TwoCoolTexans-Glenda Bailey

Back to Encaustic Art

2012-01-25T17:24:00.000-06:00

I always love winter because one surely cannot do and sell encaustic art in the summer. I see that there are tons of people on Etsy who seem to sell year around, but with temperatures way over 100 degrees in Texas.....well....I just can't do it. I have visions of wax melting in the back of the UPS or post office trucks.
So, I do look forward to temperatures going down and pull out all my encaustics paints, wax, boards, hardwood canvases, oil sticks and so forth.

I did get a thermofax machine for Christmas from my husband, and I cannot wait to write up some blog entries about it. Wow, it's great. But, I just had to get back to the wax work before the winter was gone.

So, here are my newest pieces.

I probably could have more new pieces, but I have been concentrating on spreading out and trying to do some new techniques. There is so much more information now than when I started doing encaustics 5 years ago. It was a vast wasteland except Joanne Mattera's book. Now, there are lots of wonderful teachings and even some on line classes.

So, if you are an art junkie person and love to try it all, think about encaustics.

I always say I am going to do better

2011-12-13T12:52:00.000-06:00

I have slipped again. Alisha and I are always saying that we are going to do better on the blog issue. And then life just gets in the way. But, I have not slidden off the face of the earth, just not making good use of my time I guess.

Anyway, I am making a New Year's resolution to get a blog post done at least once a week. I hope that works better than the exercize resolutions.

My shops are on vacation. Time to just take a break. I have kinda gotten to doing more of the commercial thing instead of paying attention to the type of art which I love. I hope to change all that after the first of the year. More fine art, less making what sells. At least I am going to try. Basically, I just love to support all my art addictions with my sales. At least that is what I tell myself.

I am trying to buy a thermofax machine. Yep, me and all the tatoo artists. I cannot get one as of yet. I want one of the new models and not a 100 year old 3M model. So, I sure hope to score one and do a bunch of screen printing. I have been purchasing the screens from others and that does seem to cramp one's experiments when you have to wait weeks and pay 15.00 plus shipping to get one screen done. Hopefully, I can get one soon. I thought that tatooing was kinda slowing down, but evidently not. Somebody is buying up all those imagers. I do know though that a lot of artists have found that it is the easiest and best way to get a print onto canvas, fabric, or paper.

Off I go. Hopefully, back soon.

Hugs,
G

More on the transformation

2011-10-05T11:45:00.000-05:00

Akkk, I forgot to scan the swirly little tool that I used. Now I cannot find it. I wonder if it has been carried off by one of the four legged friends that sometimes come in here to see what I am doing. I will show it when it comes back around. If it's in any kind of condition.

Here, again, is my fabric after I did some monoprinting on it. It is really too dark, I think I learned a little about using black over the entire surface of the plate.

I actually would like it better if I were doing a fabric collage and needed a good black fabric that was not solid. But, that is not the case here.

Next, I am using a Shiva Paintstick in iridescent gold and a plastic rubbing plate. I don't use these oil paint sticks nearly enough. I do have a great tip for using them that has totally changed the way I feel about using them. They have a "film" that gets over top of them after they sit for a while and it has to be peeled off before they will mark. The film just completely encapsulates the oil paint so that the stick will not dry out and you have to throw it away. I have some from ten years ago and getting that film off of them is hard, but underneath they are still usable. Which, for me, is good, since I tend to jump from one art medium to another...often....

Okay, here is a tip for using the oil sticks. Remove the entire cardboard, the whole thing. All the way down the length of the stick. Here is a picture of how it looks in the package and you can see that it is covered down the length with what basically is a light cardboard.

Here is another look at it with the cardboard off.

I always use a magazine or other padding underneath the plastic rubbing plate. I don't know if it actually helps, but I think so. Here is how to set it up to use the oil sticks.

Lay down a magazine, the rubbing plate, then the wrong side of the fabric on top of the plate.

Take the entire width of the oil stick and using it as flat to the fabric as you can, begin rubbing. I used to use the tip, and I hated the big spaces that were left on the print. This is the way to always get a good impression.

And, here she is. It will take the oil impressions about five days or so to dry.

Now, it's Alisha's turn and I will lay it aside to try and figure out what I might want to make out of it in the future.

Onward with the ugly fabric challenge

2011-10-03T15:27:00.000-05:00

Today, I am going to use my gelli printing plate to add some images to my ugly fabric. As I said before, this thing is the greatest thing since sliced bread if you want to do easy easy printing. You can make your own, but I am lazy and I would rather not.

So, I bought this one. The website is http://www.gelliarts.com/. It has tons of information about this new product. I thought it was a bit pricey, but it is well worth it. If I don't ruin it. I have stained mine and that annoys me, but I can turn it over and use the other side. It comes with some instructions, which are important if you want it to last. It wasn't actually supposed to stain if you used acrylic paints, but somehow I did manage. Now mine is an icky blue. But it should be usable even on that side.

Here is a picture of my messy printing plate.

Here is a scan of the paper inside the packaging when you purchase one.

I did find that you need to use "open acrylics" (I use Golden Open Acrylics) OR you need to use some "open medium" with your acrylics. Otherwise, the acrylic paint just dries way too fast on the plate. And the purpose is to get the paint spread on the plate, impress some found objects or lace, bubble wrap or whatever into the paint, then put your fabric on top and brayer so that the image will be printed right onto your fabric. Or paper, or whatever you are wanting to get an image onto.

I haven't tried DynaFlow or other thin fabric paints. Since they are thinner, they most likely would spread better and you wouldn't have to use the medium. But, for now, I just had my mind made up to use acrylic paints.

First, I mixed the Golden Open Medium with some Carbon Black acrylic in a tube. Then I poured it over the gel plate and brayered the paint to make a smooth surface.

Looks pretty icky. I got a ton of glare from the window in my art room. But I think you can get the idea.

Next, I chose some (just a very few) objects to impress into the black paint. I used a piece of plastic canvas, one of those swirly things on a stick from years ago that we used with Radiant Pearls. Anybody remember those greasy paints? Loved them.

Then I laid my fabric face down on the gel plate and just tapped it in areas to transfer the paint to the fabric.

Pulled the fabric off the plate and dried it a bit with a heat gun and then ironed it. Right now it looks like it has a bit much paint on it, but I will change that.....soon.

Transforming ugly fabric challenge Part 2

2011-09-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

This reminds me of looking at a blank canvas. In the classes that I teach, I always said "looking at the white blank canvas is murder, you gotta get started, get something on it". Well, it was hard with my own fabric.
It had those silly dots on it, but basically it was white.

