Look What I've Been Up to This Week

I just let my designs go where they want. I don't have an agenda when I create. Whatever it is ~ the colours that inspire me, shapes, a special bead I've found ~ I usually just go with it. I'm happy with these results - from glam to modern simplicity to rustic sophistication to boho fun ~ a very eclectic mix for sure. I definitely was in a blue mood this week but didn't realize it until I created this collage ~ must be all the blue skies and sunshine we've been enjoying.

Great Canadian Art Project

I belong to a daily chat group of fellow Canadian etsyians. After a few months on Etsy I found them in the forums and it was an essential support tool for me. At first it was great to meet a friendly bunch while increasing product exposure and gaining Etsy tips. But it evolved into much more. They are my friends, we do support each in our shops and online selling but we support each other on a daily basis through our triumphs and daily struggles, kids, illnesses and family holidays. Behind the computer they can be my only human interaction until the school bells ring.

Earlier last year one of the members, Gabriele Maurus, of emmarts and fluur started an art project amongst the thread members and TheScribbleGroup was born. My first participation was in the 2nd project. This one involved childhood portraits of ourselves, transferred onto artboard and essentially embellished by someone else. Here's a good link to understand the process of photo transfers.

So this is how it started, all photos were scanned and sent to Gabriele where she transferred them onto artboard and then mailed out to everyone. You did not receive your own back. In fact, you didn't know who you were going to find underneath and that was the fun part. Even if we have seen pictures of each other these art projects were of childhood pictures so it made the guessing even harder.

This is the start of mine. Dipping the cloth carefully into water you start to rub off the top layer of paper to reveal the image underneath.

I was sure I had taken a picture mid-point in the project but I cannot find it. But once the image is revealed and all the paper bits are removed you are left with a black and white image of your mystery person. At this point I was not sure who it was but I had this feeling it was Cara from Bovine Bubbles.

Now it's time to start to embellish with anything you like, paints, collage really anything you wanted. It was definitely difficult to start for me. What if I ruined it? With encouragement from Gabriele to let our worries go and be free I finally had brush in hand I began to paint. For some reason, almost immediately after revealing the cute little face on the paper I wanted to do an outdoor scene at night. I clipped pictures and captions from magazines and this is what I ended up with.

So did I guess the right person? No, turns out it is Emily from Emms Gems. Of course, once told I don't know how I missed it.

For this project the portraits were not sold but returned to the person. Through interesting circumstances, Emily visiting Ontario from Winnipeg, we had tickets to Stratford and let's face it the stars must have been aligned that weekend, I was able to hand deliver the portrait to Emily at an art show she was participating in. What fun it was to meet her!

If you would like to see some other projects done by our group you can find them at The Scribble Group. Money generated from these sales are donated to charity. In the next while you'll see some new projects being listed from our last "Rip-Off" project.

Stay tuned for my own portrait revealed and more art projects.

Golden Sepia...My Latest Treasury

Check it out here.

Go Canada! Go!

Yesterday, I finally did something I've been wanting to do for years. Hmmm, what could it be you say? Complete a 5K marathon? Absolutley not. Finally finish the last chapter of War and Peace? Highly unlikely. Book a trip for an African safari? I wish.

No, no I finally made a sock monkey!! Yeah!

It was a nice creative break for me. So meet, well, um, sock monkey. He doesn't have a name yet. Any suggestions?

Of course he had to have the latest sock monkey Olympic gear in support of our Canadian athletes.

Go! Canada Go!

What Happened to January?!!

Can it really be February already? What a strange winter so far. It's has been cold but we just realized that we have only shovelled our driveway once this winter. Usually at this point, we have piles of snow surrounding our driveway. In fact, the grass is actually visible under patchy coverings of ice and snow and on a sunny day it appears quite green. I wonder what February and March have in store for us?

In January I started to focus on some new designs. Especially those that involve gem stones. I love the look of wrapped wire and especially against the sparkling facets of a gem stone. Here's a look at what I've been up to.

Tanzanite Blue Chalcedony with Oxidized Sterling Silver.

Carnelian with Oxidized Copper.

Aqua Chalcedony with Copper Swirl ear wires.

Happy Winter Solstice!

I just wanted to share a wonderful gift I was given. Several amazing, Canadian Etsy talents that I have the pleasure of chatting with almost daily decided to exchange gifts this year to celebrate the winter solstice. What a great idea! And how much fun is it to open a gift a few days before Christmas.

My package arrived early so I have been staring at for the past week as it sits next to my computer. Sitting there, tempting me...but I was strong. My lovely gift was from Monika of Emburr , who has a shop full of gorgeous pottery.

This is what she sent me; an amazing hand quilted bookmark, gorgeous clay buttons with a sunburst and a greeting card with an original drawing by one of Monika's favourite local artists.

Thanks so much Monika!

Happy Solstice Everyone.

So much fun at the Open House!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting in person, two people I met on the Canadian Thread on Etsy. This group of mostly women, and a couple gents, have been a daily connection for me and it was fun to finally now put a face to the name of two more. Shannon from ShannonsIrishBliss generously let us take over her house for the show and indeed we did. There were seven of us displaying our goods. Included in that seven was Wendy from Pook&Thy. If I say it was pleasure to meet them it will sound cliché but it really was a pleasure. What could be better than a relaxed atmosphere, friendly conversations, lots of laughs and the most amazing shortbread cookies by Shannon. Yes, Wendy, (I still like to call you Pook) I liked the cheese you brought as well!!

Here's a couple pictures of us:

Shannon, me and Wendy.

Don't ask me about this one but Wendy made us do it!

Hopefully we can do it again sometime!