picture for my brother

my brother had asked me to make a picture of Mom & Dad for him - over a year ago. Well, the last 1 1/2 year was pretty difficult for us all. Dad had been pretty ill and living with my brother for a year. Then i moved him out here to assisted living and hospice. He had a great 3 months there and died in August. This is my 2 brothers and my 1st Christmas with just us. It was really nice. We did not have a Christmas last year. Dad was really bad at that time and we spent a couple weeks at hospital with him. So- this year i really wanted to make this for him. I have photos of the process. Again- this is from what i learned with Lynne Perella in the "type face"class i took with her. I started with a larger canvas this time - since the picture is 2 people and not just 1. Painted the canvas, added the napkins, then stencils, lots of layers. I gessoed the letters painted them then used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to stencil them. That is the way to go- man what a difference from paint- it is so clear and the stencils came out great. I glued on the letters and voila! I liked it and so did he. I am go glad i was able to do this for him. the letters are their initials - Donna and Rick.

elves

i did not do much this year for Christmas decorations- i have my little ceramic tree out and i put out the Annalee elves - i bought the Santa this year - (yet another great deal at Tuesday Morning!) HA!

collage canvas

I made this canvas for a friend at work, who just retired. She loved Mary Englebreit an was always doing special little things for everyone. The quote was in my family home restroom for as long as i can remember. Mom got it at a craft show, so I used this in the collage. I have 3 photos- 1st one with paint & napkins (yes the collage is napkins), then with the sun - that was the feature part- then the final piece with all the stencils and paint pen, and stamping. I think it was an 8x10 canvas - it was small. I had a great time making it and have to say it was hard to give up. BUT - it is now my screensaver on my home computer- so i get to see it whenever i fire this baby up! Best place for fun napkins is Tuesday Morning- they are closing a handful of them here-sad - but they really have a nice lovely selection and very low priced.

New glue book

My friend told me about a YouTube channel for Crafty Hodges - she is so fun and has the greatest tutorial videos. You can tell she is Teesha Moore inspired- but in a lighter feel. I made this book from an old Quilting Arts Magazine. Check her out on youtube - you will not be disappointed - she is fun. I used Jane Davenport paper for the cover and Danielle Donaldson stamps on the covers and duck tape- the dog page is my favorite so far. as well. Then the inside is magazine images, scrapbook papers, collage, quotes and washi tape - really fun.

Explosion Box fun

The Bad Girlz finally were able to make our explosion boxes a couple months ago. I started this vintage one with them. This project has been on our plans for 2 years and with life as it happens - has been postponed a couple times. I had been dying to make this. Over the course of time my idea/theme of the book had changed over and over. Originally i was going to do my family with immediate family, grandparents and great grandparents. Then i thought of a teesha moore style art box, then it was jane davenport art, then back to vintage - just not my family. So this is what i ended up with. I still have to glue items in the center of the box. I will be using antique lace, buttons and stuff like that. It was SO fun to make. I loved every part of the process. I used my vintage photo copies and scrapbook papers, vintage papers, stamps, washi tape and ink. Then i had to make another one- jane davenport. Since i bought nearly all her new products i wanted to use them in the box- i used her rub on transfers, decoupage papers, stamps, and pieces from the packaging of her products. It was so fun and colorful. I just used a stamp in the center.

Alterd Blocks with the Bad Girlz

I gave each of the bad girlz a bag of 3 vintage blocks for christmas - i saw this article in a stampington and thought we should make it. So earlier this year we all did - these are my blocks - they are from an antique store- just glued different papers on them and painted the letter on the blocks - it sure was alot of fun. The others had different themes - mine is just a collection of stuff i like - Teesha Moore art, vintage & scrapbook papers. i just used my little scrap pieces from other projects.

little folder journal

I made this from a file folder - there was an article in the Art Journaling magazine. Here is one way i used the vintage photos. I copy them, cut out and have fun.

My Vintage photo collection..before...

Here is my collection ,prior to the bad girlz day out. I have some vintage sewing machine drawers so this is how I display them at home, on my desk. The may in there is my absolute favorite picture. I don't know what it is about him - he looks right at you - and looks so kind. I call him Norman.. ha!

Vintage photo haul

The bad girlz went antiquing and shopping a few weeks ago and i scored this great collection of vintage photos. I get lost in the idea of who they were, what they did, where their decedents are now... There is nothing like them. Most are on heavy cards so they also feel good in your hand. I did find some handsome men. I am drawn to the ladies because of their hair, clothes, etc - and some of the men look a little mean - so i liked these small photos with the dapper guys...

going to paper

I have changed direction and started more art journaling, painting, mixed media, collage. I do still love a needle pulling thread. There is nothing like that feeling and action to calm one. I do enjoy that still - but have dived into the paper world and loving it. I have also been on a mission to pick up the amazing vintage photos I find at antique malls, flea markets etc and have acquired quite a collection. I use the in these art journal pages. I love the vintage with the current colors and art.

Oh WOW - it worked!

How cool! OK here goes - the photos on the prior post are my dollie i made in Feb this year. My friend and I went away for a few days - packed the card FULL of art supplies, and doll supplies and created for a few days - it was great. This doll pattern was in the last Art Doll Quarterly. Christine Shiveley-Benjamin is my FAVORITE cloth doll maker. I have taken a few of her classes and i am still in awe to see how she creates. This little doll is only 6 1/2" tall. The head is so tiny but was pretty cool when i finished. I have attached both my friend's and my dollies here- front and back. One of the photos in the prior post shows what I brought for us to use - fabrics, trims, hair, etc. I did use an antique hankie for her bustle in the back and antique buttons on her back and her waist. The hair is lamb purchased years ago from AFIC. The main fabric is upholstery fabric and the laces are vintage as well.

let's see if this will work

I want to try to upload a photo and see how this goes.....