Beauty behind glass

I worked on this piece over a couple of weeks but primarily last weekend. I intended it to be a Christmas piece but it was not meant to be. This box started out life as a box holding dominoes with a sturdy piece of glass that slid in the sides to hold the dominoes. Once I made good use of the dominoes, this box was next! I painted it with a red glaze, inside and out, then decided it needed something so I added the feet, painted white, from wooden pieces I got at Michael's. I also scalloped the sides with white glaze outlined in charcoal pencil. Next, I decided the inside needed polka dots then a white glaze was across the back. A gel transfer with antique text, shading with charcoal pencil and the back of the box was done. The image of the women is a vintage paper doll that I scanned and sized to fit. I mounted the image on foam and then trimmed it and glued it in. I think it adds a nice dimensional effect.

Now for the finishing touches. I had this gorgeous fabric flower from Art Nest that had been sitting on my desk calling to me so it was added to the inside bottom of the piece. Then it needed a little sparkle so some vintage turquoise flowers nestled into the fabric brought out the color in the paper doll. Rub on words in red and I was mostly pleased. I wanted to add something to the top so the little glass knob, scallops and more polka dots with some word bubbles down the side did the trick. Now if there was only a touch more sparkle I thought. Viola! A rhinestone bracelet cut to fit across the bottom finished it off and now I think she's all done!

Birthday Girl

Yep, yesterday was my birthday and fun was definitely had by me! My husband got me a really lovely dragonfly bracelet made of peridot and aquamarine. I love it! Bracelets must have been in the air because my friend Jen got me this awesome stretch bracelets that are exactly my taste. And as if that wasn't enough, my sister-in-law sent my a gift card to Target so I got this and this . Clearly I've mentioned this once or twice because my friend Suzanne gave me this. My Mom-in-law sent a card with a little $ so I was unbelievably excited to get the new Harry Dresden. Yes, I'm a giant geek but I've learned to embrace it. My friend Mark also made sure to spread the word so I was shockingly greeted to lots of people wishing me a happy birthday, he also took me to lunch. Mark rocks!

My Mom asked me what I wanted for my b-day and for once I didn't play coy. I sent her the link to the steel bench blocks I've coveted for years and she came through. My sister got me these while she got me the dapping block that I hinted would make an awesome Christmas gift. It should arrive in the next day or so with pics to follow. Again, because I'm a giant geek.

As if that weren't enough, when my brother visited I got my b-day presents early (in addition to a box of Missouri specific goodies. We're still munching on the taco sauce. Yes, I know I live in Texas. Yes I know I said Missouri). And among other things, I got this incredible bag by blue Q. It's not allowed to leave the house because it might get dirty. I also got Marley and Me - I have to psyche myself up for it since I know it's going to be awesome and then sad... I just suspect, I'm not spoiling or anything here.

Okay that's enough about me but it was my birthday and this is my blog so I can show how incredibly lucky and spoiled I am all I want! You know I'll get my come uppance the next time I have to any way be coordinated and trip over my shoelaces and go sprawling in front of my building at 8 am as everyone is walking in. Not that this has happened, nope no way, I'm just saying is all.

Another coveted Pegasus

This is another pegasus I have my eye on. I love the mosiac version that gives it such a wonderful texture and the color is really gorgeous. If you want your own picture of this pegasus, it can be found at the NE corner of Preston and Royal across the street from my favorite Borders. :)

Symbolic Icon on a small scale

Last week I had fun playing in my studio and came up with this piece. I really struggled in Anahata's icon class but I think some of it must have sunk in since it really comes across in this piece, which isn't my usual style at all. I really enjoyed stepping outside my usual colors and techniques to use more pen and fewer collage elements to fill in the space. Admittedly, it helped to work on a much scale of 5x7 than 11x14 that we used in class. When you get used to working on the 1 1/2 x 2 scale, 5x7 seems huge.

Just in case you can't read the text it says "She believed in herself, even when she had to dance in her panties." Uhm, clearly the pic spoke to me and had a story to tell! Really, I have no defense here but I still love it and stand by it being appropriate to the piece. Plus, it was really late at night when I worked on it. :)

Tomorrow's Friday so I'm really going to run wild, I might stay up until midnight tomorrow!

My brother the Easter Bunny

My favorite pic of my brother was taken at Starbucks on Easter. I think it's next year's card for sure!

Here's another one of he and I at the 6th Floor Museum in downtown Dallas.

The gang at IKEA, I mean, who doesn't love IKEA??? Just look at these thrilled faces!

Yep, still here!

