Altered Art Expressions

Time to Clean Out the Closet!!!!

2010-09-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have so much stuff and need to make room for more, you know how that goes! We as artists are always cleaning out and revamping and redoing things...well I am and need to make room for more art supplies.

Contact me and we can make a deal on the rubber stamps...I have loads more to offer to stay tuned!

Computer crashed!

2010-08-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

You hear about it happening to others but never think it could happen to you! Well it can and it did! OMG! Lost EVERYTHING! It makes me sick to think about it...learned my lesson you bet! Can you say BACKUP!! Back to square one...and hopefully make a come back. Thank goodness for my brother installing a new 500 gig hard drive for me...kicking butt now! LOL!

Cricut Scrabble Tile Bracelet

2010-03-24T11:54:00.001-07:00

This bracelet was also made with the scrabble tiles. The letters were cut with my Cricut Personal Cutter.

Scrabble Tile Charm Bracelet

2010-03-24T11:51:00.001-07:00

I have so many of these tiles I thought it was time to do something with them.

Cricut Key chains

2010-03-18T13:35:00.001-07:00

I was sitting here the other day and was not inspired to create art work and wanted to play around with my ever ending stash of jewelry findings, beads, tools etc. etc. etc. So I thought what could I do with them.

Key chains! But not any ordinary key chains, key chains for a specific type of lady (or gent) that could get a kick out of these.

First of all I apologize for some of the not so great pics. My new camera decided to belly up and they want $90 to fix it. No I did not take out the insurance when I bought who would have thunk! Lesson learned! Hey for less then $90 I can buy another one new.

Here is the first key chain:

Bloom!

2010-03-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

Here is what I did with the flower that I made.

Hard to scan it and I am NOT a good photographer but you get the idea!

Springtime In Paris

2010-03-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Baby Cakes

2010-03-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

I have not had time to make any art in the last year. I had bought some of that flocking and it was there on my desk saying "try me"! So I did. I used it on the cupcake bottom. I think this is going to be one of my favorite new things to play with

Circa 1965-1969

2009-07-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

For many years I was trying to find a couple of my BFF sisters. We grew up together back in Buffalo NY. Through perseverance and the help of Face Book I found their younger sister and contacted her. I wasn't a 100% sure if she was their sister so I gave her enough information so she knew I wasn't a weirdo (but of course anyone that knows me won't totally agree with that! LOL) I was so thrilled to be reunited with Christine and Irene!!!

30 plus years we have been looking for each other. Irene had a couple of my pictures from high school. OMG!!! I laughed with tears rolling down. So I decided to share them here.

The far upper left picture is my freshman or sophomore year at Villa Maria Acedemy. Hair could not touch the collar of your uniform, when you knelt down that uniform better hang an inch down on the floor. NO jewelry, no bows in your hair and nylons with those ugly black penny loafers. Oh and did I mention that the uniforms were wool and long sleeve white blouses that were NOT permanent press? Oh they were so uncomfortable! And so hot in the summer.
Well I only went to Villa for 2 years and then my parents had me transferred to Cheektowaga Central where I graduated in 1969.

The middle pic is about 4 years old and represents me now and the one on the far right is my graduation picture from 1969. Those were the days!

Golden Digital Grounds

2009-06-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Ok so tonight I am not looking for cake decorating videos. We were talking about this new product that Golden came out with and I was not familiar with it. Well hold on Stella! I went to the Golden site to read up on it and what do I find? Videos on how to use this new product! OMG! Does this mean that I have to run over to Blicks to check this product out? I guess so.

CLICK HERE to watch the videos at Golden's site. There are two videos to watch and you will be just as anxious as me to go and buy some! Can you say ROAD TRIP?!?!?! LOL!

Let me know what you think of this and if you have tried it. If you have any other tips to add please do!

Enjoy!

Rachel The Traveler

2009-05-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

This past May my grand daughter Rachel went to DC for her class trip. Her mom sent me some pics that they took and this one is my favorite! They had loads of fun and were completely exhausted when they arrived home. I can't think of a better place for kids to go and absorb so much of our country's history.

One More Time!

2009-04-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

Ok I showed these cupcake pops to my daughter Gennifer and suggested that perhaps my grand daughter Kennedy and her could make these. Well she tells me no way! OK! So 2 days later I get this phone call and the next thing I know we are off to the store to buy the supplies to make cupcake pops. LOL!

What a process it was! We made about 50 of these little chick pops and they came out pretty good. My grand daughter lost interest after a while and did not want to help. Trust me she licked as much of the chocolate that she could, do you think she went to bed early all sugared up? NOT!~ LOL!

It was fun and we have these pops all made for her day care party on Friday. I think we had enough of them for a while...or until the next time Ms Bakerella tempts us with more of her creations. I still think the idea of chocolate cake with peanut butter would be soooooooooo delicious.

Cupcake Pops

2009-04-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

The other day I stumbled across this blog and was WOWED by what I saw and said these are the cutest! The name of the blog is: Bakerella. Make sure you visit her blog and make sure you go through the whole thing. There is so much there to see and I assure you will be delighted!

So I decided that I was going to attempt some of these sweet creations. I want to make them for one of the gals at work who's birthday is next week. So we did a trial run to see if I could make something decent.

