Queen for the Day and feeling ever so privileged . . .

This week's Altered Works of Art Challenge over at DAQ was to re-create an incredible work of art by Mark Ryden.   The original is so out there and  I was totally psyched to give this one a shot and boy did I have fun!  Best part of all . . . I made myself Queen for the Day!   Queen of what, I don't know, but a queen nonetheless . . .

In Ryden's piece, she has quite the quantity of meat hanging from her belt while in my piece you'll see that I made the piggy my friend and cupcakes, my guilty pleasure, heehee . . .
But my feeling privileged can be attributed to more than merely altering myself into royalty.  Two absolutely fantastic items were revealed in the world of digital altered art today and if you are not already aware, my altered friends, you must check it out!!!  I am so flattered to have been asked to be a part of both of them.

Now available in the Scrap Artist shoppe . . . everything you ever wanted to know about creating digital art and paper dolls and best of all it is FREE to the first 100 people to grab it!  Be sure to check out the back cover while you're at it; wink wink.


And then DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!  


If you are an Art Journaler or simply aspire to be one,  you MUST check out Tangie Baxter and Amanda Sexton's Art Journal Caravan {Expedition 2010}.  An amazing kit, tips on getting started, access to a special altered artist forum, challenges and a full Navigation Guide (it alone is worth the price in my book)  that includes tons of information and inspiration from myself and a host of other talented ladies.  

For all of the details check out the Art Journal Caravan blog here.

"Just hanging out!"

Here are some things I made with the Mixed Media Monday challenge in mind . . .

Winter is here!!!

It's that time of year again and no matter where you live or what you believe there is no denying the beauty that is winter!  I am lucky to live in a place with all four seasons and I think every single one has a magic all it's own.  Winter is my favorite!
Last year I decided to make a little ATC sized card to send out to my friends and family living elsewhere.  I wanted to create something "different" and not so traditional.  Here's what I came up with:

This year, I wanted to include the entire family and set out to make something just as fun!
Here is what I will be handing out to friends and family this year:

A little glitter for shimmer and ribbon for embellishment and I think it'll be just right!

 and Blessings to all of my friends . . .
For full credits on this card, look here.

aRt JouRnAL time!

I have really been focusing on creating some pages for my Art Journal as of late. Been in a "journaley" mood lately, I suppose. My latest is actually a very personal page and a year ago I probably wouldn't have had to guts to share it but the emotional courage it takes to create such a page also provides a sort of emotional liberation. Thank goodness for altered art therapy! I don't know how I get through some days without this creative outlet.
And besides, a kit like this makes it so easy!!

Check out Fiddlette's newest: Art Journal Collection One by Christine Honsinger

Here's what I was inspired to do with it:

I have struggled for a long time with feelings of inadequacy because of situations I’ve experienced in my life and this song has always somehow had meaning for me throughout many different periods of my life. I thought it was about time I expressed that in an Art Journal page.



Journaling reads:
How long before you screw it up?
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up? With everything I do for you The least you can do is keep quiet Be a good girl You've gotta try a little harder That simply wasn't good enough What's the problem... why are you crying? We love you just the way you are
if you're PERFECT


-“Perfect” by Alanis Morissette


For full credits, see my Scrap Artist gallery here.

Three Muses Challenge: Time

Here's my latest ATC and the entry for this week's Three Muses Challenge: Time.. .



It seems that there is never enough time to do it all but I am making a concerted effort to fit my creating into the mix at least one day a week. To commemorate the beginning of the journey I have created this page below for my digital art journal.


I went a bit crazy on this one (very freestyle) but then maybe that kind of works for a layout entitled "Fearless"! LOL!


Journaling reads:
(November Year 2009)
It’s sad really how long it has taken me to finally find the courage to listen to my inner voice, turn off the negatives and just go for it! If I fail, I still will have found accomplishment in the process and maybe, just maybe, I will have had a little fun along the way. Hold onto your hat, ‘cause I’m going for it!

14 Wacky Years . . .

My beloved and ever patient husband and I just celebrated fourteen crazy years of marriage and I came up with the following layout to commemorate the occasion . . .

What I've been up to . . .

