New Murder Pages in Arch Book

I kind of forgot about this project since I have been doing challenges lately. I think you will remember the two pages above. I am calling this Mama and her girls. I, also finally, found two little words -- "The Ghostleys" from a book and glued that baby down to the Mama page....

On Sunday, once again, while working away, I got one of the girls done and am still working on what I call her "murder" page. I really love her and like how she came out.

I have not decided which of the MC Studio Works stamps to use. These are Michele Charles stamps. They are cool for what they are! *wink*

Still working on the murder side. Haven't decided if she will use scissors or a knife but I think you can get the drift how the page is going. Every image right now is just laid out without being attached yet. Will update you soon.

Played tennis tonight and it is unusual that I am posting on a Monday. But for some reason I have my energy up and felt I played well. Love these evenings! OK, wait till I try to go to sleep. As a reminder, go to the Saturday post if you want to be included in the giveaway! Here is a closeup of the bottom of our gal's page. Hmmmmm, anger can be dangerous.

The Walls in Honeysuckle Breeze

Whew - it has been a busy weekend so far! I posted a blog on a giveaway -- if you are looking for that see Saturday, March 28, just below this post. I worked on my Edward Gorey Neglected Murderess' calendar - yes, Miss April is coming up roses! Or is that in the rose bushes! That will be finished and done by Wednesday, April 1st!

And now I have just finished two pages in my Walls Notebook. I am not through with the cover just yet - but I am calling it my "off the" Walls Notebook. Trust me, you'll like it! From this photo it looks so bare from what I have done to it so far:

The two pages I have just finished I am calling "Whispers"..... I like that word. It can be a good word or a bad one. I remember reading a Dean Koontz novel called "Whispers" - pretty spooky. I like that author since his books always lets good win over evil. My kind of story most of the time. Whispers can be secrets, gossip, tales out of school, confidences. So Whispers it will be and you can decide the true meaning of the word in this creation.

The woman I used was an ad in a magazine for coffee. I forgot how much I enjoyed working with packing tape. I added the dream stamp - one of my many favorites-- by Catslife Press.

I added Tim Holtz sprocket gears to where there were circles. Stamped a Holtz stamp ("the journey awakens the soul") from the MiniMuse new stamps (below the dream stamp). I like these new Holtz stamps since they have taken many of the stamps and literally made them smaller. OH TIM, you lovable whore, you do know how to sell your wares! When in doubt, reinvent! A few rub ons and scrabble type letters and we are done!

Yes, she is the "real deal."

Give Away in Honeysuckle Breeze

OK, boys and girls, yes, you my friends. I told you over a month ago I was going to do a give away. My very first! However, that Audio book (The Book of Names) has still not returned home to me. BUT, I just finished a new one by the same incredible authors, Jill Gregory and Karen Tintori! The Illumination once again had me spellbound. Since I do so many things and have so little time to read (accept on airplanes) I prefer my books in the audio form! I listen to them constantly in the car and many times I end of at work and DON'T want to get out of the car because I am in such an exciting spot in the story .... oh no! Like how many times can you say, "I have to run out to my car. Be back in a sec." Well, not many.

This story, like their first novel I listened to, is a thrilling mystery involving "protective amulets and magical belief" and will certainly not disappoint you the reader or listener. It centers around Natalie Landau, museum curator, and the death of her reporter sister, Dana, who found a necklace with a blue evil eye. Now, I for one, was not necessarily familiar with the "evil" eye stories and how they are prevalent in many countries and cultures in different forms. Sure, I've heard of the evil eye but never paid much attention to it. So, this tale was fascinating to me.

Yup, I know we all have our amulets to protect us -- mine is St. Christoper who travels with me in the car and on planes and anywhere I go. It is a very old medal that was given to me over 40 years ago and, sure, blessed by a priest. Superstition or not? Who knows and who cares. It is all about the belief. The belief in good vs. evil. (OK, I admit it, I was just watching Paranormal State-spooky one this past week on A&E.)