Here they are all made up ready to be dipped! Now it is a messy job but I discovered that if you wet your hands the cake will shape better for you. Now don't get them too wet. Shake off the excess water and begin rolling them. Now it was hard for me to tell what the size of them were. So i made mine a little bit smaller then a golf ball. Ah that is way toooooooo big! Why you ask? Hmmmm because they become top heavy and fall off! Trust me! Further more Bakerella can get 45-50 from a batch and I only had 29. So i had to make them smaller. As a reference to size...Tootsie Roll Pop size. Perfect!

Here are the instructions for the basic pops! See if you can resist them! :)

2009-04-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ok now my pictures of this process are not the best. Bakerella has got that on me! She takes the best pics of her work and just makes you want to reach out and touch the screen. But I was in a hurry and thought I would try and capture the moment.

You should put them in a piece of styrofoam to stand up in but I did not have any and I was not going to make another run to the store. So my son came up with this idea of placing them in the egg carton. It worked for a while but my top heavy first attempts were falling over and UGH what a mess that was! LOL! The egg carton worked for this time and I will buy one tomorrow so I have it when my daughter and I do them on Tuesday! Yep showed them to her and she wants to make them now. Ok!

2009-04-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Another view of the make shift egg carton. See them falling over! EEEEEEEEEK!

2009-04-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

Another idea to do is to stand them up in a glass of suger! Bakerella tells you that. Duh I missed that reading and my good friend Heather back in NY had to tell me that over the phone. Oh well! Who said I read directions? It does work better then our egg carton!

The End Results

2009-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

They came out pretty good if you ask me. For my first try what the heck! My daughter wants to make the little chicks? HUH?? Are you kidding me? Have you seen how PERFECT her's are? OMG!! CLICK HERE to see her's and then you have to promise you won't laugh at mine!

It was fun to do and I even had my 20 year old son in the kitchen with me helping out. It's good to have an extra hand with you when you are doing this. His job was putting on the sprinkles. Oh and how do they taste? DELICIOUS! I used a lemon cake with vanilla frosting. But I have been thinking here all afternoon that chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting??? YUM~

If you decide to make them let me know. Email me or leave a comment with your blog so I can see them!

Arch Challenge that i Missed :(

2009-04-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

You know when you only have every other weekend off it's hard to find spare time to do artwork. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE my job but it sure does cut into my play time. There was an arch challenge a couple of weeks ago and I did not get mine done in time. WHAAAAAA! Oh how I wanted to play in that one. Oh well. What's a girl to do? So here is the one that I made. It's hard to tell in the pic but it's very dimensional. I used pop dots on the images and then raised the little bird. It's really kewl looking in person! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such warm messages. I think I might go do some blog hopping myself!

New Tim Toys!

2009-04-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ok so I got a few new toys to play with (like I really need more stuff) and most of them were from Ranger. I used my favorite Distress Inks and the alphabet mask. Now I always use cosmetic sponges to apply my ink but I broke down and tried Tim's blending tool and I kind of like it. What the heck a girl needs some new toys now and again! LOL!! Stamped a couple of images using the paint dabbers.

2009-04-04T21:35:00.001-07:00

Relaxing this afternoon!

2009-04-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

The weather has not been very warm for this time of year here in Las Vegas. We have had a couple of days in the 80's but that was it so far! 62 is not very warm if you ask me! Better then getting 6 inches of snow. A couple of my friends called me today to let me know about their little snow storm. I can say with a great big smile that I don't miss it one bit. So I sat in the yard drinking my coffee and relaxing after half cleaning my room, doing the laundry, getting dinner ready etc. etc. etc. While I was sitting there a beautiful little humming bird decided to visit me. Oh what a piece of art work from Mother Nature! He was so busy fluttering about he did not notice me. A humming bird only a foot away is such a site to behold!

Hope

2009-03-22T19:09:00.001-07:00

This is a 6 x6 covered canvas that I applied paints for the background and then glued my image with gel medium. Crumpled some tissue paper and glued it down with gel medium. I them dry brushed it with paints and then covered it with textured paper that has been sitting around for a long time. I then dry brushed with more paints and shoe polish. The metal word was silver that I painted black and then added black embossing powder.

Altered Frame

2009-03-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

The frame that I altered resembled a bird house but I decided I did not want that and took out the bird perch. I created my little collage on the wood backing of the frame using paints and inks. I love that bicycle charm. As soon as I saw that I had to make something with it. Blue Moon as come out with the gorgeous like of vintage charms called "Tokens". I want them all!!! So many to choose from. I only got a couple of pics of this and then the darn batteries went on me! I will go out later and get some because I forgot to charge the other ones! LOL! I need to get used to this fancy camera that I got for Christmas. Too many bells and whistles!

Spring is HERE!!!!

2009-03-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

The temps here last week were in the 80's! How nice! Flowers blooming, the smell of fresh cut grass, open windows that allow that fresh air to come in! So in honor of spring I altered this wooden box.
The images of the little children are from PID. All the other material that I used to alter this can be purchased at Michaels even the Easter cards that are 3 dimensional. They have some incredible things for Spring and Easter!

Enjoy the new Season!

It was simply FANTASTIC!!!!!

2009-03-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Well the show was a hit as it has been for the last 49 years which is the longest running show in American History. I am so glad that we had the opportunity to witness history. The Vegas Show girls were beautiful, talented and smiled through their entire performance.

