When I was in my twenties I would naively brag about how I was great at finding bargains–except I wouldn’t use the most refined language. My stepmother would gently correct me, telling me I shouldn’t say I was cheap, and instead describe myself as frugal. She was right, of course. Never for a single moment–even back in college when I sometimes wished I could just be a carefree party girl–have I “been cheap”. Read the rest of this entry
What’s on your bucket list? My first post with Canvas Corp was on mine!.
Life suddenly began whizzing by for The Husband™ and I. And, to tell the truth, it sometimes feels like there are a lot of missed opportunities.
As parents of kids with unique needs, we put many of our dreams on hold. Year after year, we avoided activities that required babysitters. We embraced staycations and we usually juggled far more stress than we could imagine. Yet, I would give anything to have my kids be little tykes again so that I could better appreciate that precious and fleeting time. Read the rest of this entry
I am not sure why I had never made one before, but I am here to tell you that making tunnel books are a whole bundle of fun.
Dreams really do come true. I found that out firsthand when I recently got invited to join the Alpha Stamps Design Team.
I can’t adequately describe what an honor this is. Nor how terrifying it is. Many artists I have most admired over the years are on this team. Simply put, their work is brilliant.
Austin Kleon says, “Stand next to the talent” because you will only be as good as the people you surround yourself with. He tells artists to hang around people who are smarter and better than themselves. That’s what I am doing–I just fervently hope I don’t fall on my face (subsequently impaling myself with craft scissors or suffocating from all the glitter on my studio floor).
Alpha Stamps is announcing my arrival on their blog tomorrow. For my debut Alpha Stamps project, I created a three-dimensional Altered Art Greenhouse from two 6.5 inch tall House Oddities Boxes, complete with a mossy roof, wind chimes, iron bridge and flower urns. You can see this miniature greenhouse featured on the Alpha Stamps blog. Read the rest of this entry
Check out the beard on my great-grandfather! Isn’t he quite the hipster. Too bad the rest of this photo is somewhat frightening. I don’t know if my great-grandparents, Sven and Caroline, were terribly stern, but they certainly appear so.
I decided to have a little fun with my ancestors by creating mixed media frames and then sprinkling the photos with whimsical and brightly colored flowers.
To learn how I did this and to learn more about Sven, Caroline, and twin boys Arvid and Harold, please visit my tutorial at the ColourArte blog.
For some of you Spring is in the air. Here in Minnesota, well, let’s just say, we don’t even dare hope for it until April. Creating these miniature dollhouse flower bulbs provide a fun reminder that eventually the snow will may melt. The realistic miniatures have bulbs and shoots made from clay, and papery scales made from paint and gloss medium.
To see a tutorial on how to make miniature flower bulbs for dollhouses, please visit the ColourArte blog.
Have you completed all your Valentines cards yet? Don’t run out and buy those perforated factory-made cheapos just yet. You still have time to stun someone special with a dazzling creation.
And if they don’t ooh and ahhh with enough appreciation? Well then you can retaliate by keeping all the chocolate for yourself.
Who knew that my heart would get shattered before Valentine’s Day? Thank goodness it was only a spare glass heart. This mixed media heart made with glass, dazzling artist’s pigments and Tyvek envelope paper beads is still intact.
I hope you have time to check out my tutorial (and get a peek at my shattered heart) for this mixed media Valentine project.
Great Stuff
As a former journalist and business writer, I have many friends in the editorial world. While our party animal reputation may not be on par with–oh say, the Kardashians–we still know how to have a good time. For example, can you think of anything that creates more rollicking merriment than a little word nerd banter?
Indeed, we are a boisterous and bawdy bunch.
Please go see the tutorial on the ColourArte blog.
I don’t think there’s any sweeter combination than Valentines and merry-go-rounds–at least if you exclude the food category. Everyone knows there’s nothing sweeter than a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
This carousel features glittering lights, prancing horses in perfect pastels and mid-century sweethearts all dolled up for the holiday. Read the rest of this entry