I highly recommend this book in the printed or audio form to anyone who loves the mystery of a good thriller that weaves in different religions, beliefs, cultures, and ancient biblical stories! Anyone who would like to be included in a drawing for this Audio Book with 8 CDs write a post on this blog entry and I will draw names in one week. Tune in next Saturday, April 5, at high noon (the day before Palm Sunday) for the name of the winner. I will then ask that person to send me an email with mailing instructions. Good luck. And don't worry - if only one person signs up (I know there are many of you who are not use to listening to audio books) -then that person wins! Oh boy!

PaperWhimsy Quote Challenge # 3

I love these quote challenges from PaperWhimsy - I really do. The third challenge is a poem titled, "Wishes," it begins with:

"I want three things;

They are three wishes

Bright and Happy

You cannot know my dreams,

The wishes that stay in my heart...

I want three things

Unknown to anyone!. . ."

Hilda Conkling

In this challenge we worked with a sepia and pink background. The graphics, as usual, of high quality. We had to use a secret pocket, a heart, the number 3, a flower, a 3-D element, the words of the poem, a PaperWhimsy (PW) image that was purchased from the Shoppe, and your three wishes. I was so excited the end of last week and beginning this week when my orders from PW arrived - I did my snoopy dance and drooled. OK, I'm over 60 - I can drool if I want too. This layout just happened so fast it was scary.

If you have read this blog, you know I worked on two different projects this past weekend. I decided late Sunday afternoon to take my illustrated quote challenge images downstairs to cut out and *BAM* bat boys and girls it came together so fast that I ran back upstairs and laid it out and it was done. Yes, I had gathered and printed out the images on different papers - I am lovin' this dictionary printing which I have used on the last two so it is becoming a theme in this quotes. I have a beautiful metal heart pin which I took the pin clasp off the back to make it flat and it fit perfectly over the printed heart from PW. I added skeletal leaves (which I use to add to everything!) on both the poem side on the left and the collaged work on the right.

I wrote my three wishes on the pack of one of the numeral threes in the pocket. The beautiful image I purchased is one of my favorites and I couldn't wait for her to show up on my door step. I cut her out and added some rhinestones to her crown. I hope you enjoy my little work of art as much as I did in just going through the creative process.

Springtime in Honeysuckle Breeze

Yes, it must be spring because I changed the color background of my blog. It is early and I have a busy day ahead of me. Love my Sunday's! Last night I worked on a brand new journal/notebook. Walls Notebook is so cool it will make you drool. It has all these blank walls just ripe for your graffiti. I found it over on Michelle Ward's blog and it is worth a trip over to see what she was playing with on those blank walls. I ordered my copy from Amazon on Tuesday and it arrived on Friday and that was with free shipping. I ordered over $25 to get the free ship which usually takes 5-9 days... and here it is in two days. Amazon has the best price.

It is a fun book and I rounded up all of my New York stuff from my trip there in 2006. I love New York and I believe it is getting time for a trip back up there. Gotta see Wicked. The hotel we stayed out was just down the street from the theatre where Wicked was playing. Good place to stay and will definitely plan to stay there the next time I go there. Here is my beginning attempt on this notebook. I started out my using a 7 Gypsies rubbings and one of my favorite quotes they use:

On the page below I found some cork board and stamped one of Michelle Ward's stamps called "Composition Book." I really use this set of stamps quite a lot. I liked the "Caution: Under Construction" on the cork board. As you can see I also pulled out my New York stamps starting with the her ladyship the Statue!

The sewing on the page below was a little tricky and you can see on the above page I had to use some masking tape because the thread ripped the page a little. What the hell it sorta adds some reality to the page.

The last page I worked on was the Havre - New York Cruise Ship. The feather off to the side is a true New York Birdie feather that I brought all the way back. Knew I would have a reason to use it. Took three years but here it is.

I really did paint these pages - hard to tell from the photos. Here is one with gesso prior to my working on it:

The next two pages are going to be really fun I might even try drawing on them and break loose. OH boy.....

I am off to a play with Loren today and will give you a review when I get back. By the way, last week I got my nerve and courage up to go get my tennis rating from a pro with the Reston Tennis Team. I managed to squeak out a 3.0 rating. Yea. I feel really good about that. OK, no Venus Williams yet - I think she is probably a 7.0 or higher! See ya later.

