Holiday Hiatus

I have decided to take the rest of the year off to enjoy the holidays.  I want to thank everyone that has supported me in my decision to create a blog.  You are all sooo wonderful.  May you and yours have a great holiday!  See you January.

Cindy

Friday Inspiration

Today I would like to share a link to a blogger who is offering twenty five online classes and twenty prompts, mostly holiday themed but techniques that can be applied year around.  She is very talented and I'm quite sure you will find something you must try!  So check it out, play, create and have a great weekend.

http://alisaburke.typepad.com/holidayplay/

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's offering is a continuation of my "Good Fortune" altered book.  This spread is by the lovely lady and amazing artist Claudia, a member of our local Altered Book Coalition.  She used a weaving technique that utilized a Chinese menu.  I love it soooo much.  Thank you Claudia.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Only had a chance to play in the studio for a bit this weekend but conducted an experiment I want to share. I came across some texture tiles used for cake fondant.  They are much larger and thinner than embossing folders and I couldn't resist them for only fifty cents!  I layered a large Rolodex card and the tile and ran them through the die cut machine. Loving it! They don't emboss as deeply as embossing folders, so they will be excellent for creating backgrounds.  They didn't flatten out but the brick pattern tile did curl but other than that I should be able to use them over and over.  Below is the texture tiles packaging, the tiles and the end result.  I would say this is a score!

Giving Thanks To Those Who Help Others

Today's altered book post will be postponed to give thanks to those who give to others.  I am so fortunate to have art buds that help others.  They think they fly under the radar.  They should know that their acts of kindness do not go unnoticed!  I see what you do and my heart swells that you don't look for recognition, though you deserve it.  You give time, money and "stuff" but most importantly, you give your heart.  I am so thankful you guys are in my life.  You give me inspiration and goals!  That's just my awesome friends but there are others.  Think about it.....people who give up their Thanksgiving day to feed those less fortunate. People who take clothes out of their closet to give to those who do not have the means to buy their own. The list goes on and on, especially during the holidays.  Buy why wait until the holidays to give.  Open the door for someone.  Take a sandwich or fruit (and a bottle of water) to the homeless man who you see sits on the bench on that busy street every day.  Smile at a stranger in a store.  Give thanks that you can share kindness! Thank you for giving to others.

"A grateful heart gets the day going in a great trajectory.  One does not have to wait until "conditions" are good to have a thankful spirit."

Cathy G
Art bud

Giving Thanks To Those Who Help Animals

My Monday post is always about altered Rolodex cards. Not today. Today I want to thank anyone who has ever given their time to help an animal.  My story involves cats. Never owned a cat. Never been around a cat. Never wanted a cat. The journey begins! One day while standing outside, an extremely emaciated but bulging in the stomach cat appeared at the end of the driveway. She looked so pitiful. I looked at her and she looked at me. She spoke first. "Feed me." What? I looked in amazement and she spoke again. "Feed me." Holy mackerel Batman, did that cat just ask me to feed her? I was stunned! After a minute or so I ran inside and opened a can of tuna and dumped it at the end of the driveway. It was gone in less than a minute. She looked at me and she didn't need to ask again. I opened another can and dumped it in the same place. I went my way and figured she went hers. The next day, I went outside and there she was, much skinnier but still hungry. That encounter began my journey with feral cats. In little over a year, there were cats every where! I was in trouble. I called and called a local non-profit that offered spay and neuter services but could never get a return call. I posted on a local freecycle cafe site that I desperately needed help. In short order, an amazing lady named Tammy L. replied that she could help. She was and is an angel when it comes to cats. Within days I was trapping and toting the older cats in her cages to be spayed (yep, all girls). I found homes for kittens and finally after two years plus, got the population under control. Tammy was there through it all. She was kind, offered sage advice and never laughed at my concerns or silly questions. Tammy walked me through taking care of an injured cat that lived in my house in a upside down baby crib for six weeks but that's another story for another day.  Now, I would like to think Tammy gave me and my situation special attention, but she didn't. She is there for cats and people who want to help.  She is special and I thank her from the bottom of my heart....well me and the six amazing outside cats that I love so very much...and who will never ever have babies!  My art buds were there through this amazing and humbling journey and I thank each and everyone of you.  Art bud Karen gifted me with a lovely piece of art about this journey.  Thank you Karen.  I love "A "tail" of 12 Kitties" and it will always reside in my art studio!  Just for the record, I will forever be convinced that FeeMee (the feral that started it all) spoke the human words "feed me."  RIP FeeMee and thank you.