Thought I'd share some photos of some of my newest creations. They usually sit on a shelf beside my creative station but it was such a nice day I decided to take them outside in the sunshine for a little photo shoot. I apologize that they aren't the best of photos but you get the idea.

Sideshow Peek-a-Boo:



The story on the back reads:
Why those who paused to look at the two women saw that they possessed little faults or peculiarities regarded almost as a myth in certain circles.
Dear Bertha had never noticed the young men fluttering around her and by her manner she as continually invited their attentions.
"I can't get up much sympathy for her", said Kate "and it isn't any use to try."

Marie Antionette (altered art doll)-


Afternoon in the Park-




and last but not least a couple of my other circus beauties:

Something Wicked this way comes . . .

This wicked little pair were created for this week's Three Muses Challenge . . .
Credits here.

Moi, little Ole Me published!!!!

Received word today from the managing editor at Somerset Studios Publications that they will be publishing two of my altered art layouts and I couldn't be more jazzed. I have been in love with those magazines from the first time I layed my eyes on them. The artists featured in the pages of that magazine have never ceased to inspire me and so I naturally feel so privileged to be one of those artists. Can't hardly believe it!
Here are the two that will be featured in the March 2010 issue of Digital Studio:




Full credits available here.

Feeling Zlightly Zetti!

The Three Muses Challenge this week was to create your own Zetti. Being such a fan of Teesha Moore's work, this was quite fun! I only hope I have done a proper job at paying her inspiration homage . . .

Portait of an Artist

Need I really say more?
Credits can be found here.

Today, I feel like a Queen . . .

I have found my calling! (?)

Maybe? Not sure but . . .

Recently, it has become quite clear to me that where I feel most at home in the world of Art is in among that group of truly brilliant and creative, or just brilliantly creative individuals who aren't afraid to dabble in it all and limit themselves only to their imagination's. I'm talking about those who aren't afraid to raise the quirk value, balance on the edge of creative insanity, and express themselves in every right. I have decided that I want to be a mixed media artist when I grow up. For now, in my heart it is what I am. What talent there is in me remains to be seen but I am going to give it my best and we shall see.
In this endeavor, I have been scouring the web looking for opportunities to share in this quirky little community of artists, learn as much as I possibly can and at the start, just really try to have fun with it.
Below are two of my newest digital creations intended to mimic the real thing . . .




And here is a sneak peek at a little project I am working on-

A Curious Thing . . .

with wings, of course.

The recipe for this layout:
Add together an antique pedestal table, a vintage and bedecked bottle, an irresistably cute face, a paper skirt and a pair of wings. Then add a flower pot for a hat and Tiffany lamp for a parasol and you have a very curious thing; "a thing with wings".
This week's Three Muses Challenge

Credits:
BG is blending of ppr 1 from Marie Collaborative Kit by Tangie Baxter/Sherrie JD available @ Scrapbook Graphics/Scrap Orchard with ppr 24 and wordart from Wonderland Kit by Tangie Baxter @ Scrapbook Graphics
Skirt and head (Barbara) from Adelaide and Amelia Kit by Christine Honsinger {Fiddlette Designs} @ Scrap Artist
Everything else from Wonderland Kit by Tangie Baxter @ Scrapbook Graphics

Nellie L'Orange

I have recently made a goal to expand my horizons and participate in some new challenges I haven't yet tried. This ATC was created for the Theme Thursday Challenge

Credits:
BG is a combo of Moody Paper in orange by Eclectic Designs by Gabi and Nancie Row Janitz's Mixed Media Backgrounds blended against an antique music sheet cover.

Strip on bottom from So Edgey and bird cage from
Clarabelle's Collage World by Christine Honsinger.

Bird from Marie Kit by Tangie Baxter/Sherrie JD.

Chain and charm from Authentic Artistry Alpha by Christina Renee.

Sad but True . . .

Persnickety Chick has decided to hang up her "Creative Team" hat for a while. Alas I will never be able to stay fully away from the digital scrapping world so chances are you will still see me from time to time. Above is my latest layout. I had so much fun creating it, I wasn't sure when to stop!(click here for credits). I love anything Alice in Wonderland related and Tangie's new kit is so loaded with so many amazing things!