Makin' more gifts in the Honeysuckle

One more birthday gift down! Been working today on a journal/notebook made out of miscellaneous papers and a grocery box - this one is Mrs. Smith's Peach Cobbler. Yum. and it was.... The inspiration today came from my most recent copy of the Creative Impulse newsletter which featured Alice in Wonderland! Check out here to see the
Alice in Wonderland Collage Pack I had to order! I already have the stamps! The Alice in Wonderland Mini-Journal is too cute, yes, too cute.

I started by using gesso on the inside cover of the boxes that were cut down to 6"x4". I had old calendar paper already cut to this size. Seems it takes me about three calendars in the first two months of the year to finally figure out what I want to use. In the meantime I have all this Franklin Covey calendar pages left over. These are 2007. But hey, for a little notebook to write your grocery list in - who cares.

After I gessoed the page I began to add some pages of an old book. Claudine Hellmuth had a tutorial on her blog about thinning down her paint (which is velvet smooth) and so I used her multi-medium matte and altered orange Studio acrylic. Looks peachy too me. I did finish this page with a pocket and stamped Alice on top.

Then I started stamping and adding ephemera to the pages. I love this part of the journey! I love this photo transparency sticker which I picked up from Beth when she was cleaning out her stash of stuff (SOS) which became my SOS. With this gift I started using items I have been hoarding - what a concept?! So instead of passing this over because I knew when I used it up there wasn't anymore - I relinquished it. Love the red crowns I added. And by the way - the theme of this little notebook is "You're the Queen for the Day!" So many pages have the mad queen from Alice and little crowns all over the pages. On the opposite side of this page is an ephemera page from 7 Gypsies. Too royal for words!


The journey through rubicoiling this notebook was easy this time around since I remembered to make sure I punched the pages all the same way. ha ha Trust me it is important and if you don't pages will not fit in your journal the way you envisioned. Obviously you can tell I have really screwed this up off and on!

I liked using bits and pieces left over from long ago projects! I had the red background page from my London scrapbook and the Mickey gal from five years ago and the round architectural disc from three weeks ago. Love it. So finally the final work was done and all the ribbons added. I am sure the birthday gal will enjoy this, she usually enjoys things I make. Now just to put in a bag and add a birthday card, some tea, and candle, and we are done.

Time now to go play a little wii tennis and then start to work on another something or other!

Tags, Plays, and Concerts - oh my

It has been a busy weekend. Not much created but much got accomplished. On Saturday I worked on creating a tag for a birthday gift, organizing the craft room, grocery shopping, washing quilts and curtains, and went out to dinner and a play.

Sunday was devoted to finishing the tag and Samantha's violin concert. As usual she played really well - really well. I was so proud of her.


This is the first time at a concert that she has led the group in a song which is a credit to her playing......

Now on to my creation I did manage to get accomplished between doing the laundry. The things we must do ... oh my! I made this tag for a friend of mine who is having a birthday this week. I put together a small gift bag with items I thought he could use on his journey through his psychic dreams and adventures in his own world.

Yes, I remember my journeys back then as I walked through the years trying to figure out the big "what-in-the-world is it all about" out there and what is my role in the greater scheme of things? Oh my. It does take up a lot of emotional energy to go to those places. Aging is fun. Been there - done that - and sometimes don't give a damn. I'm smiling really big right now. Serenity in age is good.

This tag took two days to really work on. I began by just layering old dictionary pages and papers using Claudine Hellmuth's Studio multi-medium matte. I had this wonderful 2x2 frame but no memory glass so I used acetate. The image is from ArtChix. The key is a Tim Holtz creation. I love those keys and need to find some more which I believe Michael's has just started carrying.

(As a side note: on another blog I have an alter ego - yes she is a grand old dame and an entertaining one at that if I say so myself and i do. I won't introduce you to her because she may embarrase me. Do tell. She seems to like to cook a lot - especially with the young ones) .....

I do like the way the tag turned out even tho a little sick. But it is cloudy and drizzly and a little grey! Puts one in the mood everyday.

On a closing note, I am excited to say I was able to sign up (successfully) for a Claudine Hellmuth workshop on April 18 at the Queen's Ink. This workshop is called "Collage Discovery Workshop" and we will learn a few of Claudine's "favorite background techniques, image transfer methods using b/w and color photocopies, using household materials as art supplies, discussions about artist block and other skills needed for fulfilling art making."

