Heartartz

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

2011-12-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

“A Christmas Heart”, Digitally altered photo of, Copper enameled,formed metal heart made at Artfest 2011

May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace,

the gladness of Christmas which is hope

and the heart of Christmas which is love.

Steve Jobs RIP

2011-10-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

from http://www.polyvore.com/steve_jobs_in_his_own/thing?id=43623121

Create Something Together

2011-09-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

I went to see the Blue Man Group perform recently.

The opening screen before the show starts displays the following quote......

“When you first meet people from a foreign culture, a great way to break the ice is to offer a few gifts as a gesture of friendship. It’s always good to choose items that reflect your personal interests, and it’s even better if it’s something you have created yourself. You also need to show a genuine curiosity in their interests and their culture. But ultimately, the very best way to forge a lasting friendship is to create something together: Whether it’s a meal, an art project or just a spontaneous dance party, when you create something with others, you build a connection that lasts a lifetime.”

~ International Diplomacy for Dummies

The Power of Words

2011-04-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this today.
It is so beautiful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU&feature=player_embedded

Change your words.
Change your world.

ArtFest 2011

2011-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

It seems time flies by and it has been one year since I last posted on my blog. The 12th anniversary ArtFest is about to happen April 6 to 10 at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA. and I am going!!!

The theme this year is "Nourishing Creative Growth"
I have made my trades...

24 glass bird & egg charms on a ball chain for my dorm mates & special friends,

70 glass egg charms and square business cards for everyone else,

and some bird & egg charms for my trade charm necklace
(where I will display the charm trades I receive)

So now.... my bags are packed ... I'm ready to go ... I'm leaving on a jet plane ... bound for ArtFest!

The heart of creativity is an experience of the mystical union; the heart of the mystical union is an experience of creativity. ~ Julia Cameron

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. ~ Maya Angelou

Mah Jongg Jewelry at NMA

2010-04-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

I have been making Mah Jongg jewelry since 2005 when friends Jeannie & Jackie asked me to find a Mah Jongg jewelry supplier for their store ClayNichols. I said "I can do this". And thus I created the Hand From Heaven ~ Mah Jongg jewelry line.

Hand From Heaven~ Mah Jongg Jewelry was enthusiastically received, sold well and was sold exclusively at ClayNichols until they closed in 2008. I thought my days of making Mah Jongg jewelry were over.

2005 Heart from Heaven ~ mah jongg jewelry, Trunk show at ClayNichols

Then last year, Jackie, now a gift store manager asked me to supply Hand from Heaven ~ Mah Jongg jewelry to the Nevada Museum of Art, museum gift store. Hand from Heaven ~ Mah Jongg jewelry is sold exclusively at NMA.

Hand from Heaven ~ Mah Jongg jewelry selections, sold exclusively at the Nevada Museum of Art

ArtFest 2010 part 2 ~ the happenings

2010-04-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

ArtFest 2010 was GREAT!!!!

ArtFest at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA is a very unique event in a very special place.

Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA - collage

I stayed in an old dorm with a very tiny room. But I would not change the experience for anything.

My tiny dorm room

Everyone arrived on Wednesday, registered and got settled in dorms, then we went to dinner, began reacquainting and frantically trading! see previous post.

Dorm mates ~ Jill, me & Jacque

After dinner on Wednesday, we were welcomed to ArtFest 2010 Opening Ceremonies by a concert from Surrealized, a Seattle based techno, electronic and rock band featuring a multimedia showcase. Their CD is available on iTunes.

Artfest 2010 Opening Surrealized

Photo from Surrealized site

All day art classes were Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
On Thursday, I had Nina Bagley - vintage necklace keeper class. While it was not a dynamic or new techniques filled class, it was perfect for my jet-lagged mind.
Nina Bagley is a lovely giving person, whom I so admire. Nana and her Vintage Jewelry Keeper.
My vintage jewelry keeper is for the Mah Jongg jewelry that I make for Nevada Museum of Art (future post to follow).
On Friday and Saturday, I had Susan Lenart Kazmer. Susan is dynamic, full of energy, enthusiasm and talent. I was so glad these classes were Friday and Saturday!
Friday's class was Transparent Text Jewelry. In the morning we worked with Ice Resin to make resin papers and fill bezels. later that afternoon, we made a copper hinged booklet for resin papers.
Saturday's class with Susan Lenart Kazmer was Altered Surface Charms. We learned all about patinas, cutting and metal working copper and cold connection joining....to make charms for a necklace. I made 6 charms and now want a disc cuter and dapper set!
I am happy to say I finished all three projects on evenings, lunchtime and after classes.