Oh and FYI, I have also decided that I will be devoting more time to expressing my artistic self through more tangible "three-dimensional" projects. Be sure to check back in for pics of my finished pieces.

Hard to believe but . . .

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Just click on the link here and you're all set!

Something Quirky is going on here . . .

I'm not entirely sure what's come over me but lately I can't seem to create anything but these really quirky pages. It's true I've always been more of a "quirkster" than a traditional scrapper but I mean, "What's with all the big noggins?" LOL! Maybe it's just these great new funky kits! I can't help but be inspired and I suppose the important thing is that I had so much fun creating these. I hope they will be embraced not just despite but actually for their quirk value.

Life is a Circus (created from and inspired by Windy Van Hooten's by Fiddlette)-



and this quirky card featuring me and a friend
(created from Pinkie Promise ATC Kit by Tangie Baxter and Sherrie JD

It's been too long . . .

And I am so sorry! I have been super busy with all sorts of things these days and I have to come clean and admit that I have let my blog fall by the wayside a bit. To catch up completely would take far too long so I'll just start from scratch and fill you all in on what's happening right now.

Some of the amazing girls I work with on Tangie's team have been working really hard on our new Team Blog and it is awesome. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, I would do so. There are some exciting things taking place right now. And for a chance to try out some of our fun Altered Artspiration challenges, you can always check out the forums at Scrapbook Graphics.

Speaking of challenges: Holy Cow! You have got to give this one a gander; teehee.

This week's Altered Hearts Challenge is being hosted by the fabulous Kate and I cannot wait to give this one a try.

Tangie and Sherrie (the Dynamic Duo; they are being called these days) have teamed up again for the SunShine ATC Kit available in both their shops right now. Below is an ATC I made using just some of the goodies:


Over at Scrap Artist, the ever talented Christine Honsinger aka Fiddlette has been creating up a storm and proving once again just how talented she really is. Here is my newest favorite; a collaboration with Sherrie Drummond . . . Viva Frida!


And here's one more, just 'cause it is one that is close to my heart and I'm just so excited that it got Gallery Standouts. . .



Well . . . it appears it still took quite a bit of space just to get caught up. Guess for all those that really know me, you couldn't really expect much less. Thanks for hanging in there with me. Until next time . . .

Let's Go Green!

With so much going on this month, I wanted to sneak in here before things got too crazy and I wasn't able to post for a bit . . .
For the entire month of March, in addition to scrapping up a storm for Tangie and Sherrie (how could I resist; have you seen all their latest masterpieces?), as a member of the Green Team for the Shops at 25 West (where I have my little Victorian boutique-Les Lavande), I will be busy preparing events and activities to get the people of my small town ready for an Earth Day Celebration. It is our goal to raise enough awareness so that next year's celebration will be even better! I can't wait!

In the meantime, here are two of my latest creations-








Both of these ATC's are for the great challenges taking place every Friday both at Scrapbook Graphics (Tangie Baxter's Altered Artspirations and Sherrie JD's Altered Hearts)

I hope you will come play along!

And here's one of my personal (new) favorites:



I just adore these Flitter Sweets from Fiddlette @ Scrap Artist.

Changes on the TBD front . . .

Most everyone is aware by now that Tangie Baxter Designs is no longer operating as your one-stop "Altered" Shoppe these days but some of you may not be aware that there are other changes going on right now, as well. For instance, both Tangie Baxter and Sherrie Drummond are holding challenges at their respective new homes; Tangie at Scrapbook Graphics and Sherrie at Scrap Orchard. I happen to know that they promise to be fun and fabulous and very much inclined to us "altered artists" including but not limited to weekly ATC challenges complete with prizes, even!
Here are two of my submissions for the challenges to be hosted February 25th:
#1-She Walks in Beauty; for the Altered Hearts Challenge: Lyrics (details here).


#2-When Pigs Fly ; for Tangie's Altered Challenge: Altering Brushes/Stamps
(details here)



If you're up for a challenge to get a little funky and have some altered fun, don't hesitate to check it out. And if you can't play this week, be sure to check back later.
And FYI, for those who may be interested: