Blue Creek Print now Available!

NEW Prints in my Etsy Shop:

"Blue Creek" one of my newest pieces, now available as an 8 x 10 print!!
Price: 15.00
This WEEK Only (Ends August 15th, 2008) 2.00 off as part of my Anniversary in August sale.
I will adjust the price if you convo me first before purchase or re-invoice you after purchase via paypal.
All other prints also 2.00 off this week!!

Don't delay--all of my prints are VERY limited!!


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Has anyone seen the new Artful Blogger? I just love this magazine. I have been reading it, or rather just soaking in all the beauty within this book. I'm so inspired by every story in the magazine. The world truly has become smaller with the invention of blogging. It's comforting to know that there are many, many kindred spirits in this world just like you and me just waiting to be found, waiting to be heard, and enjoying life when something we say or feel resonates with another like minded individual.

In another one of Stampington's magazines, Life Images, a local artist & photographer who is also part of our Carolina Mixed Media guild, has the cover shot!! Isn't it lovely??? Congratulations Chrysti!

Hope you find a bit of inspiration in your day today!

Anniversary Celebration Continues--Featuring The Artist Alley

The 1 year anniversary on Etsy continues....remember to leave a comment for a chance to win one of my new prints coming out this week. Contest ends on Friday, August 8th!!

(((new work in progress--one of my largest yet. 24 x 30))
I don't have a title for it yet. I'm sure though, something will come to me in my dreams..lol.

One of the best things that I have done this year is to join the Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild which although membership is open throughout the Carolina's, the most active members are from Central Carolina and meet monthly in Raleigh or a nearby area for play dates. I can't tell you how much inspiration I've acquired through this group and the new friends I've made.

(Amy, Olivia, and Jean in the background)
I stumbled upon this group when I happened to visit a local shop called Artist Alley which is located in downtown Southern Pines. Artist Alley displays a variety of art in just about every genre you could imagine, from jewelry, to painting, fabric art, mixed media, metal, and pottery to name just a few. I believe it was Penny that I met first that invited me to join the group, and if anyone has ever met Penny before, her personality is as lingering and delightful as her soaps and candles she creates. Jean, the owner of Artist Alley is warm and friendly. I've never seen her without a smile on her face. She also extended the welcome to join the group and I started to feel like, yes maybe I could do this even though it was moving far and away from my comfort zone. I'm glad I joined though as the meetings have evolved from a once a month visit to a complete network of not just peers, but inspiring woman I also consider friends.

I visited Jean's shop again on Friday of this week to take part in the First Friday Celebration. I think First Friday is a fantastic idea. Not sure who thought of it but what better way to advertise your shop and rub elbows with those that create the beautiful works of art. Normally at least one artisan is featured on the First Friday opening and is on site to discuss what it is that they do up close and personal. In a store like this, you must go back, and back, and back again because it is forever changing.

I'd be remiss not to mention one of my favorite artists featured at Artist Alley, the wonderfully talented Amy Smith. Amy has an entire wall of her artwork displayed as you can see from the snapshot above. She is fearless with color and creates work that has many layers incorporated into her whimsical pieces. I just adore what she does and am finally a proud owner of one her lovely pieces! Amy has been extremely supportive of my development as a mixed media artist, even going so far as to introducing me to many different mediums such as tar gel, molding paste, and golden fluid acrylics when she graciously allowed me to purchase some of her overstock and duplicate supplies.

Doesn't this flower just sing happiness?

Some more of Amy's mini's on the right.

I wish I would have wrote down the name of the last several artists I took photos of but I didn't. I just love the vibrant colors of these flowers and animals which are created on wood.

Talk about inventive and imaginative, bet you didn't know that shovels and cast iron pans could be so funky!

I'm not sure what this sculpture is made out of, I think some sort of blade or farm equipment? I have no idea and it really doesn't matter because it's now a person strumming the guitar and dancing to the beat of their own drum. Amazing.
After the First Friday celebration all the ladies mentioned as well another dear friend who is a mixed media fiber artist, Nanette, went out for some snacks and a drink. We couldn't hear each other to save our lives, but it was fun. Being in the company of such wonderfully talented individuals motivates me to forge ahead and continue on this journey. Nanette has been instrumental in guiding me on the writing portion of my next phase of my own personal journey which is to achieve being published in art magazine(s). She's taught me several things about writing and the process of how to submit work and so one. If I do achieve this next goal, I know it won't be because of what I have done by myself. The goal will be achieved because many had their hands outstretched, guiding me along the way.

