ACEO's whatchya talkin about??

"True Discovery"
140 lb watercolor paper, golden acrylic paint, text, pigment ink, top coated with tar gel.

Are you true to yourself? Do you listen to your heart or do you follow the lead of someone else?


I'm really not sure where this weekend/week went?? Does anyone know? Sorry I've been away so long. I haven't even visited my favorite blogs as much other than a quick read through bloglines. Bad me. I have been busy on the art front creating a few things, finishing a few things and I even managed to send off a couple things to a local shop for consignment.

The above item is a cute little ACEO available in my shop. Does everyone know what ACEO's are?? For those of you who may not, they are small works of art that exemplify an artist's style at an affordable price. The variety of ACEO's available are plentiful, but the one thing they have in common is that they are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2; about the size of a baseball trading card or playing card. ACEO's stand for Art, Cards, Editions, and Originals.

These small works of art are also known as ATC; which are traded and never sold. Most artists do trade cards in addition to selling them, however just like most of us, artists need to make a living and ACEO's are a great way to add lower price points to your store/gallery and still make your artwork available to your customers while adding a few dollars to the bottom line.

Here's a sneak peak of something I'm working on. I'm going to do a post next on how to use distress ink and alcohol ink. A lot of people want to try these cool art supplies but don't really know what to do with them or what they are capable of. I'm by no means an expert, but I have found a few tricks to pass along that you all might enjoy.

Other news--The Secret has manifested itself to me again in another way (top secret way) but anyway, it's funny how I've been thinking about something for awhile now and all of a sudden, it is starting to happen. Get that book! LOL

I have a new student--very proud of her!!
In addition to my etsy shop, I'm starting to sell on ebay again. I just listed a couple of items but figured what the heck. I have no life. I might as well make some money if I'm staying home every day!
If you want to try making your own ACEO's, check out my friend HareandDrum's etsy supply shop specializing in ACEO's.
If you just want to buy some ACEO's, check out some of the cards featured by artists that are part of the Etsy team I'm on: Metsy.


Last but not least--
Coming soon: A New Sweet Goodness Swap!!

We will be announcing the details the first week of JUNE! Set your bloglines to our channel!
Whoooo hooo!

WIP--Faith (EDITED...now Complete)!

Edited--WIP now complete and up in my shop!I finished by grounding the window in a pale blue gray, added more definition to the light shining through, highlighted with some blue/pearl paint, and deepened the contrast on the textured areas with charcoal pencil.

Yesterday I bought a new toy. The toy itself is wonderful, learning Corel and adobe--can we just say there is a major learning curve going on here???? It may be a while before I do any digitally enhanced photos. Yikes!! I have a new found respect for digital artists!! Actually yesterday I spent a bucketload of money. In addition to my new toy, I also ordered a nice new bed for DS. He's siked, I'm siked. Although I hate parting with money, at least we will have something to show for it. Just doing my part to keeping the economy going!

Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend, see this week!

WIP


"Faith"

We all need a little more of it in our lives.

See my post below for a special sale this weekend for my blog readers!!!

(((It's odd to read, WIP--Faith now that i see it written. However, it's very true. My faith and beliefs are forever a work in progress as am I.))))

TGIF!!!!

TGIF Sale!!

Featuring some of the prints I have for sale in my Etsy shop:

2.00 any one print
3.00 off 2 or more!

Prices will need to be adjusted by me prior to paying, so simply purchase the prints, and I will send you a new invoice via paypal.

Mention Sweet Repeats in the convo and I will even through in FREE shipping!!!
WOWZA!

Thank you Laura for the suggestion of making my last pieces into cards--that's a great idea, and I just may do that on my next order of prints. I have several things I want to order as soon as I make my quota in order to purchase new 'inventory'...lol.
Are any of you supply junkies?? I'm trying to balance my artsy purchases for supplies with mysales in my shop and it is quite a challenge to stay above the water when I see new things and just want to try try try new things!! I have come to the conclusion, if you want to make money, you need to spend money. That's how I justify my art supply purchases. At least that's what I'm telling myself!!

