Crafty Dayeseye

Next Step

School is finally out, and I think I have recovered from the craziest semester ever.  My final semester of undergraduate school.

I am a college graduate.

Let that sink in a bit more.

 

I.

AM.

A.

COLLEGE.

GRADUATE.

 

I realize a ton of people have done that in the past, and many more will graduate in the future, but guess what now I am one of them.

What exactly does that mean?  Well loans and now More. School.  I am finally at the point where I will begin to be able give something more back & hopefully help someone become whole again.

 

Like someone helped me a few years ago. 

 

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So after a fun summer of volunteering, art making, work, and misc. fun my adventure back into school resumes.  I will be attending Eastern Virginia Medical School in August. 

I will be studying Art Therapy and Counseling.  This is what all this work has lead up to...me being a grown-up.

Ha.  Me a grown-up? Never.

When I started school I was excited to go back, but never REALLY imaginied I would come to the point of actually fininshing my bachelors.  I had tried 2 times before without success.

This time was different.  With the support of a great family, awesome friends, and the most loving, gentle, fun, kind, supportive, and patient husband ----> I did it.

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On another note... I've been working a little watercolor painting recently.

Home

Based on a post I did about Harper's passing sprung a story for my digital storytelling blog, and this little video...

 

My Newest Project

Watercolor and graphite.  -->  Something I haven't done before.

This my friend's (and old, er- former boss's) pup. Hansome Jim. 

This picture was so hard to resist painting.  So.  I gave in and painted him.

I was so happy to hear how much these pups parents were with the finished painting. 

 

---------------------------------------------

 

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
- Gilda Radner

Related articles

Art Journal Every Day: Torn Paper Collage Tutorial

{Art Together} Experimenting With Watercolors

Trying Every Day

                                                                                                                                   -RWE

Self

I shared this today over at the Virginia Art Therapy Blog, and thought I would share it here as well.  Check out VATA if you'd like to learn more about the experiences of being an Art Therapist.

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Last month I had to create a self portrait in my painting course.  I was stumped.  Now we all know a self portrait doesn’t have to always involve a face (thank goodness, ‘cause that was NEVER going to happen).  While I was sitting at my kitchen table brainstorming my mind began to wander a bit.  I was thinking how much I was opposed to this project; who wants to see the self portrait of a fat girl? 

All of a sudden I snapped out of it and said, “I do!”  I want to see me; I want other people to see how I see myself.  I want to be honest about the fact that I LOVE ME.  There are things I want to change, there are ways I could be healthier, there are ways I could take better care of myself, but in general I love me the way I am.

I finally realized this assignment wasn’t necessarily about the physical, but more about being introspective and having that process come out on the canvas.  This was a hard realization.  I didn’t want to fail myself; I wanted to do something really honest, something raw, and something intimate.  I wanted to make something I would be really proud of. 

I did it.

 

SHE TURNED HER CANT'S INTO CANS AND DREAMS INTO PLANS

 

I created a painting I am proud of, I investigated painting techniques I had been afraid to try, I incorporated so much of myself at times it pained me; the pain of honesty, the pain of seeing the myths I tell myself.  I learned through this experience that I am enough.  I am lucky to have been given the chance to take this look at myself.

Easy Anthropologie Inspired Wall Art | DIY & Free

Yes, you read that correctly, EASY and FREE!

Before:  I had this painting of a fish hanging in the Living room.  I liked it just fine, but it wasn't 'doing' it for me lately.  I have been giving most of the rooms in the house a facelift and thought this would be an easy change-- one that woulod make a big impact. 

Sometimes I just want to look at something new.

Except for my husband, I never tire looking at that stone cold fox. ever.

Okay, back on task.

Before:

So I connected to the internetz, and hooked myself up with some Anthropologie Wall Paper samples.  I love tons of things at Anthro, but DO NOT love the prices.  (I was dreaming of covering something in $1000.00 worth of wallpaper, and then smacked myself and remembered I had books and supplies to buy for this upcoming semester.)  I figured I'd just look at, feel, smell, and caress the samples when they came in.

When they actually arrived I decided to MAKE something out of them.

I opened the package...

Trimmed off the information backing each approx. 4X6 sample...

Grabbed an old tri-fold display board (the frame I filled is 24X36, and the center of a trifold is 24X36, I thought I could just use posterboard but that stuff is ALL 22X28, what is that???) and cut off the 'wings'.

Played with the arrangement a bit...

