michelle ward

RT: XOXO

 
I love these letters.  YOU already know that.  It's February....LOVE this month.  One week until the HIM album arrives.  Heartagram Day.  Valentine's Day.  LOVE that.  New crusade.  LOVE Letters.  Come play. 

  

the twelfth day of christmas

I never take down the Christmas stuff until tomorrow - epiphany.  I wish we could leave the outdoor lights on through the dark days of winter.  It's so fun to see the neighborhood glowing.  I suppose there needs to be a special-ness of having them only lit at Christmas....I will miss them.  Tomorrow I will carefully wrap and pack our special things.  I leave the nativity scene for the end....it's the last to go....also the first to come out each year.

How about these lovely ornaments from Crate and Barrel?  They make me so happy.  I might leave them out until Valentine's Day.

I did work in my Ruby Tuesday journal today....just didn't get it finished or photographed.  I'll show you soon.  I'm thinking I will keep up the weekly exercise.  I enjoyed maintaining my sanity by allowing a morning of self indulgence each week.  If you are having a hard time getting back into your art you should come over and play on the Street Team.  This month the prompt is also an assignment....sometimes I think having an assignment takes the Thinking out and leaves room for Doing.  Come Brave the Elements with us.

RT No. 4 & GPP No. 35

I believe in signs.  I have written several times about the *signs* I have for loved ones.  I love the connection between *things* and *thoughts of someone*.  I love that thinking of someone can be prompted by seeing something unique and specific.  That is exactly what Crusade No. 35 is about - What's Your Sign?   

Slightly more complicated to explain is what I consider to be *sign transference*.  Here's a great example:  yesterday my friend Carrie sent me an etsy link to go look at some cute deer.  She sees deer and thinks of me because she knows that deer make me think of Shannon.  It's a big wide circle of thought....a ripple effect.

Ruby Tuesday pages for this week happen to work for the Crusade too.  I have two very special friends *P*, and *E*, who have never met, (yet remind me of each other).  Both of them claim the cardinal as the sign for their Grandmother.   Because they shared that with me whenever I see a cardinal I think of them.  It's all so special, because it widens the circle of thought and remembrance.  Sign Transferred.  Sure, may not be such a thing....but it makes sense to me *grin*

i *get* myself :)

While I tend to feel guilty buying anything for myself in December, that doesn't count for November!  Some recent cool finds from Etsy:  crocheted lariat from SewJennyJo,  felted scarf from DutchFeltArt, and more crocheted loveliness from ShelbyRose.  Don't forget to visit ETSY.com for your holiday shopping.  To revisit posts I've made about Etsy finds you can click on the category cloud at the left.

Tonight I posted a new crusade on my Street Team blog.  You know I love *signs*.  I am encouraging you to document yours in your journal, and share the story.  It's a cool thing knowing someone else's signs because when you see them you widen the circle of connection.  I know many of you think of me when you see pink socks, which means that Shannon is being thought of too, right?  It's all good.  Share your signs!

I need to make a journal page with pansies.  They are Mom's favorite flower.  Some years ago I got her a press so she could send me dried blossoms and I have handfuls of lovely pansies I've used to make her cards and gifts but I never have made a journal page about it.  I motivate myself to do it now.....and I will include that she turns 70 today!

blackgrounds

Crusade No. 34 ~ Come Over to the Dark Side.....Just playing along in my own challenge :)  Got some new brass stencils so what better way to try them out than on black journal pages?  Do you do that?  Do you try out your new stuff as soon as you get it?  Sometimes I just get started by making blackgrounds that I will add to later.  These arrived last week from Heritage Handcrafts and I finally got to give them the test drive.  Loving them! 

Fallon even got out her journal to paint a few pages.  Aren't they cool?  We sat at the table while watching Castle.  Did you see his costume?  Perfect as Poe! 

 

  

Need a way to store your brass stencils?  These little photo albums keep them nicely organized.  For those of you who know I spray paint alot.....yes, I do spray through the brass ones but only if I have two copies of an image.  One I save for acrylic, ink, and dry embossing, and one is the designated spray stencil.  It's too hard to clean off the spray so I just let those ones get all mucky.   

One week left to play in the crusade.  Come on over......

  

oh, come on!

