another bright idea

We Have a Winner!

2012-02-15T23:42:00.000-05:00

The winner of the giveaway from Chicalookate, chosen by random number generator, is:

Deb (TwoCheekyMonkeys)

I'll be in touch with you to claim your prizes. Thanks to you and to all who participated. Be sure to come back again - I'll be interviewing another artist again soon!

Are you breaking copyright law?

2012-02-13T10:27:00.002-05:00

Jodi from MCP Actions has a very interesting post on her photography blog today about laws that cover use of copyrighted material on the internet. She has been the victim of people who removed her watermark and used her photos without permission for print products and internet posts. When she wrote about the thefts before, it was shocking to me how many people commented that they didn't see a thing wrong with the practice. They believe that anything posted on the internet is fair game. NOT!!!

Jodi posted a letter she received from Photolaw.net explaining the legal issues. It's great information you should have but hopefully never need. Take a look.

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2012/02/13/did-someone-remove-the-copyright-notice-from-your-photograph/

Monday Microwave Moanin'

2012-02-13T09:57:00.002-05:00

Here's how the week starts out ...

15-year-old microwave ... works fine, but handle breaks ... technician tells me usually they replace the entire door, but that part is no longer available. Handle IS available ... service call, part, labor = $300. NO WAY I'm paying that.

This hits on probably my biggest pet peeve: nothing is fixable anymore. "Dump it and get a new one" is always the advice, which is why we have such a huge trash and electronic waste problem, not to mention the dollars spent in the process.

Monday moanin' fer sure!

Found While Looking for Something Else

2012-02-11T16:58:00.001-05:00

In the kitchen. Top shelf. Looking for something else. That's when I found these little snack containers on a turntable that I acquired when my aunt passed away. I thought I could use this, either for party snacks or perhaps in my studio for supplies. But the old Harvest Gold color had to go. Spray paint here we come!

Usually I subscribe to this theory:

"If at first you don't succeed, hide all evidence you ever tried."

But I guess I'm feeling honest today. I managed to spray paint the containers in a color I like. So far so good.

Then I decided it would be cool to use blackboard chalk on the tops so I could label the contents.

FAIL.

It was the first time I had used chalkboard paint and it seemed awfully thick and lumpy. Dumb me - I thought that was how it was supposed to be and the surface would even out when it dried. It didn't. Even worse, when I used chalk to try and condition it, the paint started scraping off.

It's water based, so maybe I was supposed to thin it a little. Is that what I'm supposed to do, all you chalkboard paint experts out there?

I don't like when this happens because I hate going back and trying to fix something I screwed up. It just loses all its attraction for me. I don't know what I will do. It might end up as a donation to the thrift store - or not.

Maybe I'll just sleep on it. Yeah, that's the ticket! I get some of my best ideas when I'm half asleep!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

In the Michigan Studio with ChicalooKate and a Giveaway

2012-02-07T23:32:00.000-05:00

We’re heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan, today for a studio visit with a very interesting, very talented, and very prolific artist, ChicalooKate!

Your name: Kate Kehoe

Your etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/chicalookate

Your blog: http://chicalookate.wordpress.com

Your website: http://ChicalooKate.com

Your Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Chicaloo-Photography-More/44728082979

Your Twitter page: https://twitter.com/#!/chicalookate
Your Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/chicalookate

FK: Good morning, Kate. I brought a diet Coke for you and a cappuccino for me. So let’s start with where you live.

I have spent the last 16 years in Ann Arbor, but I grew up in the Flint area. I have lived in the Mitten for all but 2 sad dark years in Tennessee. A2 is, for me, the perfect mix of big and small town life.

It is a fairly liberal town with an ever changing population due to the University of Michigan making its home here. One of the downsides of A2 is that the rents are so high that a lot of the quirky shops that made me fall in love with the downtown were not able to survive or had to move to other locations. One of my favorite places in the summer is Dominick’s. I love to meet friends after work to sit outside and drink sangria. The Michigan Theater is an amazing restored theater that still takes my breath away. University of Michigan Art Museum is another of my favorite places to go and wander. I don’t go to many concerts, but I love to see shows at The Ark.

