Life is Way Better Than Good

I recently visited Amber Dawn's page (to let her know that I had completed my 25 charms) and came across something pretty cool ... the Diary 2009 Project ... when I checked it out (plus examples from the Diary 2008 Project) I decided to give it a shot ... well to be honest, I emailed the host & asked if May 29th was still available - I told myself if it was, I was in ... it was and I am! I'll be sure to post what I come up with ...

... ooooh! even better, maybe I'll try to do a couple of designs and let YOU pick the one you like best.

Click on this image:

You know that you've been curious ... so, GO AHEAD!

In other news ... turning 40 is the BEST! - everyone has been so amazingly wonderful I think I just might burst! You might remember that I have a tradition of celebrating my birthday for the entire month of May (if not, go here for the scoop) and this year has been a May to remember. I hope y'all don't mind humoring me as I run down the highlights:

a set of rechargable batteries

(it should be noted that I take LOTS of photo's and go through batteries like water)
sushi for lunch (delivered by uber-spouse & cool-kid at work)
a birthday card from a co-worker every Tuesday since May began
a FABULOUS facial (by the aesthetician at the salon I work at)
a new (and well overdue) haircut (by one of our Master Stylists):

(it should be noted that prior to this I had nearly no layers, long bangs & it was past my shoulders)

the first season of Battlestar Galactica

(I hadn't seen the show till visiting a girlfriend in Phx & mentioned I wish I had ... she remembered)

a chai latte and chocolate covered espresso beans (delivered to work by uber-fam)

a movie date (with wicked-cool-mom-in-law) to see Sex & the City this weekend!

a shopping spree (for a new outfit - also with wicked-cool-mom-in-law)

a Monica Magness doll form extraordinaire

(purchased from her Etsy store, but packaged with bonus treats)

Across the Universe (the movie - which I like a lot)

Stardust (the illustrated book)

beautiful art postcards by A Fanciful Twist

(purchased from her Etsy store)

and this really fab card from a set of twins that I adore:

AND ... in just over 4 hours I will officially be 40!

Don't forget to post a comment on my "It's My Party" post if you'd like to be included in the give-a-way drawing.

I think I should mention that I am a self proclaimed novice crafter (that still dreams of growing up and being an artist one day). I am making all the "party favors" for the give-a-way myself ... I can't promise any "high art" or perfect little pretties, but I am having fun making the favors & can guarantee that they are made from a happy place & imbued with much love.

Like I said ... life is better than good. :)

Project Updates

If you are here via Pam's challenge, my Little World photo's can be found here.

I completed the four panels for Karla & Beth's Vintage Workshop swap late Friday night (I know, nothing like waiting till the very last moment). Uber-honey made the trip to the post office Saturday and priority mailed it ... I'm fairly confident it'll arrive at Beth's tomorrow - my fingers are crossed! Here's how they ended up:

For a first attempt at something like this, I am pleased that I finished and (as is typical) now that I am done, I am suddenly struck by things I could have done differently and ways I could have improved the exectution. Also, after seeing some sneak previews of other offerings, I am truly humbled by the creative genious that surrounds me. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from those visits. All-in-all this has been a fun and educational experience for me. I've definitely found a little courage for trying something new.

Since this deadline loomed sooner than the Black and White Charm Exchange, my poor little ellies had to sit patiently by. This morning I dusted them off and added the silver edging:

I used model paint and am really happy with how shiny it is - if you squint (just a little) you could believe that it's chrome. Once I feel confident that the paint is dry, I'll add another coat of high gloss varnish (to both sides, of course). Once that dries I'll be rounding the home streatch - I'll get to poke the holes and add the jump rings.

It's too late to start all over, but if I were to make more like this, I would probably cut the paper to the size (and shape) of my wooden piece and would just seal the image high gloss varnish. I'd still want to paint the edge ... I can't scrap what I've done so far for two reasons ... 1) this was my first attempt at anything like this (yes, a lot of firsts these days), so I have a soft spot for them and 2) I've put a lot of time, energy, and love into them. I hope the recipients will be able to feel that in the pieces and appreciate them, too.

I just visited Amber Dawn's blog and learned that she is still looking for a few more participants. If you are interested, please go here and leave a comment.

You know you want to!

OK, so the last update for now:

There's not a lot of progress on my beaded doll, but I have been busy ... if you would like to see the previous photo updates you'll find them here and here.

Oops! One more. The uber-hub has given me an indefinite extension on his own challenge ... the beaded God's Eye is part of it, so I guess it IS in progress.

Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap

Here are the last two panels for Karla & Beths Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap

:

I think I like the first two a little better. When I finished them I had the idea to use birds as bonnets ... I think the idea (or my image of it) was a little better than the execution ... I have to admit that the thought still amuses me. All I need to do now is the backs and then I can ship them out. :)

I have some work stuff that I need to do, but if I get that done early enough, I plan on working on the charms ... painting the edges silver. I really like the effect - I'm using silver airplane paint, so it looks great when it's done.

Updates

It was a really good weekend (if not a day or six too short for my liking). I was able to spend some serious time working on a number of projects. Some are coming along better than others, but I will allow myself an "E" for effort. :) First up ...

I don't know if you recall Karla and her Great Aunt Caroline ... Caroline is about to turn 100 and Karla came up with the BEST idea ... in a nutshell, she wants to give her auntie 100 home made birthday cards (contributions to be made by anyone willing to "create for the cause") ... how lovely is that?!? Of course I was in (even though card making is seriously not my forte) ... here's what I'll be sending:

I could seriously benefit from a class or two (something that makes texture mixes and color combo's click), but I have to admit that the knot itself is pretty cool. I used origami paper. The top part of the knot is from a cloth like paper that has wonderfully intricate designs and the bottom is bright red foil. Like I told Karla, it may not be a masterpiece, but it sure had a lot of love poured into it. I'm not sure if she's reached her goal, so if you are interested feel free to visit her at Karla's Cottage. I'm sure this is one of those more-is-better situations. :)

Next ...

I worked a little more on the Black and White charms - I added the elephants and a couple of coats of high gloss varnish:

Now that I'm at the more than half-way point I am wondering if I should have just cut the images (paper and all) the size of the tiles and just put the high gloss varnish over that (without painting each side) and painting the edges with the silver paint. I just might have to try a couple that way in the future ...

Uber-spouse gave me another extension on his challenge (he's a seriously good egg). I had God's eye stuck in my head, so ... I decided to try my hand at a beaded God's eye ... here's how it's coming along (please remember that this is a first attempt ... I have a feeling it won't be my last - don't be surprised if I suddenly have an Etsy shop one of these fine days). I used two small skewers, heavy duty thread and glass seed beads:

you know ... I think I just might like the back better than the front ...

I started playing around with papers and things for Karla and Beths Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap - there's no photo's to share just yet, but I am hopeful ... feels like the creative juices are a sloshin ...

OK, this last item is just for fun ... when I got home from work today, there was a card from my father-in-law (seriously - my FATHER-IN-LAW - if you knew him, this would be even funnier) ... well, I think it's a riot, so I thought I'd share it:

Ciao bella's! ~M~

Happy Birthday to ME!

OK, not really quite yet - the official day is the 29th, but about 9 years ago I decided that it would be fun to celebrate for the entire month of May.

*big cheesy grin*

Lucky for me, my family and friends are really good sports ... it's a lot of fun and I highly recommend that everyone adopt this method of celebration. This morning I woke to a little package ... uber-spouse & awesome-critter gave me a set of rechargable batteries (with a charger) - woohooooo! AND they brought me some sushi for lunch ... just a pack from the grocery store, but it was a FABULOUS treat just the same. No, I don't get prezzies every day till the 29th, but I do get random treats between now and the big day ... and this year it really is a big day ... I'm turning

++++ 40 ++++

hehe - pretty cool

I also got an email letting me know that I could participate in Karla & Beth's Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap. The deadline to sign up had passed (I didn't ask to be let in on the swap; just shared that I was a little bummed to learn about it after the deadline), so it was a really lovely and unexpected surprise receiving the email saying that I could join the swap ... how cool is that?!? I've never worked with vintage images and don't have a lot of collage experience. Just the same, I am REALLY looking forward to playing around with these fun little treasures ... I just checked out the images and they are super fabulous!

No updates on the Hub's challenge (my brain is trying, but hasn't quite wrapped itself around it ... I have ideas, but they are barely formed at this point). ... for some reason I keep seeing something like a gods eye ... hopefully I'll get it all together before the Sunday deadline.

I did work on the charms for the Black and White Charm Exchange last night. All the little plaques are sanded and one side has been painted black:

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not the neatest paintress on the block (I admit it ... I LOVE getting my hands dirty when I paint). Tonight I'll be painting the flip side white. It won't take very long, so I'll probably get the chance to work on the panels for the Vintage Workshop Swap.

life sure is good. ~M~

5/1 before I hit the pillows update ... I did work on the charms again tonight. U-S was kind enough to take a couple more snaps for me. I think he's tired - they aren't as good as last nights shots ... ah well, they'll work:

I do like the reflection of my water dish - kind of looks like carnival glass.

Goodnight & thanks for all the fish! (tell me where I paraphrased that one from & I'll like you even better than I do right at this moment ...)

