work in progress - momentum

Above is my work in progress for the week. I love the way the canvas turned out colors + polka dots. I am still struggling with the placement and the elements I will use. Who knows if the wallpaper or the flash card will even end up in the final piece. This is the largest piece I have attempted to work on, 18 x 18. Really large, great ephemera is hard to come by. That is why I love these vintage flashcards so much, they are huge!

It feels really good to be back here. To have dedicated myself to being more present and less worried about it being perfect. I am inspired again. I am working again. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

If you are lucky enough to know a queen...

you get lovely things in the mail. Vallen Queen is new to this blogging world but she is spreading joy wherever she goes.

She surprised me by sending this piece of her artwork that I had commented on. I just love the juxtaposition of this piece. The bright colors mixed with the natural elements. She also sent some beautiful Japanese? paper. Thank you so much Vallen. Your royal gift put a smile on my face today, indeed.

Last year

Last year on this date we were in Maui. That seems like such a long time ago. It was my first time to Hawaii and it was different than what I thought it would be. Beautiful but different. Kinda like how life is sometimes.

Where is your favorite escape?

What's making me...

Lovely felted pumpkin and adorable card from Kristin.

Purchase cards here from the amazing Aplcreations.

I don't want to sound like a broken record but you guys are amazing. Thank you for all of you kind words of support regarding my blog and posting. I also loved reading about how you found me or what it is about my blog that keeps you coming back.

What is making me happy today?

Halloween surprise gift (above) and my bird ATC's

(Jackie, Selena, Amy PL, Michelle R, Lesley G, Kristin)

I have never loved a set of ATC's soo much. You guys are so talented.

Thank you Kristin for hosting this inspiring swap>

What is making me stay up past my bedtime?

A History of Violence -If you can handle gore (think aftermath of a gunshot to the face) and if you like suspense you will enjoy this.
Jarhead - Not your usual violence filled war story. Much less violent than the above movie. Plus Jake Gyllenhaal is in it. (Do you really need another reason to watch it besides that?) :)

What is making my stomach growl?

This. I made it too and it is soooo good (and easy)

Until tomorrow.

new week, fresh start

I have been thinking a lot about my blog lately. My lack of posting, my reasons why. So I am going to try something new. Less Words. Although I love telling a story and writing, I think this is often what holds me back from posting. I always feel like I have to have something profound to say. I have come to realize that you all visit my blog for different reasons. I am always amazed at how one post will bring in a ton of comments and another will be almost comment free. It is so interesting to see what really inspires people. For me blogging is just as much about interacting as it is a journal of my life. I love my comments and people who leave them. I love looking back at my archives and smiling at all I have accomplished, the friends I have made and how my kids have grown.

So we will see how this goes.

Was it inevitable?

Sorry to be posting so late in the day. My last Project Runway post of the season. From the sound of things some of you won't be back next season. You'll be missed. I have to say this season wasn't my favorite but I REALLY enjoyed all of you joining in the conversation here. (Maybe more so than the actual show)

So Jeffrey won. I guess I knew he would after watching Michaels painful downward spiral. I didn't find ANY of the collections that inspiring. There were pieces here and there in all of them that I really liked but on a whole nothing was jaw-dropping. Did you notice too that as Michaels designs began to falter Jeffrey all the sudden became softer. (Less woman bashing and bleeping every other word) It's amazing how much editing can change a character. Yes I do realize this is a REALITY show but lets face it the producers were blatantly apparent in this season.

I also think that Ulle won second place over Laura because of her German connection. Laura's designs may have been typical to her style but Ulle's were pretty typical too. I do think the construction of Laura's designs were far better than Ulle's. Some of Ulle's dresses looked like they were going to fall off her models. Both of them designed for a specific demographic.

Oh and how pissed is Laura? I think the main reason she wanted to win was so Jeffrey didn't. Oh and also I didn't realize she was married to Albert Einstein. Noticed that last week but forgot to mention it.

So my friends, it is time to wrap up. Please be sure to let me know how you feel about the finale. I really can't wait.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Back on the Runway

Sorry for not posting on the last two shows. ( final four and reunion) The final four show you pretty much knew that all four were going to fashion week by the previews and for the most part all the designs were very average. The reunion was pretty unexciting. We learned one thing, that Keith was far more delusional and bitter than we thought.

Last night's show was actually pretty good. It was fun to see the collections coming along. I have to say I thought Jeffrey's designs were the most exciting. Laura and Ulle's were very "them". What happened to poor Michael? Oh my god, that white shirt with the sequin pockets. I think I saw a 70 year old lady wearing that in a Las Vegas casino last year. I hope they just focused on that piece and we will be surprised by all his other pieces. I hope!

So of course more drama...did Jeffrey outsource his work? Once again the previews would have you believe he gets kicked off. They maybe shouldn't give away so much, it makes the show kind of a let down.

So what did you guys think?

portable or not

This is a VERY clean version of what my table looks like when I am creating a collage. I must say I had a tinge of regret and maybe a little bit of envy when I read this beautiful post. I love the idea that Amanda's knitting is always with her, ready when she is ready. Unfortunately for me I fell in love with something that is so far from portable it waivers on the ridiculous. When I went to an art retreat earlier this year it took me hours longer to pack my supplies and stash than it did my clothes.
I love my collage stuff.
I love how I feel when I am making a collage.
I love how I feel when I realize it is complete.
Sometimes I just instantly know, and other times it takes me days to decide.
I have also had the feeling a collage was incomplete and still sent it on it's merry way.
What kind of art/craft makes your heart skip a beat?
How do you know when your artwork is complete?
Portable or not.

See below

card by: mrletters press.com

Hello there. Thank you for all the positive feedback on my initial collages. Wow, you all sure know how to make a girl's day (or seven) I'm sorry I have been posting on a very erratic schedule. I just can't seem to get all my ducks in a row lately. I'm having a little trouble balancing craft, home, work, computer. I suck at time management. I'm sure you all have struggled with this at one point or another. I know the weather has something to do with it too. Instead of feeling inspired by fall(which we are just now starting to feel) I was feeling pressure to start getting ready for the holiday season. I got a little overwhelmed, took a deep breath and said to myself one thing at a time. So now I am feeling a bit more calm and a lot more peaceful. So hopefully, you'll start seeing some regular posting with more art + craft.