Les Folies Bergere was at it's finest! Now I believe the show originated back in the late 1800's. I wish I could tell you the next time you are in Vegas to see this show but sadly it is coming to an end the 27th of March this year. The dancing, singing, acrobats and of course the costumes! MAGNIFICENT!!!

There were also a Chinese Twin Brother Acrobat act that was awesome! And then the comedian Michael Hill I think...I forgot his name (dear me) was funny.

We had great seats right in front and it just could not get any better then that! Oh what a night it truly was!

My first Vegas Show!

2009-03-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Ok I have been living here for nearly 2 years and have not gone to any of the shows here. How sad. BUT....tonight my mother and I are going to one!!!

Folies Bergere has been running for over 50 years and it will be closing it's doors later this month. I am really excited about going to see this one.

Hmmmmm maybe I better take my camera and see if I can get some pics!

OneWorld-One Heart Two Winners will be chosen!

2009-01-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!! I have been so busy for the last few months that I have not had the chance to post anything. Well that is over and what better way to start then to participate in the One World-One Heart Give-a-way! To win the prize all you have to do is leave a comment here!

What I have for this wonderful event are TWO prizes to give away!

The prize package will contain a signed and dated ATC that are framed in their own gold frame. Along with the ATC I will also include a package of Clear stamps from Inkadinkadoo! It will be random who gets what package.

The prize is one ATC in it's gold frame along with a set of one package of Clear Stamps.

I am so thrilled to be able to participate in this event! Please make sure that I have a way to get in contact with you in case you are the winner. I will announce the winner on Feb. 12! GOOD LUCK!

A Mothers Touch

2009-01-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorites! This is for the monthly ATC Jackpot that we have.

2009-01-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

2009-01-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

"B" Challenge

2009-01-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Patience

2009-01-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

Pretty In Pink

2009-01-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

Halloween Project

2008-10-06T21:07:00.001-07:00

I had to make a pumpkin for a contest at work. I love vintage Halloween and I saw a similar project in a magazine. So I decided to give it a go! He is made with 3 craft pumpkins that were spray painted black. A feather boa around his neck to keep him warm. Rather then carving his face we used a textured paste to create it. His hat is made from card stock that I swiped with gold ink and made black dots. Large chenille stems for his arms and a clay flower pot for the base. It was fun and I love him! No we did not win the district contest but what the heck! He was getting banged up at work and losing his parts. I brought him home for safe keeping! He stands nearly 3 feet tall!

It Rained Last Night!!!

2008-10-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

I have been living in Las Vegas for nearly a year and a half and it has only rained twice. It rained very hard here last night and it was unreal! Streets flood, backyards flood and the roads are very slick like driving on ice covered roads back East. It was very pleasant this morning. Birds were singing and having fun in the bird bath. The smell from the rain was very refreshing and the grass was so green! You are on very strict watering here in the desert. So this rain was like a windfall to the plant life here.

Halloween ATC Swap

2008-09-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Careful when you click on them they are big files and a little blurry BUT i warned ya! New scanner and i still don't know how to use it properly! LOL! High tech! Go figure! And I did small images! EEEEEEEK!

2008-07-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

New Art Work this is so different!!

2008-07-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted any of my new art work lately. I have been so busy. I have been taking a cake decorating class and here is my first cake. Ok no flowing fountains LOL!! But it's coming.

My daughter Gennifer is also doing this with me. She is not a crafty person at all but when she said she would do this I said ALL RIGHT!!

So here is her first cake! Not bad al all!!!!

I forgot to take pics of the cute little clown cupcakes we made last week. Darn! Every one ate them before I got a chance to snap them! LOL!!

2008-06-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

2008-06-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Have to moderate comments

2008-06-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Why do some of these people think they can get away with posting their silly links in the comment section of our blogs? I mean come on folks! So now I have to moderate comments. That is too bad. But whatcha gonna do?

I feel bad doing this but I have more important things to do then have to go back and delete them. As long as we have the internet there will always be those low lives that have nothing better to do then spam an art blog!

Gesh! GET A LIFE!

Just having fun!

2008-06-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

2008-06-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Another ATC that I did for the polka dot challenge

2008-06-20T14:42:00.001-07:00

Introducing Nia! Another ATC that I did for the challenge.

2008-06-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

2008-06-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

2008-06-12T08:58:00.001-07:00

2008-06-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

Bird House Row

2008-06-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

The ending to a perfect day!

2008-06-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Some times a picture is worth a 1000 words. I think this one falls into that category. This is my 2 year old grand daughter Kennedy after a very busy day.

2008-06-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Rubber Stamp Artist

2008-06-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

I used to make cards long long ago and just loved it. Since I have fallen in love with altered arts, collage, mixed media I have gotten away from it.

There is a very talented gal who's blog that I look forward to reading and that is Michelle Zindorf. If you want to be WOWED and inspired and learn many rubber stamp techniques you must visit her blog: click here

You will NOT be disappointed viewing her blog!

Have a great day every one. I have a crazy day ahead of me!

RSS FWD

2008-05-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

Ok so now I have to eat my words? They finally started to send me my emails to the blogs that I subscribe to and at first OMG they were AWFUL!

BUT....I received my email yesterday and WOW!!!!! Great guns! There were pictures, links and words that I could read!

