An Enchanted Birthday Party

I don't think I ever showed you photos of my grandaughter, Lauren's "Enchanted Birthday Party!" She is a little pistol, as you can probably detect from these few photos. I honestly feel that she may become an international gymnist in the future.


She loved her cupcakes, and really was enjoying all the singing of "Happy Birthday to Lauren" melody this year. There was such a sparkle in her eye!


Visiting my grandkids is such an adventure. The glittering sparkles are designed by Vera Lim Designs. What a difference these stars can do for a simple photo!

Alice in Wonderland Photos Released

After attending so many Mad Tea Parties this past weekend with "Fanciful Twist," it is such a odd coincidence that the conceptual art photos of Tim Burton's newest movie in the making have been released.


Oh yeah, his new masterpiece "Alice in Wonderland" is scheduled for release, March 5, 2010. I can hardly stand to wait that long! This is going to be, without a doubt, his grandest achievement.

Helena Bonham Carter has been chosen to be The Red Queen! She was a simian in (Planet of the Apes), a murderous baker of meat pies (Sweeny Todd) for her fiance, and now she takes on the role of The Red Queen who loves nothing better to do than scream, "Off With Their Heads!" Did you know her children, Billy-Ray and Neil, will have cameos in the movie?

For more cool photos, the USA Today article, and more, please go here.

Lavender, The Flower of Positive Thinking

Everything is going to be okay, says Iris Lee Underwood.

"I love farming, and I look at my farm

as a peace offering--to myself, my family,
the community. People want to enjoy
the scent of lavender, the beauty of it,
the camaraderie. It brings them piece!"

The mood-boosting powers of lavender may even mend an aching heart. Seven years ago, her 25-year old daughter died from drug abuse, and "the cloud of grief that hung over me was lifted," she says.

She has studied how the oil absorbs into your skin, your bloodstream, and goes to your brain. "But it was really true. I felt this keen sense of well-being after caressing the velvety lavender flower one sunny afternoon six years ago."

Today, at 60, Iris nurtures a rolling acre of the plants on what she calls "Yule Love It Lavender Farm" in Lakeville, Michigan. This July, during harvest season, more than 2,000 visitors pick their own flowers, sit at bistro tables to sip lavender tea, or just share their stories of loss and healing while strolling through the lavender fields.

Yule Love It Lavender Lemonade

TO MAKE: Steep 1 large tea ball filled with organic lavender in a quart of boiled water until the liquid turns a light rose color. Meanwhile, in a gallon jar, mix 2 large cans of frozen lemonade concentrate with 4 cans of water. Add the cooled lavender infusion to the lemonade. Finally, add the ice and garnish with fresh mint, lemon thyme, or lavender springs with foliage, or all three.

Mad Tea Party

Today's the big day! It's "Fanciful Twist's 2nd Annual Mad Tea Party." The idea is to visit her blog, enjoy her amazing photos, whimsical stories, and then visit the participating party goers listed on the right side of her blog. Each blogger will have a their artwork displayed. You just have to look! You won't be disappointed. Vanessa's work is brilliant and so inspiring.

And just click on the "party-ers" to view even more candy!

Make a Smilebox invite

Make sure you comment on all of the wonderful posts!!

KC Willis Studio Retreat in Colorado

KC Willis is having a retreat in her studio. Can you even imagine? And by posting a link to her retreat on your blog, she is also giving away an original 4" X 6" piece of artwork to the first 100 people who spread the word.


First of all, jump over to the Lipstick Ranch to read the details of her giveaway, and then imagine the possibilities of attending a retreat with KC in beautiful Colorado. Just the thought of combining a vacation in the mountains along side KC in her studio would be unbelievable! Talk about wishing you were there....and meeting people you link to on a regular basis. That would be an experience of a lifetime.


All this and more......wishing KC all the best with her retreats!

KC Willis Collage Camp Winner

I feel crazy with excitement!!