Thank you all for joining me on my little tour today. Hope you have someone(s) in your life that have been instrumental in help you achieve your dreams and goals. If not, open yourself up to the opportunity. You'll never know when walking through a strange door will open yourself up to a whole new world!

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Update--after posting this, I saw that I was featured in a post from my online mixed media team from Etsy-'Metsy'. The blog author, Yin, asked for feature ideas and after writing to her about my anniversary giveaway, she suggested doing a post about my first year on the site. Thank you Yin for the feature!

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Don't forget--contest ends Friday, August 8th!!!

Treasury Galore :)

Don't you just love Etsy Treasuries? Even better when you find one that you are featured in!! Now that I figured out how to do screen shots, I'm good to go and can savor them a bit longer then the few hours/days they are up.

To see the full size treasury--click here.

The piece that is featured is one of my recent favs--click here to see the full size piece.

The curator, Alisa--has a great store herself, full of sweet collages and mixed media soldered pendants (I would love to learn to solder----I've had a soldering gun since my birthday last year but I'm too scared to pull it out and give it a shot!!))
Good news--I finished my article with a little help with some friends who have done this sort of thing before and I sent it off last night. Phew--now I have to send my pieces and pray they make it on time. I'm kinda down to the wire but I think I did a good job considering I had to recreated 6 pieces (only sending 3 of them but I made a few for back ups just in case) as well as for the the fact I've never written an article before..LOL. Should be interesting to hear their feedback! Hopefully they still like it and the deal doesn't fall through. I'd have shame face if that happened!!!

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On the money saving front, I've taken Selena's suggestion and stayed out of the grocery store this week. I was tempted as there isn't anything quick to eat here and DS is staying in Myrtle Beach so I really hate making food for myself and having it go to waste so I normally opted for a restaurant take out of a quick frozen dinner. Instead I made a steak I had in the freezer and then made stir fry veggies and mixed it altogether after the steak was cooked and it was delicious. I wish I had rice to go with it but all I had was broccoli and cheese rice and that just didn't seem right....lol. Oh well, saved on the carbs anyway. It really is a good idea to do meal planning and less grocery shopping. I know that I have very little restraint when walking into a store. I'm perfectly fine when I stay the heck away but the minute I go inside, that one item turns into twenty! 10 dollars turns into 60 dollars that I end up spending. Just say no...just say no.. Okay. Until this weekend, then I really need to go to the store, I can only last so long :)

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Stepping out of the Zone

Is it Monday already?

Having a few days off really spoils oneself, doesn't it? I had Wednesday through Sunday off and got a whole bunch, a WHOLE BUNCH of artwork done, 7 pieces altogether would you believe?!
I also was whittling away at my article during my days off. I figured I would take the creative approach to keeping notes about my process and put them in the big BIG HUGE journal I have that I received during our Paris Swap. I totally made note keeping fun. If I only could have brought my markers and stamps to college, life would have been so much easier! I wish I had beautiful handwriting, I have a tendency to scrunch up my words together, sometimes barely even waiting to finish one word before moving on to the next.

During this time off, I day dreamed about what it would be like to throw the corporate world away and turn to my hands as well as my mind to make my living.
What was my conclusion?
I need a sugar Daddy. LOL
No seriously, I'm a modern woman here. I can take care of myself--but not yet by myself. I still need my day job, but I do believe I could make a decent living if I could focus the majority of my day on my artistic life. I might be a skinnier gal and have to take a few less trips to Starbucks--but hey, I'm about to have to make that choice anyway with the rising prices so what the heck. Well, what the heck is Insurance money. That's pretty much the only reason why I won't quit my day job truth be told.
Well until that day comes along, I'm satisfied to create on the side and have fun in my own little world. I'm hoping soon it's going to branch off into bigger things--time will tell!

In my last post, we ( meaning me) started a discussion about what you are doing to save money these days. Be sure to check back in the comments and read what others are doing--and please share yours if you missed the post!
Several of you mentioned using what you have, ENJOYING what you have whether it be the food you already do have or utilizing the (art) supplies you own before going out to the store to by more. That's a great tip. The picture above denotes pieces of scrap I use over and over again in my pieces to create texture and use as stencils. Nothing fancy and probably mostly things you have in your stash. I've been doing good at saving things that I think will work in my art. Almost too good. I've got a growing stash of 'texture' tools as well as papers that I can pull from at a moments notice. That's saving and recycling, right?
Although, I must admit, I did visit an Etsy shop recently of a new friend called Remember Yesterday and bought some cool vintage goodies to use in my collages. I received them today and the shop owner through in some goodies from her art store--Kathy's collages and assembleages are wonderfully crafted. You must visit!! Very reasonable I might mention (as we are trying to save $$)

See here--I'm working on my 'secret projects'(which are completed now), utilizing one of my used up gift cards! I've used the credit cards and gift cards before to spread on paint on my collages, but only recently started working with modeling paste and found that the cards are perfect for laying on this medium as well. Who needs an expensive palette knife??

