Monday, December 28, 2009

Inspire Me Thursday: Handmade Gifts


Craft Box - View 1

This is box number four that I've created using collage and decoupage techniques. Something to hold craft supplies, like crayons, for my toddlers, was my inspiration.


Craft Box - View 2

I adhered strips of newsprint and torn sheets of music with medium gel gloss, then sponged on a thin layer of blue acrylic paint. I adhered stickers and punch outs with another layer of medium gel gloss, giving the box a nice finish. I decorated with gold and blue paint dots...and voila! Finito!


In the Details


Monday, November 23, 2009

Western WA Scrapbook Retreat


My Group
Left: Lisa, Katherine (not shown)
Right: Ginger, and my table (front)

The WWS retreat took place at Fort Worden near Port Townsend, WA. A beautiful setting for three days of creative time. If one didn't find the place inspiring, then surely the car pool adventure or the ferry ride would do. It was a fabulous getaway coming, being, and going. Finally, some time for myself to just be, just create, or just engage with like minded souls. I will definitely return as there was something special about being with friends, meeting new people, and just plain having time!


Our Room
One of Many!

Last I heard there were 112 participants spread throughout the two story building taking up multiple working rooms. Accommodations were in old barracks with single or double bedrooms. These rooms were very basic and "institutional" looking...adding to the rustic allure. Shared bathrooms and having my friends just down the hall...well, it reminded me of college dorm living. Good times.


"Let it snow!"
Christmas Cards 2009

When I first arrived, I decided to work on my Christmas cards to get me in the groove. Something pre-planned where I could plug away and enjoy the surroundings. They were time intensive with little pieces to glue for 32 cards. But this time, I truly felt like it was more about the process and less about the final product. It was meditative.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Ginger's Memories...


Ginger's Memories

Not just an empty box, "Ginger's Memories" is quite full! I created this collage box to capture memories for Ginger's 40th birthday party, themed Back in Black. Guests brought items to include, such as matchbooks and coasters, a banana comb straight from the 80s, the Back in Black album by AC/DC, pictures, postcards from Ginger's many travels, and pertinent aging quotes.


A Collage Box

I tore a map of Rome and newspaper pages into strips and adhered with medium gel gloss. After it was dry, I sponge painted over the strips with brown and black acrylic paints, then decorated with stickers and die cut shapes. I sealed everything in place with another coat of medium gel gloss, giving it a smooth finish. I lined the box with maps from Prague and Budapest. I'm sure Travel Girl has a lot of memories to store so this box should get lots of use.

Happy Birthday, Ginger!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Card Swap


Just a note!
Made with music, Espial Design

I'm attending the Western Washington Scrapbook Retreat next weekend for 3 days of dedicated creative time. I'm not a scrapbooker intrinsically, although I do enjoy making my own greeting cards.

To get into the groove, I signed up for the event's card swap. My inspiration was my piano. I've never been very good and don't have an ear for music, but I enjoy plunking on the keys once in the while. I have TONS of sheet music from my Grandma, my Aunt Judy, and my mom. I went through it yesterday to see what could be deemed collage worthy and found some goodies to cut up for my project.

I made 14 cards in total.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Illustration Friday: Unfold
Inspire Me Thursday: Child Art


Monkey and Map

"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run." ~ Kenny Rogers, The Gambler

I'm using this illustration for Inspire Me Thursday's theme this week, Child Art. Nothing in the piece was done by a child...but it is intended for a monkey toy box. Some how, my toddlers have acquired quite a few monkey plush toys. I've put them all into a shoebox and I call it the Monkey Box. It's in their closet and when they need a distraction, I tell them to go find their monkeys, which they are more than happy to dig out. Decorating the Monkey Box is on my list of "to dos" and this illustration is a start.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Illustration Friday: Fleeting


April's Picnic

"Fleeting: passing swiftly; vanishing quickly; transient; transitory"

Bird takes a fleeting glance at the picnic below him. He espies two of his friends dining on watermelon seeds and wonders if he has room for one more.

This image was inspired by my friend, April, who wrote, "I love animals and hope to have a garden in heaven were animals talk to me".

Happy Birthday, Razzle Dazzle!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Illustration Friday: Subtract
Inspire Me Thursday: I am...


Free Bee
I just gotta be me!

I was inspired by the bowling pins I recently crafted and thought I would exercise my brain with a quick image. I illustrated the bee and the ladybug and then let them take over as they started telling their own story. I like letting go to see where things end up. An enjoyable journey today with the Free Bee.

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Idle Hands


Bowling Pins
Monkey, Bumble Bee, Cat


Bowling Pins
Bird, Ladybug, Bunny Rabbit

I needed a project to do while spending time at my parent's house. I have so many fabric remnants and odd buttons that I thought of making bowling pins for my girls. I brought with me the easy pattern I created, some notions for antennas, eyes, and noses and sewed like the wind! I used navy beans for the base and stuffed the critters with recycled pillow stuffing and fleece. I made a bumble bee, ladybug, monkey, cat, bird and a bunny rabbit.


All Together Now

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Sewing Confections
Inspire Me Thursday: Lace


Sewn Confections, Batch 2

Fresh from the oven, my last batch of sweets sewn for the Deux Pois Bakery. When my girls are old enough to play in their make believe bakery (and stop putting things in their mouths) I will share my box of treats. Right now the buttons are a choking hazard even though they look delicious!

My Petit Four Sec Chocolate Cake with Confectioners Sugar has a sprinkling of lace, which lends itself nicely to this week's theme for Inspire Me Thursday.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Sewing Confections
Inspire Me Thursday: Fold


Deux Pois Bakery Logo
Translated: Two Peas Bakery

I saw some crafted cupcakes and confections online made from felt or felted wool and topped with ribbons, buttons, and beads. They were really cute so I thought I'd try my hand at creating my own plush desserts. I have loads of fabric pieces, jars of old buttons, and ribbon remnants of all sorts. To use up these collections of scraps, I machine sewed all my confections using mostly cotton quilting fabric. I created my own patterns and looks to stock my new "bakery", Deux Pois Bakery.

The first batch of sewn confections is for a friend's daughter. She'll be turning two and getting a tea and kitchen set as gifts. The second batch, not shown here, is one I'm currently working on for my two girls. I have two more cakes to sew to complete the second set. Fun was had by moi!


Sewn Confections, Batch 1

Don't they look scrumptious? If only they'd taste like they look...yummy!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Textures in the Slough


Moss and Lichen Spore Capsules

I went for a nature walk today in the Mercer Slough. I took lots of great shots, these three being my favorite. Maybe I could use the "Swamp Gunk" image in my last monster image for the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed. I'll have to think on that one.


Lichen


Swamp Gunk

Inspire Me Thursday's theme this week is Breakfast. I'm not sure that "Swamp Gunk" is giving me the proper inspiration! Yuck!