First of all, I loved taking KC's first fabulous Collage Camp, and now I can continue on my creative journey. I am thrilled beyond words to be able to create a layered "Shrine of Our Lady of Your Creativity," and to be able to do the paper collage class. AND, what about building a book from scratch using cardboard, paper, fabric and other doo dads. I am doing my "Footloose" dance right now....

Thank you so much, KC, for this incredible shopping spree. You are such a generous soul! I am still in disbelief that I was chosen. Yee Haw! Thank you all for your words of congratulations! I am just so happy. I needed some happiness right now!

Hugs,
Nancy

Terri's Random Act of Kindness

Would you believe what flew over and landed at my house? It is just the most precious little bird you have ever seen!

This lovely "Song Sparrow" was created by my dear talented friend, Terri Gauthier of Blooming Ideas. This amazing beaded and metal gilded bird is the first "Random Acts of Kindness" presents I have received! I just love it, and want to hang it somewhere that I can see it every day, not hidden away in a drawer not appreciated.

It appears as though it's body may have been encircled with a wrist watch band, a blue lapis buckle, legs of Aurora Borealis colored beads, and iridescent abalone feet. What a wonderful piece to own.

Thank you so much, Terri! It is just awesome and it will always be treasured!

My Adventure Book from Pixar

Now that my five year old grandson is getting to be quite the artist, I have assembled these small love tokens for his creative spirit. They can be downloaded from the Disney Family Entertainment web-site for free. My grandson, Ethan, wants me to make him artist trading cards lately for his card collection, which often includes store bought "Super Hero" trading cards and "Transformer" cards. Maybe I can get him to make a few of his own. I made the pins on my own with old bottle caps purchased at a garage sale, attached huge safety pins with E-6000, and covered the sticky area with felt.

Last week my daughter and I went to see the latest Pixar movie, "Up." What an adventure! It was more than just a cartoon, but a lesson to be learned. I feel like it proves that your greatest adventure is the here and now, not what you have experienced, or hope to discover, but what is happening in front of you! It almost brought a tear to my eye. Loved it!

So......make some art to share with your family, send these adorable downloads to someone who needs an adventure, or do some crafting with your children. The "My Adventure Book" has places to adhere book badges for deeds well done, things to be accomplished, or a little about the person completing this cute little book!

Off to enjoy today's adventure.....

Missing The Ocean

There was a time when I couldn't wait to buy a new bathing suit each year! As the years have passed, I show a lot less skin when I visit the beach. The old body sure isn't the body it was 20 years ago (even a little scary). The beach is a place where I can meditate, sink into a chaise lounge chair, and enter that dimension where I love to go. I enjoy people watching, reading a good book, and just soaking up the sun under a cabana. I bring along my camera for that spur of the moment photo. I love walking in the surf, smelling the sea, and embedding the memory in my mind. Oh! To own a place by the sea.

In the late 70's, I was unbelievably blessed to be able to visit Fiji and it's outward Yasawa Islands. The color of the water is truly something that you will never forget. Taking a dip into the ocean is like jumping into an aquarium with hundreds, even thousands, of fish in a kaleidoscope of colors. I will always remember Fiji....how we flew into Suva, a heavenly paradise that changed my world forever.

You Are a One Piece Swimsuit

You are a bit conservative and traditional. And you are not at the beach to put your body on display! You are a low maintenance person. You like to look good, but you're not vain. Your taste tends to be sophisticated. You always opt for classy over trashy.

What Kind of Swimsuit Are You?

Felted Knitted Tote

Well, I did it! I made my first sale. I am sending this felted tote bag to my daughter-in-law's Mom, Isabelle. She put in her request around Easter time, and this is the end result. This bag is completely lined with a tropical fabric (you know me), and the faux leather handles were purchased from Joggles.com. This is the size she wanted. I knitted a fun white flower with a lime green center, added some fuzzy yarn and it even closes with a huge snap.


I really hope she likes it!

"I Love to Knit" 100th Post Giveaway

I absolutely love to knit! I am constantly craving the feel of my favorite needles within my hands. Fortunately for me, with the schedule I keep with my work and family, I find that I have time to pick up and knit a little bit here and a little bit there while watching a telecast sporting event, sitting in the waiting room awaiting an appointment, or just trying to relax on the back porch.

