Just wanted, no needed, to say this

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't taken any pictures. That shouldn't matter should it? Here is my journal entry from last night, exactly as I wrote it in my book. I think it's pretty self-explanatory.

"Sometimes I lose my focus and forget why I make these books. It's not to show my pretty pages, get compliments or make things that are worth showing. It's really all about journaling, kinda like a diary but prettier. It's for no one but me. It only matters if I'm happy with what I do. If I think of it that way then I always have something to write, not worrying about what topic would be ok to post or oh, you have too many negative pages and no one wants that to read all the time. Who cares. This is my book and I will write whatever I am thinking about."

That is all :)

Tidying up a bit

This is what became of my page using stencils that I began yesterday. The two page thing didn't work for me so I just did one. the beginnings of my art wall. I want to add more stuff including art done by my friends, until the whole wall if full.

another page I threw together-it might not be done yet,I don't know

On a totally unrelated topic-Do you ever go on food jags? You know, eating the same thing everyday for a period of time and then not touching it again for months? I am very prone to doing this. Right now it is saurkraut and my family could not be more unhappy. Why saurkraut? Beats me,I just know I have been eating it everyday for about two weeks with almost everything (except cereal). Just another quirky thing about me.

That is all :)

Stencil me in...

I apologize in advance for the poor photo quality but lighting is poor today-nothing but rain for the second day in a row and a few more days of it to come. I think soon there will be a local news special about building your own ark.

What better thing to do on a rainy day than play. I tried out my new stencils that I bought from the wonderfully talented Jeane. They are awesome and lots of fun. This is the begining of a two page spread-not sure what comes next but the journaling will go in the area masked off by t he stencil. For the background I used pages from a 1940 edition of Gone With the Wind. It's kinda fun to read snippets through paint and ink. The stencils come in sets in a number of different shapes. Go check them out here and get some for yourself. a new 6"x6" stencil-I am loving the revival of all things peace signs and "hippie" style. Makes me remember the white go-go boots I had in first grade :)

and this...

I can't think of a witty title...

This is a print that I purchased this winter. What is so cool about it is that the original piece of art is a collage made with torn pieces of hand painted paper. I saw the woman, Sandra, at one of the holiday fairs I helped my mum at. I stood there watching her tear small bits of coloful paper and creating pictures. Anyway, I must not have been myself that day because I began talking to her and what came out of the conversation was she told me this spring, when her gallery reopens for the season, to bring some examples of my handpainted papers by for her to see. Cool, huh? Check out her website here. My new trashcan for the studio. The not-so-divine Miss H decided standing in my old one would be a good idea. Guess what? Right, not such a good idea. I must say she was encouraged by my other child, otherwise known as my husband. This one is cute,only about 12" tall but just right for under the desk. Now I just need a chair.

my latest journal page

That is all :)

Sticky Sweet

My new tape that is! I ordered from a new place that I found while googling "deco tape". I had a very hard time making up my mind because there were so many cute designs to pick from. I am thinking of making a tape book and filling all the pages with just tape :)



wide rolls narrow rolls

tiny rolls The caution tape came as a 3 pack and the others came 10 tiny rolls to a pack.

The prices are what made me take the chance-cheap,cheap,cheap!!! Check it out here. If you order please mention my name as they said for each friend that places an order I would receive a free gift. Let me know what you think after checking it out. Oh, the shipping was reasonable and my package came in 3 weeks.

why oh why

I have been quite weepy the past few days. I carry so much hurt,pain,anger and unresolved feelings within me and I never know when they will rise to the top. I hate it. I hate that it makes me feel weak to need help. To ask for help requires trust and I have a very hard time with that. So instead of dealing with what is making me feel bad I end up beating up on myself for all my "weaknesses". Great way to resolve things,huh? I know I am dealing with both a biological basis for depression and anxiety as well as life experiences and situations but c'mon,how much am I supposed to deal with? So I cry and cry and cry some more. Sometimes I feel like I will always be broken...and who can love broken? Yes, today I have been babbling and typed this hurriedly and uncensored. I had to get it out. Sorry.

W.I.P. it, W.I.P. it good...

Just some things I have been working on,I'll show them again when they are finished.

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...

...then it's hilarious! Hope I made you laugh (even just a little)

Learning to fly...

...but I ain't got wings. If I did it would be a perfect day to be learning.
This is a picture of the sky today. No clouds just sunshiny, blue sky and 52 degrees. Feels so nice I am wearing flip flops today!

That is all :)

What the hell is going on?

Yesterday morning I had to scrape a layer of ice off the car windshield. Today it is sunny and 52 degrees out. WTF? The weather here is crazy.

I decided to take advantage of the nice day and went outside to do some spray painting. Here are the results-

It was a painting day all around because Michael painted the wall in my studio this morning. See that green wall? That is now my "art wall" where I will hang some of my art and that of my friends. The rest of the room is white and I really like the contrast. Even better-a few months ago I got the paint for free!

Enjoy your weekend :)

PS-new stuff in the shop,more coming tomorrow

For Your Information

I L-O-V-E magazines! After I read them I tear them up to use then the rest goes in the recycle bin. But they are getting so expensive I thought I would share this sale at Amazon. In the past year I have decided to subscribe to the ones I buy regularly when I find a good deal.

From time to time people tell me they like my stuff and wonder where I get my images. Here are some of my faves-

Nylon

Marie Claire

Teen Vogue

Check 'em out.

Hush Hush...

Sometimes pages don't need extra words to convey my feelings. Let the pictures do the talking. Other times lots of words are required.

Do you date all of your journal pages? I never do. Just never think of it I guess.

Something special...

...to me.

In the midst of all my studio cleaning, purging, organizing, etcetera, etcetera, I have done some decorating as well. I hung these shoes by my desk. They belonged to my sister. I can't believe it has been almost 3 years without her.

Scenes From A Studio

I have been working at cleaning,purging,organizing all of the stuff that has been piling up in "my room". I want it to be usefull but pretty too. Saturday Michael is painting an accent wall for me-spring green. On that wall I am going to hang a bunch of my art work and some things I have received from my friends or purchased along the way.

As my friend, if you would like to send me a little something to hang on my wall I would love it! I will send some super good stuff in return! All I ask is that I can hang it on the wall-paper, fabric, wood, whatever.

So here are some pictures of the parts that aren't still too messy to show or just stuff I like really :)

I have a thing for jars and bottles paints and inks of all kinds

punch me-I love Martha Stewart punches

the closet-we removed the doors and installed shelves (I have since cleaned this up a bit :)

my studio guardian angel (she's also a bank!)

How about that! Speaking of studios,I gave in and purchased the latest issue of Studios magazine. Let's just say I am not satisfied. First of all the price is now $14.99-yes they claim it is bigger but not almost double the previous price bigger. It appears they are following in the Somerset/Stampington footsteps of book priced magazines. Second, there are a ton of different studios but only 2 pages of each at most. Where is everything else? When I see a studio article I want to see all of it. I would rather there be fewer different studios but more pictures of the ones that are there. I would also like to see more of what each of the artists produce in their spaces. I want to see someone's closet where they work or the corner of the livingroom that is theirs or...not everyone has a "studio". Don't these places count? (I think I am just ranting now,sorry)Anyone else have this magazine? What do you think? What do you like to see about other people's studios/art spaces?

I'm feeling better,can't you tell? Sadly the Divine Miss H is home from school. It is her turn to be sick :(

That is all :)