Watch Elf!

"Hello...Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"

-Buddy, from "Elf"

I apologize for not knowing the name of this artist...but, the business card that was attached has disappeared. Nevertheless, I bought this yummy elf last year at a wonderful craft fair in the Vegas of the south....Gatlinburg, TN. The hat was made from the sleeve of a coat...the base was a former bed spring...and the face was made from blended newspaper...then molded and painted by the artist! I just loved it! Our Christmas annual viewing of "Elf" (one of my personal FAVORITE movies) was last night....the season has begun!

I am Artfully Thankful!

The trinkets and junk of someone's past are key elements to my art...

for their history and beauty...I am artfully thankful!

Artfully Thankful for Art Pens!

Yes, you just can't have enough art pens...for these little cylinders of creative power

...I am artfully thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

While this day is generally filled with jars of spiced apples, pumpkin pie, leftovers....I am artfully thankful for jars of buttons, hardware and old milk caps!

Have a great day and be thankful!

The Artful Backpack!

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,

"thank you," that would suffice.

-Meister Eckhart

Today begins the Thanksgiving Fantastic Voyage! My family will drive an average of four hours a day for the next five days in our effort to see all the family in their different cities. Whew! So, to express my thank you for this holiday season...I thought I would share the next few days while traveling some artful things I am most thankful for...and it all begins with the "Art Backpack". This backpack is filled with many, many supplies that can create most anything while sitting in the car...on a sofa....around a dining table or at a ballgame! It is stocked, mobile and absolutely fantastic to fill the many idle hours I see in my future. This pack has at least five different sized plastic subdivided containers filled with every type of crafting doo-dad you could possibly imagine. Plastic bags contain an assortment of ribbon, string, thread and tinsel. Plus, I have several plastic accordion folders filled with paper, book covers, ephemera and fabric. Every pocket is filled with every type of tool, cutter, tape and glue. This bag is my mental key to sanity over the next five days. The artful backpack.....sometimes the most unlikely thing...can be one of your most thankful items you own.

I Love Tin!

Just had to share this photo of some of my tin dish collection. I haven't a clue as to what is the affection....somewhat contradicts most everything else I like, this being things with color and detail. But, these little dishes could tell many stories. They look lovingly used and I just adore how they would emboss the main pieces with words or images. I can clearly imagine many a little girl serving some faux tea to a friend. I love tin!

Stop, Snap & Crack!

"A sudden violent jolt of it has been known

to stop the victim's watch,

snap his suspenders

and crack his glass eye right across."

-Irvin S. Cobb

I don't know what the definition of "it" was referenced in the above quote...but, I do know what "it" would stop my watch, snap my suspenders and crack my glass eye....a quilt! Yes, the above quilt was in a yardsale just this past Saturday morning.

Simply coming home from swim practice....saw the handmade sharpie drawn "yard sale" sign...and with my super dee duper....mega distance....junk detector glasses determined this sale had possibility. Pulled over and saw from approximately 30 feet a stack of bedding that began the "oh my I think it's a quilt" tingly feeling rushing over my being...and upon closer assessment I made junk confirmation...it WAS a quilt. I then gently picked it up...gave it the corner to corner whoosh that opened it up on the ground...and saw complete...beautiful....great shape....no torn fabric....a handmade quilt I couldn't live without. Asked the price....promptly whipped out my $15 and off I went to add it to my collection.

Just a simple recipe of soap and softener...and this quilt immediately made it to the den. Just three easy moves...stop by the sale...snap my junk filtration vision across the yard....and crack open my wallet to exchange funds for goods. Stop...snap....and crack!

Oh...the Alphabet!

l"The right word may be effective,

but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause."

-Mark Twain

In my recent hunts for the worlds most wonderful treasures....I found this one. A complete set of alphabet stamps...the owner said it was roughly 30-40 years old! It was economically priced at a magnificent value of $15. What more could I ask for? A mini printing press for under $20. I feel certain my obsessive obsession for letters and words channeled with my innate vintage junk homing device...thus, lead me to this lovely box, creating a yummy union. Complete magnetism. I feel some art coming on with fabulous printed quotes and/or wording. Look out....

Life Goes Full Circle!

