Journal Swap... Journal Number One

Well, WOW!!!!

I just completed my first ever online swap and so far? YAHOOOOOO!!! It was fun. I've met some very sweet ladies and had lots of fun creating.

BUT... the first journal made FOR me arrived this week and I had to share! This was from Debra. And, might I add, it was wrapped in red and white candy striped tissue? How CuTe is that?!

Debra was the creator. She asked a few questions about color and style. She visited my blogs and she created BEAUTY. Not only that but she included eXtRaS!Oh yes, she did.

Here is a photo sampling of the fun, and it arrived the day before my birthday so it was just like a big wonderful surprise birthday!

I told her I liked pink, vintage, birds, solder, beads, and she picked up on the Victorian influences on  my blogs I guess.

Isn't this a sweet dangle? Debra made it! 

Inside the covers were pockets... and goodies!

And the lining was vintage sheet music! (She must have caught on from my bottle pictures... I used old sheet music on those!) She is so observant and detailed.

Here's the whole package... journal, necklace, boxes to make and alter, slides in frames, bingo cards (How did she know?!), playing pieces, sheet music, tag frames. WOW! 

Here are the bingo cards... I have tons of Blue, had a few red and dark green, but I 've never had this  color or size before. VeRy FuN!

Isn't this sweet? I think I'll wear it to teaching tomorrow...

Thank you Debra! It was awesome!
And please stop by her blog sometime... she makes UBER cute stuff... she has these new bracelets... sooooo sweet!

 Here's a peek of what I made and packed for Debra...

This was fun. I learned this from "The Artistic Mother".... I painted  a background on paper. Then I scanned it into the computer and printed out a copy. I added stamps to it to fit the need. Then I scanned it again on the computer and altered the colors to match the theme and printed it out on card stock. Voila! I made my own paper for Debra's journal... it's made just for her!

What else would you put at the end?
Finis! Of course.

My dangle wasn't quite to the level of a soldered piece, but the colors were perfect and I'm happy.

This is trademark for me... a fairy with wings...

And every fairy should supply a wish. Of Course!

I had so much fun with the extras. Debra said she liked ephemera.

Cabinet photos, vintage printed envelopes, vintage trim, vintage buttons, a flower pin made from  a deconstructed vintage bridal hat and vintage leaf, a domino necklace and some chocolates.

I love making these and the colors matched the journal and the  flower  pin.

Peace Tree Mountain Truffles. Long story... but I was  part of the beginning of this business, although I don't work for them now. Just share the yummies. I hope Debra enjoyed her package as much as I enjoyed mine. This was so much fun!

Blessings, Kim

Has it really been that long?

I've been MIA... so sorry. Various health issues.... earlier on I didn't even know I had "health issues".... have kept me both from my daily creating and my daily blogging. Praise God we have ruled out the meanest and nastiest health issues and are left with some that will mean creative living, but not a "death sentence" by any means. (Visit my other blog for more info: Trustjoyfully.blogspot.com )

In the meantime, I may not have been creating daily, but I have been creating. And, I've been teaching others to create as well. We ended our homeschool year with an assemblage/collage project which used the background paper technique from The Artistic Mother book, although we applied it to stretched canvas. Then we used many found objects and went to town. I hope to post pictures at some point... the projects were amazing!

I was also asked to make a series of BFF necklaces. Quite a challenge! In the end I used one of my background papers, added stuff on the computer, shrank it down, made a collage and then cut it into pieces to be applied to each domino. I was VERY happy. So was the lady who ordered them. So was the shop owner who asked about me to see if I would be interested in working with them to sell my jewelry. We'll see if I follow through... life, energy, health.

In the meantime, I've made several necklaces for friends, and continued to gather found objects, haunted auctions and hit garage sales. As "Art and Soul" approaches (our local art and craft show which I've been invited to take part in) I am seeing that I want to limit some of my work: necklaces, notebooks and some Christmas stuff. My domino and "Bit of Charm" necklaces have a small following, and from the last show I know my button jewelry should also sell well. So, just taking baby steps. Still creating, just slowly, but savoring the lack of fear about health issues!

