A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk

i *heart* swaps

Yikes! That photo looks horrible! Hopefully, my photographs will be looking slightly better now that I'm back to a real monitor and Photoshop access. Just look at that white glow...I really need to read that camera manual.

 

So, happy Valentine's Day! I am thrilled to be a part of Lelainia's Valentine's Day swap this year. Her idea was to send a box of goodies that we loved to our partners to let them get to know us better. Such fun! These are the goodies I sent to Dawn. Papers, fabric, trims, buttons, handmade books--I get all giddy just looking at them! Unfortunately, the Canadian post being what it is and the Valley post being what it is, my box from Dawn hasn't yet arrived. But maybe today will be the day. You can take a look at all of the wrapped gifts and watch the unveiling at the Be My Valentine blog here.

There is still not much to see around here unless you like pictures of discarded empty suitcases, still yet unpacked suitcases, bags of trash, garage sale piles, and clutter covering every available surface. Sigh. I'm trying to clean, organize and cull as I unpack and, let me tell you, it is hard work. I will conquer the crap, though! And get rid of it. It is about living simply from here on out. Oh, how I pray I can actually accomplish this down-sizing and that it doesn't kill me first. Buried in an avalanche of paper and McDonalds toys is not the way I want to go.

the gift of giving & a giveaway

It is already time to start thinking about the 12 Days of Christmas! Last year's swap was so amazing and, really, one of the most fun art collaborations I've ever been a part of. Think twelve artist friends (we have 2 groups of 12) sending beautifully wrapped packages all over the world to be opened on each of the 12 days of Christmas. (Except, our little group has taken artistic license to celebrate the 12 days before Christmas instead of the 12 days after Christmas which is traditional. I mean, we already have to wait almost a month before opening our beautiful baskets of goodies--how much can a girl take??) Inside the already artfully wrapped packages are handmade gifts, one made by each of the artists in the group. Just thinking about it now makes me all giddy!! Many of the girls chose to make things we could use everyday of the year like pouches, art journals, wallets, jewelry. I still use many of my gifts from last year every day. It really makes you feel the childlike thrill of Christmas morning all over again.

I'm still pondering what exactly I'm going to make this year. Last year it was the first of my patchwork pouches. We were asked to make a list of things What We're Into so that our gifts could be personalized, and for some reason making this list was extremely taxing on me. Besides the fact that I take most things way too seriously, I really wanted to think about it and not just answer off the cuff. I find I have one idea of myself that creeps out that has little to do with the real me. It is the me I want other people to see and/or think they will approve of. So, here's my final list, about 3 times longer than anyone else's list and probably a lot less helpful:

Vintage fabrics & buttons; handmade everything; melancholy music; santa red, cadmium yellow, cayman blue & boysenberry pink; thrift shopping; simplicity; my kids; antique gold filigree; raw edge patchwork; juxtaposition; pushing the limits; mark making; authenticity; hope; religious imagery; working with my hands; the new domesticity; basil & rosemary; date night; found objects; Japanese street fashion; vintage aprons; big clunky shoes; tattered elegance; thinking, reading, learning; every day art; visual journaling; Pembroke Welsh Corgis; paper lanterns; vintage children’s books; my children’s drawings; list making; my husband’s tattoos; traditional Mexican culture and iconography; feathers…

You probably noticed that obsessions, irrational fear, and isolation are conspicuously absent from the list, ahem. Soooo, what I'd like to know now is: what are you into? Obviously you won't have as much time to overanalyze it like I did, but that just makes it better. Leave me a comment on this post letting me know what kinds of things you are into (or are into you) and I'll enter your name into a drawing for a giveaway! Your choice: a pack of my handpainted papers or goodie bag of vintage fabrics. (These are not the actual contents, but to inspire you. Don't worry. Ask anyone who knows, I give great gifties!)

I'll chose one name at random at the end of the day on Wednesday, Sept. 26 and I'll post the winner on Thursday the 27. So paint me a picture of who you really are and have a great weekend!

no one here but us chickens

Well, we now have chickens: Sarah, Beyond, and Chi-Chi. (Obviously, the kids named the chicks and we're reading Doctor Doolittle so Chi-Chi is also variously known as Gub-Gub.) I tried to get some pictures of the girls but they all turned out like crap. It is really hard to get a chicken to stand still for a picture.

I've been waiting for a few minutes to write a post all day, but now that it is here, I am suddenly mind numbingly exhausted. So you get the chickens. And just so you might give me one more chance and come back again another day, some mailart for Randi and two sweet stories to make you laugh. That's about all I can come up with tonight.

About a year or so ago, Soren (around 4 at the time) and I were looking through some family pictures when he asked why his little sister was not in a photo. I explained to him that, actually, she was, but at the time she had not been born yet and was still in my tummy. The answer seemed to satisfy him so he took the picture over to Maisey to tell her what I had said. Maisey was apparently unconcerned but Soren stopped short and soberly walked back over to me to say, "Mommy, did you eat Maisey?"

Just a few weeks ago, a friend told me that during the children's Sunday School, she had been asking the kids to name the 10 commandments. The kids immediately chimed in with the easy ones "Thou shall not lie" and "Thou shall not murder" when MY son raised his hand to say proudly, "Thou shall not perish!" Oh, how I love that kid.

auspices first

Finally, I can show you what I've been working on for the past two weeks as it has made its way into the hands of my sweet swap partner. For the treasured totes swap, we were asked to make a tote/purse for our partner plus goodies to put inside. Of course, I included a big patchwork pouch and also experimented with a new cell phone case design. I love the design, but I still need to work on the size or maybe a closure for the case. I think it is awfully cute though, especially with the tortoise shell button. Can you see it in the picture? This was the most fun swap I've been a part of in a long time. Such a blast focusing on just one thing and making it really special. One more picture with all the goodies inside.