Since this class, is obviously inspired by her book, Collage Discovery Workshop, and no surprise to you I am sure, I have it it will be so fun to now experience these technique with the author. This is a great book and her teaching method in the book is excellent. I am, again, so excited. This was one of the first books I bought dealing with a wide variety of collage techniques. Can't wait.

As I mentioned above, I used Claudine's multi-medium matte for the gluing on the above tag. I love her products and highly recommend them. I am like so over Mod Podge - nothing quite compares to Claudine's product. Well, need to run, have a good week and I will check back in with you soon! Oh Claudine, I am so happy you moved to this area! I really am!

Chaos in the Breeze?

Here in Honeysuckle Breeze we are finally stepping out of chaos into order. OK, yes my nose is growing as I say this..... "Chaos" is the name of my crusade piece for Michelle Ward's GPP Crusade No. 29. She states, "Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to just mess around with paint and brushes." Mess around? Are you kidding, girlfriend, sounds good to me. Oh, OK, with paint and brushes, why not, girlfriend. OK, take a peek at my messin' around.....


After finishing two wonderful quote challenges within the last two weeks at PaperWhimsey, it was fun to pick up my journal I began creating at Michelle's workshop in Wisconsin last May. I took "The Painted Page" at Valley Ridge Art Studio because I was not into using acrylic paints that much for anything in my work (OK I painted chipboard letters) and hey, I admire this artist! Her workshop did not disappoint me. After two days of painting and playing, I returned home not only with fond memories but with pages that were "just started" using different techniques. I work in this journal off and on just to reconnect with Michelle's style -- which I love, especially, since it is not the medium I feel comfortable in. I stand in awe of her works and *bow* to her. You rock, girl.

I started with my "blank" canvas that had some distinctive brush strokes and began by layering with my paints I selected to "use" at the workshop. I have all of these acrylics together so the color scheme of the journal remains in tact....and, yes, these are colors I do not use all the time, maybe like never, unless working in this journal. Yes, it challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and good for my soul. After getting the gesso out and adding more strokes - love the gesso strokes, I was so proud of me or is that mii. (Too much Wii Tennis lately). The more I use "brush" strokes, the easier they come to me. However, this has not always been the case. It took some "trusting" the dry brush to get to this point.

Once the page looked the way I thought I wanted it tooooo (thank you, Michelle, for teaching me that one can always, always, gesso and paint over - there are no mistakes that can't be fixed with just a little white surface prep paint.) . And so I started layering and layering. Looking through my stash of stuff (my SOS) I came across a photo I took at the Alamo New Year's Day and printed it onto a transparency. I turned that baby over and gessoed it. Gesso Queen (who mii?) ... Truth be knownst I never really knew what to do with that white stuff. Yes, I did get carried away slathering it....

Turned that baby over and stuck to the page - wet gesso and all.

AS I kept working on this piece (background noise was the boys over on the Travel Channel chasing ghosts, oh my oh my they need help and I'm not sure if I'm talking about the ghosts or the boys) the "theme" of the page came to me -- Chaos. I pulled out some of my Michelle Ward stamps (Crow About) and started to work in earnest. I also remembered Michelle showing us how to paint our brush strokes onto acetate and turn over to apply to our painted page for some cool brush stroke effects. She also reminded us to use that piece in our art work. I used an ArtChix Angel (#T410Mystery) transparency atop the acetate. This portion of the page reminds me of the Phoenix rising ... out of the depths of whatever...

Okie dokie, boys and girls...... TA DA......here is the finished page -- the screaming in the background on Most Haunted definitely had an influence on this piece, besides me wanting to strangle two of the women (Kat and Leslie, you know it is so bad when you know their names without thinking - OK a rat ran by so eat it and shut-up). Better yet, give them Valium, please, or find someone else to haunt with. You know by now, my sympathies were going with the ghosts. No wonder they want their solitude in those gorgeous English manors.

It was fun searching the stash to find objects to mount on this page. Which means, this morning is devoted to some serious organizing. Thanks for stopping by to check out Crusade no. 29! Thank you, Michelle! I can't wait for your October workshop back at the farm.....