And when I finally decided on an arrangement I put the samples in a neat stack (so they would stay in order) and used double sided tape to attach the samples to the board...

and...Voila!

Looks so cute, doesn't it?

You could totally do this in any size, with any like size objects, upcycle post cards, paint chips, recipe cards, receipts (that would look really cool, in black and white) book pages--- you name it.  Fill a frame and have fun!

 

_______________________________________________

Update--I linked up here:

 

 

 

Eleven Reasons I Am Thankful for 2011(in 3 parts) | part 3

Sorry, tomorrow (yesterday) became TODAY!

 

--EIGHT--

I am thankful for failing.

2011 was a tumultuous year.  I started volunteering at the local Rape Crisis center, I transferred to a four year university, I have given myself different responsibilities, I have made decisions that were hard, I have stood behind bad decisions I made, I fought physically and emotionally to be healthy and whole. 

I have failed.

But I have not given up. 

I have continued to take risks when I am unsure of a solution.  I have apologized for wrongs I inflicted.  I have begun to forgive myself for things I have done. 

Failing has shown me that there is so much more out there to look forward to; so much more to explore, learn, and dive into.  Failing has taught me to continue to listen to myself, believe in my instincts, trust my voice and speak OUT LOUD.  Failing has taught me to walk away when something doesn’t truly make me happy or isn’t satisfying, why waste the time? Failing has helped me see what matters the most and shown me my opportunities for growth. 

 

--NINE--

I am thankful for rest.

I’m talking about true and good sleep, restfulness, and comfort.  For years I struggled with waking nights, the inability to relax and fall asleep completely.  Waking every 35 minutes was a reality I trudged through on a daily basis.

Now I am able to embrace my old lady nightly routine, and actually sleep at night.  I am finally listening to my internal clock, the circadian cycle of my life.  I look forward to my crisp pillowcase each night excited about re-charging my batteries during the night hours.  I wake up able to momentarily meditate on the day, take a deep breath and begin the day (most of the time on the right side of the bed).

 

--TEN--

I am thankful for the opportunities I have.

This year doors seem to be opening for me.  I have been really lucky to be able to work toward my dreams, go to school, and have a nice job.  I have been given the gift of opportunity. 

The feeling of pride I have felt this year from setting goals, working toward them, and then seeing them come to fruition is amazingly rewarding.  I know that there are people all over the place that are struggling just to survive, and I get to pursue anything I can imagine.    

I am thankful for the freedom I have to be ME.

(weird angle, and skirt action, I look like a little person here!)

 

--ELEVEN--      

I am thankful for the believers, the stranger that smiles, the quiet angels around me, the listeners, peacemakers, and boat-rockers.  I am thankful for the people that bring simple joy to my life, a kind stranger, and those people that see the good in me even at my most flawed.  I am thankful for the people with broad minds that change things and stand up for others.

________________________________________________________________________

Okay, as you can see from number 11, there are a hundred million things I am thankful for, I tried to cheat and put a bunch in one....I slipped a few others in earlier too, but I'm sure you don't mind, right?

you can find the other 7 reasons:

Part 1

Part 2

_______________________________________________________________

I'm really looking forward to a great year this year,

I hope you are too!   

Good Luck, Love, and Fortune to you this year!

Let's Roll

Sending good things in to universe today.

 

 

Cheeky Strawberries Stuffed with Cheesecake!

Or, maybe I should say my CHEEKS are stuffed with cheesecake strawberries!  Yes! Strawberries stuffed with cheesecake!  YUUUUUM.

 

1. slice the green tops of your strawberries off

2. cut out a bit of the white center

(I used a paring knife...use whatever sparks your fancy)

3.  Fill with cheesecake*

(I used a pastry bag and tip, you can use a zip-lock bag, less mess to clean up!)

*recipe at the bottom

4. Dip in crushed graham crackers

5. Chill for about 30 minutes and EAT!

6. YUM.
*cheesecake filling

1 block/ 8ounces of cream cheese

1/4 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream

mix these all together with your favorite mixing tool, chill, pipe, enjoy.

