Party Glasses!

Yep, that's what I think of my new glasses....Party Glasses, Whoohoo!! Since I first started wearing glasses in my 20's I had always wanted a fun, colorful pair of glasses, but never found ones that looked good on me, were the right shape, or color until now! And to think my hubby is the one that picked them out, big kudos to him :-)

Aren't they fun!?

One thing that's always a bit disturbing for me when I get new glasses is the realization of just how non symmetrical I am....Maybe its just me that has one ear higher then the other and a crooked nose, what the heck!?

Seriously though this was a good reminder for me not to aim for perfection when I'm drawing faces because nobody is truly symmetrical and that's what makes us all unique, as well as the characters I draw.

Here I am giving you my studious look....trust me the other pictures I tried taking of myself looked like I was on drugs because I kept closing my eyes with the flash LOL

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Digi Art and Autumn

Good Morning! What a glorious fall weekend! Our weather was just right! I'm trying to enjoy every bit of it before it's gone and the cold sets in. Our fall has finally started turning here and some of the trees are just gorgeously full of color!

I created a couple of Digi pieces yesterday using PSP.

Wildly Warhol This is a piece I've been working on and off for awhile and finally finished it yesterday.

Autumn Glory I took this picture yesterday and created this digital card.

Which Reindeer Are You?

You Are Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

***********

On another Note Sharon Solly has tagged me (thanks Sharon!) and since I was recently tagged and would hate to bore you again I'll refer you to my recent tagging HERE.

Another E-card for you!

We've had such beautiful fall days here, almost spring like, but with a hint of cool. Perfect days to have the doors open still before our foggy cool winter days set in.

Here's a picture my son took this past weekend

Beautiful isn't it! I created a couple of more E-cards from the pictures he took, you can click HERE to download and email to a friend.

Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink and come sit a spell and check out each of these links, there's enough here to get you revved up for Christmas! Now more then ever we need to celebrate family and friends and what better way then to make something creative for them.

Enjoy!

Crafty Princess Diaries Pull yourself off the PC once in a while (after you read this post), and grab some craft time for yourself.

The Impatient Crafter™ There's a free holiday themed project every week until Christmas at The Impatient Crafter™! This week it's a jaunty snowman ornapendant that both you and your tree can wear.

About Family Crafts It is easy to plan ahead and get a jump on making that perfect holiday gift for everyone you know! This collection of books contains something for everyone.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside brings you a beaded and sequined Christmas tree ornament, a rockin' sweepstakes where you can enter to win a signed Fender Squire Stratocaster, a book mark gift card and a peek into a Creative Entrepreneur workshop and a way-cool design that was contributed by Carol Parks.

Cross Stitch at About.com Use a child's drawing for a pattern or give them some graph paper and have them design their own!

Layers Upon Layers Come meet Ellwood T Risk, contemporary collage artist with a political slant.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Check out the Creature Comforts charity sewing event I went to at the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

Cathie Filian Thanksgiving is just around the corner…swing by Cathie’s blog for recipes, crafts and entertaining tips – plus, a recipe for a pumpkin pietini.

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Christmas Gift Project

Here's a couple of EZ Christmas ornaments/neckwear I made recently (they could also be made to use as a gift tag). I started with metal label plates, I don't know about you, but I have lots of these that I had good intentions of using them, but didn't so did what any altered artist would do and found another use for them. This is from one of my quick and easy Christmas gift projects.

I used the following
SUPPLIES:

Star Punchinella 

Book Plates

Bull Nose Clip or
Mini Binder Clips

Image from a Christmas Card

(or stamp your own words on a Blank Ticket)

Ribbon

White Paint or Gesso

Extra Fine Fairy Glitter Dust
Wood Bead *Optional

Glass Charm *optional

I used the star punchinella as a stencil and a make up sponge and white paint  to stamp onto the bookplate and then sprinkled with extra fine glitter dust before the paint dried. You could also use an unmounted stamp  such as a script or snowflake design instead.  For the image I used a  ticket on one necklace and an image I traced around from an old Christmas card on the other necklace.  I also originally used a bull nose clip for the hanger, but you could also use mini binder clips such as these here.