Outside of the University most people think of the Art Fair when they think of Ann Arbor. I take part in the craziness that is the Art Fair in a roundabout way. The great folks at Vault of Midnight Comics (another amazing A2 place to check out.) let me rent sidewalk space for the 4 days. Little Chicaloo trivia fact, Art Fair was the first show I ever did and my helper backed out and I had to run my booth on my own. Not my smartest move, but I made it.

FK: Do you have an art educationbackground? Or are you self taught? How did you get started?

I am a self-taught artist. I was lucky thatthere are lots of crafty talented people in my family so I was exposed to a lotof different types of crafts, everything from photography to stained glass to woodworking. I have always made things, butit wasn’t until 2002 that I started to consider that I could sell what I made.I had mono and was tired of reading so I started making jewelry to alleviatethe boredom. Friends started wanting me to make things for them which lead meto applying to shows. Over the years jewelry got phased out of my line of work.

Love

FK: I love your graffiti photographs. Where do you find them all?

Most of my graffiti photos come from around Ann Arbor. There are some really fun and creative graffiti artists in Ann Arbor.

Surveillance

Anarchists Have More Fun

FK: Talk to me about your etsy shop. How long have you had your shop? What was your inspiration?

Iopened my shop in January 2006 just 6 months after Etsy opened its doors. I hadbeen considering opening my own website, but it seemed like a lot of work and Ijust wasn’t up to making the time investment necessary to make a good website.I wanted to make things not spending time looking at html code. It has worked really well for me since I amgrowing at the same time Etsy is. I don’t think I could have handled the numberof sales I have now back in 2006.

FK: You have so much work in your shop. And the quotes you find are unique. Where do you find them all?

I search for quotes that will be new for people and not just the same ones over and over. I often put a call out on my Facebook profile for new ones. It is like a treasure hunt.

Dalai Lama Quote Magnet

William Shakespeare Quote Magnet

FK: Wow, you really havegrown up with Etsy. Tell me about your creative life. What do you love doingthe most? What inspires you?

Itell people that I have Craft ADD and OCD. So I have to make a ton of the samestyle items AND I am easily distracted and need to make new things. It is a vicious craft cycle. Besides Etsy Ido a lot of local shows and it can be a challenge to keep everything organized.

Carl Sagan Apple Pie Quote Magnet

A couple of years ago I had a full time job, a part time job and was trying towork on Chicaloo as well. I got really good at being able to fit a lot of workin to a small period of time. A big chunk of what I do is production work sothat takes the least amount of time once I get a routine down. Finding the timeto make new products and just play with different techniques is much harder. Ifind inspiration everywhere. I almost always have a camera with me so if I seesomething that intrigues me I don’t have to regret not being able to take thepicture. My latest obsession is Pinterest. There is a crazy amount of stuffthere that inspires me.

Iteach Etsy intro classes at the public library here in town and one of thethings I tell people is that you can have variety in your shop. The trick is tomake it seem cohesive through the photographs and descriptions. Also, if I do a little each day with the shopit doesn’t seem so daunting. Photographic prints are not always a big selling item so I have taken to turning my photos into useful items such as notepads, coasters, and pocket mirrors.

Hitchhiking TV Coasters

E.E. Cummings Pocket Mirror

FK: Where do you work onyour art? You are so prolific you must need a lot of room …

Imoved in to my current apartment over 2 years ago and one of the selling pointswas a second bedroom and A LOT of closet space. But as most crafters know it iseasy for it to overrun the whole house even with the best intentions. Right nowit looks like a craft store exploded in my living room!

FK: I can totally relate to that,Kate! What part of being an artist isthe most gratifying to you? What part of being an artist is hardest for you, orthat you dislike the most?

I lovetalking to customers, hearing their stories and finding out why my work appealsto them. I have met some amazing peopleand am very thankful for that. The hardest part is not having the time I wouldlike to just play and try new things.

Holding

FK: I don’t imagine youhave a lot of spare time, but what do you like to do when you do have time?

Ihave a full time job at the University of Michigan which doesn’t leave me a lotof free time outside of art, but I do spend a lot of time reading. I havealways been a book person and usually have 2 or 3 books going at once.

Warren Zevon Quote Magnet

FK: Kate, it has been a treat to get to know you, although we have only skimmed the surface of the work you do. Now can you tell us what your giveaway will be?