I need to do a few touch up on these pieces before I list them, but they are pretty much completed. I had a coffee shop in town in mind when I made these, I even used their cups they use for inspiration. I doodled and journaled on the background using a brown charcoal pencil. That's the first time I used a brown charcoal pencil.

I love the distressed look it generates as I worked the yellows, creams, and oranges in to create the warm and funky background.

Makes me want to grab a cuppa Joe...something I drink entirely too much of. I do get a lot done every day thanks to my pal Joe.
In other good news, I prospected two more shops that I potentially can put my art in. One is going to be perfect for a couple of bigger pieces. The other, my friend Amy put in a good word for me to one of her friends that owns a shop and I am going to chat with her about potentially being a featured artist for August. It's all very exciting. I'm glad I've started to network and get to know other people and artists in my area. It's taking a big step for me because outside of work, I'm pretty much a loner....making friends and getting out in the world pretty much doesn't happen for me so it's definitely outside of my comfort zone. I'm fine once I get to know people, but generally I'm not the social butterfly that gets involved in a lot of things. Amy is helping me along with ideas on how to feature myself in galleries or shops, and I'm doing my best to encourage her to send her work off for publication, too.
I'm hoping this last 5 months of the year brings many good things to those of us who step outside of our comfort zone and just try...just try something new and brave and scary all at the same time. You never know where that road may lead. It leads no where if you don't at least attempt the journey. That's one thing for sure.

Until next time, be good--and be thinking of new ways to enjoy what we have and or save a little bread for Sunday dinner. :)

New ACEO's and Some GOOD News!

I wanted to share with you some of my new ACEO's that I have been working on, only a couple of which will be available on my ETSY shop-the others are already spoken for. I have only done a few cards as part of my artistic endeavors so I felt the need to get this book to guide me along. They have one on Amazon for only 4.95 used so I definitely suggest anyone interested in this miniature art form to pick it up and learn more about it, there are some very cool techniques listed within the book. One of these days, I'd love to write a book on mixed media art techniques. Of course, I'll have to get better at what I do but I'm adding having a book published to my "bucket list".

Another thing I really wanted to do this year was to submit some of my work to a national magazine to be published. It's a scary thought to even do that because there's a good chance I'll be rejected but then again, I thought to myself--well it's really 50/50....they'll either say yes or say no. The odds aren't really bad when you think of them it those terms. It's definitely a NO if you don't do it, so why not? Well, I finally worked up the courage to put myself out there with the help of some friends encouraging me to do so. A new 'online' friend who was recently published (actually published several times) gave me additional guidance before and after my submission that really has helped me.

....and the good news is: My first submission was accepted and I am now working on an article for a large magazine in the art world!!! Whoooooohooooooooo!!! I'll give more details and issue date once everything is set in stone as I suppose anything can change between now and then, but as it stands right now, I should have something(s) published before the holidays!!!!!!! You have no idea how tickled I am but how scared I am that I will fall on my face..LOL. Debbie Doubter talking right now but her sister Positive Polly is the stronger of the two twins so I am going to plug away as if it's a done deal and do my best to make the August 1st deadline!
The moral of the story is, you must at least try--and sometimes try and try again if you really want something to happen. Inaction leads to sure failure; Action and motivation leads to accomplishments and achievements. I am so glad I bought the book The Secret as it really changed my mindset and has shown me how to believe in what I'm doing and live my life as if my goals are already achieved or on their way.
So maybe writing an art book isn't sooooo out of my reach. There are several online artists that have really catapulted their career over the last couple of years, one of which also has a book coming out early this fall. If you haven't ever checked out Kelly Rae's work, do so now!! You'll love her whimsical woman who are so very inspiring.
I love the name of her book....Taking Flight. I can totally relate to the meaning behind it.
Stay tuned for the rest of the story :)
Until then, have an artfully good week!