The first thing I did was to use Distress Reinkers and Mini Misters. I don't really care for the little misters, but they were sitting there and I decided to try them. Too little for my liking. But anyway, I added water to the mister and 8 drops of Old Paper reinker. Sprayed the fabric randomly. Didn't show up very well. So, for the next go round, I added 15 drops of Antique Linen. Better.

Now, better. But it kinda looks like some weird animal print. But, I got a start and I think next I will find my gelli plate to do monoprints and give that a go. Or stencil....remains to be seen.

I will talk next time about these fabulous new on the market gelatin plates that you don't have to mix and stir and put in the fridge and so forth. I LOVE them. But, they are pricey. Still, gelatin plates really aren't all that cheap to make and they don't last well at all. Alisha decided to try and make hers and she didn't do really well. So, we are looking to buy some more plates. Maybe Interweave Press will have a sale.

Bye for now

Transforming Ugly Fabric challenge

2011-09-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

I got a hard time from Alisha (the other TwoCoolTexan) and she tells me that this fabric is not ugly. I think it is. She thinks hers is uglier. Well, we will see.

I haven't decided quite yet what direction to go in. I am sure that it will include some screen printing though. I found this way neat site that the gals sell thermofax screens with the designs on them. That sounds good to me, so I bought several. I don't have room to find and purchase a thermofax machine and make my own. So, I did find a gal on Etsy who will make them for you and then I found this other site. From memory, I think her name is Marcy Tilton. Since I am anxious to try out one of the screens, I feel like it will end up on my "ugly fabric". So, stay tuned......

Here it is...(above). Someday I will get better at placing things on my posts.

Okay, Alisha, your turn. See http://www.alishafredrickson.blogspot.com/ to see her posts and her "ugly".

How to transform ugly fabric

2011-09-18T14:43:00.001-05:00

Alisha and I are working on a new project. It is called "the ugly duckling". Well, sort of. We are searching for our most promising cast off fabric and we are going to do a challenge to transform ugly into a piece of fabric that we can use for something constructive.

We have been hashing out the details. We decided not to "cramp our creativity, ahem, lol" and just stare at the unlovely piece until we get some inspiration. Then we can go about adding monotype prints, screen prints or whatever. I am getting back into needle felting and I guess I want to add it to everything. So, on mine, some little pieces of wool could show up punched into the fabric. Anything goes. I always seem to want to go in a direction that is totally against the guidelines that we choose.

So.....stay tuned. If you would like to join in, just find yourself a really ugly or plain and unseemly piece of fabric about 11 x 14 and you can join in. We would love that and then we will show your transformation on both our blogs.

We may open up the comments section again. Got tired of foreign looking stuff showing up, so closed it for now. Who knows what they said. Some turned out to be porn, so shut off the comments. But then again, who would be able to read it....hmmmm.

Hugs,
Glenda and Alisha

Finished

2011-08-11T12:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I took my almost finished book cover and trimmed it to fit my book.
Then I cut a piece of bridal tulle in an ivory color, pinned it to the entire cover fabric, and free motion stitched all over. I just do an absolutely random stitch.

Then I took my heat gun and lightly burned certain areas. You have to be very careful or the tulle will completely burn away and you really just want a little shabby chic thing going on.

Last, I hand dyed some eyelet trim and stitched it down the side of the front of the cover and added some rosettes and a little piece that I transferred the words C'est La Vie. Oh yes, I had to put some of my all time favorite Japanese fibers on.

So, I guess I am done. It suits me perfectly and if I want to, I can pick out a few stitches that are holding the cover onto the journal, and put it on a new one.

Okay, so Alisha, how are you doing? Alisha's blog

We hope to do some more challenges and even a few short tutorials in the near future. So, stay tuned......TwoCoolTexans does lots and lots of different art mediums. Things might be quite different next time.

Glenda

Making a fabric art book cover challenge....almost finished

2011-08-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

I am crawling very slowly in getting this finished. Having some sinus issues. But fighting the good fight and know that it will pass soon. Rain might just help. I heard there was some rain up by the Red River area yesterday. Come here! Our neighborhood has gotten word from the city that they have to ration water to the common areas. So, our association is going to concentrate on the trees and some of the bushes and I guess let the grass go. I do know that we use a lot of recycled water, but I guess we need more rationing than that. It's been a strange year.

But I did manage to make a decision about my cover. I know that Alisha Alisha's blog is going to do something fancy for her closure. I decided to just wrap my cover, take some stitches to hold it on and it could be removed to add another journal later. Works for me.

I am going to try to put some more trims on it today and will check in again tommorrow.

Continuing on with the fabric art project

2011-08-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

Next, I stitched on some scrim. Yummy scrim. I love scrim. Currently, Alisha and I are dying our own scrim and it just makes it that much better. I am also dying silk ribbon and will before too long, show some projects that I am doing with the dyed pieces.

Here is the book cover fabric. It is hard to see, but I stitched on scrim, then I also added some vintage lace. Just a bit here and there.

Well, I am revamping my Artfire shop today. I will stay at Etsy for now, but I need to find another place to sell some things. These addictions to fabric, lace, paint, canvases and more just keep on keeping on.

Back tommorrow.

More on the book cover fabric and fiber art challenge

2011-08-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

Alisha came over today and brought her book cover. It is finished. It is absolutely gorgeous. So, I am way behind. Mine isn't going to look that good, but I have learned several things and next time I will use more color and a few different techniques. I liked this one as it is progressing and I just had a little trouble thinking that I might ruin it. But IT IS definitely monochromatic. Lovely creamy beiges.

After I removed my first rows of fabric strips and my random French dictionary pages from the interfacing, I ironed the piece onto off white wool and rayon felt. Okay, now I had some stability. I also took a few stitches across the piece to add even more stability. And, because I am an overachiever.

I also swiped it with some Distress Inks. I wanted to add some depth.

Then, I added some more fabric strips (hard to see, beigey quilt fabric). I also took an Indian wood block that I have and stamped all over with the Distress Ink in brown. Unfortunately, as I progressed on the piece, I lost the subtle detail of the stamp.

I will be adding some scrim and some vintage lace tommorrow.

I am glad I didn't bet Alisha. She is definitely going to win this challenge. Wonder if I could talk her out of her book cover? Naaaaaa.

Fabric and fiber art challenge....here we go

2011-08-03T15:11:00.006-05:00

This is really hilarious. If you knew me, and you knew Alisha, you would immediately smile when you see the way the two of us have started out. My work is slow, very slow, and is probably as monochromatic as one can get.

Alisha, on the other hand, is not slow, not scared of anything. So, in the water she jumps. I wade in an inch at a time. She uses a lot more color; however, Alisha, your color wheel only has earth tones on it. (Big smile). We are both so predictable.

