What Happened?

I had a brainstorm on Sunday to change the template on my blog. That was a big mistake only because it was incompatible with my Firefox search engine (how'd that Firefox update work out?). So, if you can't see the photos on my blog, that could be the problem. Hopefully, everything is back on track.

Fanciful Little Birds

What could be sweeter than these? Our past month's project was to make two-sided birds that could be hung from a mobile. As of today, I am still deciding if I want to keep these tucked away for a future bird and nature journal, or to actually punch a small hole in each one, attach some line, and hang from the rafters in my studio. I simply love these little guys.


Artwork by Nancy Van Hoose


Artwork by Debra Abel


Artwork by Kim Baslock


Artwork by Terri Gauthier


Artwork by Terri Gauthier


Artwork by Vikki Light

Divine Hearts

These easy-to-make hearts were finally photographed and ready to be displayed! One day this summer we decided to create these beautiful shapes as one of our monthly assignments with the stipulation that we had to include a flower image. It was such a great hit that every month at least one of us says, "Can we make some more hearts again?"

Artwork by Nancy Van Hoose

Artwork by Nancy Van Hoose

Artwork by Nancy Van Hoose

Artwork by Debra Abel

Artwork by Terri Gauthier

Artwork by Kim Baslock

Artwork by Vikki Light

A Little Change

As you can see, I did a little altering of my site. I wish it didn't take so long to figure things out. Who knows how long it will stay this way. I am hoping to one day get one of those awesome banners that are on some of the other sites I frequently visit.

Mad Tea Party Journal

What an awesome weekend of art we had! The party began late afternoon on Friday, bringing with it the scents of Mexican food, frozen margaritas, black bean salsa, and a dessert from Argentina. Kim and Deb prepared sizzling corn meal tacos fresh from the pan, homemade salsa, cheeses, and spiced meat to perfection. I served a dessert named "Dulce La Leche," which everyone seemed to love. The hours sped by like the "Mad Tea Party" journals we feverishly hovered over all through the wee hours of the night. Morning arrived much too soon, and with one night behind us Terri made egg, cheese, and sausage burritos for breakfast while we washed them down with coffee. In keeping with the theme of the weekend, we savored Taco Salad for lunch, and Turkey Enchiladas for dinner. It seemed like the food was never-ending, including Parrot Bay Mint Mojitos to boot.

The "Mad Tea Party" journals are really shaping up! In fact, I think Deb, Kim, and Vikki are almost done. The original book cover, and page shapes were designed by Terri Gauthier of Davison, MI. We all put our own twist on the pages, while peeking at each others works of art for inspiration. We even watched some movies when midnight rolled around, but 4:00 a.m. was staring us in the face in no time. With heavy eyes, I prepared an egg casserole with bread, chives, tomato, and cheese for breakfast on Sunday. We needed lots of coffee today, but it was a really productive few days. Check out my work. I am getting excited because an end is in sight. Can't wait to show you what else I've been working on!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Own Space and Art

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Check out where I create my art. Some of it was inspired or designed by Norma Kooi, Georgia Gibbons, Terri Gauthier, and Debra Abel.

Art Weekend at My Hacienda

What could be better than spending a creative weekend with a group of women? That's right....nothing could be finer! On September 12th through the 14th, my art group is meeting at my house to make a very sweet ATC frame holder and to continue on projects that remain unfinished. And, boy do I have those! My main concern is wrapping up my "Mad Tea Party" journal and my acrylic photo album inspired by Donna Downey. Then I still have my Mexican fabric art journal waiting in limbo. The theme of our weekend will have a Mexican flair, including food inspired from south of the border, traditional (and mandatory) Margaritas, and beautiful Latin music. I'm sure a lengthy conversation will continue on how we all loved the Invoke Art Stamps we purchased at the last rubberstamp show in Novi. There were just lovely images for Frida Kahlo, shrines and frames, the holiday Dia de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead," our Lady of Guadalupe, and santos galore. We all tend to play off eachother, each lending a "punch" to our artistic madness. It will definitely be a glorious weekend traveling on our magical journey to Mexico and more.

New Recipe Card for August

Only one more day until I swap this card for 11 others! I hope I get some unique ones this month. Besides getting some great recipes, the cards will definitely be something to cherish. One day I will need to decorate the ever growing recipe card box. It looks like one will not be enough!

Been Travelin'

I can't believe I haven't posted a word in more than three weeks. In the beginning of August we drove up north to the upper peninsula to visit my mom and sister who reside on Lake Superior! My son and his family met us at Great Grandma's house for her 82nd birthday. On the way home, there was a stop at my daughter's house in Mancelona, Michigan. Needless to say, I am so behind on my photos to display. I am frantically working on my monthly artful recipe card for homemade caramel corn. It is easy and delicious. Last weekend, there was another drive to Grand Rapids. You would think with the price of gas we would be sticking around the homestead. And the weekend before our art group attended the Novi, Michigan Rubberstamp Show. I can't wait to show you where I've been hiding.

Victorian Fan

I've been trying to complete all of my unfinished projects in between the newer ones. This is the fan that we worked on a few of weekends ago when our group visited Kim in Marlette, Michigan. It is something that rests now on a stand on one of my studio bookshelves.

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.