The idea here is to use what you have on hand or what you have available.

Meet Erma

Meet Erma, I again used the Shiva Paintstiks to draw her. I've cut her out and will add her to a canvas I'm working on.

On another note I can't resist sharing this link of unique jewelry artist Margaux Lange's Barbie Jewelry! She shows you Barbies like you've never seen before! LOL I love when I find artists that think outside the box and she surely is!

You can check out her website HERE

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Arte y Pico Award!

Well what a cool surprise to find that Nickie has awarded me the Arte y Pico Award! Thanks Nickie I'm honored! Just what does it mean well according to Nickie it roughly translates to the following:

"Arte y Pico" is phrase that roughly translates

in English to:"The Maximum. Wow. The best art. Over the top."

Here are The "rules" for the Arte y Pico award are:

If you are an award winner, show the award, the name of the person who gave it to you, and link back to his or her blog.Pick 5 blogs you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and for contributing to the blogging community.List the author's name and link to his or her blog.Leave a message on the blogs of those you've selected.Link back to the original Arte y Pico blog, so all will know the origin of the award.

Here are my blog choices -when I visit them they inspire me to run and create some art! Hopefully you discover a blog or two that you haven't visited before and find them as inspiring as I do:

1. Jenn over at Noodle and Lou Studio-Poor Jenn's been sick, but when she's creating I always find her art a good inspiration boost.
2. Keron at The ColourGuru - Check out her sketching and journaling. A visit here always gets my creative juices rearing to go!
3. Maija Lepore at Maigirlz Madness-Its always a delight to visit Maija's blog be it a finished projects or just the photo's she posts I leave comforted and inspired!
4. Lisa Rivas at Flying Colors-I'm just plain awe of Lisa's art and quilting!
5. Karen at Art in the Garage-What can I say I'm enamoured by Karen's art seeing her faces makes me smile!

Don't forget to check out Nickie'S Blog to see her wonderful doodles, lettering, and classes she offers.

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Let the Voting Begin!

Finally the voting is here...no not the presidential election (sheesh that's over with where ya been)

I know you probably thought I forgot, but I didn't real life has had the audacity to impose itself on me!

Vote now for your favorite

Art Muse doll entry

HERE

Not familiar with the contest you can read more about it HERE.

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Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

Yep, it's already Friday again! Have fun visiting each of these blogger blurb links and don't forget to check out the rest of my posts this past week, I've been a busy gal! As always ENJOY!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner What are you thankful for this season? Express and share those blessings in this simple pumpkin painting project!

The Crochet Dude Drew's new book of crochet patterns called "Designs for Guys" launched on Sunday! Click the link to see photos of the fun in Houston!

About Family Crafts Take a few minutes to browse through some photos of home-made Thanksgiving cards. You can also submit your own home-made card designs.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Why shouldn't your napkins be cozy? Check out a super easy recycled sweater napkin ring project and listen to a cool tune while making them.

Cathie Filian Making your own Thanksgiving centerpiece is not as hard as one might think. Cathie Filian has a few simple ideas that can be made with everything from dried beans to texture paint.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside brings you a cornucopia of craftiness this week with free patterns for Sweater Surgery Ornaments, the author schedule for Felt Club, a bunch of pretty designs from 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, a tutorial on how to unspin and incorporate scrap yarn to knit up a wild scarf, a call to share your opinions for a new book and a pumpkin cheesecake recipe.

Crafty Princess Diaries What does The Matrix have to do with crafting? Listen to Morpheus and he will tell you.

Cross Stitch at About.com Add some flair to your Thanksgiving decor with these free Cross Stitch Patterns.

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi has declared that November is "Take a (New) Artist to Lunch Month"! Come and meet extraordinary artists that you probably haven't run into before throughout this whole month!

