That's What Tiny Scissors Are For!

I Have Found Decoupage, and I Love It!! Tell me, who isn't transported to their youth when cutting out pictures and slathering glue on something? I read about this Mod Podge (sort of a watered down glue), and I immediately picked up a container at my local Michael's. Then it was snip, snip, snip, until I had a little pile of pretty flowers waiting to be plastered on something... Then, a few days later I was at Starbucks with a friend. She was enjoying a little cardboard tray of apples, cheese and nuts. I was eyeing that tray, coveting it actually; I thought it would be the perfect base for my flowers that needed to be decoupaged onto something! She offered a piece of apple; I took the tray instead.

 At home, I covered the back with tissue paper and Mod Podge...

And then went crazy podging the flowers all over it!

The finishing touch: A big spray of clear shellac, and what do we have? Uh... a little flowery tray that makes me happy :)

Soda Can Art?

 So, one day, while carting an extra-large bag of Diet Coke cans to the recycle bin, I did an about-face and decided to use them in a project. Of course, I needed more than red and silver for the image I had in mind, so I purchased a few caffeine-free Diet Cokes (gold), some Red Bulls (blue), which Ilow happily guzzled, and then picked up a few other colored cans while out walking.

I used scissors to cut the aluminum, and tiny nails to fasten them to the wood (and for weeks, had the cuts and smashed fingers to prove my commitment to the project!).

The finished project: The curtains open, bluebird (of happiness, of course!) with quattrocento halo.

ps: Ilow has since kicked his diet coke habit, so my fingers are safe for now!

TOP SECRET!!

Okay, so my 'idea' for 3 year-old Teigan's birthday present was a soft flower pillow with a big, fat Lady Bug on it. I know that three-year-olds now-a-days would rather have some hot new electronics, and I mean, who doesn't want the new iPad?? But what I'm aiming for here is the 'ahhh factor': you know, you've just woken up from your afternoon nap, things are still a little bit hazy, and you turn to your side, let out a big sigh and gaze at the big lady bug sitting there on your spongy, lavender flower pillow...

Comments appreciated, but don't tell Teigan!

The Silver Lining

This was me early this morning. And then later. And at noon. And on into the afternoon. A pulsing, pounding, wretched headache. Pain relievers didn't touch it. The medicinal chocolate shake that usually works... didn't (thank you anyway, sweet hubby!), and the other usual remedy, salty McD's fries, didn't dull the throbbing pain either. And it's dark and rainy outside to boot. So I lay there with a pillow wrapped around my head to block out the light, and listen to the soft tap-tap of my hubby working at his computer. Among the thousands of other thoughts swirling in my bruised brain, I think about what in the world I might make my little niece Teigy for her 3rd birthday.  And at some unknown point, I fall asleep. It is a brief sleep, but it seems to have done the trick. Throbbing gone, stabbing pain just a (bad) memory... and it has stopped raining. Suddenly the skies are blue again, the birds have returned to their post at my window singing, and all of nature is fresh and clean. And I have an idea for a little gift for Teigs, which I will post as soon as I make it! Life is good!

Oh, Beautiful Jars, How I love Thee!

Let me start by saying that I am not a crazed environmentalist, a "tree hugger", but I am very concerned about our planet, and I do love trees of all kinds. I am especially fond of the Eucalyptus tree, with that soft, smooth bark. Those are trees that I hug every chance I get (and there are many in my village). I'm sure I get a few raised eyebrows, but who cares? I am too engrossed in the texture and fragrance to care. But I digress... this post is about jars. So how does this connect? Well, environmentally speaking, I find it just a little crazy that people buy products in glass jars, eat or use the product, then toss the jar. Then, they make a pot of beans, and upon finding they have leftovers, they put the beans in a plastic container that they purchased for that very thing. A perfectly beautiful jar , wasted (yes, jars can be beautiful!), and there are so many other uses for them as well! I have the rubber bands that once held a bunch of broccoli together stashed in a little, square jar that pesto came in. I have alligator clips waiting patiently in a pasta jar. And then there is that octagon shaped jar that the clover honey came in... swoon, swoon....   So here's the thing: I always really look at a jar before tossing it out (into the recycle bin, of course), because you just never know...

I Hope He's Wearing SPF!

This little guy sat quietly on the wire for at least 5 minutes. He stretched and closed his eyes and looked every bit as though he was "working on his tan"! After this, a nice, long sip from the hummer feeder (I have to keep it well stocked as I now have them completely addicted...  moooooaahhaaaa), and then off to touch base with a few local flowers. What a life!

The Bandit Surfer

This photo (courtesy of my cousin who is an avid sailor) makes me smile every time I look at it! There is a story in there, and I'm sure it will finally spring forth into one of our children's books! The actual story was that this little guy was on board when my cousin's sailboat entered a race (from somewhere near Huntington beach to somewhere in the waters off Mexico and back again) and I imagine he knew he was in it for the duration, being 'out to sea' and all... so the tiny guy stuck it out, his fuzzy little feathers fluttering in the ocean breeze. Finally he made it back to land. And no, he did not win the race, but the ride, apparently, was exhilarating!

My Baby is Buggy is born

This wonderful forum for creative expression begins this day, and who knows where it might take me. I imagine a place where I can share illustrations and finished craft projects (I'm always trying something new... some end up actually worth sharing, and well, some are better left in the sad pile). So please join me from time to time, and give me your thoughts and comments! I believe this quote from Bertrand Russell is so true:
             "There's an artist imprisoned in each one of us. Let him loose to spread joy everywhere."