 

 

 

One 8-ounce (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream (contains 36-40% butterfat) Topping: 1 - 21 ounce (595 grams) can cherry pie filling

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Top 40 Recipes of 2010* *Based on actual site traffic during 2010 1. Red Velvet Cake 2. Vanilla Cupcakes 3. Chocolate Chip Cookies 4. Shortbread Cookies 5. New York Cheesecake 6. Royal Icing 7. Carrot Cake 8. Sugar Cookies 9. Ganache 10. Pound Cake 11. Chocolate Cupcakes 12. Apple Crisp 13. Chocolate Truffles 14. Coconut Macaroons 15. Oatmeal Cookies 16. Whipped Cream Frosting 17. Pumpkin Pie 18. Pavlova 19. Banana Bread 20. Snickerdoodles 21. Gingerbread Men 22. Nanaimo Bars 23. Apple Pie 24. Peanut Butter Balls 25. Fruit Tart 26. Lemon Bars 27. Cream Scones 28. Biscuits 29. Rum Balls 30. Yellow Butter Cake 31. Lemon Curd 32. Pumpkin Cheesecake 33. Molten Chocolate Cakes 34. Melting Moments 35. Butter Tarts 36. Boston Cream Pie 37. Mexican Wedding Cakes 38. Peanut Blossom Cookies 39. Chocolate Crinkles 40.Meringue Cookies             Contact Us   Privacy Policy Joyofbaking Mobile SiteBeta Follow Joyofbaking On Twitter Stephanie Jaworski+ Arabic Mandarin Dutch French German Hindi Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Norwegian Portuguese Russian Spanish Greek Swedish Finnish Use of materials on all pages on the domain Joyofbaking.com, the Joyofbaking.com Facebook Page, @joyofbaking on Twitter, the Joyofbaking.com RSS Feed, the Joyofbaking.com email list and any emails sent from @joyofbaking.com are entirely at the risk of the user and their owner, iFood Media LLC will not be responsible for any damages directly or indirectly resulting from the use. This website and the contents are not endorsed or sponsored by the owner of the "Joy of Cooking" series of books or its publisher Simon & Schuster, Inc. Content in any form may not be copied or used without written permission of Stephanie Jaworski, Joyofbaking.com.  Students and non profit educators may use content without permission with proper credit.  A baking resource on the Internet since 1997 Copyright  1997 to 2011 iFood Media LLC

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Wishing

Wishing I could squeeze these guys tonight!

Luuurve.

Can I tell you how much I

Seeing people smile?

 

Like,

A LOT.

 

Now I'm not just talking about the times I say something and someone smiles, or I meet with a friend and he/she greets me with a smile.  I am talking about any genuine, toothy grin on any 'ole stranger. 

A smile of joy.

A smile because they have an awesome secret.

A smile thinking about an old memory.

A smile they just can't help but share with you.

I. LOVE. THAT.

 

That's kind of what inspired my  leave 100 art cards that inspire, from my Stupendous Life List.

I hope the someone who finds each card smiles.

 

card 17/100

*you are free to print and distribute to friends, family, and strangers, but only to brighten their day!

 

 

 

3 Little People Came to Visit

& I learned a few things:

7 month olds DO fit and LOVE dog beds.

evidence--

3 year olds are super great at pronunciation

evidence-

I was repeatedly reminded that was an "Op.Po.Puss." on her arm.

4 year olds love to make noise, out and IN the CAR with their "Car.Monica" and I have no idea how to use my iphone as a video camera. Oh, 4 year old don't stand stil. EVAR.

 

 

Car.Monica playing from Crafty Dayeseye on Vimeo.

You Are Not Gone

One year ago my aunt died.

One year ago my family's heart broke.

Today, I have two words:  Fuck Cancer

You are not gone.

I may not recognize you right away

But then I feel warmth,

Look into a smile,

Sometimes I even hear laughter,

I know it is you.

 

You are not gone.

The joy you brought

Continues on,

It lifts me up and my heart sings,

Sometimes I even hear laughter,

I know it is you.

 

You are not gone.

In my thoughts and my dreams

Find your warmth,

See your smile,

I even hear your laugh,

I know it is you.

JWMG 2011

 

Edythe's cancer was a curse, but she would never tell you that.  She was brave, strong, and full of spunk, to her last days.

She never gave up her bad jokes. 

She never gave up her straight face when telling you "I never knew you couldn't sing!"

She never gave up making other people feel great.

Edythe never gave up.

LOVE.

I know I just mentioned it

But...if you want a sneak peek of next week's Fine Art Exhibit I am participating in, look no further than Art Every day!

Hope you can make it to the show!

 

Excited About a new Little Project

Just a sneak peek of a little something I have barely just begun!  The best part so far is the name of the city in the little scrap.  This was not planned, I was tearing up a map and this is the piece I smacked down on the collage.  Goundhog's day is coming up soon right? 

Phil, I can't wait to see ya!