The Impatient Crafter™ Madge visits Terri O Radio for a wickedly fun two part interview on inspiration and carving out time for creativity!

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Sing Loud!

Sing Loud!

12"x12" Chunky Canvas background was created using various papers, gesso, fluid acrylics and absorbent grounds. Image drawn using Shiva's Oil Paintstiks.

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Message in a Bottle

Imagine my surprise to find a mini mail art bottle like the bottle project I posted a few months ago in my mailbox from Denise Rotellini (thank you Denise). I had no idea why or how but after digging into it I discovered the Message In A Bottle project.

Send a Bottle Gram today :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

On another note I heard about a website I just HAVE to pass on. It's a place to find or record bathrooms all over the world. Find a clean bathroom while your traveling and post about ones you've come across!

Check out Sitorsquat.com

http://www.sitorsquat.com/sitorsquat/home

Fun Challenge & I've been tagged!

I found this fun little challenge while visiting Magic Lantern Musings Blog

Fun Challenge
Grab the nearest book.* Open the book to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one:
pick the CLOSEST.
Okay, so this is what I found:

"For crissake," he said, yanking me forward.
"don't just stand here. Haul ass!"

One For The Money

by: Janet Evanovich

I'm really not sure what this means, but I do know I've experienced this AT some point in my life LOL

~~~~~~~

I've Been Tagged!
My good friend Mz Christy has tagged me. It's been some time since I've been tagged, so I decided to go ahead and be a good sport and play LOL (just you wait Christy, paybacks LOL).

I have to say 7 Random Things about myself:

1. I love rainy days.
2. I believe everything happens for a reason, and although it's hard to see at the time there's something we have to learn and grow from.
3. My all time favorite books are Diane Gabaldon's Outlander Series.
4. My two most relaxing places to be are sitting on my porch swing or sitting in front a roaring fire.
5. I HATE summer.
6. Fall is my favorite season.
7. I once rode a bull and then ate dirt!

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Finished Art Pieces

MoonPie

I took a bit of time for myself and finished up some pieces I had left unfinished in my sketch book. I had originally started these using watercolors and added detail with Pastel Sailor Pens then finished them up using a new favorite art supply Shiva's Oil Paintstiks. I've used water soluble pastels for years, but had never tried Shiva's Oil PaintStiks and I'm in love with them. They can be used on fabric, wood, metal and paper and are permanent. I highly recommend getting the blender stik to go with which ever set you choose. It helps with getting a smoother look. I like that I can dig in and just use my fingers to spread and manipulate the colors. The clean-up is great they wipe right off my hands with a paper towel and they don't dry out because they develop a skin that you just break through when your ready to use them again.

Ursula

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Last of Halloween

Here's the last of Halloween until next year!

Above is the Cannibal Pumpkin my son carved and below is my more whimsical pumpkin. They both are happy surprise pumpkins that came up in our garden this year.

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Anatomy of a Book Review

You all know that excitement when you order a new art book and you're eagerly awaiting it's arrival short of stalking the mail person. The day finally arrives when the mail person delivers your package and the excitement is almost too much to bear and you daintily rip and tear open the box! What do you mean you don't do this?!?

As I've acquired so many books I've found that I've become much more selective then when I first started out. I usually try to look through the books I want at the bookstore first and then decide, but most times our local bookstore doesn't get the newest books in for quite awhile. If my withdrawals are too much, and I need a fix I'll give in and order after reading book reviews online (this helps some, but not totally since we're each look for something different in a book).

I'm usually left with one of the following feelings after reading a book:

1. I'm thrilled and think this is a keeper! It not only gives me great eye candy, but actual techniques, steps and projects! Its definitely a keeper and I'll put it on my shelf to use it as a reference book.

2. It's a nice book, BUT it's not what I had hoped. I put this in the category of it would be a great check out of the library book, but not one that I feel the need to keep on my shelf.

3. Disappointment, why did I spend the money. Thankfully this doesn't happen often.