As the knitting process unfolds and the shaping begins, there is that constant feeling of anticipation; when you realize the pattern is written perfectly, each row and every stitch creates the result you desired. There is something so incredibly satisfying when a project is complete and ready to present to the recipient. And yes, the weather is perfect to present you with this summer handbag made by me in celebration of my 100th post!


To all of you blog commenters, I would like to treat those of you that have taken the time to leave their comments. I would like to do something very special to those of you who keep coming back to visit. So, as a great big "Thank You" from me, for taking the time from your busy day to leave me your thoughts, I have decided to give away these Summer Handbags.


I read each and every comment, and have written down your names. The top commenter has been Terri Gauthier of Blooming Ideas. She will receive my Lime Green Handbag! Secondly, Debra Abel of It's All Good will receive the Red and White Confetti Handbag, Becky Loyall of Whymsical Musings came in third. She will receive the Yellow Handbag, and fourth is Jann Clark of Forever Jann with a Dusty Pink Bag. I am still in the completion phase of her bag.



I have no doubt, these bags will grace you with possibly a summer memory of the beach, shopping along a shoreline tropical village or just plain holding your personal belongings this season. Please email me your address so I can send you your free summer handbag!

Thank you gals, for all your continual support, your sweet wonderful comments. You make me smile.

Enjoy!

Hugs, Nance

Having A Good Time, Pardner!

I am probably one of the first members to attend the KC Willis Collage Camp at The Lipstick Ranch! KC is a natural born teacher. You will learn how to assemble fabric collages with new meaning! You will learn how to start collecting doo dads, searching for vintage images, and staining fabrics, in new and exciting ways. She teaches you how to add heartfelt words to your projects. I am having a great time and always learning new stuff!

I probably have watched the class videos a half dozen times, and each time I learn something I didn't hear the first time. Since my sewing machine was in for repair and finally back, I can focus on finishing one of my first projects. What I especially like is talking and reading in the discussion groups, and seeing every one's artwork once you join. I had so much fun attending this camp and didn't want it to end! Her generosity is so apparent, that she has decided to have a $300 giveaway. Please check out this cool video to whet your creativity to sign up for camp.

KC Willis Collage Camp

Drop a comment at the giveaway blog The Lipstick Ranch, stating that you have bandied about the Camp logo shamelessly and your name will get in the drawing for a $300 Lipstick Ranch get-whatever-the heck-you-want shopping spree. Fabulous fabric, art, DVD's, books, collage kits...whatever the heck you want. The drawing will be held in 3 weeks on Monday, June 15th. You can even grab the little icon off the Camp front page and check out class details. If you don't have a blog, post it on your Facebook page, or on any other art group you belong to. Send postcards--you know..."Having a wonderful time...wish you were here."

Can't wait to show you my first piece of art!

Beedeebabee is Having a Giveaway

Paulette Racanelli from Long Island, New York and new blogger of "Beedeebabee" has decided to have a giveaway! Her designs are miniature works of art and will without a doubt dazzle you. Drop on over to her amazing new blog and enter her wonderful drawing. Wow!

Unleash Your Creativity

You will not believe the absolutely fabulous prizes Lesley is giving away at Flatwoods Folk Art!!

http://www.flatwoodsfolkart.typepad.com.

Start commenting today. The prize winners will be announced on June 1st!

Collage Sheets to Share

It is a true honor to have fifty (yes, fifty) followers for my humble blog. Who would have thought I would have an audience for some of my projects and photos! I thank you for your continued support, which motivates me daily.

As a thank you to all of you, here are some terrific "vintage-inspired" seed packet images that I purchased and scanned from the late 1970's. Feel free to download them and use for your personal spring and summer projects. I just love these!




I have recently cut these out and pasted on huge glass jars in my pantry, and they look very nostalgic.

