Ingenuity at it's finest!

There is no loss for creativity in my household...after blowing the grass clippings and dirt from the cement my son Spencer's ingenuity kicked in to high gear and he hooked the leaf blower to one of their old Tonka trucks and ran with it as it sped down the street! What's even funnier is how quickly they can go from being so grown up to letting the kid come out to play!

In less then 24 hours he went from GQ debonair looking to what you see LOL check out his prom pictures: http://www.outsidethemargins.com/juniorprom.html

When your Muse Comes to Visit!

I found a kewl song on Sonific and fell in love with it! It's Called Empathy Song By The Mosaic Project, the album is titled: Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World (I did have it playing on my blog but found it to freeze up and load the page too slowly on some people's computers, so I've removed it but check it out at the link above).

I should have been working, but my muse came to visit and held me hostage until I finished the art pin below. Often times creativity and inspiration show up when we least expect it and I've learned to go with it. You can't always plan and schedule your art time, so allow yourself some freedom! I guarantee your work will still be there waiting for you ;-)She was made from the following items: cheapy Plastic paint brushes, a square of metal screen of some sort that's about 16-18 gauge (more treasures hubby brought home to me) and mini brass 3/32" size eyelets. The head was made previously from PMC (Precious Metal Clay).

(Click picture to enlarge)

*(Remember to leave your email if you want a reply back Blogger doesnt' give email addresses)

Creativity comes in all forms!

Check out the new Headwear

for Spring 2007!

Why is my son wearing a leaf hat you may be wondering? (isn't it great!)

No particular reason except that his creativity got the better of him and he was inspired by the leaves in the tree and went for it. How often do we do that as Adults? We could certainly take some lessons from kids...they don't have to have a reason to create they just do because they're inspired....look around and let yourself be inspired just because :-)

Beauty comes in all forms....

Check out my beautiful bloomin' bathtub...

...and the treasures my hubby and son brought home to me from the antique tractor show they went to...yes they are all beauties to me!

A wonderfully rusted folding rule (I stand corrected, it is not called a ruler but a rule I learn something new everyday :-), and 4 rusted cast iron faucet handles!!

Can you just see all the endless possibilities?

I've been working on more charms for a found object charm swap hosted by Belinda. When I hear the words "found object" rusted grung comes to mind and I had intentions of doing that but my muse had other ideas...

I started with a budget pack of kid's plastic paint brushes and cut most of the handle off, I then wrapped what was left with deli paper painted and stamped with Color Mists and gel medium once dried I then stamped with some gold Krylon leafing paint and sealed them with Crystal Lacquer. Once they were completely cured I drilled holes in the tops and wrapped them with copper wire and beads.

Paint Brush Charms

Below is yet another piece I did using one of my alcohol ink backgrounds...I know you all are probably getting tired of these but I've promised myself to try and use up all the samples I made so here you go:

alcohol ink background with glow in the dark star wall stickers from the dollar store, stamping with krylon gold leafing paint and black Staz-on ink and vintage image. I have to tell you I had forgotten the stickers glowed until I walked in last night and saw my piece glowing in the dark, what a kick to see it glowing! LOL

I created this tag for a tag and ATC lottery by using one of the alcohol ink backgrounds I created previously (shown in the slide show), stamped with Krylon gold leafing paint added some dollar store wall flowers and the image is from my Charmed 2 Collage sheet and the brass frame is from my charms page .

Here's a chunky page I did for a little fat book for a good friend to help her through a difficult time. The background of the page and the front and back cover are more of the alcohol ink backgrounds I mentioned I made a few posts down (see slide show to the right). I stamped with Staz-on ink. The charms can be found at the following link:
http://www.outsidethemargins.com/charms.html

I'm feel doubly honored to have been asked by Cyndi at http://www.layersuponlayers.com/ if I would do an artist profile to be featured on her site, if you would like to read it click the link below:
http://www.layersuponlayers.com/artist-profile-aileen-roberts/

And also to have been nominated by Kris Henderson for the Thinking Blogger Award. If you haven't had the chance to check out Kris' Blog its always a wonderful source of inspiration for me both soulfully and artistically. Kris expresses her thoughts through photos which are not only beautiful they're soothing to the soul. I highly recommend taking a moment to read and view pictures from her recent trip to Africa when you get the chance.

Now to pay it forward I nominate the following 5 blogs that make me think...for me the following blogs either cause me to think and/or inspire me. My nominations (not in any particular order) are:

Joanne Thieme Huffman-has a natural talent for writing and really poses some great artistically provoking questions, I truly appreciate her contemplations that leave me with intriguing thoughts to ponder. Not only that she posts wonderful eye candy to boot :-)

Corinne Stubson-is one of the most generous inspirational artists I know. Her blog is chockful of thoughts, eye candy and inspiration, definately a must see!

