Simple Journeys

Criss-cross, applesauce

2012-01-29T15:25:00.000-06:00

Traveling across Arkansas this weekend, we were amazed at the outrageous amount of contrails in the sky!

For most of the afternoon the sky remained full of the fluffy white streaks.

And I could NOT stop taking pictures.

All this aerial condensation photography obsession certainly made the trip go faster.

Have you ever seen so many contrails at one time?

Edible art

2012-01-20T21:23:00.003-06:00

Here is an art form you can really sink your teeth into. (Did I really say that--how lame!)

I found it on this new blog called

Low-Committment Projects.

The Georgia O'-Keeffe sandwich

I'll be checking back in with this blog, because this sounds like just the medium I need to be investigating these days-low commitment.

My art projects have been pretty few and far between lately.

Now run along and see the rest of the art sandwiches. Hover over each image to see which artist it represents

Then come back and tell me if they made you hungry too!

Do you prefer mustard or mayo? both? neither?

Full circle and around again

2012-01-19T19:54:00.000-06:00

First there was black and white, then there was color.

We all loved the color.

Then it became fashionable and artistic to go back to black and white.

I ran across this artist that starts back at the original black and white photos

and colorizes them in a very natural and believable way.

Ironic, isn't it? We have color, but glamorize b&w.

Back then, they would have loved to have color.

I guess what we have now that they didn't then is variety.

I like that.

Visit the links below to see more iconic photos

{source}

via

Closing down the open house

2012-01-09T21:03:00.000-06:00

Since I started it, I should finish it..before it gets any more stale.

Rather than prolonging it into two posts, I'm lumping the whole thing into one.

With the exception of the bathrooms, laundry room and utility room, I present

the conclusion of Open House 2012:

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

BREAKFAST NOOK

KITCHEN

KID'S ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

CRAFT ROOM

UPSTAIRS DEN

I hope you enjoyed 'touring' our home as much we I enjoyed sharing it with you.

I used BigHugeLabs to make the mosaics.

2012-01-05T10:03:00.004-06:00

Welcome to our home:

Open House

1-1-2012

FRONT FOYER

Snowman collection is displayed here.

GUEST ROOM

DEN

For you eagle eyes:
A close-up of the strange board on the piano that we displayed during open house. This is section of wall we saved from a renovation. Why? you are asking? It was signed by the electricians and dated July 20, 1911.

Each room contains pieces belonged to, and/or was made by parents, grandparents and great grandparents. This is really the hallmark of our home. I made a card for each room listing these items and their origin, placing it on a small easel on a bed, bench or table.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the tour. There will be more to follow.

Happy 100

2012-01-03T20:59:00.006-06:00

In the fall of 1996, we were blessed to be able to purchase our current home.

2011 marked its 100th year.

circa 1911

2011

Structurally sound, it was a blank slate that had been sitting idle for a couple of years. We will always fondly remember the vine growing in through the back door. We giddily moved in with an eclectic collection of semi-modern furniture that had filled our previous house, now sprinkled throughout this cavernous beauty like an incomplete set of building blocks.

Throughout the years we have done some remodeling, some restoring, some collecting of antiques, and best of all: gathering of heirlooms. Every room, graced with precious pieces that once belonged to parents, grandparents and great grandparents, is furnished with a comfortable mixture of the old and new.

While our home has been the gathering place of many family, social, and church events, these are usually confined to the downstairs, the more public areas of the house, if you will. But on this, the 100th anniversary of the house, we threw privacy to the wind and had an Open House on New Year's Day, to celebrate the grand ol' girl, share her with friends and neighbors, and satisfy some curiosity. Countless times we have had remarked to us: "I would love to see your house sometime."

Preparations began the day after Thanksgiving--a now or never type decision: the official 100th year was drawing to a close. Christmastime would be a good time, with the ol' girl all dressed up in her holiday finery. We made a list of back-burnered projects and over-looked eyesores (when you start looking around your house with the fresh eyes of visitors, you see things very differently) and set to work. For a while, the list grew; even as some things got checked off, more were added. Finally, we began to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

This past Sunday, January 1, we opened our home to family, friends, and neighbors. It was a wonderful day.

While I work on a photo collage to post, (now that I'm not cleaning every.spare.minute) you can read more about the deliciousness we served our guests (and snag the recipes!) here. My very own generous and gifted daughter 'catered' the affair! Never mind all the historical mish-mash: these cookies were all the rage!!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T10:52:00.000-06:00

The Promise of Christmas is eternal life.

{source}

Have you accepted His gift?

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

All in a row

2011-11-28T20:38:00.003-06:00

Have you seen this site:

Things Organized Neatly

For the obsessive-compulsive among you, it will be

quite pleasing.

Some of you may find it disturbing.

The photographer in me found it very appealing.

I had to give it a try.

How do you feel about it?

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:08:00.000-06:00

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

My feet are on the ground.....

2011-11-21T22:12:00.002-06:00

...back in Northeast Texas...

.......but for the next day or so,

my mind, and a little bit of my heart

will still be in Nicaragua.....

...but it's always good to be home......

Windows with a view!

2011-11-10T18:30:00.000-06:00

View from my window

View from my window, Part 2

What a view!

We are enjoying the beauty and culture that is Nicaragua!

Fall fun

2011-11-02T16:23:00.000-05:00

Antiquing

2011-10-31T10:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day!

Bobby and I got out to enjoy it at a nearby antique fair.

We used to do this sort of thing more often, but then we ran out of room for new (old) pieces we spared ourselves the temptation.

While strolling through the aisles, I asked a few vendors if I could photograph some of their pretty vignettes.

They were always gracious and said "Sure!"

Tiny oil lamp - only 4 inches tall

In the swing

2011-10-24T15:39:00.001-05:00

I am a pendulum.

The last post contained photos practically SOOC.

Swinging back the other way, the following shots

are processed a bit over the top.

As a rule, I'm not a fan of over-processing.