The other nights evening activities included:
Thursday, an Iron (Chef) Artist Challenge between all of the teachers. Each teacher was given a kit (either 2D or 3D depending on type of artist) and had to create something in 30 minutes using all of the pieces..some used all..some did their own thing. It was great to see each artist's style emerge in their creation.

Friday Vendor Marketplace where over 20 teachers sold their art works. It was crowded with so many people and beautiful creations.

Saturday evening culminated in the Students Show-n-Tell Gallery Show.
I finished my class projects and was able to show them on Saturday evening at the Students Show-n-Tell Gallery Show, below are my creations.

L to R ~ altered surface charm necklace (Susan Lenart Kazmer, Teacher), resin paper in copper locket booklet necklace (Susan Lenart Kazmer, Teacher), and vintage jewelry keeper (Nina Bagley teacher)

Sunday morning, a few of us awoke early to get the shuttle back to SEATAC airport and fly home. It was with sadness that we said good bye to our dorm mates (new friends) and each other. But each attendee vowed to return next year...It was like saying farewell to classmates at the end of the school year and heading off for summer. We all shared email addresses and blog sites and will reunite on the world wide web. We are all off for another year to try our wings and hone our skills till ArtFest 2011.

I know I have been blessed with a gift for art. At ArtFest 2010 that gift was further developed and expressed thru hard work.

ArtFest 2010 was all truly a magical fairie tale ....
a Once Upon a Time adventure.

Art Quote
The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. ~ Emile Zola

Artfest 2010 trades

2010-04-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

WOW again.

It has been a week since I returned home last Sunday (3/28) from ArtFest 2010.
I had a fabulous time. ArtFest is a time to rest, reconnect with friends from last year and make new friends this year, learn, be inspired and CREATE!

So as I promised to show you my trades ... here they are.
The theme this year was "Once Upon a Time". My trade was a mini story book. I made 72 booklets...28 short of my goal of 100. So as I said I'd do ... I made 30+ business cards embellished with the heart & key charms.

The booklet covers are made of Tyvek paper that was painted with acrylic paint. To print the text on the cover & back I coated the painted paper with Golden Digital Ground Medium, let dry then print text and logo on ink jet printer. Inside text was printed on linen paper, cut and folded accordion style, glued to cover and embellished with jump ring, floss and heart and key bronze charms. The mini story book contained a tiny bedtime fairy tale guaranteed to put you to sleep!
The story...

Once Upon a Time ~A Nouveau Fairie Tale of Damsels in Distress

I also made Artfest 2010 mini Banners (16) for my dorm mates. These were made of Tyvek paper, same process as covers above. Dorm mates hung the banners around their window or between bunk-bed posts to brighten up the dull dorm space!

I gave out all the booklets, some of the cards and all of the mini banners. Although I must admit I did not get as many trades as I gave away. It seemed I came across a lot of people who were either new and did not have a trade or just were not trading. Oh well, I was happy to give my booklets to them and I love the trades I did receive.

Unlike last year's trades that are still sitting in a zip lock baggie, I put the cards and tags in card protector sheets and was I able to use some of the trade material, paper and stuff in creating my class project.

On Friday evening of ArtFest, I was able to make a trade charm necklace.

All the trades I received...thank you everyone!

Trades are FUNN!!!!!

Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art.
~ Konstantin Stanislavsky

ArtFest 2010

2010-03-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

WHOA! I just logged into my blog and realized I have not posted for a year.
How time flies!

It is time for Artfest 2010 in Port Townsned, WA.
A time when 550+ artists descend upon the tiny town to learn, create, mingle & have FUN.

This years them is "Once Upon a Time"

I am taking classes from the wonderful Nina Bagley and the amazing Susan Lenart Kazmer.

Artists at Artfest make trades...mini artworks, charms, cards, ephemera, fabric, and/or embellishments that they then trade with each other. I am frantically making my trades.
72 down 28 to go! Yes, some of us overachievers strive for 100. but if you didn't or are a FV, don't fret when I get tired and am done...I stop and just use my business cards ... embellished of course!

You are asking ..."So what is your trade?"
You will just have to wait till ArtFest to see them and get one. Or check back after, if you are not attending :(
But as a teaser I will show you the 3 images I used in my creation.
I am so excited to join in the fun.

CREATE
FUN ... FUN ... FUN

I'm going to Artfest 2009

2009-04-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

March 31, 2009I'm going to Artfest 2009!!!
This will be my 1st ArtFest and I am so excited to be going. They call 1st timers Festal Virgins.
ArtFest is April 1-5 2009 and is held yearly at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA. ArtFest is organized by Teesha Moore blog) and her husband Tracy Moore . The theme this year is "Playing with Sea Monsters".

