Sunday, September 13, 2009

School has started. . .

and I am very tired! I am usually too exhausted at the end of the day (I teach children 3-6 years of age) to do much art. But here is what has been happening in my life recently. I have had a few medical problems (not serious, but very annoying), one of which is my mouth. I can't really eat much without getting a very sore mouth, on both sides. My teeth hurt. OW! So I'm eating a lot of liquid meals. Yum. But the homemade soup is good! Still managing to gain 2 pounds (what's with that??).

Here was my art table this morning - not much room! I was working on my altered book page for my ABCanada group. 
So I decided to clean it up. . .
and finish the page. Yay!
I made a metal plate at the top left page, using a stamp (HA) that I inscribed into the metal. Then I sanded the metal to bring the pattern out. I would like to work more with metal! There is also some bling that is very hard to see, that Therese brought for me when she visited last month. I know the mask is not right, the long points should be up, but I was so excited to use it for the first time, I forgot! So I put some bling at N,S,E and W to make up for it!
Does your house look like this?
 
 
Art Books everywhere?
and still, the shelf is full?
I have always wanted to try at least one technique from each book that I have
. . .so I am going to try and make that my weekly mission! I will let you know which book it came from, and show you what I did. There are a few blogs out there that do this already - they were my inspiration. I have so many of these books, and I love reading them, now I have to DO them!
I went to Michael's this weekend, just to spend one little 40% off coupon and get my Xyron refill at 40% off, but I came home with all this. . .
All the stamps were $1.50 except the one I used my coupon on (the cute little round face). Beware the Peace stamp - it's MUCH smaller than the package! All the paper was on sale - bonus! I really needed some new rubber. . .
I took my coptic bound book apart. . .
and re-bound it with some hemp (for jewelry) I found at Michael's (and then at the Dollar Store for only 1$!)
it's much tighter and stronger now. So I've painted 2 layouts in this journal, hoping to give myself a head start. . . let's hope it works! I'm thinking of having several journals, this one as my daily journal. I've been getting inspired by lots of people lately, most recently Judy Wise, I love her daily journals, so mine may look a bit like hers for awhile. . .! Hopefully she won't mind. 
I absolutely LOVED this travel journal by Mary Ann Moss when she went to Portugal - I want my journals to look like that! Here it is full of stuff. Wonderful!
Ok, I think I've rambled on enough! Until next time!

5 comments:

Tammy Freiborg said...

Only a teacher of little ones could accomplish that much in one day! Wonderful page - wish the stamped metal image could be seen - I'm sure it is wonderful too. A clean desk makes me want to do more art which will make another mess. And so the cycle goes. If only I would put things back in their place when I'm done.

Marlynn said...

I read your blog entry with my mouth hanging open. How, and I mean HOW, did you get all of that accomplished in one day and then had the energy to post about it. I am so impressed. YES, my house and room look like that... I have to remember to clean my desk area before starting another project, but usually, I am the middle of three and things get piled higher and higher. You are to be applauded for showing photos of your area. I debate and debate about showing my own mess to the world which is much more messier than your area. Ha Ha... LOL. You go Girl!

BlueRidgeLady said...

Well I just love all your pictures! Your art table looks exactly like mine. I thought your house looked nice even with all the artbooks and your floor sure was pretty! Loved all the cool stamps you got on sale! I enjoyed your blog and will be back! Glad you stopped by mine. I left ya a comment but in case ya don't see it, if you are interested in joining the Crowabout Collage group on Flickr, you can email Nancy at mrmrsfritz@hughes.net all she needs is your email info and your name. Have a great day!!

Linda East said...

OMG yes my work table looks just like yours...what is that all about.
LOL...creativity knows no bounds...:)
I can't believe you got it all cleaned up, that is so awesome. Maybe I should take a pick of the art books stacked by my bed...lol
and your trip to Michaels is a ditto for me...I can't go there for just one item...aaaahhhh my art world is full...literally hahahaha
Create & Share
Linda (Okla)

Jennifer Williams said...

How on earth did you find the time do everything! Very impressed.

Your art table looks like mine. I end up piling stuff on each end until I have one little square foot to work on.

Good luck on your once a week project! I look forward to seeing what you create.