But these are just for fun, to see how far I would go.

I think I can take it up a notch.

What do you think?

Random Fall

2011-10-22T17:03:00.002-05:00

Beware: This post is photographically loaded.

These are barely edited shots that I took on a walk around the porch and yard this gorgeous autumn afternoon.

Just some things that caught my eye, things you might or might not notice should you make the same walk.

Snippets that are so very familiar to me, captured by my lens.

Snippets captured by my lens that will be new images to many of you.

It was a perfect afternoon that we enjoyed spending outside.

Blessings of Children

2011-10-16T19:40:00.001-05:00

Thirty-two years ago today, I was a blessed woman holding my first beautiful baby daughter in my arms.

Amy Lynne & Mama

Thirty-two years later, she continues to bless me with my first beautiful granddaughter.

Brooklyn Fayth, Mama, & Mimi

to be continued.........

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Seeing Autumn Reds

2011-10-11T01:13:00.002-05:00

We suffered a long, hot, dry summer here in Northeast Texas. I'm talking something like 65 days of over 100 degree temperatures. Let me expound on that: most days reached as high as 110, some even higher! It was not uncommon to see temperatures in the nineties before nine in the morning and as late as nine o'clock at night.

And no rain.

Hot, dry, dead.

We will not be enjoying much of a traditional

orange, red, and golden autumn.

I went out this morning in search of "red" and was delighted to find these morsels, a smattering of color that survived the scorching drought, making these photos even more of a treat for the eyes.

First Red of Fall

Layer 1 Kim's texture: Fall in multiply @ 70%

Layer 2 Kim's texture: Just stitched overlay @ 79%

Red Berries

Kim's texture: and then some Linear burn @ 80%

Red Berries 2

Kim's texture: Life is good overlay @ 75%

I'm linking up with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesdays.

Jump over and see what RED things everyone else found to photograph.

Feeling Gratitude

2011-10-04T08:14:00.001-05:00

If not for Texture Tuesday, I would not have blogged in the past few weeks.

Thanks to Texture Tuesday, I am having a grand time meeting new bloggers

and enjoying their lovely photographs.

This week's theme is "Gratitude" and 2 of Kim's textures are required.

Here is my contribution:

Layer 1: Kim's "Word" texture, multiply @ 75%

Layer 2: Kim's "Crackerjack texture, soft light @ 100%

Original image, SOOC

{Love} with Texture Tuesday

2011-09-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

This week's theme at Kim's Texture Tuesday is "Love", a wide open topic with room for lots of interpretations. I went with a non-romantic angle, yet stayed with an emotional aspect.

Increased saturation of background layer.

Layer 1: Photo filter adjustment layer (sepia) at 100% opacity

Layer 2: Kim's Canvas Magic texture, linear dodge at 88% opacity

Layer 3: Kim's Crackerjack texture, overlay mode at 83% opacity

We are required to use at least one of Kim's textures, but really?....who can stop with just one?

Original

Textures to share

2011-09-20T07:42:00.003-05:00

Today is Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen Cafe.

I enjoy using Kim's textures, so I thought I would participate.

The textures I used were both new this week:

UggLove:

desaturated, blending mode-soft light, 100% opacity

Thursday:

blending mode-multiply, 45% opacity

Photo before layering the textures

Art, but not mine

2011-09-16T14:49:00.002-05:00

Well, technically it IS mine, since it was sent to me.

But I can't claim it as my own work is what I'm getting at.

There's glitter!!

I received this foxy lady in the mail today

from Nigel's Mom.

She sent it to me to celebrate a little

annual occassion that happens tomorrow.

I love getting pretty things in the mail.

Thanks!

Some randomness

2011-09-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

The picture of innocence.

Don't let it fool you.

I'm just sayin'

And be especially wary of this one:

Need I say more?

His middle name is spelled: T-R-U-H-B-L-E

A little arts and crafts:

Card stock, scalloped scissors, rubber stamps, ink and chalk.

Thank you notes for baby gifts.

Still waiting for Miss B.

2011-09-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

As promised, here is another project we did for Miss B's room.

Naturally, it features butterflies prominently,

but with some other touches as well.

We wanted a shabby chic feel

and this old window frame fit the bill perfectly.

I added some pretty paper dresses on a clothesline, which is

a secondary theme, as you will see here.

This feminine, shabby chic vignette hangs over the

changing table that got a redo here.

Just a couple more projects to wrap up!

2011-08-31T21:21:00.001-05:00

I have about learned to grab the camera and get a "before" shot

before starting a project, but unfortunately I still forget to

keep snapping all the way through. Good thing you have a

good imagination. It will help you later on in this post.

This little table was on its way out. It had already made it to the trash

bin, but not all the way to the curb. The poor little thing was so wobbly

it could hardly stand on it lovely turned legs.

The top was disconnected from the leg and the garish nail holes from a poorly attempted repair were filled with wood putty and sanded.

Now is where you imagine the table top painted white.

Got that? That will help you recognize it later on.

The edges of a pressed wood letter from

Hobby Lobby have been painted pale pink.

The "B" is about to be covered with this gingham paper.

I brushed the letter with Mod Podge then smoothed the paper

over the letter.

After allowing it plenty of time to dry, I used a sharp blade

to trim the paper from the back side of the letter.

The edges will be rough. I simply sanded off the paper remnants

with 220 grit sandpaper.

I attached the "B" to the now-white ~~table top~~ plaque

with hot glue.

By now, your keen sense of deductive reasoning has

probably clued you in on what is happening here.

The "is for" is free-handed in pink marker.

Miss B's name is written with stick on letters.

This sweet name plaque is hanging over Miss B's crib

waiting for her arrival, at which time I will

be a liberty to announce what the "B" stands for.

In the meantime, there are a couple more nursery projects

to share in future posts. I had better get to posting, because

we are down to just a couple of weeks....or less!

