Spreading my wings...

I am so behind on my journal pages. I should have about 20 pages started and I just completed page 3...yikes! I do have a very good excuse, though. I took a left turn, a delightful left turn, and embarked on a jewelry soldering workshop from the super talented Cat Kerr. But that's a future post.

I recently discovered Plaster Craft mesh and wanted to make a couple of hearts with it and I did. While doing so, these wings just kind of evolved.

Free form wings with some old lace!

Love this bird nest stamp!

Tissue Tape from Tim Holtz and one cute Mr. Rabbit!

 So, this page kind of represents me spreading my wings this year. Makes sense when my word for the year is "Fearless!" Fearless and flying...I like it!

Daisy Lou...

Such a SWEET face!

Emaciated....poor girl!

My next journal challenge was "your greatest accomplishment of 2012."  That was a no brainer for me. Her name was Daisy Lou and she came to me 5 days before Thanksgiving.  She was emaciated, scared, and tired. She was laying in a pile of leaves on the other side of our backyard fence and Trixie, our basset, was barking at her. Daisy didn't even care. I truly believe she had given up.

I took her food and fresh water and she inhaled it like she hadn't eaten in a week. She wouldn't let me really touch her, so I decided I would make her eat out of my hand to gain my trust. I put a blanket out for her and fed her about every 3 or 4 hours. She did eat out of my hand, but when I tried to grab her collar with my other hand, she pulled away. I got my camera and was able to zoom in on her tag and see that her name was DAISY LOU! YAY! However, the tag was laying up against her rabies tag (which was a little worn) so I couldn't see if there was an owners name and phone number on the other side of her name tag. I just had to be patient.

Luckily we were having a warm spell, so the nights weren't too cold, but I still lost sleep worrying about her out there and wondering if she'd still be there in the morning. Well, she was. I guess she like that food! The 2nd day, 2nd meal of that day, she got so excited to see me, she actually kissed me! Yep, right on my nose! I almost cried I was so happy. She got a little playful and even barked when I asked her if she wanted food. I still made her eat out of my hand and by now I was able to pet her. The day was so nice, that I just sat out in the sun with her gently talking to her. I gave her toys and a Frosty Paw treat. She still kept her distance, but I was gaining ground.

One of the happiest days of my life!

On day 3, I told Daisy we were going to do things MY way. Cold weather was on the horizon and I had family coming in for Thanksgiving. So, while I sat with her eating out of my hand, I took a deep breath and just grabbed her collar and hung on. I had a leash with me and hooked it to her really fast. It's like she instantly felt secure and calm. She let me hug her and pet her and I was OVER THE MOON!!! There was the name of her owner on the other side of the tag. My prayers had been answered. I had my cell phone with me, so I dialed the number and got a voicemail. I left a message and 1 minute later, I got a return call. Her "dad" was shocked and thrilled that I'd found her. She'd been missing for 2 months! He left work immediately and came and picked her up. As soon as she saw his truck, she went nuts! He cried, I cried, and Daisy Lou cried! He showed me pics of her he had on his phone (when she was a healthy weight) and there was a very lonely Great Dane by the name of Lilly Jane at home missing her her. I hugged Daisy and she gave me more kisses and waved goodbye.

Unconditional Love

I still get choked up when I think about those 3 days. Daisy changed my life. I learned so much from her. So, this journal page is dedicated to her. I love you, girl, and I'm glad you're safe and warm at home with your family.

~Nan~

The House That Love Built

I made this collage for my sweet step-daughter, Tori, for her birthday. I didn't have a plan in mind when I started it. I wanted to try some new techniques, well new for me, for the background. I painted the background and then did some "glazing."  I added a page from an old book and removed part of it and glazed with another color. I wasn't too sure I liked it until I turned the canvas around and suddenly saw a tree evolving. It was then that I got EXCITED!

The rest just took off from there...

The House That Love Built

The tire came from a model car my hubby was building.
It was a "spare!"

My Grandsons, Riley and Blake
Aka: Rooster and Hootie Bob!

Tori and WONDERFUL hubby, Chris!

Eldest grandson, Jon!

So happy you like it, Tori!

                                                                                 

Let Your Heart SOAR!

I may have failed miserably at my 30 day challenge of things I love, but I DID finally complete this collage! And...I must say I LOVE it! My life has been quite stressful this past month, so this was my escape. I got lost in a sea of *delightfulness* and tuned out all that "other" ugly stuff. You should have seen the mess I made! In my world, one cannot be creative without making a huge mess. It also forced me to organize my studio, which is spread out between my office and guest bedroom. I dug through plastic storage containers and boxes and the stuff I found that I forgot I had make me scream with joy! BEAUTIFUL fabrics and books and patterns to inspire and cure whatever might ail you! Now, if I can just calm myself from the circuit overload I'm feeling and move on to the next project, I'll have it made!

The idea for this collage came from my previous post about the layered heart. It just reminded me of a kite and I envisioned a smaller version being flown by a paper doll! This paper doll is an original, not a copy, from the 50's or 60's I'm guessing. She even has an old piece of cellophane tape around her wrist, which looks like an ace bandage! I pretty much covered it up with her kite string, though.

Isn't she the sweetest thing?

She's flying her *heart* kite and letting it *soar*

The sun is vintage flocked wallpaper and half a doily I spray painted.

I found these letters in my stash and wired them together with rusty wire. 

There are so many fun elements to this; paper, fabric, ribbon, lace and all sorts of little doodads!

I had so much fun with these little houses. Just snipped paper in various sizes. The windows are plaid ribbon!

Even added a little *doodle* here and there!

Oh, that tiny ric rac!

The finished project!

I hope you let your heart SOAR!

A Perfect Day

Last summer, before I got sick, I paid for 2 online classes in mixed media. I started one and never even got to the other. Since then, the website has shut down and has opened up into something new. Those 2 classes lost forever. This is what I started in the first class and have NO idea what I was supposed to do with the rest of it! lol It's been sitting in a closet just waiting for me to attack it.




I pulled out some tricks of the trade and just started putting things together. I have so much junk! My goal is to use up what I have. No more buying unless it's a supply I need like glue, ink, etc. I have a huge jar of gesso, so I'm happy about that!





I just started playing and laying things out on the canvas. I found the tree image on the Internet and the other images came out of an old book, as did the print the birds are made out of. I used a really cool technique of putting clear packing tape over the printed page. Then you run water over it and rub the paper off and the print stays on. I then took my bird template and cut them out. I really like the effect it gives to the piece.






I used pieces from an old sheet music. The #5 is stamped from an old printer's block I have. The "stick" with the jewels, which are old earrings, is an old "cake tester" that my bff sent along with all the lace, from my previous post. The piece at the top is also from that collection. The costume pearls are an old necklace. I used a charcoal pencil and distressed ink to highlight and give depth here and there. The last thing I did was paint some melted beeswax all over it.



I hope you enjoy my "A Perfect Day to Fly"...as much as I enjoyed creating it!