WAY TO GO RSS FWD!!! Good job! And ok this format is soooooooo much better!

So I will use a fork and knife to eat my words!
Everyone have a GREAT WEEKEND!

2008-05-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

Altered Arts E-magazine Issue 4 Get the latest FREE Issue

2008-05-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Have you gotten the latest issue yet? You can for free at "The MailBox Muse". In this issue I posted the completed ATC's that I created using the Portfolio Series Oil Pastels for my backgrounds. The completed ATC's used images from Paper Imagery Designs. You can find the tutorial here.

Blogrithym is gone!

2008-05-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

UGH! The other day I received an email telling me that blogrithym was bought by someone else and the transition would go smoothly and you would continue to receive your daily emails of the blogs that you subscribe to. OK 4 days have gone by and nothing! COME ON!!! There were many sites that I subscribed to and enjoyed them so much. Not one email not one update! Why do they have to go and change a good thing? UGH!~ So what happens to the folks that subscribe to my blog or to your blog? Probably in cyber space some where. Maybe they will get it fixed or not.

Oh well what can you do? Send an email? HA! Would they listen to ya. Probably not.

Another week of BOGO sale and lower shipping rate.

2008-05-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Buy One get one Free is on again for another week!!!!!

Being the co-owner of a company is lots of work. But our customers come first and we want to be certain that their needs are met and always number one with us.

Mel is always working in the background creating our collage sheets from the ideas that we get from you. We have added so many new sheets. ATC backgrounds, ATC house shaped transparencies and so many sheets of inchies! Each sheet is professionally printed using a laser printer to give you a quality image to use for an image transfers.

New shipping rates: Our plan is to get our product to you as quickly as possible and is always first with us. All US orders are sent via USPS Priority mail.

Sending Internationally or to Canada can be costly. So we have CHANGED our policy for International and Canadian sales to actual shipping costs still using USPS. Once you have placed your order we will invoice you for the ACTUAL shipping plus a small handling fee. Our packages will go First Class Air Mail via USPS. If our International and Canadian customers purchase 13 or more sheets WE will pay for the insurance on the package.

If you would like to check out our sheets you can visit us at:

Paper Imagery Designs.

Some new art work for theme challenges..

2008-05-18T22:03:00.001-07:00

I got a little time to play a couple of days ago and thought I would post some of my art work for some of the weekly challenges.

Theme Thursday is "girls" so I made this ATC using images from Paper Imagery Designs.

For "Think Monday - Think ATC I made this ATC. The theme was "Heroes" and I think that ALL mothers are. Image from Paper Imagery Designs.

Wednesday Stamper's theme is "Art it Up" so here is my piece for that one. Image and also Egg background are both from Paper Imagery Designs.

Last but not least Mixed Media Monday's theme was to use a transparency and I made a birthday card for a friend of mine back home in NY. Transparency used is from Paper Imagery Designs.

thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit! Hope to be a little bit more active in my art work. No art work can make a girl cranky and feeling displaced :(

thank you for your many emails...

2008-05-05T02:00:00.001-07:00

I can't thank you all enough for all the heart warming emails that I have received. I could not think of anyone more special then my art friends to share my exciting news.

Peace to all!

Lori

Announcing the Design Team!

2008-05-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Paper Imagery Designs is proud to announce our new Design Team!

You can see them here!

On the Cover of the Magazine!!!!

2008-05-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

I am so excited and very proud

to be on the cover of the May/June 08 Issue of
Altered Arts Magazine

WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

If you would like to order this months magazine you can order it from Paper Imagery Designs while supplies last!

2008-04-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Altered Letter

2008-04-30T08:27:00.001-07:00

I had fun altering this letter the other night. I made this for a little gal who wanted something for her best friends birthday. I wanted to create something girlish and sweet! I think the images capture that. Joanna comes over often to my house and loves to do art. I was honored that she asked me to do this. I think her friend Debbie will love it!

It is made from MDF and you can get them at Michaels.

I painted it with acrylics and then outlined and shaded with the oil pastels and inks. Used rub ons for the words.

Images are from Paper Imagery Designs

May 1st is almost here...

2008-04-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

There is so much planning to start your own business. Mel and I have been in a tail spin this last couple of weeks. And of course there is the day to day routine that we both have to do. Working, cooking, cleaning, the kids etc. etc. My son in law has been a doll setting up our site and putting up with two women that keep changing their minds about this and that. He certainly deserves a medal for his patience.

It's almost ready! We are putting on our best dresses on for the gala affair of our grand opening that will take place on May 1st, 2008 @ Midnight EST time. Look for a great special that we will run for the entire month of May.

I hope you can stop by even just to visit us at:

paperimagerydesigns.com

You wont see too much right now!

Many applications have arrived...

2008-04-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

We are happy to say that we have had several applications for the new Design Team at Paper Imagery Designs. We are also sad that we can't have everyone on the team. We are going to pick 4 for these positions on May 3. It will not be easy! So if you have not applied please do so by May 1st.

The applications have spanned the globe! Isn't wonderful how the internet can bring us all together!

The lucky recipients will receive an email from us on the 3rd of May. So watch your email!

OOPS! My apologies!

2008-04-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Please anyone can apply for our Design Team. I made a boo boo when I posted to the lists. So anyone can apply.

Thank you so much for understanding the click of a button. Has not been my week for that.

