Monday, October 31, 2011

My Pencil Box

We could  learn a lot from crayons;
some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, 
while others bright, some have weird names, 
but they all have to learn to live together
in the same box.
~ Robert Fulghum
***

Let me share with you...
* My Pencil Box *
 ***
Do you remember 
having one as a child in grade school?
I thought my pencil box was such a treasure!
***
They say...
 as an artist, we see through "child-like eyes".
 You could imagine how excited I got
and
the my wheels started turning.
These cardboard pencil boxes came home with me.


I even decided to
place my name on the inside of the pencil box.
I was having so much fun with this project!

I printed a label
Then stamped my name 
using this stamp kit.
I love it!
So many possibilities with this stamp set.
***

***
What is in your pencil box?


Wishing you all a very
Happy Halloween!



Saturday, October 29, 2011

Metal Meets Paper

How exciting is that?
As you know...
I really enjoy creating art out of 
reusable and recycled materials.

Makes me so happy.
It just doesn't get any better than that!
***

Altered Soda-Pop Cans Tags


 What a treat these will make, on a gift to someone special!


materials:
metal cutter (scissor)
ball chain
soda-pop can
tag puncher
metal eyelets
tag board
craft foam
acrylic paint
GOOP craft glue


Tell me
What will you reuse and alter today...?
***
Happy Saturday!


Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday's Lovely Links

Enjoy your visit.... and this collection of delightful links.
***


Meet
Jessica
at

She adores crafting just about anything...
my kind of girl!

DIY
Fabric Birdcage


Meet
Karis Rosa
at

Karis is a mixed media artist.
She creates fantastic handmade journal books
and
shares her art process on her blog.
***

Look at these beautiful layouts 
from Karis's journals!


She has won my heart over with using Frida Kahlo as her subject...
such amazing talent!!


Please visit her site, and all her amazing artwork...
You will not be disappointed!
***


An Art Swap!
The HeART Exchange
***

Join the global art swap.


The first heART Swap is to take place
November 11, 2011.

YOU STILL HAVE TIME...
WILL YOU BE JOINING ME?!
Sign up closes on November 11th!

~ All you need to do is create something "from the heart".
***

Happy Friday!














Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sneak Peek Into...

My 
GUT ART
Class / Workshop Information Here:
***

I would definitely have to say, as an artist...
~ we, our self... are a work in progress!

If you are passionate about what you do...
~ than you are always willing to learn more!

And if, spending your time creating art
is worth living for...
~ we will make the time to create art
and
fill completely satisfied with its outcome!
***


***

Happy Thursday!


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wishcasting Wednesday

What do you wish to let go of...?

It's not the daily increase but the daily decrease.
Hack away at the unessential.
~ Bruce Lee

The
unnecessary... uncalled-for... needless...
aggravations.
***
That life sometime puts us through.
Perhaps it is a test of our character...?
Or, do we invite our self into it...?
Yet, I do not wish to carry such a burned upon my daily life.
***

I wish
To enjoy the little things that life has to offer.
Embracing...
simplicity and gratitude!


Have a wishful Wednesday!
***










Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Luck Of The Irish... Mail Art

Yes, I am Irish!
 As luck may have it...
I have won some pretty awesome giveaways
from some very talented, incredible artists!!
Can you tell I am excited...?
***

I thought...
I would share them with you.
Even tho they are "giveaways"
I still consider it
MAIL ART
***
Would you agree?


This is an "original" piece of artwork 
created by:
Regina Lord


Which I won from her latest giveaway
 posted on her website!
I was super excited... when I received the news!
***


Kate Robertson
at

Celebrated her 500 blog post with a giveaway!
I was so thrilled 
to find out I was one of the winners...
and even more thrilled to as what I won!!

 A BOOK!!
I adore books, as you know... and this one, is extra special!
Author
Barbara M. Stecher
SKETCHBOOKING


Along with some extra little goodies...
I just adore these "mini" business cards.
Such  wonderful "little" treasures!


NOTE:
you can create / order your very own business cards


This came in my mailbox 
from
Harmony
at


Harmony is hosting 
a
 Mail Art Project

Look at this lovely "original" piece of art 
she created for me.
Thank you Harmony, it touched my heart!


Yes, I am feeling pretty lucky.
To be honest...
I feel grateful, inspired, and loved!

Thank you everyone.

Happy Tuesday!



Monday, October 24, 2011

Updates

What is new?!
***
Exciting things are starting to happen 
in the studio, on my blog, and what you can 
being looking forward to
in the near future...

No. 1

I have registered for
GUT ART!!!

***
If you have not had the chance to register
You still have time!
Imagine...we could be classmates. 
***

No. 2

Over this weekend I spent time working on my blog.
If you look up at the tabs
you will notice a change.

I've added:
The Altered Rolodex Card Project
Along with a Flickr Photostream


No. 3

I am very excited to share with you...
 My very own website
April Marie Cole


I used wix.com a free flash website builder.


Enjoy all the new features 
I have created for you!
***
Have a wonderful Monday.












Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Wheel Keeps Spinning...

Altered Rolodex Card Project
A wheel of art in your creative space ready to inspire you.
***
Follow along this artful journey... or come play along!
It is all up to you.
***

As I continue with this project, I have noticed
 the wheel is starting to turn...
how exciting!!
The tabs in between that hold the alphabet, 
no longer hold a purpose.
But wait... maybe they do!
I thought I would alter those as well...
perhaps with inspirational quotes 
tucked in between all the altered cards... 
what do you think?!
***
So, I will be working on those over this weekend.
And yes...
 I will be sharing the outcome, once I have completed them.
I can not wait to get started!
***

Altered Rolodex Cards
***
Let me share with you... a few of my latest 
altered rolodex cards
that I have been working on in the studio.
Enjoy!



***




 ***




***

Tell me...what can you create with 2 1/4"x 4"space?!

The Rolodex Swap
***
join anytime / leave a comment or email me 

SNAG MY BADGE!
Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!


Copy this code to your website to display this banner!

Happy Saturday

Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday's Lovely Links

Enjoy your visit... and these delightful links.
***

Meet
Rosette
at

Check out this cute 
DIY
paper pumpkin tutorial
***


Meet
Katrina and Pugly Pixel
at

This website is loaded with 
freebies, tutorials, collage downloads 
and
much, much more...
have fun surfing this site!
***


Meet
Lisa
at

Such an inspiring blog!
You will enjoy your visit.
***


Meet
Ro Bruhn

Check out her lovely
"junk journal"

Hand Carved Stamps
***
Enjoy your Friday!

























Thursday, October 20, 2011

Techniques With Tagging!

Like the sound of that?
I knew that would grab your attention...
***

Techniques used to create "artful" tags 

Zentangle Patterns

Bubble Blowing Painted Paper

Altered Deck of Playing Cards
***

Let's have some fun...!

Zentangle Tags





 ***

Bubble Painted Paper Background Tags



 ***

Altered Deck of Playing Card Tags



 ***

I would have to say...
that creating these tags was a bunch of fun!
I already had paper created from previous projects
* Zentangle Patterns *
* Bubble Painted Paper *

Helpful hint...
if you wish to save your artwork, print these patterns 
onto card stock.
Reuse again and again!

As for the deck of cards...
these took some work, but very worth it! 
I really like the way they came out. 

***
I will be putting these together in sets.
I think...
 these would be wonderful to use towards art journaling?
Oh, what the heck...!
 these tags can be used towards anything you wish 
to make "artsy".

Have a creative Thursday!