#37 #38 #39 Vlog about Earrings, ICADs and Upcycled Art

Here I am with my day one hair.

Crafting Extravaganza a Card and Two Boxes

#21 #22 and #23 in my #100things challenge. Whoop Whoop!

What is a Meander Book? Watch and be Amazed

I had to make these cool little meander books. I just HAD TO!

I will show you the unfinished ones after I get them finished. I promise.

Crafting for Friends ~ The PONY Edition~

Trying to do a series wherein I dedicate the video to a different friend every time. This one goes out to Pony/Windsong

ATCs with Jay (Artist Trading Cards from Playing Cards)

Taught my mini me granddaughter to make ATCs this weekend. We used playing cards, paint, stamps, Mod Podge, and a baby Godfather meme.

Behold the results:

Too much fun I say.

Check out her blog at

jaelynncela.blogspot.com

Monkey See Monkey Do or How I Trained my Grandkids to Art

I apologize ahead of time for the quality of these pictures. I need a new camera (hint hint).

The past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure to teach my Granddaughters the fine art of mixed media journaling. They picked it up really quickly although they all had different learning styles. The youngest watched me and copied my movements like a pro. Gramma is so proud. I even convinced them it is okay to be a little weird.

I am making an art kit to take with me when I babysit Gabe's girls later this month. We made the girls each a journal when they spent the night this week. FUN FUN!!!

Art Abandonment- Not Nearly as Tragic as it Sounds

I have joined a strange and wonderful movement on Facebook called Art Abandonment. You leave all manner of art out in the wilds of the big bad world in various places for people to find. They can keep it or pass it on. Here is one I did:

First I left it at Casey's in Milford but when I checked on it later it had blown down and was laying in the parking lot.

The next day I left it at the laundromat in Rossville. I didn't go back to check on it so I hope it went home with someone.

Here's the link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtAbandonment
You can Google it too- Art Abandonment.

I have a few more ready to go- updates to come.

How I feel Without my Art

Yeppers, that's me.

Big blank canvas hanging on a brick wall.

I need to make art. I thought knitting again would fulfill me but so far it hasn't. Of course I may not have given it a fighting chance quite yet. I have a pair of socks for myself in the works but lordy they are slow going!

I hope to get a new art journal today. That might help.

True Story

Part of a journal spread for an International Moleskine Exchange I am in with a group of gals from Ravelry.

The Pennies from Heaven Post

It's a story that HAS to be told!

I look for pennies on the ground when I walk. I have for quite a few years. I used to just think of it as "Luck" but now I view them as the proverbial "Sign from God".

You see I am not what most people would call "Well Off". In fact I live way below the poverty level. You know what though? It's ok because I never want for anything. I have food, clothing, shelter, my cool stuff, my friends, a great family. I have more than enough.

But I don't have a car which is why I walk everywhere. And in walking I find pennies, and other coins of little value. This is what happened to me today:

I was walking to catch the bus to Champaign when a series of events led me to my first penny of the day. Next I found a nickel crossing Main Street (Honorable REO Speedwagon Way) in Champaign. I went to FedEx and then the Art Coop were I saw this art piece

I thought "Well that's weird" lol

After I got back from FedEx in my boss's car I found another penny in the parking lot. Wow, I'm on a roll! I get all the way back into the building and was ready to get on the elevator when I remembered I didn't lock the car so I went back out and there I found ANOTHER penny in street!

Yeah to you it may only be 8 cents but to me it's a blessing.

Monday I found a Canadian penny in the middle of the Chiropracter's parking lot down the street from my house.

I don't spend these coins I glue them to a small canvas with Matt 6:33 on it- Keep seeking first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

ETA- I found another penny when we were leaving for home- My all time record is about 40 cents in pennies and dimes up at the Jewel Osco parking lot in Lombard. The snow removal people pushed the snow into a corner and all the change with it.

Small Art to Support Champaign County Humane Society

I am donating to this. Haven't decided just what yet...maybe a Crazy Quilt block maybe a mixed media piece maybe a zentangle thing. We shall see, we shall see.

Please click to enlarge to see the details

Aspiring Artist

This past week my granddaughter, Sadie, helped me make an art piece for her PawPaw Benny. It's part of a body of work  I am doing called "The Word of God is Alive and Exerts Power" from Hebrews 4:12. I am using an old King James Bible that was falling apart. Stay tuned for more in this exciting series!

A Tale of Two Rabbits 206/365

Fat Rabbit:

Skinny Rabbit:

Posing 277/365

CQ Canvas Tutorial 257/365

Today I am sharing how I make my CQ canvases. They make stunning wall art!

Start with an 8x10 canvas or size of your choice. I got two for $3.59 at Michaels last week. I have used 11x14 in the past too.

You now need a CQ block that will cover the sides of the canvas. Mine was 10 1/2" x 12 1/2 "

Pick your trims

Embellish to your heart's content

Now you need to take a leap of faith! Spread some glossy Mod Podge on the canvas and center your block. Press down and start brushing glue on the top. It will dry clear. You must trust me on this!

Trim off excess fabric and added more layers of Mod Podge until it is as shiny as you want. Let dry between coats.

Hang it on the wall for all the world to admire!

Of Slave Boats and Jury Duty 227/365

I was summoned for jury duty today along with about 300 other people from El Paso and Teller County. On my way in I noticed a new sculpture out front of the court house. "Hey it looks like a boat". "Hey it looks like people making a boat" "OMG! It's a frigging SLAVE BOAT!" ...Check the signage...yep...slave boat...stomach churns, head spins...

 

I went on in to do my civic duty. Passed security no problems. Wait in line, turn in card, get form, sit down, fill out form, take pen back,turn to sit down, see someone waving madly at me...HEY!!!!!! Susy from knitting !!! YAY!!!!! She was, of course, peeved to be there but I had fun anyway. LOL! She got called in the fourth round and I didn't. Good thing I thought to get a pic before we were separated. 

Art Despite the Pain 48/365

HEADACHE!!!

ALL DAY!!!

I managed to work through it and made some bathroom art to match what I already had.

365 pic is me in a Steelers inspired skully hat.

Sweet Home Chicago

Chicago rocks! I lived so near it for most of life yet I am just now appreciating that fact.

Most people from the area I grew up in think of Chicago as the "Big Scary City", something to be avoided unless it's a class field trip or a Cubs game.

Truth is that Chicago is a nice place to visit. If you stay away from the seamy places you are quite safe as you explore the downtown/Loop area. The people are friendly and there's just so much to see and do, even for free.

Next time I get a chance, I want to spend at least 2 or 3 days there. Who's up for a trip?!?

From Top to Bottom:DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS! Taken under the El tracks, Kids laying under "The Bean" for photo ops, One of "The Spitting Guys" an interactive sculpture pair complete with splash pool, Purple Garden with buildings, Millennial Park, Farmers Market in front of the Calder Statue, Art Institute, Chicago skyline from the train, Soldier Field, Another shot of "The Bean"