Yesterday I posted a new challenge on the Street Team blog.  Didn't have time to cross post over here last night since we were off to see Toy Story 1&2 in 3-D.  So this morning I open up typepad and see they have officially switched the New Platform to be the Permanent Platform.  Rrrrgghhhh.  I don't mind learning new stuff....in fact I enjoy it.  But come on, I liked the old format.   Anyone else frustrated by the change?  And this:  I'm wondering if it's only a glitch, but the comments aren't being emailed to me anymore.  AND leaving comments using a typepad ID never works.  And responding to comments has gotten complicated.  Ok, thanks for letting me vent...onward....it's Rockober!  LOVE this time of year.

This marks the third anniversary of Crusading for Creativity!  This month I invite you to Come Over to the Dark Side ;)  It's not all that sinister...it's about using black paper or black backgrounds in your work because sometimes starting on a non-white surface can lead to new discoveries.

Earlier I showed you this cool punch from Lisa.  Then this cool stamp arrived from Judi.  Love these new little toys...but I wanted to work bigger on my black pages so I took inspiration from these shapes and made a new stencil/mask set.  It was a beautiful day to spray paint and I must have made at least a dozen backgrounds.  And how about those cool crows from Martha?  They can be used as masks too!  And the placemat?  Perfect plastic tool for any kind of paint.  Don't you see stencil opportunities everywhere?

Isn't that silver totally swoonworthy on black?  Gah!
 
  
 

  
 

crusades

 

I've posted Crusade No. 33 ~ Back to School on the GPP Street Team blog.  Come over and play!  It's nearly three years since I started the creativity crusades, can you believe that? 

A different kind of crusade ~ one of loss and love:  Today is the anniversary of The Sending of the Pink Socks.  September 5th we mailed off 700 pairs to the University of Minnesota Hospital, Unit 7B.  They were gathered from generous and giving souls around the globe and the experience left a permanent pink glow in my heart.  Thank you, again.  xoxo

 

m.i.y.o.

Tomorrow is the last day for the current GPP Street Team Crusade.  We've been Making It Our Own and many artists have come by to share their inspiration and interpretations as we strive to add an authentic and personal touch to all that we do.  Often we turn to custom tools to keep things original and unique - like carved stamps or cut stencils.  There have been many times where I have created an element simply because it didn't exist and I needed/wanted it.  THAT is how I began designing and selling rubber stamps.  I made images I wanted to have that weren't available yet.

 

As you know, we are huge HIM fans in this house.  I have an entire drawer of HIM shirts, at least 5 hoodies, several bags, and countless accessories with heartagrams thanks to Hot Topic, Spencers, Heartagram.com, and concerts.  In the early days there was not alot of merchandise with the heartagram on it....so we had to Make Our Own.

 

I carved these stamps and we used them with fabric paint or even cooler: bleach, to make tshirts and stuff.  I cut stencils too.  And the heartagram pendant came by request of Peter and his friends (they all wanted one), made from pink wire.   It's awfully primitive but pretty cool of me don't you think? 

 

A couple summers ago I made these for my NJ/NY HIM Street Team.  Super quick and easy and inexpensive.  Great party favor.  

The heartagram selections at Hot Topic these days are kinda scarce again until the new album comes out (too long from now!) so I may have to go back to Making My Own HIM merch.  (Very closely related to Make It Your Own is Do It Yourself!)  Stop in at the Street Team to see what we are doing....and then come back later in the week to see the new challenge and play along with us.

make it your own

 

Over on my Street Team site I have posted a new challenge, Crusade No. 31 ~ Make It Your Own.  Come on over and see what it's about.  If you're at work you might want to turn down your speakers as the loud music may cause a stir. 

Did you vote last night?  I hope you dialed 01, 03 or 05!  Whoever wins (it better be Adam) I think it's a great show.  Fun to see people step up and go for it, using their talent.  It's always interesting to hear the judges, especially Simon.  I appreciate his honesty.  They are looking for star power, for uniqueness, for individuality.  I hear them say many times "you really made that song your own".  Stand out.  Be extraordinary.  We may not sing well, but we can strive for that same personal expression in our art.  THAT is exactly what we are sharing with Crusade No. 31. 