Sweet Goodness Swaps: Pink Lemonade, Parasols, and Polka Dots

I have met a lot of wonderful people via this blog--many coming into my world just when I needed them most. It's amazing how things do happen just when you need them to, for whatever reason. The list is long for those of you have touched my life, hopefully you know who you are, but if you don't, know that your comments and friendship mean the world to me.
Having faith is what it's all about, faith in the Lord above, faith in yourself, and faith in those around you. This week has been a trying week for me. I feel like my world is spinning out of control and I'm going grayer and grayer by the minute! A lot of it is good, some of it stressful--and then just when I needed a little pick me up, here it comes, my wonderful swap gift for the Sweet Goodness Swap: Pink Lemonade, Parasols and Polka Dot swap from my lovely and talented partner, Katie. Katie is fabulously talented, and extremely generous as you are about to see.....but most of all, I really enjoyed getting to know Katie. She was a great partner right out of the gates, sending an email to me sharing a bit about herself, asking me about my life, commenting on my blog and just genuinely showing interest in getting to know me. I hope I reciprocated in a way that makes her glad to have joined this swap. I can truly say, I've had some wonderful partners in all of our swaps!!

And on to all the goodies:

Would you look at all the bountiful goodies!! Katie stuffed this box like a master packer with an artistic and creative flair. I WISH I could wrap and decorate so cutely like Katie did!

She obviously paid attention to our 20 questions list, as she made these sooooo cute hanging name plates in my nickname Lucy, adding 'Juicy' which was lovely coined by the thriftiest of all blog friends I have, Miss Shara.

Awwww....Lucy... :) Sooooo cute, I love it!! (I love the pink and brown polka dots in this background)!

Revealing my real name...lol...I know I have an identity crisis going on. But isn't this just the cutes set of name tags?? So much detail, and so inspiring!

Katie made the most wonderful set of tags I have ever seen! These are a few of my favorites!

Wowza, right?!

A cute little paper doll...all of these lovelies are adorning my 'studio' as we speak.

A vintage handkerchief, a thrifted pocket mirro and some lovely ribbon...the list goes on and on!

Summer drinks and parasols abound. She packed more stickers than you could imagine in this fabulous box!

Candies and summer drinks, including a gift card to my favorite coffee shop! DS and I enjoyed a frozen drink Sunday together, Thank you Katie!

The box was never ending with joyful surprises at every turn. I could hardly contain myself!! I'm going to have sooo much fun playing with all my new toys and simply enjoying my beautiful goodies, all the while thinking of how lucky I am to have met such a kind and generous soul in my new friend, Katie.....Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart! You brightened my day beyond words when I needed it most.

:)

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Next post...exciting news and some awards!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOHOOOOO

Some Things Change, Some Things Stay The Same

"Hometown Friends"
6 x 6 on deep edged stretched canvas

I almost hesitated on posting this little new piece as the colors didn't come out as vibrant in the photos as they are in real life. I did take them outside but perhaps the sun light was not in the best position for me to capture the true essence of this piece. I still have a lot to learn with photo taking. A lot. But I am getting better and I do realize the value of having great photos of your work when you are selling your wares, not to mention, I want to keep my archive of paintings for future uses of prints so I want the prints to look as closely like the originals as possible. Speaking of archives...I need to get my tail busy moving my pictures to cd before this computer blows up from all the abuse I've given her, loading her with picture after picture after picture!!

This weekend has been pretty laid back for me. 4th of July came and went with little fanfare. I opted not to go anywhere this year. Instead we ran errands in the morning, went grocery shopping for some grillin' goodies, came home and relaxed outside with the new Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine, DS played with the neighbor girls with the slip and slide, the went with his Dad to the fireworks (it seems to have become a routine that his Dad takes him to the fireworks each year....I guess it's a guy thing and the new wife doesn't like me taggin along so I stay home..lol), and then a friend of mine came over for some grillin out and some wine. All in all not a bad 4th, but I do miss the bigger get togethers my family used to have each year and then all of us walking down to the lake for the fireworks show.

After my friend Linda left at about 11, I settled in for bed but was rudely awoken about 1 am by furious knocking and the dog barking. I go to the front door and there's no one....but there is a taxi in my driveway??? huh??? The dog is still barking and so I go to the back door....and yep, it's What's His Face. Drunk. Just came from the "DANCE" Club. I say Dance loosely, or nudely rather. He wants to stay here AND for me to pay for the taxi because he is out of money!!! The taxi won't take him to where he lives because it's too far.
Did you hear me when I say he WANTED ME TO PAY for the taxi after he spent all HIS money at the club????

Oh my goodnesss...well since this is a family show, you don't want to know what came out of my mouth.
Needless to say, the night was not good. Yesterday morning wasn't good either since I had to end up paying for gas to take him home and I was ill from the night before, mad as all get out at the audacity of him to actually think I was going to pay for the f***ing taxi!! No Bleepity bleep bleep bleep Way!!!

