The Pulse of Mixed Media- A Follow Up Project

Seth Apter, of The Altered Page, recently had his first book published!!!

This book was a result of the interaction he had with many online artists, and a survey that these artists all participated in.

I am thrilled to say I got to participate, and altho' I am not one of the 31 spotlighted artists in the book, one of my survey question answers is in there, and my blog is listed. Woohoo! I already got my copy- I pre-ordered on Amazon!!! It's a great, must have book, spotlighting many great artists, including  Angela Cartwright, Sarah Fishburn, and Robyn Gordon- to name a few!!!!

The Altered Page 

Now, Seth has taken 3 of the survey questions, one from each section of the book, and is asking everyone to answer 1, 2 or all 3. These creations will travel with him on a rotating basis. Very exciting!!

1. The Artistic Ingredient: If your artwork could talk, what would it say?

2. Passion in Action: Who has had the most impact on your creative life?

3. Secrets Revealed: What is one thing you have never shared with the creative community?

Each answer had to  be on a  5" x 5" square,  a piece of paper, card stock, canvas, wood panel, fabric, whatever strikes your fancy. 

There was no specific deadline - one day, he will just pop up and say it is now closed to all submissions!!!

So, I rushed off to complete something.

I have several old book covers (many of which I have given away to others, since I had no idea what to do with them!)

These seemed like the perfect opportunity to use some of what I kept! I searched thru the few I had left, and cut them into three  5" squares, thinking I would answer all three questions - why not?????

Then, I took my little dremel drill and drilled holes in the sides, thinking they could be loosely bound together, so it would fold up in a neat little pile, and/or stand upright.

I was looking for brown card stock for the words, had none, and couldn't find any in the local craft store. Suddenly, I had an idea - not an original idea, I am sure- but thought I would see if my printer would accept a brown paper bag to print on - and it did! Whew!!! Didn't want to hear it from D/H, if I screwed up the printer!!!

Then, I rounded up some of my saved used teabags, some vintage text, and used them to cover one of the squares. Also, found a lovely handmade paper from one of my online swaps, trimmed it up, and started pasting away.

I ripped the text printed on the paper bags, and burned the edges over a candle. That worked for the first few, then some of the thinner bags started going up in flames, a bit too quickly!!LOL So, I "aged" the remaining edges with brown ink.

I "bound" the pieces together with a waxed cord, nothing fancy, so it can fold up, or stand up.

                                                 Here is the finished product

                                                                 but-

                                                         it 

                                                             is 

                                                               only 

                                                                     a 

                                                                 peek!!!

Don't want to spoil the fun- it just went out in the mail today to Seth. Hope he likes it..........


I can't wait to see the other ones, as they come rolling in to his studio!!!!


It does feel good to have actually completed a project-and, on time!!!!

Tea on Tuesday

Still haven't figured out what tea I will have today, but thought I would post about our ladies' artsy group that meets the 2nd week of each month, combining creativity and tea.

This was Bobbi and Judy's idea, and we had our 2nd meeting last Thursday at Judy's. 1st meeting was at Bobbi's, where we explored the wonders of needle felting!!! More on that in another post.

When we meet, we have tea, of course! The next meeting is at my house, and I have alot to live up to- after experiencing the wonderful teas at Bobbi's and Judy's houses!!!

Last week, our group played at making greeting cards. Both Judy and Bobbi are experts at it - Bobbi has the Cricut (she just told me there is a sale on them at Michael's, drool, drool,- but I can't justify spending that $ right now.....sigh)
Julie and I did the best we could- in the unfamiliar waters of cardmaking!

I had an uncle and a cousin with birthdays coming up, so I made cards for them. It forced me to dig out and use up some of the endless amounts of ephemera  I have amassed, from online swaps, and my own collecting.  Judy and Bobbi were good enough to share from their enticing caches!!!

First, check out Judy's studio!!! To die for - and soooo organized!!!! Far different from my very disorganized basement studio.......

                 Judy added 3 extra tables to her roomy studio, so we would each have a place to work.

 

A stamper's paradise- and endless drawers, organized and neatly labelled!

 

Bobbi, sorting her teapots and cups for the adorable cards she is making for Julie's shop- Julieanna

 

Judy at her desk

We break for lunch and tea

Judy and Julie

A sumptuous spread

Scones, clotted cream and spreads, sandwiches cut in teapot shapes

 Out to the screened in porch to a lovely table, with scrumptious broccoli soup waiting for us

Judy made everyone a lovely floral bookmark, placed by our plates.

How cute is this little sandwich? - good too!!!

"MY" teacup, that I SOOO wanted to stick in my purse!!!

Desserts- scones, and chocolate cookies, and clotted cream and lemon spread....yummmmmmmm

                                  A lovely centerpiece- I have this very same tea angel at home!!!

                                                Back to finishing our cards.....................................

Julie made hers with fabric - blogger has turned them sideways again......they are really cute!!!!

With blank card stock from Bobbi, I took some of the stuff I brought from home (that little heart came from an online paper swap -anyone recognize sending it?), and made a card for my cousin.

                                     Somehow, I missed getting a photo of the other cards.

A fun time - next month's meeting, at my house (however will I meet the established level of                  teaworthiness????)
we will be making upcycled china pedestals(which takes no time at all!) and crazy quilting.

Drop by Patty and Kim for a list of other tea lovers. Drop back again next Tuesday!!!!


***join me at Mountain Meadows Quilters Retreat 2012****

A Day (or two) in Pictures.......

 

Can you see the vapor trail descending directly from the cloud?

Warmth, and dry river bed, brings out the crawlies..........

Inside, apparently, too!!!!

My sweet John, recovering from his injuries, and wandering around the front yard. When he's done mowing the lawn, he just takes himself back to the barn- Too bad the rest of his herd is not that trustworthy!!!