Hope you all are doing well!
Shalom,

Kim

Seasons of Creating

A friend and I were recently talking a lot about what we wanted from our art, what our hopes and dreams were, why we created, etc. It seems both of us hit a "slump" or a slow-down at the same moment. As I began with The Artistic Mothers group my creative juices were in high gear and doing art for 30 minutes a day was an easily attained goal.

Then a new "season" arrived... in my life it's not just spring, summer, winter, fall. When I think of seasons of creating I actually think of the different ways that creating or art looks at different times.

• From the gut ~  a project "makes itself" in my head and I literally get no rest till the project is completed

• From the heart ~ a project is born in my head, but may take months or longer to evolve into a finished piece. It may start one way, then morph a bit, then get worked on, then laid aside to view and mull over and then worked a bit more

• For a need ~ someone's birthday or special event comes along and I know I want to make something for that person and start pulling out "stuff".... lace, ribbons, folios, postcards, buttons and seeing what happens. Funny story. When showers come along in our church, generally bridal showers, I guess there are a few who expect (Not sure that's the correct word.), or hope, I'll make a card. I think that's fun, but it also makes me nervous. I don't want to let pride become the reason I create.

• Art Show ~ so I've only done three shows, but when I find myself making art to fill space on a table I wonder if it's art or if it's craft... Anyone know the difference? I'd love to hear about it.
• Because what I'm doing is what God wants me to do ~ this is the place I want to be all the time. ALL THE TIME!

While I know that I "can" create things that people enjoy or that people will even buy I want to create because that's where God wants me RIGHT NOW. So, some days I don't do my thirty minutes a day. Or, I do it, but others wouldn't recognize it as art.

The other day I spent hours helping to create something... a family... as I was their doula and assisted them during their delivery. To me that is art in pure form. Art is creating to serve God... I was creating moments for them, pictures of the delivery, helping a new family to begin. So, my season right now is "Expectation"...waiting to see what God wants of me. I have tasks... three necklace orders, finishing a banner I started, finishing a collage which has been a "From the heart" project and hopefully I will get back to TAM.

But, the actual season of spring also means creating beauty out of doors, finishing up another year of homeschooling and simply praising God for the beauty He has created all around me.

What are your seasons of art?

Blessings!
Kim

p.s. Don't forget the giveaway! See the post below, or click on the link on the upper sidebar.

It's time to catch up!

Life has been a little more than full lately. Perhaps OVERFLOWING would be the best word. However, we are slowly returning to our normal routine... and by that I mean that I am letting us sleep in every morning till 9 or 9:30 until I finally feel rested. Most mornings I'm up by 6 or 7, but I get a glass of water, sit down in an easy chair and snooze a bit more. Sounds decadent, but I think it's what the doctor orderd after our busy schedule and my illness. This morning is one of the first mornings I'm starting to feel myself. To that end I'm updating my blogs and putting up some OLD pictures.

Here goes:

My "booth" at the childbirth expo.
Several thoughts: know what size table you'll have. ACK to the table cloth.

Even if you sell nothing, which was the case, you get the word out.

I did sell one necklace later after the expo.

I sold 3 necklaces at the other booth I had the same day.

Wee One has taken to prepping "welcome home" posters to put on the door leading to the basement from the garage for Dear when he arrives home. Somehow he's earned the nickname "Possum."

Go figure!

Not sure if I posted these earlier... unstamped background papers.

These are some of the stamped papers. Now that the two shows, expo and Easter are past I can concentrate on this online class again. The art I've been working on each day has been jewelry, jewelry, jewelry. Wish I had taken a photo of my two recent necklases "Allelujah"... a domino necklace, but done in paper collage style, and "Miss Emily" ... a domino necklace using "A Bit of Charm" style photo. The first was for my Easter attire and the second was sold to another doula who founded the expo. I've also completed 4 mini journals in the style we're to use for our poetry journal. One is already gone, as a gift. Hopefully I'll get photos up of the other three. They are so sweet!

Lovebirds ... $10

Vintage domino adorned with vintage bird cut out, a defintion from a late 19th centery dictionary. Around the sides of the domino you'll find rich copper trim. The waxed linen necklace is embellished with a gorgeous black button and several rich metalic beads.