Artfest, billed as "A Creativity Retreat among Friends" is a gathering of almost 40 teachers and 500+ artist attendees who take 3 days of full day classes. I am taking 3 classes Thursday Richard Salley's Turning Leaves, Nina Bagley's (blog) Destination: Journey - Touch and Ty & Marcia Schultz's Heavy Metal

Most attendees make a item to "trade" with other artists, as a way to get to know and remember each other. I have made a octopus charm on a bracelet designed to allow attendees to collect other charms.
The bracelet is made up of copper, goldtone and silvertone thin bangles. the charm is a wooden bead painted with Metal Effects copper paint, patina-d with blue and then black aging solutions and coated with matte varnish. Artfest 2009 is written on back. Dangling from the middle of the bead are silvertone chains that make up the octopus tentacles. Finally a funny face was drawn on the bead to make it a comic octopus.

I added a heart shaped business card charm to each.
I had originally planned to make 100 of these but time would not allow it and I only made 50.
So on 50 of my business cards I printed a digital ATC on the back. The photos is a digitally manipulated image of a composite of many photos I took at the Monterrey Aquarium jelly fish exhibit.

I'm always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life.~ Miles Davis

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~ Pablo Picasso

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

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

Art

2008-07-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

"Rose Flower Fairie" ATC for swap

Decopaged book text pages under procien dyed paper towel , stitched on vintage Fairie image,and silk mini rose ribbon

Thursday, March 27, 2008...WOW I have been away from this blog far too long.
So much has happened in the last few months and then again... time has flown and it seems like yesterday was March 27. Life... it gets in the way of having fun.

This year I made the resolution to change and that change involved doing more art.
I have been doing more art but I have not shared that art with you. I will attempt to post more again. Starting today!

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time" ~ unknown

"Art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing but the highest quality to your moments as they pass, and simply for those moments' sake" ~ unknown

Hearts ~ I LOVE Heartz!

2008-03-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

The second February journal prompt is "Hearts"!
How lucky for me.... I love hearts.

This was so easy to do. I simply looked over by Valentine's (Heartz) Day post for inspiration.
On one side I reprinted all the quotes form the Valentine's post.
Then for the actual journal page I gathered up a bunch of heart images I had been collecting and collaged away. finishing it off with a mylar overlay "Heartz"..
Fun ... fun ... fun!

Fear of failure ~ Fear of success

2008-03-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

The February/March journal prompt is FEAR. I can think of lots of things to fear. Right now, doing this page is the BIGGEST one of them. Instead of focusing on day-to-day life fears, I am going to focus on fear as it relates to doing art. Or more precisely ... why my fear of making art prevents me from making art.

Several years ago, I picked up the book “Art and Fear” [Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking] by David Bayles and Ted Orland. This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Not art not made by Monet, Picasso, or Rembrandt. Most art is made by ordinary people, ordinary artists. Our ordinary art can still be quite extraordinary, yet, we artists, sometimes fear our ordinary art will not be extraordinary. The book looks at the way art is made, the reasons art isn’t made and the difficulties that cause artists to give up along the way. Making art can be a lonely, daunting tedious task. If the book gets you to your art sooner and bolder, great. There is a mention that the book is a safety net. That reading the book can become a substitute for the process of making art. It makes you feel better but does not get you "working”. So instead of painting today? You reply, “No. I read parts of Art & Fear”

Hence, I find myself.
I have so many books on art and art processes that I’ve run out of room on my bookshelVES. I read about art. I do “do art”. However, mostly to the assignments and swaps I commit myself to do. But I rarely just do ART. Why?

Because ... I fear, I will fail.
I say... Humm ... I don’t know what to do.
Humm ... I need to learn how.
Oh now...I need a better technique.
Oops now ... I need a specific material.
Oh shoots ... I have no time.
Oh no ... Not now ... after this assignment.

They are all excuses not to do it.

"Everything I've ever done was out of fear of being mediocre." ~ Chet Atkins

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” ~ Sven Goran Eriksson

Last year I resolved to “Create one thing each day” ... and I did. Only I let that creativity extend to all creative aspects of life and then any aspect of life from cooking to cleaning ... baby steps.

This year my word is CHANGE, so to change.....

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.” ~ Rosanne Cash

Nevertheless, saying I will change and let go of fear and actually doing it are 2 big and different things. Again baby steps.

It is easier if you just realize ... FEAR is just another four-letter word ~ Anon

AND

“FEAR is an acronym in the English language for "False Evidence Appearing Real" ~ Neale Donald Walsch

In his song, F.E.A.R. Ian Brown he gives several meanings to the acronym FEAR in the lyrics

Fantastic expectations Amazing revelations

Final execution and resurrection
Free expression as revolution
Finding everything and realizing

For everything a reason

Once we overcome a fear, we are courageous, successful, aware, and free.

Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. ~ Dorothy Thompson

You don't face your fears, you stand up to them. ~ Anon

So, just do art.
Any kind of art ... Ordinary art ... Experiment ... Work in a new medium.
And keep in mind ....not every “work” will be a masterpiece. Some will be disasters, but learn from the “process”.
If you create one thing today ... It just might be extraordinary.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear.
Action breeds confidence and courage.
If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.
Go out and get busy.” ~ Dale Carnegie

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience
in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Words are powerful tools

2008-03-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

My blog postings are so far behind, but sometimes life gets in the way of blogging!!!

The second January prompt is “Words”.
When given the prompt “Words” the first thing that came to mind was the song:

Words by the Bee Gees
Smile an everlasting smile,
A smile can bring you near to me.
Don’t ever let me find you down,
Cause that would bring a tear to me.
This world has lost its glory,
Let’s start a brand New story now, my love.
Right now, there’ll be no other time
And I can show you how, my love.

Talk in everlasting words,
And dedicate them all to me.
And I will give you all my life,
I’m here if you should call to me.
You think that I don’t even mean a single word I say.
Its only words, and words are all I have,
To take your heart away

How appropriate the prompt “Words” is for me, since words are usually the basis for my inspirations. When given most assignments I have to look up everything about the topic. So given a prompt I Google “(the prompt word) quotes”.

I also look thru my database of favorite "Word" quotes.

“Tears are words the heart can't express” ` Unknown

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.” ~ Unknown

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~ Unknown

Words are powerful tools.
They convey emotions, thoughts, ideas. Words can comfort, sooth and entertain.
But words can also be deadly weapons. Words used maliciously to hurt someone. Words used unknowingly and carelessly can also be weapons that hurt someone. Like all of us, I have too much experience with the last experience.
Often we do not hear or see how the word or tone we use for word said to a child can devastate him/her. Or how words to or from a friend can wound. Often the comments, stories, or phrases we make are never meant to hurt but they do. There are also times our words lie.

"You mustn't always believe what I say.
Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer." - Pablo Picasso

And then there are those times when you are down and feel no one values your opinion or your words. And you ask “why bother?” (to say anything). These times also hurt.

In the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. The first agreement he talks about is “Be Impeccable With Your Word”. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Hard to do 24-7, but oh so worthwhile at bedtime, when you sit and reflect on your day.

To do my journal page I used recycled paper towels used to blot procein dye for dying fabric for another project. I “matte media" adhered the paper towels to gesso primed pages. then overlayed one side with my "Words" song and quotes printed on Mylar. On the other side I wrote "Words" then 2 columns for words I Like and Not Like. I wrote the words in white paint pen, outlined by a permanent black marker and highlighted with chalk pens. Glad to say the "Like" words list was much longer!

Looking over these pages I am often reminded that the words that often haunts me most when I spend time in evening reflection are...

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Art Quote of the Day for Friday March 7, 2008

2008-03-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Art Quote of the Day for Friday March 7, 2008, on my blog sidebar is:

There are no original ideas.
There are only original people. ~ Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

from Famous Quotes

Balance ...It's like riding a bicycle

2008-02-28T01:02:00.000-08:00

I am in an art group for journaling. Each month and we are given an assignment of 2 prompts and 2 pages to put in our journal.

One of the prompts for the month of January is - Balance.
The Balance page on the left is all the quotes I have collected on balance printed on rice paper, adhered with matte medium to background sheet, colored with linen ink and red pattern stamping. Then a mylar sheet overlay with a balance image printed on it. A few of the most inspiring of the balance quotes are:

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.” ~ Robert Heinlein

“In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.” ~ Patti Smith

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some." ~ Robert Fulghum

The right hand page is an overlay of the same balance image printed on vellum.
Lift the vellum sheet to reveal the background balance sheet. Ta da ...

Acrylic paint was used to paint the yin yang symbol and clipart images were matte medium adhered in a balancing act!

"Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving."
~ Albert Einstein

Change page for Change journal

2008-02-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

My January 17th post, "Change in the New Year" were some change quotes which provided the inspiration springboard for a Change page in my Change journal.

I put all those quotes on the inside cover of the journal and then did a change page. This just might be the format for future pages.

Printed on the Mylar sheet over the next page are the words:

Change
Cannot change
Can change
Want to change
Be the change
The change
Change of life
Change your life
Life change
Dramatic change
Inter change
Things change
Time change
Change time
Time to change
Change color
Change of plans
Change horses
Change for the better
Change for the worse
Change of heart
Change of fortune
Change of luck
Loose change
Got change?
Change over

Change...don’t ya just hate it!

