Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Altered Book Cover



Dreamer...you know you are a Dreamer...

This was a cover from a book that was destined for the recycle bin.  I loved it's texture, and I made it into an inspirational wall hanging for my daughter to give as a birthday gift.  And it was my first time using the tape transfer for the quote.  Here is a link for instructions to make your own transfer...Cloth Paper Scissors

Always remember to check your local library book sales or yard sales for used books that would love to be altered and given new life.  Especially if they are falling apart, and indeed headed for the dreaded trash!!! I hear them calling my name..."pick me...save me...give me an adventurous new life, full of passion"!  Yes, I too, am a DREAMER...

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Olana in the Catskills

A view from the porch of Olana
Glad to share a beautiful day in the 
Hudson Valley/Catskill Region of New York State for
Random 5 Friday.

1.  I have a great core group of gal pals that I can hang with and take day trips to explore art and gather inspiration.
2.  Olana is a New York State Historic Site and was the home of Frederic E. Church, one of the major figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting of the mid 19th century.
 3.  You can see the Rip Van Winkle bridge from this porch.  
  4.  The panoramic views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains are perfect backdrops for any painter.  Can you imagine these views with the full colors of autumn???  Won't be long now!

5.  Funny thing was, the children's quarters on the third floor, where they were taken care of by servants, had a back stairway that led to a door where Mom could get to them, but they could not come to her via this door because there was no doorknob on the children's side.  Sweet!   
Amazing architecture, with gold medallions that sparkle in the sunlight, fantastic, original furnishings collected by Church from all over the world, and of course the beautiful paintings by Frederic Church, as well as Thomas Cole his teacher and others.  A worthwhile day of adventure with good friends, and great weather!
Topped off by lunch on the water...ok, not on the yacht, but on the water's edge.  A great day as the cormorant looks on...

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Art Journal Hop/Sneak Peek

Lucy's book~her pages!
Here is a sneak peek at one of the books in the Art Journal Swap/Hop...oh and HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!! This is a collaboration between 10 of the talented chics of the Arty Tea Party.  Each member chose a book from the used book sale of the local library, and using whatever our little hearts desired began to alter it creating a 2 page spread along with the decorated cover.  Then, once a month when we gather, (though the swap times have been off thanks to someone who shall remain nameless that can crank them out at will and passing them on before the next meeting time...so some of us have ended up with 3 at a time...) where was I???  Oh yes, we exchange them at our gatherings,  add our little bit of creativity to the book, and then pass it on again.  At the end, each Art Journal will have the talents of all participating members as it makes its way back to the original owner.  What fun!  
A peek at Nina's purple page of plumes...
The very cool thing about Nina's page is that it is scented. Incorporating her ground herbs that she uses to create her incense
crows (you can buy them online from her etsy shop) into some paint and then applying it to the page...well, just as soon as you turn the page, your senses become awakened!

One more peek...the beginning of my addition as I looked for pages with words that I could use to tell a story of love...lo and behold ~
Passion ~  It's all about passion!!!
Anybody who knows me, knows that passion is my middle name! Ok, right up there before "Creative Chaos", and to me the color of passion is RED...AND BURNING HOT!  
"Thanks, love."
Now since we are members of the Arty Tea Party it only seemed right to use the label and packaging from my PASSION tea that I have on hand.  The tiny teabag tag will become a mini journal with a tiny love note scribbled inside.  The image I have chosen comes from an old magazine of a couple headed off to the drive-in in one of those big old vintage automobiles, like one of these babies at the car show...did I mention passion???
For tips on how to start your own Art Journal Hop, visit Lisa at 
Priti Studio.  And stay tuned for more Sneak Peeks of our Art Journal Hop.  Thanks for stopping by.  Pop in to say hello to Nina of  Happy Herbs Soap at Two Crow Cottage and to see what the Talented Chics of the Arty Tea Party are up to.