What a Nice Day!

Woke up on time.

Recieved an internship at a local Council Against Sexual Assault.

 

Worked out at the gym.

(You don't want to see a picture of this!)

Art Every Day was featured on the awesome 365 Make Something Every Day Book Blog!

 

 

Recieved my DODOcase for my new iPad, that's a fun surprise in the mail!

Made Something.

Relaxed with the pups.

Kissed my Handsome Man when he came home.

If I could...

I would send her a letter that says this:

 

Dear Doo-Doo,

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
—Maya Angelou

And maybe enclose something like this:

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Jennifer

 

Sending my love accross the universe today.

 

 

 

 

My Newest Obsession: Making Paper Cloth

Have you seen this?  Have you made any of this? It's paper, but it's cloth...what the?  Well, I'm in love.  Tutorial coming soon!  My friend Terry from The Raven's Whim taught me the other day, and I'm gonna teach you.

More paper cloth over here, on Art Every Day.

Chicken With My Head Cut Off

Here we are, the end of October…the beginning of the busiest time of the year.  How am I going to make it to the New Year?  That is the question on my mind.  I already feel like I have been running around like a chicken with her head cut off, and you mean to tell me it is going to get worse?

 

Work- Getting busier each week, and people are already cranky.  Get over yourself and smile when you come in please.  I do it.  You can do.

 

Classes- I just started another course, which makes 5 classes.  Already I have about 237 pages of papers to do, edit and complete.  Not to mention 3 interviews a few presentations and a possible internship position.  I won’t even get started on Art Club activities.

 

Home- A dog who won’t quit, no matter how much exercise she gets or Xanax she is on.  Oh, and the carpets need shampooing, and a generally disorganized basement that needs attention.  Our Christmas cards are designed, but when am I actually going to be able to execute them? 

 

Misc- The car needs new tires, my laptop is on its last leg, trip to Chesapeake, trip to Atlantic City, trip to Michigan, trip to southern VA, trip to Greensboro. 

 

Okay, this is only the tip of the iceberg, but you get the picture, right?  I know YOU have a great deal going on too, more even maybe.  Good luck, we will make it!

 

Oh, and to add insult to injury, my drawing assignment this week is a... headless self portrait.  Really?  Really.

Fat girls do NOT LIKE self portraits.

I tried to be honest with myself and true to my work.

 

Art Every Day!!

So about 2 months ago, 67 days to be exact, I challenged myself to " Make Art Every Day".  It has been fun, hard, revealing, exhilarating and eye-opening.

Today I posted a mini tutorial on how to transfer ink-jet images. 

Other things you will find over there if you haven't already seen them...

Turtles

Tulips

Poems

Self Portraits

 and much, much more!  Check it out!  Join me on Facebook too!

 

Prizes in the Mail!

Look what came in the mailbox today!  Oh, wait!  Yesterday, but I just got it today.

Is that not the freaking cutest pendant you have ever seen?  And the puppy!  The scarf, his spots...perfect!

Stephanie, you are awesome!

If you haven't already, check out Stephanie's sites...she's funny and writes about her life at Manifest Green, and she is crafty and writes about that too at Black Fawn Art.  She also participates in Art Every Day.  Stop by and send her love!

As Promised...

A better picture of a painting in progress.

whatcha think?

yummy.

Bring it on!

Isn't the summer season supposed to be relaxing, calm and...oh wait, I'm not eight anymore.  Summer is just like every other season, except that it is waaaaaaay hotter.   This summer has been extra hot too, but we should have guessed, after all the snow, summer would be a doozey. 

My classes are almost over and two out of three grades are in, A and A.  Yay!

I have been working hard this summer on finding my voice as an artist.  last week I challenged myself to make Art Every Day.  I'm trying to document as many days as possible, but there aren't any hard rules, this is supposed to be fun, challenging, but fun.  So far it has proved to be both.

Here is a mixed media piece I have been working on.  It is a canvas with acrylics, vinyl, book pages and glass beads.  The pictures (that I took in my basement under AWFUL lighting) don't do the colors justice.  I will have to get a shot in some natural light tomorrow.

I am so in love with the shape of the vinyl, so fluid and organic, love it!

New day, New Page, New Challenge!

Look up there...See that?  Art Every Day!

Take a gander over there and let the games begin!

She Plays

with paint some more.