LayersUponLayer-Cyndi's blog is a vast source of useful information and endless inspiration! You could spend a great deal of time here and still not cover it all.

Dispatch From LA-I always find this blog a captivating read on art and life in general, not to mention the engaging photos and inspirational art that are posted as well.

Flaurellas- in-between Laurel's hectic day of insanity she posts wonderfully alluring photos of food, floral and fauna and witty sardonic thoughts on life! One never knows what they will find when they visit her blog, which is why I so enjoy it!

Dreaded Tax Time

Its that time of year I hate dreaded Tax time! so no art for me right now, but I will leave you with some food for thought...
An on going obstacle that many artists have (myself include) is allowing our inner critic to take hold and plant seeds of doubt about the art we've created. One of the hardest things to do is to learn to listen to your muse and NOT listen to your inner critic! Practice dusting off your shoulder with your hand as if you had a piece of dirt on it and flick that inner critic away and just say "No!"

Happy Easter!

Hope you all have a very happy Easter!

In honor of Easter I thought I'd share with you some beautiful colored eggs that were colored using Color Mists. They were done by a very talented artist and friend Karen Owen, check her site to view more pictures and other artwork she's done.

Bird's Eye View

Here's another piece I made from sitting down at my messy work area and using whatever happened to be at hand...I wasn't intentionally doing this but as I sat there I noticed the alcohol ink backgrounds sitting off to one side in a pile and then the girl image and a bird nest label sticker were sitting on another pile and it all just fell together. After the last couple of days I've had plus trying to get 30 4x4 bird pages finished up I was in major need of some "no plan art time" which is always good therapy!

As I mentioned I used the alcohol ink backgrounds I made previously and then stamped with a crackle stamp (the crackle stamp is from Stampa Rose which is no longer around but I believe that Above The Mark also has a crackle stamp) some gold Krylon leafing pen pumped out on some

acetate (When I say pumped out I press the tip down until I get about a dime size puddle of paint), next I used chalk ink around the edges of all the backgrounds. I then used some star punchinella (thanks Angela!) and more gold Krylon leafing on the blue background. I layered the bird nest label onto the blue background (you really can't tell now ) and then slit the nest and perched the girl image into the nest like she was sitting in it and then added a hat from a scrap of alcohol ink background. I then added more stamping and chalk inks by this time you couldn't tell she was sitting in the nest unless you knew...I happened to have a couple of small faux nests I had picked awhile back and I cut about 1/4 off of one of the nests and adhered it with some crystal lacquer then cut up some of the nest left and glued it inside to fill it up more. Next I cut the corners off using corner scissors and added the pieces cut to the outside corners. Next I added jewelry tags stamped with eggs then layered onto metal tag brads. I cut two 1/8" holes at the bottom and wove some faux twig vines through the holes. I sealed the piece using PYMII.

BIRD'S EYE VIEW
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leave a comment, thanks!)

Celestial Dreams

Thanks to all of you who read

my musings and write me personally

or leave comments, I don't always get the chance to say it but

THANK YOU!

I've been playing with more Slide Mailers (hey, no groans! its been fun for me to see something old with new eyes thus new ideas!) and I used one of my alcohol ink backgrounds (from the slide show to the right) to use for the background of this piece.

(click the picture to enlarge)

Supplies Used

• Microscope Slide Mailer
• Brass Frame
• Moon Charm
• Wand Charm
• Glass Bottle
• Crystal Lacquer
• Collage Image(People of Interest Sheet)
• Deli Paper
• PYMII
• Micro Beads
• Gold Star Beads
• Shallow Lid
• Background
• Black Gesso or Flat Black Paint
• Pop Dots

*I used a shallow cigar box lid that I painted with gesso to adhere the background and then the slide mailer. I used deli paper to cover the inside which is awesome it conforms to the shape inside really well! The image is raised up in the niche of the slide mailer with small pop dots.

In with the old...

I'm on a mission to use products that have been forgotten about and thanks to my good friend Christy who inspired me to dig out my alcohol inks and play! Btw, I'm still using the packs of 4x6 glossy photo paper that came with the printer ink I bought-at least I've found a great use for them they're the perfect post card size or snip off 2 inches and you have a 4x4 page.