There will be a full nursery tour at Miss B's mama's blog

that I will link to in a future post.

Recipe for success

2011-08-25T21:10:00.000-05:00

Take one solid wood desk, well used.

Sand remains of stickers and a few screwdriver

marks off the top surface.

Paint in the carport on the first below 100 degree day

you have in 6 weeks.

Freshen hardware with

brushed nickel spray paint.

Move into newly painted pink nursery.

We are now minus 30 days and counting on

Operation Granddaughter!

This one's for you, D.

2011-08-17T15:23:00.002-05:00

After lunch yesterday my friend and I had just a few minutes

to hit a local thrift store that helps victims of domestic abuse

where we found this beauty:

I whacked off the big ol' elastic band, took up the sides,

narrowed the sleeves and made them three-quarter.

It's made of a soft lightweight silky fabric.

Just right for a little jacket to throw on when

she's working in the super cool AC at the library.

I see more lunch hour thrifting in our future.

Baby butterflies

2011-08-14T16:23:00.002-05:00

Technically, not baby butterflies, but butterflies for the baby.

You may or may not have heard that we are soon to be

blessed with a granddaughter!

After three wonderful, delightful and adorable grandsons,

we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a

little bundle of pinkness, bows and lace.

I helped Amy with some nursery preparations this weekend.

She is embracing the butterfly portion of her online persona.

To that end, I have been collecting a wildly colored

assortment of butterflies.

The motley crew

After a few coats of Krylon's Watermelon pink.....

Pretty delicate butterflies to decorate the nursery.

Even with natural light, I could not get the color right.

For the true shade, refer to the product image above.

There are more projects I am excited to reveal

as we continue our decorating.

You never know

2011-08-12T12:38:00.002-05:00

I'm considering renaming my blog to something more descriptive of what you find here. These are the possibilities:

A Box of Chocolates

(because in the words of Forest Gump, you never know what you're going to get.)

Monkey See, Monkey Do

(because I just bounce around blogland copying what I see and like.)

As of late, I have been enjoying such blogs as

ReFahionista

and

Brand New Vintage

and

Ali Foster Patterns

There are tons of them out there--just Google 'refashion'

What these gals do with ugly thrift store clothing is amazing.

You know what's coming, don't you?

Monkey went to the thrift store and tried her hand at it.

Before: a rather tired peasant blouse

What I did to it, in a nutshell

Add a casing and elastic across the top--Viola!

Shirt to skirt!!

Coaching the photographer

I have to wonder if these refashioning gals have as much trouble or hear as much grumbling from their photographers as I did. ;) Something tells me they do. (Thanks, hon!)

Clever collage

2011-08-04T20:39:00.001-05:00

Can you decipher what is depicted in the collage above?

Once you get the 'what', you will never guess the 'how' it was made.

I found this incredible art by Jenny O'dell

via Design Sponge.

You must go there and marvel at her other amazing collages.

Then come back and tell me your favorites. I've picked mine.

Little treasures

2011-08-01T13:41:00.000-05:00

I've been treasure hunting. Here are a couple of things I found.

Big chunky bowl

Ceramic? Hand painted? I don't know. I just liked it.

Huge metal tray, green on the inside, turquoise on the outside

I rather like them together.

There are lots more treasures to share.

Some will involve 'before & after" so it may be a bit before I get them posted.

Fences make good neighbors and good photos!

2011-07-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

Here is another photo editing project that could be called a tutorial this time!

SOOC:

Background layer, enhanced:

Layer 2: Background copy: sepia tint photo effects filter at 75%

Layer 3: Pixel Dust Vintage Blue texture: Hard light filter at 85% opacity

Layer 4: Pixel Dust French Toast texture, Soft Light filter at 75% opacity

Layer 5: Pixel Dust Notes to Myself texture, reversed,

Hard light filter at 85% opacity, partially erased at 80% opacity

Final photo:

Version 2: without sepia tint:

If you edit a photo using my 'recipe', I would love to see it!

The key is color

2011-07-26T21:00:00.001-05:00

I consider myself a practical efficient type person. I don't like fumbling for a key, having to visually inspect it to know which one to grab. (Or would that just be impatient?) Anyway, my big ring of keys to my whole kingdom has the priority ones marked with some blobs of nail polish. How tacky is that? Efficient, yes. Artistic, no.

So when I recently downsized to an everyday key ring, I was still fumbling for the right key even though there were only 2. But rather than resort to the old nail polish method, I did a little cutting and pasting. And of course, some blinging. I've been carrying these for over a week now and they are holding up well so far.

I am also a color-coding fool.

Just a glance is all it takes

I cut bits of scrapbook paper for both sides of each key, glued the paper on with Mod-Podge then covered it with a thick protective coat and attached the jewels.

Yes, I know they sell little gadgets for this purpose, but what fun is that?

Digital goodness

2011-07-23T23:45:00.002-05:00

Continuing in my endeavor to capture beauty in the ordinary through the lens of my camera,

I used my own photographs to create this digital art.

Original background photo taken by me

Photo taken by me

I combined my own images with these from The Graphics Fairy.

Graphics Fairy

Textures are wonderful applications that
I am still learning about.
There are so many variables with filtering
styles and opacity settings.
In hindsight, I realize I should have made note
of the styles and values I used to make this
into more of a tutorial than a show & tell.
I use PSE5 to do my creating--a dinosaur, I know,
but I like it and it fits my comfort level.
Why fix it if it's not broken, right?

All the textures I used in this creation were free downloads from a site I just found, but will be visiting often: Pixel Dust Photo Art.

Textures source: Pixel Dust Photo Art

The last layer I added to my art was this grunge border,
but I erased a good portion of the middle,
using just the detail around the edges.

Source

Can you see all the elements in the finished product?

The effect of some of the textures is so subtle it is obvious
only when subtracted from the picture and added back,
but lends just the right touch to the overall scheme.
It is the sum of the parts that is a magical thing.