The background sheet is painted with Metal Effects copper metal paint and green patina. Then decopaged on the words to a song printed on rice paper, and aged with walnut oil.
The background sheet has the words to the song "Changes" by David Bowie, originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and as a single in January 1972. (Live, France 1999)

“Changes” by David Bowie
I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

still need a bit more inspiration, view this impessionistic montage of Chachacha Changes.

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”
~ Unknown

A new day ...

2008-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

A new day ... your past, your present, your future ... all become your legacy.

"This is the beginning of a new day.

You have been given this day to use as you will.

You can waste it or use it for good.

What you do today is important because

you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever;

In it's place is something that you have left behind . . .

let it be something good." ~ Anon*

You ask "Who was Anon?"
A Google search led me to find he was a Greek Scholar.
But Wikipedia sent me to the meanings - anonymity and anonymous.

Either way those are words to live by.

In the final scene of Back to the Future III, Doc Emmett Brown says:

"Your future hasn't been written yet.

No one's has.

Your future is whatever you make it.

So make it a good one."

Become Like Wildfire

2008-02-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

I am sure most of you have seen the movie "Pay it Forward"
In the movie the boy Trevor is given an assignment by his teacher. The assignment is to think of something to change the world and put it into action. Trevor decides to pay a favor not back, but forward. He repays good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds to three new people. Trevor's efforts bring about change not only in his live but in the lives of his mother and his teacher. His actions also affect the lives of an ever-widening circle of people completely unknown to him.

Also on TV the Liberty Mutual ads part 1 and part 2 illustrate the Pay It Forward phenomenon.
The beautiful song played in the background is entitled, "The Part Where You Let Go" from the group, Hem.

"The Part Where You Let Go" by Hem
When the rain breaks the road
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
To your last good day

When the stone breaks the wheel
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
Til the stone rolls away

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And tumbling out of a window
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you

When the sun leaves the field
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
To the last sweet light

When the flame leaves your eyes
I still see you there
I still see you there
On your darkest night

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And sinking under a shadow
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you now

As your hand's breaking free
I am holding on
I am holding on
As you've held on to me

And I don't know
Is this the part where we let go
Tumbling out of a window
Is this the part you're there for me

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And sinking under a shadow
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you
You find out I'm there for you
You find out I'm there for you

A couple days ago I wrote about "one little thing...making a difference".
If you still haven't found one little thing maybe you can pay it forward.

When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else. And it'll become like wildfire.-- Whoopi Goldberg

Happy Valentine’s Day!

2008-02-12T19:27:00.001-08:00

Valentine’s Day is one of my MOST favorite holidays.
So why do I love Valentine's Day? Heart Day?
Well....Duh.... Heartz!

I Love HEARTz!!! Always have. Always will.
I Love LOVE too!
I Love CHOCOLATE, yum!
HEARTz ... LOVE ... CHOCOLATE ... Ahh bliss!

What could be better?
Humm... maybe art.
Ahhhh ...Heartartz!

Above is a Valentine ATC, a bit of Heartartz, from me to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy ♥ Heartz ♥ Day!

Below are some Heart - Love - Valentine quotes for you to enjoy.

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~ Unknown

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” ~ Charles M. Schulz

“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.” ~ Unknown

“One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.” ~ James Earl Jones

“I would rather have eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; lips that cannot speak, than a heart that cannot love” ~ Robert Tizon

“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.” ~ Lao Tzu

"The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.” ~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel

“You change your life by changing your heart.” ~ Unknown

“Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.” ~ Unknown

"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” ~ Unknown

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.” ~ Paulo Coelho

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." ~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

One small thing...making a difference

2008-02-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

Like most of you, I have kind friends who share with me jokes, wit and wisdom from time to time. Sometimes I read and delete. Other times I pass the better ones on to my friends.
Today I am going to share this with all who read my blog.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are NOT second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies .... the awards tarnish ... the accolades and certificates are buried with their owners ... the achievements are forgotten.

Here's another quiz.
See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones who care.
They are those people who have made a difference in your life.

So pass it on and make a difference for someone else.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."
~Edward Everett Hale

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
~Mother Teresa

And if you worry that you don't have enough time today to do one thing....

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today .... it's already tomorrow in Australia." ~ Charles Schultz

Silk Paper

2008-02-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Making silk paper is fun and so inspiring.
The resulting "paper is so beautiful by itself and brimming with possibilities for future works. Using the silk paper in another work is the real joy!

Silk Paper Making is a web site with clear instructions and ides for using silk paper.

There are also two books with great instructions for making your silk paper and ideas for using the silk paper.
Silk 'Paper' Creations for the Fibre Artist by Judith Pinnell
Handmade Silk Paper by Kath Russon

Silk hankies (rovings) used as the basis for silk apaper are available at Quilting Arts store. You can buy pre-dyed colorful hankies or white silk hankie and dye as desired. for my silk hankie. I used white and dyed with some Procion dye and others with Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes.