I've been in a mini-funk lately.  Nothing awful, just really tired, and feeling a bit over extended.  With three summer semester classes, 2, 10 week courses and 1, 7 week course, the work has been daunting.  Add to that work, waking up at 3am everyday, spring cleaning the house a little each week, a dog who keeps getting himself sick, and a bad little brown dog...I'm beat.

But....I have been going to the gym and that is helping a bit, as is painting.  This painting is just how I'm feeling...blurry eyed and kinda blue.  What do you do when  you feel this way?

Love a little Work In Progress?

So do I!  Here is a preview of something I'm working on right now for two little girls. This is part one of a two piece I'm working on.  I haven't really even touched the top, not sure what to do up there...certainly a great deal more to do.

I only did two thin coats of gesso, so the  texture of this canvas really show thru, not sure how I feel about that.  I guess I usually like 5 or 6 coats on the pre-made canvases like this one, so they are smooooooth. Oh, and I'm using acrylics on this one.

.

Time with Friends...Just Add Paint

I crossed a mountain and painted a four piece, canvas mural for a special 5 year old this weekend.  5 year olds are fun, they sing, they dance, they talk A LOT, some times they flip-out, but for the most part they smile and flit around like brainy little fairies...well this one did!

She loves all things mermaid and pretty, (read Ariel and pink and purple) and to save her mother's head from exploding by having to look at one more Disney Princess we concocted a lovely little mermaid to watch over her at night.

The colors are cool and refreshing and the canvases are able to be painted over easily when the 5 year old is 9 and not so into mermaids anymore, you know, when she goes goth.

This Picture

Says it better than I ever could.

The Artist's  are and the photo belongs to Os Gemeos.  Thanks K-.

Want to know what your town would look like covered in all the oil?  Visualize this.

Decaf for Everyone Tomorrow

So, now, here I sit.  Approaching my final semester at the local CC, working to transfer to a big 4 year school.  I'm taking five classes, and was lucky enough to be able step down at work and take a part time position so that I can focus completely on school.

I could have never accomplished this at 18.  I know I am working hard, but it is so much more fun and rewarding now.  It doesn't feel like work so much.  It's really too bad I didn't feel like this years ago, I could have already done all of this and would be more established.  Guess what?  Oh well.  At least I'm doing it now.  Kinda like Carl in "UP"  it was time for me to start a new adventure.

Hurdles ahead, but somehow they seem manageable.  2 years and I will have finished my degree, 2 years and I will be starting my Master's.  Seems like a long time when I look at it on paper, but, times flies. 

So wish me luck, and lots of great inspiration! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a side note, it's time for me to go to bed because even though everything in a 300 mile radius, well north and west radius will be closed tomorrow due to the fact that Virginia is in a State of Emergency , due to the hazardous weather conditions, SOMEONE decided that my store should be open.  I think they should open it themselves, frankly. 

p.s. for all you non-Virginia readers...yeah, you two, We never get weather like this, maybe every ten years or so, so the DOT just has a really hard time making the roads safe, we're not babies, and they aren't slackers.  We aren't as cool as you in Buffalo, Salt Lake, Grand Rapids (all of them), and every other snowy city. 

 

This is Real-Life

Starting over hasn't been easy, but it's essential.  I finally realized the things in my life that needed to change, and that I had control over most of them.  I asked myself what good can I be to anyone else if I'm not taking care of myself?  I can only control my four walls, and how I react to things outside those walls.  That's the decision I made that day.  Take care of me, no matter what.  Now realize, we are talking mentally, there are plenty of physical ways that I could be taking care of myself better, and those will come in time.  For now, sanity.  Later, buns of steel.

During my intense therapy I really started to hone in my creativity, something I had put on the back burner.  This was one of the best things I could have done.  Painting, sketching, taking photographs, and other endeavors have really been cathartic experiences for me.

Next thing I know, I've enrolled in 2 classes for the upcoming semester at the local community college.  It's so weird, I don't remember hemming and hawing, just that I sat down, browsed the catalog and picked two classes.  Drawing and Principals of Psychology. Done and Done.

I wish I could say everything was honky-dory from then on out, but come on, this is real-life.  School was great, and hard, and great, and really, really hard!  It took a great deal for me to make it to a 3 hour drawing class after a 14 hour day at work twice a week, it was a struggle to read hundreds of psych. articles and pages of cases, learn new lingo, and once again learn to and socialize with the other students I was in class with/am in class with.