Changing time, just because I can

2011-07-21T18:43:00.003-05:00

Kristin's run-of-the-mill, off-the-shelf clock,

cute, but suddenly clashed when she moved:

Customized to match her new decor:

Easy Peasy

1. Deconstruct clock

2. Paint the frame

3. Seal with Mod-Podge

4. Cut paper for the face

5. Attach numbers

6. Reconstruct clock

Viola!

Camp Craft

2011-07-16T18:15:00.003-05:00

It has been so stinkin' hot around here! We're talking 100 to 105 degrees every day! For two weeks and counting! And because we blame everything on the heat here in Texas, that is why I'm just now getting around to photographing the gluebook pages I did on our little camping retreat. Hey, it's as good a reason as any.

For the purpose of full disclosure, I also took these pictures in the dim coolness of my den......with a flash! *Gasp!* I did for a fact prop the book on the foot rest of my recliner and snap away, with only a whisper of natural light. So just embrace the flash (it sort of enhanced a couple of the layouts in a neat way) and enjoy the pages.

I was cranking out the pages last weekend, so I'll have more to share later...flash glow and all.

Camping diary

2011-07-09T13:19:00.004-05:00

What camping means to me: a bloggity essay

Where did the time go? What did I do to fill the day? These are questions I ask myself after spending time away in the RV. The days go lazily by with no schedule to fill, no tasks to complete, propelled only by the need to eat or sleep. I don't know how long I could endure such a peaceful existence for I've never enjoyed it long enough for it to become boring.

On this morning I woke up slowly, rested and content, nestled in with Roxy and Benni (Bobby was already out fishing) I made a pot of coffee and had a bowl of blueberry frosted wheat cereal. A sparkling view of the lake surrounded me from left to right, a gentle breeze lightly disturbing the surface of the water. I shared bites of cereal with Roxy. Although I would never allow it at home, Benni joined me on the table to look out the window as I ate. I finished the cereal and gave her the milk.

After breakfast, I opened my computer to edit a few pictures of last night's sunset.

The beauty of nature captured by my lens reminded me of scripture and prompted me to read my Bible. I sought out the verse in Psalm 1 about the tree planted by the water, then continued to read in Proverbs about wisdom, all the while sitting in my chair sipping coffee, enjoying the lake nearby and watching the squirrels and birds outside the window.

Scurrying scratching noises overhead told me the squirrels had moved their playground to the trailer. I imagined them romping along the length of the roof like I had seen them doing on the ground earlier.

There were strawberries in the refrigerator. The thought of them tempted me. I remembered there was also vanilla yogurt. The combination was too much to resist. But before I sunk my teeth into them, I staged some photos; the natural light at the table along with the bright red berries on the blue and white plate was another irrestible combination.

As I washed the half dozen dirty dishes and the handful of silverware, I marveled in the simplicity of less. That is one of the inherant beauties of camping to me--less of everything. So few dishes, so few belongings, so few activities. Makes me pause to consider how much easier real life would be without so many things.

With the kitchen and bedroom restored to order, it seemed a good time to get dressed.
Roxy and I took a walk outside while there was still a little breeze and the thermometer was hovering at 90.

Then I settled down at the table again, this time with my glue book, another thing so resplendent in its simplicity. As I worked, my mind was seranaded with soothing piano music from the CD "Wishes".

One of the pages I was working on featured a replica of sheet music called Roses of Picardy. I had no idea what it sounded like, but I imagined it to be the song playing on the CD. In a turn of serendipity, when Bobby returned from a quick trip to town, he brought me a bouquet of apricot roses, surely Roses of Picardy.

A knock at the door brought visitors from home--my parents were in town and drove out to the lake to surprise us! We enjoyed a nice visit, simple lunch, and too soon said goodbye.

Bobby read and I made more gluebook pages until our eyelids grew heavy. We retreated to the dark cool cavern of the bedroom, lined up across the bed: dog, human, cat, human, bathed in the soothing piano on the CD "A Peaceful Soak". Before long I was immersed in peaceful sleep.

I was hardly awake good when my FIL called from across the campground with an invitation for supper at a catfish/shrimp buffet just up the way. We freshened up and headed out. I dined on fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, and shrimp cocktail. Cap'n Dan and Forrest would have been proud. All that was topped with some fresh fruit and just a smidge of soft serve ice cream.

Taken with my not-so-smart phone

We returned to camp feeling full and lazy. Roxy and I took an evening walk around the cove while the men-folk visited. The sunset was not as spectacular as last night, but it must have been a little cooler as there were some boaters out tonight.

Our evening concluded listening to a Ranger baseball game on the radio, edtiting the day's pictures and reading our books.

I'm ready to do it all over again tomorrow and see what serendipitous surprising events get sprinkled into the day.

This is how I "rough it."

Walking home.....

2011-07-03T16:05:00.004-05:00

.....and what I saw along the way.

We walked up to my folks' house last night for a little family event. I had my camera with me. These are some images I captured on the way home.

The neighborhood is decked out for the 4th.

My photoshop attempt at vintage analog,
(the Hipstamatic App, et al)

Muted with textures and edits.

I so admire photographs taken by some of you of ordinary things that you see every day, but shown to us in a creative artistic way. I have been known to grumble inwardly that I don't have anything interesting/pretty/artistic to photograph, but then I realize the photos I enjoy most are of things that are common to the photographer, just brought to new life by the camera lens and editing software.

This is a house that I have passed so many times it is invisible to me. But on this night I was looking with photographer's eye and was pleasantly surprised.

Which makes me wonder: what else is there that I'm not seeing?

That sounds to me like a challenge to myself. I'll use this blog as accountability and show you what I discover!

Come together

2011-06-30T09:45:00.004-05:00

There has been a project waiting in the wings at our house for several months now.

We have a little dinette set that has been around for a few years.

Even though a couple of the chairs are no longer with us, I was reluctant to part with the sweet little table and remaining chairs.

