Funky Art Queen

Hey All-I have moved over to Thoughtfully Adorned -I'm focusing on making jewelry now! Come See Me!!! Miss my blog friends......xoxo Lesley

Journal Art Remix She dreams in flowers... colors bold and true, happy surroundings for me and for you. Nothing in grey Or sad shades of blue Just crisp yellows and oranges with dreams coming true. Hot pink and turquoise, Deep saturation of hue Makes her feel happy Instead of blue. Black and white checks.... bold designs will do but color gets her in the happy dance mood. Lesley Chandler 6-1-10

Lately I have been enjoying working in my journals and drawing pictures without any intentions what-so-ever.  I think that helps me to relax and go all kinds of places with my creativity when I create something just for the sake of creating.  I decided to do something with my eye ball people since a friend of mine pointed out that it seems like many of my subjects have big eyes and a uni brow.  I don't know why I like eyes but I do believe they are the window to the soul.  I also think, like she said, I like to take in everything visually.  Sometimes, I can hardly concentrate because so many things catch my eye where ever I may be.  I am attracted to color and interesting lines and subjects.  It could even be a simple arrangement of objects that catches my eye.  So, today I give you "Sisters.....Looking Out For Each Other".....a simple drawing tweaked a little digitally.  Have a good evening.  XOXO Lesley

Oh my goodness, I came up with a fun idea for my art journaling and I thought to myself, "self, why did you not think of this sooner?!" LOL I had previously ordered lots of 4X6 prints of my art just to give away as part of the "always give them something extra" when people bought art from me.  Last night, I started cutting out images from those prints (so much of my old art).  I also started seeing how my works could be interchanged by cutting out the pieces and adding to other pieces.  For instance, a different head to a different body.  Duh....I bet all of you already thought of this huh?  Anyway, that is how the journal entry was born (above).  The face and body are from a previous print and I drew her arms on this map paper.  See, I'm not lost, I just wander!

I have been working on my journal like I said I would using the Creative Entrepreneur workbook by Lisa Sonora Beam.  This is just one of my entries.  Today we are going to Midland to have dinner and shop just a bit.  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

I just discovered this Heart for Haiti call for help and I have decided to help.  If you want to help you can click on this link Heart for Haiti  and follow the instructions there.  I have so many art pieces that are just sitting here doing nothing, inspiring no one, and benefiting nothing.  So, I offer my art to this purpose.  Do you have anything for this event?  Just like Mother Teresa said once, "I can do no great things....only small things with great love."  So here is my small thing.   xoxo

early bird got it Originally uploaded by Funky Art Queen Played in my journal last night. I have not done that in a while. I enjoyed the freedom and the quiet time to think while I mindlessly colored with gel pens and other inks. Of course I can't leave it alone, I had to digitally alter it some with the photo editor on Flickr. I hope you are finding time to play in your journals. Happy Monday!

O h my goodness, my favorite time of the  year.  Time for the fairies to come out soon from their winter sleep.  I could not wait to start working on the front of their home  and their pond as a kind welcome to them.  I just want them to keep coming back.  So, I found them this fabulous door on Etsy by Jay Beesmer  at Wooden Treasures , from North Carolina!  It arrived today and it is more beautiful in person!  I love it Jay and the fairies will too.  The butterfly, well that is right up our alley around here in funky queendom.  THANKS Jay! As a side note, Jay and his wife at Lovingly Crafted ...are quite the brilliant wood artists.  You just have to go and check them out on Etsy. Here is a close up of the door! Do you believe in fairies?  I hope you do!  Isn't it enchanting to imagine that the fairies do all kinds of magical things at night while we are sleeping?  I would love to know what your thoughts are ...

I have looked at this book for a long time at the book store.  I hesitated to get it because my first thought was that it was too right brain and not enough of the business side.  But gradually as time when by, I realized that this is the perfect book for the creative individual who struggles with their creative goals.  It is a "DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real". Keep in mind I have only started the first chapter and this is all strictly an account of my creative journey. I have this burning desire to live a life of creativity!  I dream of someday actually earning a living doing the very thing I love! Maybe you feel this way too?  Without going into "excuse mode" I will confess that I have many barriers to my success.  It is totally up to me to remove the barriers.  I think this book will help me to further explore my personal road to creative success.  It is set up journal style which appeals to me right off.  I hope to ...

Hey, I'm hosting a blog give away on the UR Creative Sunshine Blog and tomorrow is the last day so please come and see !  

I have started a new blog that is more about you and less about me!  I wanted to start a blog that would inspire you creatively!  I wanted to have a blog that would have inspiring interviews with other artists.  Art tutorials are a must along with lots and lots of creative jolts.  So, I opened the blog...." Creative Sunshine " last night.  I already have interviews lined up with some great artists and I have so much I want to share.  I truly hope that I will inspire you and motivate you.  So without further babble....I have to invite you to come and follow me on "Creative Sunshine".  It is new...just a baby.....so come back daily and watch it grow up.  I can't wait to share my latest interviews with some awesome artists and craftsmen. I am going to have a giveaway tonight so please stop by and you get extra chances for sharing I will still maintain this blog so don't leave me!  Remember this blog is all about me and what I am doing. ...