Friday Inspiration: Giving Thanks

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

Henry Van Dyke

Today and next week, I shall follow that impulse.  I have so much to be grateful and thankful for.  I have a strong desire to express my gratefulness and an even stronger desire to share. My blog is about art. My understanding of an art blog is not about the blogger's personal life but about the art.  How can that be when my art is the public expression of my life view? Feel free to join me in this journey.

Thank you Mario and Hank!

Altered Book Wednesday

It is a pleasure to continue to share my latest altered book "Fortune Cookie" from a local round robin I am sooo lucky to be a part of.  Today's offering is a spread created by the lovely Suzanne. Love how she played off the title of the book.  Thank you Suzanne, I love it!

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

I don't know what it is with my recent need to use themes in my art.  Usually my work is as random as it comes but not lately!  Oh well, to be able to create is a joy and if themes are involved, so be it!  Today's altered Rolodex cards revolve around wings.  The dragonfly is a temporary tattoo.  The others are bits from collage sheets.  Hope you are having a great Monday and let's meet here again on Wednesday.

Friday Inspiration on Saturday

Well, it finally happened.  I totally forgot to post!  Can't blame it on anyone other than me......well me and maybe my friend Pinot Grigio who stopped by for a visit!  I forgive me and hope you do too.  Today's inspiration link is not eye candy but a great site that offers online classes via webinars.   It's called CreativeLIVE.  They offers classes for photography, Photoshop, scrapbooking....even classes about finance and such for artists.  Tons of classes!  Did I mention they are free?  Yep, it doesn't cost a penny for the live webinars!  It's easy to sign up and they don't slam your inbox with spam.  Check them out at the link below and be sure and check the calendar for upcoming classes.

http://www.creativelive.com/

Have a great weekend and find a class at creativeLIVE!

Altered Book Wednesday

Last week I shared the first page of my book "fortune cookie" from a local altered book round robin. Today's share is the second page that I also created.  The figures were cut from an old paper lantern.  I love love, love them and knew they would be perfect for this book.  Of course, no fortune cookie fortune is complete without the the saying "in bed" which I added to a tag.  Happy Wednesday everyone!

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Happy Monday everyone!  Today's offering continues the theme of males.  Below is two takes on one stamped image and the other two are images from an anatomy book.  Hope you like them.

Friday Inspiration

Though my blog is about altering paper, today's inspiration is all about assemblage, another love of mine. Well there is a hint of paper here and there, so it counts!  Visit Dale's site and you will find tons of inspiration!  Have a creative weekend and see you on Monday.

http://dalecopeland.co.nz/default.htm

Altered Book Wednesday

Sooo excited to share my Wednesday altered book post!  I belong to a local altered book group and we just finished our round robin, which takes up most of the year.  The theme of my book this go round is "Fortune Cookie."  The first page is the artist page created by Moi!  Each artist that created a spread signed their name on this page, which is found under the fortune cookie saying on the right, under the "lucky numbers." Each artist has given permission to post their creation, so please check back each Wednesday to see their contribution......you will not be disappointed!

Altered Tag Tuesday

A friend asked me if I would create some "grunged up" tags for gifts she was giving and as someone who is always looking for a reason to play, I jumped at the chance.  Of course, I can't just make a couple of anything, so the three below are leftovers and destined for someone's gift, sometime!  Hope you like them and thank you for stopping by.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

The theme of this Monday's altered Rolodex cards is all about males.  Why?  I don't know, just felt like it!  Happy Monday everyone!  Hope you have a creative week.

Friday Inspiration

Check out this cool site for everything altered!

http://www.altered-art.net/

Have a great weekend friends.

Altered Book Wednesday

The altered book spread I'm sharing today is a spread in the final round of a local round robin that I am sooo lucky to be a part of.  The theme was a century of fashion broken down into decades.  I chose the 50s. Why?  I tell you why......I have hoarded a boat load of vintage patterns from the 50s that I have been aching to play with.  Here's how I did it.  First, I took the paper pattern instructions and glued them onto the book pages, then glued some of the tissue pattern on top of that. Lastly, I took the pattern and cut out the "finished" product from the front of the pattern package and glued that sucker down.  I added the words "Sew 50s fashion" because I'm notorious for using the word sooo!  Don't believe me, just look at the first sentence of this post!  Thank you for stopping by and may your Halloween be spookylicious!