The wonderful world of blogging opened up the beauty of painted furniture. After getting my feet wet with a few miscellaneous pieces, I picked out my next project: the dwindling dinette set.

All this could not have been accomplished without a lot of hard work by my husband. Thanks, Bobby!

I mentioned there was more to come about these chairs in my last post.

They collected with a purpose.

A motley crew

Chairs in waiting

The lineup

A "matched" set

Mission accomplished

Have a seat

2011-06-27T22:28:00.002-05:00

There is something about chairs that appeal to me.

Big ones, little ones, and especially old ones.

My grandmother's rocker c.1940

My baby rocker c. 1979

Even if they aren't mine.

A make-over for the library

A make-over for Kristin

They even frequently find their way into my art.

A page from my House book

Here is a sample of the many minis I've collected along the way:

And here are some life-size ones I've been collecting:

These were gathered for a special purpose:

From field to freezer

2011-06-11T20:43:00.001-05:00

We spent some time in our country garden this morning.

Some of the rich bounty:

Fresh from the sunshine just a few hours earlier,
now ready for the freezer.

"When you have eaten and you are full,

then you shall bless the Lord your God

for the good land which he has given you."

Deuteronomy 8:10

Be our guest

2011-06-08T19:30:00.002-05:00

Many moons ago, someone gave this old desk chair to the library.

It has been shuffled around from one random place to another,

never having a spot of its own.

Recently, we have been creating cozy little seating niches.

We found a perfect spot for this chair, but it seemed to disappear into

the oak shelves it sat against.

Since it's finish wasn't in that good a condition,

I decided to give it a white wash.

A little pillow makes it cozy.

More scrapping

2011-06-07T19:45:00.001-05:00

If you do much browsing of the craft blogs,

you have probably seen these clothespins.

Just a little scrap of paper

and a little swipe of Mod Podge.....

...turns the lowly clothespin into a cutie-patootie.

Quick and simple projects are all I've been able

to complete these days.

I've got a few things started and some ideas

yet to take shape. I'll be sharing those soon.

In which I'm not talking baseball

2011-06-06T21:09:00.000-05:00

Little scraps

of scrapbook paper

to make a

mini bunting.

So colorful......

So happy.....

So festive.......

I think it looks nice reflected in a mirror.

Where would you hang a mini bunting?

Doodling

2011-05-30T10:19:00.001-05:00

Just some mindless doodling.

I am so afraid of anything that comes off the end of my pencils.

But I just let go and messed around with them.

Now I'm posting them up here, because I'm

sure the world wants to know.

Gotta go, some sarcasm just dripped on my keyboard.

If the shoe (doesn't) fit......

2011-05-19T10:44:00.001-05:00

Why, yes. It is a shoe. An old black one from the thrift store.

Why, yes. I did alter it.

Well, no, it was not my original idea. I saw it online.

I may, or may not, do the other one.

But I had to try it at least once.

What do you think?

From drab to fab

2011-05-15T21:06:00.004-05:00

We enjoyed the weekend with Kristin and Matt at their home in Arkansas.

We had planned on some painting projects and the weather

cooperated beautifully!

We took a sweet little table that had seen a few college years tossed to and fro from this:

to this:

Drab:

to FAB!

Then there was the matter of these chairs, which were the color of dirty dijon:

But no more!

Ta-da! A cozy eating nook:

Added bonus: they have gorgeous hydrangeas in their yard!

We're all family here

2011-05-08T19:58:00.001-05:00

Amy and I got together at my house for some crafting this weekend.

Some of it involved a glue gun--a very hot one. 'Nuff said.

Our project also involved my sewing machine.

As Amy sits down at it and gives it a once-over,comparing the

similarities and difference of our machines,

she ponders out loud:

"I think our machines might be cousins."

To which I reply:

"No, they're Brothers!"

(hee hee)

In other news.....

Due to copious amounts of these ice-rocks

falling from the sky at 100 mph............

.............I am now driving something different.

I only mention this because it was pointed out to me

that my online persona and my vehicle

have something in common.

Ahh, serendipity.

I had no idea. Pretty cool, huh?

Moving on

2011-05-06T09:58:00.000-05:00

The time, the time.....what happens to the time!?

For one thing, it is moving incredibly fast.

For another, I am not a good manager of it.

But I did manage to crank out another little diggie.

It helps calm the creative jitters. ;)

Images source

Art nouveau de digital

2011-05-04T22:34:00.000-05:00

graphics: The Graphics Fairy

texture: last door down the hall

So you can sleep tonight

2011-04-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

I know the wonder and curiosity have been keeping you up at night. So without further delay, I will reveal what I intentionally incorporated into each page of my house book, as promised in my last post.

My home represents Life and Light, both in the literal sense and the spiritual sense. In my house book, I included a light source and a living thing on each page to convey that warmth and love. Quite serendipitously, each page but the last 2 also have a chair. To me that denotes comfort.

I loved your interpretations, as always. I may even do another similar book and use actual elements from my own home as Linda guessed in the comments. Great idea!

Here's a little somethin-somethin for eye candy, because an art blog without pictures is like a sundae without the cherry. A taco without the cheese. Bacon without the eggs. Salt without pepper. (Can you tell it's lunchtime around here?)

A gluebook page

I'm off to make a sandwich....or a taco....or some eggs......

Making at midnight

2011-04-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

This post will be full of pictures and a story too! How exciting is that? Settle back and enjoy.

Some months ago I had a vision for a multi-part project and set out to create it. I worked on it for a while--off and on--then it got put on the back burner. Actually, it got tucked away in a folder. I kind of forgot about it. Fast forward to Friday night when I popped wide awake and couldn't sleep.

Like a mouse, I crept into my art room, so as not to wake the husband, and started rummaging around for something to work on. Well, whadadya know...I stumbled upon the forgotten folder. It was like seeing an old friend.