I've been studying many of my favorite artists...and it is quite evident and almost impossible to not let their influence play a role in your creations. Many times I get conflicted about doing this process...but, it is impossible not to study, observe, enjoy and appreciate others who create works you love. The hope is to create works that can be influenced, but integrated with your own personal unique style. I have never been a needle person...sewing on a button was truly a burden. I can do it...just do not enjoy it. But, my lifestyle (sitting at a pool approximately 8-10 hours a week, no Internet availability, and absolutely nothing else to do) in creativity has led me to incorporating some stitching strictly by necessity. Sitting around and waiting for your child to complete practice produces too much wasted time...you must fill it with productivity! My daughter has recently taken a sewing class at school, and has requested a sewing machine for Christmas....oh, the irony. I had a sewing machine....I think I turned it on maybe three times....donated it to the very class my child attended this year, two years ago. She made her first apron on my donated sewing machine. Now, I feel certain Santa will be purchasing a sewing machine...again...this year...hmmmm. My how life goes full circle...even in the creative world!

I Am Very Lucky!

There is no greater commandment than this....

I have a neighbor and friend that is waaaaay better than special.

Love her dearly...she is always there....I am very lucky!

Pure Color!

"Art is unquestionably one of the purest

and highest elements in human happiness.

It trains the mind through the eye,

and the eye through the mind.

As the sun colors flowers,

so does art color life."

-John Lubbock

I have heard more people say, "the leaves and the colors of this Fall have been beautiful." And, I would have to agree. I am fortunate to live in a state that has four complete seasons. Generally, Fall is speckled with specific details that make it unique to Fall...but, this year the leaves are definitely making a statement. When the leaves change, very seldom do you see every leaf on the tree become one distinct color...but, not this year....many trees have changed to become one pure color of Fall. It is nature's color palette in its purest form. Red is red...and yellow is yellow....a pure color for art's sake.

Signage Creativity!

This was a sign I recently saw....just when you think a simple "Yard Sale" sign cannot be improved....someone does. I thought this was an intriguing approach to signage creativity. Kudos!

Two Heads Are Better Than One!

"A kiss is a gentle reminder

that two heads are better than one."

-anonymous

Found these two pitiful, and what I hope to be, massively loved little baby doll heads the other day. There is something charming about both of them. I placed them on the stairwell of our home, where my family goes up and down every day of the year multiple times. I've not heard one comment. Now this can be taken two ways: 1. they think it is so weird they refuse to comment 2. they are so unobservant they still haven't seen them Who knows what is going on...but, I love the quote above...it completely justifies the two heads in a symbolic and gentle way. Tucking interesting little pieces around my house can create unique conversations....can't wait to hear this one.

Art for Day 3!

Art for Day 2!

Art for Day 1!

I am off to do a little work...will leave you with some fun art for a few days!

Handmade Goody At An Art Fair!

One of my very fun friends has a great little store called "Frame of Mind". She is having a Fall Open House for the next three days. She graciously lets me put any art or jewelry I create to be beautifully displayed and sold. I'm in a "make a small little token of a piece of art so most anyone could afford to buy it for their friend" gift making mode. This inspiration came from.... I recently attended this wonderful art show....every booth filled with outstanding pieces of fantastic creativity! I saw oodles of great pieces that I would have loved to purchase for a number of different friends and myself...yet, the average price of everything was about $500. Unfortunately, I cannot afford...as much as I would like to...to purchase art at this price point in quantity. I remember back in my college days I would attend art fairs and wine about the same problem...although, I was only buying for myself... I just wanted to attend...see something wonderful and make a purchase. Now mind you, in those days my price point was somewhat sadder than it is today...but, nonetheless, my interest in buying an inspiring piece of art was still there. I went home many times with nothing. I vowed to always have a small line of goodies affordable to the 10 year old on a $5 a week budget. Everyone should be able to purchase a handmade goody at an art fair. Well this year, I'm living up to my creative wants...fun little quirky assemblages that are quite affordable. Small...inexpensive...and you can take it home!

Respect It

Finally the election is over...we must now hope our leaders will make great decisions. My sensory preceptors are very excited to not have to filter the many media spins...ads...counter ads...immense bantering of all parties....over debate and dissection of every one's every syllable, and get back to living our lives as productive, contributing and thoughtful citizens. We live in this country...we call it home...lets respect it for that at minimum. Simple philosophies...sayings....and some basic over simplification is not necessarily a bad thing. After two years of "one upping" every movement of a handful of people, I'm ready to trim back to the basics. "Where thou art, that is home."....this is paid for by the people that live here. Respect it.

Enough Said!

Dress Art No. 2

Another installment in the paper doll dress art....just found this binding tape red rick rack...I love it on the edge of the old linen book cover. Plus, the quote is certainly realistic..."with clothes the new are best, with friends the old are best". Have a great week...it has been an artistic weekend which means new art everyday!!! Can't wait to share!