Friday Inspiration on Tag Tuesday

Just couldn't help but to add one more Halloween inspiration post.  Today's inspiration is provided by a friend who took children's spring horses, removed the base, painted them white, sketched the "bones" and with one final step turned them into "Bony Ponies!"  My artists friends are so talented!  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Today's cards are brought to you by magazines!  I love to look through magazines for interesting images before they head to the recycle bin or donated for good causes.  As always, thank you so much for visiting my blog.  Have a great rest of the week!

Eye Candy Friday

With All Hallows' Eve almost upon us, thought I would share some awesome pumpkin art!  Carving pumpkins is truly an art form and the link below shares some amazing artists and their work.  Have a creative weekend everyone!

http://dailypicksandflicks.com/2011/10/28/63-mindblowing-halloween-pumpkin-carvings-picture-gallery/

Art Quote Thursday

"Feet, what do I need them for, if I have wings to fly?"

Frida Kahlo

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's spread in my book of colors is blue.  For me, blue is a fun color to to work with (unlike purple) and I loved creating this spread.  I challenged myself to use some scrapbook bits that came my way and also added a button, which is huge as buttons always look like an afterthought when I use them! Remember, you can click on the image for a larger view.  Thank you for stopping by on this lovely Wednesday.

Tag Tuesday

Today's tags uses one of my favorite techniques...grunged to the max!  The tags were given a tea bath then inked, given another tea bath, images applied and inked again!  Wish I could tell you where the images of the children came from but it escapes me at the moment.  Remember to click on the image for a larger view. See you tomorrow.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Yikes!  I can't believe my stash of Halloween images is running low, low low!  I must have a secret stash somewhere.  Must go find it so I can create more Halloween Rolodex cards and tags!  Have a great Monday and hope you have plenty of spooky delicious images to play with!

Eye Candy Friday

No reason to stop now!  Let's take a look at another Halloween Carnival participant and visit

http://craftknifechronicles.blogspot.com

to check out her three Halloween Carnival rides. Before scrolling down her blog to see the rides, check out her awesome fairy subdivision!  Have a creative weekend!

Art Quote Thursday

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people always do that, but the great ones make you feel that you too can become great."

Mark Twain

Altered Book Wednesday

The next spread in my book of colors is purple.  I love purple but rarely use it.  Don't know why!  So this spread was a quite the challenge.  The background was a paper lantern that I deconstructed, her hair (or headdress if you please) is a silk flower.  The face is a Picasso image from a magazine and the goddess body from my scrap bin.  Thank you for stopping by.

Altered Tag Tuesday

It's rain, rain and more rain in the forecast.  Love it!  It cleanses the grime of the city, provides nourishment for plants and trees and gives me that wonderful feeling of renewal.  Jumping in puddles is fun too! Today's tags are made from bits and pieces of silk plants but are brought to you courtesy of rain because without it there would be no growth or blooms.  If it's raining where you are....do it....you know you want to.....go puddle jumping!  Enjoy the beauty of rain!

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Today's Rolodex cards continue the theme of Halloween deliciousness.  A couple of good witches, two black cats and a scary dude.....perfect Halloween fodder!  Hope you have had a creative Monday and as always, thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Friday Inspiration Link

I just can't help myself, so here is even more eye candy for Halloween inspiration!  If you like steampunk and Halloween, this week's link is right up your alley!  The light bulb hot air balloon is amazing....great directions too!  Have a creative weekend!

http://www.victorianstudio.com/2013/10/the-black-cat-carnival.html

Art Quote Thursday

"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it"

Salvador Dali

Altered Book Wednesday

The next spread in my book of colors is green.  Reduce, Reuse Recycle. Go green.  Definitely a motto that I try my darndest to live by, especially in my art.  It is so rewarding to give paper that would be thrown out a new purpose. The book was a discard.  The images from old magazines destined for the recycle bin. Scrapbook elements that a friend had no use for.  Like it says:  Be open to the journey.  Give it a try!