I pull out the pieces and take inventory of where I was in the process. Time flew. An hour or so later I went back to sleep with a finished project on my table.

Welcome to my house book.

Four house-shaped templates

Attached with rings

Back view

Come on up on the porch. I'll take you through room by room.

The front door

The foyer

The library

A cozy nook

Family room

Dining room

Kitchen

Back porch

As we went through the house did you catch some subtleties I nestled into the decor? My eagle-eye real-life observer (Amy) spotted them. I'm sure my eagle-eye followers did too!

To give you another chance with that, and to give you a sense flipping through the book, here is one more set of pictures:

Front (R) and Back (L) pages

Pages 2 & 3

Pages 4 & 5

Pages 6 & 7

Ok, so how did you do?

Tell me in the comments.

I love your interpretations.

You will have to come back to see if you found what I incorporated.

Answers will be in the next post. :)

In which there are no golden arches....

2011-04-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

Having fun with the background and a spray bottle made me happy.

Bunting made with paper scraps.

Just to give you another insight on how my mind breaks out in random song.

You only have to listen to the first 20 seconds to get the connection.

Wasn't that fun?

Watch for a photo-packed post coming soon..........

Friends

2011-04-15T10:29:00.001-05:00

As I was working on this page, a song I had not thought about in years popped into my head.

I had to hear it. And I have to share it with you.

Wow, does this take me back!

In yellow

2011-04-14T10:21:00.003-05:00

I have come to appreciate the simplicity of a gluebook.
Now that I've been working in one for a while,
I have assembled a small tray of clippings that I can
work from while watching TV in the evenings.

A gluebook fills the creative urge without having to
have a lot of supplies: just a gluestick, scissors,
clippings and a book.

I like having different media for different moods, situations and needs.

The Beauty of Age

2011-04-10T20:28:00.001-05:00

This layout just fell into place and was so much fun to do.

The background is from an old Harlequin romance paperback.

The color was perfect! I did nothing to it.

You can't create aged paper like that.

It just takes time.

That is the same truth that applies to the natural

beauty of age--be it paper, heirlooms or people.

Age is a wonderful thing.

A true blessing.

Embrace it.

Here comes the color!

2011-04-09T18:40:00.001-05:00

Inspiration can come from anywhere--anything.

These neon labels had found their way to my art table.

Why not?

After rummaging around in the paint box

and gathering some random words:

Feels good to be in the paint and glue again.

And of course, a bit o' pink!

Family

2011-04-06T12:43:00.003-05:00

By choice, my blog does not contain a lot of personal information. Yet I feel it would be somewhat remiss to jump back into blogging-as-usual without acknowledging the reason for my absence. After a long illness, my mother-in-law went home to be with the Lord last week. Her care has been at the forefront of our attention and energies.
All is well. God is good.

Painting Fever

2011-03-26T15:03:00.003-05:00

I have it.

I caught it from all the paint fumes.

Because I have been doing a lot of it!

Not this kind:

This kind:

And this is what I have been painting:

a bathroom door and facings (both sides)

a claw-footed tub (on the outside)

risers (22 of them!) and moldings on the staircase

door and facings to the laundry room

Our house turns 100 this year.

We have lived here for 16 years this fall.

To keep things simpler, all our doors, facings, and moldings are white--the same white.

I once counted all the doors, but I forgot how many there were.

I'd be embarrassed to say.

But every now and then, one of them gets a touch up,

because there is always ~~one--~~ ~~four--~~ plenty that needs it.

March Trees

2011-03-21T10:14:00.003-05:00

All you regular peeps know how I love trees,

especially the blooming kind.

You might even remember a page I did about them.

So yesterday I pointed my camera at these

lovlies in my mama's backyard.

Then last night I had some fun playing with

textures in Photoshop.

You can vote for the one you like best if you want.

There's no prize or anything, but you can still pick your fav.

#7
(Which one of these is not like the others?)

Original photo, SOOC

If I had to name one my favorite, it would be #2,

followed closely by #6

I like them all simply for the variations from one to the next

just by tweaking them in photoshop.

Reminds me of eating potato chips--I can't stop with just one!

Aiming for the moon

2011-03-20T09:30:00.001-05:00

Last night was the night of the supermoon!

It was a beautiful evening to be out on my upstairs balcony,

trying out my less than stellar camera skillz.

Just beginning to rise through the trees

Encased in clouds

Shining brightly

Super-exposure

This is one of those 'mistakes' that turned out pretty neat.

The 30 second exposure captured the clouds as they

drifted across the moon.

Mediocre photos aside, the balcony, the moon and cool night air made for an evening well spent.

Forget-me-nots and Jasmine

2011-03-19T12:12:00.004-05:00

Still inspired from my Artful Pages class, I spent some time

in my gluebook this morning.

By it being a gluebook, all I need on hand

is paper, scissors and glue.

Last week I did backgrounds on several pages

while I was watching TV.

Having backgrounds prepared comes in handy

when inspiration strikes.

A page can come together pretty quickly and

satisfy the creative urge when I

really should be doing something else.

The forget me not flower has accumulated a good deal of legend over time. One of the best known legends is of how it got its distinctive name. It is said that a medieval knight walked near a riverbank with his beloved. As they walked, he slipped into the water and could not get out because of the weight of his armor. As his love wept and tried to pull him from the water, he handed her a bouquet of small, blue flowers and whispered, “forget me not.”

Source

In China the jasmine flower is considered the ideal emblem for feminine kindness. In other areas these flowers are thought to indicate grace and delicacy, as well as sensuality and cheerfulness. They are thought to attract wealth and romantic attachments.

Source

Spring Bunting

2011-03-06T19:17:00.000-06:00

I ran across this tutorial yesterday and it spoke to me.

As you know, I am a fan of the pennants, or as they are called now: bunting.

The colors are brighter than I normally use.

I think that is another thing that attracted me.

The tutorial was done on stretched canvas.

I didn't have any on hand. Or any canvas boards either.