So with all that said I received two books in the mail this week. I excitedly thumbed through them quickly and then set them down until I had more time when I could sit down with my favorite warm drink and peruse, drool and read through each of the books and really savor them! See my take on each of the books below:

Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings by by Kelly Rae Roberts (Author)--I love this book and find it very inspiring, with great how tos and tips along with eye candy. Its definitely one that will go on my shelf and I'll use as reference and as inspiration book.

Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques
by Cate Coulacos Prato (Author) -This one was nice eye candy from various artists but was a bit disappointing for me. I was hoping for more techniques then pictures of projects by other artists. It would be a great check out of the library book in my opinion.

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Crafty Blogger Blurb & Happy Howl' O ween!

Boy there are some awesome blogger blurbs today, I'm loving them....how about you? Leave me a post and let me know how you like the Blogger Blurbs?

Happy Howl'O ween!

Layers Upon Layers Artist Kerry Wilkinson plays with resin in a big way!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has goulish wet felted eyeballs, a crocheted spider web sweater project, crafting with the Chrome Cowgirl, and announcing Quarry Publishing is sponsoring this year's Holiday Felt Club in Los Angeles with special appearances, signings and make & takes with authors, Angela Cartwright, The Crafty Chica, Lisa Sonora Beam and Stefanie Girard.

The Impatient Crafter™ Join Madge for part two of her gothically delicious free Halloween project. The Invitation.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how I cut out a cool part of a pattern from The Crochet Dude's hot new book to crochet a two colored headband.

About Family Crafts Sherri offers several ideas for creatively displaying your child's artwork.

Cathie Filian Win a copy of Bow WOW WOW! and a $100 worth of craft supplies from Plaid - 1 grand prize and 24 other prizes!

Crafty Princess Diaries You can make any of these super quick jewelry projects just in time for Halloween, seriously, this Halloween! Otherwise, hit the bargain bins at your craft store for the after Halloween sales so you are prepared for next year!

Cross Stitch at About.com Check out the latest additions to the Stitcher's Photo Album - We've reached a milestone. The first page is now devoted to submitted photos of the free patterns from About.com Cross Stitch.

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Autumn Grls

Autumn Grls

Here's a little autumn digital piece I created using Paint Shop Pro (incidentally if your looking for a user friendly and inexpensive graphics's program I highly recommend PSP click the link above to read more about it--no affiliation). The fall picture in the background is compliments of my niece in Indiana. Out here in California we don't have very colorful autumns, so we live vicariously through fall from other places LOL.

I've uploaded some new freebie pictures in OTM's gallery HERE , so take a moment to download them and create your own digital work of art!

Happy Creating!

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Proofs in the Bottle

Hey remember my Soda bottle Mailart project I sent to my niece...? I finally have a picture of her with the bottle after it arrived at Notre Dame. It held up well didn't it? Now get those bottles out and send one of your own :-)

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Fun Play Day and Christmas Gift Idea

My niece was home for a visit from Notre Dame this week and we had a fun play day together where she made some Christmas gifts she could take back and give to her friends. She misted away using the Color Mists on mini canvas journals, then adding label brackets she colored with paint pens, next she added paper tags on the pages to separate for the alphabet. We sealed them with PYM II as the finale! Before she knew it she had 4 cute little address books to give to her friends. It took her all of 1 1/2 hours to make them accounting for drying time and all (we cheated and used a heat gun).

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Crafty Halloween Blogger Blurbs!

Check out the great Crafty Halloween Blogger Blurbs posted this week, what fun ideas!

Download and send a Halloween Postcard to all your friends.

About Family Crafts If you are in search of creative costume ideas for 2, 3, 4, or more, you have come to the right place.

Cathie Filian Check out the Halloween Videos from the Emmy Nominated television show, Witch Crafts, where Cathie and Steve, make some awesome Halloween Projects & party ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week Craftside brings you a modern denim and plaid upcycled quilt block, 2 yummy recipes using sherry, Art Nouveau jewelry, off register screen printing designs and a call for entries for a new book- 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse.