So, here is her progress on her blog http://www.alishafredrickson.blogspot.com/ and here is my progress.

First, I did what the magazine said to. I did use a Quilting Arts magazine which has the same type of book cover in it along using with the hardback book. The girl in the QA mag said to start out by laying your strips of fabric onto fusible interfacing and then weaving the strips across the warp and waft. I will not do that again. I cannot weave, it all gets jumbled up and what a mess.

Since I already have my first set of strips laid out on the interfacing, I am not going to pull them off.
So, I just fused them down. I will figure out the rest later. Weaving, NO. Laying out strips, okay.

Now, I cut some French dictionary pages and laid a few of them out on my piece. Which is big. If you try this, be smarter than I was and do something smaller. The photography came out dark.

I am at the point now where I must figure out about the interfacing situation. So, I just used a press cloth and fused the strips that I have done down well and removed the fabrics and hoped that I had enough of them close enough together so that the whole thing would not fall apart. Yipeee, it did not. It held together well and I did do a little stitching on it just in case.

More tommorrow.

Fiber art challenge

2011-08-01T14:25:00.002-05:00

Alisha's blog The other cool Texan, my daughter Alisha, and I have been determined to challenge each other to stretch out and do more fiber art projects. Somehow we always plan to and life just sends us on some other journey.

Well, now that my bookcase is so full that it is coming away from the wall, and had to have some carpentry work to keep it from coming down along with that wall....it was time to pick out a book and get down to business. Since we both are so into fibers and fabrics and machine free motion and embroidery, we chose a book called Edges and Finishes in Machine Embroidery. The title is a bit confusing. It does include edges and finishes but it also has very very neat ideas for making a type of machine embroidered custom fabric with scrim, papers, felt, embroidery and all sorts of other yummy fibers and such.

So, our challenge is to make a book cover using our own custom fabric. My book is 5.5 x 8 inches, came from Target and has a soft cover. The book cover is to be more of a "wrap" which I think should be removable. But, I tend to get in a big excited hurry when I do new things, and so it may be glued on.

Today is the first day, project due August 15th. I have to pick out my papers, fibers, fabrics and start my engine.

Hope you will follow us along the way.

Glenda

Summer in Texas What's To Do But Art

2011-06-15T12:25:00.000-05:00

Well, we have started out hotter than you know what. I am in the mood to do encaustics again. But, no way, none at all. I cannot imagine working over all that heat from the sources for melting plus my new hot box to do monoprints on. Which, by the way, flips my electrical thingie and I have to march myself downstairs to the garage to get it to come back on. My husband's way to solve this problem? A HUGE orange cord that runs from my art room bathroom to another bedroom. No, I love you, but I don't think so. Guess I will just think about encaustics until fall.

But, I have been doing some more muslin bags and some art tags. They are fun to do while deciding what to tackle next. Here are a few of my NOT fine art stuff that I have been doing lately.

Spring/Summer Sew Somerset

2011-06-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I do love fabric art. The new Sew Somerset is just now out and it is another really good magazine full of spectacular eye candy. I am fortunate enough to have an article in this issue.

Here is the cover and a peek at one of the pages.

Hope you like it. I think that doing soft greetings when you don't really want to send a major gift item but want to send a personal greeting that will be treasured and kept by the recipient...is a great idea. And fun to do.

Gift Bags, Gift Tags Gifts on My Mind

2011-06-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

I just seem to have muslin, stitching, burlap and bags and tags on my mind lately.

So, I did some art transfers and made some tags to coordinate. I am loving these. I did put a
few up on Etsy. They are just so much fun to do.

Do It Yourself inspiration kits now available on Etsy

2011-04-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

I sit down to make things at times and think "oh no, I need some lace or some fibers and there are not there". So, Alisha and I have decided to make up some inspiration kits with some laces and other good stuff for sale on Etsy.

The items are packaged in one of our muslin bags on which I have done an art transfer of some kind. Sometimes we embellish the bag also.

But these are fun and inexpensive and give the buyer a chance to have a little fun without spending a lot.
We sure hope you like them. We enjoyed making them and offering them.

Here are a couple:

Making more fabric postcards

2011-03-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

When I try to force myself to move away from working with fabric for a while, it just draws me right back.

More fabric postcard size art from me. I am really having a good, good time with these.

Leather small journals

2011-03-16T13:59:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, I bought a bunch of leather remnants and never did use them. Every time I open the closet door, I smell that yummy new car type smell coming from the box where I keep them. Okay, it was time to use them.

I covered some small journals which had no lines in them and are perfect for sketches or taking notes. I love them and it has actually been hard to part with any. Here are a couple.

Fabric art postcards

2011-03-13T13:23:00.000-05:00

I know, I have been gone for a while. I keep doing that....neglecting my blog. Gotta quit. I actually love to blog, but it kinda gets pushed down to the bottom of the priority list.

But after a hiatus, I have been making fabric postcards. I bet I made and sold over 100 on Ebay a few years ago. I forgot how excited I get about new fabrics. Well, my husband says I get excited about everything, including some of the advertisements on tv that include animals and babies.

But anyway, here are some of my new pieces. Hopefully, I will stay on this horse for a while.

Sunday Postcard Art challenge

2011-01-29T19:38:00.000-06:00

I have been wanting to get involved in this challenge forever. New year, time to get myself in gear to join some new challenges and have some fun.

Here is my entry for Home Sweet Home

Finally Art At The Speed of Life almost available

2011-01-19T11:55:00.000-06:00

A week or so ago, another nice surprise arrived in my mailbox. A complimentary copy of the new book by Pam Carriker that my daughter and I were invited to contribute to. It is available at Amazon and right now is pre order but will be available any day now.

I did an article on encaustics with step by steps. They did a good job and all of the written instructions are included to get anyone a great start to working in this art medium. Alisha and I also collaborated and wrote an article on how we stay organized since we both are involved in so many different arts. That was fun.

Soo, hope you will check the book out at Amazon, Barnes And Noble or your favorite craft store. It is an exceptional book, you will love it.

I have had art ADD again lately and am painting again. Keeps me happy and always inspired. Only thing is explaining to my husband why I need MORE art stuff. Well.....I just do.

New issue of Sew Somerset magazine

2010-11-29T13:16:00.000-06:00

A nice surprise in my mailbox to start the countdown to Christmas and shopping and busy busy times.

The new issue of Sew Somerset magazine. And...they have used some little mini composition books that I sent in a while back. As always, beautiful photography and the staff who wrote the article did such a good job also and was so complimentary. I always love being included in Somerset Studio and will have an article in Somerset Home in June or July, but I do have a soft spot always for fabric, stitching, and including it in mixed media art. I cannot wait to see each new issue and look at each one again and again for inspiration.