But what I do have plenty of are old book covers.

The older cloth ones make a perfect substitute for canvas.

Flying.......singing......growing......

Feelin' digity

2011-03-04T09:56:00.002-06:00

Having some fun with some of my old photos.

Pretty picture:

Digitized:

How fun was that?

Just some simple enhancements to change

a photo into 'aahrt'.

Signs of Spring

2011-03-03T20:06:00.001-06:00

While blogger was faithfully auto-posting for me the last couple of days, I had the pleasure of visiting with my daughter and her husband in Arkansas. They have a sweet little place out in the country. The weather was absolutely perfect, so we took advantage of that and spent some time outside soaking up the fresh air and snapping up some early spring beauty.

This is the sweet little barn seen crouching in every shot.

It makes a great back drop AND a great focal point.

This sweet young man went with me.

This sweet little visit was over way too soon.

**Special Good Wishes to my parents, who celebrate their 55th Wedding Anniversary today!**
Love you!

True Glue

2011-03-02T10:05:00.002-06:00

Thanks to a great online class by Mary,

I have become quite fond of working in my spiffy new glue book.

Just because class is over, doesn't mean the gluing is too.

I've only just begun!

I like how this page turned out.

The boats are a good connection piece between the map and the castle.

The lighthouse stamp was a great find in my stash and fits the theme so well.

The funky water bird stamp perfectly matches the other blues in the piece.

All in all, I am pleased with flow and balance of this page.

Glue in Blue

2011-03-01T10:35:00.002-06:00

Continuing with homework from the online class I'm taking.

Still having fun.

Gluebook, page 2:

This week, Hope is giving lessons on journaling.

The first one is about facing the empty page.

Journaling has always been a challenge for me.

Have I got some homework to do!

Let's see what happens.......

To glue or not to glue

2011-02-28T10:40:00.002-06:00

I have long been fascinated with Mary's beautiful gluebooks at Green Paper,

so when I found that she was doing an online class

(with 3 other artists, no less!)

I jumped at the chance to see inside her

creation process and pick up some hints.

I love the simplicity and visual flow of Mary's layouts.

My first gluebook page:

The art that I create in what I loosely refer to as 'altered books' is actually a hybrid of

gluebooks and altered books.

By definition, a gluebook is made with only scissors, glue, photos and ephemera.

An altered book, taken to its full potential, contains a lot more

'altering' than what I usually do these days.

I did a lot more ripping, niching, and pockets in the beginning.

My style has evolved to somewhere in the middle. Along with the graphics, I also incorporate some inking, painting, rubber stamping and some dimensional objects like buttons, ribbons, brads, and such.

It is good to break out of the comfort zone and try new things.

The Artful Pages class is just what I needed!

Sugar sweetie snuggy-wuggums

2011-02-21T19:52:00.002-06:00

Benni

aka "Benni-fer"

aka "Ben-Ben"

"Miss Ben-Ben"

aka "Benjamima"

aka "Benni-boo"

This sweet baby was born in my parent's house, June 1996.

My mother named her and her brothers and sister before they were good and dry.

Barney

Benni

Rudy

Lil

Benni and Rudy came to live with me when they were 8 weeks old. Rudy stuck around until another fluffy yellow feline took up residence and then he moved on. :( Rudy was my golden boy.

But Benni. Benni is my sweetie pie.

One day when she was still a wee kitten, I found her laying lifeless. Limp. Comatose.

I scooped her into a shoebox and drove like a mad woman to the vet with her in my lap.

The vet shot some honey down her throat with a syringe and she roused.

He explained that sometimes kittens just go and go and go until they literally drop.

Once he upped her blood sugar, she was fine. I gave her another dose at home.

Scared the life out of me, and I was nervous for a while after that but it never happened again.

This is a paw that doesn't see a lot of earth or pavement.

This is why.

Miss Benni catching some zzz's in my suitcase o' fabric scraps.

Benni loves to be talked to.

She has the most beautiful expressive eyes.

She can talk with them.

And she can usually always get her way!

Blackbird

2011-02-16T10:31:00.001-06:00

The primary materials used to create this layout:

distressed and stamped brown paper bag for the egg crown

black cardstock for the bird silhouette.

Other details:

Cut out images from The Graphics Fairy.

Borders: magazine scraps

Background:

rubberstamps with colored pencils.

Enjoy the pretty blackbirds in this video.

Random Points, Pennants, and Presents

2011-02-13T20:29:00.003-06:00

A little friend from church was turning seventeen this week and I wanted to make her something. The amazing part of this story is that I:

#1 actually thought of it in advance
#2 actually decided on something and
#3 actually finished it.

I know!!

I'll give you a moment to be impressed with that astonishing news.

And may I interject right here, purely for my own satisfaction, that I did banners before they were cool. Or hot, as the case may be. Back in the day when I was trying to come up with an original idea for an art challenge, I dreamed up a pennant swap (here, here, and here) and looked high and low across the webisphere to find examples to show the participants what I had in mind, and only found a few. Now they are everywhere! Do I think I started them? Ha! Ha! Har! Har!--that's me laughing a preposterous snort--of course not!! I just want to state for the record (my own personal one that no one else cares about) that I did banners when banners weren't cool.

Thank you for indulging me........... I feel so much better with that off my chest........My one and only claim to cutting edge and all......

And you are quite welcome for that song. :)

Moving along...... I had bookmarked this little pretty the other day and used it for inspiration.

I knew I would be working with a pink and black palette. This is what I came up with.

I must say, the gift was well received. My backup plan was to lop off the last three letters and just use it myself, but I could tell right off I wasn't going to get a chance at it! Enjoy, Lisanne!

“….but everybody’s doing it….”

2011-02-05T14:06:00.011-06:00

I’m so unoriginal it hurts. But I do love to imitate a good thing when I see it.

This time it’s subway art, word art, typography art. It’s everywhere!