 

UPDATE:  Congrats to Kris Allen.  Great show - fun to see KISS and Queen.  The P!NK song the American Idols opened with sums it up "so what, I'm still a rock star...."  I'm with you Adam. 

sheesh, it's hot

We melted today.  95* is too hot for April.  At least it didn't rain and I could do a little spraying.

 

I love collecting type from magazines but I don't really care what it says.  I will scudge up these pages tomorrow with some sandpaper and then spray paint so they look like decaying posters often seen on random surfaces in New York.  This Walls Notebook is perfect for that. 

I confess, I've put up a few posters myself - although it's been a while since my HIM Street Team sniped in the city.   We need a new album so we can launch a crusade.  Here's some old Evidence.  Kat didn't mind getting the heartagram sticker...she's a fan.

Speaking of crusades, No. 30 is coming to an end.  We are discussing journaling in your journal with Cat Got Your Tongue?  Come play before it's over!

l.u.c.k.y.

 

  

  

Lots of rain today.  The clouds rolled on and I noticed the clover patches.  It's my first harvest for 2009.  Proof of a lucky girl.  And more....this arrived recently from Kathleen, who has XXOOs on her license plate.  If you see her give a toot and a wink.

 

And how about this from Rita?  So cool to know the *pink wink* lives on in our thoughts. 

 

I have posted Crusade No. 30 ~ Cat Got Your Tongue?  Come play!  Thirty months of crusading for creativity, can't believe it.  Congrats to Lay Hoon for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 29.

And finally, this isn't lucky, this is good hearts in action....more than 100 of us.

the shape of things

 

So I looked at last year's post of Epiphany and saw I had used chess pieces.  Chess imagery remained a focus for me during '08.  In this October post I reviewed how the images have shown up in recent work, as well as past stuff.  I recognize that I have a portfolio of favorite shapes that turn up in my art - like this new fave which I don't have a name for yet.   (I think of it as a Byzantine tower, but need a catchier title.)  I think being obsessed with certain shapes is a good thing.  There is alot to learn by studying a shape, and reinventing how to use it.

I just posted the new Crusade - Shape Up! where I challenge you to take on a new shape this month.  Investigate it in both positive and negative, and in several sizes.  Make your own tools with the shape - like cutting stamps and stencils.  It's a great excuse to get some pages done in your journal. And I promise you, you will learn something.  AND you'll have fun seeing how others interpret the challenge.  It's a new year, why not Shape Up?  Come play along on the team.

 

Congrats to recent winners Julie Thornton (Crusade No. 26 - Scent of the Season) and Kim Mailhot (Crusade No. 25 - Properties of Gesso).  It's really fun to take on a creativity prompt with a community of artists who are all working on the same thing.  We learn so much from each other, and widen the circle of friends. 

moving forward

I thought our new rose bushes may have reached their peak a few days ago.  I trimmed off all the old blooms and thought they looked a little sad, missing their pinkness.  Then I took a closer look and spied all the buds.

 

This doesn't begin to capture the new flowers I have today.  It's a full wall of roses - standing at attention to salut the new day, the new season.  Did they arrive because I was willing to cut off the expired flowers?  Probably not.  But I like to think that tending to the rose bushes and cutting them back led to the growth.

  

I bum out a little when the kids go back to school but it's a good time to establish new routines.  I've said this before, but it's amazing that the year can be 3/4 of the way through and you still have a chance to start again.  A new school year.  A new season.  A new rose.  And this month, a new Crusade:

 

Congratulations to Julie Prichard for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 22.  You can read more about Crusade No. 23 HERE.  I have so many loose ends to work on to make room on my table and in my mind for new ideas, new projects, new directions.  One thing that helps me GET STARTED on FINISHING is being organized. 

  

Then there is Gathering.  Isn't that part of the process for beginning but also for ending?  I love the Gathering ritual - whether finding new stuff or re-discovering my own stuff, pulling it all toghether in one supply box is a thrill for me and makes the creative phase so much more enjoyable.

  

And I love Gathering at the end too:  usually at the end of a project I clip paper scraps and remnants into my process journal then begin the task of putting away all the supplies (ok I'm really bad at THAT).  For this recent project I have enjoyed putting all the Evidence together as I embark on writing Thanks Yous for 700 socks, gather all my thoughts and remembrances, and clippings of ribbons and tissues, painted envelopes, and all the lovely cards and notes, to chronicle in a scrapbook.

