Altered Hangers

Here are my last two hangers that I painted and stamped this morning. I found using foam stamps for the larger images worked better than fine-detailed stamps for the backgrounds. Then I stamped with Staz-On for the cute bird in nest stamps. I am on a roll now!

Altered Hangers

In the last issue of Somerset LIFE, I became very inspired with an article written by Jill Plumley. She had altered some wooden hangers to appear vintage. Because I needed another project to start (Ha! Ha!), here is my first attempt on altering some store bought hangers. I am excited about making some larger ones with more rubberstamp art and possibly some old-fashioned photos.

Our Favorite Things

My artistic friends created these beautiful 4" X 4" images of our favorite things. They were exchanged this past Saturday at Kim's.

Seaside Dreams Goes Country

For me the beach has always been my place of solitude. Even though I live more than a thousand miles away from the nearest ocean, my dear husband has provided me with many vacations in my lifetime where I plopped myself down on a beach chair and scanned the sparkling sea. Just having my feet in the sand is all I need to rejuvenate and begin anew. I love old things and if something isn't old, I like to make it appear as if it is. My "Seaside Dreams" collaborative art journal features old vintage beach photos. On Saturday, July 19th, I finally passed my art journal to the next artist to begin her magic. We had a grand day beginning by shopping at "Country View" Bulk Foods (really outstanding items), owned by the Mennonite community, then next to "Erla's" in Cass City, and finally back to Kim's house settled peacefully in the country. We began by working on two projects, however we only finished our altered CD clocks, which turned out beautiful. Hopefully, we will get those fans done for our next meeting. I can't wait to show you them. They are fantastic!

Kim Extends Warm Welcome

Make a Smilebox postcard

Altered Recipe Cards

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Saturday in Marlette, Michigan

It's time to pack my bags for the weekend! We are heading to Marlette, Michigan. My artist friends have agreed to spend the entire Saturday working on our latest "assignments." First of all, let me begin by saying this group of gals never cease to amaze me. Every time we meet, we get so pumped up. What a source of inspiration! We will actually exchange our latest 4" X 4" pages with the theme of "Your Favorite Thing," and our first art journal project. I have entitled my book, "Seaside Dreams." Each gal will add their artwork into my journal. Then, we are making some altered clocks, and a folding fan with photos vintage style. I can't wait to show you what we create!

In The Beginning

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Living An Artful Life

Day 1:

Today begins a new adventure. I am excited about showing you my world and will find pleasure in sharing what I create in my little nest. Last year I entered that "empty nest" after my daughter, Amy, got married to Derek and moved to northern lower Michigan. My married son, Brad, his wife Julie, and two grandchildren live on the western side of the state. It has been different this last year, with a quietness that draws me back into the artful life I put on hold more than 35 years ago.

I have a great love of family, nature, peacefulness, that are captured in my artwork and photography. I dream of the sea and the whisper of wind through the white pines of the north woods, or the swaying palms of the tropics. My mom always said, "You have your head in the clouds." Maybe I always will.