The bright side to the story is that he is actually working and can pay to go to the club himself.
He is still begging me to take him back because he has done everything I wanted him to do. Got a job, got his own place, and not doing drugs anymore. That doesn't erase all the pain and suffering I had gone through though. Nights like the one described above is a scaled down night like it used to be alllll the blessed time. Ridiculous.
There is still the looming issue of the drinking that I can't get passed either. Not that I'm a prude and detest everyone that drinks. I enjoy a cocktail from time to time. I can't be around alcoholics though. Too many bad memories from my past relationships and other events in my life with alcoholics in other close people's lives. You never know when that switch is going to be flipped and the happy fun person is turned into a monster from hell.
It doesn't take much for that switch to be flipped.

I do have to say though, the bright side of this whole adventure is the amount of artwork that my experience has inspired me to create. It's that escape that I started with to get away from all the sadness, anxiety, and depression that I have turned into a gateway for my new passion. Not everything I create has come from this experience, but the the idea of painting and creating is rooted in that need to go to another place and escape in my mind.
Now it's become a way of life.
I believe it's time to move. Over 3 rooms in our house as well as just about every storage area and built in cabinet houses my artwork and supplies. I need a bigger place for the rest of us to live, but then again, I like to create out in the open, not in a separate room.
I can only imagine what someone would say if I did start dating again about all of my art supplies in the area that used to be my dining room. LOL I'm not sure they would understand the journey I've taken to get to where I am today and why it is that I do what I do.

Then again, I could always point them to my blog and just say read it.....you may just begin to understand me from my posts and artwork.
There's still a lot yet to discover yet. I'm just not so sure I'm ready yet to open up to anyone else to join this journey with me.
No, I'm prepared to walk alone for a while yet longer.

This last piece feature is called:

"Through the Window of His Eye" which is the 3rd in my Faith Collection. This one depicts the window to which I am looking at as I see myself and the approval I"m looking for, for using the new skills I've been honing. The gifts HE gave me. I'm hoping they are being put to good use in His eyes.

It has helped to save me and my sanity.
(((((UPDATE-I have mounted this now and it is currently available in my Etsy shop. Mounted on a 12 x 12 black and gold masonite board. It looks striking on this 'frame'!))))))
*****

Next post--my FANTaBuLouS swap package from Katie!!!!!! You won't believe all the wonderful goodies she had in store for me!!

20 Questions!

Let's Get to Know Each Other And Play 20 Questions!

Please copy and paste into your blog (if you don't have a blog, please email your partner with your replies).

1. What is your favorite Summer Drink(s)? Non alcoholic, I love Iced Tea Ade--I'm not sure if that's a drink or not, but I like to mix Lemonade AND Iced Tea. YUM. Alcoholic, I like Cosmopolitans but normally just a plain old vodka tonic with lime. :)

2. What is your favorite Summer Activity? BBQing & cooking on the grill, lazy day get togethers, and going to the pool.

3. If you could spend a lazy afternoon reading, what would be in your hands? Probably any magazine I could get my hands on-love all the Stampington magazines, Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Country Living, ME Home just to name a few. I have plenty of books but never seem to have enough time to read a whole book anymore :(

4. What is your favorite type of craft/art medium? Most definitely acrylic painting, but as a mixed media artist, I love to employ a variety of vintage papers, decorative papers, stamps, pearl ex powders, alcohol inks, and more into my pieces

5. What is one art/craft supply you absolutely have been dying to have or try? I have so many things I love and have right now but a few things I don't have that I want are India inks, calligraphy pens, sepia pens, (really any pens that are waterproof are on my list), gold leaf, and beeswax. LOL what a combination. All are on my list of to buys with my sale coupons over the next few months.

6. What are your favorite colors in our 'rainbow sherbet' theme? Pink, lime green, yellow, orange, aqua (or blue) Love all of these colors, but probably Pink, Lime Green, and Aqua are my top favs.

7. What is your favorite sweet treat? Well, I do love chocolate but I live in NC and it's so hot here that you wouldn't want to send me any in my swap package, so my next fav is anything chewy and gummy like licorice, gummy bears, gummy fish, lifesavers, etc.

8. Are there any craft or art supplies you would NOT be interested in receiving? I just really can't knit or crochet, so supply wise that wouldn't be the best for me--but I love receiving already done projects!! LOL

9. What is your favorite song today? Realize by Colby Caliet

10. How do you 'pamper' yourself during the hot summer days? I've just rediscovered the joys of soaking in the tub, reading a magazine and giving myself a wonderful facial mask :)

11. Do you have any kidlets or pets? I have two boys (7 and 13) and one BIG dog :)

12. What is your best potluck dish for summer get togethers? Dessert wise, my Better Than Sex cake is always a hit and thanks to my dear God Child, Elizabeth--her Taco Dip is now my signature appetizer at all of our doing's.