  

New season = housecleaning of the blog variety.  You may notice on the left side I created new buttons which will take you to my link lists.  They were getting long so this was my solution. 

On the right I added a new *pink wink* button which will open a new page and you can read about the project in chronological order.  I know there are visitors who are still arriving to read about it and this was a *duh* for making it easier. 

  

The last of the socks came in this week.  I will send them on to 7B soon.

  

And to wrap up this post...I'll share with you a recent diversion.  I made one of these for Fallon and myself.  You know I swooned when I found the asterisk bead.  *faints*  I wear this daily with a full heart.

 

crusading, cutting

We wrapped up the month of March with a record number of participants who shared links to their custom cut rubber stamps.  We took a vote and bumped cutting stencils to April.  Congrats to Susan Warder for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 18.  I made a little tutorial on stencil cutting over on the Street Team blog, and will continue adding to it as I did last month with the carving tips.  I'm still obsessing over roses...had to make stamps and stencils yesterday.  WARNING:  It's Addictive.

The only way to know if you have cut a good and useful image is to put it to work.  These are the beginnings of journal pages using both acrylic paint and spray paint with my new stamps, stencils, and masks.  Give them a test run before cutting more because you'll learn what you might have done differently, or what additions you'd like to have:  for instance, a solid image of your stencil to create a foundation to make it *pop*.

I don't often use people or faces in my work so I've stayed away from attempting a portrait stencil.  But I've been wanting to do a Valo, and a Poe, and finally starting working on them.  I had an a-ha moment when I decided to take this design which wasn't quite working, and turn it into a half-face.  I got so excited with it I had to make a PS brush and take it for a test ride digitally.  I think I'm ready to cut HIM out now.  *grins*

 

Wanna join a fun community of artists?  Come see what we're doing on the Street Team.  We have new players every month, so don't be shy.  We have artists who share their time and talent, but most of all, their enthusiasm for making cool stuff.  Seriously, *we rock*.

blank page

I am often asked where I turn for inspiration, or how I learned to do what I do.  I think the most important thing for any person wanting to create is to just get started.  You can read all the books and magazines on a subject and it won't mean anything until you start experimenting on your own.  Pick up the brush, or the pencil, or the whatever, and begin.  Having the impulse to create is a gift.  The way in which you do it will work itself out once you get started.

I saw this young man on the Today show.  I am still thinking about him.  We know art is a channel that lets us express something within ourselves.  His story proves that.  See a video clip HERE.  And visit Seth Chwast at his site HERE.  Thanks Seth, for reminding me how powerful creativity is.

Related news:  This weekend I saw the new Public Service Announcement by VH1's Rock Autism.  I was really moved to see Gene Simmons, Tommy Lee, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler and other rockers supporting Autism.  See HERE, click on 2).  Then I found their True Life series following three young men with diverse manifestations of Autism.  It's compelling and enlightening....and takes about an hour to get through the whole series.  See HERE. 

It's a new year, a blank page.  Put something on it TODAY.

Congratulations to Monica Magness for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 15.   I'll be posting the next Crusade later today.  Need a jumpstart for creativity?  Come play with us on the Street Team!

the view from here

It's already October!  You'd never guess from the temps here.  Mid to upper 80s for the next week.  Lots going on this month.  I'm leaving for a weekend workshop tomorrow, then we have a few concerts, and we'll end the month with a Halloween party!  As soon as I get back from Wisconsin I'll start ghouling out the house.  Speaking of that, we've started a new crusade!  Congrats to Michelle Infantino for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 12.  We have hit the one year mark for the Street Team.  Hundreds of teamers have joined in the fun.  Come see what we're up to!

Someday I'll share a few photos of my studio.  You don't even wanna see it right now!  I'm just about packed for Valley Ridge Art Studios.  Getting ready for class reminds me of why I stopped traveling to teach.  I love doing it but there is so much preparation.  If you have been to Valley Ridge you know why we like to go back which is the only reason I'm not cursing right now.  An added bonus for me is my Mom comes to visit at VR.  Last time we made her take the class and she did great.  Looking forward to seeing familiar faces - students who have become friends, and new students who are friends I haven't met yet.

