Moonlight Squash Blossom & Pink Pretties

Not too long ago I was visiting Cat's blog and she posted a few items that she had just finished. All of the new pieces were stunning, but one just sang to me. For days I would go visit her Etsy shop just to drool (ok ... also hoping that nobody had purchased it, either) and finally last week I was in a position to treat myself to a prezzie ... drumroll, please ....

Tada!

My new necklace, Moonlight Squash Blossom, arrived in the mail on Monday:

here's a detail of the piece:

Pictures really don't do this stunning little work of wearable art the justice it deserves.

* sighs *

AND

This past weekend I also recieved my package of little pink pretties from

Amber Dawn's

Think Pink Charms Exchange:

Above is a group shot and the next four are close-ups.

(Feel free to click on any photo to see larger versions)

I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with each of these amazing little pink creations and feel so lucky to have them. I will definitely wear them with PINK ARTIST PRIDE!

... and think about this ...

all of this came about thanks to a community of people answering

Monica's

call to artists for a very special project ... speaking of which, the drawing for

Love Squared

& other fabulous artful prizes is still happening ...
the drawing is open until October 15th, so go check it out.

Cranes Revisited

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and reason doesn't seem to fit in ... the sky is a strange gray (remnants of Fay and her continuous rainy bands - she pretty much passed us by with only a day of high winds and rain; we've actually had more rain in the days since she traveled north and expect even more throughout the weekend, but we've been really lucky) and it's a bit gusty outside, but I just HAD to try to take photo's of the cranes earrings that are done. I didn't get a single decent shot of the first set that I took, so uber-spouse tried to convince me to wait until morning when the light would be ideal ... stubborn is as stubborn does ... and sometimes it pays off.

Here's a shot of the black and white pair:

and a close-up of one:

and a close-up of one from the light blue pair:

I have about 18 fishhooks left, so can make 9 more pair before I'll need more materials. I also have it in my head to start a canvas covered in cranes ... one of these days.

Dont forget about the Pink Artist Drawing :

As of August 23rd, $1,557.85 has already been raised! Woohooooo!!

AND there's still time for you to participate, too!

Click the picture above for more information.

Welcome to SW Florida ... or a Study in Clouds

I can't believe that it's been a week since I have written. It isn't for a lack of things to report, but for having too much going on ... I simply haven't been able to slow my mind down. Part of it is being preoccupied with these two incredible magazines:

(You can click on the covers to purchase them on-line)

Of course I had to run out and buy Art Doll Quarterly as there is an article by magnificent Monica Magness of Girl Gone Thread Wild on our beloved Love Squared (have you bought your raffle tickets, yet???). The article was really lovely and the photographs beautiful.

Not only that, but the cover article is on one of my favorite artists - Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist. Once I had read it cover to cover (and back and forth again and again and again) I raced out to the bookstore to pick up one of the last two copies of Artful Blogging - Vanessa is featured in Artful Blogging, too ... along with a number of brilliant other artists (that I am chomping at the bit to visit) ... if you haven't had the chance to check them out, I do think it's worth your while. :)

Last Monday Don and I ran away from home for a couple of hours (critter had a date with rockin-awesome Grandma). We went to Stump Pass. It was HOT and muggy, so we weren't there for our usual 4 hours, but definitely long enough for Don to catch (and release) a few fish and for me to find some cool rocks, sharks teeth and some pretty cool cloud shots. Believe it or not, the next three photo's were taken from the same spot.

This first one is facing the gulf - look how lovely the water was:

I turned around and took these next two:

Can you believe those clouds rolling in?

This one was taken just up the beach (on the way back to the auto) within just a few minutes of the first three:

and then this one was just simply a lucky capture:

I wish I had captured the prehistoric looking crane with just the sandy background so you could see how amazing these crazy birds are, but I have to admit that I love that I captured it just as it was taking flight. You can click on any of the images to see a larger version of the photo.

I have also been working on some artsy stuff, too. I don't have photo's to share, but might be able to get some before I go back to work on Tuesday. OK, I have taken a long enough break - I'm working on a brochure for my friend Deirdre ... she's been way more than patient, so I need to work the kinks out and send over a proof to her.

Know What Tomorrow Is?!?

August 1st!

if you are completely clueless about what I am referring to then either

A) You are brand new to my blog & should click on a Think Pink image

B) You've been living under a rock & should click on a Think Pink image

OR

C) You are an alien visiting from another planet & should click on a Think Pink image

Every donation counts ... every penny makes a difference ... YOU can be part of that difference

... AND ...

there are some spectacular prizes being offered in the drawing

(please click the image below to be dircted to the "prizes" page)



Be part of the cure!

Please help us spread the word!!