MATERIALS:
Silk hankies
Fabric scraps, threads, yarns

A) For silk paper alone or future paper works
Textile or matte medium
lightweight netting or screen
paint bushes, wide & stiff or a spray bottle

B) For future felting or needle felting work
Liquid or spray starch
Parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS:
A) For silk paper alone or future paper works
Lay netting or screen in a tray or on plastic sheeting.
Separate a single silk hankie form group.
Stretch out silk fiber by pulling from the top to bottom or side to side to desired finished size.
Lay hankie on netting or screen.
Add randomly or in a pattern fabric scraps, threads, yarns, wool or silk rovings.
Place another stretched silk hankie over trapped goodies.
Cover with another piece of netting or screen.
Mix a tiny amount of detergent with a cup of water, paint over the silk layers completely soaking throughout. Blot lightly.
Paint or spray textile or matte medium (diluted 1:1 with water) over the silk layers. Blot dry. Let air dry. When completely dry, carefully peel off netting or screen.
Iron silk paper on medium setting, protecting with parchment paper or pressing cloth.

B) For future felting or needle felting work
Lay out plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Separate a single silk hankie form group.
Stretch out silk fiber by pulling from the top to bottom or side to side to desired finished size.
Lay hankie on plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Add randomly or in a pattern fabric scraps, threads, yarns (wool or silk rovings. Place another stretched silk hankie over trapped goodies.
Cover with another piece of plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Spray liquid starch or spray starch over the silk layers. Soaking thoroughly by pressing down with hands on silk to aide in saturation
Let air dry. When completely dry, carefully peel off plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Iron silk paper on medium setting, protecting with parchment paper or pressing cloth. You can felt the silk paper to wool rovings or pin felt onto pre-felted hankies, using traditional felting methods. You can frame the silk paper or adhere silk paper to another paper background using spay adhesive or a fusible medium.

Attaching silk paper to wool
I wanted to felt my silk paper to pre-felted hankies, using traditional felting methods. Unfortunately, I had none and could not wait for an order to arrive. I did however have some wool fabric that felted itself in the wash. traditional felting did not work so I decided to fuse the silk paper to the "wool felt" and also onto a separate piece of cotton batting I used Misty Fuse and an iron . Iron on silk setting with parchment paper to protect iron from sticking to Misty Fuse. Let cool. If you used fabric or matte medium to bind the silk paper, you now have a fused felted piece to use as desired! If you used starch to bind the silk paper, wash away the starch with hot water and dish detergent and rinsed again with hot water. Let the piece air dry. Iron again protecting the piece with parchment paper. You can leave edges raw, cut edges even and/or edge with decorative stitching.

Voila! You have a new fused felted piece to use as the creative muse leads you!

Saying .... I Love you

2008-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Are you in need a different way to "wrap"..ah present (preezent) a Valentine gift?
How about making a cute gift cone? I made one for a Yahoo group swap and it could not be easier.

Gift Cone Tutorial
There are several sources for instructions for making a gift cone.
Ruth Rae's fabulous fabric gift cone is in Quilting Arts Gifts, with instructions for creating a fabric or paper gift cone.

Basicallly, all you need is a 9" square of fabric or paper (2, 9" squares, if you want to line it) and embellishments!!!

SUPPLIES
• 9" square fabric or paper
• 9" square contrasting fabric or paper (optional)
• 1/2 yd of 3/8" ribbon, cording or yarn for hanging
• 1/4 yd trim, for seam (optional)
• 1/2 yd trim for top edge (optional)
• Tassel, beads or crystal (optional)
• Various embellishments: fabric, appliquets, beads, sequins, eyelets rivets etc (also optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Assemble all supplies and embellishments.
2. Stitch (glue for paper) 2 pieces of fabric/paper together right sides out.
3. Decorate outside fabric/paper.
4. Position trim down side of cone for seam to form cone later. (optional)
5. Place piping or trim along top point of cone. Stitch/glue in place.(optional)
6. Roll cone and hand stitch or glue along seam edge.
7. Stitch or glue ribbon handle to sides of cone.
8. Stitch tassel beads, or crystal to bottom point of cone. (optional)
9. Embellish more if needed. (optional)
10. Add gifts and present to loved one!!!

Cone back, side and front detail close-up.

My cone was made using silk paper fused to wool fabric and cotton batting.
Next post: Silk Paper

Thin Creativity ... Deep Soul

2008-02-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the new MacBook Air?

I do not use a Mac but the design and potential functional ability of this computer is so amazingly creative. View Steve Jobs Introduction of the Apple MacBook Air at MacWorld 2008.