Friday Fill-Ins #69

1. When I fell in love the air around me became electric and the whole world changed ... for the better!

2. My imagination goes into overdrive when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!

3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, I just may have to slit my wrist! ... uh, no - that's not right ... I think I'll bake some bread and play games with the fam.

4. Soap was the craziest tv show ever.

5. Cheese and crackers (what else did you expect?!?) make a great meal!

6. Once upon a time I thought that when I grew up more than anything else I'd like to be a fairy that tended a beautiful garden.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sweet dreams, tomorrow my plans include escaping from work on the early side and having friends over for a play date and Sunday, I want to get started on my 25 black and white charms for the swap!

My Charm Entries

4/24 - Woohooo! Looks like the elephant charm won out. Time to get-a-making. :)

I just emailed Amber Dawn with my two attempts for her Black and White Charm Swap - the entries are juried, so there's a definite possibility that my attempts will not be accepted. I am so totally OK with that and no matter the outcome, I am really happy that I worked on these. The first is a beaded doll. The head is a black Swarovski crystal and the rest are glass beads:

This second option took two of the ideas I originally had and morphed it into this:

As you can see, it's a reversable charm. This (being the first attempt) isn't as refined as future versions will be - I plan on much smoother coats of paint, a little finer sanding of the wooden pieces and a little more border of the silver painted edge. If you click on the pictures to see a larger view, don't be surprised by the grainy looking elephant - the photo's are much larger than actual size as this charm measures 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch. I will keep everyone posted on if either of my submissions are accepted. Wish me luck!

For the latest Art Doll update, check out the newest photo's here.

A Challenge or Two

I have been working on my submissions to the Black and White Charm Swap. I just put the first coat of gloss on one attempt - it's a small two sided wooden piece. One side is painted white and the other is black. I reduced the elephant pic and did a negative of the same image - one for each side. I painted the edge in silver (airplane paint) ... I still need to add another coat of the gloss prior to photographing it, but I am close. The other little piece is a little beaded doll that makes me grin. I should be able to take pics of both day after tomorrow and will post them after I email pics to Amber Dawn. I honestly can't say if she'll accept them and if she does which she'll pick, but I do have to admit that I am glad that I made an attempt. :)

I have another challenge facing me, too. The spouse just challenged me to complete a piece by this Sunday at 6:00 pm. He said part has to be painted, part beaded and part found object and that it should be designed to be suspended ... I am at a complete loss. The more I think about it, the more my brain hurts. lol.

I did a little more beading on the artsy doll. I'll likely take a snap of it tomorrow after work. On that note, I'm wiped out and still have dishes to finish, so Ciao Bella's! ~M~

Mandala

In case you're curious, here's a close up view of my profile pic:

I have a girlfriend in Phoenix that was redecorating her bedroom (this was actually about two years ago). She mentioned that she was looking for a print of a Mandala and I thought ... hmmm ... I can paint one! So, I did. This was the first one that I had ever attempted and I was really happy with the results ... she was too as it is still hanging on her bedroom wall.

This was one of those paintings that I really enjoyed working on. I broke out my ruler and a sharpened pencil to lay down the design - it started with the eight point star in the center and radiated out from there. I used acrylics on an 18"X18" canvas. Shortly after I finished this one, I painted another that's 12"X 12". I'm not as fond of the second as I am of the first (go figure, I still have the second hanging in the house). It's got a simpler design and the colors don't appeal to me as much ... but, I have been thinking about painting another one. I would like to revisit the first design again - or something similar to it. I just need to figure out the colors that I want to use ...

In the meantime, I have to set the art doll aside (I have done a little more beading since the last update, but it's dark and I prefer to photograph it in natural light). The more I look at it, the more it reminds me that I really don't know what I am doing. :) That's not really the reason that I am setting it aside ... I recently visited Monica's blog and saw mention of a Black and White charm swap ... I've never made a charm, so I am not sure what possessed me to add my name to the list, but I did. Now I actually have to create something - EEK! I contacted the host and let her know that I would work on something this weekend and would email pics so she can decide if they are acceptable for the swap. Since then, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what I am going to do ... I have a few ideas:

1) I can "macrame" black and white embroidery thread (love that 100% cotton feel over rough hemp any day of the week - no offense, hemp) over wire, embelish with black and white beads and bend into a heart shape.

2) Make the charms from wood and paint - I'm thinking geometric. I kind of see a half inch square base with a quarter inch square attached (in the center and at an angle) on either side of the base ... i think just paint and no additional embellishment

3) making little frames from sculpy and printing off pictures of the elephant that I did last fall to set (and somehow seal) in the frame ... here's the elephant that I mentioned:

Considering it's Sunday night, I don't really have that much weekend left. I've got to get started. Wish me luck - I could definitely use it right about now. :)