windows to *ME*

Glorious!

The only word I can use to describe the sunny, clear, crisp weather we’ve been having.  GLORIOUS -  After the gloomy days we had been having, this is such a treat.  These are the days that keep me going through the winter.  The forecast is for some possible snow this weekend – we’ll see.

I have been spending most of my lunch hours this week sitting at the nearby Starbucks next to the big window, soaking it all in (it hasn't been above 40 degrees all week).  It has given me a great chance to work in my visual journal here and there, nothing really finished but several pages have been progressing.

A few things have been going on this week.  First of all, my fabric book has returned home!  This book was sent off in March of last year and has made the rounds of 9 fabric artists.  You can see the progress of the Fabric Book Round Robin on the blog here.   I’ll be scanning and posting a slide show of my book soon.  It is just amazing and I am so happy to have it home.

I discovered this blog by Susan Lenz by following a link from Corinne’s blog.  Susan has a wonderful project in the works for fabric/fiber artists.  You can read all about it on her blog.  The purpose is to bring fiber artists from all over the world together via the internet and show their work in a gallery showing in Columbia, South Carolina.  I’m quite excited to be participating.  I’ll be trading for postcard number 59.  In turn, the postcard that I send to Susan will be posted on her blog and also in the gallery showing in 2009.  So very exciting!  There is also an ATC swap going on too, take a look at the links in the sidebar of her blog.

While you are there, be sure to check out Susan’s other work, she is an amazing artist.

My one word this year keeps popping up in various places.  Today I was reading this blog post about slow cloth and Elaine Lipson has put into such beautiful words the way I feel when I create something made of cloth and fiber.  Well, check out the third one on the list “skill” and “mastery”. 

I will refer back to her list as I work on various projects, I think she really brings it all together for me in a way I hadn’t conciously realized before.

ATCs and Circle Journal Update

Finishing up the ATC Golden Vintage Era swap and I wanted to post the ATCs I'm sending off.  These were fun to do.  Quick and easy.  I love this vintage photo of the little boy (?) in the clown costume.  He doesn't look too happy.

This round of the OBIC circle journal group the theme is Swingin' 60's Chicks.  I chose Ursula Andress.  She was the first Bond Girl and she set a high standard for those who have followed.  She is most famous for stepping out of the sea in the famed white bikini in 1962's Dr. No.  Many of the other famous 60's chicks had already been highlighted in the journal so it was a bit difficult to pick someone, but when I saw Ursula I knew she needed to be included. 

Here's my layout.  I tucked the journaling in behind the pages so that I could tell the full story for her.

Trying to catch up

I have not been a very good blogger lately.  Summer is a crazy, busy time for me.  Antique Shows, the store, work, and just keeping up with regular life while trying to throw in some fun.  But I'm back and hopefully back on track for blogging.  I've missed it.

I received two circle journals this week.  Swingin' 60's Chicks and What I Love About Being a Girl.  I also have the local journal to complete - Things That Make My Heart Smile.

Today I'll be finishing the Swingin' 60's Chicks and hopefully posting some pics.  It was fun researching some hip 60's women.  There were so many.  The 60's was such a time of change for women.  From the conservative, at home 50's to the wild, free, independent 60's.

I've been doing some other projects away from scrapbooking for a bit now.  Nice to have some variety.  I've fallen back into jewelry and beading a bit.  Between paper and beads, I'm not sure which would be my biggest passion.  I've also been doing more ATCs and I joined a rolodex card swap - fun stuff.

I finally cut my hair for the locks of love donation.  It feels great!  I'll post some pics of that too soon.  A little before and after.  With the crazy hot weather here I decided it was time to do it.  I do miss my long hair sometimes but I do love having it short.  So very easy to take care of and make it look somewhat styled.  All for a wonderful cause which is the most important part.

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the last antique show here in Portland.  Three more this summer.  Our first annual Downtown Hillsboro Main Street Madness Antique Faire will be this Sunday, August 6th.  If you are local and reading this come on by.  Lots of antique vendors and shops . . . who knows you may find something to use on a scrapbook page or art project. 

Vintage/Antique Keys Artist Trading Card Swap

I joined an Artist Trading Card swap on a yahoo group that I belong to.  The theme is Vintage/Antique Keys.  Here's my version.  I wanted to use the Ranger Alcohol Inks on glossy paper for the background, since I have a nice selection of colors but had not yet actually used them.  I was inspired initially by the theme keys, and of course anything antique or vintage I'm going to love.  I started out picking out some old padlock keys from the store, then I found this old photo.  This guy is very handsome in his top hat and they way he's posed for the photo.  So I scanned and resized the picture to suit my need.  To me he looks very successful.  That was it . . . . key to success!  The rest was just figuring out a way to anchor the key to the card so it wouldn't fall off.  I used a combination of chain hooked to brads and then adhered the key itself to the card with Diamond Glaze (love my Diamond Glaze!).  I used chipboard for the base of my card since the key and chain makes it quite heavy . . . . I wanted them to be sturdy.  The string which you cannot really tell in the photo is metallic pink and also helps to hold the key in place.  The gold around the edge is the Krylon Gold Leafing pen.  I've been using this a lot lately for a little metallic bling here and there.  All of these products are available at Memory Studio. I hope all the participants enjoy them - I'm happy with how they turned out.  I can't wait to get my packet of ATCs from this swap.  I promise I'll share.

I'm thinking I might host my own swap.  Haven't done that yet but it sure sounds fun. 

Artist Trading Card Swap

I’ve joined another ATC swap.  I’m really enjoying participating in the swaps and circle journal groups.  Love seeing others work, creativity and interpretation of a theme.  The swap was posted on the Artist Trading Cards Yahoo egroup that I belong to.  This photo is also courtesy of their homepage.  I love this vintage ATC.

This time the theme for the ATC swap is Antique/Vintage Keys. I’ll be making 6 ATCs for this swap and am already planning them in my head.  I’ve picked out 6 antique padlock keys from the selection at our antique store.  I’ve got the perfect photograph to use.  It is an old black and white photo of this incredibly suave man sitting in a suit and top hat.  Now to put it all together.  I’m thinking of playing around with some glossy paper and my Tim Holtz alcohol inks.  I’m anxious to work on these . . . . I’ll share when they are done.

Based on my previous post, I’m working on a doodling tutorial and will be offering it as an online technique class as well as in the upcoming schedule at Memory Studio.  Stay tuned.  Doodling is so much fun!

By the way - we've unpacked some great new Chatterbox papers and those wonderful new Chatterbox Grafik rub ons.  Can't wait to try these babies.