Hope everyone had a good week. I accomplished a lot but am drained to no end. By taking on some new responsibilities, I have spread myself thin but in the end, it will be a good thing. By stretching your wings and showing initiative, it does pay off in the long run. It's just when does the long run end and the pay off begin?? LOL

Anywhoo--I'm taking a breather from Thrifting this weekend. I'm sure my kidlets will be happy. I need to make 1 major purchase and that's where my money needs to go to right now. Baby boy (7 year old) needs a new bed so we are going to hunt for that this weekend.

But...tonight, I am creating some new pieces for my shop. Take a look around at the new things uploaded this week and last :) Thank you for supporting me and giving me the inspiration to keep on keeping on!!

Have a good weekend!

The House on the Hill

Sorry about the assortment of pictures, just couldn't pick any one to show and tell today. I'm pretty proud that I actually finished several things this week. Crossing off the list and accomplishing what you set out to do is a good feeling. Wish I could do more of that at my day job!!!

Anywhoo--having lots of fun at my part time job working from home in the luxurious studio ala dining room!!

Quick art card 4x6 "Send Me a Sign". There's very light journaling on here that starts off to say "When one door opens, another closes.....or is it when one door closes, another one opens, how will I know what is right, who will show me the way...........Someone please, send me a sign. Oh Dear Lord, send me a sign." Don't read too much into it..lol...I just was thinking about the bird whispering in my ear as I stamped and embossed this image and imagined it being my messenger to all of life's secrets....my 'sign' in essence.

Awhile ago, I made a quick sketch and then painted out the basics of the sketch on a small art card so I used that idea and made this 6x6 piece on wood called, "It's My Birthday". Every girl deserves a little indulgence once in while. Why do we have to hide behind our desires??? Can't we have our cake and eat it, too?? Well, we can but eventually the hips catch up to us--but a little cupcake here and there surely can't hurt!

Pretty polka dot sprinkles, sweetheart lips, pink and brown cupcake, aqua and pearl background, what more could a girl want?? I am going to make a couple more in this same style.

Anyone have any ideas on cute whimsical but indulgent topics I could make into a painting??

Finally finished these three 6x6's on canvas.

The series is sold separately but desperately wants to go to the same home :)
"The House on the Hill"
I messed up the order of these pics. The Flower should go in the middle. It's symbolic of the desire to plant roots, to have a place to nurture and cultivate of my own.

This is the first piece...."The House on the Hill: The Dream

Then we have the last:

The House on the Hill: The House (lol creative, huh)

I just love this funky bird and crazy sweet pink house. The little lady is listening for her sign from thebirdy, and dreaming about the house on the hill--the garden, the place where she can plant her roots and fulfill her dreams.


Phew. Uploading, editing, resizing and listing these puppies took me a little short of forever to do!! All but one of the features tonight are listed on Etsy. Check em out to see a few different pics as well.

Oh...I FINALLY figured out how to use that little link icon!! Dang, what in the world was I thinking typing out the html code over and over again??? Am I the last to know these things??

Jane-(and others who have commented about this over the last few weeks)--thanks for the observations about my artwork. I think last year at this time, I was really confused, saddened by a lot of difference things and really struggling with a lot of emotions. I wasn't depressed, but more angry and confused, thus the darker more all over the place type collages. This year and over the last few months, I definitely have developed a sense of peace about my life. I've become more hopeful and inspired along the way AND with every passing day. Not saying I don't still struggle with questions about so many things that have happened over the last couple of years, but through this blog, my friends and family, and of course my artwork, a lot of healing has happened. I'm more inclined to reflect that in my pieces than I was earlier in the year.

Thank you for checking in here with me. I hope you have a creatively good rest of the week. I wish peace and strength for you and your journey for finding all the answers to the many questions and struggles that we all face each and every day.

Learning to Sing

Happy Mother's Day to everyone, especially to my Dear Mother!