13. If you could take a summer vacation anywhere, where would it be? I'd go someplace where it's moderately warm and near water--perhaps Martha's vineyard or somewhere around there on the coast.

14. Describe your decorating style. Does that say anything about your personality? Yard Sale chic. I wish I had a magazine layout home, but mostly my house has second hand items mixed in with my artwork. Truly Design on a dime. What does it say about my personality? It says I live within my means and I make things work despite the odds. I am a realist with a creative style and positive attitude.

15. What are your initials? JLO My dear friend SHARA likes to call my "Juicy" as my real name is Jodi, but nickname is Lucy--lol...so she's given me the endearment juicy.....lol..now don't any of you start calling me that...it's lucy on this blog..LOL

16. Why do you like to join swaps? First, I just liked joining to get some surprise treats in the mail that I wouldn't have boughten for myself or found around here for myself--and it was so much fun to find unique things and make things for others in the same vein. NOW, I can truly say I join swaps and have partnered with the Goodness Girls to host these swaps for all the friends I have made along the way. I've had some wonderful partners who have become big parts of my heart and life, as well as I enjoy the creative challenges posed by the swaps we initiate.

17. You have 25 dollars to spend just on you for a little treat. What do you buy? ((you can list more than one thing). I'd buy a little art supply of course, a Starbucks Americano with Hazelnut, a magazine, and something from Bath and Bodyworks.

18. What's one craft supply or art supply you absolutely can not live without? My friend Amy turned me onto Golden Fluid Acrylic paints and I absolutely love them. I also love my pear ex and mica powders.

19. Who's the last person you hugged? My lil man.

20. What's your favorite number and why? I love the number 3. It seems to come back to me in many ways in my life and in my family. There's gotta be something larger to it although I don't really know what that reason is. I've been creating my artwork in threes lately, too. Weird huh?

Thanks for reading this :)

Please stop by and visit my Parasols, Polka Dots, and Pink Lemonade partner, Katie--you fall in love with her style and artwork!!

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!

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!!

The Winner Is:

Ta--da, The winner of "Blooming Hearts" print is none other than the darling, talented, super sweet, Misses Kwitty!! Congratulations Karen, and thank you for entering my contest and for leaving such thoughtful comments!!
Please visit Misses Kwitty's etsy shop as well--you will find the sweetest hand sewn and crafted creations!!! ((note to my lovely Sister Becky, have no fear, I will be sending you a prize in the mail as well!!))

MK--please email me your addy so I can send your print off in the mail!


***THANK YOU all for the wonderful and uplifting comments, you've really made my week!***

Almost a year ago--around April 15th I created this little doodle drawing/painting. Wow. I've come along way! I still love color but my direction has really changed hasn't it?

Random review--
Now, check out some of the more recent things I've been doing featured in my etsy shop. I opened the shop in August 2007 with moderate success in the beginning, but around mid February, things have really taken off and I'm am ECSTATIC!! I even received my FIRST special order for bunches of my Sweet HeART magnets last week!! These will be going into a cool store out West (((((yippeee...my first store))).

This year I also joined a local artist group "North Carolina Mixed Media guild"

((hey look, they have one of my pieces featured on the homepage))
Through this club, I've met some great ladies who share a passion for creating, an understanding of the "business of art" and have even made some local connections that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to otherwise. We meet the second Thursday of each month at a cool little store in Raleigh, NC called Ornamentea and share our WIP, tips on creating our projects, and other art business topics.

Another group I joined just a few weeks ago upon it's inception is the Metsy Team. What is Metsy???
(Courtesy of our group Homepage))---hey cool, another feature of my MM painting "Learning to Love" which is now SOLD and heading to her new home in Canada!!!!

Mixed Media Etsy (a.k.a. Metsy) is a group of crafters from around the world that have banded together to promote each other's work. We create using paper, fabric, paint, glue, ink, found ojects, and virtually anything else you can think. The only prerequisite to join is that you have an Etsy store with at least 3 mixed media items. Please tag your mixed media items with "metsy" so we'll be able to find them easily. If you're unclear on what constitutes "mixed-media" here's a definition from wikipedia...

"Mixed media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed."

Within this group we will share knowledge, discuss, suggest, support, and promote all things mixed media.

We also have a blog which you have to check out all the links to other fabulous Etsy Mixed Media artist. We are doing our first art challenge this month with the color palette "purple blossom". Items will be tagged at the end of this month upon completion with the tag "Metsy color challenge" so everyone can easily find the items.

