Angels

Well , wonder how this post will look. Blogger can't seem to get the layout I choose on my page today for some reason - regardless of what it says in 'preview'. I'm not lovin that much.

These two pages are for the Angel book in the Color Chronicles round robin. The owner had requested pastels , which are a color range I haven't worked in for a longggg time. Not since making Easter chalkware , in fact. I did this spread twice - the first time I lost sight of the pastel requirement , and wasn't pleased with the finished piece for other reasons either. This second spread went a bit better , and of course I like the added texture. It reminds me of looking through a frosted window , as if it were a magic mirror. I still want to add a little something to it , but I'm not sure what that would be.Cross your fingers and hope this posts correctly - because I'm getting really tired of doing it!

Just Found This on Joanna's blog!

What Kimberley Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I thought this was kind of fun , perhaps not spot-on but it was seriously pretty close lol. Do I stick with one thing for any length of time - oh yes I do , but I may change my approach. If it's art , I do something new , but it's still art. If it's exercise and I'm bored (or unwilling) , I do it anyway but change what I'm doing that day. Keep the goal in sight but stay out of the ruts , essentially.

"Don't have to work hard"? Oh - please.

And if I wasn't 'flaky and irresponsible' I'd never get any art done lol. And my house wouldn't look like it does today , whimper sob whimper.

Speaking of which...bye!

The "You Make My Day" award.

Inka (http://inkastamps.blogspot.com/ ) nominated me for this award earlier this week. She deserves it far more than I - she's been wonderful to me the last few months and I can't express how much I admired her professionalism to begin with , and later her open heart and sweet spirit. She's a champ if ever there was one- I treasure our friendship and hope to see it continue to grow. And grow and grow and grow lol.

However , now it falls to me to select 10 more people for the make my day award and a) I may not have ten and b) I can't figure out how to make links out of their darn names. If anyone knows PLEASE tell me 'cause I am just not seein' it.

Let's see -

Bev - This woman has got my back when it comes to hunting for goodies and either sharing her techniques or creating and exploring new ones together. She has a wicked sense of humor and great talent - check her out she's in my Tour d'art.

Glenda - Glenda's mentored me since I was an egg. We met (because I tracked her down) through Collage Cats , and has helped me learn and grow since day one - she's really my best and oldest art friend , don't know where I'd be without her. She does not judge or push , but accepts me for who I am - and believe me nobody knows me better , at least not online! She is an art explorer , always finding something new to master - and doing it beautifully. Her art is as lovely as her spirit. And that's sayin' something.

Eileen - a new friend , whom I don't know well but who has shared her advice and help freely. She's a talented artist , who has done some Fantastic art that will make you want to lick your screen! I fell in love with her work not long ago , and spent about an hour nose to nose with my screen taking a very lonnnnnggg look lol.

Lori - is a crack up , her posts always make me laugh and her art is so sweet. She creates the most whimsical little creatures and spun sugar frivolities you ever did see. She offered long ago to help me with my blog , and I doubt she even knows I have one yet , but I'll have a link to her soon.

Cindy - Cindy is one of the most dedicated mod's a group has ever had. She's always there encouraging the list and stirring the pot , and at the same time creates beautiful jewelry and painted fabrics and and and - I don't think there's anything she doesn't do incredibly well.

Sue - Sue also makes beautiful jewelry and beautifully textured collages - I would love to achieve that level in mine. I love texture and paint - Sue's got that down to a 'T' and her work truly inspires me.

Rande - Rande is a tremendously talented artist. She's another who has never made anything that wasn't fabulous , and has also been a mentor to me , not to mention being there and listening when I was wailing into the wind.

Caryl - aka Chip - gave me the oppurtunity to explore and develop my interest in altered art by inviting me to my first RR. I don't remember how many collages I'd made at that point , but it was around 2-3. Not many , but she was generous enough to give me a shot and through her I've gotten to know and love a very special group of women. Chip , thank you!

where am I at? eight?

Nina Bagley - can I do Nina? I'm doing Nina. She's never heard of me lol , but nonetheless here I go. I love her books , and they are what finally led me to understand the difference between a 'handmade' book vs. and altered book. For a long time I thought they were the same thing , but au contraire , dey are not , nope nope nope... (Ducky , Land Before Time. Loved Ducky.)

Lynn Perella - my good friend Lynn who loves me - alright she's never heard of me either but what the heck. In for a penny in for a pound , and that woman makes the best paperdolls EVER. I have a thing for paper dolls (and have had one waiting at my table for months) and seriously , does anyone else even come close? I think not. Enough said.

I'm sure that the second I close down this post , I'll think of two 'real' people , whom I actually know that I should have included. I did have a list , you know.
I'll probably find that too.

Gone Fishin'

I think I'm done...I've been working on this piece for the last few days , tweaking it one way or another. The fairie shoes were some I had done a couple weeks ago , inspired by some done in 'Stitch' magazine.

Eileen had originally found them and gave us a heads-up over at our Yahoo group , The Latest Trends in Mixed Media. I loved them and wanted to make some. I made mine with left-over gift wrap and odds'n'ends - millinery , fibers , beads etc. I have yet to get the magazine , darn it - this weekend for SURE.


Giving them a home took me a while , lol. What I eventually did is different than what I would have liked , but it will have to do (for now). I used an old bookcover and layered it with papers , paints and water-soluble crayons , added a nice stick :) , and made a little sign for the 'door'. I know , you didn't realize you were looking at a door , did you?
One of my 'issues' is over-analyzing and I'm trying to mellow out a little - I was moderately successful with this. I added text I liked , without sweating whether or not it was 'perfect' or not. I did fixate on the colors. I suspect I always will , color is a big deal for me and I'm sure most of you too. I don't think there's a thing on this I haven't messed around with painting , glazing or tinting , including the fibers which I'm still not happy with. I need better fibers - I've got a boatload and I don't like most of them lol.

Laura , when you look at this , do you see my smile?

Hmn

Well , it's been a long , busy day. We drove up to my parents house and visited for a while , and dropped of some late Christmas presents for them , my sister , and my niece. My little family came down with the flu virtually ON Christmas , and my loving parents did not want it - hence the late gifting , lol. My sister had left gifts for us which were a big hit. My dad played quietly in the corner w/Brady's (my son) toy for quite a while , giggle. It's a nifty little thing I admit - you think of something , and it asks questions of you til it figures it out - and it's pretty smart! I got an art book I'd wanted , which was a HUGE surprise because I didn't even know I wanted it until last week - my sis is good , tell ya what. Spooky , kinda , but good. ;-D

My other gift was even cooler though - I got a small and beautifully soldered glass box , with a bit of blue-green dichroic for the base and walls of this beautiful old-looking wavy glass (which I MUST have) , all held together with a pretty curled wire and glass beads - I LOVE IT! I'm so proud of her artsy little self , I had no idea lol. Thank you SO MUCH Suzie Q! I will post pictures shortly after I get 'round to taking them - probably in the next day or so. I've got some other things to photo and thought I'd just take them all at once. S'not my fav thing to do. Shocking , I know...

Hmn. It's just dawned on me I don't know how to add a photo to a post. Perhaps I should check into that , lol.

Ah - turns out it's not that dificult. Thank goodness - if it was too technical I'd just never get it - took me 10 minutes to figure out how to edit a saved draft.

Off to baste this turkey and have a lovely late dinner - I made this whole thing just so we could have 'real' turkey sandwiches and a salad tonight - yum!

Bye guys!