So, here is the cover and first page of the article. Pick it up if you can, especially if you love mixed media work and fabric.
And, make yourselves some little mini composition books for your side table, purse, or best of all......to give as a gift.

Angel Doll Ornaments or Gift Tags

2010-11-05T15:17:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it. I have made some soft angel dolls. I actually started out about 22 years ago making soft sculpture dolls and soft fabric wall hangings of hot air baloons and other wall decor for children's rooms. Phew, that was ages ago. So, this week I decided to take a break from encaustic and collage and such and just have myself a good old time. I found that it was so good for me and made me smile to make these little babies.

I could not figure out how to "present" them on Etsy and possibly Artfire. I think I actually got some heavenly help for the little heavenly beings. I decided to staple them carefully to a distressed shipping tag. That way, they could be tied to a gift, hung on the tree, or just given as a gift. The staples can easily be removed if someone wanted to use them for another reason.

So, here are my first two. Up on Etsy. More to come.

New encaustic pieces

2010-11-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

Lately, my art add has really kicked in. Not complaining, mind you, but I just have so much going on in my head. I barely can hurry up and get out of bed and get started on some new ideas. But, I think I have too many new directions.

I recently had a piece that was picked by Somerset Studio in which I took a tiny canvas and mounted it on a larger one. I really liked the look and now I am doing more with encaustic and beeswax. Had done it in the past but only once. Guess it didn't bowl me over until now.

Sooo, here are a few of my newest works.

Deconstructed printing

2010-10-19T16:39:00.000-05:00

Alisha, my daughter, and I spent an afternoon making screens for our newest undertaking. Deconstructed printing. I was never interested in screen printing at all, but alisha was so excited that I thought I had better pay attention.

She was right. She got my curiosity going and then saturday we spent hours experimenting.
Of course, since I am so conservative with supplies...i never got a print that I loved.
But alexis, my granddaughter has no such sensibilities and just plopped on the thickened dyes.
Here is her first attempt. Well, actually it is the second pull off her first painting. She would not share the first one. Imagine that.

I will take it and stitch onto the surface and fill in a few spots maybe with metallic thread.

Next time I will use a lot more paint. Did learn that you can use silk paints on silk and man it is gorgeous. Different looks. I will be posting more as I go. If a five year old can do it, so can her MiMi.

Art tags

2010-10-13T13:10:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just get the urge to go back and grab some rubber stamps and just have a little fun for the day.

I did two art tags and challenged myself to find some stamps that I love, but that haven't had much attention lately.

Created these two.

Background tutorial using embossing folder, distress ink, and Big Shot

2010-09-26T14:33:00.000-05:00

Of course, there are other machines that will take embossing folders. I just happen to love the Sizzix Big Shot.

For this background I used: watercolor paper
                                                   a fine spray mister
                                                   embossing folder by Tim Holtz called Gridlock
                                                   Distress inkpad of your choice, I used the new Pumice Stone
                                                   die cut machine

.

Spray lightly watercolor paper and trim it to size to fit in the embossing folder. You can sponge some color on at this time, or take your inkpad and just smear it on. Place the paper in the folder and run it through your die cut machine

I actually decided that I liked the other side better than "this side up". So, after running it through, I turned it over.
And then, took my inkpad and smeared it over and over the image until I got the desired amount of color that I wanted.

Cut it out and viola, a really neat textured background for your next project.

Mixed Media Monday challenge

2010-09-26T14:04:00.000-05:00

This week's Mixed Media Monday challenge is simply "art". Love that, you can just put up what suits your creativity this week.

I did this fabric and paper collage with a theme of birds and hearts. Yes, still stuck on birds and hearts. I just love both.
I had some fun with this one and my brand new Tim Holtz embossing folder. I am going to do a short tutorial today and will post on my blog about how to do the easy peasy background for this piece using my Sizzix machine, the embossing folder and one of his new colors of Distress Inks.

Encaustics here I come

2010-09-23T13:58:00.000-05:00

Oh my. It has been a long time since I posted. Not by choice. We had some tribulation and both of our dogs were in the hospital. That meant no art or Mixed Media Monday for me. And I was so pleased to get back into it. But, wasn't to be for a while.

Chrissy, our schnauzer, the boss of the family is just now able to go up the stairs and she has to be wherever I am, so I didn't go upstairs either. My art room is upstairs.

But the good news is that it is cooling off in Texas and i have put some of my encaustic work back in my Etsy shop. I didn't dare ship anything while it was over 100 degrees. I have so many new projects in my head and keep writing down all that I want to do.

So, new encaustic work and other creative adventures, here I come.

Fabric and Needle Felting collage

2010-08-17T13:20:00.000-05:00

This is a little different for me. I have combined my love of needle felting with fabric collage. I used handpainted paper towels for part of the background, and the other part is the technique that I did for Sew Somerset magazine. I used a cuttlebug embossed piece.

Then I added a needle felted and thread sketched flower and some vintage crochet lace as the final touches and mounted it on a gallery wrapped 6 x 6 canvas.

Fabric collages, I am on a roll

2010-08-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

Well, yes, I am definitely on a roll. I am doing all sorts of fabric collages. These are the newest ones, they are not framed or mounted so that a person can purchase them and put them on a tote bag, journal cover, frame them, or mount them as their heart desires.

I am enjoying these so much.

Pockets and Pouches

2010-08-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

I have been making these little pockets, pouches for about a month now. I love making them. They come with two small tagswhich are included when I have sold them. And wow, the French theme. So big. Not crazy about Marie Antoinette particularly, but love everything French themed. So, so far most of my pouches have been along that line. But, I was totally inspired by some of the new Somerset publications, (Somerset Life) and it has really got my creative juices to going strong. That magazine really is just simply beautiful. And, also Somerset Home. I hope they never stop publishing these two. Here are some; I plan to make larger ones this week also. Hmmm, wonder if Ishould keep one and actually get organized instead of spending half my time searching for things. Well, maybe not, getting too old to change now.

Mixed Media Mondays

2010-08-08T19:19:00.000-05:00

Fun, fun with Mixed Media Mondays tommorrow. The challenge is Memories. I used a pressed flower (actually it is Queen Anne's Lace which is a weed, but sure is beautiful) on a stitched, collectible fabric postcard.

Mixed Media Mondays

2010-08-03T14:37:00.000-05:00

I love Mixed Media Mondays. But, got so busy and got away from it for a time. Diane, who is the Mom, is one of my favorite people. So nice, and runs a great challenge.