Lori

2008-04-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

Paper Imagery Design was created from the heart. We are the combination of a dynamic mother-daughter team and have created images for use in your art work. Whether it is for ATC’s, altered books, collage, creating keepsake cards, or mixed media you certainly will be delighted to use our images.

Paper Imagery Designs is looking for a couple of designers. We are looking for dedicated designers that love to make keepsake cards, ATC's, altered books, 4x4's and enjoy doing altered projects. If you would like to be considered for our design team please send us an e-mail to info@paperimagerydesigns.com with the requested information below:

2 ATC's

2 cards

and 2 current altered projects

Full name and contact information.
Links to any current online galleries, resumes and or blog galleries
List of current design teams that you may be on.
Short bio of yourself and why you would like to be a part of our team.

Please send submissions to us by May 1st and designers will be notified no later then May 3rd.

Paper Imagery Design design team members will be expected to:
Create projects with our current and future product lines.
Write up directions for your art work.
Commit 6 months of your time to PID.
Submit projects for publication and to our online site gallery.
Promote Paper Imagery Designs and company products by posting your projects on online galleries and blogs.

In return for your time and work:
You will receive monthly packages of products from us
Your photo and bio on our website

We can’t wait to see you submissions. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail us at info@paperimagerydesigns.com

Applications will only be accepted by the above email addy.

For more info please visit our blog and to get a sneak peak http://paperimagerydesigns.blogspot.com/

Sincerely
Paper Imagery Designs
Lori & Melissa

What a mess!!!

2008-04-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

It's long story but some how, some way I messed up my email program BIG TIME!! I lost all my email contacts! All my Mail Rules and filtering folders and I am fit too be tied! So if you have sent me an email in the past week and have not heard from me please email me again. I have those that came in the last 2 days...but there were other emails that I had not had a chance to answer and wanted to do them personally.

I AM SO SORRY~ I AM NOT IGNORING YOU!!!

I guess this happens to all of us! Ah don't you just love with the click of one button "BAM" it's all gone!

Lori

Portfolio Series Oil Pastels Tutorial

2008-04-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for the tutorial you will find it at my Altered Arts Magazine Blog.

Click here!

Hope to see you there!

Image Transfer of Sarah

2008-04-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

Having fun with my canvas boards. I was at Dick Blicks a couple of weeks ago and bought a bunch of 6x6 canvas panels. It is a much larger size for me to play with so what the heck. Still playing with my Portfolio oil pastels I made this one of Sarah. I transferred the image onto the canvas panel using Dick Blick brand gel medium and it worked perfectly!!! The image is a laser print not ink jet.

I often wondered why people like to do transfers? What is the purpose of this technique? WELL!! Let me tell you once you do this you will never go back! LOL!!! The image becomes embedded into the canvas. No messy glues or tape to play around with. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it you are hooked! If you have not tried it yet you have to!

Here are some tips that I learned along the way...make sure that your background that you are applying your image to is not too dark. The transfer becomes very transparent and you can see through it. As in this one you can see the music paper in the lighter areas of the image. I like the way it looks.

I like to let my image dry first before I take the paper off. I can almost guarantee that it will work perfectly everytime for me. Sometimes if you rub too hard you will take that delicate image off your surface. Been there done that! :) It really is up to the artist and what they want for thier piece of art work.

I have read in many places about this technique that you learn how much or how little to put on. This is true...it was explained to me that it is like spreading mayo or mustard on your sandwich. You do not want globs of the gel medium or dry spots but an even coat. (Who wants globs or dry spots on their sandwich??) Make sense? Just use that indisposable tool that you have your trusty finger and slide that gel medium evenly all over the front of your image, slap it down where you want it (image and gel medium face down) and the next thing that is VERY important is to burnish that image. I have an old brayer that I use. Do this until you know that the image has come in contact with your surface, and its ok if the gel medium oozes out. You want that. It is smoothing out the gel medium so you don't have any lumps underneath.

So now I wait for it to dry. I usually am at my desk with my computer and go play a game of solitary until it is dried. Using that indispensable tool your finger gently and lightly start rubbing the paper off using water. It may take some time to get all the white fuzzy stuff off but it is worth it! Let it dry a bit and rub some more. Once I have it all off I will coat my image with some neutral shoe polish to protect my image from the paints and inks that I will use in my collage. If I get messy and I do it will come right off with out ruining anything.

I was very frustrated with the right side of the panel and could not make it work...so there are about 6 layers of paint, gesso, paper, more paint and finally the oil pastels. I want to add some more to this around the bird house that is not so visible here. Maybe later next week. I like to start something and then finish it off later. The muse works that way some times.

Sarah is another image that will soon be available at Paper Imagery Designs. Watch this site for the grand opening special! You won't want to miss it. The owners of the new company are very excited about their new collage sheets. Collage sheets designed by an artist for artists!

Tessa 6x6 Collage on Canvas

2008-04-11T07:26:00.001-07:00

I made this collage on canvas last night. Background done with Portfolio Oil Pastels and Golden Acrylic paints. Image is from Paper Imagery Designs...WATCH for a grand opening May 1, 2008!!!!

George showed up for Tea Time today

2008-04-10T15:16:00.001-07:00

And he even brought his own cup! Nice to have him stop by for a visit.

How I do my backgrounds...