When I think of sources of inspiration for my art and life, there is no one that even lights a candle to the one person in my life that has provided me with more inspiration, more guidance, more encouragement, than My Mother. She is a woman who raised three girls on her own, working 2 jobs or more for most of our lives and yet still had time to give her all to us and STILL gives her all to us whenever we need her. She gave me the strong work ethic I have today and taught me to take every opportunity you can and do your best at whatever it is that I do. My Mother also taught me that a woman can be independent and successful in her own right just as much as a man can be, it's all within each of our reach.

Recently Mother let us know that she had been diagnosed with a form of Leukemia and it was like a cold steel dagger was sliced through our hearts. The thought of our Mother not being here for the rest of our lives is really incomprehensible and something that none of us can imagine. It does want me to make sure she knows how much we love her and cherish her and that if nothing else, she should know that she has made a difference in this world with being our Mother and we love her dearly. Luckily with medication her condition is treatable and containable, but it is something that will be there for the duration of her life. The one thing I do regret is the distance that is between us now and how I wish we just lived around the corner again like we did for so many years. How I miss our Friday lunches and Saturday shopping excursions and Sunday dinners together. But I know my Mom would say, there is a reason for everything and because the road has lead us each to the place we are at right now--it is exactly where we are supposed to be.

Although our family is spread out over 1200 miles now from NY to Florida, I know I speak for my Sister's in that our hearts are held tightly and closely together by the one bond that will never be broken, the bond of a Mother and her daughters.

With Love and Gratitude,

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

It is because of you....we can soar.

This is snap shot of many of my works in progress. I think I have 8 projects going on right now..lol. I think I have AADD. Artistic Attention Deficit Disorder! No seriously, when you work with paint and collage, it's wise to have several projects going on at once because often times you have to wait for a section to dry before you can go on to the next because of all the layers incorporated in the pieces. In addition to that, I like to use all my paint up that I pour out so I try to utilize it by creating multiples pieces in the same color family.

I drew this picture a while ago and made it into a little art card, now I'm taking this sketch and making it into a 6x6 mixed media painting. She's too cute sneaking a big ole chunk of this low calorie cupcake!!

I'm doing better at sketching out be fore I start going at it. It's really necessary when I'm working in 3 or more pieces that I want to go together. These pieces are the same ones feature in the beginning of this post with the other works in progress.

The one orange and brown one is just an experiment so far...now that one I have no clue what I'm doing with it!! LOL Those dots are the result of alcohol inks dropped on the painted canvas. Cool huh! If you want to know more about some the many ways to use alcohol inks, try checking out Tim Holtz's video where he demonstrates the proper usage of them. Many awesome possibilities.

Adding more detail, you can start to see the pieces come alive. This three piece set is going to be called "The House on the Hill". I started to think about the number 3 as I was working on the paintings and it is becoming more and more apparent that it is a number that keeps re-occurring in my life so I incorporated many different threes in them--some apparent, some hidden.

Paint & other material used is a combination of my new love, Golden fluid acrylics, regular craft paint, alcohol inks, pearl ex powders, charcoal pencil, and of course underlying is a multitude of papers and tissue for texture.

I wanted to add some journaling to the lady on the left but I think I'm going to have to wait until I work on a bigger piece. I wanted to say on this one:
I was afraid the music would stop before I learned to sing.
It kinda relates to my fear that I won't be able to do everything I want to do before my time is up. But the fact that I do try to take steps to 'learn the music' leads me closer to the song itself, even if I never really learn to sing it correctly, at least I'm practicing and giving it my all.

...and here we are at the house on the hill. How sweet the journey has been.
Thank you for sharing it with me!!


Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Mother's Day Sale!!

Mother's Day Sale in my Sweet Repeats Studio Etsy Shop!

20% off all items now through Monday morning at 6am est!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :))))

Happy Mother's Day!

Spring Time in Paris Swap and WIP new Toys!

Spring Time in Paris It Is!!!