Tag Tuesday

More Halloween inspired goodies!  The skellie tags below were created with temporary tattoos and tea dyed tags.  Temporary tattoos are so easy to use in your art.  One tip is to be sure and seal the image so that it doesn't turn sticky and eventually lift away from the paper.  Hope everyone is "getting" their Halloween on!

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Fall weather is finally here in the South!  To celebrate, I stopped doing the "happy dance" and created some  Halloween Rolodex cards.  Grab your skellies and play along with me!

Friday Inspiration Link

Fall weather will be here tomorrow!  Woohoo!  I love this time of  year and the cooler weather is a great way to welcome Halloween.  Check out the link below for some awesome Halloween inspiration.  Have a great weekend everyone and as always, thank you for stopping by.

http://halloweenartexhibit.ning.com/photo/album/list

Art Quote Thursday

"We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents"

Bob Ross

Altered Book Wednesday

Below is an altered spread from a book I have been trying to finish for ages!  The theme is a simple one, colors.  Oh how I love color!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  This is also my first attempt at compressing a photo.  A lovely blogger suggested a few things for new bloggers and I'm slowly putting them to use.  Thanks June!

Tag Tuesday

Altering tags is a lot like altering Rolodex cards.......a great way to use those scraps!  Have a great Tuesday and thank you for stopping by.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Below are my altered Rolodex cards for this week.  Click on the image if you would like a closer look. Thanks for stopping by.

Friday Inspiration Link

Want some Halloween inspiration?  This link to Artfully Musing will provide it!  Great eye candy and excellent tutorials!

http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/p/haunted-carnival-event.html

Have a creative weekend.

Art Quote Thursday

Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self
Jean-Luc Godard

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's offering is another altered book from a local round robin.  The theme was "twisted nursery rhymes."  Animal images from a children's book found in a parking lot!.  Thank you for stopping by.

Tag Tuesday

I just love to create with leftover bits and pieces of paper....well that is what this blog is all about!  Below are some tags created from the scrap pile.  Hope you like them and thank you for stopping by.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

I love Altered Rolodex Card Monday!  Below are my cards for this week.

Eye Candy Friday

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would share http://www.victorianstudio.com who has great eye candy and instructions for creating a Halloween Apothecary.  The are six parts, so grab your favorite beverage and prepare to be amazed!

http://www.victorianstudio.com/2013/09/halloween-apothecary-part-one.html

Have a great weekend everyone!

Art Quote Thursday

"I drank to drown my sorrows, but the damned things learned to swim."
Frida Kahlo

Altered Book Wednesday

The theme for this book is The Five Senses and was part of a local round robin.  Hope you like it!

Technique Tuesday

Today's technique comes from a lovely lady who has a great blog called  http://acreativedreamer.blogspot.com/ 

She shares a technique for making specific background type visible when using book pages in your art. Check it out here:  http://acreativedreamer.blogspot.com/2013/08/eileen-has-question.html  You will be glad you did!  Have a creative Tuesday.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Below are my Rolodex cards for Monday.  Hope you like them!  Click the image for a larger view.  Thank you sooo much for stopping by.

Inspiration Friday

Deviant Art is a great place to go for eye candy and lots of inspiration!  Below is the link for altered books. Enjoy and hope you have an inspired weekend!

http://www.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&global=1&q=altered+books

Art Quote Thursday

Let each man exercise the art he knows.
Aristophanes

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's altered book again utilizes a deli sheet used to catch paint splatters and brush/sponge blots for the background.  The theme of this Round Robin book is "take my advice."  The lady was gleaned from a purchased book.  Click on the image if you would like a closer look.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

Tip Tuesday

I have a "use this instead" tip for you today.  If you use chalks in your art but don't have the right color for a project, look no further than your makeup bag!  Powdered eye shadows and blushes work just as well as the art/craft chalks.  For the frugal artist, browse the makeup aisle at dollar stores and you can score multi-color compacts at a heavily discounted price compared to craft stores!

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

Happy Monday everyone!  Below are my Rolodex cards for today.  Just click on the image for a larger view.

Inspiration Friday

I've posted the link http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/ before but a new project has been added.  Make a mini book/wallet from one sheet of paper with video instructions!  Check it out here:  http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/miniphoto.html  This site always fills me with inspiration.  Hope it does the same for you.  Have a creative weekend!

