Funky Art Queen

I have worked on this piece for over 2 months on and off. I wanted to make it a kind of "journal" birdhouse. Another example of "no rules" art. After I journaled on both sides of the roof, I let it sit for some time before I could decide if I liked it or not. You know how you just can't seem to finish a piece because it is not going where you want? Well, it has been sitting, unfinished and sad in my studio for some time. I decided this would be a weekend of finishing unfinished projects. Hence, the completion of this "Blue Bird's House". I journaled on both sides of the roof-first with a simple ink pen-I just pressed extra hard so as to "engrave" the surface, then with gold leaf (I dotted my pen into the gold leaf to fill in the "engraved" areas with gold. Here is the journal entry-not completely exactly as this piece-but close I am sure. I used to see my mother chewing a blue-green colored gum. When I asked her where she got it...

I created this from an idea for a knitting needle roll up bag. I thought this would be a great way to keep all of our journal art supplies visible and organized in our journal bags. I used a very bright fabric, quilting batting, embroidery thread and the sewing machine. It is 8"X11" and has a pretty purple ribbon to tie it up. I have it listed on My Etsy. I plan to make more so stay tuned! I'm also working on another funky quilted bag since my other one sold so quickly. I think this weekend, I need to get a paint fix though. I've been messing with fabric so much that I miss my journals and just getting my hands all messed up with paint! So lookout craft room! Here I come!!!

I made this little clutch this weekend! I inserted a lovely pink lining. I have always loved this turquoise with brown and then to top it off with pink. Makes me think of ice cream or something fun like that. Anyway, I listed it on Etsy with some other things. Click on the Title above and it will take you to my Etsy site. My next project is a roll up pencil bag or I will probably call it an art tool bag for visual journalists. I'm using a really funky and vibrant fabric for it. Can't wait to have some time to sew it up and fru-fru it up so you can see it. Tomorrow is Valentines! Have you made something for your Valentine? I hope you get something sweet and you feel loved, warm and happy! Happy Valentines!!!

I finished this purse last weekend. I thought I already blogged about it...but apparently I did not. I was very pleased with it. It took some time to finish and I decided to call it my "Ten Thousand Stiches Purse" Heehee. It took about that many stiches to put it together and then decorate/embellish it. But, I like doing stiches and embroidery. It is very relaxing to me. It is something very repetitive that does not require much thought. I was so excited to discover that it had already been purchased from my Etsy site the other day. Wow! That was quick. So I decided before I send it off to it's new owner, I better share it with you. On another note, (no pun intended) I find myself obsessed with those cute little matchbox notepads. Have you seen them? They are so cool! Now I'm trying to make a quilted one! I have it cut out and ready to sew. I bought some beautiful pieces of fabric yesterday at Hobby Lobby to use on purses and accessories. I cut out a purse pattern las...

I finally finished a tote bag much like my last blog entry on the magazine handbag. This one was created for my new friend at work; Marissa. I took several of her personal/family photos and I either scanned them or used the originals to create this funky tote. This project is just another idea that sprang from the magazine purse. This one was a little more difficult for some reason. I really wanted to use vinyl instead of contact paper to make it stronger. However, my sewing machine did not like the vinyl and I could not get it (the sewing machine) to sew this stuff. So, since I wanted so much to make this purse and since I am so impatient...I just used the contact paper. Well, I spent hours (probably not really hours but it felt like it) trying to get the tension on the sewing machine to sew the seams on this purse properly. Anyway...long story short...I finally got it done. I don't know if I am going to make any more of these unless I get obsessed enough to figure out how to get ...

I was inspired by a purse I saw at A Little Bizarre Shop in Midland, Texas. The lady that owns that place created a beautiful little purse out of newpaper and contact paper. So that started me on a mission for the weekend. Of course, I had to do some research, and I found a few places on the internet that were helpful. In particular, this site had really good instructions: http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/SimplyMJ/articles/column46.asp with pictures that I could understand. This is my little first try at this purse. My critique is a little harsh, but, it helps me see where I can improve next time. After reading several other blogs and internet sites about this particular type of purse, I have decided next time, I will use vinyl instead of contact paper (which I happened to have on hand). I think it would be heavier and better protect and strengthen the newspaper that is so thin. After all the bending and sewing and work I did on this piece, it appears wrinkled to me. So, maybe the vinyl wi...

I tried my first attempt at "encaustic" art. I actually used Claudine Hellmuth's bees wax collage technique found in her Collage Discovery Workshop book. http://www.collageartist.com/book.htm I find her books so helpful when trying new techniques. Every step of the way there is a picture and instructions. Anyway, back to wax collage... I have been thinking about this for some time. I finally purchased a big block of bees wax at Michaels the day before yesterday. I could not wait to get started. I decided to do my first project on an inexpensive small canvas. I melted my beeswax in my little melting pot that has a temp control on it. You have to keep the wax under 200 degrees . It has a very high flash risk at higher temps. Follow all of her suggestions on this safety precaution. She suggests getting a small slow cooker. I am currently looking for one of those. I loved brushing on the melted bees wax. It smells wonderful. It is so smooth and pretty. It does dry fast but I ...