 

Tuesday Susanna and I continued with our silk screen printing class.  Above the graphic I'm working on for a tshirt.  We are working on Macs, yikes!  I'm not going to get into a debate about which is better, PC or Mac, because we know what we know, and love what we love.  It's just hard to be Mac-ing because I'm not familiar with it.  During a lull in class we visited our blogs....and yikes again!  My blog looks so different on a Mac through Safari.  Like, it is all scrunched and you can't see the full pictures.  So heads up as you are doing your blog thing, especially on typepad:  make sure you set your photos to be clickable so they pop-up, otherwise your visuals might not be seen as intended.  The view from here, as I design the layouts on my blog, is that I can see the whole thing.  My blog fills the screen edge-to-edge and there is even white space between the photos and the sidebars.

Lisa is an endless sender of "check this out" and "don't miss this" kind of bulletins.  She's an "I got your back" kind of friend.  Recently she called on a Sunday to demand I go get the New York Times.  In the magazine they featured Scott Campbell - a dude I wrote about back HERE.  There was a one page update on all the cool things he's working on.  A tattoo artist who is widening his canvas.  Here are a few peeks from his website.  Check out that book!!!  And the ostrich egg, and the furniture......these would be the perfect things for Crusade No. 13.

Poe dirt is no longer needed for the GIFT.  I must have missed the post from my friends on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island HIM Street Team.  They already gifted Ville with cemetery dirt from Poe's grave while at the Projekt Revolution tour in August.  Here are Lani and Deb, and Ville!  (you'd think they might look a little happier, wouldn't you?)  Deb reminded Ville about giving him the dirt last year and he said he had it with him on the bus!! 

Here's a link to youtube where there is no video but it's part 3 of a phone interview from September 2007, where he mentions the grave dirt AGAIN!  (3rd time!).  Forward to about 4:40 HERE.  He says the "grave dirt in the little glass bottles with name tags and labels is great for inspiration". 

I still would like Poe dirt for myself so those of you have offered, stay on task!

Thanks to Ann who shared a link to a gal on ETSY who sells cemetery dirt.  (You'll remember I posted about Ann's cool tags, also on ETSY).  So I have purchased graveyard dirt from the two cemeteries in France that I needed.  I couldn't pass it up....it was so serendipitous that Ann found the listing just after my post.  And the seller, ALDETHA's real name is Michelle.  It was a sign.  (And they have arrived so I can check two off the list!)

There have been a few generous souls who have offered to get the dirt I need from California.  As soon as I know it's a definite thing I will post here and the crusade will be complete (for now). 

Some of you have asked about Edward Gorey and why don't I have him on my list.  First, let's acknowledge the recent project headed up by Sylvia Luna.  Many of my friends participated in it - you've seen excerpts in the recent Somerset Studio, and may have been fortunate enough to see the display in Arizona (soon to be revealed in Colorado!)  Mr. Gorey's ashes were scattered off the coast of Massachusetts - no dirt to be had. 

I got so much feedback about this post privately.  Thanks to all of you who wrote to share your interest in beautiful graveyards and the idea of the grave dirt gift.  Many of you 'get' how thrilling it's been for me to be part of The Grave Dirt Crew.   

And since I'm talking about my band AGAIN I will just mention that I have photographic evidence that Ville has worn the shirt I gave him.  (Remember the one with the top hatted crow?  He wore it during an interview in Finland!) 

See ya naxt week!

the things we do....because of a crush

I'm not talking just about what a crush makes us do for ourselves....I'm talking about what someone else's crush makes us do.....for them. 

Like say for instance, I have a crush on caution tape.  My kids, and my friends, know I like to collect tape.  I have some great stories about tape - but one of the best ones was posted HERE, when my friend Penny had her son (who was visiting Greece), get me some foreign language tape...and then she made me a cool piece of art with it.  She KNEW I would go wild.....because she KNOWS I have a crush on tape, and because IT'S FUN when you know that about someone, and can get them stuff that will make them swoon. 

Above is my tape drawer, filled with some of my own finds, and some items that were gifted from friends.  Below are some of recent related scores....Halloween tape, found at my grocery store.  And how about those bandages????  H.C.I.T.?

