Best Friends Forever

Earlier this year, my daughter Amy and I created this sweet "Friendship Journal" for her friend Donna. They are truly the best of friends, even got married on the same date (a few years apart). Donna was Amy's Matron of Honor, and Amy was a bridesmaid in Donna's wedding. In lieu of this friendship which began while my daughter attended Western Michigan University for a while, I would also like to commemorate the celebration that is going on my sweet friend, Deb's blog, "It's All Good." She has posted her 100th post. Congratulations!

Please check it out and sign up for her grand giveaway!

"IT'S ALL GOOD"

And for my lovely daughter, Amy, here is a photo from Amy and Derek's wedding from 2007 of Donna and Amy. They are such beauties!

Amy and Donna

Altered Photos

I really like playing around with vintage photos. This technique is really quite simple, but will only work with photos processed by Snapfish. I tried other photo processing companies, and it won't work. The emulsion will not soften with other companies. You simply immerse your photo into warm water for a couple of minutes, slightly dry, and etch the surface with an awl. You can scratch it with a Scotch scrubbing pad, or put things underneath and rub your image to create. I used watercolor pencils to add colors to the surface for this one. The possibilities are endless!


The photo below was originally orange, and then I color enhanced it in Photoshop. Originally, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a class taught by Nellie Wortman of "Early Morning Thoughts." She happily showed us some of the techniques described in an exciting book by Karen Michel called "The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery." Another really great book called "Mixed Emulsions" by Angela Cartwright will also rock your world.


Here's to taking your photo passions to a new level of discovery!

Felted Knitted Treasure Bowl

I've gone a little bit western-country style at the moment. I hand knitted this Sedona-colored bowl, machine felted, and then added a few of my cowboy styled treasures. Due to the fact that I live in Michigan, there is not a whole lot of cowboy looking things to be found, but a lot of country. I may have to run to the Salvation Army again. I haven't been there in a couple of days! LOL

Have a magical day!

Nancy

Felted Clutch Handbag

Spending most of this past weekend alone, I was able to just knit away totally undisturbed.....total bliss! My hubby was out of town fishing for walleye with my son, so I was thrilled to catch up on all those programs that were slowly filling the DVR. I made these two felted clutch bags while watching the Lifetime channel on Friday and Saturday. They are first hand knitted with 100% wool yarn, then machine washed in extremely hot water. I just love to see the end result, when you pull them out of the washer. They go from huge, to completely dense. It is always a surprise! I also knitted two eye glass holders, a knitted "treasure bowl," and started another. This weekend is my slumber party at our local yarn shop. I need to finish a teddy bear, and line two totes. Looking forward to meeting new people and discovering new patterns!

May every stitch you knit bring you a little closer
to that calm, clear space in the center of your soul.

--- Earth Heart Design

Have a wonderful day!

Nancy

KC Willis Class Commercial

This class is looking SO exciting to me. Here is a short film for inspiration.

Check it out.....K C Willis Collage Camp

I am spending all day with my friends from Blooming Ideas and It's All Good. We will be playing with fabric, lace, and hoping to finish our projects for the "A Year of Color" exchange. This is going to be a great day! Can't wait . . .

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun . . . .

Beyond Awesome....

CLICK HERE

LEXINGTON - Back in 1997 the Kings School's physical education teacher, Lynn Kelly, initially formed this gym class project to give girls a chance to participate on a team. Practices were held during lunchtime to 4th & 5th graders. Then there was a performance for parents at the end of the year.

Their first performance was during halftime at a King's girls reserve basketball game. Later in the year Miami University and the University of Dayton's mens basketball game were their first "big time" performance. It grew from there.

They practice 5 days a week for 2 hours. "Most coaches are real hard on you, but Ms. Kelly makes it fun," says the team.

Random Acts of Kindness Update

Thanks to all of you who have agreed to participate in my Random Acts of Kindness Event!

I have received all five addresses for my R.A.K. This will be fun for you and me! I have been busily coming up with some new surprises to send to you and planning when would be the right time to pop them in the mail. It won't be too long.

Can anyone identify this old-time movie star?

Mexico's Shines

Photo taken in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Mexico's shine.
Bougainvillea, neon flowers.
Luscious concoctions
make me hesitant
to exhale.

By Nancy Van Hoose

I want to own
the colors
and aromas.
A lifetime of nature's
pallet and perfume.

By Debra Abel

Mexico's glow
riding upon the sea.
Perfectly rounded
gray-lavender rocks,
like moons stacked upon clouds.

By Kimberly Baslock

Photo taken in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

By Terri Gauthier (Above two)

The rocks remind me
of birth,
wet and waiting
to explode into the earth
and know the light of Mexico's shine.

~Janet Rice Parker

By Vikki Light

Photo taken in Ixtapa, Mexico

These cool 4 X 4's were exchanged a couple of weeks ago during our March Art Meeting held at Vikki's house and I took these photos on trips to one of my favorite destinations. I am a big fan of Mexico, and all it's colorful artwork and the happy people that make it such a beautiful country.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)

"Give Away and Pass It On" - Random Acts of Kindness Alert - my turn to pass this on after participating with Blooming Ideas and It's All Good. The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

- What I pick will be just for you.

- It'll be done this year (2009).

- You have no clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be a handmade card, something knitted, something lovely made out of paper, beads, or a random treasure (like candy!). Who knows?

- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.


And in return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog of your own and make 5 things for 5 others. Please e-mail me with your address. My e-mail address is in my profile.

Won't this be fun????

Please remember to post your own RAK in order to make the game complete ladies. There is room for just one more participant!!

Her Majesty Marie Antoinette

When I first heard about the latest opulent issue of Somerset's publication called "Marie," I couldn't wait to experience a taste of it. There is quite a rage stirring on so many blogs, and I too have become attracted to her flourishing dresses, diamond-encrusted crowns, her frivolous lifestyle, and her story of broken love.

Once I decided to make this digital collage of her, my mind started moving into motion. In fact, you can get even more inspiration by visiting Itkupilli and checking out her wonderful digital collage sheets. She is amazing!

I keep thinking of what else can I make? Should I alter a pair of satin shoes fit for a queen, a doll, a journal, or maybe some tags? Her Majesty is definitely inspiring me to begin a Marie art journey, starting by searching my room for items that speak of her femininity, grace, and memories of her past life.

Thank you, Dede Warren, who put out a call on her blog six months ago, looking for artists interested in participating in an art journal, round-robin style, with a theme of Marie Antoinette and the style of her day. That is where it all began. What a heavenly issue from Somerset publications to treasure.