Bloom... a bleated birthday gift for Bekcy

she is blooming in godliness, maturity and her pregnancy!

"Bird in Flight"... I went for a diferent style this time. Fun and funky!

$20

A gorgeous irridescent blue disc , over which flies a sweet "antiqued" swallow, while below dangles various glass beads and a stamped word. All hang on a simple but lovely waxed linen necklace.

Woodland Flower... $25

A lovely glass disc over which dangles an antique button. From below is a group of hanging beads, along with a stamped copper word. All hung from an antique style chain.

 "Friendship" and "Golden Swirl" earrings

$20 and $20

A "Bit of Charm" in the original style on a simple copper ball chain, the necklace is ehanced with a sweet rose gold plated swirl and glass beads. The earrings are on rose gold findings, also with rose gold swirls, rose gold beads, glass beads and luscious "jade" style beads. Perfect gift for a special sister or your best friend!

"Miss Olivia"... $30

Another in the "Bit of Charm" line... named for a lovely young lady in town. The photo reproduction is ehanced with delicious glitters, while the lovely rose gold chain has various dangles including rose gold charms, an antiqe button and glass beads.

"Psalm 23" ... $25

Another in the "Bit of Charm" necklace line. A lovely reproduction of a vintage postcard. Enhanced with glitter, glass bead dangles, rose gold dangles and a gorgeous antique button! The back reads "Psalm 23."

"All That Glitters" bracelet and matching earrings

bracelet... $35 and earrings... $20

Gorgeous antique buttons set on goldtone findings. Some buttons are stamped, some enameled and some set with contrastings metals. All unique and very collectible! The earrrings are adorned with gold tone beads and lovely glass beads as well.

"Psalm 23" Breast Cancer bracelet...$18.50

Mixed beads with silvertone spacers which help to share the thought of Psalm 23. Originally made as a breast cancer survivor bracelet. Might also be worn in memory of a loved one.

"Glassy Black" ... $45

Collectible antique and vintage black buttons, some from the 1800s!

All set on a silvertone bracelet.

Here is "Glassy Black" with "Stunning Sterling" set,

altogether I call this "Black Tie Affair" as it's that rich and gorgeous!

Necklace and earrings use sterling silver findings, swarovsky crystal beads, vintage "pearls" and a gorgeous shell and "pearl" vintage pendant/button.

Black Tie Affair!

Necklace...$25

earrings...$20

bracelet...$45

I hope you enjoy all my creations. None are listed on artfire or etsy yet, so feel free to contact me here if you're interested in purchasing any of these items!

Blessings, Kim

~Beauty in the eye of the beholder~

I've been avidly taking pictures each week. I guess I really need to read about what kind of pictures I'm supposed to be taking for "The Artistic Mother" group, but I'm just happy at this point to be doing some art each day. Poetry needs to come next, but that's not hard for me, I love it. Don't make time for it, but love it. And words. And taking pictures. So... anyway, here are a few shots from my recent tries. And a couple pieces of poetry, along with an occasional explanation (see below)... guess there's still a lot of teacher in me!

"These boots they keep on walkin'..."

from our weekend hike at a local state park...

our personalities shine through

mama in her sensible shoes... made to go IN the water

MMH in her favorite "throw them off" flips

Wee One in her crocs... easy on, easy off, whatever...

Dear in his HIKING shoes, because he's HIKING

 Lenten Flowers

by Kathleen Raine

Primrose, anemone, bluebell, moss

Grow in the Kingdom of the Cross

And the ash-tree's purple bud

Dresses the spear that sheds his blood.

With the thorns that pierce his brow

Soft encircling petals grow

For in each flower the secret lies

Of the tree that crucifies.

Garden by the water clear

All must die who enter here!

"Water Faeries"

Whispers and ripples,

wavelets and trills,

the sight of the faeries

my joy nearly fills.

Whimsy and notion

born in my head,

thoughts of them linger

while I lay on my bed.

Yet still in the daylight

in the shallows nearby

I see their reflections

joined with the sky.

"Fly Away Home"

"Three Tree Trolls"

Hope you enjoyed the pics. I narrowed it down from over 147.

Happy Arting!

Shalom,

Kim