As far as for me, and macaroni... we have a whole new relationship.

Friday's Lovely Links

Enjoy your visit...and these delightful links.

• Envelope Artwork - Hens Teeth
• TUTORIAL - non-linear notebook box - paperiaarre.blogspot.com
• artwork - acrylic/ink on birch - Barbara Gilhooly
• ADD doors to your journal pages (DIY) - www.themakingspot.com
• artist - Stephanie Ledoux
• window art - Emmy Star Brown

:: a recap of the week ::

 Beautiful "mail-art" has been arriving in my mailbox.

What to give thanks to:

Karenann Young

Debbie Combs

oxox

Received my DUCT-TAPE journal from the swap.

Hosted by: 

www.mailmesomeart.blogspot.com

 mine was created by:

 Caitlyn Salkind 

Here is a page by page video of her lovely DUCK-TAPE journal! 

WATCH VIDEO

behind the scenes - in my studio

working on an altered matchbox - upon request for trade.

brainstorming - handmade gifts for the holidays.

"CAN NOT WAIT TO SHARE, THESE DELIGHTFUL CRAFTS, WITH ALL OF YOU!"

 Begin working on a small series dedicated to -

MARY (mother of Jesus)  

Inspired by: 

Andria Kaskey

She wrote a post on her Blog - Our Lady of the Sketchbook

I thought this was such a wonderful idea!

With this in mind...

I am going to use my sketchbook, art journal, scrap papers, tags, etc. 

Using any and all techniques, styles, and mediums.  

 This series will be created for the month of December.

Frustrated with BLOGGER!!

 I want to thank everyone who left a comment, 

regarding my last post BLOGGER ISSUES.

Here is what I have come up with to help solve the issues -

Deleted a few unwanted photos from Picasa, gave me a little wiggle room.

(very temporary solution)

 Will start storing my photos on flickr or photobucket

then transporting them to Blogger.

THANK YOU Jackie.THANK YOU Andria. 

for such terrific ideas! 

If all else fails... I will recreate a new Blog.

HUGE 

event next Saturday, December 1st.

My daughter is getting married!! 

It is an evening wedding, lots of tiny white lights, candles lit, 
soft music, and the reception is being held outdoors.

A very romantic setting, my daughter wishes to have.

This is the dress I will be wearing

3/4 Cuff Sleeve Portrait Collar Dress

For those of you, who celebrated Thanksgiving...

I hope that it was spent with those you love, sharing a good meal, 

and enjoying the company with those who gathered at your dinner table. 

oxox

Have a great weekend!

enjoy the turkey dinner leftovers

Puzzled...

:: BLOGGER ISSUES ::

MAYDAY!  MAYDAY!
Help me please...

I have ran out of storage space for my photos.
FREE storage space.
Until I can workout the corks, posting to this Blog will be put on hold. 

SORRY.

Iam open to any and all ideas or suggestions.

Journal Spread

:: from the beginning ::

What we call the beginning is often the end. 

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

The end... is where we start from. - T.S. ELIOT

:: my thoughts ::

As long as I keep starting, from where I left off..

there will always be room for new beginnings.

Friday's Lovely Links

Enjoy your visit...and these delightful links.

• collage - Derek Gores
• Patchwork II - artist Jennifer Mercede
• tutorial - How to embroider a card - www.sublimestitching.com
• art journal - grrlscrap.blogspot.com
• journal - morning collage collection - Keri Smith
• Q & A on tape - www.awkwardandbeautiful.com
• pumpkin pancakes (recipe) - greenlitebites.com

Have a great weekend!

Altered Matchbox

:: dia de los muertos :: 

Day of the Dead
Wikipedia

 On November 1st, I created this painting for an art journal spread.

A journal prompt, hosted by Christy Sobolewski at Art Geeks .

I decided to "reuse" my artwork, to created an altered matchbox.

By reducing the size of the artwork, to fit the proportion of the box,

then I copied it on my inkjet printer. 

(you may alter your printed drawing, adding color or design)

STEP 1 -  altering the matchbox.

materials:

1 lager size matchbox

1 photo copy (clipart or original artwork)

cereal box ( cut- out templet for wings)

tacky glue

gesso

acrylic paint

inks

oil pastels

matte medium 

scrap papers / vintage book pages

wire

embellishments 

STEP 2 - combining all the elements to create this altered piece.

:: my shrine ::

a tribute to honor those who have gone before us. 

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER.

The Chronicle of Dabbling

:: mosaic of dabbles ::

In a chronicle order.

- immerse one's paintbrush in water and gently move around paint -

- wet ink by splashing or by applying little drips - 

- emerge a stencil with a soft touch -

swirl, dip, spray, or spatter without serious intent...

JUST DABBLE.