I had to try my hand at it. Anything done with Photoshop appeals to me.

So I came up with a little valentine ditty, reminiscent of those candy conversation hearts that we've all eaten since our mamas would let us.

If you like it, you are more than welcome to download it for your own use.
Let me know what you do with it, m’kay? I just might want to copy it.

(click to enlarge)

I'm linking to these great parties:

Get Your Craft On

Just Something I Whipped Up

Someday Crafts

Valentines Galore Party

Bib of a different kind

2011-01-26T09:19:00.000-06:00

If you do much blog-hopping among the craft bloggers

you will see plenty of these fabric scrap rosettes out there.

I thought I would try my hand at them.

The hot glue burns are almost healed.

This bib necklace is made with an old T-shirt,

some leftover wedding decor

and a bit of ribbon.

Since I got the info from so many sources

that are readily available,

I will not credit any one blog.

When I first started seeing these necklaces, I didn't think I would wear one.

Now that I've made one and actually worn it, I think they are quite sassy.

I. A. Anonymous

2011-01-13T15:47:00.001-06:00

My name is Lisa. I am an information junkie.

Last night I googled dreadlocks.

Yes, you read correctly--dreadlocks.

Why?

Because I just wanted to know how to make them
and the Internet would tell me.

Now I know.

I am addicted to information seeking.

Don't tell me I'm the only one.
What's the strangest thing you've googled lately?
Tell me I'm not the only one.

I do not, nor will I ever have dreadlocks.

:-)

Too many halls! Too much decking!

2010-12-16T19:28:00.001-06:00

Oh, it's all fun and games pulling all this stuff out!

It's all fun and games until December 29th, when it all

has to be put back!

Because 4 days after Christmas is my limit, baby!

But in the meantime, let's enjoy, shall we?

A new look for the baker's cabinet.

On second thought, this garland just might

get to stick around and see us through some

dark dreary January days.

A new look for the mantle.

A new location for the grande nativity set.

A new ornament that spoke to my heart.

The hope of Christmas IS forever--forever with Christ

purchased by Him on Calvary.

John 3:16

The snowmen are just too many in number to all

get to come out every year.

Here are a few that made it this year.

An entirely new decoration.

White sticks and white lights......

....now, wherever would I have

gotten such?

Add some blue glitter snowflakes,

viola!

A lovely wintery accessory to compliment the snowmen.

Finally, here is another delicious little ornament

that we didn't have last Christmas.

Our very own Santa-Baby!

Now, that's sweet!

The halls are decked

2010-12-15T22:56:00.001-06:00

Some things are the same.........

Some things are different..............

.....in new places......

Some things are new........

And some things have been repurposed......

Add a little green tinsel and a pasta angel....

Voila!

A glass Christmas tree:

.....to be continued.....

Christmas balls and candlelight

2010-12-08T23:45:00.001-06:00

I did some decorating today.

Then I took lots of pictures.

These are vintage ornaments that I've collected

and a lot of clear glass I gathered up from around the house.

I rather like the combination.

I hope you enjoy.

Back to the Books

2010-11-22T10:52:00.005-06:00

Art using books always calls to me. There is something about that medium I find very appealing. Maybe because I work surrounded by books everyday but mostly because I've always loved books. Books are wonderful creatures. I can't imagine them ever being replaced with electronic media. I love technology and all its gadgets and conveniences as much as anyone, but as far as I'm concerned, a Kindle is no match for a real live book with real live pages.

Besides, you can't make cool art with a Kindle when it becomes outdated.

I see creating art with old books as a way to give them new life, because while some books are ageless, many others do become outdated. Part of my job is to discern between the two and keep the library's collection vibrant and relevant. That results in lots of books that go on the sale table; and just like the awkward kid that is always picked last for the team, there are those books that ultimately get picked over. It is at that point that I begin looking at them not for their old content, but for their size, shape, color, and texture--not for what they were, but for what they can become.

Somewhere back in all the searching and researching I do, I saw a wall hanging made of book covers. It stuck in my mental to-do file. When my daughter recently needed something to fill a blank space on the wall, this image came back to me. I took pictures along the way to show you how I did it.

Gather some poor outcast books.

I ended up using fifteen for this project.

Using a box knife or X-acto, carefully cut the bound pages from the cover.

The pages come out as a unit, not individually.

*Books that are sewn into the cover will not work*

Cutting at the wrong angle will result in cutting the back off--ask me how I know.

The 'innards' removed:

Arrange the covers insides down. Stack and overlap until you get a design that pleases you.

I used three large covers on the bottom layer to create a sturdier base to build on.

Once the arrangement suits you, glue to covers together.

There will be places where the covers may not touch without a little pressure.

I emptied my pantry to help out.

I don't usually prime, but it seemed like the thing to do in this case.

Then I sprayed on two coats of Krylon "Ivy Leaf" gloss.

After it was completely dry, I brushed on/rubbed off Ralph Lauren "Smoke" glaze.

Here she hangs at my house just before moving to her new home.

I'm already thinking of variations : multiple colors? adding "hardware" to the collage? maybe a quote?

We'll see what develops.

Scripture and a Snapshot

2010-11-21T09:18:00.001-06:00

While perusing photography sites, I found Katie's meme that spoke to me.

It combines photography and scripture, 2 things I am very interested in.

So I'm linking up. Go {here} to be inspired by more lovely photos

and a message from God's word.

Storm's a comin'

2010-11-07T19:55:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, just getting settled back at home from a camping excursion,

my husband calls up the stairs, "Get your camera and come here!"

I've learned this is most likely something weird/cool/spectacular to be seen.

This time it was in the spectacular category.

There was a thunderstorm building behind our house toward the west.

I grabbed this shot, then he says, "Move over here."

Whoa............

The wind was blowing. Everything had an eerie pink cast to it.

And there I stood snapping pics of this awesome thunderhead.

We saw a few sprinkles, but the brunt of this big boy went north of us.