"She's got legs!"

She knows how to use 'em . . .

A Skinny featuring my new favorite gal, Mabel for this week's Three Muses challenge.

Credits here.

Miss Mabel

A new layout inspired by the Tumble Fish Studio "Ography" Challenge . . .

“Though Miss Mabel aspired to be a member of the ever prestigious Hollander’s Dance Troupe, she did wonder if her two unusually large left feet might pose a slight problem.

 Her hair was another matter entirely.”

For credits for this layout click here.

Wanna join in on the fun?  Click here for details.

Now I'm off to play with the Three Muses!

The Chick is back!

Well, after what seems like a very long hiatus (two months to be sure) I have started scrapping again!  Hooray!
Here are my two latest . .  .

                                                    Book of Wonders

                                  Hiding Behind Closed Doors
                                      (for "A Scary Challenge @ Deviant Scrap) 

I was totally inspired by Hollie's new Art Dollies kit available now exclusively at her new shoppe here.  Joining her there is one of my favorite artists, ever: Marsha Salyer Jorgensen (Tumble Fish Studio) and as a guest designer for a bit, my friend Tangie Baxter.

Well, where in the world have I been?

Just piping in to say that I know it's been way too long since my last post but I have recently set up a "family" blog to chart our unschooling adventures in addition to my artistic ones and that has been taking quite a bit of my time to maintain.  I also seem to be on a bit of lull when it comes to my digital scrapping and at this point I'm really just hoping that I get my mojo back soon.  I have been working more on some individual pieces, mostly mixed media collage and once the series of the three are completed I will be posting some photos.
I also have been busy with the usual things that consume my time this time of the year; Earth Day stuff!  I was put in charge of organizing the events for the children of the community and not surprisingly decided that I would share with them my love of creating with recycled treasures.  We will be decoupaging and decorating soup tins to be used as pencil holders, planters, or whatever they choose to "re-use" it for.  My darling daughter (as my assistant) has created some other really cute little things to use as examples of other projects that can be done using recyclable items.  It's sure to be fun; ART always is!
And since I can't refrain from scrapping entirely; I  have created this flyer for the events planned.

Special thanks to my scrap designer friends for all the whimsical elements used:
Christine Honsinger {Fiddlette Designs}, Catherine Paturet and Dawn Vander Stoep.

Could Mr. Groundhog have been mistaken?

This past week the weather has brought with it so many crazy adventures that I just had to scrap a crazy layout to go with it.  In fact, there has been so much craziness that it took two pages to do it!

These are intended for my altered art journal so naturally I did do some actual journaling at the bottom of the pages but as I always tend to do, I've loaded them both with many images that symbolize the craziness; the waiting up all night constantly checking the clock in anticipation for word from my husband stuck on the side of the road an hour away from home, the moon and stars mocking us, the downed electrical pole leaving us without power for a full night (another night) and the kids buried knee-deep in a whole two feet of the troublesome white stuff.  But oh what an adventure it's been!
This whole winter has really been such a bore, I say bring it on!  If Mr. Groundhog was not mistaken we have so little time left and this is after all what winter is all about.
Credits for these layouts are here.

Local Exhibit

I recently set up a small exhibit of my mixed media art pieces (mostly assemblage) here in my town.  Just a little nook of a place; an adorable little book store set up in the historic Stone Mill.  Presently, I only have but a few pieces but my goal is to eventually accumulate enough for a display in the art gallery just across the bridge.
The lighting was a little off in there today and the photos are not of the finest quality but I thought I'd share them with you all anyway.  I'm so excited and feel so accomplished to have them in there.  Hope you enjoy them!

Birds of a feather . . .

do not always flock together.  Honestly, sometimes they just stand ready to peck each other's eyes out.  Graphic, I know, but some girls will stoop to anything to get what they want. That is precisely the look I see in Ethel's eyes and poor Hilda just wants nothing to do with it.  She can't help herself.  He's just such a hunk and everyone knows that there's just nothing as irresistible as a short-statured dove with an oversized noggin; heehee.
My submission for this week's Three Muses Challenge.

It reads:
Ethel kept her eyes firmly fixed on the prize.
She saw him first, he was hers and Hilda was not to have him.

Credits here.

Flower Power!

I was working on a layout for this month's Altered Hearts zine and loved what came out so much that I was inspired to create a new avatar for myself.  Perhaps, it's because Earth Day is nearly here but the "flower child" in me was just screaming to get out!

I scored!!!

Had some errands to run in the big city (Utica) tonight and whilst doing those errands came across a place I had never seen before.  Intrigued by the inclusion of the words "bargain outlet" in its name and curious to see just what sort of bargains were awaiting me, I decided to take a peek inside.  There were many things that caught my interest but none so much as these:

And I got them for the incredible price of $5.99! I think I scored!

I cannot wait to get started on trying out some of these fabulous techniques.  And with Teesha Moore and Lynn Perella for inspiration, it's sure to be fun.

Beloved

My ATC I created for the Art Creations Friday blog challenge.

Papers and elements from Be Mine Kit (available in the Muse)

Overlay of letter paper from Love of Jane Kit by Fiddlette Designs/Sherrie JD

All available @ Scrap Artist except:

Globe from Happy Holidays Kit by Jofia Designs @

Thanks to my friend, Itkupilli for the door image (from free “test” collage sheet)

2010 is MY year!

There I said it!
And so as not to lose focus on my resolve for this year, I created a page today for my Art Journal.  Today of all days, it was something I especially  needed to do.  What I mean is this:
I think as caretakers (and women in general), we forget to take ourselves and end up neglecting our own needs (physical, mental, spiritual, you name it!) way too often.  It's no secret to anyone who frequents my blog that I have recently decided to jump head first into an artistic venture of my own.  I am starting to take myself seriously as an artist and whether I have a real change or not, I finally have the confidence to give it a go.  It is however not without its trials.  There are still some (those who I would least expect) that don't have the faith in me I wish they had, some who think it's a waste of valuable money-making time and then some who aren't necessarily discouraging me but aren't really encouraging me either.  This venture is about ME and ultimately only ME.  It's my time now and I'm taking it.  It's not about being irresponsible or selfish by any means.  It's about finally taking care of myself and I am okay with that!  Shouldn't I be? ;)

Credits for this layout can be found here.

And the award goes to . . .

My dear friend Sandra awarded me this blog award and it is now my pleasure to pass it on to five more lucky gals whose gorgeous blogs are my pleasure to frequent.  Thanks, first of all to Sandra ( I am so flattered; heehe) and second, I apologize for the delay as I was down for a couple of days with a migraine.  Feeling a bit more myself today so without any further delay I wanted to take the time to let the following girls know how "gorgeous" their blogs are and how much they inspire mine; which is hard because I have so many wonderful friends in the Scrap (not just altered art) Blog world.

And the Gorgeous Blog Award goes to :

Erika (Dancing Scrapper)

Jayne (Miss Peppa Pig)

Dawn (Creatwings Designs)

Julie (Savyna)

Marie (Ozstuff)