The challenge this time was about Past Loves. Something that we haven't done for a while and want to revisit. Here is mine. I haven't worked with digital collage for ages. This was a lot of fun.

Fun things on the internet

2010-07-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

I found a couple of new places to peruse on the internet. One is Art Trader magazine. It's free, yes, our favorite word and it's reallty good. Some great art, and you can download all of the back issues should you wish.
It's here http://www.arttradermag.com/

Also, Michelle Beschen (don't know if I spelled that correctly), has a show in addition to her other one. This one is called b.creative She does some very simple art stuff. I thought the one I saw part of on preserving leaves was fantastic. It was on this morning. And, today, she made paper. It's all pretty fast and very primitive looking, but I found a few little tidbits. Google it if you are interested, there is a lot of "going green" information that I loved also.

Well, I know, I haven't shown any new art lately. I will in a bit.

Inspirational bookmarks

2010-07-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

I have been reading so much lately. I know, more people are doing like books on cds, books on Kindle. But, I still love to cuddle up with some good books. And, the bookmarks never really were great to stay in the books. So, I made some for myself and now I am loving them so much, I am making several different kinds.

But, for these, I dipped into my stash of vintage linens, laces, old quilts that have holes all in them and repurposed some of these wonderful treasures into bookmarks. Because I guess, they are fabric, they tend to stay put. And, they are big; they are about 2.75 x 6 inches.

Here are a few.

July is here already???

2010-07-08T11:36:00.001-05:00

Okay, it's July. But my brain is still in...umm. probably May. But I have made some things, experimenting with some things and hopefully, will turn and go in a slightly different direction with my art soon.

But, here are two books that I covered. Started with nuno felting and then felting with the machine and went from there. They are really beautiful in person, didn't photograph very well.
They are for sale on Etsy in glendabaileydesigns shop.

New journal

2010-06-18T14:04:00.000-05:00

I think that paper and journals and notebooks and such can be an addiction. For me, to have them and then to make them. I know that it is better than having little notes written up all over the house and then losing them, but maybe I should just think of myself as a "journal collector" and that would give me a really good excuse.

Well, I am making them again as well as buying them. I guess that is good!!! This one is actually one that Alisha started. She is fearless and never studies anything but jumps right in to things. I never, ever do that. Sometimes it has been really good for us and served us well. When we collaborated on articles and such, I just studied and read and Alisha just "did". Well, she just "did" start this handmade fabric and I finished it and made a journal cover. Very different for us. Hope to do some more.

Summer in Texas

2010-06-11T15:37:00.000-05:00

Here we go. Summer in Texas. It's been at least 100 degrees for a couple of weeks now. I am afraid that I become a bit of a hermit in the summer. No more encaustics for a while. I could make some, but I wouldn't mail any in this heat. Might be okay, but what if a piece got stuck in the back of a mail truck or something? Melt, or at least soften. So, off to do some other things. Nice change actually. I always thrive on new directions.

I have been doing some tags with pressed flowers. Here are a couple. I am going to do more. I think I am enjoying making them so much!

Sew Somerset

2010-06-02T15:35:00.001-05:00

The newest Sew Somerset has finally arrived. Here I am, probably wanting to move on for a bit, but still working with fabric and canvases in new ways.

The latest issue of Sew Somerset has three of my canvases where I used an embossing folder and batting to create my pieces. I love to do the "cross overs" and utilize some of the ummm, dusty, scrapbooking supplies in my canvases collages. Hope they give you a smile. I enjoyed doing them.

Journals

2010-05-10T19:27:00.000-05:00

I am doing some new journals for the glendabaileydesigns shop on Etsy. I think that maybe I might have to keep one that I did today. I don't journal in the sense that I do artwork on the pages, but I do write thoughts and a lot of Scripture verses in little books. Here are some new ones that I have done.

Sale

2010-05-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

I am having a sale in my TwoCoolTexans Etsy shop. Everything is 1/2 off the price that is shown in the listing. I will refund through PayPal to your account, the savings.

I want to do some brand new things, have lots on the burner. Probably will end the sale in a few days.

http://www.twocooltexans.etsy.com/

Thanks so much,
Glenda

The Blue Jay's nest

2010-05-03T17:19:00.000-05:00

I don't usually post a lot of nature pictures, because frankly, I am just not a very good photographer. But, yesterday we set about to trim some very large bushes in our backyard and there was a gorgeous blue jay in the trees that kept watching us very intently.

Well, I guess so. This is what we found snuggled inside one of our I think they are frasier flotillas. If that's wrong, well, now you know I am also not a great gardener person.

Yesterday there was one baby and two eggs. Another one hatched today. Makes me smile. How beautiful they are, their little mouths wide open for momma's feeding.

Encaustic online class ready, finally!!!!

2010-04-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Happy Dancing. My introduction to Encaustics (plus the second half of the class is a beginner's encaustic project) is now up on http://www.craftedu.com/. It's in the Beta phase, but at least it is up and ready for purchase. Right now, they have Encaustics under a category called Drawing and Painting. No, doesn't belong there and it might be hard for some to find it. But, you can put encaustics under the search engine and my class will come right up. I am hoping that they will fix that soon so that it has a category of its own.

The thing about encaustics is that it just doesn't fit under any category. I will be teaching the intro class, then adding new ones. Eventually, I will cover every type of encaustics: encaustic collage, encaustic mixed media, encaustic painting. The introductory class which I worked really really hard on is pretty much everything you need to know to get started in encaustic art. I tried to show as many variables in the tools that you can use so that everyone will see the choices that they have of ways to heat the wax, the best substrates to use for encaustics, and so on. Then, we do a part encaustic collage, part mixed media piece from beginning to end.

Also, you guys know where "I live" and I will be available to anyone and everyone who takes the class to ask questions. Until that part is up, you can email me at redheadis@yahoo.com

Hope you will check it out.

Glenda

More new encaustic pieces

2010-04-12T11:26:00.000-05:00

A couple more encaustic pieces. I moved out of my comfort zone a bit for Earth's Splendor and it was fun. Need to just jump off and do that more often.

Somerset Memories

2010-03-31T18:37:00.010-05:00

Here are the three pieces that I did for them.

I was so pleased when I was asked to do some fabric collages on canvas for the current issue of Somerset Memories. I have been working in fabric collage for several years along with several other art mediums and I just haven't submitted anything to them in ages.
But, I was thrilled to do these three pieces for them. The little girl in the piece called Jo Among the
Flowers is my mother-in-law. She was actually the first person who ever introduced me to any kind of art. Jo, I know you are looking down from heaven and I know that you are so pleased that your pictures have found their way into lots of different publications over the years. You really inspired me and just thinking about you makes me smile. Love You, Miss You.

