Try it Tuesday - Easy Transparency

Here is my experiment for this week’s Try it Tuesday challenge. First, I made a high contrast black and white image of an old picture of my Grandmom, scanned it and ran it through the laser printer. Then I transferred it to clear packing tape as per the directions. I cut a floral motif from an old gift bag and glued the transparent image on that with soft gel medium. I then glued everything on an old scrap of painted lutradur. I painted matte medium over the top to cut the shine down on the transparency and added a little embroidery and some beads - just for fun…

Vintage Memorial Day Postcard (Stash Sunday)

This week’s Stash Sunday theme is Memorial Day. I purchased this postcard (dated 1908) recently on EBAY (with the idea of using it to embellish a patriotic Santa).

What we now celebrate as Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day and began shortly after the American Civil War when flowers were placed on the graves of soldiers to honor them.

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

Blackberries grow wild in the backyard.

Nature Journal Sketch: Blackberry blossom

Try it Tuesdays!

I was searching for altered book groups on Flickr last night and found a link to the coolest blog, Try it Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, a new art technique is demonstrated for everyone to try. There’s even a drawing for prizes every week, too! Here’s my first attempt at Karyn Gartel’s Easy Acrylic Backgrounds. What fun!!! Check out the Flickr group for some really yummy eye candy. And join in…

In the first sample, I used Karyn’s painting techniques on a gessoed page from a blank book of handmade paper that I purchased years ago.

In the sample below, I applied Karyn’s techniques to a page that had been previously collaged with torn papers.

My Belated Mother’s Day Present!

While surfing EBAY awhile back, I stumbled upon a pattern of gorgeous bohemian-looking outfits (just the kind of clothes I love!) for a doll named Marley Wentworth. I had never heard of the doll so I looked up information on her in Yahoo and - oh my gosh! - I had to have one! I found the exact one I wanted (the basic brunette brand new in the box!) on EBAY this week (DH stayed up until 2:30 or so in the morning to place the bid!). And we bought the clothing pattern, too! Everything arrived yesterday (Friday) – and I am over the moon! I know I don’t need any more projects but how could I resist? Here is the link to the pattern designer, d-zinerclothes4dolly. She has some wonderful designs available as “Buy it Now” auctions.

Meantime, I have one more Santa near completion and two more started… so I’m making a little progress.

Pattern and Marley

And Speaking of Sassafras Leaves…

I have been working on my mobile for the final Personal Symbols lesson. I chose the sassafras leaf as a starting point (just like I did for the Symbols painting – see March 2006 Archives). Here is the front and back of a decorated leaf (one of four units). The finished mobile will have three small leaves hanging from one large leaf (all with different facial expressions). I haven’t worked out the logistics of how the thing will go together, yet. Just decorating the leaves is taking forever! And to be honest, it’s also kind of strange looking! But I love playing with the materials. I painted Peltex for the backgrounds and sewed on painted lutradur with embroidery thread for the fronts. For the backs, I am just embroidering a design (like the one below) with a buttonhole stitch. Fronts and backs will be beaded and then whipstitched together.

Using Peltex on both sides creates a sturdy little piece. I must order more of that wonderful stuff!

"Baby" Sassafras Leaf (Front and Back View)

Baby Sassafras Tree

One of the things I love to see in spring is the baby trees sprouting up. Here is a sketch looking down on a little sassafras tree.

Nature Journal: Baby Sassafras Tree

Vetch

Here is a common weed called vetch. I love the shape of the leaflets on the stems and the delicate little lavender flowers. I just can’t bring myself to pull these out of the garden…

Nature Journal Sketch: Vetch

Katrina "All That Jazz" Quilts on EBAY!

I just read Sharon B’s blog entry for Tuesday and the Katrina “All That Jazz” quilts are up for auction on EBAY. Here is the link to the largest one. The other two are here and here. These quilts are exquisite and are going to such a worthy cause. All the artists really outdid themselves!

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

The lilac bush is blooming; filling the air with its heavenly fragrance… This Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucas) alighted only just long enough to have his picture taken. While the males are always yellow; the females can sometimes be black or brown. This is to mimic the coloration of the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) which is poisonous.

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Today's Lunch!

This is one of my favorite meals, consisting of bow tie pasta, feta cheese, ripe olives and plum tomatoes mixed together with lots of fresh mint straight from the herb garden. Nothing is cooked except the pasta and you just add a little olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. I served a green salad on the side with apples and alfalfa sprouts…yum…

Lady's Mantle (Also Called Dewcup)

Here is a little sketch of a lady’s mantle plant in the perennial garden. The weather has been so warm and pleasant these past few days. We are still burning the woodstove at night, though.

Nature Journal Sketch: Lady's Mantle