Good Morning, I Love You!

"Good Morning, I Love You" - Enhanced Digital Photo

Adapted from my Art Of The City album, this photo of a charming cup of morning latte is one of my favorites. I need another NYC fix!

Poppy Heart T-Shirt

Short sleeved Poppy Heart T

I just love this cute little design which I created from my Poppy Fields mixed media collage. Who doesn't like poppies and who doesn't like hearts? OK, don't answer that. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who don't, but my experience on Cafe Press via shop crabulous! is that there are a lot of people out there who do.

Something else I've discovered. The great maternity T-shirt design that Cafe Press is now using. Instead of the big tent design, it is now sleeker fitting with ruching along the sides. It doesn't just look great on expectant mothers, but also on women of a certain age with thicker waistlines, i.e. me! And the length of them makes them perfect with leggings. The maternity T's come in short sleeve, tank top and long sleeve versions and in a variety of colors. So, check it out!  Poppy Heart T's

Poppy Heart short sleeved maternity T

Tangy Zoodle #64

Heart & Dragonfly - Digital Collage

"Heart & Dragonfly" - Digital Collage

Starfish Box

Starfish Box
click here for details and to purchase

This is my second little box in the series of collaged gift boxes that I'm creating just in time for holiday gift purchasing. These are so much fun to create!

Heart Box

"Heart Box"
click here for details and to purchase

So, I'm dabbling in the area of "usable" art. Artwork that serves a functional purpose in addition to being pretty. 

Over the years I've collected quite an array of cardboard boxes; mostly  which have been used for jewelry purchases. I've always thought it would be fun to re-purpose them and now I've begun. 

Here is the first of what I intend to be many of these little boxes.

Simplicity

"Simplicity" - 8x10 - Mixed Media Collage

One of my fondest memories as a child is spending hours with my mother in JC Penney in the fabric department. Because I was short waisted, long-legged and super abnormally tall for my age, my mother had no choice but to make my clothes for me. She has always had a fine eye for design and color and I have to admit I was delighted in the clothes she made. I can still remember some of the first dresses she made me at the age of 5 and how I felt absolutely beautiful in them. One in particular was a black, sleeveless, summer dress with tiny bouquets of forget-me-nots strewn all over the fabric and shiny, faceted black buttons. I thought that dress was magical!

As I grew older and formed some of my own opinions, I had the best time choosing my own patterns and fabrics and with Mom's help, selecting the notions and/or accessories, such as zippers, belts, lace and buttons. Oh, but especially the buttons!

I gave it my best shot, but sewing has just never come easily for me; therefore, my mother continued to make my clothes for me clear through high school, even though by that time I could generally wear off-the-rack fashions. The dresses she made for me were always prettier than anything you could buy.

Given the opportunity, I just had to purchase used clothing patterns when I discovered, with the help of a friend, a supply of them at Goodwill when I was visiting my hometown recently. Oh the memories! So don't be surprised if this is not the only pattern piece I make.

Lol!

"Big Green Kitty" - 8x10 - Mixed Media Collage
Can Be Purchased On Etsy

This is installment #2 in the masking tape series and my first foray into cat art. I know the cat lovers out there are all saying, "Make her stop! Make her stop!" Because of my severe allergies to cats I'm unable to get very close to them (they do come in green, don't they) but I love watching their antics from afar.

Our old dog, Spencer, used to have a stuffed, squeaky cat called Big Mean Kitty, so calling this one Big Green Kitty was really not a stretch.

Below are some of the steps in the creation of this piece. The lace paper is ukigumo, or crazy. Probably fitting in this case.

Blue & Turquoise Note Card

Another day, another note card!

Mercury Glass Heart

"Mercury Glass Heart" - 6x6 - Mixed Media Collage

Some of you have already guessed that I was a crow in a past life because of my love for shiny things. I love to collect little hearts and I'm particularly enamored with glass hearts. This one of mercury glass is a particular favorite.  By the way, the red French braid was made from some raffia that came tied to a Christmas gift. Everything is subject to being used in my collages.