Oh my goodness, Oh la la isn't quite enough of a word to express how thrilled I was to receive this WONDERFUL package from dear Jen!! She is the queen of swaps. I can't even begin to list all the wonderful and thoughtful items she sent as I will surely forget something. Her handmade item was this Eiffel Tower felted collage--with the words oh la la written on the frame. TOTALLY cute! Love it! Mixed in the package you can see little bits and bobs of scrapbooking stickers, tags, and many embellishments, and a quote book. In another section she had a treasure box of darling note cards, and a beautiful turquoise plate.

This is what I opened the box and found---all these beautifully wrapped packages! (((I didn't even come close to wrapping my packages as sweetly as she did))!! You can imagine, I was like a little girl at Christmas!!

Here is a collage of all the many wonderful items she managed to pack all in one box. Another favorite is the glicee print she so kindly sent. I love the colors in it. It's inspiring me to paint something in those colors of my work. Jen also included a beautiful black sketch book for me to keep for all my design and art ideas. Right now I don't even have one would you believe. My ideas are spread out in a hundred different places and it's difficult to find them when I am ready to go make something. Love the melamine bowls she sent--they are adorable. Thank you Jen soooo very much. You are the best and I love ya!!

I hope everyone who participated in the Spring Time in Paris Swap had a good experience. Please join us again soon!!!

I thought I'd share with you some of my new toys (sorry for the dark pic-despite the fact I have had an example of the lightbulb size for the dining room light in my car for weeks--I have yet to go to the store and get more bulbs...yep...I'm down to one working bulb). Anywhoo--this new to is called fun foam. You simply heat it with an embossing gun for about 30 seconds then PRESS into anything with texture and it makes your own reusable stamp. You don't like the design??? Heat and PRESS again. Press press press press. I pressed into everything. The stove. The table cloth. metal thingys, embossed wallpaper. Good thing I have 16 of them. Who'd a thunk heating and pressing things would be sooooo fun????

More new toys....and this is only part of all the new boards I have for collages. Quite an investment, huh?? Iwill be painting and collaging away until I'm old and gray with these. I used the down time during the yard sale to sand these puppies down after Jim cut them all up for me. As typical x's do, he so kindly helped me out and picked up this board from Home Depot for me and cut them up on his table saw, ummmm after I butchered the first row (not on purpose so he would do it for me...I just couldn't saw a straight line if it killed me..lol). Seriously,, no most ex's don't do this for their ex's ---but he is a good guy and I really thank him for supporting my artwork and hobbies, and for in general still being a good friend.

Last but not least, here's some works in progress--some 6x6's i'm working on as well as some of the boards all primed and ready to go. The brown stuff is tinted modeling paste I'm using for texture on some of the pieces. Lots of fun. That's another new toy of mine!! At the bottom you can see a sneak peek of a sketch that's going on one of the canvases.

Phew. Lots to do.

Good news--the yard sale was great, sold a lot but not everything. I still made about 225 dollars and all together all of us that sold things made about 900 dollars, so not a bad day. Sunday was a dud. Live and learn. I did get my boards sanded so I guess it wasn't a waste. Ohhh and I sold 2 of my prints at the yard sale (at full price). I was soooooooo excited you think I won the Price is Right!! The customers took all of my business cards I had so that felt good. I came back inside after selling my prints and found that I sold another print on Etsy the same day. So--I really made about 240 dollars Saturday. We worked our arses off though--getting up at 4:15 am to get all the crapola out.

Bottom line. There are easier ways to make money..LOL. BUT it feels good to slim down the clutter, there's still more to go but it's one day at a time around here!

Have a good rest of the week!!

Victoria Secrets Bras for Ebay anyone???

Are there any Ebay sellers out there that read my blog?? As I was preparing for my yard sale I came across a bunch of Victoria Secrets bras and misc lingerie that I was going to sell. All are NEW without tags, assorted sizes on the bras although most are 32's. In all, I have about 15 bras at least and several other items.


I will have details this evening, but if interested in details, please leave a comment with your email addy.

Retail value, well over 2-300 dollars!!