The new MacBook Air, is 0.76" thick, tapering to 0.16", weighs 3 pounds, has a 13.3" screen and full-size, backlit keyboard. Its Intel chip is the diameter of a dime and the thickness of a nickel. The MacBook Air will cost $1799+.

No doubt you have seen the Macbook Air Ad. That too is so creative and the song keeps humming in your head!

The song is New Soul by Yael Naim. Watch New Soul by Yael Naim music video on Youtube.

Talk about creative! The artist, Yael Naim was born in Paris and raised in Israel. She and David Donatien, assembled an eclectic group of musicians to record the album on a single computer in her Paris apartment. You can read about Yael Naim's rise to fame.

In the past, Apple has featured other new music artists on their commercials like the Feist, St. Vincent, and Regina Spektor. Most recently, the iPod Nano ad featured 1234 from the Feist’s “Remainder” album.

So far, Yael Naim has tour dates in France, none in the US. The New Soul single is available on iTunes and Amazon.com. The New soul album is due in the States in the Spring 08.

Read the words to New soul ... not only is the tune catchy but the lyrics are so inspiring and hopeful.

New Soul by Yael Naim
I'm a new soul I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But since I came here
felt the joy and the fear
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

I'm a young soul in this very strange world hoping I could learn a bit about what is true and fake.
But why all this hate?
Try to communicate.
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

This is a happy end cause' you don't understand everything you have done why's everything so wrong
this is a happy end come and give me your hand I'll take your far away.

[Refrain]:
I'm a new soul I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take
but since I came here
felt the joy and the fear
finding myself making every possible mistake

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

WOW! I just noticed the art quote for today is " Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold Auerbach. ... hummm

Journal Tutorial #2 &3 ~ Journal Cover and Journal Pages

2008-01-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Journal Tutorial #2 ~ Journal Cover
OK you say... I have a journal ... now what do I do?

Make your journal yours.
Give it a name.
My journal, is of course, called "Change", my word for 2008.
But your Journal name can be whatever inspires you. A nickname, a flower, a virtue you aspire to, a friend. an enemy, a place, or whatever ignites your passion!

Then, do art on your front and back covers.
Create ... embellish ... make your cover say "This is Me!"

Pick a color, any color you LOVE and apply it to your journal cover via pen, paint, paper collage or anything that strikes your fancy. Then embellish, embellish, embellish.
I did my covers with Modern Masters Metal Effects - Reactive Metallic Paints in the Rusted Iron Finish. It is a 4 step process using: acid blocking primer, iron metal paint, rust activator and finally sealing with Matte clear spay sealer. Then embellished with paper, and other goodies.
The cover might not be finished yet because I will probably add more as the year and I, progress and change.

Journal Tutorial #3 ~ Journal pages
You can use any kind of paper for your journal pages.
If you use the pages provided in the original photo album gesso the pages.
Note: Use undiluted gesso (NO WATER). water added to gesso will make sheets wave and ripple.

Once Journal is assembled you can work on individual journal pages as you desire.

Wherever you find inspiration, seize it!

"Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal." ~ Igor Stravinsky

Most of all remember ... JUST DO IT!

Journal tutorial ~ #1 Make your own Journal

2008-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

To Journal or not to Journal? That seems to be the question of the day.
Followed next by, "How do I journal?"
Then, "What do I journal?"
Stop the questions and...."JUST DO IT" (another non-"original idea")

I have always half-heatedly started a journal....but mine were a diary, which I soon abandoned for fear I would perish and "someone would read my personal thoughts". Well not this time.
I committed to a Yahoo group journal swap. While technically we are not actually swapping our journals. Members may choose to swap pages with a partner or not. All members must post pictures of their page from the theme of the month.

Over this past year I have discovered that journaling can be whatever you want it.
A journal can take many forms but it is primarily a vehicle to express your feelings at that moment.
A diary format does not do it for me, so I am going to do art journal pages instead. While I could easily make a journal book, I decided it would be quicker to find a pre-made book. I found a photo album. It is bound together with ribbon and more pages can be added.
Best of all I found it at Target in the $1 bargain bin!!!
The cover is pretty but not me, so I proceeded to do an Ultimate Makeover on my new journal!

Well here goes... here it is my first tutorial...
(My artzy crafty artist friends who know how to do this can skip this lesson and my friends who think they are not artists..take notes.)

Journal Assignment #1 ~ Alter or make your journal!
First, take photo album apart or make your own.
Cut mat board to the desired size. My journal is 7 5/8 x 6 1/4. Score in from edge at 1" and fold. Punch two holes centered (1 1/2" from edge and 3 1/4" apart).

Gesso the front and back covers (in and out) or cover with paper.

