Junk Mail

I have been getting A LOT of junk mail in my comments lately. I am trying to delete them as soon as I see them but PLEASE do not click on any link in a comment. People have been adding these links and they have viruses attached to them. If you need to link to anything from my blog I will put the link in my post. Keep your computer safe so you can come back to my blog often. :)

Projects

Do you remember when all it took to make you happy was a used Starbucks straw? I had a fun time adventuring with Buffy and Baby Kakes today. How could I ever get enough of them?

This weekend I finished my bird themed round robin book.


I also created a book using a cake box for the cover. The pages inside are made from double sided cardstock and in varing sizes. I am thinking about using this project for my recycled zine project.

B & W Chunky Pages

It was off to Hair Candy this morning for the fabulous Lori Lash to work her hair miracles. This self-inflicted picture of my "do" just doesn't do it justice but trust that it is wonderful as usual.



I did finish up my black and white chunky book pages late last night. I had to make two sets of 14 to be included in the same book for this swap. As long as the pages were black and white anything went for this swap.

Some People Have Shoes...

I have paper! After making my journal kit I decided to reorganize my stash of paper. I went through both my 12 x 12's and 8 1/2 x 11's taking some pieces out to go to school, moving tiny pieces in to my collage box, and generally rearranging by color. Here is just part of the collection. It's silly how happy this sorting made me. It also confirmed for me that I need to stop shopping for paper! I'm glad I did it after I ordered a collage bag from Kelly and not before!

Art Journal Kit

In my classes with Kelly Kilmer a few weeks ago she recommended making an art journal kit. I was excited to do this but today when my mom emailed me a link to Michelle Ward's site GPP Street Team I knew I had to get on it! The GPP Street Team is a blog that hosts a challenge to participate in each month. This month's challenge # 17 was to create an art journal kit, post it on your blog, and sign in. So, here I am.

First let me acknowledge that I have a problem. I know I don't need every writing instrument ever made nor every single sheet of paper ever printed. I do however find myself living with a lot of them and to be honest that just makes me happy. I do think I'll be thinking very carefully about purchasing any new art supplies in the next few weeks (That's usually as long as this sort of hideous lasts.) and try "living off the fat of the land" so to speak.

I started my kit by dusting off my favorite recycled bag. I haven't used it in a while but I still love it. It is made from semi tire intertubes, a reclaimed reflective band, a seatbelt handle, and my favorite a reclaimed VW emblem.


I loaded the bag with my favorite pens, black and white glaze, Moonlight, and clear glitter Stardust Gelly Rolls by Sakura. A White Out pen. My favorite markers both Sakura Permopaque and Sharpie water based Poster Paint.


Next, I filled a three ring binder with a collection of collaging papers and focal images, must have journaling stamps by Robin Marie, a set of alphabet stamps, an acrylic block, and a Versifine Stamp pad.





I tossed in a pair of scissors, glue stick, and a metal ruler.



Added my journals.


And, to finish off this cool kit I added my Sargent Arts Liquid Metals markers that I just bought this weekend. These markers are yummy and at just $2.99 for 5 they are a steel in comparison to most other metallic markers.


Now, I can't wait to take my journal on the road!

I also made the coolest surprise for Baby Kakes who is almost one already. I will post picture of the fabulous surprise on Cinco de Kakes in Mayo. :)

T is for Woven Transparencies

I added the final touches to the pages for my alphabet swap this morning. I had the letter "T". If you're having trouble seeing the page it's because the page is made of woven transparencies. I did add one line of and old film real that I picked up at somewhere. The letter "T" is even die cut from a decorated transparency.
This layout was much more difficult than I originally thought it would be. I think working on a clear background siked me out for a while but I like the way it turned out. I was able to use lots of different joining techniques with the transparencies.
Using all of the small transparency strips was also tricky because they were slick and would slide all over my desk. The only reason this was difficult is because Bently, the art dog, was standing under my desk trying to catch falling transparencies lite the were tasty little dog treats. Luckily she didn't get her teeth on too many good pieces but she had fun with the garbage.

Love Notes

The best part of Valentine's Day for me is always the love notes. I love giving them as much as I love getting them! I did want to share the love note I made for Jim. I mentioned this cute little fabric board book a few weeks ago but now I can share a few pictures because the cat's out of the bag. (Jim also got the stud muffin card above because it is funny and I could write in it.)

Chunky Books

We had our heART chunky book page exchange on Saturday so naturally I need to share it. This time for binding I put two large rivets into each page and attached the page with a book binding ring. To add a bit more I decorated the book binding ring with ribbons.


I have also bound chunky books by placing two rivets in each page and tying them with a ribbon.


And by creating a spine from overlapping Duct Tape and sewing in tiny signatures to glue the pages to.

Art Unraveled Registration

I finally made some hard decisions about which classes I wanted to register for at this years Art Unraveled. After reading all of the class descriptions probably about 10 times I decide to register for Tiny Portraits with Juana Martinez-Neal on Monday. Landscapes of the Mind with Anne Girgich on Wednesday, Gocco a Gogo with Traci Bunkers and Funky Found Object canvas Village with Leighanna Light on Sunday. I got my registration ready to go today! I am hoping that I will get all of my first choices if I mail my registration on Friday. If you are unfamiliar with Art Unravel you may be surprised to know that tons of people mail in their registration each February for classes that do not happen until August.

I also need to rave about how cool these Stardust Clear Gelly Roll pens are. I love writing secret messages with them and adding little glittery accents. If you don't have them you should walk not run to Frenzy Stamper to get a set! If you don't live in AZ you can go to the Gelly Roll web site. I wrote discover your muse, Art Unraveled's theme this year, on the envelope in several spots and it is so cool! I LOVE these pens!

In Loving Memory

"Uncle Hollywood" Harold Malone 12.13.1957-2.8.2008

6 x 6 Canvas Journal

I finished up this cute 6"x 6" journal last night. Half of the pages are painted and the other half are double sided cardstock. I thought it would be fun to try working with both types of paper a a base.


Ayesha and I also started meeting with 10 of our 5th graders for Art Journal Club yesterday. They are making journals from gutted books alla Kelly. They are so excited! They are willing to give up lunch recess to come make the journal and will be coming after school to collage and journal soon. We are lucky that our school librarian, Maggie, loves us and passes along all discarded book to be turned in to art. We are also lucky that Student Council likes to support fun art programs and was willing to buy us canvas and tons of special pens! Can you tell I'm as excited as the kids?

House Chunky Book

I couldn't stand the thought of not having a picture with my blog so I put the finishing touches on my House Chunky Book Pages. I went with a different style for this page and not only did I have fun, I love the way it turned out. It was a little difficult to photograph with the piece of mica over the photo but I think you will get the idea. The word adore is stamped on the blue flourish underneath the photo. As with all art it is always better in person.

How Did It Get To Be Monday Night Already?

Wow, time flies! I got to catch up with Buffy and Baby Kakes on Friday night. I had fun visiting Kakes and crashing Buffy and Seth's date night. It was lots of fun.
On Saturday I took my mom's Fabric Heart Book class. It was a good group of people in class and my book is so fun. You can see a picture of us working at Frenzy Stamper's blog but I'll have to wait until Valentine's Day to post pictures because I want the book to be a surprise. Shhh! Don't tell Prince Charming!
We watched the Super Bowl at Rob's house with the usual crew plus Ayesha. I had a good time, ate lots of stuff I shouldn't have, and got a chance to lay on Jim for several needed hours. Of course I fell asleep on Jim before the game was over but it wouldn't be a real trip to Rob's if I didn't fall asleep watching some sort of sporting event. HA!