Here is the full listing on Craig's List:





HERE

Things Are Looking Up!

New pieces completed:

"Things Are Looking Up"

Part1 The Egg

Part 2

Cracking Up

Part 3

Birdie

**I'm offering these separately but if purchased together, I will apply a 20% discount to the entire purchase**

I hope everyone's week was good. I had yesterday and today off, originally I took it off because I was hoping I might be able to go to
Art & Soul
but after debating about it, I think next year will be the year that I try to do something of that magnitude. I do know lots of people going between the NCMMG that I belong to, as well as my Sweet Goodness Swap Sister, Jane--so I can't wait to hear all of there stories and experiences!

Nope...instead, I'm preparing for a yard sale. Art & Soul, or Yard Sale. HMMM??? What was I thinking???? Seriously, it's more about the money than the choice about going, it does look like fun though.

Who knew preparing for a yard sale could be dangerous??? I found that out yesterday when I was taking about DS's bunk bed, well taking off his mattress. I pulled the mattress down and hit the ceiling light which promptly crashed down within inches of my head in big ole glass shards!! A piece did stab me in the shoulder but it was small thank goodness. I could just envision myself bleeding to death with this huge piece of glass attached to the top of my head. What a way to go. Like some crazy horror movie..lol. Then later on that evening when I was putting everything back together and vacuuming up my mess, I stepped on some glass, fell backward, knocked over a bookcase, fell back onto the vacuum, and clocked my head against the wall. My war wounds are plenty from this seemingly safe and easy (well not easy) task of cleaning out the boys room for a yard sale!

Thank goodness today is a new day and there are no major tasks for me to do for the yard sale. It's amazing how much better I feel already with about a truck and half load of stuff taken out of here. Makes me think about what I've been doing and how I've been doing it. I was going to yard sales and thrifting every single week without fail. And the house was getting fuller and fuller and fuller--until finally it was busting at the seams! I had an obsession to replace everything I had lost and THEN SOME. All for a dime on the dollar...lol. Things were getting out of control. This is a good thing now, and believe me, I could do more. There still is a lot I could scale back on and not really miss. I think this year I need to seriously consider what I need and how much I need before I go anywhere. Even before I go to Walgreens, Michael's..etc. Two of my most favorite shops on earth..lol :) I believe without so much, I'd be more open to new things and new ideas. Clutter and things really do cloud our minds and create disharmony in our worlds.
Things to think about.

Have a artfully great weekend!

Lots of Goodies!

Just a quick post to give a special thank you to darling Mrs. Kwitty for making me a special order business card wallet which I purchased from her Etsy shop. It is simply adorable and I love it. I convo'd her asking if she had any suggestions for me for a business card holder and she replied back quickly that while she didn't have anything, she would be more than happy to create a few things for me to pick from out of her shop. In lightening fast time, she created this wallet as well as several others I could pick from . (((another one like this as well as a few additional styles are now available in her shop))

Run, don't walk to her shop!!

She also packaged the wallet in the most adorable box, lace and topped with one of her little birdie tags that I just adore!! She also sells the tags in her shop!

Thank you Ms K for your hard work, attention to detail, and excellent customer service!

Monday was our send out for the Sweet Goodness Swap: "Springtime in Paris" and this is a sneak peek of my hand crafted item....go figure a sweet little collage for partner Jen. Our color theme was blue, black, and white. You must check out our flickr pool for MORE lovely creations and package. If you joined our swap, please be sure to upload your sent/received packages so we can all drool over your goodies.

I'm off to finish sorting through all my "stuff" as I am having a combined yard sale with some friends on Saturday and I still have LOTS more to go through. Lucky me has 2 days off to get things going so I better stay off the computer and get busy!

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom and feng shui-energy advice. As I'm cleaning and reorganizing today, you can be sure the rubbing alcohol and incense will be coming out to cleanse the chaos out!! :) luv ya all!

Sale---Saturday Night thru Sunday Morning!!