2008-04-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

As soon as I can I will post a tutorial on how I do them. Probably not until next week. But to start I use cereal boxes for my base. Yeah that is right, just cut up that box instead of throwing it away. Nothing like recycling the right way. We reuse it.

Then I cover it with a couple of coats of gesso. Let it dry. That's all I will tell you for now. It really simple and fun. There is one tool that is very expensive and only allowed 10 per person and that is of course your fingers. Yeah I am one of those. Why use a brush??? You have to go and wash it out all the time and dry it out before you can use it again. I just use my fingers and keep a little bowl of water to dip in to rinse off any paint or whatever I get on it. So much cheaper and easier to use! And I can't loose it on my desk! :) Like I do with most things on it.

Till the next time, Peace to you!

Hello

2008-04-10T14:41:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce you to another new image from Paper Imagery Designs! Isn't she just a little doll!!!

Background created with paints, oil pastels and stamped images. Collage image from Paper Imagery Designs!

Only a couple of more weeks and you will be able to see them all! They have some wonderful new never seen before images just waiting for you to play with and create your own works of art!

Moments

2008-04-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Another new image coming from "Paper Imagery Designs" this is the O'Connor Family portrait of the children.

Beautiful Tessa!

2008-04-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

I have submitted this piece for Think Monday Think ATC.

I had fun with this background. Although for the most part it is the same as the other two listed below... after using the Portfolio Crayons I dripped a couple of drops of WHITE India ink and let it run down and then blended more of the crayons with the matte medium. Stamped the leaves and painted as in "George". Added decoupage images and Tessa using the matte medium.

Watch for more images of Tessa and the others coming mid May from Paper Imagery Designs!

2008-04-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

2008-04-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Poem Excercise

2008-04-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Millande had this exercise posted so I did my version of it. You can download a file from her site and use them but I just printed off some words of my own and followed along. This is my tribute to her!

2008-03-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Meet Lila!

2008-03-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

Lila is a new collage image that will be coming out soon. I made this collage of her done on a 4x5 canvas panel.

My friend Dorothy

2008-03-24T10:45:00.001-07:00

This is my friend Dorothy. This picture was taken when she was about 5 years old, she is now 82 and just as lively as one can be! She allowed me to use her photograph for my art work. Thanks Dorothy!

The background was one with oil pastels. The egg was stamped on hand made paper.

And yes Dorothy will be a new collage image that will be coming soon in May!

How is your week going?

2008-03-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

Mine has been very hectic! I have worked a lot this week so not having much time for art work lately. I am working on some samples for the Cruise in November. As soon as they are completed I will be posting them here on my blog and at the forum of "Crafting Cruises".

Strange behavior today by many wonder if it's the full moon? :)

Found an interesting site today...

2008-03-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

My CD drive is not working for some silly reason and I love to listen to music when I am playing in my studio. I asked my son if he knew of a site that I could go to for some good music. He told me about pandora.com.

Well this is just awesome! You type in the name of an artist and they start playing music. WOW!!! OK so I am one of those old timers from the 70's and yes I love disco and not ashamed to admit it. I typed in Bee Gees and well this old gal is rocking all night long. ROFL!! Not sure how much art work I will get done because I am singing and dancing in my seat! HA HA!

There does not appear that there are any charges...well at least not yet. We shall see. You do have to register with them after you hear about 3 songs. I have been listening for over an hour and the Disco Queen is having a ball!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

2008-03-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my survey on the collage sheets. It was most informative and I must say you gals have a great sense of humor! :)

Congratulations to Becky S!!! I will email her and get her info to send out her prize!

Peace to all!

Artistic Voyage - Mixed Media Cruise

2008-03-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that I have been asked to be a instructor on a fabulous sea cruise that will take place in November 2008.

Where is this cruise going you ask? It's a 5 day Caribbean Cruise out of Miami visiting Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel Mexico.

Who are in the instructors? Cyndi Duncan, Founder and Editor In Chief - Altered Arts Magazine, Lori Roberts (yeah that's right ME) - Senior Designer Altered Arts Magazine and Lauren Ferguson - Designer Altered Altered Arts Magazine.

This fun filled cruise is packed with classes fit for a Mixed Media Artist Queen AND you can bring your significant other along for the cruise and have a wonderful get-a-way!

Here is what I need from you! Please go on over to the site of Crafting Cruises Forum (CLICK HERE), and you must register (I promise it wont hurt a bit) and take a little poll that I have started. We would like to know what type of classes you would want to take if you were going!

Now you MUST register and PARTICIPATE in this little poll I will randomly pull a name out of the hat and will send the winner a nice surprise package. YOU DON'T have to register for the trip just the forum and MUST participate in the poll to be eligible.

Retail Value of the Prize OVER $50.00!!! Now how cool is that?

The cut off date to enter this contest is Sunday, March 23, 2008.

See Lauren's blog for more info! CLICK HERE!

2008-03-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

I am in the mood for a giveaway! Instead of just everyone just posting here and leaving a comment, I would like for you to answer my survey. Only those who enter the survey and leave their email will be qualified for my giveaway.

What is the giveaway prize? Maybe an original piece of art or maybe some goodies or maybe both! But whatever it is "I Promise Delight"!!

Only one person will win the prize that will be randomly chosen.

I am interested in what you look for when you buy collage sheets. What better people to ask then my fellow artist.