Crafty Princess Diaries No more babies in your life to crochet or knit snuggly blankets for? No worries, the Crafty Princess has the low-down on a baby blanket contest as well as a non-profit group that makes blankets for babies in need.

Cross Stitch at About.com This week, Connie has been spending a lot of time in the kitchen - no, not cooking. Dyeing fabric instead. Find out more about all the ways you can change the color of your fabrics.

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi has gathered together her most popular tutorials on creating great background papers for your artwork.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Check out a ring project inspired by Sherri Haab's book Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry done Sweater Surgery style.

The Crochet Dude Drew has the perfect recipes for a Halloween party: Bloody Eyeballs and Maggots!

The Impatient Crafter™ Madge shares part one of her two part final project for Terrorific Tuesdays. It's a Gothically delicious tale of friendship.

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Quick Christmas Gift Idea

Here's simple & quick Christmas gift idea I

created using the following items:

• Bisque medallion (6 shapes to choose from)
• Rub-on
• Brass face charm
• Crystal Lacquer
• Chalk Inks
• Gold Leafing Paint Pen
• Leather Lacing
• PYM II

I used a large size rub-on image I had for the front of the necklace (make sure that the rub-on you use is a sticky one,use a brand you know to work well for you--I used a Rebecca Sower rub-on that came in a tin). I then removed the excess rub-on after smoothing around the edge of the medallion. Next I added chalk inks to the sides and the back (instead of chalk inks you can use paints, glazes, watercolors and pigment inks). I then made a puddle of the gold leafing paint on some acetate slide my rubber stamp through the paint and stamped onto the back side of the medallion. To finish it off I adhered a brass face using Crystal Lacquer and then sprayed it with PYM II to seal it and hung it from a piece of leather lacing (you can find this at most craft and bead stores).

*Alternative ideas decorating your bisque shapes*

• Paint with Acrylic paints
• Collage an image using gel medium or lament adhesive such as Crystal Lacquer
• Emboss using a rubber stamp image, embossing ink and embossing powder

Free Halloween Postcard

I woke up this morning to find that Herm and Ethel are baaacccck in time for Halloween! I found them sitting on the veranda counting cars! They've had a heck of a busy year traveling around.

Click HERE to see past Halloween Posts

*Download this postcard *

and send it to a friend

Digital Delight

For some reason the cooler fall weather makes me want to do more digital art and it's been far too long since I've done any digital pieces so it's felt good to work on my skills again.

Fable King

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Crafty Blogger Blurb Friday!

My goodness is it Friday again, time is just flyin' by! There's a couple new additions this week so check them out and enjoy!

The Swell and Spooky Life Swelldesigner is giving away a super swell vintage-inspired pumpkin man box in honor of Terrorific Tuesdays!

The Crochet Dude I Want My Mummy! Drew has a free Halloween treat bag crochet pattern that is super cute!

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi has updated her ever-growing list of posts covering different methods to do image transfers.

The Impatient Crafter Margot shares next week's Terrorific Tuesday Halloween Themed paper crafted jewelry project. Hooty the Halloween Hoot Owl!

About Family Crafts Take a few moments and tell Sherri and all of her visitors what your favorite way to save money is when it comes to craft supplies.

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has a tutorial on how to transform plain candles with a few stamping supplies. Great for holiday gift giving and decorating! From the Medieval Lights episode of Creative Juice.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Peeking at you this week from Craftside are easy felted eyeballs, a dimensional surface technique tutorial, a creative inspiring exercise from the new book The Creative Entrepreneur and a paper and crystal necklace project from Jenn Mason's latest and greatest book, Altered Paper Jewelry.

Crafty Princess Diaries Are you thinking about stocking stuffers for you crafty friends yet? The Crafty Princess has a few ideas for you.

Cross Stitch at About.com Do You Suffer from Pattern Paralysis? Find out what it is and learn ways to treat it. Be sure to read all the comments and add your own!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery The "Eyes" have the vote with a super easy Eyeball Halloween Desktop Decoration.


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