SALE NOW OVER!!
Yeah--had an artwork purchase from it!! I'm definitely participating again!

Check out my Etsy shop for a banging Saturday night sale (LOL..umm, well maybe not banging, but it's a good special) it's not that kind of a shop ;)!!!


In addition to the Saturday Night Special---Check this out:


I am also running a SECRET special. What is a secret special?? If you find the word secret in one of my listings, that item is free. Yes FRee! You do pay for normal shipping charges. Happy Hunting!! (((( Directions on how to claim your prize can be found on my shop announcement.))))



Click HERE to see Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe on Etsy!!

I Know a Good Actor if you Need One!

I had a rough night last night, not like a 21 year old running on the town rough night (good old days, remember those?), but a 39 year old with a triangle creating chaos in her life rough night. (((anyone see Chuck and Larry?? Triangle's not good....circle good...LOL)) Long story short, I was up at 2:30 this morning and I ended up staying up all night and into the morning before hitting the big old yard sale early on, and the craft show this afternoon. Lord knows how I'm still standing at 7:30 in the evening. I can't pull all nighters anymore!
The good news is, I was really really productive during my early morning escapade. I worked on all of my projects and this is where we are today. My productivity today in my artful endeavors is a perfect example of why I need to have this in my life. I would have sat around and cried or stewed all day if I didn't have my projects to escape with.

Sometimes people aren't all they are cracked up to be. It's amazing how good some people are at acting. How they can live with themselves when they are pulling the wool over someone else's eyes is beyond me.

Anyway, I've stewed over this all day long and I know I'm not making sense because I'm not rehashing all the details, but the main point is, I was put in situation that I didn't ask to be put into yesterday...I was working last night on my heart magnets, minding my own business when chaos walked in unannounced. Drunk as a skunk. Anyhoo--suffice to say, I learned some things that really really tipped me over the edge to say the least. So I decided to call someone on the lies--and well--same old same old. Not that I'm surprised but it really drives me nutz that chaos is obsessed with me and will not leave me alone. Go on with your life and LEAVE ME ALONE. Don't play me like a fiddle and think you are the best actor in the world because your not and I see right through it, and for what I don't see through, other people are happy to tell me. Especially when I go through your cell phone and find their numbers. HA!

Okay...enough venting. Aren't my newest pieces in progress cute as can be?? I'm using some of my new Golden Paint that I bought from Amy, another mixed media artist that lives in the area. I took a trip up to her house last week and bought a bunch of duplicate supplies she had for sale! whoooo hooo. These little 6x6 canvases are part of an order we purchased together. I have 12 total to work with for upcoming projects and another 12 on the way. I'm trying to beef up my inventory for 2 reasons. Number one, I am going to put some of my artwork in a local store so I want a nice collection of new items to display as well as I am going to...yes, I declare right here right now to do an art show this year at one of the local festivals. ALSO--I am going to submit some of my work to Cloth Paper Scissors...my favorite art magazine, so I need a few things that aren't in my shop to send to them as they can keep items up to 6 months or so as they jury you for their publication. This is going to be the year for me that I really make some moves to step it up notch in my little 'part time' job.

It not only keeps me busy, it keeps me sane!

Here's some more of my Sweet HeART magnets that I have going for another special order. I'm doing 24 of them this time for a customer. These buggers take a LONG time to make. First you have to cut the wood, then sand it, then prime all sides, then coat with black paint at least 2 times all sides, cut the background papers, cut the hearts out, cut the inspiration words out, then decorate. Final step is to seal on the front, let dry, then repaint the back because inevitably there is glue or XS paint from the decorating on the back...then seal the back and add the magnets. That's a lot of work for a 2.50 item. That's why I'm raising my prices on these!! LOL Not to mention, the new set of magnets I'm making are bigger than the last set.

Well, thanks for listening today even though half of it is in riddle for those of you who don't know who triangle chaos is. Sigh.....it's like a bad dream that keeps coming back every night and Ican't get rid of it no matter how hard I try.

Thanks for visiting and hearing me roar!!