Spring has definitely sprung at the Chandler's House.  My little corner of my flower bed that actually gets sun in the front yard has brought up the beautiful pink flowers that I planted years ago.  I got the transplant from my grandma.  These flowers always make me think of my grandma who always had them in her yard.  If it were not for this big ole tree, the flowers would bloom even more and it would be fabulous....but this tree is special. We planted this Arizona Ash years ago.  I remember my husband standing out in a storm one time when it was just a baby.  He was trying desperately to hold it up and secure it so that it would not get blown over.  I remember so many special occasion photos being taken in front of this tree.  I remember thinking that it would never be big enough to shade the house and that my husband was crazy for thinking so.  Look at it!  It's huge and makes a lot of shade.  Here is a picture from several yea...

I'm just having so much fun with these wine glasses.  It is always nice to discover a new medium.  It is also fun to see that the skills or ideas you have used with other mediums come in handy for the new ones.  I think I have a new idea for birthdays!  These would be fun to fill up with chocolate and wrap the wine glass in cellophane and fru fru the ties and bows at the top.  I will try to make one up for an example and take a pic.  Anyway, this glass is also listed in my Etsy Shop!  Have a happy day.  Remember to carry your creative spirit in all aspects of your life.

I have discovered painting on glass. So.....naturally, the glass that I am most familiar with is the wine glass. LOL.  First I painted some Martini glasses with a zebra motif.  You can see them on etsy here .  Then I decided to do a leopard print, a sexy lady with a red dress and then the funky one above.  The funky one is my favorite and is more true to my style.  I started another funky wine glass and that should be done tomorrow.  Hope to post that one tomorrow. Meanwhile, I have had a lazy day.  It has been a bit cold and rainy the past few days.  I did a little laundry, a little housekeeping and a very long nap today.  My sis came over this evening and we watched our favorite shows; Project Runway and Cougar Town.  Hubby tevos these for us every week and she comes over for "date night" and we watch them.  I don't watch much television but I like both of these shows and we always enjoy watching them together. Son is doing f...

I decided it would be terribly funny to create some of my Fru Fru dolls for the Blingin' B*tches of Texas; (The Sweet Potato Queen Wannabes group I'm in).  I imagined they (the dolls) would be like the Flat Betty and Flat Stanley that kids have to send all over to friends and families to get her picture made in whatever the location.   I believe it is also sometimes a fundraiser.  Not the Case for my BBOT Fru Frus.   No, these girls are all about fun.  Generally, we as working girls only get one vacation in the summer.  Well, now we get five or more.  If time and scheduling allow, these little girls are going to travel with each one of us on our summer vacations.  After that, we might even consider showing up at your house.  That is if you can convince us as to why we should come to your location.  Also, you would have to swear on  your life that you would send the original Blingin' B*tches lots of pics.  Of cou...

"When God Closes a Door.....He Opens a Window".  It is such a great saying.....I've always hung on to that idea to help me through really tough times.  I am hanging on to that now.  My son was just deployed to Afganistan-Baghram to be exact.  He is not quite there yet.....but he will be there soon.  He has a 6 month assignment there.   I imagine that the "closed door" is our inability to talk to him or see him at our will.  The lack of any kind of control in this event makes that door seem tighter and decreases the chances even more of us opening it.  So, "closed door=open window".  This trip is going to open so many windows for Cody, his wife, and his family.  Forgive me for the bullet point list......it is probably more of an exercise for me than anyone else. Absence makes the heart grow stronger.  Cody's wife is precious...a ray of sunshine and she loves him so much.  She is in her first trimester of pregnancy. ...

Blingin' B*tches SPQ 2010 We are back from our Sweet Potato Queen weekend! OMG, I had the time of my life.  Sister, if this event is not on your bucket list.....it should be.  TIP: Just start planning early! Go to Jill Conner Brown's site at www.sweetpotatoqueen.com and check it all out.  OK-I'm going to give you a little (very small) snap shot of our trip. Arrived in Style-Jackson, MS Airport Attended Meet and Greet at Hilton Went to Big Hat Luncheon Met Lots of Women from all over the country Attended the Ball in Fine Attire Marched in the St Paddy's Day Parade on Saturday Seriously, that was the funnest thing I think I have ever done as a grown up.  I loved the crowd, the children we gave beads to, the little old men who wanted kisses, the young men who wanted pics with us, the women who clapped for us-all of it.  I wanted to do it again right when we finished.  Right then and there I knew it......I was so meant to be a queen.   LOL We at...