 

I think the swap was a little bit of a stretch for both me and my partner because our styles are very different. We really had to try things that we probably wouldn't ordinarily have picked for ourselves. A great exercise in gift giving, actually, really thinking about who the gift is for and customizing it especially for their tastes, while still leaving a bit of yourself in the mix. Kathy's bag to me is amazing! I cannot tell you how much I love it. I'll try to get some pictures of it today to share. I believe that all of the bags will be featured on art-e-zine at some point. I'll let you know when I hear more. What I've seen so far from the other ladies is incredible.

Well, I'm feeling particularly domestic today and will be spending my creative time mending and sewing. More on this tomorrow.

polite avocado pit

Today, I am elated. And tired. I finished up my tote which is on its happy way to my swap partner. I'm dying to show you but, alas, we must wait a few more days as there is someone important who needs to see it first. Oh, but it feels good to have that project done and only a few days past the deadline, I might add. This was definitely one of the most fun swaps I've ever been a part of. Thanks, Lelainia, for inviting me to play!

And to celebrate, I cleaned my studio yesterday. I love that feeling. It made me smile big this morning when I walked past to get my only-one-of-the-day Dr. Pepper. For a few weeks I have been sewing on top of painting and painting on top of sewing and it wasn't pretty. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to make a cover for my sewing machine because it already has too many paint splotches. But when I am painting, I just can't be concerned about that. Or the floor, or my clothes for that matter. Some new painted papers:

And take a look at this. First, the original, which by the way is two layers into my painting process but I have been stopping at this stage on a few of them because I like the subtlety of color.

Now take a look at it Photoshop'd (I used Image/Adjustment/Auto Levels instead of Image/Adjustment/Levels and manipulating the levels myself.)

Now it is something completely new and wonderful. Really, if you don't have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, get it. If you have it and are scared to use it, just go play! That is the only way I've learned anything. But just don't ask me why something works, I just know that if you do A, you'll get C.

No nap for me today, I'm ready to get my studio messy again.

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!

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.

precaution tawny

The latest issue of Belle Armoire is out and I have an article in it. But first, is the dress on the cover (obviously not mine) to die for or what?? And there are more inside.

Also in this issue is Deryn's article about our charm swap last year. You can see the charms themselves and what a few of the ladies did with them. I still cannot believe I was a part of that amazingly talented group of women. It was such a fun swap and my charm bracelet/necklace is one of my most treasured things. I talked a little bit about it here and here.

I was tagged by SK to name 8 random things about myself. It took me a while to think of them all. You'd think I would know myself better.

1. I never answer the phone or listen to the answering machine, if I can help it, and rarely return phone calls. Friends and family usually get in touch with me through my husband who practically sleeps with his Blackberry.
2. Evidently my laugh is so loud that I am often told friends can recognized me from across large, loud and crowded rooms. 
3. I swear, I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after having my first child. I couldn't even think about it and I thought I would never recover mentally from the existence shattering pain I felt. Second birth was easy in comparison.
4. At night, I brush my teeth with my eyes closed.
5. My mother got pregnant with me while she and my father were in the middle of a divorce after 11 years of trying to have a baby. I'm an only child.
6. The year I turned 30 was also the same year I had my second child and got a minivan. The worst part was admitting that I loved the minivan.
7. I get panicky if I have more than 2 things in a week that I have to do that involve anyone else or getting out of the house. I'm not agoraphobic or anything, I just like having control of my days and having them open.
8. I get obsessed with music and have to listen to the same thing for days, weeks or even months. In my mind, there is a soundtrack to every period of my life. Lately, I've been obsessed with Blind Melon.

Okay, there you go. And if you no longer want to continue associating with a crazy person such as myself, I can only empathize with you. I, unfortunately, am stuck here.

but let us say this: it rocked

Today, I thanked the Lord for mailart. And you will too when you see this.

 

It came in yesterday from Patty and made my day. It was so perfectly wrapped in a clear plastic wrapper that I knew I was going to destroy something by opening it. But I didn't and now I'm thinking I need to build a shelf in my studio to display all of my gorgeous mailart. Tucking them in here and there just doesn't seem to do them justice.

Thanks so much for the kind words about my tutorial. It was my first one for the blog, and I have this habit of giving way too much information when I am explaining anything. (Never would have guessed, huh?) At least once a week I see the eyes of my six year old glazing over as I take off on another tangent like the really cool symbolism woven throughout the Bible when all he wanted to know was whether Moses or Spiderman were real. Here, at least I can edit myself.

Speaking of mailart, mine finally made it all the way to the left coast into the spray paint stained hands of Mary Ann.

You can see more pictures on her fantastic blog over here. Did I mention that mailart is my new favorite thing??

I'll leave you with some new journal pages as my caffeine buzz wears off and the words begin to blur on the screen. I must go to wrestle the laptop out of my honey's hands so I can play my obligatory 3 games of spider solitaire in bed before the lights in my head go out for good. Oh, the beautiful and lifelike flower on the second page was a gift from my sweet Soren. One of his many talents.