Spiral notebook fever

2010-03-23T16:11:00.000-05:00

I found these extremely high quality spiral notebooks last year and boy do I love them. Collaging the covers satisfies my love of collage, vintage pictures and fibers all rolled into one.

Here are some new ones that I did this week.

New encaustic pieces

2010-03-22T13:56:00.000-05:00

Here are some new encaustic pieces that I have been working on. The more I work with wax, the more I just love it.

MIA

2010-03-08T13:38:00.000-06:00

I have been pathetic about keeping up with my blog lately. I am still working on my upcoming encaustic art classes which will be online at CraftEdu.

Hopefully, I can get past the learning curve that I have had and get back to making art and writing on my blog. Don't give up on me. Oh, and Mixed Media Mondays too. Haven't done that in ages and I miss it over there. My Etsy shops are also being neglected, but I seem to just have a one track mind and (well, maybe it's just my age is showing) right now it's total tunnel vision for me.

Back soooooon.

Hugs, Glenda

Glenda's Photo Gallery at Craftedu.com

2010-02-20T16:12:00.001-06:00

To view the slideshow click on "Glenda's Photo Gallery" above.

New encaustic pieces

2010-02-09T14:59:00.000-06:00

I made a resolution to work harder to put up new things on my blog. Well, that didn't work. But, finally, I do have a few new pieces of encaustic, beeswax art to show.

Free encaustic and mixed media tutorial

2010-01-20T14:00:00.003-06:00

Gillian Allen of artezine has done another beautiful page on my work. This one also includes a tutorial on how to use encaustics in your collage and mixed media work.
Hope you all check it out. I will be teaching online encaustic classes which will cover all the different techniques that you can do with beeswax and resin. Watch here on my blog for details. I don't know exactly how long, but hopefully, weeks away.

Here is the tutorial:
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/glendaencaustic.html

Melange team challenge

2010-01-18T20:47:00.003-06:00

The Melange street team on Etsy is having an altered bottle/jar challenge.
I love making altered bottles. Here is mine:

Encaustic works

2010-01-12T13:33:00.004-06:00

Back to working with encaustics. I am turning to the lovely smell of beeswax more and more, plus it is so easy to incorporate so many of my mixed media "loves" into these pieces.

Here are some that I have finished lately. Hope you like them. They are available but not in my TwoCoolTexans on Etsy shop. I have a fairly new shop that I will use for encaustics and the types of felting that I do. Please check it out at www.glendabaileydesigns.etsy.com

Melange Team challenge

2010-01-02T20:54:00.002-06:00

The word prompt for this bi-weekly challenge is "illuminate".
I had to think really hard what that meant to me.
But, indeed, it has to do with my faith. My all-sustaining faith in the Saviour who reached down and saved this little abused person and made her whole.
And, now, I believe that I receive everything that He died for and left to me as an inheritance.

So, here is my piece. Sometimes I forget these words and need a reminder.....

Why Do I Do This?

2009-12-30T20:07:00.002-06:00

In general, I have let my poor blog go to pathetic. I don't know, I mean to write, but I just don't. I have even been neglecting my art for the most part.
Today, I did do another one of my infamous canvases where I flip it over to the backside and use the little cubbyhole opening to add a picture. I love doing that, don't know why I quit for so long. I guess I tend to do that.

I really really enjoyed doing this one. The photo isn't so good, if you really want to see it, click on it for a better view.

Mixed Media Mondays

2009-12-13T16:12:00.002-06:00

The theme for this week is so much fun. It is called "just hanging out". I had been doing some little wall hangings and so I had to be in this week.

Melange Team challenge

2009-12-04T11:57:00.002-06:00

The Melange team challenge for the next two weeks is Black and White themed.
I love that. I think it is so interesting to work in black and white. But, being the sepia, brown toned girl that I am, I did add a little brown. Actually, the tag is brown and cinnamon scented.

Here is my Black and White challenge piece. Listed on Etsy.

Finally out, the new Sew Somerset

2009-11-28T12:23:00.004-06:00

Well, if you all will allow me to toot my own horn a bit, yipeee, I am so excited. The new issue of Sew Somerset is now out.

Here is the cover:

And here is part of my article. I am having such a wonderful time working with fabrics (okay, yes, I always do) that I think I will take way more time creating with laces, fabrics, wool and so forth in the new year.

Melange challenge-Prayer

2009-11-19T13:49:00.002-06:00

The Melange team on Etsy challenge for the next two weeks is "prayer". This is not a new piece for me. This is a piece that I did a year or more ago when I was needing to be reminded during the day that I could pray back God's Word to Him when I was ill. So, when I look up, there this piece sat which says "And By His Stripes I Am Healed". So, I love this piece.

It is a mixed media collage on an 8 x 10 gallery wrapped canvas.

Mixed Media Monday

2009-11-09T11:09:00.003-06:00

The theme for Mixed Media Mondays this week is Fashion. Love that. Here is mine, collage done on a large composition book.

Melange Team on Etsy slide show #4

2009-11-05T13:38:00.002-06:00

I am just now posting week number #4 of the Melange team slide show on utube. Somehow I put it several other places, but missed my own blog. Am working on #5 and it will also be ready soon.

Melange Team challenge

2009-10-20T19:26:00.002-05:00

The Melange team challenge for this week is Believe. Could not be more timely for my life. I love it. I did make this piece earlier and just laid it aside for a time. I don't usually do that, but it was really really hard to photograph. There is a transparency which makes up the front, especially David's face. But, here it is anyway.

Melange Team utube video/slide show #3

2009-10-20T18:34:00.000-05:00

Melange Team on Etsy utube slide show #2

2009-10-10T15:51:00.002-05:00

Here is the slide show on utube for the Melange team, showcasing some of our art.

Utube video

2009-10-09T17:41:00.006-05:00

Well, I am pretty proud of myself. I am learning to do slide shows on utube showcasing my work and the work of the Melange street team on Etsy. Here is the one I did today with my encaustic works, which are listed in my shop at http://www.glendabaileydesigns.etsy.com and also in my 1000Markets shop. Some of them are sold, but some are still available.

Who says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? However, it did give me a bout of nausea.....next time it won't.

Mixed Media Mondays challenge

2009-10-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

The challenge this week is Maps. For the challenge, I did a collage on a gallery wrapped canvas called "Finding My Way".

Crowabout weekly challenge

2009-10-03T19:04:00.002-05:00

Oh my gosh, this one was just too too hilarious. I love all the sheets that Nancy puts up for the Saturday Crowabout challenge and just so far haven't had time. Had to make time for this one. I call it "Best Not To Try to Be Something You Are Not".

