A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk

good news and bad news

Bad news (don't you like to get it out of the way first?): Yesterday morning a man with an ax broke into the house of a friend of mine here in town. He told her that he didn't want to hurt her but was looking for something and proceeded to bust up the walls of her house with the ax. She recently had her first baby, a little girl, and normally it would have only been the two of them at home, but yesterday she had a friend in town who was in the back bedroom while all of this was going on. The house-guest was able to call 911 and the police came, found the man, and arrested him. The police later told my friend that they had found a map to her home on the man and was told that the previous owner had hidden a lot of money in the walls of the house. Is that not the freakiest thing you've ever heard?? I felt like someone punched me in the stomach when John called to tell me. They are safe now, but who is to say that this won't happen again?? With the rampant drug smuggling down here in the Rio Grande Valley, it is highly possible that there is some money in the house somewhere. But even if there's not, all it takes is another desperate psycho who wants to believe it and the whole thing could happen again. I just can't imagine going through that. I'm pretty sure that I would completely lose my mind. Unless God gave me some kind of supernatural peace and strength, you'd have to lock both of us up after that. It is always scary because no one ever thinks that kind of thing will happen to them. I do know that the crime here is worse and much more horrific than anything I ever saw living 10 years in Austin. There is a kind of desperation and lack of restraint here that is frightening. But, you live in a nice neighborhood and don't associate with criminals and these kinds of things aren't supposed to happen, right?

Thank God that my friend and her baby were not harmed. Can you imagine what he might have done to her after finding nothing? And how do you go back to that house and pick up where you left off? These are questions we ought not to have to ask.

Good news: On a lighter (and more superficial) note, I found a great craft book for kids that I want to share. Crafting With Kids: Creative Fun for Children Aged 3-10

I usually don't buy books like this because the projects are often childish and outdated. But I love this book! Cool projects (not just keep them busy projects), nice layout, beautiful pictures. Most of the projects are crafts kids have always done, but they're presented in a fresh new way. It is worth buying the book because every project in here you are going to want to try.

The projects are arranged by materials: paint, fabric, paper, modeling, with a chapter on special occasion crafts. Projects like fabric collage, covering books, hanging mobiles, dress up, decoupage, and stenciling. There are lots of great gift ideas and decorating ideas, too. The thing I like the most about it is that kids are introduced to many different art forms and create projects that they can really be proud of and that you will actually want to keep. I don't think there is a googlie eye in the bunch.

There is a good mix of boy and girl projects, templates for the crafts and ideas for variations on every activity. Highly recommended.

I'm finishing up my tote and accessories including some patchwork that I've really missed doing. There is just something about sorting and arranging all of those wonderful colors & patterns that I never get tired of.

convocat bobcat conch

Oh, you've got to hear this! Some spam made it into my inbox, title above, and I had to open it just to see what the heck it was. Ha--I was right! There is a random word generator that spammers use to come up with their titles and their messages. This was inside:

abalone accuse, bet autopsy centigrade, bloom asunder. above constellate bright codon

bilingual burr countdown. actual clothesline contributory cavalry delft crusty brownie agnew

cognate buff bellwether circuitous. buff acre connivance accident agitate antipode ballad

Just look at that! Enough linguistic fodder to keep me in post titles for a year! And this looks like only a part of the A through C list. Just think what nonsense there must be in the rest of the alphabet! I absolutely love it. Mary Ann came across a particularly interesting spam title recently: "womanly pit viper".  Isn't that great?! I mean, who did they think they were going to attract with that one?

Ohh...I know: nerdnerdnerd. So not everyone thinks words are as fascinating as I do. I'll shut up now.

Some day I may go back and journal on this page but right now I'm happy with it as it is.