PLEASE READ DIRECTIONS FOR THIS POLL

Leave your email addy in the comment section at the poll where it says

"TALK".

Please answer each question, This will give you 4 chances to win. Duplicate emails will be deleted. Please only vote once for each question.

This is private and confidential and no one else will see it.

If you were referred by someone please leave their name and email addy also in the "TALK" section so we can give them their extra ticket for referring you.

What sort of collage sheets inspire you? Do you like them in black and white or sepia tone? Would you prefer fully colored or partial colored as in maybe their clothes are colored or some flowers? Do you like collage sheets with the same image colored and cropped differently? Would you prefer collage sheets with multiple images of different people? What about size? ATC size images or smaller? Is it easier to buy them as a download or printed, then shipped?

That's it! If you would please be so kind and answer these questions you will be entered in my giveaway. I will leave it up for a week and announce the winner. Pass the word on about my poll and have them mention your name to be entered twice. If you would like to leave a comment with each poll please feel free to do so and explain your answers better.

Your answers are private and confidential. No one else will see them but me.

If you go to the poll and it is not working please be patient and try again later.

Thanks again for all your help. The survey will end on midnight March 19th, 2008

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PollPub.com VoteWould you prefer colored, black and white or sepia toned collage sheets?

PollPub.com VoteWould you prefer to download your collage sheets or have them printed then shipped to you?

PollPub.com VoteWhat size do you prefer your images?

PollPub.com VoteDo you like sheets with the same image cropped and colored different or different images?

I've Been Tagged!

2008-03-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by my very good art friend Linda Cain. I am sharing 7 facts about me. So, if you were tagged, here's what you have to do:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ok seven things about me (I am sure that my kids will say there are 100's or even 1000's! :)

1,) I will walk into the room where one of my kids are and start talking about something. They tell me I have random thoughts all the time and they have no clue what I am talking about.

2.)I have to say my prayers each night no matter how tired I am.

3,) I can't stand the smell of any kind of cooked egg! YUK!!! GAG!!!

4.) When I was pregnant with my first daughter I got so sick from the smell of Kentucky Fried Chicken and could not eat it for over 20 years.

5.) I can't wear PJ's always a night gown.

6.) I skipped school when I first got my license (I was only 16) and got a speeding ticket that day. I never told my parents and went to court all by myself. I even had to go to driver ed class to have the sentence reduced to illegal parking. Never told them!

7.) Last but not least I managed to dent the car door on my fathers new car (passenger side). I would park the car so he would not see it. He came home from work and said somebody hit the car at work! PHEW!!!! Ah no I never told him. eeek!

OK I have to tag 7 people they are all good friends and artists that I admire:

1.) Wanda H

2.) Mel H.

3.) Matthew

4.) Ligia

5.) Andrea

6.) Nathalie

7.) Sue Stringfellow

Ok that was not that easy to pick just 7 people. I could go on with my list of artists and friends. I have visited all the blogs of the people I tagged. I hope they have as much fun as I did.

Another Tip IN Page Theme - Floral Beauties

2008-03-03T15:03:00.001-08:00

Ivette's theme was Floral Beauties. This is my page for her book. The gal in the center on the right hand side is an image from Altered Pages.

Tip IN Page Theme Cats

2008-03-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

A Tip In Swap is being hosted on the yahoo group for Altered Pages. Chris' theme was 'cats" and this is what I made for her book. Actually all images for this page were cut from magazines except for the blue butterfly wings that are from Altered Pages collage sheet.

A lot of thinking going on...

2008-02-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my art and what it might lack in terms of words, verses etc. I find at times it is difficult for me to place this form of art on my pieces. So I plan on concentrating more of why I have created this piece of art. What it says to me and what I feel. Rather then just slapping something together and placing it here. Hopefully as time passes you will see a difference in what I do. I am not sure why this has come over me all of a sudden. But I think I like the idea. Change is good! Well at least I hope it is! :)

I feel the need to create what is in me rather then following along. I may be on a different path in life right now and it makes me feel good.

Love and Light to all!

Polka Dots

2008-02-26T07:59:00.000-08:00

2008-02-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

Image is from Altered Pages.

2008-02-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

An ATC that I made this afternoon. Image is from Altered Pages.

One is like being without

2008-02-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

The kids went out on Sat. night leaving me home alone with the dog. It was so peaceful here that I did not know what to do! Ha! So I made a couple of ATC's. The background on these two ATC's were made with masking tape. I tore pieces and placed on my ATC and then painted the tape. I used Golden's paints. Stamped images are from Inka Stamps and man image from Ten Two Studios.

3 Reasons it takes courage

2008-02-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Here is the second one using the same technique. Stamps used are from Inka Stamps and image from Ten Two Studios.

Thank you all!

2008-02-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

I really appreciate all the positive comments both here and personally. To answer a couple of questions. The canvas that I used was a board canvas that I cut with an Exacto knife. I broke through the board and then cut with scissors. I am so impatient and not so good with one of those knives. I sanded the edges and then glued decorative paper on the back of them. Treated the canvas with some gesso and painted with acrylic paints. Applied the tissue paper and then the napkins using gel medium.