And just today, I got to be a CRUSH-ENABLER.  Our son Peter is a huge gamer, and has been waiting for Halo3 since we pre-ordered it months ago.  It was released today!  So I got to run over and have it for him when he got out of school.  Nothing better than making someone happy with something you know they'll love.

Crush-enabling for myself:  Paul Potts.  I wrote about him earlier this year but in case you forgot, he's the gentleman who won Britain's Got Talent.  Because I watched this video clip nearly 100 times, and each time I got goosebumps, I had to have the album.  (Bought it today!)  Jolene remembered my post and reminded me to GET THE ALBUM.  She knew I was crushing on Paul.....so her little note was such a sweet crush-enabler.  Her thoughtfulness made my day - but she never would have been able to share that glee with me if I hadn't made that post.  It's a good thing to share your crushes, big or little.

EDIT:  I took out the embedded video of Paul Potts because it was screwing up viewing for some people.  (Thanks for the heads up Lisa). 

I could fill a month of blog posts if I shared everything that's been shared with me as a result of admitting a crush.  Like how about this from Judy, and this just in from Flo last week. 

Last year, some friends and I prepared a gift for a crush of ours.  It was a big hit because we know his crushes and knew he needed this, even if he didn't know it yet.  It even got mentioned by this person in a magazine as a favorite fan-gift.  I'd like to be able to add to the collection of grave dirt we started.  I already have one new thing to give him (dirt gathered by Maj in Denmark!).....just need a few more.  So, if you can help me out with this I will be forever grateful and will offer you something in trade. 

I will post details about this request tomorrow (or later tonight).  Yes, I admit I am crazy.  But it's a good crazy.

Know what your friends crushes are?  Start making a list of things you can get them because CRUSH-ENABLING is just as much fun as crushing!  Am I right???

Obsession Confession

Not a big admission because you probably already GOT that about me.  I have been addicted to cool graphics and imagery for years.  At one point, back in my 20's, I thought about going back to school to get a degree in Graphic Design.  And although my degree is in architecture, I have alot of self-imposed training in graphics.   I'm self-taught in Photoshop - THAT is a serious addiction.

A year ago I wrote an article about Maximalism.  I wasn't even sure if that was the proper name for the graphic style I was discovering, but I had found a book by the same name and it seemed the right thing to call it.  Here you can see how I began making journal pages from collected imagery in magazines, and then I began playing with layering images digitally.  I've gotten much better since these were done because I stumbled upon making custom brushes.  Hello?  How come it took me so long to discover THAT?  In my article I emphasized the words above.  When you are attracted to something (for me it was magazine and tshirt graphics) you TRUST that is is something worth taking notice of, even if you don't know where it will lead.  Then you need to STUDY.  Learn as much as you can about the thing.  Next is to IMAGINE all the possible ways you can incorporate this thing into your art.  How can you make it happen?  What tools do you need?  Lastly, you need to determine how to make it your own.  PERSONALIZE your inspiration by processing through your own filters to make unique, individual, signature art. 

My fascination with layered graphics has been evolving and growing for about two years.  In addition to my observation of interesting text treatment in magazines, I found printed tshirts to be a fabulous resource of inspiration.

The more I studied this artform, the more I found.....books, websites, artists, who really got my attention.  Here is one of the first guys that made me nearly faint.....

And of course, I've talked about this one before.....a household name by now.  What?  You don't know him but you shop at Target?  Pay more attention!  Crossing fingers he's the featured artist again this xmas.

I could spend an entire day putting together a post about tattoos.  And about KatVonD. (She inks V.V.!) And about L.A. Ink.  I have a CRUSH on that show!  My most favorite thing is watching them sketch out their ideas.  I especially love watching Corey draw free hand right onto the skin.  Makes you want to draw, doesn't it?  I do make a practice of drawing alot, like a few times a week....but he makes me want to draw first thing every morning.  But that's not what I'm introducing as my next crush.  It's actually about tribal tattoo design.  I love the stark, slick, linear and curving graphics of tribal ink.  I've turned these photos into b&w so if you are not into this kind of thing it won't gross you out too bad.  I'm totally working tribal into my new line of rubber.  Are you surprised?  Not!