Iam giving away the winner's choice of a magnet, a photo notepad, apocket mirror and a set of coasters. Here's an idea of what they might choose.

FK: Thank you, Kate. That's a great prize! Here's how everyone can enter.

How to Enter

Youhave several chances to be entered into the random drawing. PLEASE readcarefully; the entry requirements have been changed.

Firstentry: Visit Kate’s shop AND/OR website, come back here, and enter acomment about your favorite piece(s).

Secondentry: Enter a comment if you have signed up to follow Kate’s blog AND/OR Facebookpage (or comment if you already follow).

Thirdentry: Enter a comment if you have signed up to follow Kate on Twitter AND/OR Pinterest.

Fourthentry: Enter a comment that you signed up to follow my blog (or comment that youalready follow).

Fifthentry: Enter a comment that you signed up to follow my Facebook page AND/OR my Pinterest page (or commentthat you already follow).

That's five chances to enter for the random drawing! Please be sure thatyour correct email address is in your profile; if it is not, include your emailaddress in your comment. I will use random generator to pick a winnerafter 12 noon EST on

Wednesday, February 15

Monday Moanin' ... Squirrely

2012-02-06T09:21:00.000-05:00

I despise ... these big ... fat ... mean ... arrogant ... squirrels who shoo the birds away and eat all of my birdseed, all while performing their fat acrobatics.

I have tried everything to keep them out short of killing them (I'm sure there's a city ordinance against that) but nothing works. They even manage somehow to damage (see the patch?) and UNSCREW the all-metal feeder ... and THEN they sit there and mock me for trying to chase them away ...

And they keep getting fatter ... and fatter ... and fatter ...

I may have to get a job just to pay for the bird seed ...

Sunshine and Artists and Trades, Oh My!

2012-02-04T22:04:00.001-05:00

It was such an un-Michigan winter day today! Bright and sunny, with temperatures in the 50s. A perfect day to spend with a group of like-minded artists who are part of a newly formed Facebook group: Southeastern Michigan Artist Trading Spot. Some of the artists knew each other, but most of us met for the very first time today. The spark that got this all going is Joyce Matthews who graciously opened her home for us. And she creates the most adorable sock monkeys. (Seriously, you've never seen sock monkeys like this. See the end of this post.)

We all live near each other in cities north of Detroit, and part of the impetus in getting together today was to bring our no longer needed or wanted supplies to trade with each other. Of course, we also shared snacks and wine and lots of laughs while getting to know each other.

And about those supplies ....

'Splain to me how we all went home with MORE stuff than we came with! I knew that was going to happen. Artists! We are such crazy "I can do something with this" people ...

That's me above with Joyce. I was so impressed with these women - they are all so accomplished! Most of them not only have an online presence, but they also have their work on consignment in many different shops in the area. I'm so looking forward to getting together again. It's nice to be around people who "get" you, isn't it?

Listed below are images and links to the shops of those women who are online. Take a peek - you'll love them all.


Felt On The Fly


It's So Patty Designs Madam-art


amDglass

Brass Menagerie

Divine Iguana

Molly Coddle

1930s Portrait Frame Redo

2012-02-01T22:59:00.000-05:00

My sister is downsizing to a smaller home so she gave me this framed wedding portrait of my mother. It looks okay in this photo, but it was actually in pretty bad shape. The photo had slipped in the frame and the entire backing had been patched and glued and partly held on with thumbtacks (!). It definitely needed reframing.

I hadn't noticed until I dismantled it that it has curved glass in the style of the time. That made me a little nervous - I didn't want to break it.

Basically I repainted the frame, cleaned the glass, remounted the photo, cut a new backing sheet, and added a dust cover to the back. Here's the final result. It's a little tough to capture a photo of something behind glass, so I played with this a little in Photoshop to eliminate the glare so you could see the improvement.

I'm happy with the reframing, but I'm not real crazy about the hand tinting that was done. My mother was a very pretty lady but, if you look closely, the coloring on her face makes her look a bit clown-ish.

Here's a straightforward wedding portrait of my parents. She looks much better without the re-touching!

