Lesley Riley Rocks.... 'nough said

Last night while blog hopping, I ran across a post on one of my most favorite blogs, Magpie's Nest, with the title of "Why Artists Need to Get High." An absolute read for everyone of you..... And so this will not be a long post. I really want you to click and go over to Patty's blog to read this article. It opened my eyes to a number of things, yes, maybe I knew them in my soul, maybe not. And after reading, I ran over to Leslie Riley's site ASAP to sign up for stuff... doesn't matter what stuff (you know what I mean?)... The site is fantastic. So fasten your seat belt, get comfy, grab a drink of your choice, turn on your reading light and read over at ....

Patty's blog:

"Lesley Riley, The Artist Success Expert, is the creative founder of Artist Success, Solutions for the Struggling Artist. To receive her bi-weekly articles on creating your own success as an artist, visit  www.ArtistSuccess.com." . . . . . .

Since Lesley is local in our area, I have taken a class with her using that magical material called Lutradur.  What is Lutradur? It  is a translucent, non woven fiber that looks and feels something like paper but won't tear or fray - and "burns" really well with a heat gun.

I loved working with Lesley and am very happy that I will be taking two classes with her at Art & Soul here in Virginia in March. My experience from this one class shows me that she is such a calming creative and inspirational soul and time spent with her is so darn worthwhile. This "booklet"was so fun to create that I bought the material and it is currently hidden away in the "lost" closet - yes the bogey man does live there - and I need to get brave and get it out and challenge my muse to create other works.

but, not today ....Today, I am working on the next ATC in the series of "Women of Salem." I have a tendency to get scattered and want to keep working on this series along as my Muse wants me to.... Kind of thinking of a Salem Woman as a Chem Lab Professor...... OH, and I have not forgotten that we have only a few more Alphabet ATCs to show you, here is a sneak peek for F, G, and H,

Saturday Night Pot Luck

I did manage to get the second "Women of Salem" ATC created this afternoon. Surprising since I did get a late start today. Played cardio tennis this morning and it was very warm and muggy with a breeze. Took a lot out of me, I don't think my tummy liked the cereal and milk I had before I went out into the heat. Uggies but did play for 1 1/2 hours. Then went and had lunch, stopped at Burlington (chaos reigned as usual, they need a good manager for that store, I think I go just to watch it especially when trying to check out, always a challenge) and then came home......

Miss Susie Salem came together after the debacle of her creation the other day. I had fun with her today and used an entirely different background than the original one. And no - I did not use any of the "thrashed" pieces.

I sewed her a little apron, after all she has been cooking all day .... hmmm, not quite sure what she is cooking, but the recipe looks interesting.

Hopefully it is not blue bird stew. I have to give a "shout out" to Elizabeth over at the Altered Book Lover Page... she gave me those TV stamps which bring back such wonderful memories from my younger days - those and green stamps, oh my..... As you can see, I sewed them in to give a little variety to the ATC.

Watching tennis, and will go out tomorrow morning playing singles with my tennis bud B.J. He has been away most of July so I haven't gotten my singles in on Sunday morning. Hey, it takes me a while to lose to him, I don't give him the game!  Stay cool, wherever you are my honeysuckle peeps! (Now if you have read this far down, you deserve to know that the page out of the recipe book had to do with "fish" - not people.)

Just Another Friday Coffee Break

Today for your drinking pleasure, my note from the Universe this early morning:

"Baby souls follow.

Young souls lead.

But old souls, Marlynn, are happy to dance alone.

Not that I'm spying on you,

The Universe"

So my advice to you, my peeps, is to dance. Just dance! Life is fantastic and we need to dance with glee. Hugs and as we all say, TGIF!

(PS. obviously, Salem Woman # 2 didn't work and I tore up the ATC last night. But don't worry already got her re-cut and ready to rock and roll is "Pot Luck" -- yes, I had to drag her out of the trash for this photo and I admit I am a proud trash-stalker!)

sewing 101

Today has been a lazy Sunday - which is so nice. Yes, I did get errands run, watched tennis, and am cooking dinner right now.  Decided to work on an ATC. As I explained before in a post, if I have a title, the creation process goes quickly. Today for you review is "sewing 101." Right now her "Stickles" are drying because I wanted to add a little bit of color.  I have some Salem images from DigitalCollege I want to use up and will make a few more of these and probably call them my "Salem Era."

Also started working on a "grocery box" notebook I made last year and am thinking about giving it away. Will make up my mind later.... I really do love the Heineken Beer Boxes for note books....

They have such vibrant green color and along with an image from an old calendar - I think it works. Throughout the notebook I have added  a few digital images - the ones below are from Itkupilli.

All I can say, is sleep well my Divas! Enjoy your week and let's all hope it cools down, it has started here that way today  a few degrees at a time.... yes. . . degree by degree!