This is my picture of me wearing the outfit I plan to wear to the Big Hat Luncheon at the Sweet Potato Queen Parade in Jackson Mississippi this coming weekend.   I can't believe it is finally the week of the Sweet Potato Queen Parade in Jackson, Mississippi.   I have been waiting and preparing for this moment ever since I heard author  Jill Conner Brown speak at the Merry Market event in Odessa,TX  last year before Christmas.  Jill was just so much fun with her queenly act and comical interpretation of the life of a woman, wife, mother and friend in the South.  She just touched something in me with her message of how she discovered her calling....her talents.....and over came obstacles that many of us get stuck in.  You just have to read her books to get it.....her first book...."The Book Of Love" will make you laugh and cry and help you to understand this whole "sweet potato thing queen parade" thingy.  Read it!  Really... ...

My sister, Rhea and I got back Sunday night from our trip to Saint Louis.  It was just one of those self indulgent sisters trips.  We have not had one in quite some time.  With her living in CO it is hard for us to get together.  But, we made ourselves plan this trip and we stuck to the plans.  We love Mama Mia movie and we knew it was based on the broadway show-so we hunted the traveling show down and chose the one in Saint Louis because the date fit our schedule and the place sounded interesting. Saint Louis proved to be very interesting.  We found the city to be so clean and pristine.  The architecture of all the buildings was fascinating.  This city is rich in history and culture.  The people were so friendly every where we went.  Going to see the Arch was an awesome experience.  We got to ride these tiny little space ship looking things to go to the top of the arch and view the city.  Although I am not fond of heights...

Here she is.......Mrs. America!  Well, not really, it is just me in my new pants that I made.  (New Look Pattern # 6896) For some reason, I decided today was the day to wear them.  I got ready for work and had my daughter take this pic.  I fussed with them a bit this morning feeling like I looked huge (not that I have gained any weight lately.....).  Then, I put on my "I'm hot----head held high look" and headed out the door.  I really believe that attitude is what it is all about.  First stop, one of my surgery groups.  They just went on and on and made me feel so good.  I love going to this account, they always do that so you can see why I start out there~! LOL Anyway, I just really enjoyed my new pants and now I'm so inspired to make some more.  I really want black ones.  That will be my next pair of these babys.  I have so many patterns and so little time!  Things have been very busy here as my sister is  visitin...

I finished this skirt (New Look # 6463)  today!  It was so very easy that I really feel I should have challenged myself a little more by making view "c" instead of the easier "b" view.  As you can see from the front of the pattern pic below, C has two tiers and that is what I really wanted but I chickened out.  Although I like this skirt, I think I would prefer a smaller ruffle at the bottom like view D (second to last view on pattern front) After completing this one, I feel so confident about doing the harder ones. I'm so pumped about creating my spring wardrobe.  I really want to use this pattern a few more times to make several different skirts for work.  I'm not completely satisfied with the one I made but I think it is because it seems kind of plain.  I want to try the very last one (view E-the pink one with the ruffle going all the way down).  I really think I can so do that.  Since I have to be outdoors so much in my marketing job,...

You could spend hours at this site I just discovered; POLYVORE.COM. What a great fashion and shopping tool. FUN!!! Weekend Wear by lesley432 featuring Miss Sixty jeans Polyvore.com is so much fun to play with.....and hard to get off of.

I discovered the television show "Project Runway" last year (the 6th season).  I know....kinda late, huh?  I just don't watch that much television and I don't even know how I happened upon this show.  But I love it. I appreciate the designers and their creativity.  It is so interesting to watch each designer execute their own interpretation of each challenge presented to them. Recently, I had to make 5 pairs of zebra striped, drawstring pajama bottoms for my girlfriends and I to wear to the Sweet Potato Queen Pajama party.  By the time I finished the 5th pair, I decided I was "Project Runway" material (such grandiose delusions hee hee.) LOL!!!!   Now..... keep in mind, I only have very basic sewing skills.  With those skills and grandiose ideas, I bought some sewing patterns and decided to start making myself some clothes.  Since I had a pajama pattern already, I decided to make myself a little nightie.   I've had this pink...

My sister and I are going to St. Louis, MO to see the touring Broadway show of Mamma Mia in Feb (next month) I'm so excited! We discovered the movie last summer and I can't tell you how many times we have watched it.  Well, we only watched it one time together.  That was a fun night.  No boys, lots of wine and lots of bling and feathered boas.  Good times.    Since that movie seemed to strike us both at such a level, it seemed only natural to go and see the Broadway version.  After all, that is where the movie started out....in theater.  The history of this production is quite interesting.  If you don't know already, the entire production is embellished (or perhaps born from music by Abba) with music by Abba.  You young thangs may not even know about Abba, but us 70's and 80's girls will totally know them and appreciate them.   According to Wikepedia: Mamma Mia! , promoted as  Mamma Mia! The Movie , is a  2008 ...