This photo is already framed and hanging on my photo wall and I'll now add the new portrait of my mom. I would take a picture of it hanging on the wall IF I HAD ANY DECENT LIGHT IN THIS HOUSE TO TAKE PHOTOS!!! Sorry ... it's a sore subject with me.

Safe Kitchen Knife Storage

2012-01-31T16:38:00.000-05:00

I don't know whether to call this a "tip" or a "tutorial" so I guess I'll just call it a "tip-torial." (Sorry - I must be giddy from the 50+ degree weather we're having today!)

At times I can be a bit of a klutz around sharp objects. I've lost count of the little scars on my hands from X-acto knives, razor blades or sewing machine needles. Yes, sewing machine needles. Don't ask me how I managed to do it but I once stitched right through the tip of my index finger and nail. But I digress ...

Anyway, considering all that, keeping my knives loose in a kitchen drawer would simply not work. Years ago I saw this tip in a magazine somewhere and have used it ever since. It started with an empty glass container like this:

And a whole bunch of these:

And I have a nice safe place for my knife storage:

Up until a few days ago, it was just the plain glass container and the bamboo sticks. But I decided it needed to be prettied up a little. I simply used spray paint (Krylon Catalina Mist), some scrapbook paper and some ribbon trim and glued it on. I may also give it a layer of Mod Podge since it will be on the kitchen counter.

I didn't stop there. I used more paper on my steak knife holder and a can from nut snacks.

Just a little something to brighten up my kitchen a little. And save my fingers. A tip-torial!

Monday Moanin'

2012-01-30T15:16:00.000-05:00

Where does it say that time seems to fly faster and faster the older you get ...

I remember when I was a kid - a school day ... Sunday church services ... or a summer day with nothing to do ... or waiting for my birthday - the time just CRAWLED ...

In the same vein, I wish I could stop ideas from jumping into my brain. I know, I know ... I shouldn't complain that ideas for projects and TTDs (things to do) slam into my brain with aggravating regularity. The problem is, I end up with scribbled notes all over the house ... and I get heart palpitations because I will NEVER have enough time to do all the things I want to do or try. I'm simply not going to live long enough ...

For some reason, all of the above is especially acute on Monday morning ....

Your Time Is Limited

2012-01-28T16:15:00.000-05:00

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” ~ Steve Jobs

2012-01-26T09:01:00.001-05:00

My scrabble cards have been making quite a few appearances in Etsy Treasuries lately. Happy to see them taking their bows for Valentine's Day!

Tangerine Tango + Brass Band = Gorgeous

2012-01-23T13:05:00.000-05:00

When I heard that Tangerine Tango (Pantone 17-1463) is 2012's color of the year, my first thought was - orange is my least favorite color, and I haven't created anything in that color.

But when I started looking through my photos and collages, I had such a feeling of guilt wash over me! How could I forget the most favorite rose in my garden: Brass Band?? (When I did a little research, I found it's one of Oprah's favorite roses also.) Of course, I didn't create that rose - a much higher power did - but I haven't resisted taking many photos of that beauty. If it weren't for the fact that my Brass Band rose is currently asleep under a few inches of snow, I would have gone out, got on my knees and apologized for forgetting it for just a moment!

Turns out my rose is almost the exact shade for 2012.

I also found a few more photos/collages that qualify.

So nice to be au courant for a change!

Floating "Book" Shelf Tutorial

2012-01-20T08:42:00.000-05:00

A while back in my post about the Sisterhood of the Traveling Vases there was a glimpse of my floating "book" shelves. Although I built these several years ago, the method I used was quite simple and the only technique I was aware of at the time. Since then I've seen several other techniques that are much more complicated so I'm still happy with mine. I thought I would back-track and show you how I did it.

I actually put up an entire wall of shelves in the dining area of my condo. My original thought was it would allow me to change out the display when I wanted to without pounding a lot of holes in the wall.

To be honest, I really wasn't sure of what I was doing when I built them, so later on I'll also tell you what I might do differently if I were to do it again. Here's the wall.

Here's the smallest book shelf:

The middle shelf:

And the largest shelf:

The book titles weren't random - they're my little daily inspiration: The Courage to Create, Encounter with Art, The Art of Excellence.

