Lessons In Art

I think I posted already about my Thursday night art class with Lorrie-Marie Jenkins. Now that I have a few seconds--let me show you what I've made so far!

The first project was called "Mind Full" and was a collage of pretty thoughts going on in one's head. Here is mine in it's first stage:



Then we students sewed the paper collage onto fabrics, added a frame and a few words to complete it.



It was great seeing everyone's different "take" on this project!

Next we started amassing the humble TP tube:



And began to assemble our thoughts, our images, paper and COLOR into a book with pull-out pages:



Adding embellishments and plenty of the magical properties of STABILO (my new fav word):



then finishing up with ribbons and twine until there was no more room for anything else:



And before we had a chance to catch our collective breath, Lorrie-Marie had us keeping the creative momentum going with this thick and glossy jumble of well-placed delights on Sheetrock:





Now we're all caught up to week four! Bring on the tea cans!





We played with foil and neat little things to add texture. Then paint, images and a waxed finish



pulled it all together.

I don't know what will be next in the last class, but I hope it'll have something to do with the fabric/paper transfer she showed us how to do:



I've also been working on some more of my beach glass jewelry and as soon as I can get in some more starfish, they'll be ready to go into my Etsy shop!





Lorrie Marie will be offering classes again in a few weeks so stayed tuned...

Nautical Summer Banner

It's SUMMER! I started it by making a banner from Whisker Graphics Bitty Bags . I used the new striped bags in black, yellow, red & blue, and started by cutting the bottom of the bags in shapes inspired by nautical flags.



Next, I found a chart online that shows the nautical alphabet:



and used it as my decoder for what I wanted to spell out! I choose the word "SUMMER" and then cut up more Bitty Bags to form the colors and shapes I needed for each little square that would represent each letter of the word SUMMER.



I stamped the letter in black on each corresponding square for you landlubbers who can't read flags!



For the last step, I punched two holes at the top of each Bitty bag, and then strung one strand each of Lemon, Cherry & Aqua Divine Twine through each yo, hoe hole.



I'll be using mine for the summer display I set up on my buffet, but I thought it would be great hanging outside to welcome my guests to a Fourth Of July party, too! Run it up a flagpole and see who salutes!

A Day At The Alameda Flea

You can find ANYTHING at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. Think I'm kidding? Grab a cute friend and go...!



Start off with some coffee and food--there's lots to choose from. Make sure you use the "facilities" when you see one.



How about some majorette boots (complete with tassels)?



How about a table and chair set from your childhood (well, my childhood anyway!)?



How about an elephant? How about a toilet? How about an elephant toilet?



Oh deer, that's a door able.



How about a circus ballerina dress?



How about a PARIS lamp?



How about an antique, hand-painted bed?



How about some metal sculpture made with a little of everything?



How about some vintage horse ribbons?



How about we take a rest where ever we can find a seat?



How about baby doll heads under glass?



How about re purposed metal buckets?



How about a stuffed chair that looks like it came off the Pee Wee's Playhouse set?



How about a leather chair with nipples and butt cheeks?



How about a scary-lookin' five foot pink Santa in a plastic bag?



How about clothing made entirely of ties?



How about a view of the San Francisco skyline?



How about a giant ornate oval frame?



How about we plunk right down in the middle of the isle on a stool?



How about some gorgeous satin and lace dresses?



You can get anything at the Alameda Flea! See:




???

Workbench Wednesday On Friday!

It's Friday-so sue me.

Last night I attended my first art class with a pal, taught by Lorrie Marie Jenkins, and got a great start on my first project; "Mindfull". I'll show you how it turns out.



I also (finally!) got some items listed in my Etsy shop, and hope to add some of my chicken wire crowns next week!







What are YOU working on? Please share with a comment!

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Ceramic Canisters

I found this set (is it complete? I don't know--I don't cook/bake much!) at a neighborhood sale in Livermore, CA last winter and just loved the colors.



And since I am not a cook by any means, I feel free to tell you they are all empty, and stuck to the shelves with Tack Down because this IS California after all where we live on shaky ground (and I'm paranoid about them being knocked off when I do my annual dusting!)



The best part? The whole set was FIVE DOLLARS!
Want to see more vintage goodies? Head over the Colorado Lady every Thursday!