I've been busy, busy, busy! I'm too tired to show you now, but I'll be back with papers, mailart, and a tote bag. But first. Speaking of alphabets, language and the 3 R's, a song you will hear (loud) bouncing of the walls in our house lately, over and over and over:

Now dig the pattern once more...3, 6, 9...12, 15, 18....

dogbane archaism aldermen

Last week my husband had a conversation with a medical student who was in town with a Summer medical missions group working in Matamoros. These students are from all over the country with maybe half of them from Philadelphia and we look forward to getting together with people from outside the Valley, you know, from the real world. Since we have lived here, we have made an unusual number of friends who are doctors or who are going through their residency in the Valley. It is probably because we feel like such outsiders ourselves that we gravitate toward people who are like us--not from the Valley or from more urban areas. Anyway, we always find we have alot in common with these students even though most of them we have never met or only see once a year. So, John was talking to one of these students about what we do, what she does, what she will do after school, etc. and she was telling us about her belief that being a doctor is her calling in life. When John told her I stayed home with the kids, her comment was (predictably), "I could never stay home all day and do nothing." My sweet husband followed up with, "You could if it was your calling."

Now, all stay-at-home moms hear things like this all the time, but this time I realized something I hadn't before. It is not that this educated young woman actually thinks that stay-at-home moms don't do anything all day, it is that she equates the value of being a stay-at-home mom to be the same as doing nothing. Nothing valuable, anyway.

Well, today this stay-at-home mom had a pretty productive day. Besides a little laundry, I actually ironed 4 of my honey's shirts--I hate ironing unless it is freshly washed fabric yardage--worked on some mailart and cooked dinner. Best of all, I drew up the pattern for the tote bag swap I am in and started cutting the fabric. I'm pretty sure my partner doesn't read my blog, but just in case I can only give you a peek of the work in progress.

The shell rings may or may not be added to the final bag, hopefully I can work everything in. My partner is a bit of a romantic. She describes her taste as "time worn elegance".  I think I nailed it, but there is still a lot of work to be done. I am head over heels in love with the fabric, trim and notions for the bag, so I'm super excited about getting started. Tomorrow's work will be to finish cutting the fabrics for the bag and accessories, to fuse the interfacing, and start working on the little details. I love my life. I can't imagine there being anything I'd rather do.

what a good day looks like

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't bear being in a crowd of people so John and the kids went to church without me. I prayed and painted and felt remarkably better after a few hours of quiet.

 

The lighting is terrible in these scans. I worked and reworked them in Photoshop but they still look too bright to me. I think our monitor is whacked, too, so who knows what these will look like on your end.  Especially on the middle one, the white is just white. It is not glowing off the page. The third one looks more like the original.

I've never finished this many pages at one time before. I have another that I still want to tweak a bit so almost 4 pages in maybe 2 hours. That is so against my obsessive nature, but I felt more free than I have in a long time. Whatever it is, I'm not going to analyze it. I'm just going to go with it.

craps gain, part two

Thank you, my sweet friends--and I do consider you friends. I certainly wasn't fishing for complements with my earlier post, but it is always nice to be encouraged by others who understand. When I started this little blog experiment, I knew it had to be real or what is the point doing it in the first place? And--as we all know too well--self doubt just comes with the territory. Anytime you push a vulnerable piece of yourself out into the world, it is likely to come back bruised. So, I move on. And we move on.

Kira reminded me of Keri Smith's Artist Survival Kit that helps you face your art demons with a sense of humor. Anahata Katkin also has some great thoughts on her website about the value and necessity of resistance in the whole creative process that you can read here. Sometimes just knowing that you are not the only one who has ever felt this way helps to put things into perspective.

I'm off to bed early tonight, which means before midnight. Tomorrow it is supposed  to rain so the forecast is good for a more productive day.

craps gain

The voices in my head have been particularly cruel lately. Beyond a few half-hearted attempts, I haven't worked in an art journal in almost 2 weeks. Usually, I'll start by browsing through the pages, adding a little here or changing a little there until I settle on one page I'll work on for a bit, though I almost never finish a page at one sitting. Now, when I open them up, I see crap. That's crap, yep more  crap, that one is really crap...and on and on until I feel sick and want to throw the book out the window. Some of the things the voices say:

• Look how inconsistent everything looks. If you were a real artist, you'd have some kind of recognizable style. All you have is crap upon crap.
• You've never had an original idea in your life. You couldn't come up with an original design or technique if your life depended on it.
• There is only one page in this entire book that is even halfway decent, and it's barely that. Yeah, you might be able to produce one "good" work out of 100 but someone with real talent....
• You think that one is good?? Yeah, because your just copying something you've seen someone else do. (This voice started as a teenager and still hasn't gone away entirely.)
• There is nothing unique to you in this entire book except the inconsistency. Real artists have something to say. You're just wasting your time.
• Yeah, a few people have thought your work is good, but that's because you only show them the "good" stuff. If they saw what you really do....