As far as those lovely butterflies...I just took a piece of card stock and painted them with acrylic paints. Using a coral, yellow and a soft green that I just squirted on and used a foam brush to splat the paint around. Once dried I used my favorite ink pad India Black Ink from Stewart Superior and then cut them out. You can't see in the photo but I layered the butterflies. There are at least 3 of them just using some pop dots to give it dimension.

The large butterfly on my dad's picture is a lace butterfly that also was painted. The wings of that butterfly are also raised to give it more depth.

I was going to connect them but decided that they would look great on the mantle resting on book plates.

Peace to all my friends!

Happy Early Birthday MOM!

2008-02-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

Next Monday the 25th of Feb. is my mother's 87th birthday and she was supposed to have her cataract surgery this Friday but due to a condition that she has developed (Desert dry eye) they can't do it. This means she has to wait another month for it. UGH! She is so disappointed. So I decided that even though the pins that I made for her are so pretty she would not be able to see them. I started thinking that they should be mounted on something. Well since "houses" are in and I have not attempted to make my version I decided that the pins needed a "house" to live in so Mother can see them better. So this is what I created for her. I am so excited to take them over to her but have to wait until Sunday to take them over.

I made them from a canvas that is 9x12 inches and cut them in the shape of the house. I covered them with Angel tissue paper and napkins. The butterfly image is from Inka Stamps. I love that stamp!!! I think it is one of my favorites. You can do so much with it. Most of the other images are also from Inka Stamps.

I think my UTEE pins are very happy in there new home and will adorn my mother's mantel this Sunday.

I know these are not the best pics but I am no camera geek and the shine from the UTEE I can't get a good one. But you get the pic! LOL!

YOU MAKE MY DAY AWARD

2008-02-19T06:10:00.001-08:00

You Make My Day Award

Gayle from "A Stampers Touch" and a good artist friend of mine awarded me with the "You Make My Day Award! What a nice thing to wake up to this morning! "The rules for the “You Make My Day” award are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved. So to pass it on and keep the love going ~ here are 10 of the 100's of blogs that keep me inspired and bring a smile to my face. Check them out when you have a few minutes... perhaps there are some new friends to be made!

You know it is very difficult to only choose 10 because there are so many!!! So I will list those that are very dear and near to me and those that have offered inspiration and friendship to me over the years!

Melissa Because she loves fairies and delights the world with her creations! She is the mother of four beautiful children and still finds time to create. You go girl! Remember Mel near or far you are always in my heart.

Linda Cain - we have been art friends for a while. She is most kind and generous. I am so happy to know her! And a very talented artist!

Clara Stacko - is the Managing Editor of "Altered Arts Magazine". She certainly deserves this award because she has to put up with me! She edits my articles and that in it's self is one heck of a job. Thank you Clara for all you do!!!

Cindy Roland Cindy and I go back to the days when I first started rubber stamping many many years ago. I met her on "StampSmith" yahoo group more then 10 years ago!

Estelle - Ah now there is a lady! Estelle is the owner of "The Stampsmith" Rubber Stamp Company located in NY. Her rubber stamps are just beautiful and top notch! If you love photo art stamps then this is the place for you!!

Tim Holtz Need I say anymore!

Suze Weinberg A truly remarkable and talented woman! She is always there to stimulate you with new and exciting ideas and her videos are just spectacular! An inspiration for all of us! Suze you rock on girl friend!!!!

Gillian Allen the heart and soul behind Art-E-Zine! Where else can you go to view some of the most spectacular art work of many artist! Thanks Gillian!

Mary Jo McGraw oh WOW!!! My Idol! Some day I will get to meet her!

Last but not least and oh I wish I could send out 110 more awards....

Cyndi Duncan Founder, Editor-in-Chief of Altered Arts Magazine and Altered Book Club your Mailbox Muse! Thank you Cyndi for giving me the opportunity to work with you and the magazine.

Ok there it is 10 blogs, friends, sites that I frequent, keep in touch with or just enjoy so much!

Peace to all my friends!

Suze made me do it!

2008-02-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

I have had my melting pot for a long time and I bet I can count on my two hands how many times I have used it. I try and try and it never comes out for me. Well as we all know Suze Weinberg posted her latest Photo Show for all of us to see. Hmmm...I thought I have all the things that is required for this project well why not give it a try.

My mother's 87th birthday is coming up and she has everything! It is always so hard to get her something that will delight her. We all know that our mothers are always our biggest fans of our art. :) She is going to love these!!! Trust me they look so awesome in person!!! I can't wait for her to see them.

So I made these for my mom. Dad has been gone for almost 8 years and I found this pic I had of him. The pic of the gal is of course my mother when she was in high school. Now that was a long time ago! HA HA! Good thing she is not on the internet.

I made these according to Suze's Photo Show with a little bit of variation. Instead of using the clear UTEE I used black because I did not have enough of the clear on hand. Instead of using chipboard or cardboard I used my little samples of formica tile that I had laying around. I also stamped into the hot UTEE with a rubber stamp on my dad's piece.

For my mom I wanted to use the foil that I had but how was I going to get that to stick? I dipped the tile into the UTEE and then placed the foil on top of it. Oops it cooled to quickly, so I took my heat gun to it and heated it up! WOWSER!!! It wrinkled and shriveled up and went into the groves...OK so I took it off and VOILA! I am going to try that again using some smaller pieces on it. I am very pleased for my very first time.

THANKS SUZE!!!!!