This is my entry

Melange Team challenge

2009-10-02T15:10:00.003-05:00

The challenge this week for the Melange Etsy street team (but anybody can take part in this weekly challenge), is Gateway.

Here is my encaustic piece that I did...The quote says "If we refuse to step off the beaten path we will never notice the angels in the bushes". Soon to be in my Etsy shop http://www.glendabaileydesigns.etsy.com

Have a great weekend!!!

Melange Team Fabric Challenge

2009-09-23T13:42:00.005-05:00

Melange team on Etsy has another challenge with a great giveaway. All entries will go into a jar and I will draw a winner from the participants to win Gwen Diehl's book "The Decorated Page".

Here is my entry. It's a tiny little canvas 4 x 4 inches and I used fabric for the background, lace, stamped linen and stitched on a collage that I did.

Be sure to check out the Melange team blog after 9/24 to see all of the work that the team members have done. You'll like it!!!!

Melange Team challenge

2009-09-23T12:51:00.003-05:00

The Melange team challenge this week is Heavenly. Love that! I was working on an encuastic piece and I used this quote. "I have watched the trees when they pray and I have watched them shout and Sometimes they give thanks slowly and quietly". Pretty Heavenly.

It's a little blurry. It's so hard to photograph encaustic because of the waxy surface. If you click on the image, it does come up a bit larger.

New Work on Etsy

2009-09-19T11:39:00.003-05:00

Back to my roots. Several years ago, I did a lot of bohemian and/or edgy, art with a message. Kinda ran the gambit from one degree to another. I stopped for a bit. But, that type of art with quotes and something meaningful to say, has never left my desire. So, time is perfect to get back in and do some more. This is really what I love. And, I find that I do have art ADD and need to change up, go back and revisit some techniques from the past and even some that Alisha and I developed of our own.

So, here are my first pieces. They are up on Etsy. Hope you like them and maybe they "speak to you".

Melange Team challenge

2009-09-14T18:12:00.002-05:00

The Melange team challenge that starts on Wednesdays (boy am I behind) last week was
Serenity.

I love this piece. I did the collage on a little 4 x 4 canvas.

Mixed Media Monday

2009-09-13T20:53:00.002-05:00

The theme over at Mixed Media Mondays this week was "round elements". Use round elements in your work. I had this altered tin that I had started some time ago, and finished it up. Hope you like it.

Melange Team weekly word/art challenge

2009-09-04T13:39:00.002-05:00

The Melange street team on Etsy has a word challenge every Wednesday. This week our word prompt was "naughty". This beautiful actress or model might not be just too naughty but I have been wanting to use her image in a collage for a while. So, I did this piece. Available on Etsy.

Mixed Media Mondays

2009-08-30T16:50:00.002-05:00

I know, it's only Sunday night. But, I thought I better get this up in case tommorrow got too busy.

I don't know if you can even see the stitches, but this piece is done on a wooden block and there are lots of layers of fabric and stitching.

The Melange blog transfer challenge

2009-08-30T15:24:00.004-05:00

This was so exciting. The Melange team on Etsy hosted a "come and show us your favorite transfer method" challenge and it was eye opening what could and was used for transfers. We even are having a drawing for a wonderful art book which will be awarded to one of the participants. I really hope we can do more of these types of challenges soon. I know I have totally enjoyed seeing the tutorials that some of the girls wrote for the blog and now can't wait to see all of the artwork which will be logged onto the "comments" section tommorrow.

So, come on by the blog on the 31st and see what everyone accomplished.

Here is my journal cover that I did. I used Purell hand sanitizer and an inkjet transparency. I also did use my pigment ink printer.

Transfer challenge and giveaway

2009-08-23T11:15:00.019-05:00

Over at the Melange mixed media team blog, we are having a challenge. A transfer challenge. Due August 31st. Everyone is invited to join in! You don't have to be a member of the team, anyone who would do a project using a transfer process to add an image to the piece, is eligible.

I will be doing a drawing of everyone who enters for a copy of the new book called
Book Arts, Handcrafting Artists' Books by Dorothy Simpson Krause. It is not just about making books, it is about doing art also for the covers and inside. Lots of techniques that you will love. I will do the drawing on September 3rd.

Here is how it works: Make a piece of art using a transfer process. On August 31st when I put up the "official post" of entrants, go to the blog and add a comment in the comment section showing where you have posted your piece. You can use your Flickr account, an Etsy listing, a website, photobucket, or wherever. If you don't have any of these, send me a jpeg and I will take care of that for you. Write a sentence or two also with the technique that you used for the tranfer. Doesn't matter what kind, or if anyone else has already done that one, doesn't matter.

So far, two of our team members have written up blog posts with their pictures and techniques to help us out. They are all three different techniques and all three turned out simply amazing.

See them here: LD's two techniques Blog post by LDPhotography Take a look at LD's shop by clicking on her name.

Another great post by Pat May can be found here. Pat's shop is called Whyte and click on her name and it will take you there.

A big, giant Texas thank you that these two wonderful ladies would take the time to share with us their artwork, techniques for transfers and write them up for us.

And, think about it. Come over, do a transfer, post it on the blog on the 31st and have a chance to win a wonderful book plus share your art with the blog readers.

Mix It Up With Melange on Wednesday

2009-08-11T20:43:00.002-05:00

The Melange team challenge this week is "quotes". Do a piece of artwork with one of your favorite quotes. This is definitely one of my all time favorites by Emily Dickinson "Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door".

Here is my offering.

SALE SALE SALE

2009-08-07T11:51:00.006-05:00

15% off sale from now until Sunday night on ALL items in our TwoCoolTexans etsy shop.
http://www.twocooltexans.etsy.com

The Melange street team is the art team that I belong to on Etsy and lots of our members are participating in this sale. I will list the shop names later on today, when I get back home.

But come see me and buy something....lol....it's a good deal....

Glenda

Temporarily Addicted to Fabric and Paper

2009-08-04T16:53:00.004-05:00

I got so many kind emails and comments here on my fabric and paper collages in Sew Somerset and in my shops. Yep, I gave up. I am addicted. There is something about fabric and paper together that are just SO much fun to use together in collages.

Here is my latest. I actually brought out the embroidery machine which was collecting dust and added a toile type of blue bird on this one. Also, combines my love of journals, notebooks and anything that one can write in or on. Hope you like it. Currently listed on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28814736

Another notepad holder/cover

2009-07-28T18:43:00.002-05:00

I have found my newest passion. These fabric covers for notepads that are removable and another one can be inserted. Love, love, love these. Guess I will be on a quest to make these in several different mediums for a while.

