Dreamscapes - Zero-Three-O-Five Hours

"0305 Hours" digital 20x22 inches
Click on image to view monster

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Note to Self...and to my dear artist friends....

"Note to Self" - 8 x 11 digital with watermark (sorry)

click Eleanor to view original size or view on Etsy

Sometimes we all need a little reminder to embrace our muse and to let go of our imagined judgements of others.  Eleanor often leads me in directions that surprise me, but without her, I'd be lost.  Do you have a name for your muse?  Why not create one today?

ATC sized cloth/stitched tree ornament

Carpe Diem,  

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A very special surprise in the mail today....

This little envelope package arrived today from Viola, a dear blog friend who I first met on Flickr more than 3 years ago. She'd mentioned that she'd dropped something in the mail for me. No reason. We weren't trading. She just HAS the biggest heart and is so giving. It's hard to believe she stuffed so many beautiful elements in one little envelope.

Antique ecru lace, and beautiful tatted lace, floral appliques in rich golden hues and a very fine crocheted doilie in a soft ivory tone. PLUS a funky selection of various vintage German book pages. But, the dearest are the two beautiful artist trading cards she made with her hand-dyed cheese cloths and fabrics in varying shades of emerald and soft greens.

Viola has two blogs, Saray-Viola and Shabby Chic Inspired each always packed full of talent and creativity.   She has a natural talent for shabby chic and I am always left wanting more.  She can take the tackiest looking flea market purchase and turn it into a collector's item.  And her beautiful pillows made from vintage cloths would fly out of a shop, if she ever decided to sell any of them.

Thank you Viola!  

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another digital "Nick B impression" postcard.....

"Shamatha Reflections" - digital approx 4.5 x 6 inches

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Looking for a quick little craft for a cold winter afternoon?

Pinecone Elves - "Two Dresses Version"

I used to love to get together with my Mom and my daughters every year before Christmas to create some tree decorations.  It was a great way to get into the holiday spirit and each year it's always a warm reminder of Christmases past to unwrap the handmade decorations from years ago.

This year I decided to send off some craft packages to my daughters, with all of the supplies, instructions and a sample of these little pinecone elves.  They're very simple to make and I wanted the girls to each have something from me to hang on their own trees this year.  I also found two little Mary Engelbreit comfy chair decorations to include in their packages (one is in the photo).    They seemed to be the perfect size for the little elves.

Below are the Martha Stewart versions plus a link to the directions and templates in case you get the urge to create some homemade decorations.  Notice that Martha's elves are very industrious, already wrapping presents. My little elves on the other hand,  are just laid back, waving at me to get them another rum and egg nog. 

Pinecone Elves - Martha Stewart

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Dream Scapes - MeTa AnALySiS

 "MeTaAnALySiS"  - Digital Collage 8x8 inches

This one has been percolating for weeks - it is a series of different collage elements I've worked with both in paper and digitally over the past two years.   I think it will be one I will look back on and derive meaning from.  For now, it's a mystery.

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New Blog Banner

will be listed on Etsy Saturday

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Bantock Impersonation

Bantockish - digital 15 x 10 inches

Nick Bantock has been one of my favorite collage artists for years.  Ever since the publications of the Griffin and Sabine Trilogy.  In 2007 and 2008 I attended workshops with Nick in his studio in Salt Spring Island, one of my most favorite destinations. 

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Digital Boomerang Experiment - The Recollection Parlor - "The Hat Haiku"

This is a sneak preview of one of five "Digital Boomerangs" created by a group of artists at The Recollection Parlor. Look for the entire collection in March 2010's Somerset Digital Studio magazine. For a large version of this slideshow, click inside the slideshow frame.

Below is a list of the other participating artists and their personal blogs or photosites.

Debbie Mihalick

Michele Jackson
Abby Lazar - picture trail to follow

Sija Teijgeler

Red Scott

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Another free mini-card or gift tag

I don't know about you, but I always seem to run out of gift tags when I am wrapping presents or need a little tag to attach to a hostess present. Although I usually buy my tags from UNICEF or Ten Thousand Villages, this year I've decided to make my own. So, just in case you run out, now you won't have to run to the store, you can just run to your computer and print these.

As per usual, double click on image to enlarge, and then RIGHT CLICK "Save As".  When printing, choose the horizontal layout and print "TO FIT SHEET".  The cards end up being about 2.25 inches square.  The larger single card is 4 x 4 square.

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