Here's how simple they were to put together. Take two large L-brackets and, using a very strong glue (not positive but I think I used wood glue), glue one side of the brackets to the inside back cover of the book. Clamp and let dry thoroughly. Screw the other side of the bracket into the wall. Paint the part of the bracket that is visible the same color as the wall. Close the book. That's it!

Since I always have something on the shelves the brackets are either covered or they just fade into the background. I think the large brackets are required to support the books; smaller ones like I used on the other shelves (see instructions below) wouldn't provide the necessary leverage.

What would I do differently? I would use thicker, sturdier books like the center one. That one's holding up the best. As you can see, the narrow book in the foreground of this photo is starting to warp and bend a little. I might have to replace it at some point.

I did have directions to follow for the book shelves, but I had to wing it for the rest of the shelves.

I started by creating a layout.

And then I scrounged for materials. I had a lot of remodeling done when I first moved into my condo - it was in really bad shape. I'm sure the builders thought I was nuts because I wanted to save all the scrap wood they pulled out! That old 1960s-style window molding came in handy, though. Here's the basic construction of the shelves:

The white pieces were glued, then nailed, then painted. The rope trim was painted first, of course, then glued and nailed. I resorted to smaller L-brackets for these shelves and screwed them into the studs for sturdiness. For the shelves that were below eye level, I put the brackets underneath, .

For the shelves above eye level, I put the brackets on top.

These shelves look like they're floating as well. Here's the final result.

As for what I would do differently, I think I would have made some of the shelves a little deeper. I'm limited as to what I can put up there because the shelves are so narrow. I also would have made the "lip" a little shorter. I actually have pieces of 1/2" matboard on the shelves to prop up the items, otherwise they look like they're drowning.

All in all, I'm pleased with it. And the floating "book" shelves are quite the conversation piece for my guests. What do you think? Try it, you'll like it!

Linking up to Whipperberry Friday Flair/Link Party.

Tip: Two unique containers for houseplants

2012-01-19T16:13:00.001-05:00

As I was cleaning house the other day (yes, I do that occasionally!) it occurred to me that I should show you two easy containers for house plants.

I had a large plant that had outgrown its container. I wanted a floor-standing pot since I'm limited on table/counter space, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. So I headed off to my local Lowes and Home Depot stores to look for ideas. These plant pots were on sale at half off. They are light pots made of some sort of composite materials. I bought two, used my E-6000 glue, and glued them together. Works perfectly! My new plant stand is light so there's no problem moving it around when I clean. I had intended to paint it but I was too anxious to repot the plant so I left it as is. It works in my color scheme as it is but if I get bored I can always paint it later.

(Please ignore brown tips and dead leaves, please.)

The second idea is one I have used many times in the past, although I only have this one going on right now. I like/sort of collect tins, either vintage or reproductions or just contemporary food tins that I like. I have quite a few tins from DiCamillo Bakery - I think they are soooo beautiful!

I discovered a long time ago that standard plastic pots - the ones with a lip on top like this one - fit neatly into my tins and other containers, with the lip nesting nicely on top.

It works perfectly and adds a nice decorative element and some height to your houseplants.

So I don't lose track of the lids I just put them underneath.

I'm betting this would work with a lot of different containers like tea tins, etc. Almost any round container is a candidate. Just measure the diameter and match it up with a plastic pot from the garden center.

A word of caution: when you water your plants and some water drops into the tin, it will eventually rust.

A second word of caution: if you visit the DiCamillo web site you will be sorely tempted to buy. Not only do I love their containers, they are responsible for my insatiable craving for biscotti. See that blue green container I showed up above? Yep, I just bought it. (Chocolate biscotti!!) I was a little disappointed to see that this one and some of their other containers are no longer tin, but cardboard. So be sure to read the descriptions carefully if you want tins.

Happy planting!

2012-01-16T10:07:00.000-05:00

My two most aggravating personal moans ...

Headaches - I get what I call "weather" headaches ... not necessarily when it's raining like most people's weather headaches. Mine seem to be related to barometric pressure and sudden changes ... I have awakened with one of these headaches the last three days ...

Sleep - I. loves. my. sleep. I usually don't have trouble with sleeping. Last night I kept waking up about every hour ... then I end up sleeping late which throws off my whole day ... and I wake up with the worst case of bed hair you ever saw ....