I navigated fairly well that first semester, juggling 60+hour a week work week, classes, and home.  I thank my lucky stars my husband is supportive and generous, not once has he complained that the house is a wreck, that I don't spend enough time with him or that I'm not pulling my weight in this family/house/universe.

~~~~~~~~~

Okay, time for some math homework and a chat with the MN side of the family.  OHHHHHH MINNNNEEEESOOOOOTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! 

Only one more sleep til Chistmas!

That makes today the 12th Day of Christmas.  Tomorrow is going to be such fun, I'm very excited!

Look what I made today!

She is a cousin of the little guy from yesterday.  This was another variation I sketched, which led to another...which I will not be making tomorrow...Christmas Y'all!  I like the key hole shape of the body, AND the fold over of the green guy...somehow want to incorporate both.  Next time.

It's too bad the FLUORESCENT light in the kitchen is well, FLUORESCENT, because the color in yesterday and today's pictures is atrocious.  It was dark by the the time I  finished sewing, and I don't have access to a light box, or even just more light at the moment.  The body of this little gal is really like a burgundy, think of a glass of delicious Sangiovese....it really is lovely.

I hope the little folks who will be receiving these love them!

I'm also thinking...cat, dog, giraffe, pig....I dunno, suggestions welcome!

5th Day of Christmas!

9 days til Christmas!

Our Christmas cards go out tomorrow! Loving that wind-blown look, it's okay, it was a great day and that's really why I picked this picture.  Plus, had to have the furbabies participate in the Christmas fun!

Making an Upcycled T Shirt Scarflace

And one project that has become a gift.  I don't think the recipient really reads here so I'm gonna show you how to make this upcycled T shirt scarflace> it is a warn cozy scarf, and a cool chunky necklace.

I mixed three gently used t shirts for the first one, and a knit print from the fabric store and a gently used t shirt for the second.  I am only showing the HOW on one of the scarflaces.

Three shirts... shirts with out seams along the side work best, but one of my shirts had seams and I used it anyway, I like the knobby effect it added.

Cut across the shirt right below the armpits.
Trim off the hem too.

Cut the t shirt into one or so inch strips, so that you have giant loops.
If you couldn't tell, I am recommending the use of a rotary cutter, but scissors will do the trick just as well.  After cutting all of the shirts into strips you will have a big pile...like this.
Stretch each loop as far as it will go, and then hang them all together.  They will each curl up on themselves, like little knit tubes of fun.  Tie them together with a scrap from one of the shirts.  Presto...Put it on!
This is more of a chunky necklace, a pin or brooch would look cute on it too.
Classic scarf action.
This is the second one I made.  This is where I learned the biggest lesson about the knits!  They curl the way THEY want to, not necessarily the way YOU want them to.  If you look closely the lighter fabric has a print on it.  So...If you have a print you should do a test on the direction the fabric will curl to make sure you like the outcome.  I can't figure out how to reverse the direction of the knit curl.  So on this one you are seeing the wrong side.  I still like the muted colors with the vibrant teal, so it's a go.
I'm sure not all knits will curl so the wrong side is showing, but I will test it from now on before taking the time to cut all of my strips.
 
 


  This is all of the strips tied together with a loop at the top so the wearer can easily find the middle, or starting point. Just a note: The first scarflace had 38 strands, and the second had 26.  You can make them as thick or thin as you like, all depends on what you like around your neck.Happy Making!

On the Second Day of Christmas...11 days to go!

12 Days til Christmas Countdown

Shrine WIP

Working on this for my design class.  The theme is the Great Depression.  We were told to create something, anything to memorialize, remember, tell a story, whatever, around the Great depression.  After talking with my grandmother and some other folks, these are the things I took away..

it was a time of great uncertainty, families became disjointed, what was, vanished, But there was still beauty and joy, it was just a little harder to find and everything felt less free, due to monetary restrictions. 

This is just a piece of the depression, and obviously doesn't encompass every person's experience, some worse, some better. 

Just like our current situation.

 

Crafty Dayeseye at Market in the Park

Saturday I, along with my mom and a friend did a craft show.  My first one ever.  It was GREAT!  The weather was amazing, the crowds were big and full of really nice people.  The response was really good too.  Thanks for all the support from everyone who stopped by the Crafty Dayeseye booth.  I'm really looking forward to doing another one soon!

I knew the weeks leading up to the show would be tough, but I never expected as much school work to be piled on at the same time.  Whoa, what a few weeks.  I am glad to have some time to relax now, for a bit at least.