Here is the newest.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28483685

Something New for Me

2009-07-27T18:58:00.002-05:00

I always loved to do the little journals and other types of notebooks with artwork on the front. So, I decided that I wanted to do something completely different than others with fabric art and make a notepad cover that could be used over and over again when the pad was used up.

I did this one from lots of fabrics and laces, felt and embellishments. The pads can be found at the office supply store and measure about 5 x 8. The cover is a little bit bigger. The pad slips right out and in goes another one.

Here it is on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28437292

New collage

2009-07-23T12:36:00.004-05:00

Hard as I might try, I cannot get it out of my system to not combine fabrics and paper in my collages these days. Hope you saw Sew Somerset issue that just came out with my "Angel Trio" of three fabric and paper collages that I did. I tried to do something else for a time, I really did, but just went right back to it. Maybe it's these wonderful piles of laces and fabrics that sit beside my work area. They just draw me right in; I have to use them.

But, here is my newest piece. It will be up on Etsy at http://www.twocooltexans.etsy.com/ later on tonight. Hope you like it.

So Happy

2009-07-21T12:15:00.001-05:00

Gillian was so sweet to show and feature some of my work on her inspiration blog. If you haven't visited over there, do....it has a wonderful variety of artists that she graciously shows. Something truly for everyone.

Thank you Gillian. See it here http://inspirationalcraftblogs.blogspot.com/

Mixed Media Monday

2009-07-19T17:47:00.003-05:00

Mixed Media Mondays challenge this week is all about altering items. This is a bottle that I did last week. It's large, measures appx 9 1/2 inches tall. I got the wonderful vintage bottle at a flea market a while back and altered it using some nuno felting, felted roses, lace, and a beautiful crystal piece that I also found at the market. I was going to put it up on Etsy, but so far I haven't been able to do that. I am enjoying it just sitting here beside my computer.

New journal/sketchbook

2009-07-19T16:24:00.002-05:00

I never realized just how hard it is to get back in the "groove" if you've been away for a bit.

I did get a new type of a journal done. This one is blank so it is also good as a sketchbook also. No lines, just perfectly white pages.

It is listed on Etsy.

Mix It Up With Melange on Wednesday

2009-07-15T11:57:00.003-05:00

I looked and I cannot believe I haven't posted for nearly a month. Did go on vacation but still.....my bad.

The challenge this week over at the Melange blog is "whisper". I did have to pull this out and it is an older piece but I really like it a lot. I must do something like it very soon.

Making journals/notebooks again

2009-06-25T15:48:00.002-05:00

I love making journals and notebooks and all sorts of things with paper to write in. I guess it's because the chest beside my bed is just full of little books with notes in them and ideas and such. Since I love writing in them myself, I guess that crossed over and I also love making them.

I am back to the larger size 8 x 5 lined journals with many, many pages in them. I particularly love the quality of these.

These two are new listings that I have on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26978823

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26918219

Mix It Up With Melange on Wednesday

2009-06-23T21:43:00.002-05:00

Here is my piece for the challenge at the Melange blog. The theme this week was "Bliss". This pictures absolute bliss for me. Lying in the sand at the beach; lying there and dreaming away of things to come. Yes, she has on a dress, but that's all part of it for me. Being in a bathing suit at this stage of my life just doesn't bring to mind the word "bliss". But this piece has beautiful color and I just love it. It will soon be offered in my Etsy store.

Mix It Up With Melange Wednesday

2009-06-19T12:28:00.002-05:00

The theme at Mix It Up With Melange blog for their challenge is "serendipity". With massive computer problems and my brain not working very well, I just could not wrap myself around this one. I had to dig extremely deep and think about when a "happy accident" so to speak, had contributed to my art. I finally remembered one Easter when I walked down the candy aisle at WM and thought, "those papers are so pretty, I must be able to use them". So, I bought a bag (unfortunately, I ate all the candy), glued the candy papers to transparencies and wrote an article for Stamping Arts&Crafts. That was many, many years ago.

Can't find any of those pieces but I did use candy papers again a few years later on aceos that I sold on Ebay. Here is one.......

Mixed Media Monday

2009-06-08T18:56:00.002-05:00

Another lace challenge, this one on Mixed Media Mondays. There is black lace down the side of this mini composition book, but it's hard to see.

Art Creations Friday

2009-06-05T11:28:00.002-05:00

This is a tag that I did using the sweet little girl provided for Art Creations Friday. She is the cutest. Didn't have much time, so I put together a tag for the challenge.

Mix It Up With Melange on Wednesday

2009-06-04T19:12:00.004-05:00

I finally got my challenge piece done for the Melange blog's Wednesday challenge. It is a collage that I did, added stamping and paint.

Here she is, the theme is "fly".

Mixed Media Mondays

2009-06-01T16:40:00.002-05:00

The challenge for this week on Mixed Media Mondays is "layers". Love that one. Here is mine.

Published in Sew Somerset

2009-05-27T14:44:00.002-05:00

The new issue of Sew Somerset will be hitting the stands in the next couple of days. They featured some of my fabric and paper collages in this issue. Here is the cover and the first page. Such a beautiful job on the photography and the whole issue is just wonderful. I hope you will pick up a copy or at least take time to peruse it at the store.

Mix It Up With Melange on Wednesdays

2009-05-27T10:02:00.004-05:00

The theme this week over at the Melange blog is "dance". You do not have to be a member of the blog, or the team, or Etsy even to join in the challenges. All are welcome. You can find the challenges here http://www.melangeonetsy.blogspot.com

Here is mine, "Will He Ask Me to Dance?"

ArtCreationsFriday challenge

2009-05-26T15:10:00.002-05:00

I love to do challenges. I came across this blog yesterday and the picture of the little girl was so pretty that I knew today I must do a little mini book with her image.

Here is my entry for Art Creations Friday.

New Altered Bottles

2009-05-23T10:36:00.002-05:00

I have to "switch gears" often. Probably if I were little, they would put me on some kind of medication or something. But, I love variety in everything. And, if something holds my interest, well, if it's worth holding my interest, then I can certainly pay attention. But in my art, I do jump around from needle felting, silk embroidery, collage, painting, assemblage, altered art, working with metal....probably I have left something out.

But, I think that is what makes life interesting and I have been doing collage and all for almost 15 years. The jumping around keeps my creative juices going strong. And, then I go backwards and pick up some of the things I have done in way years past.

Now, I am back to bottles. This time I am using tips I picked up from Joanna in that I am adding soldering and beeswax. Can't mail beeswax right now. Although it might not soften during the mailing process, then again it just might in the back of those post office trucks. So, am sticking to other methods for the summer months.

Here are my newest. They are being offered on Etsy.