It's been a rough week last week so I haven't even turned the computer on when I've been home. My family was here last weekend and we had an awesome visit! My brother, his wife Sandi and her sister Brooke came down for a Spring Break visit. We loved showing them some of our favorite Dallas places including Chuy's, Half-Price on NW Hwy and introducing my brother to the tastiness that is gelato! I hope everyone had as good a time as I did.

The pics are my brother and I working on a mirror I made for them to hang over their mantle. The mirror is one I picked up at IKEA for $8.00 and then we made polymer clay tiles for it. Everyone got involved by conditioning the clay and then Scot and Sandi actually made some of the tiles. This is it in situ. :) I've got more pics for the art lovers showing it up close. I think it looks great over their fireplace and envy the Buddha statues! I love these projects since they can be really personalized and meaningful.

I had to go back to the ENT last week, adding to the suckiness, for the follow-up to my last visit which involved another MRI, with contrast this time, then I had to get my blood drawn for my regular physical - all on Friday! Needless to say, I was wiped out had have spent the weekend catching up on rest. I highly recommend The Girls Next Door for dozing. I love the show but find it strangely relaxing and calming. My husband does not share this opinion but since it's my blog I get to be in charge! Seriously, that contrast stuff - no matter what they say - can take a toll on you. Not to turn this into a medical post or anything, just an update on progress. At least I got to go to the fancy new diagnostic center which had groovy music and pretty comfy pillow for the head and knees. Just in case your in need of such things - I'm sincerely hoping everyone does not.

This week, I promise fun art projects and silly photos!

Update: Oh yeah, last night we saw "21" and I highly recommend it for all Vegas fans, or just about anyone else!

Wiiiii!

We have been super busy getting ready to get ready for starting to pack up. In the mean time, we've had to get ready for my brother's visit. He should be here in a couple hours. This included getting this cabinet out of the garage and into the studio. It's the one we picked up when we went antiquing a couple of weeks ago. I've really discovered that you can't be scared of the fancy antique stores. This store is in the design district in Dallas and they have some very pricey pieces but we picked this one up for $300 (down from $1300) when the guy was clearing out his booth. It's got 25 printers trays in it and a we found a bunch of stamps inside the trays (future earrings and charms, I think) so it was a most excellent find! My husband gets all the credit for flagging the guy down and making the deal. :)

Also fortuitous, when out shopping today we stopped by the local Super Target to pick up a few things for said upcoming visit. Remarkably, they had a bunch of Wii systems - also an eagle eye spot from husband. We are now the proud owners of a Wii! I've been coveting them for a while and now I'll be able to get in on the brainwashing!

Oh yeah, I've also made some art but I'll save it while I go bask in the glories of a relatively clean studio and video games.

Happy Easter weekend guys!

I got his digits

This is a collage I made this weekend. I'm taking advantage of all the Michael's coupons to stock up on the nice Golden paints. The new collage was first painted using "Permanent Dark Violet" which is a Golden Acrylic. I mixed it with the slightest bit of glazing liquid and painted the background. I'm not sure it's my new favorite, but it's close. All the background, including paper, got a coat of the iron oxide I have previously raved about (all of it's still true!).

I used a trick I learned in Anahata's class at Art Nest to make his eyes pop. You might also spy a litter glitter on his tie tack.

Goodies I made for Valentine's Exchange

I was finally processing my pics from the good camera and came across this pic of what I made for Linda in our Valentine's Exchange. I was really happy with how everything turned out, and she says she liked it:), so here it is. Plus, this was when the bats were going through a more is more stage.

Art Weekend

Mostly this weekend was spent cleaning and getting ready for my brother's visit. In between dustings however, I found time to do some playing in the studio. I've always loved Lisa Kaus and have a few of her pieces hanging in my studio. I originally saw her work when I some some tinnies in a magazine a long time and have coveted one forever. They are a little tricky to get and kind of pricey for me with the new house. So, I decided to save some cans and take a pass at my own.



While I love it, I've still got Lisa's on my wish list! This also gave me the perfect chance to use some of my new monopoly pieces from Ebay!

Note: Diamond glaze is holding this little guy on without any trouble.

Also, I finally got all my pics up from our Colorado trip.

Rough week, but yay it's almost Friday!

This must have been the longest week. Ever! I feel like this picture, buried up to my neck in the to do list. But, it's almost Friday and that means fun times ahead. I get my favorite chai team in the morning - Saxby's, it's the best. Try it, you'll love it. I'm also going to see a movie in the theater this weekend if we have to go to the 10pm show on Sunday. I think there are a million movies out I want to see. Ok, maybe 5. Or 6, but still a movie will be had. I definitely want to see this. And this. The husband will never agree to this but it looks terrific.

We also have to scrub the house for my brother's visit next weekend. It's is his first visit as a married man so I have to get all the guest rooms in visiting shape. The house could take a while, it's been a long time between deep cleanings. But, I get to have a facial Saturday morning to but me in the perfect cleansing mood! Pores, dusting, mopping - oh my!

Ok, that's about it. I'm either off to bed or to start work for another few hours before heading to bed and getting up at the crack of dawn. I may avoid it all by watching Marie Antoinette! :) Perfect getting in the mood for art movie.

I know this has been one of the most boring posts of late but I've run out of all brain power yet, I wanted to say something to my fellow bloggers out there! Oh yeah, are the new Stampington's worth it? I loved the latest jewelry and digital photo editions but had trouble plunking down the $15 bucks each. New house remember? What do you guys think - yay or nay? Or should I say - eat cake or off with their heads! I feel like I gave you fair warning for that. If you're still upset, I'm sorry, really and I promise better posts soon.

Headaches and Bunnies

Today has been a bad headache day. I did manage to get out for a little shopping for some veggies - juicing really is good for you even if you have to work up to the tastiness part, and we bought some office furniture for the new house. A little early but we've had our eye on it for a long time and it looked like it was at a sell out risk so we snatched it up. By the tiime we got back, I was in full on droziness and had to lounge on the couch. Luckily, I was saved from Sunday tv blandness by my sweetheart husband who pick up this for me. Yes, yes I know but we all have our guilty pleasures and there's a lot of pink and sparklies.

Speaking of pink and sparkly, this is Jennifer, another of my Art Nest buddies. She's gorgeous and has terrific style. This is evidenced by the lovely pin attached to her overalls that looked perfectly natural. She's who I want to be when I grow up and can wear heels!

Art Nest Photos

I finally got my Art Nest photos up. You'd think, given my day to day use of technology, that I would have all of this down pat by now but it takes me forever. I think I won't photoshop all the photos but then I start going through them and decide I should resize them and while I'm there just a touch up or two and then 3 hours have passed! OY! I need much better time management skills, or improved Photoshop ones, I'm not deciding which just yet. Anyway, this photo is of Elise (one of my new favorite people on the planet!) and she's awesome. She lives in San Diego so this was not a typical walk for her. Although with our new weird weather with snow, in March, in Texas, I'm hoping this might be a preview of MY future walks!



Today's the North Texas art group meet up and Half-Price books so it's another excellent 2 for 1 kind of day! I love seeing our latest book projects in our Round Robin. I had such great idea's for Mary Lynn's book but I ran out of time before I could implement any but the first one. It's always great inspiration for future projects so I'm not wasting the good ideas!

Ok, that's enough computer time, I'm heading out into the real world - as soon as I shower, blow dry the hair, find food, pack everything up then that's it, the day's wide open and I'm heading out! I swear I am, you'll see!

Whew, that was a long break!

I'm still trying to get caught up from having all the Art Nest fun! Note to self: upload pics on Fickr before Kecia makes the mean face at me! The exciting news I have to share is partly to blame for the chaos in our daily life and that news is that we're building a new house! They're starting the build in April and it should be done in August. I can't wait to have more room to spread out and while I have a studio space now, I sometimes have to share with guests but not anymore! It's all mine, mine I tell you with sparkling chandeliers and more china doll heads than you really want to contemplate (I feel like it's a whole new world out there since Kecia mentioned frozen Charlotte dolls -seriously, how did I not know? What else do you guys know that I don't, well besides the obvious walking a straight line, being able to do math, creating those slide things, using all of your camera's features - must stop now before I get depressed!). They are my new obsession and it's creeping my husband out - also vintage Monopoly pieces but he finds those easier to live with. :)

I promise pictures to come of the new lot, house and my super cool new cabinet we got for my studio that was clearly karmic intervention!

I'm beyond thrilled that it's Friday (and it snowed here!) so I can't wait to be out running wild in the streets making snowmen and window shopping for the new house. Well, maybe going to the bookstore for a magazine and a hot chocolate, but still running wild in my heart.

Back from Art Nest ... but I wanna go back!

It's taken me a week to catch up on real life now that I'm back from Art Nest. I can't tell you how much fun it was and how awesome this group of women are. It was one the best experiences I've had being able to play and share with these fellow artists. Julie and Candice are beyond super-woman. They are serious Earth Mothers who know how to incorporate art, friendship, laughter and bring out the best of everyone gathered around them. Not to mention being seriously amazing cooks! I'm grateful I was able to be part of such an extraordinary gathering of women and artists.

This is our group photo that Julie took on our last night. Jayne, a gorgeous artist, wasn't able to be in the picture since she wasn't feeling well but she was definitely with all of us in our thoughts and our hearts.

I promise a longer post tonight with more details and a big surprise!