I didn't get a good picture of the whole booth after we had set everything up, so this one above (before we adjusted the table cloths and moved the boxes) will have to do for now!  Soon I will have a full color, amazing banner, instead of the cruddy b&w one I used.  Hey, it was better than nothing, not much better, but better.

We had button flowers/bouquets, great bags my friend J made, and beautiful baby slings from my sister at Saffron Slings.

I didn't sell out of flowers, like I had hoped to.  But, got a good idea of what people are looking for, and had enough to last all day, which was a plus.  I was worried that one of two things would happen...1.  No one would want ANYTHING, or 2.  People would want, but I wouldn't have enough inventory.  Luckily  neither of the two happened, and I hit a happy medium.  Next time I will have more hand cut paper flower stems, as it seemed everyone wanted at least one in their bundles.

Okay!  Off to class in a bit!

Cute As A Button

My mom and I got together to make these adorable button bouquets!  They were fairly simple, and really fun to make.  Each one is totally different, I like that!  I want to try a couple of different things in the near future, like monochromatic, and color coordinated too.  But for now, these colorful, whimsical buds will do just fine.  Maybe a couple of brides I know would like these incorporated in their floral scheme...hmmmmm, just a thought.  Enjoy!

Working Feverishly

As of late...

All I have been working on other than being sick, is a photo album I am putting together of our wedding.  All of the pictures have been sitting around on CD's and in envelopes, so I thought hey get it together!  It's not really a scrap book, and not really a photo album either, mini mish-mash.  Not fancy, but it has the important pictures in it.  Well, it isn't finished yet but will be soon.

Another thing, my 'studio' (right...) is a disaster.  My husband won't give up his half of the room that he uses for fishing stuff.  Things he doesn't keep on the boat, or if he has to repair something, and other misc. things.  I am trying to be kind and let him keep the space, but I really covet the area he has, and wish it was mine.  Maybe one day.  The more organization I do, the more cluttered it seems.  I can't win.

Speaking of not winning for just one more sec.  This is what i found when I went to shampoo the downstairs carpets today!  Don't even tell me she was HUNGRY!!!!  Heck, maybe it's a god thing, maybe it zapped a few more brain cells into activity, 'cause it seems like she only has three and they are fighting!

Sunday, Lovely Sunday

Swap, change hands, exchange, shift, switch, trade, transposition, commute....

Thats what these are for.  My first swap.  Hopefully the gal I am sending them to will like them as much as I enjoyed making them.

They are simple but sweet. 

I wonder if she will mail them?  Trash them?  or just hold on to 'em?

I just love the quote by Emily Dickinson "Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough." put on the 2nd card.

 

Also I made 2 pairs of earrings for my etsy shop, you can check them out here but buy over there. 

Reading

Yesterday I was introduced to Loise L. Hay. Okay, a book by her."You Can Heal Your Life."  It's all about the power of your own thoughts.  She has some affirmation cards as well.  Yesterday I chose one blindly from a box, it had to do with creativity, pretty apt, I thought...or wait, did the card choose me?  hmmm.  The book I am reading is pretty interesting, it basically says 'if we are willing to do the mental work, anything and everything will happen.'
I will give it a shot.  It can't hurt to try and improve my quality of life through my own thoughts. I will bring great things to ME!  I will share with YOU too!
Journal page based on " My Thoughts are Creative" from Hays.
More under 'Scrappy Shots'.

Introspection

Doing lots of that right now.  I have felt as late that I am spiraling out of control, there is a great deal to this and I'm not prepared to get into this here, right now.  Buy I am taking care of myself and that is all that matters.  part of what I am doing is art therapy, well, my art journal that I recently started.  I've done 2 pages and I thought I would post them here. 

Cheater screen prints

Check out my cheater chicken screen prints....no squeegee necessary!(although it would have been fun!)  Pictures are HERE!

Bed Head

Working on my headboard as soon as M- gets home.  He will be cutting the wood and helping me cover it!  I am excited because we haven't had a headboard for a while now.  Here is a sneak peak of the covering.  I will be following these instructions mostly, except it will be a tad bit bigger.  It will be about 6'10" long and 55" high.  hopefully it will impart the "drama" we are looking for (just ask my dad).

Good Times

The past five days have gone by fast and furious!  My mom, Dad and one of my sisters came to visit Thursday.  We had such a nice visit!                                                                                                          My mom and I totally re-did my bedroom, and read it here....We actually have a real room, it doesn't look like a college room anymore!  I am so excited.  It's not fancy, but comfy, organized and relaxing!  Okay, so there is one other project that is left to be completed, but I should finish it very soon.  I'll post pictures when It's done!

