Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's Christmas eve and I've been baking and decorating (and cleaning up the house a bit) in preparation. I hope everyone has been enjoying the holiday in their own way. I kinda wished for some snow but it has made it easier to get around for all my errands without it. I did better than usual this year getting things done on time, though a few people will get cards a little late. Wishing you all a New Year full of joy, happiness and love!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Busy being Santa's Elf....

Ok, no new posts lately... though I've been very busy making art... but I can't post any of it right now or it might spoil the surprise for the recipients who might peek on here. So maybe once I get through some of my Christmas making, I can create some other things that I'll be able to post. And also some of the things that I receive, too!

Here's a link to one that I can share...

http://sharonsahl.blogspot.com/


this was created by the company Blurb with software you download, then you upload it with your files/images and they make a book for you! From what my friend, Sharon, says, it turned out nicely. I'd heard positive and negative feedback on them, though mostly positive so I wanted to give it a try. Can't wait to do more.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Where in the World? Part2



This is some art I did last night incorporating the names of addresses and cities where I've lived. I like how it came out and it was neat trying to think of old addresses where I lived... some of the numbers weren't in the brain anymore, but I think I got all the streets! What fun to make art with that, it wouldn't have occurred to me if not for the Street Team challenge... it's such an inspiration.

Where in the World?



My entry (or first one) for the GPP Street Team Challenge 15... Where in the World? (I couldn't get the button to copy and work)here's the link if you want to play (it's so much fun!) http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/

These are details from around my house... built in 1914... which I have been thinking of doing something like this for a long time now... this gave me the push to go and do it! Even though it was a bit dark last night to get some of the shots I wanted, I think it turned out pretty neat. I will describe them in order top left to bottom right...
1. a cornice in the dining room (not original to the house, but I thought it was cool
2. an old typewriter we had at home when I was growing up... love this thing!
3. the original sink in the upstairs bath... the tiles are original too!
4. grate for the fireplace in a spare room upstairs (I have 5 fireplaces in this house!
5. tiles on the living room fireplace
6. fireplace grate detail in dining room
7. tapestry that my mom had that she got from her great aunt... it's really cool
8. Wood grain from the door to the attic/3rd floor
9. fireplace detail from dining room

I took enough of these I may be able to make a second one even. The house has some lovely and interesting details. I wish it could talk... all the things that people that lived there must've talked about from the sinking of the Titanic (the year it was built) to WWI and WWII and the Great Depression... the roaring 20s and the 50s...amazing things must've happened here.

This is in Columbus, Ohio where I live in case some of you are wondering... a lovely midwest town where I settled down after coming here to attend art school. Originally I am from a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, not much more than an hour from here, not so very far away. I was two years in Cincinnati, Ohio at school there before coming to Columbus. That's pretty much the only cities I've lived in, though I love to travel.
It's great seeing where every one else lives and has lived. The world is a much smaller place than it used to be I think.
More to come on this theme!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

How To Keep An Art Journal by Suzi Blu: #1

This kooky girl is quite endearing and funny... get out there and get an art journal started!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Cool tiles at Mickey D's!



I saw these cool tiles while in line waiting for my Quarter Pounder the other day.... they remind me of one of my polymer clay samplers that I made into a brooch. Different colors and textures. It's kind of pretty. That is a neat McDonald's... they have leather chairs and a little fireplace (ok, it's gas, but still).

My New 'Do



Ok, it took two cuts to get what I liked... but I'm pleased with this haircut, finally! I got it cut a few days ago and didn't care much for it... I wanted more layers, a different look, though still kind of long... this is much better... I went to Rafiel's over in Clintonville, near work. It was more expensive than Aveda Institute... but if I like it I can keep going to the same girl, which is nice. The Institute was nice... for $17 you got a mini massage, a facial, shampoo, cut and style... but it was a student, and an instructor oversaw it... and if you liked it, the girl may or may not be there the next time 'cause they are always graduating and moving on. This was $35... and I did get a mini massage, which was nice. I may keep going though, I think I will like the cut... but once I try to style it myself, then we'll see... that's always the clincher. Anyone wants to tell me what they think and leave a comment, I'd be happy to hear what you think of it!

Monday, December 03, 2007

Trip to Texas - I'm Back!






I haven't posted since before I left to go on my Thanksgiving trip to Texas to see my dear friend Jane. I have photos to post (they are on my Facebook site if you can't wait) but don't have them here with me to post them now. It was fun, a lot of driving in the car everywhere... nothing seems to be close to anything else in Texas! I got to meet up with my crafing/internet friend, Barb from Austin as she and her husband kindly arranged their schedules to be down in Houston so we could do that. She and Jane introduced me to Chik-fil-a and we had a lovely time getting to visit, though it was all too short.

And we had a really fun Thanksgiving day with Jane, her son Jonathan and daughter Lori (and Buttercup the dog of course). We managed to cook a great big turkey and it came out great (neither Jane nor I had much experience in this type of thing) and I'm sure as big as it was they may still be eating leftovers this week yet! We had all the usual Thanksgiving trimmings, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, stuffing (for them, I'm not so keen on it), sweet potatoes (with marshmallows on top), mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie with Cool Whip for dessert... though I don't think we had dessert for quite a while after dinner. (had some pie for breakfast while the parades were on though).

And Friday evening we went for a ride on the Polar Express up in Palestine, TX. It was a bit chilly but we dressed warm and did fine. We got to have hot chocolate and see Santa at the end. Jonathan really loved it. I'm back now and into the routine of work (both my jobs) and getting back to all the usual things.