Crane Charms

It's time to share a little mixed up progress on the crane charms (first mentioned HERE) ... this first image is the first batch of cranes post dipping into the Petal Porcelain Setting Agent. I had used decorative papers (rather than thin origami sheets), so the paper was a tad too thick for the size crane (1 1/4" square) I folded:

I was really happy to learn that the setting agent really fortified the cranes - they have hardened really nicely. With this first batch I followed the directions on the bottle and dipped the cranes in the goo and brushed the excess off. I set them on wax paper overnight to dry. Due to the amount of product on them, the bottoms "puddled" slightly which took away the crisp points ... since then, I have thought about how to improve on this and think that simply brushing the setting agent on (in stages) might work better ... that and using thinner origami papers ... so I have folded a bunch of little cranes (there are about 10 more than pictured ... if I'm going to fold one, it's just as likely I'll fold 10 or 20 or 100 ...) ... these are folded from 1" squares and 1 1/8" squares:

The papers are still very pretty and the cranes came out much more precise.

The picture below is a condensed version of the process. The papers in the background are (or were) 6" squares of origami papers - in pinksl, of course. The diamond shapes are cranes in progress, the two completed cranes on the left have not been dipped or brushed and two cranes on the right are two from the original test batch (dipped):

Below is another dipped crane from the first batch. I still like the decorative papers that I originally used, so will be trying to slavage some if possible. Here's one that I am hoping to save (it has also had a coat or two of diamond top coat polish applied):

Even though I have a feeling that this second batch is going to be better than the first (fingers crossed) I did want to do a prototype of the charm that I was picturing - the next two pictures are the first completed prototypes:

Amber Dawn let me know that she can only accept one set of 12 charms from the participants for the Very Special Think Pink Charm Exchange. Considering the whole idea is to provide Monica with additional raffle items, this totally makes sense. I already completed a set of twelve sparkly pink ones (see the previous post), so I'll be sending those out to Amber Dawn for the exchange ... BUT ... she has given me the go ahead to send two of the completed crane charms, too - if they are high enough quality, she will be use them on the raffle bracelet(s). Wouldn't that be cool?

Being involved in both of these projects has been more satisfying than I could possibly ever explain. I am humbled by the experience and grateful to have been exposed to such an inspiring, kind, creative community of generous hearts. My faith in the world & humanity has been restored ... tenfold.

Pink and Sparkly

Update 07/19: After I added the jump ring, I wanted to try one more thing ... I added two coats of my diamond top coat polish and voila ... Fini! This is a shot of the completed charm (charm is smaller than pictured - it's 1" -including the jump ring - X 5/4"):

Steps 2 and 3 of the "alternate" pink charms complete:

This was supposed to be the back up to the paper cranes charms that I wanted to do, but I'll be honest, I really, really like these a lot - they are super girly in their uber-sparkly pinkness. After the pink glitter dried/set, I put about 4 coats of high gloss varnish over the glitter. Once the last coat of varnish dried, I threaded the beads ... a pink (doesn't really look it in the photo) faceted glass bead between two tiny Swarovsky bicone crystals and made the loop for the jump ring. All I have to do to finish these is add the jump ring. Pretty cool.

The paper crane charms have me in a little bit of a snit ... I'm thrilled to report that the setting agent actually does work ... the only issue I am having is that I do lose just a touch of the crispness ... my anal retentive self might not be able to get past this - uber spouse thinks I need to ... there's a little bit more time, so I just might try another batch ... fingers (and toes) crossed, please.

fairy homes and pink charm progress

It's been a great Sunday ... and to think, it's just the first day of my weekend, too!

Sadie and I decided that today was a good day to try our hand at building a fairy house. Originally we thought we'd build it under a tree in the back yard, but due to a rain shower (and the fact that neither of us much like red ants) we chose the small ficus tree's pot:

Considering neither of us has any background in building (other than that of the Lego variety) we were utterly clueless. She thought we should just sink "walls" right into the dirt - brilliant plan! We made sure to use a few twigs that branched so we could rest twigs lengthwise across them and then layed smaller twigs across them to build a second level (there are two small rooms below the floor). The roofing is a combination of skinny dried vines and a little bit of hay. We're hopeful that one of these days we'll go out there to see that some little creature has claimed the home ... fingers crossed!

How about an update on the The Pink Charms Exchange? First, I have done a couple of tests using the Petal Porcelain Setting Agent that I purchased on Friday and am happy to report that I think it's really going to work! There are a few minor details that I need to work out, but I am hopeful.

I'm am still interested in trying Paverpol (Marilyn @ As Seen Through My Eyes recommended the product - she's been posting about her recent trip to France and it sounds like heaven!). I checked out there website and from everything that I have read about it, it sounds like some pretty amazing stuff. It's been added to the top of my Christmas wish list!

While I was shopping on Friday, I picked up a few "just in case" items ... I wanted to have a definite back up should the paper crane experiment end up a bust. This is what I bought:

The above is a little pack of metal links, some ultrafine pink glitter and some pink faceted glass beads ... bet you can tell where I am going with all this. I took Amber Dawn's comment, "make sure to have the pink stand out, make them pretty, sparkly if you can" totally to heart! So far I have only completed the first step ... I completely pink-glitterified the links (simple white glue) and am on to the second step of coating them in a high gloss varnish - one coat down, but at least one (if not two) more to go. Here they are drying in my fancy drying rack (those would be toothpicks for holding the links and masking tape over a small glass bowl for a rack).

Here's a closer view:

Once they have all been varnished, I'm going to use silver "pins" to sandwich a pink glass bead between two tiny clear Swarovski crystals and make the loop for a hanger and add a jump ring ... voila! Honestly, the photo's don't really do them justice - they are much prettier in hand (even at this stage) than photographed.

Ok, the cranes are calling me back to finish folding (folding 1 1/4 inch squares is a bit taxing, but tiny cranes look very sweet).

How's your weekend shaping up?

A Little of This and a Little of That

Amber Dawn is hosting another charm exchange, but this one is has an added bonus ... make 12 charms and get 10 back ... the remaining 2 will be part of charm bracelets that are being donated to the Pink Artists Drawing ... how cool is that?!? For more details click the button below:

And just in case you haven't yet heard about the Pink Artists Drawing, go here:

I imagine you just might be delighted.

(if you are interested in seeing the squares that I made, click HERE)

two more things ...

• As I type this, dates are still available for the 2009 Diary Project ... go check it out (artwork isn't due until 7/1/08).

AND

• to the lovlies that won my birthday give-a-way ... I am getting really, really close and am pretty confident that I'll be able to ship them by Monday. :)

lil Teaser

Remember the Pink Artists Community Doll Project?

And the plethora of square after square after square and the the final reveal?

WELL:

The drawing details are in the works!

I'll be sure to post them when their are finalized.

Remember to post a comment here if you'd like to

be included in my birthday give-a-way.

Art Doll - First Attempt ... sort of

If you saw my "Doll Party ... worse than fashionable late" post, then you will know that about eight years ago I made my first doll, Bubby - she was made from one of Sadie's Winnie the Pooh sleepers and is, well, perhaps not the prettiest doll ever ... but I did make her specifically for my daughter and tons of love (and fiberfill) went into her.

More recently, I became involved in the Pink Artist Community Doll Project for Susan G Komen and was exposed to brilliant artists and creators of exquisite, beautiful and wonderous dolls. I found myself with the itch to try one myself. It's been a number of weeks and I have been busy with other things (family, breathing, work, painting, etc.) so doll making went on the back burner ... this weekend I was a woman possessed! I had to find just the right pattern to start with - finally I came across a handful of free patters from 2002 by Ronda Kivett. I decided to pick what appeared to be the smallest, simplest pattern and a remnant of an old sweater (nylon/spandex mix - weird, but uber-softie) ... drumroll, please ....

The above pictures are front and back of my very first form and as of right now I love, love, love her. :) Next step will be the embellishing ... I'm pretty sure that I'll be beading her from head to toe ... wish me luck!

The Pink Artist Doll: The Reveal

You just gotta, gotta, gotta go check out the reveal of Love Squared ... I'm pretty sure that your health and well being depend on it.

OK, maybe not, but I sure do think it's worth your time to check out what a vision and 180 participants can do.

The Pink Artist Doll Project Update

If it's been a while since you've visited the Pink Artist Doll Project, now is the PERFECT time to get caught up on the progress Amazing Miss Monica is making on the most fabulous doll known as Love Squared. If you aren't yet familiar with the project, here it is in a nutshell:

"the pink artist" is a community of artists joining together to create one joint art doll to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. When doll has been completed, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™ before finally being auctioned off on eBay at a later date.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY.
Remaining squares have made our wall art piece a reality! BRAVO!
***
Group members include:

quilters, quiller, tatting, needlework, mixed-media artists, polymer clay artists,painters, doodlers, felting gurus, beaders, childrens illustrator, collage artists,abstract artists, stitching queens, yarn goddesses, paper artists, rubber stampers,photographers, digital junkies, rusted ART connoisseurs, poets and friends."

... and as for me, daily life and work life have been monopolizing the majority of my time. I am hopeful that thy-hands-they-will-be-creating again before too long. I've been really, really, really wanting to try my hand at making a little beaded doll & owe my uber-awesome bestest girlfriend a painting for her new son ... where shall I begin?!?

Hope all is well with you and yours. ~M~