J-, my sister helped with some laundry and we watched some great movies together.  That is her favorite thing, she will be a director and/or a screenplay writer one day.  She is so smart, always looking at the camera angle, the way dialoge is delivered, and the way the actors take their position and the effect it has on the audience.  We also made some cool earrings together, we picked out glass beads together and from the same materials came up with totally cool, but different earring designs.

J- was supposed to take the train home Sunday night because she wanted to stay one day extra and my mom and dad left Saturday p.m.  Well, don't we all just love Amtrak? (J- likes to take the train when possible, she feels it is more rustic, romantic and relaxing. Plus she can sit back read and dream.) I know we do, especially when all of the trains on Sunday Nights seem to run about 1.5-3.0 hours LATE!  This is the second time we tried to get J- home on a train when we have run into this.  Both times were Sunday nights.  Not. doing. this. again.

Long story short Daddy ended up driving back here to pick her up mid-day.  We had a nice lunch together and said "Bon Voyage".

Sleepy Time

Well, it is about 6:15 p here and I have to be up at 1:45a for dog walking and to go to work tomorrow morning.  That being said I wanted to put a picture of the finished mobile I made for C up.  I finished it yesterday and she picked it up this morning.  She really seemed to like it, and I enjoyed making it as well. 
Okay so this is a photo my father In law took.  Thanks R.  I didn't get the chance to take another photo so,  I tried to photo shop the surrounding bits out so now it looks funky, but hopefully you get the gist.

The mobile consists of Filament, beads, large sequins, quilted fish, ribbon and tulle bubbles, or jelly fish like bubbly things.  All in all, it has a very floaty, water like feel.

Well, I am so out of it!  Off to bed.  I should be normal tomorrow after work and a nap.  Yes, I am already planning a nap.

Addicted to Addiction

Okay so I am in addiction overload.  I don't know what it is, the voyeur in me? my own addiction calling for attention? or just curiosity?  I have been totally absorbed with Intervention right now, and on the side I am reading Beautiful Boy.  After I finish the book I am going to Detox from all of it.  I swear.

On another hand I finished another scrapbook page.  I'm not really a scrapper but we have a ton of photos, love em, love the way a photo looks, feels, that glossy paper, so I thought I should do something with them, to preserve them a bit.  recently I started to put something together.  Simple, not as extravagant as some I have seen, although I would love to be that talented!  It's definitely been fun though, soooo.....I thought I would post some of my designs.  Hope you enjoy them!  Someday soon I will  get wedding and honey moon pics done too.  Maybe.

P.S. My microscope slides arrived!  Hurray!  I cant wait to get my "boobies" into those!

Back to ME!

So I have been so sick lately., First my awful wisdom teeth, TMJ incident and then just plain rotten feeling!  This morning is the first time in days that I have woken up and felt like a human being instead of some yucky sewer troll!

Enough about that.  I did have one day of fun during all of this.  I spent the afternoon with my friend J-.  She and I have a great time together.  We both enjoy sewing, making, doing, and together it is double the fun. 

I wanted to try and make a glass pendant from microscope slide style glass.  I got all of the materials together and thought I was good to go when I realized  I was missing the copper foil tape for the edges.  I went to every big box home style store that you can think of, yup even that one!  Finally, I found a great little stained glass shop that sells supplies as well as beautiful art work.  The shop is about 30 minutes away from the house with all the traffic, but it was well worth the the trip.  The shop owner was super helpful and friendly.

With supplies in hand I met up with J- and she and I played with glass for hours.  We made a couple of pendants out of stained glass bits I picked up at the shop, and kinda taught ourselves how to use a soldering iron--way too much fun! 

2 days later I made a couple of microscope pendants for my mom and my sister.  I made a collage with my niece 's picture then scanned it into the computer and then had them printed professionally.  I've made a couple other collages, and scanned them too, I would like to make a collage and actually put it in between the glass, but right now I have my reservations, I guess I just need to try and do it!

Last night my mom told me about a breast cancer fund raiser she and some of the nurses are doing for the Susan G Komen-Race for the Cure.  She liked the pendant I gave her so much, she wants me to make some to sell at the hospital yard sale for the team she is on. 

                 Here is the first mock up of "Touch your Boobies" >> now, now, thats to promote breast self exams, and nothing else.   

it is paper cut-outs from all sorts of collage sheets scanned in the computer, and saved as of now.
Any and all the money will go to SGK.