On top of all these art escapades, I am still participating in and co-hosting Sweet Goodness Swaps. Our latest swap is going to be a blast---"Spring time in Paris" with a light blue, (or aqua , teal) black, and white color theme. This makes our 6th big swap since our first swap last February with the Pink and Brown swap. Going back to our roots--my partner for this round is the sweet professor and crafter Jen of
Simply Gigi Designs! I had a wonderful time swapping with Jen last year and we have kept in touch when we could over this last year so it's great to be partnered up with her again.
I've have met so many wonderful people this year and what a difference it has made in my life. Like "The Secret" says, thinking about what you want, believing in it, eventually the universe will draw those things into your life like a magnet. As I reflect back on this year--it's hard to deny how so many things in my life are a direct reflection of my new mindset to create and live the artist's way. I've had a lot of inner struggles and one thing my painting allows me to do is to escape those struggles, work through them, and hopefully in the process, I am growing as a person. The other day, I had a little drama going on and about a year ago, I would have lashed out verbally to vent my frustration but today, yesterday--breathing and releasing those negative thoughts and going back and getting my anger and disappointment out on the canvas has me feeling so much better. It's hard to explain but hopefully you can see the growth and how it's helped me.

My new mantra--It's impossible to feel bad when you are thinking good thoughts.
Release it.
Let it go.
You'll feel better.

I do.

You just need to find the release that allows you to do so. That happy place :) LOL

Pretty soon I'll be sitting around on big ole pillows chanting and hooking up with Madonna on the weekends. But that's alright. Life is good.

Learning to Love--WIP

I bet everyone was thinking I truly took off with the singer from Rock N Roll band, didn't ya?? Nope. Hate to disappoint ya, just had a very busy work week it seems so not a whole lot of progress on the art front. I did manage to get some playtime in yesterday in between errand running, cleaning, and checking out the tornado warning yesterday to work on this piece I started back in January.

Here is the progression of my latest piece:
"Learning to Love"

12x12 canvas, layers of yellow, tan and pink. Texture is created with using a brayer and decorative wall paper. (((I cover my work surface with Freezer Paper---it's the bomb!!!)))

For this step,I've added some additional colors, paper cut outs, and sewing patterns, stamped with some found items (bottle caps, doilies, and more).

At this point in the painting you can start to see the garden growing and the picture to start to come to life. A lot more texture is added through more found stamps (bubble wrap, drywall tape, more stencils). I added the door to symbolize one stepping out of her comfort zone, opening the door to new things, new adventure, new experiences.

I used both graphite and charcoal pencils to draw on my girl and the flowers in the piece, as well to define different parts of the painting that just sort of happened. By this I mean, I started to find more flowers within the layers of paint and stamping when I really looked. I outlined my blooms that just sort of popped up from seemingly nowhere. On my lady, I gave her shirt texture by carefully stenciling with drywall tape. I used a glaze with the paint on her skirt so that the underlying textures and colors would still pop through.

Added cut text and distressed with brown paint.

I'm beginning to color in the garden and draw/paint the face. Completing the face is the most frightening thing for me to do. I'm terrified that I will trash the whole painting by making a face that doesn't look good at all.

And this is where we are at today.... a few more details still left to attend to then paint the sides and varnish the piece. For the final picture, I'm definitely going to have to take the photo outside as these are not reflecting the depth of color and texture although it is good enough to give you an idea an how this piece has progressed. What do you think so far??

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Swap news---Stay tuned to Sweet Goodness Swap blog---we are about to announce our next swap on March 24th!!!! Whooooo hoooooo. I'd like to give a hint---but my Goodness Girl pals-Rebecca, Heidi, and Leigh Anne might get mad.....oh heck, the girls will get over it. Besides, I think Rebecca gave notice a few days ago--heehee!! Okay--here goes, we are doing a new color swap--this time with not one, not two,but a three color theme!! And-and--theres a great theme behind the colors. I have a small very obscure hint hidden on my blog already.........can you guess what it is??

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Next post I'll show you the finished piece and do the last meme I was tagged for by my fellow Carolina Mixed Media pal, Nanette.

Have an artfully good Sunday!!

Good Eats and Sweet Treats! ((((special Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe Coupon Code, too))))

For the love of Creativity--the best I could muster out of myself this week was to make up my own frosting recipe while I made my two little love birds (my big lil men) their Valentine's Day cupcakes. I do have to say so myself, the frosting came out pretty dang well despite the fact it was a little runny. That's how I meant it to be anyway...so there! It tasted fabulous anyway, how can you go wrong with cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream, vanilla and butter??