Well. Putting that all out in the world just gave me a big fat tummy ache. I have a doctor's appt. in a little while so I'll come back later.

hobbyists hobbyist

It's either feast or famine here, folks. (Did you catch my use of alliteration? See, that five and a half years for an English degree was useful after all.) Today it is feast. A feast for your eyes. The new fabrics came in and they are...<sigh>...well, just look for yourself.

Aren't these cheerful? Don't they make you want to sing?? (And doesn't that one on the left look just a little like little red afros?)

These are all from Moda's Uptown collection which, I believe is still fairly new. I found them all at a significant discount at Hancock's of Paducah, my favorite spot for great fabrics at great prices. And they have everything. Request one of their catalogs and you'll see. Great weekend reading material for fabric lovers.

I have a few other fabrics I'll be using to make a special tote bag for a special someone. Those I will be keeping under wraps for just a little bit longer. Oh, but I still have more goodies to share!

These are from a decorated paper swap at art-e-zine, each one made by different artist. Gillian generously posted the papers from everyone involved with details on the techniques they used. So, if you always wanted to learn more about making your own painted/dyed/stamped/embellished papers, head on over here. You'll definitely want to poke around a bit. And make sure to check out the other swaps and exchanges here.

I don't actually have any work of my own to share today, but I do have some of my darling 4 yr. old daughter's latest creations, if you'll humor me. I'm constantly blown away by the stuff the kids come up with all on their own. It is so interesting to hear the story for each thing. Mostly, Maisey makes gifts for her friends.

Don't they look like little packages? (I know, more alliteration. This post is pure poetry--oops, there I go again. I just can't help myself.) This was a 3 day project. One day to fold just right and glue, a second day to paint the tops, and a third day to paint the bottoms. And here is a book she made this week. It folds into thirds and has another little book on each fold.

I have to be really careful not to ask my kids what it is that they've made when they show it off to me. They usually want to identify every flower, sun, person, etc. in a picture and that's great, but I also want them to be free to make something that doesn't look like anything "real" and without any particular use at all. I want them to realize that all art is not utilitarian or representative of something else. Sometimes it is just pretty colors, designs, folds for its own sake. Lately, when we make stuff together, Maisey has said, "I want to be an artist like you someday" or "I wish I could paint like that" but I try to help her see that she already is an artist! I truly believe that creativity is a natural part of who we were all created to be, but its also a part that we devalue as we get older and busier. I constantly remind her, because she often gets frustrated that she can't draw things like she thinks they should be, that all artists sometimes (even most of the time?) make things that they aren't happy with. Every drawing won't be a favorite, but that's okay because they are all valuable as a part of the creative process and develop your skills. A lesson a could certainly take to heart more often.

If you've read this far, bless you! I truly appreciate and value every single page hit and comment. You all make my day. And I'd like to get to know some of you better, so delurk already! Mmmmwaaaahh!

quickies are good, too

I just want to check in quickly even though I've got to get off this computer and get to work! I've heard from several ladies who have made self-portrait stencils and wanted to share so you can get inspired, too. So check it out:

• Dawn's journal page using her gorgeous-self stencil here.
• Zorana's mystical and intricate collage here.
• And just in case there is anyone left in blogland who hasn't seen them, check out Patty and Mary Ann's journaling using portrait stencils. Does that make you want to go out and buy a case of spray paint or what?

As long as we're sharing, two posts by amazing artists that are sure to inspire:

• Bari J's scraplique's, as she calls them, here and here.
• Ro Bruhn's altered books here.

Both of these ladies can do beautiful magic with color & pattern. And, I can't do it. I can't leave you without a picture...blogging is a kind of visual communication after all. So, here it is. My husband got it into his head to build a chicken coop in the back yard. Yes. I happened to mention, at the suggestion of our nature book, that observing a little baby chick might be interesting for Soren as we study birds. That conversation then turned into this:

The coop has actually been finished and painted now so I'll have to share that another time--you're going to love it.  And just in case you were wondering, no, we do not live on a large piece of land and rolling hills. We live in a very nice, very old, and very quiet neighborhood. With neighbors, senior citizens, fairly close by. I do think having eggs will be cool, but I've been wondering--do chicken coops stink??