Hugs to all of you,

Nancy

Can't Wait for Summer

This is an imaginary "me" and a girlfriend sitting on the beach in Atlantic City. Honestly, I dream about the ocean almost every day, listening to the waves lapping on the shore. Or maybe me possibly reading a mystery novel with the sound of sea gulls overhead. I could also be people watching on the boardwalk in another life.

This weekend, I will be taking a little break to visit my son and the gang for the weekend. It won't be that long before I can actually get my toes wet in Lake Michigan again in Ludington.


I will return on Monday!

Filled With Hope

Yesterday I read a post on a friend’s blog and it got me to thinking more than usual.

She said during these hard times, she found herself fretting and worrying more than ever, unable to enjoy herself at all. She found herself wanting to hide away. If there was ever a time for womankind to honor their creative selves it is here and now!

Through art, I can find the obvious, which is beauty and FREE expression. Art is the only way I know how to face my fears and let it all out! Focusing inward, creating art, will definitely help a person to survive.

When I feel overwhelmed, I like to look at the art that others have made. It ultimately leads me to create something of my own. Artists like Helen Frankenthaler, DeKooning, Pollack, O’Keefe, and Robert Rauschenberg lived through World Wars and the Great Depression. Thank God they never thought that when times are gloomy, they should stop doing something as self-centered as making art. Even looking at art can fill you with hope and keep you focused in a forward motion.

I look at a ball of yarn or a stack of papers and feel an obligation to make it into an object of color and texture, giving it life. I honestly believe we are created in God's image and therefore we who have been given a vision to make something out of nothing must CREATE. It's what He did.

He set the example and I will follow.

Sign up for a class, take a walk with your camera, and make sure you share with others. Don't lock yourself up in your room. You have no control over what might come, so why not enjoy what is happening right now, right at this moment. So, get going, and create!

Mother's Day

Since today is Mother's Day, I just wanted to post a picture from my past. Luckily for me, I only have fond and beautiful words to say about my Mom. This lovely lady is mine! She looks somewhat different now, but still is silly as ever.

This is a picture of my younger sister, Jane, and I, probably when she came home from the hospital as a newborn back in 1951. My parents were married in 1945 in Belleville, Michigan and I came along two years later, then my sister Jane, and lastly my youngest sister, Peg.

I believe my love of art all began with my Mom. She has always enjoyed keeping her home perfectly pristine, and highlighted with nature. I can remember just going out to play with her, and she would make clover garlands to wear in my hair. And other times, she would place a sprig of lilac behind my ear. How can I remember all this? Probably because, she always had patience for me. We would color, and paint. Other times, we baked, and sewed. I can still remember the day she showed be how to knit in 5th grade.

Thanks, Mom, for always being there for me!

May Flowers ATC Exchange

Some people give of themselves

And never know

The depth or breadth

Of what they have given.

~ by Nancy Van Hoose

~ By Kimberly Baslock

~ By Debra Abel

~ By Terri Gauthier

~ By Vikki Light

Perhaps this is

The power of love

in its purest form.

Garden Mouse of May

'But I must gather knots of flowers,
And buds and garlands gay,
For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother,
I'm to be Queen o' the May.'

~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

For most persons, old sweaters may be cast aside and taken to the thrift store. But in my world, a wool sweater hanging sadly on a rack in a thrift store is a treasure. I have to know it's 100% wool, will it felt, and is the color perfect for my artwork.

About a month ago, I found this wonderful lime green sweater at the Salvation Army. I washed it in the hottest water with a little detergent in my washing machine, and then dried it in the dryer. Usually I then cut the side seams and up through the underside of the sleeves. This gives me the maximum area to begin cutting out shapes.

This sweet mouse (pattern created by Debra Abel from "It's All Good") is setting on my felted sweater pincushion, surrounded by a few silk posies, and a vine snapped from a silk flowered garland. I used a couple of circular shapes from my kitchen dishes to make a huge pincushion. Then all you do is sew around the rounded edge (remember to leave an opening), stuff with fiberfill, and embellish!

Have a magical day!

Nancy