The flip side of Valentine's Day

2012-01-15T13:09:00.000-05:00

A year or so ago I participated in a workshop that my friend Natasha conducted. As I recall, one of the challenges was to write a 20-word poem and illustrate it. I kind of like the 20-word poem idea - it really forces you to get to the point and to make every word count.

Taking a look at these three pieces, seems they kind of represent the flip side of Valentine's Day. For some people it's not all hearts and flowers and champagne and chocolate! Here's three examples of mine that ended up in my shop. I think the collages came first, then the words. The first two prints include an ACEO with the poem. The third one is a framed collage. (These are all part of my After-Christmas sale going on right now.)

No cupid's arrow for me

My heart beats

cold and weary

This loneliness

embraces me

I hold it tightly within.

Pale pink roses arrive,

crisp white envelope

tucked among the thorns.

Letter unread,

she arranges the vase

and sits alone.

He controls my every move,
every appearance, every film.
Does he know who I really am?
Ready for my closeup ...

I have actually thought about starting a linky game here with that idea - 20 words, with illustration. But I'm afraid that too many people will get turned off with the word "poetry," thinking it has to be some high art concept. It's not. What do you think? Would you like to participate in something like that?

More Bright Ideas - Valentines

2012-01-14T17:45:00.000-05:00

Some cute Valentine's gifts from my More Bright Ideas shop. Click on the photos to go directly to their links.

Got Valentines?

2012-01-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

Looking for a Valentine card? I have a few of my Scrabble cards listed in my shop: Another Bright Idea.
Click on each photo to go directly to the link.

These two cards have been very popular also.

Are things kind of rocky with your sweetheart right now? Or is your lover far away? Try these ...

These digital collages would be a perfect gift also.

Wish I had a sweetheart right now. Sigh.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Moanin'!

2012-01-12T19:43:00.002-05:00

So sorry I disappeared since my Monday Moanin' post. I have had computer problems for the last three days and the weird thing was that it would come and go so I kept putting off calling a tech to come out. Just trying to save money ... I finally gave up and he's coming today.

In the meantime, I wanted to remind you that there's an After-Christmas Sale going on in both of my shops.

At anotherbrightidea all digital collage prints and photos are on sale.

At morebrightideas all holiday decor and home decor items are on sale.

Sorry - I can't post photos right now, so you'll just have to pop on over to see for yourself. I'm going to be reviewing, editing and purging in both of my shops very soon. So if you had your eye on something now's your chance. Otherwise, it may end up in one of my relatives' homes soon!

(UPDATE: He was here for two hours. Now I'm exhausted, headache-y and ready to sleep.)

Monday Moanin' dot dot dot

2012-01-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

I have always been an avid daily newspaper reader, even as a kid, which accounted for those frequent ink smudges on my face and hands that my mother was constantly wiping away. Back in those days the newspaper ink rubbed off way too easily. There have been two columnists I particularly enjoyed over the years. Herb Caen wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle and was a Pulitzer prize winner; I followed his column daily when I lived in SF. Caen practiced what he called "three dot journalism"... a series of short pithy statements and musings ... a habit I picked up from him a long time ago.

My other favorite was Bob Talbert (Detroit Free Press) whose first column of the week was called "Monday Moanin'." And that's just what it was ...

I'm not above stealing from my two favorite columnists (rest their souls) so I'm instituting an occasional Monday column that combines the two. And I must confess ... it's not as easy as it looked when they wrote it!

When I follow written directions step by step but I don't get the result I'm supposed to get ... then what ...

I really really hate it when mechanics, car wash attendants, valets change the radio stations in my car ...

Don'tcha just hate people who leave their grocery carts in the middle of the aisle and go looking for something ...

My ears hurt anytime I hear someone pronounce Iraq and Iran "eye-rack" and "eye-ran"... They are correctly pronounced "ear-rock" and "ear-ron" ... Do a Google search to hear it for yourself ...

Sorry bloggers! The French word "Voila" is spelled v-o-i-l-a, not "wallah" or any other phonetic variation ... Please ...

So what are your favorite Monday Moanin's??