Oops, gotta go! My fabric finally came in. Off to oooh and aaahh.

articulate complicity

It has been a good day. It has been a good week. I finished a skirt for Maisey and it happens to go with her new t-shirt. She is such a girly girl and would wear a dress every day if she had enough of them. I have to admit that girl clothes are way more fun to buy and make than boy clothes, although when we just had Soren, I would have disagreed passionately. And it broke my heart on Saturday when my my sweet son pulled me aside and asked why Maisey got 3 new things (clothes) when he only got one. I tried to explain that the pattern on the skirt was just so cute and I couldn't leave it there and never see it again, so I had to get it, not really for Maisey, but more for me. He looked skeptical but he knows me and I think he realizes already that it's true. Bad Mommy.

We did do a little shopping at the local outlet mall this weekend. I'm not really a shopper unless it is for art supplies or books, but I can get lost in Gymboree or Carters like I have a lot of money in the bank to spend. We only stopped there to eat on the way to the flea market, but since I've never been there we had to browse a little. The cherry  patterns in the window and red mary janes with the cherry snap called to me, you know.

We did finally make it to the flea market though. If you remember, I've told you how the term "flea market" in the most literal sense here in borderland differs than say a New England flea market. If you forgot, you can get a refresher here.  I didn't bring my camera or else I would have taken a picture of the sign out front: "Marijuana bags $3.50, 5 flavors." I guess living here is good for a laugh. Although we have actually seen signs advertising sacramental peyote in Rio Grande City. So, do you have to have some kind of permission slip to buy?

Another reason this week was great: mailart!!! From the talented and thoughtful Randi who recently had an art party making altered Barbie dolls. Next time can I be invited??

And from Nancy, open at your own risk...

Nancy also sent along some beautiful papers as if she could see into my soul exactly what I would love. I feel a little dizzy and confused as if I were living someone else's life and it is all going to end suddenly when everyone realizes that I don't belong here. I can't believe I have had the privilege to know such talented ladies. It is very humbling. And very exciting.

I finished up and sent off a new article today. I'm still waiting for new fabrics to show up. Hopefully, I'll have some sewing to show tomorrow.

end of the week review, aka I'm too tired to proofread

~ A bit of journaling

~ A few papers made for a art-e-zine swap

~Mailart on its way upstate--but just a peek

~ Some sewing, but I've been having a hard time sitting still in one place for it. And waiting (somewhat) patiently for my stack of new fabrics to arrive.

~ Due to a series of unfortunate incidents, we have overnight become a one car family. The main problem is that John works out of town and, for the next few weeks at least, will have to be at work at 5 a.m. Which means the kids and I will be without a car for most days. That's not that big of a deal now, but in September Maisey will start preschool 3 days a week, and getting up early to drive back and forth would be such a bummer. I would say forget it and let her homeschool with Soren, but the preschool is such a wonderful school, I feel so blessed to have found it, and I'd really hate for her to have to miss out on the experience. Besides, she will probably be reading by the end of the year and that will make kindergarten so much less stressful for me when the time comes. So, due to this slight change in circumstances, I will probably be updating my Etsy shop as soon as I can. John very lovingly reminds me of how much money he can make working an extra day at the hospital vs. what I could make if I worked my heart out for a month. Sort of depressing, but it would sure feel nice to be able to contribute to more than just the spending of the money.

So, I've been thinking of, among other things, putting  together a few paper packs of my painted/stamped papers and/or fabric, but I could use some feedback. If you were looking for handmade papers or fabrics to use in your own work or scrapbooks or whatever, what would you be hoping to find? A range of designs, colors, even sizes? Just the handmade papers or other papers & ephemera in the bundle too? A small sampler at a less expensive price or a nice sized paper pack with plenty of pieces but costs a little more? Would you expect to choose your own color scheme or at least have a few choices? Would you rather have the papers double-sided so you get twice the number of designs or would you rather have them one-sided and get more individual sheets? Would you rather have richly layered thus more costly designs or slightly more simple designs that are less expensive? Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Have a great weekend and, as my Grandmother used to say, do something exciting and pretend like I'm there.