Art Quote Thursday

Rule of art:  Can't kills creativity!
Camille Paglia

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's offering is a spread using a quote from Andy Warhol.  The theme of the book escapes me at the moment.  The background is a deli sheet.  I use deli sheets to catch wayward paint and to swipe my paint brushes across before cleaning.  The image was a Deviant Scrap purchase.  Have a colorful day!

Tip Tuesday

Here is a low tech but highly effective way to make your own Rolodex cards.  I wanted to cut some large  (3" x 5") cards but didn't have that size die to use in the die cutting machine. I cut the cards by hand and tried and tried to cut the notches on the bottom but they always looked like they were gnawed instead of cut!  Then the light bulb moment happened.  Use a hole punch and punch two holes side by side.  It will look like a heart.  Cut off the little peak at the top, cut the slits at the bottom of the card and there you go, a handmade Rolodex card ready to be altered.  I rounded the corners but it's not necessary.  Are they perfect like store bought cards?  Heck no but it's a great way to recycle paper scraps and it works!  The image below shows the store bought card at top left and my workaround on the right side.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

I have every size and style of Rolodex cards....life is good!  Below is a sampling of those different sizes and styles.  Learning new things is always exciting and today I learned about auto correct in my imaging software!  Love, love, love how it brightens the image.  Hope you find something that excites you today!

Inspiration Link Friday

This youtube link offers a lot of techniques and tons of inspiration in one minute increments!  Enjoy and have a great weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/user/theoneminutemuse

Art Quote Thursday

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Thomas Merton

Altered Book Wednesday

Today's offering is from a local altered book group that has an ongoing round robin.  The theme was Hollywood Babes.  I generally add words to my altered book spreads but the picture said it all!

Tip Tuesday

Have you ever wanted to use a button, eyelet, brad, charm or other embellishment but couldn't find one in the color you wanted?  Just take a Sharpie marker in the desired shade and color away!  Of course this works best on white or light colored objects but try a dark shade on a dark embellishment, might be just what you need!  Don't like the result?  Take a cotton swap dipped in alcohol, clean the embellishment and give it another try!  Below are two buttons that I colored with Sharpies.  Have a creative Tuesday.

Altered Rolodex Card Monday

I never get tired of creating these!  Below are Monday's cards.  Click on the picture for a larger view.  Thank you for stopping by!

Friday Inspiration Link

I absolutely love this creative lady's blog.  Below is a link to her page on altered book themes but you should really check out her entire blog............ amazing!

http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2009/09/altered-book-theme-list.html\

Have a creative weekend.

Art Quote Thursday

True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.

                                                                  Albert Einstein

Altered Book Wednesday

On Wednesdays I would like to share some of my altered books.  I was planning on a tutorial but that was a tad bit ambitious!  For now, I will share spreads from my completed altered books.  Today's book has the theme of wings.  Below is the cover, spine and the first page.  The cover is created using HVAC tape from the hardware store, chipboard letters and cloth wings (same wings on the pig).  Click on pictures for a larger view.

Tip Tuesday

Recently I bought several vintage rubber stamps.  Some were hard and dried out but I have a tip for you that can salvage and make them usable again.  Take glycerin that you purchase at the pharmacy of any drug store and pour just enough to cover the bottom of a pan or dish.  Place your stamps, rubber down, in the solution and let sit for a couple of days or longer if needed.  The glycerin will plump the rubber stamps and most times restore them to their original condition.  Clean the stamps with stamp cleaner and start creating!  People who restore cars use glycerin to repair dried rubber gaskets but it works great for rubber stamps!

Rolodex Card Monday

I love, love, love used Rolodex cards.  It is so much fun to incorporate the names or companies as themes when altering the cards.  Below are six of my tiny cards, which measure just 3.25 x 1.75 inches. Little but big fun to play with!  Click on the picture for a larger view.

Link Friday

Every Friday I will share a link for sites that offer inspiration for your projects.  Today's link is one of my favorite places to visit.  You can get lost on this site for hours!  Just click on "new stuff" or "quickly find recently uploaded pages."

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/

Enjoy!

Quote By Unknown Artist

The "Earth" Without "Art" Is Just "Eh"

Have a creative day!

Altered Books

Altered books started my journey of altering paper.  It's not difficult to learn to alter books and they can be sooo addicting!  Below are two pictures of some of my books.  This week I will put together a easy peasy tutorial on how to create your own altered book and share the different steps every Wednesday.  Thank you for stopping by.