Samples can be seen in the slideshow to the right--->

Here's a quick and addictive way to make some awesome backgrounds! I began by dropping 3 to 4 ink colors on the glossy photo paper and then I laid down another piece of the glossy paper on top, I then smooshed them together and pulled them apart and that's it! Next I stamped with black Staz-on Ink and or Krylon's gold leafing pen (I pump out some of the leafing pen paint on a piece of acetate and then slide it across the stamp quickly and stamp.

Here's one of my finished pieces using an alcohol ink background:

**Don't forget to include your email if you leave a comment so I can email you back**

Here's a couple of pieces I just finished up...the first is a necklace vessel I made from a
small perfume bottle copper wire and beads:

Glass Bottle Vessel Necklace

Next I decided to play with a Microscope Slidemailer (slidemailers are made from heavy cardboard and used to mail microscope slide samples in). It's been awhile since I've played with any slidemailers--So often we get caught up in trying the newest things that are out or popular that we forget about the old and I have always enjoyed creating using Slidemailers pushing the envelope so to speak with them.

Slidemailer Shrine Necklace:

I used a single slidemailer and first spritz it with Color Mists (talk about a fast way to color them wow!) next I stamped the front and back with Staz On black ink and then used Chalk Inks around the edges and inside. Next I Add the keyhole brad, I then ran black cording down the center across the spine and knotted it at the top and the bottom (I left enough cording at the bottom that I could add two beads and then knot it. I then cut three pieces of ribbon and ran them through the Xyron to use as form of binding to help keep the cording in place (see green ribbon in picture). Inside I cut out some paper for the small niche and added shrine elements using Crystal Lacquer to adhere them as well as adding small beads around the edge.

Support the Arts Get Involved!

Did You Know?
*The arts teach kids to be more tolerant and open.
*The arts allow kids to express themselves creatively.
*The arts promote individuality, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance.
*The arts can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior and truancy while providing an improved attitude towards school.

An impressive 89% of Americans believe that arts education is important enough to be taught in schools, but the sad truth is, your kids spend more time at their lockers than in arts classes. Read the facts on how arts education helps kids do better.
Read the facts on how arts education helps kids do better.

Support the Artist Deduction Bill
Attention all US artists:
Did you know that if you donate an artwork to a charity (auction, museum, whatever), you (the artist) are only allowed to deduct the cost of your materials? If a collector donates, he or she can deduct the entire fair market value. What's fair about that?
Well, savvy members of Congress are trying (yet again!) to get you the deduction you deserve.
Call or write your Senator and urge him or her to support support S. 372.Since there is also a house version, call or write your Congressperson to support H.R. 1120.Americans for the Arts have an easy way of helping you through the process.

Read the FAQs on this

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/bills/?bill=8329996

I've been working on the backgrounds for some 4x4 pages for a bird themed chunky book swap I'm in. Here's a picture of some of them...I first used Punchinella for a stencil with Colorbox Cat's eye chalk inks then I used Krylon's spray webbing both white and silver:

(click the pictures to enlarge them)

Here's an ATC I created for a Lottery I'm participating in...one person's name gets drawn and everyone sends the winner their piece they submitted.

I cut up a greeting card to use as the background and added elements from the card using pop dots to make them 3D and then added the two girls from my Sisters Collage sheet. I also added some 3D Crystal Lacquer to the flowers and some fine glitter to give it dimension.

Have you ever...

...wished you had left well enough alone?

Yep, I see your heads shaking out there in cyberland! Well I had one of those moments yesterday and yes I could pretend it didn't happen, but I wanted to share this with you all because I know that I'm not the only one that has had this happen. It also goes along with a post I made on a list this morning where I was saying that so often we view other artist's work (especially when your a tender new artist) and you compare your art with theirs and it leaves you thinking your art isn't good enough! Try not to compare your art, we are all on different art journeys which means we are also at different art levels. Art is in the eye of the beholder and what may appeal to one person may not to another that doesn't make it any less art. Also, keep in mind that most times we only see the "WOW" pieces that an artist will post and that leaves us with the impression that each and every piece is a "WOW" piece when in actuality they are not or it could be that others think it is but for you as the artist it didn't reach the vision you had or the expectations you wanted to achieve....We tend to want each piece to be a "WOW" piece. Try focusing more on the creative process (read my friend Joanne Huffman's thoughts on this and her beautiful art!) and less on the out come and enjoy the creative journey your art takes you on and learn from and enjoy the experience!

Okay I've stalled long enough here's what happened...