The Absolutely Positively Easiest Flower Tutorial

2012-01-07T23:19:00.000-05:00

I have been saving and pinning the flower tutorials all those talented bloggers out there have been publishing. But I came up with one today that I think is the easiest yet!

It all came about from my resolution for the past year to use up all the supplies and materials I have around my studio before I go out and buy more. In the past I have gone a little crazy with after-Christmas sales so I have quite the stash of ribbons of all kinds. There's quite a few of the 2-1/2 inch wide nylon wired holiday ribbons - the kind that are all over the place during the holidays - and that's what I was playing with when I came up with this tutorial.

Step 1: Scrunch

Step 2: Tie

Step 3: Fluff.

See? Easy-peasy!! I used about a 15" long piece of ribbon and tied it with wire. Then it was just a question of pulling and shaping the wire to form the flower.

I got a little carried away, trying it out with some of the other ribbons.

This red rose is from a wired Satin Polyester ribbon. It wasn't as easy to "fluff" but I like the effect - it looks more like an old-fashioned ribbon rose. I like it!

I haven't decided yet what I'm going to make with some of these. So I took a piece of scrap matboard, punched some holes in it and stuck the bows on. I can hang this for the time being so I have the samples handy to inspire me.

I would love to try this with an even wider ribbon - but I'm not allowed to buy any more stuff!!

I can think of a lot of applications for these ribbon flowers (and the bonus will be that I use up all the ribbon taking up space in my studio). Stay tuned!

Linking up to Today's Creative Blog, Take-a-Look Tuesday, Strictly Homemade and Carolyn's Homework. (see sidebar for links).

With A Little Courage

2012-01-07T08:55:00.001-05:00

Just a little inspiration to help you along with your New Year's resolutions. Enjoy your weekend!!

It's Times Like This ...

2012-01-05T08:18:00.002-05:00

I just have to vent ...

I spent about 3 hours last night inputting thumbnails and links in the Featured Artists page. And then ... and then ... it all disappeared!!! I had been regularly updating/saving (I thought) so at least some of it should have been saved. But NOOOOOO! I don't know if it was something I did - I'm still trying to figure out the new interface - or the blog or my browser ... have no idea.

These are the times that try (wo)men's souls. - Thomas Paine edited by moi

UPDATE: Okay, the featured artists are in their place. The spacing isn't perfect, but I just can't struggle with it anymore. Seems like you have to go to school and learn HTML code to accomplish what you want. I don't know if I can fit so much more knowledge in my brain ... ;p

Do You Have Time to Read?

2012-01-03T16:39:00.000-05:00

I used to read a lot of books, probably a book a week at minimum. That was before computers ... before my online shops ... before a blog ...! It bothers me, and I'm trying to carve out time to get back to it. In the meantime ...

One of my sisters is a constant reader. She loves mystery writers, especially female mystery writers (Kathy Reichs, Catherine Coulter, Nora Roberts, Patricia Cornwell, Allison Brennan), some political and historical books (Scott Turow, Bernard Goldberg, Bob Woodward, John LeCarre). She is also in the process of downsizing to a very cool independent living place so I offered to take some of her books and try to sell them online for her. That's how I ended up with a lotta lotta books. And there will be more!!!

I have them posted online, but I thought I would mention it here in case you or someone you know has the same passion for these types of books. I also must say that she's very careful with her books; they are spotless and look brand new. If you're interested, I can bill you through Paypal for the book plus media mail shipping, which is very reasonable.

Email me (a-b-i@comcast.net) and I'll shoot back a list of the books that are available.

I thank you, my sister thanks you, we all thank you ....

Under (Re) Construction - Story of My Life!

2012-01-03T08:34:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite cartoons and I've had it for years. Obviously, it hits close to home for me. I'm the only person I know whose To-Do List is four typed pages! I told someone recently that I'm not going to live long enough to do all the things I want/have to do. It's particularly bad in January, when I make a ton of resolutions, most having to do with getting organized.

That's just my way of asking you to be patient with me and my blog. You may have noticed that I now have "pages" at the top. Sometimes I have a lot of trouble finding old posts to link to and I figured that you might sometimes have the same problem. So I'm going to make it easier - I hope. Problem is, backing up through some three years of posts is going to take a lot of time.

So bear with me - I'll eventually finish! And good luck with your January organizing!