Bloomin Colors {crayons only}

colors bloom in the crayon box...how fun playing with crayons. I ended up doing wax drippings from crayons and tearing them apart to create the petals and used the ripped crayon wrappers for the middle.

I must admit I started with a crayon rendering of a shoe and my perspective was not so good, so in frustration started again with a whole different concept and wa-la...a bloomin' flower!
You never know when you start with something where you may end up :)

Next...{style of favorite artist}

winter dreams {altered photo}

{we escaped from reality...dancing in the snow}
lyrics from the song "winter dream"

I have been grumbly all month about our cold wintery weather. When I look out my kitchen window and see this sweet birdhouse every morning with snow surrounding it and the barren crab tree with dried up crabapples hanging over it. It makes me celebrate the season and see the beauty in it, with the promise of spring and the birds coming back to occupy this sweet house.



next challenge...crayon only!

{hope}

This is Tuesday's challenge on word art, posted a little late due to technical difficulties (camera) :(
This was actually done on the 20th, inauguration day and what better word then {hope}. "Hope Drawn Home" this summed up the whole experience for me. President Obama is bringing people together in America to give us hope that we can all make the changes needed in this country at home. Together we can make a difference and a more hopeful future for our children.
It was a very historical day that will live on in the hearts of all of us for a long time.

Next challenge...{ Altered Photo }...coming soon!

Mission

I have new inspiration! Misty Mawn an artist that I discovered online has a 1 week art journal challenge. Day one is embellishments, right up my alley. It was a great way for me to get started since I have a great selection of buttons and beads!

I have not done collage in a while and needed a push, I would stare at that blank page and try to decide where to start. With a subject challenge, I was able to jump right in:)

I call this page "mission", because I am on one to start working on new projects on a weekly basis. O.K. I like butterflies... I promise the next assignment will not have a butterfly in site (maybe).

Thanks for the inspiration Misty, please take a look at her beautiful art on her blog @ mistymawn.typepad.com (see link in my favorite blogs)

Tomorrow {word art}

Snow Dog Days

The Snow keeps coming and coming. We live in Northern Illinois and I have seen a lot of snow in my days, but these past 2 years it just does not stop! I love to sit inside and sip on a hot beverage and watch the snow fall, it is so pretty. If I have to go out in it, now that is a different story.

My little snow dog, Toulouse, cringes when he has to step out into snow as deep as he is high. We shovel a little path for him to find his way out to his spot...but as the snow keeps coming the path keeps disappearing. Here he sits looking at me, like you have got to be kidding me:)

I ponder what it would be like to live somewhere warm all year. I do know that when it was January, I would probably long to cuddle up in a warm blanket with my hot cocoa and watch the beautiful snow falling. I would be willing to see if I could stand going for nature hikes, bike rides, walks in January. To see if I could live with it.

I wonder how Toulouse would feel about it?

Etsy Front Page 1/3/09 BlueCanvasStudios

Etsy Front Page 1/3/09 BlueCanvasStudios
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

My new button in a box made the front page on Etsy!
Thanks to Blue Canvas Studios: bluecanvasstudios.etsy.com

Buttons in Boxes

I have been collecting vintage Victorian buttons and Mother of Pearl buttons, so I thought I would try using them in my Shadowbox necklaces and I love the outcome! I have posted this and another on my Etsy website so take a look.  I will soon put some in "Olivia's" in Long Grove too. I have some new ideas in my head and I cannot wait to get into the studio again and get started. 

I appreciate all the support from my customers, friends and family this past year. 

Thanks for everything :)