WIP's

OK, I give ... I really do like it when I have more than one thing on my plate at a time ... here's some "Works in Progress" First, I'm working on a new yarnish project & have been testing some squares like:

and:

I think I like the stitch better in the first square, but I LOVE the yarn of the second one ... it's super soft & the earthy colors feel good.

My mom-in-law threw down a challenge ... she wants me to try my hand at making a doll for an ADO (Art Dolls Only) challenge ... the theme is "Grimm's Fairytales" ... do you have any idea how many there are to choose from?!? Tons! I still haven't figured out which character I wan't to do, but figured I better get cracking on making an attempt, so I started by playing around with some aluminum wire I had on hand. I formeded some legs, arms & trunk:

and then started wraping (think hemp necklace knots) the legs in black and red embroidery floss:

here's a detail:

I haven't got a clue where this is going or what I'm doing next, but hey, at least there's something sitting on the table. :)

This one:

is the beginning of a sort of thank you project for a girlfriend. I know where this one (the gessoed cigar box) is going, but shhhh! it's a secret!

Finally, I have been trying to figure out what to make for my Peace Felt project. I think I might be onto something ... started with an aluminum "frame":

I thought I would wet felt an already too small black cashmere sweater, cut it to shape & sort of loosely whip stitch it to the frame ... then I was thinking I could cut a peace symbol out of the felted piece and "stitch" little Swarovki crystals into the open space ... I haven't got a clue if it'll actually work, but hey, I figure it's worth a try.

wish me luck ... lots and lots of luck!

2011 Sketchbook Project

I received my package in yesterday's mail:

... and I'm thinking I might just ask my daughter to go through it and mark uo/scribble on some of the blank pages, so I can get over my hesitation to mar the perfectly untouched journal ...

... did I mention that I let the "order system" select my theme:

if you can't read the text, it says, "Things found on restaurant napkin" ... I'm amused.

Wish me luck!

...

AND

...

There's still time for you to participate, too! If I remember correctly, sketchbooks will be available until the end of October.

Click on ANY of the above images to get more information.

Looking for a project?

I seem to be a person that likes to have projects ... preferably more than one at a time. I am still in the planning stages of the Peace Felt 2010 project and will be posting progress pictures as I (we - I've signed up Don & Sadie for it, too) get working.

Another project that I'm participating in is:



take a minute to click on the image above and check it out for yourself ... sign up is open till the end of October and is open internationally.


Finally, I still haven't decided if I'm going to do this one or not, but definitely think it's one worth sharing ... I can think of a dozen of you lovelies that are simply PERFECTLY suited for it ... Fabrik Magazine is having a juried competition open to artists in all media:

Click the image above for the details.

Entry deadline is fast approaching: August 31, 2010

I'm looking forward to seeing who takes the leap on this one.

Peace Felt 2010

The following was copied directly from the website:

Mission:

To promote peace and connectivity among nations, loving kindness among individuals, gratitude in our hearts and in our consciousness - knowing that WE create our world through our thoughts, words and actions.

To, as Gandhi reminded us, "Be the change we wish to see in the world."
To promote awareness of the ancient art of felt making and the modern craft of needle felting for its qualities of being earth friendly, extremely versatile, and easy to learn!

I simply love this. (thanks again, Danielle!) To find out more, click on either image above to be directed to the website.

Be sure to registered by August 1st.

Happy Peace Crafting!!

one more for the diary project

I am happy to say that Lucy accepted my first submission for the 2011 Diary Project, so I went ahead and sent her another one:

plus, if you get the chance, go grab a copy of:



it's so full of great inspiration and has terrific artists featured this month ... like:

EB of Be ... Dream ... Play

&

Sandy of Sandy's Show n Tell

If you've never entertained the idea of an art journal, this issue could definitely plant the seed.

wishing everyone a day full of craftiness!!

A Winner Announced ... and other news ...

The Royal Palm Marina announced the Seawall Art Contest winner on this past rain filled 4th of July. Congratulations goes to Diane Davidson! Her piece really is pretty special:

Here's a detail of the cool crab (holding a beer from Zeke's - the Tiki Bar located right above this portion of the wall):



and another detail:




Also, the:

Contributions are (mostly) in. I, unfortunately, did not rise to the occasion and submit mine in time ... I did notice that Lucy still had pages that looked like they needed to be done, so updated my design with one of those dates and sent it over to her ... I don't know if the list is current or if she'll use the design, but thought I'd share this one:

I believe if you click on the above image it will take you to a larger version.

and

finally

...

must give a shout out to one super-fantastic

grrl+dog

on a fluke, I picked up the latest issue of Stuffed (been wanting a copy since the first issue, but this was the first time I actually has the chance to buy one from the newstand) ... to my happy delight, Denise and her delightful Fuzels were brilliantly featured ... methinks you ought to go check them out:

you can also find grrl @ her etsy shop HERE

June's been a busy, busy month!

I guess I just have to admit that I've been busy ... been meaning to come post & visit all my wonderful blog friends, but life has different ideas for me ... here's the scoop: 1) I entered a lap blanket that I crocheted for my mom-in-law in the "Made by Hand" show at the Visual Arts Center here in Punta Gorda.

The exhibition has been going on since the last weekend in May and everything comes down next Friday.

Following are photo's of the blanket in progress:

I used a bamboo/acrylic yarn that is yummy soft

here's a snap of it in the gallery:

and a close-up:

a friend showed me a really cool edging:

here's a closer look at it:

I didn't place in the show ... BUT ... I did get:

the People's Choice award:

talk about a delightful surprise

***************************************************************

I also tossed my name into a hat for a seawall space for a contest the Royal Palm Marina is having ... a lot of people showed interest & there are only 18 spots available ... would you believe my name got drawn?!?

it's true

EEEK!

here's the wall as I first saw it:

12' x 5' ... base coat ... two shades of blue-green:

and the three sea turtles in progress:

here's a close-up ... flippers still need to be filled in:

here's a shot of the one in the far left corner:

and the middle one all filled in:

and the one at the far right:

I'm planning on adding some random circles throughout, but we've been getting rain ... and lots of it ... late afternoon and early evening (when I'm able to go out to the marina) ... I keep hoping that it'll let up (please cross your fingers). :)

The judging is happening on the 4th ... wouldn't that be cool?!?

**********************************************************************

and can't forget about:

our contributions are due today ... wouldn't you know it, I'm not quite done ... and still at work ... but I will definitely be sending mine before I go to bed.

There's my lil-more-than a nutshell of an update.

Hope all is well with you!

Once in a while, late is actually better than on time ...

Case in point ... back in August I did a little side exchange (a charm for a charm) with the most gracious T of Running w/Scissors ... well, I got her wee package in no time flat (with a bonus charm to boot)

... AND ...

... well, uh, um ...

... she still doesn't have hers ...

BUT

she WILL have it before this week is over

AND

Because it took me 100 years to get my act together, it's not just one, not two, but three of the lil crane charms

AND

it doesn't stop there

Check out what's headed to her mailbox:

top/lid of an altered Altoides tin

bottom - if you've ever visited her page, you'll recognize her "logo" from her banner.

side
(ok, yes, this IS from before completion, but I forgot to take one of the side)

inside

and there's just a little bit more:

and here's a close-up of the goodies for inside the treat box:

(and yes, I did check w/her first to see if she wanted to be surprised or if it was cool to post pictures)

See what I mean?

Auction is Live ... now thru the 24th!

Nothing like waiting until the 12th hour, but it's official ... the Cigar Box Shrine is finished and posted!

Here's how it all came together:

Take a little time to go check out the other amazing contributions to this years auction!


Thank You!