Madam Butterfly flies.....

Finally, yes, peeps, finally, got the Asian Coaster done and ready to mail to my bud, Nathalie.

The coaster finally came together when I thought of the title first. I was really stifled on this one.

Then the title,

Madam Butterfly. A special envelope is always needed for one's creation....

May she always be remembered in music,

And, the rest of the story - I gave up a trip to the movies (Harry Potter) to stay home to create her. And, it was worth it!  Stay cool  -- still hot here...

Is it Sunday all ready?

The weekend has come and gone very quickly and here it is Sunday, and no, I have not worked on my red Asian coaster. But I have managed to do a lot of work from the office, which is good. This is work that needs to be done to play catch up and it makes you feel really good, especially doing it with mindless TV going and you are reclining in your recliner! Not bad. So in order to give us all a little creative kick-start, got three more Alphabet ATC cards for you:  J, K, and I:

J = Java

K = Killer Klowns (yes, one of my favorites - loved the movie too - Killer Klowns from Outer Space)

I = Island (or what I should do with the turkey netting from Thanksgiving, LOL)

And before we leave, I have to share with you my Tammy message from today with a little odd photo, just think BAG Lady! I will be the best dressed bag lady you have ever seen wearing my jewelry.... yes sir ree,

"When you are in a creative or appreciative zone,

you literally have no access to your inner lizard,

 that fear-based, non-creative, shrieking little beasty

who is so afraid you're going to be a bag lady.

 

Martha Beck

 

Wylde Women's Wisdom and inspiration collected by Tammy Vitale" 

Coffee Break

Having a morning coffee break, hope you are too. On this absolutely fantastic gorgeous day here in Northern Virginia, I am relishing a note from Tammy:

"Marlynn

If you were to close your eyes and think

of the warmest, safest place you have ever experienced, visited or imagined,

where would it be?

This is your wylde place. Pay attention to what you are wearing,

the smells and sounds around you,

what you feel against your skin.

Make this place so real that it only takes an in-breath to get there

and an out breath to be secure there.

Tammy Vitale"

Wylde Women's Wisdom inspirational quotes collected by Tammy Vitale

Have a cool day wherever you are! See you this weekend. Working on an Asian Coaster this week and ready to assembly tomorrow....

Lessons Learned. . . . huh?

Yes, my honeysuckle peeps, three more ATC Alphabet cards for your enjoyment on the Sunday afternoon. We are now at L, M, and N....... I call them Lessons, Marie, and Nunnery. Each were fun in their own way,

L = Lessons Learned?

M = Marie's Folly

N = Nunnery

All of you know the devil is in the details and many times when I create I just start looking and looking knowing somewhere is that special little detail that will set the ATC off..... For example, I can't tell you where I found the "believe" but felt it was perfect for this ATC.

And now a look-see at my one of the pieces of art I bought in June at Theresa Martin's art show. Love it or how do you spell M-A-G-I-C-A-L. Yes, it is hanging on my wall. I always love the shadows my lamp throws on the wall at night!

You all have a fab evening. Will try to get back to you the middle of the week. Been a busy weekend. Manage to play cardio tennis yesterday, had lunch with Theresa to pick up my art work (you will see the second one soon) and today being doing the usual errands and chores. Not sure I shared this with you, but well worth a second time for those new to the blog,

"A note from the Universe:

Its not the day you have to handle, but the moment.

Its not the dragon you have to slay, but the fear.

And its not the path you have to know, but the destination,

What a relief, huh?"

From Harley, Rat, and me, hugs and kisses and warm and fuzzies. Always remember - the moment, the fear, and the destination when you are feeling low..... Relief is not far off. Trust me.  ;   ]

Some days you're the bait and some days you're. . .

Just a very quick visit, over coffee. I so love my Wylde Women's Wisdom thoughts I receive each day that I had to share this one with you along with photos of my dear dear "Dilbert" following our staff meeting yesterday and then today. YES, there is a lesson to be learned from the dummy.  He got in the mood to celebrate, celebrate.... and that was yesterday....... A thought from Tammy,

"Marlynn

When you are tired, rest.

When you are disillusioned, have a look at your expectations

(and where they came from).

When you are confused, spend some time with a friend

who loves you enough to listen but not to try to fix.

Notice I don't say "If you are tired"

I say "when."

When You acknowledge things, you are prepared for them.

Acknowledge cycles in your life,

because they're going to happen.

Tammy Vitale"

And just like in life, and just like Tammy said, we need to acknowledge cycles in our lives. Some days you are up and some days you can be just like Dilbert...... the day after.....Have a great day, peeps, remember it is Friday. Celebrate your joys thru the cycles of you life. Enjoy your java. Yum Yum