While I was in the drive thru' of the bank, there he sat....

I have a little, er, uh, BIG shadow that goes in and out with me......

Gorgeous, and not mine....

 

 

1st controlled jump ever- poetry (sort'a) in motion

Less than 5 miles from home !!!

A very nice woman did not mind us pulling in her driveway and letting Cisco munch on her lawn, while D/H changed the tire on the trailer...

Yesterday's brief coating of snow, with the mourning doves hunkering down

 

John, staring intently at me, across the field, thru' the blowing snow, wondering why I am not walking toward him with his bowl of warm mash

 

Tea on Tuesday

                                

                                    Yes, I KNOW- it's Tuesday - and I'm cheating AGAIN!!!!

I did have tea this early this morning - Lady Grey with local wildflower honey - and FORGOT to take a picture.
 Sooooooo....
..........now, I am having a decaf mocha - with loads of whipped cream, thank you!!!

                                                                     Here is a pic!!!

                               Tea is better, healthier - but, come on- doesn't this look GOOD??????

I have been working my way thru' a lengthy to-do list this week and last. Making small headway, but determined to cross every single thing off!!!

                           One thing I finished last night- was recovering the dining room chairs.

I have been staring at these chairs since we bought the set a couple of years ago- they came with a grey faux suede fabric, covered in plastic- I knew I would recover them.
The suede was ugly, it was NOT dog friendly- the hairs would just fly just to cling to the suede. I left the plastic covers on, til they started to rip off from being sat upon!!!

Last week, I was watching Nate Berkus, and he mentioned using a cloth shower curtain (not the liners- the actual curtain) for covering chairs. It saves money, is durable, and if you look long enough, you can find something that works with your decor.

                                                                 Great idea, Nate!!!

I wanted purple- kind of like, "when I am an old lady, I will wear purple...."!!!  I wanted my chairs to wear purple.
                                                   I even like the word - PURPLE!! LOL

 But, couldn't find any suitable purple. I am not a big shopper, so don't like going to a bunch of different stores!
Then, I found these shower curtains in Kohl's, on sale(!)- 1  1/2 shower curtains will cover 6 chairs, with plenty  left over for another project.
The colors bring all the colors in the room together- there's the purple, there's gold in my vintage gilt frames, and tiny bits of purple, and rust in the backround of my couch. It cost way less, than if I had bought fabric by the yard. They are a tad bit more vibrant, than the photo shows. (and yes, D/H has yet to replace the baseboard  molding, after painting......sigh.)

                           I even recovered a tiny 1985 freebie Bombay Company footstool with a scrap.

So, now it's time to get back to the list - I think cleaning the bathroom is next....hmmm, .maybe I will skip to another on the list!!!

Feel free to join us every Tuesday - please drop by Patty and Kimmie for a list of other tea lovers.


*** Think about attending Mountain Meadows Quilters Retreat 2012- it's gonna be fun!!!

Tea on Tuesday

I discovered this "new" tea, that I would like to try-Nilgiri Tea- 

I will have to check with my tea source, Susan at Julieanna, and see if she can get some of this!

Upcoming is the World Tea Expo- one of the subjects will be about tea becoming as popular as coffee- will it ever?

It seems to be catching up - altho, sadly,  local tea rooms in our areas have been closing down. I don't know if that is a reflection on there being more coffee drinkers out there, or just the economy.

 

It is Tea on Tuesday, but, I cheated today, and made my coffee- decaf mocha- I must say, despite the fact that I had no whipped cream available - mine tasted as good as the ones I buy! I guess, if I make it with grounds from a local business, I will still be supporting local business- even if I make my coffee at home!!!

I have to share my new FAVORITE teapot!! It combines 2 favs of mine - elephants and teapots!! I saw this on Pinterest, and just had to have one!!

What could be better than one of these? 

                                                   Well, TWO of these!!
My husband ordered the first one - and it had a chip hidden inside under the lid. So, he ordered another, waiting 'til that one arrived, before returning the first. When the second one came, in perfect condition, he could not be bothered to return the first - so I have 2 elephants!!!

Please join us every Tuesday for tea - visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea lovers!

A Day in the Life............

                              Just some photos of what I see from day to day....................

                                                                       lichen

Can you spot the fossil?- a friend informed me that this area is fossil rich!!! I have a few, will be looking for a whole lot more!!! This is an area overflowing with Native American artifacts, fossils, and Civil War goodies.Look where you walk, you never know what you will step into!!!

While working in the garden the other day, I cut several of these mystery items below, out of my lavender and sage. My friend, Maryanne, informed me that they were "keepers" - they are praying mantis egg cases!!  Woohoo!! My front garden had several mantises last season- it is interesting to watch them eat - and they pose for photos quite willingly !!! Good to know, I will have a boatload of babies come spring!!! And, these cases are practically indestructible - I tried to cut one open with a trowel- trying to figure out what was inside- friend or foe- and fortunately, was unsuccessful in damaging the case!

                      Below, one of the first harbingers of spring - the mini daffies planted last year!

Friend, Maryanne, when she came to pick up a truckload of manure for her garden, brought me a beautiful helleborus- with a promise to bring me some actual plants for my garden soon!

 

No street lights in the boonies -it's DARK at night...

A really poor shot of a wondrous view - of the crescent moon with Venus below, and Jupiter off to the side.

Every time I got the camera in focus, a cloud would obscure the view. It was cold, and I got tired of trying to get the perfect shot!!!LOL

                                 Quite a neat barn swallow nest, high up in an indoor riding ring.

 

Up close and personal with a friend's cows - I happen to be standing between them and their food - not too smart on my part! They may be huge and ungainly, but they can mooooove!!!!

                                    And last, my two favorite "posers" - giving me the eye.................