For the pages. You can use what they provided or cut more pages.
The pages in my journal are 8 1/4" x 5 5/8". An 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper cut in half will give you 2 (8 1/2 x 5 1/2), which fit nicely between the covers..
I decided to replace the pages with watercolor paper. Using an original page as a template, I cut a desired # of pages to 8 1/4" x 5 5/8".

Fold in 3/4" from the edge, glue down, then fold in 1" again. Fold the 1" fold back flat.
Punch 2 holes thu the 3/4" folded edge, using original page as template.
Now repeat for additional pages, note you can always add more later.

To bind your Journal, choose a pretty ribbon, cording yarn or any kind of tie your heart desires. 20" works for 8-12 pages but if you want more pages you will need longer ribbon.
The beauty of this type of Journal is that each day, it is up to you if you want to work in a bound journal, a single loose page or simply work on another sheet and glue it in the Journal.

Voila! You have the backbones for your Journal!

"Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction."
~ Pablo Picasso

Tomorrow's post ... Journal assignment #2 ~ Journal Cover

Banner Picture

2008-01-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland.

Composite spread of pictures by me.

Since I have had several inquiries and comments about my banner, here it is so you can click on it, enlarge and enjoy it close up!!!

A disclaimer and reference

2008-01-22T17:25:00.000-08:00

Again there are no original ideas.....just serendipitous thought, subliminal messages or coincidence.

This is a disclaimer...
Someone told me today my word for the year, CHANGE, is a campaign slogan. I did not mean that at all. My blog is NOT a political forum and in no way implies any endorsement for any candidate.
The only thing I will say is to VOTE for the candidate of your choice, when you get a chance!

On another note...
My blog banner is a composite spread of pictures from Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. I knew about this chapel before all the Da Vinci Code hype and was intrigued by it. I was fortunate to have been able to visit and have been totally facinated.
Some real deja vous moments.

There are no original ideas

2008-01-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

Who Said That?

“There are no original ideas. There are only original people.”
Eleanor Roosevelt ~ Barbara Grizzuti Harrison ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Hummm ... seems ... There are no original ideas!

What is your word for this year...

2008-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Everyday I am reminded, “There are no original ideas!”
Just when I think, I’ve come up with something innovative or novel, I find someone else or even ME, in my past musings, has thought of that before.

Every morning, I visit one of my favorite blogs, Tracey’s A Cottage Industry. She is so positive and INSPIRATIONAL. Her links to “Oh, so many wonderful Blogs!” led me to Rebecca’s Out of Hand. I had not read her blog since Christmas. Rebecca has chosen as her word for this year, “Purpose”. Rebecca got the idea from Ali Edwards' in her December 31 post about her 'one little word' project. Ali encourages you to adopt one word that will be our focus for the coming year. Ali has chosen “Vitality”.

So, just as Rebecca and Ali, I encourage you to choose a word for this year. A word that will make, you, a better you.

Spend the day thinking about it.

Take a good look at yourself.

What do you need to bring into your life?

What to you need to get rid of in your life?

First, because an issue, a problem, what is wrong or bothering you, is easier to fathom, sometimes it is easier to “get rid of first”. Kinda like cleaning out all the junk in our studios before we can organize and create.

Then seek what you want or need to bring into your life to be more fully “you”.

Finally, how could you do this?

This is perhaps the most difficult thing to determine... but this will provide you with your word.

I looked at my life.

2007 was my year to “create one thing each day”. I did.

2007 was a year of tremendous highs and deep lows.

The highs were fabulous and I would not change them for bzillions$$$.

The lows and many losses were the things I did not like about 2007. These were things I could not change. Life, growing up, growing old, others, other’s lives, death, the world, and how things changed.

I cannot change the past and what has a happened but I can make changes today, the present, that will impact my future.

So in looking at 2008 for my word, I found ...

I need to get rid of ... all the accumulated junk, of 2007, and before. I need to “clean house” of the emotional baggage, physical weight, art supplies, collectible stuff, and just plain crapola junque in my life and in my home.

I need to bring into my life... organization, focus, new direction and MORE ART!!!!

I alone can only bring this about by ... CHANGE.

I can change myself.

I can change my perception

I can change how I see something.

I can change my point of view.

I can change my opinion.

I can change my mind.

I can change my mess and chaos.

So to initiate my change, I am spending January “getting rid of" and "cleaning out" one thing (hopefully more) each day.

Cha-cha-cha-CHANGE!

So .... What is your word for this year?

CHANGE in this New Year...

2008-01-17T08:28:00.000-08:00

We are already 17 days into the New Year.
The theme for this year is .... CHANGE

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~ Jack Kerouac from his book, On the Road

"If you can't change the people around you, change the people around you. ~ Unknown

What is your favorite "Change" quote?

my 1st blog posting!

2007-02-17T12:45:00.000-08:00