I'm going to be away for a work assignment next week for 10 days so we are celebrating early around here. I bought these plates last year when in Florida when I was thrifting with my Sister. 25 cents. Who could go wrong? Except it's one plate. Also that day, I picked up one heart champagne flute, one heart soup bowl---I guess I knew a head of time, I'd only need one of each this year!

I have been making more hearts as featured in my last post so I guess I have been somewhat creative. In addition, I have been practicing drawing lips in my effort to get back to the basics. Kinda like teaching myself Art 101 with the best resources available one ever could dream of through the internet. Speaking of resources and inspiration, check out one of my favorite online artist's video (part 2) The time Paulette spends on the little details is mesmerizing. I hope one of these days I will achieve a level of expertise as Paulette displays.

Hearts, hearts, hearts everywhere--here we have my lovely "Hanging Heart Swap" gift from Connie. Miss Connie hand sewed and filled with beautiful smelling lavender and spice mix. This is one of Connie's first Sweet Goodness Swaps with us, and I am so happy to have met her and had an opportunity to be her partner. She beat me to the send out--mine went out today so can't wait to hear what she has to say about my creation!

This week was full of Good Treats in the mail! I'm a lucky girl, and don't you all be haters, k??? Miss Paula ((((Paula was my FIRST blog commenters way back when!))) sent me this book and a beautiful handcrafted bookmark as my winnings in a giveaway in honor of her Dear Mother's Birthday. Paula's Mother is no longer with her, so this was her way of sharing her loving memory with her blog friends. Thank you Paula I'm honored to have won this drawing! I will be taking this on my trip with me to enjoy during my down time. I will be working A LOT-but w/o my art supplies and my computer around, I will actually have time to read!!

Another parcel that made it's way to my doorstep came from my awesome Sweet Goodness Holiday Sister, Jane. This sadly was our last swap in the series--I was just getting used to Jane spoiling me each month, too!! Jane is a retired Art teacher, so not only were we kindred spirits in this swap, Jane spent a lot of time giving me pointers and sharing some cool artful goodies with me to enhance my own creativity. Love love love my SGS sister! I'm sure we will keep in touch and perhaps still share the swap love from time to time!

This swap theme was to share some artful recipes and whatever else you wanted to send for the holidays to your swap sister. Jane sent me a huge assortment of crafty embellishments, a gorgeous journal, some book labels and some craft paper--all featured in these first two pictures.

Holy smolly's! Look at all these goodies!! I can't wait to play with all these embellishments!

True to her character, Jane created a fabulous altered recipe book! How cool is that??? I have been wanting to start an altered book but have yet to get passed the painted page stage. I have on started from this summer--but didn't do anything other than background pages. Jane's creativity has sparked my desire to finish that project!

MMM...now how tempting does that recipe sound??:)))

Inside this cool tote, all my goodies were packed. Carefully hugged by this gorgeous quilt Jane made me!! Can you believe that? Her work is fabulous and I absolutely love it!! The time and love Jane put into all my swap gifts made each and everyone of them very special.
Thank you again Jane, from the bottom of my heart!!

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I've kinda been slack at uploading anything new to my Etsy shop, kinda because I knew I'd be away this coming month for a while, but mostly because most of my time has been spent working late at work, or studying at night for my project coming up---dang day jobs!! They take all my fun away!! Anyway--my point is, that for any of my visitors here--if you'd like to purchase something from my shop, here's a Valentine's deal for you. 25% off any item! Please convo me your choice and put Sweet Repeats in the message and I will adjust the listing for you to purchase!! After Valentine's day, I'd like to add new merchandise so help me clear my shelves!!!! I'll enter the coupon code until February 14th! Due to my travels however, anything ordered after February 4th, will not be shipped until February 19th--so check out the shop sooner rather than later!!!!

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Last but not least, just wanted to introduce a local artist friend of mine (she actually lives just around the bend from me a few miles!), Nanette. She is also a new member of the group I joined this month, The North Carolina Mixed Media Guild. Nanette is a Mixed Media Fiber Artist who recently found her calling in life and she just started a blog to shout it out to the world! As we all know, comments are the gas in our blog "car", especially when we first start, so please stop by and hello and see what she has to say on "Nanette Says"!!

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Hope you have a creative week!!

Hurry Don't be Late--1st Sweet Goodness Swap of 2008!

Happy New Year! We're back and ready for a great year of swapping in 2008! Didn't think you'd hear from us so soon, heh? Well Rebecca and I now have TWICE the amount of help and we're off to a bang up start!

Leigh Ann will be joining us again now that she's all set up