My challenge piece I posted previously I wished I hadn't messed with...yep I made a mess (don't worry Patty I have other choices for you!) I went to seal it and decided to use gel medium to give the piece a bit more substance so I grabbed the gel medium but should have just used the spray sealer so it didn't get so wet because it buckled in some areas and accentuated some seams...well in my eagerness to fix it I then used a heavy glaze spray thinking that would cover it up well it didn't...so then I thought well I'll use some crackle glaze that will hide it, NOT! it was too thick and it made the piece very opaque and now you can't see the words I even used! Will I leave well enough alone another time? Of course not *chuckles* because many times some of the best happy accidents come from one of those moments that we might never have discovered, this just happened not to be one of those moments *sheepish grin* I certainly did learn from the process and my hope is that my experience will help others see that your not alone. It happens to us all at one time or another and its okay!
Boy do I feel naked now :::grabs her clothes and puts them back on::::

Okay I was asked to post my mishap so here it is

(scroll down further to see the before piece)

Okay now go

make some

art &

let me know

your thoughts

on this :-)

And the winner is . . .

Patty Miller!!!

Congratulations!!

Thank you everyone that posted and took

the time to check out my challenge!

Check back for my next drawing-!

Challenge

This is another piece I created using glossy photo paper which I am loving! I have two huge stacks of it that came free with some ink and I don't print out individual pictures so I'm happy to have found a great use for it. It's the perfect postcard size and takes the Color Mists well!

So This morning I created this by only using things I had out on my work space I'm not overly thrilled with it but figure its not bad for 10 mins work. I think I would have been more happy if I used other wording that I wanted to use but I was staying with my challenge of only using what I had in front of me. The background was created with a light mist of Tahoe Turquoise Color Mists and the Punchinella used as a stencil. Then I stamped with Gesso (hey it was on my work area) and then I added the images that were there from something else I was going to use them for but changed my mind on. I also used the new chalk inks on the edges. This piece took me about 10 mins to make just from bits and pieces.

My challenge to you is to try using just what's in front of you on your work surface and see what you come up with.

Leave a comment and your email (you must leave your email) and I'll enter you in a drawing for this piece and send it to you.

Pretty Treasures!

I had a chance to play for a bit today and created a piece using Color Mists, glossy photo paper, the new color box chalk inks and some mega size Punchinella (which is plastic ribbon that is left over after sequins are punched out, often referred to as "sequin waste.") sent by a friend (thanks Fran!).

First I sprayed Lemon Head on the paper until thoroughly coated then misted with the following colors: Bordeaux Blush, 22 Karat Gold and Margarita Magenta and let it thoroughly coat the paper then tipped and tilted it allowing it to run and drip. Then I dried it with the heat gun allowing the Color Mists to bubble a bit (from the metallic gold). Once it was dry I laid down the punchinella and misted again with the Color Mists then I picked up the punchinella and dried it again with the heat gun. After I stamped the bug image using the chalk inks and then used the punchinella as a stencil with the chalk inks then added the inked letters and finished it with a coat of PYMII which I love because its not only non toxic, it dries quickly and leaves the same texture as it started with.

Vintage Soda Pop

Bottle Caps are Baaaack!

I just love vintage bottle caps they have such great colors not like the ones today. I have a mixture of both plastic lined and cork lined that are great to make unique jewelry and use as embellishments or just collect and play with them like I like to do LOL! If your wanting pairs you need to email me and let me know otherwise they come randomly selected.

You can get them here:
http://www.outsidethemargins.com/metals.html

I get by with a little help from my friends...

I finished this piece today for a friend.

What would you do without your friend or friends?

It's Good to be Queen!

Yep I've been playing again with the newest version of Paint Shop Pro and loving it! I like it as well as my Adobe Photoshop. You can't beat the price and its a user friendly program.

Coolio Swap!

I recently participated in a charm swap with a group I belong to called the Altered Divas. The swap was one of the best swaps I've participated in! Big thanks goes out to Angela Hoffmann list mom and swap hostess extraordinaire and to all the Divas who participated!

I tried to scan the bracelet which really doesn't do it justice I'll try again on a less busy background and perhaps that will help. I posted my charms awhile back made from a ruler and PMC charms I created:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoOjgSkvBDtrjqE2u1REYRb26iK4HbMc2eKVWSShO0leNo0zHD6z3GNZn_F3TxH_jBtO1xoxvawvfTvFn5Bm6JI42P6-Jmc8GCU6OrivWM1A3Ewq6irpYJX55nU2L3Q6B2dmH2Q/s1600-h/charms2.jpg

I rescanned as promised so hopefully this makes it a bit easier to see the charms...

(click the image to enlarge)

Meet Froggy!

Yep, I've changed my name to Froggy! seems I've come down with a case of laryngitis and now sound and feel like I swallowed a frog "ribbit!"

Click the link below to check out this weeks project:

Designer Tiles

http://www.outsidethemargins.com/designertiles.html