It was nearly 2 years ago that Graham got his first tat.  It had the tribal flare.  Really cool.  NEVER did I think I would get a tattoo.  Even after he got his it was not even on my radar.  Then about a year ago I caved.  This is on my lower back......the b&w graphic on the right, you silly, not the "You Rock".  THAT was created on a website....a very cool little trick.  Try it HERE.  But back to my tat...I love it so much I may have a mini version done on my ankle.  Who knew I'd be saying this! 

EDIT:  Forgot to include a Shout Out to Laura of MadScienceCreations on Etsy, where I got this cool ribbon because it's TRIBAL!  Don't you need some?  Go HERE.

So there you have it......a SMALL SAMPLING of visuals to express my CRUSH on graphics.  The tip of the iceberg really.  You get the idea.  I wondered for a long time where all this interest would take me - beyond designing stamps.  This week Susanna and I began a course in silk-screen printing.  I am thrilled to learn we will be making our screens through a film and emulsion process - although cutting the stencils would have been fine with me.  I can hardly stand how cool it will be to make my own graphic ts.  Editing my ideas will be the only drag.

Have a crush to share?  Of course you do!  We are passionate people and have alot we crush on, and we use our blogs to share big and mini crushes everyday!  Come over and share a few with the Street Team and see what else we are crushing on. 

Crushing....

Can't see myself wearing this, but....

 

{silver and brass brooch sitting on a beaded coaster}

Sometimes you just accumulate things because they move you.  You don't know why you have to have it other than it makes you happy to look at it, right?  This pin captures so much of what I love - the elements of design make me swoon.  I pretend it's the underside of a cathedral dome, looking down on me as I visit my favorite city. Why am I sharing this?  Because I'm on a Crusade. 

In the background, left, you can see part of St. Mark's Basilica.  Would love to arrive there by water.

One more view of architecture in Venice, and how about that chair?!  Need one!

And you can't talk about Gothic Architecture without mentioning the Palace of Westminster, more commonly called the Houses of Parliament.  On the far left is Westminster Abbey, and the far right is the Clock Tower, usually called Big Ben (nicknamed for the bell within).

A stunning close-up, or two.....

   

In addition to architecture, I adore gothic-style fonts.  Fonts, in general, are an infatuation we all share, don't we?  Here are a few of my faves, each style showcased as it's font name.

And I've been crushing for a long time on Lucky Brand jewelry.  Here's another cool line, very gothy don't you think?  More found HERE.

 

And to finish, some stamps I've done for other lines.  You've already seen my WayWard stamps.  Did you spy some Gothic influence?  You can be sure you'll be seeing more of that in my new rubber.  (Still toiling away on the designs.  Can't stop myself!)

Confessions of a Gothic Style Addict.  A style is defined by much more than architecture and jewelry, but these are images I collect to enter in my journals or pin up on my bulletin boards because I like to surround myself with images that feed me. 

I have lots of crushes, (yeah, I know you know that) and will share more soon.  In the meantime, check out some of the ones posted by the players on our Street Team.  And join us by sharing yours!

how often do you......WINK?

Sure, a wink is a physical gesture of blinking one eye with a twinkle in the other and a sly smile that delivers a secret message.  Maybe it says "I'm thinking if you in a special way", or "I knew you'd love that", or "I'm full of surprises", or "See, I'm paying attention, and I GET you".  Sometimes it's not even a facial expression, but an act that makes you realize someone is winking at you.  Take for instance a few months ago when I told you about an article where my friend Jenny Doh, director of publishing at Stampington, was winking at me.  You can read about that HERE.

The latest issue of Somerset Studio arrived and I got WINKED at again.

 

If you've seen Lynne's book Beyond Paper Dolls then you're familiar with this paper theater.  Somerset presents additional views in my article in the Sept/Oct issue.  It was fun to revisit this project and give it new words.  It was so much fun to make and provided endless amusement as I conjured up all the set drop-ins.  When I first sent it to Lynne I had enclosed in the prop drawer a figure of Edgar Allan Poe as well as a scaled down replica of a puppet I had created for Teesha's Art and Life, depicting my favorite rock star Ville Valo.  It was a way of sending a little WINK to Lynne.  To my surprise and delight, Ville showed up on stage in the Somerset article.  A total WINK from Jenny.  Not many people will know who he is or why he's there but WE know.  Say it....H.C.I.T.  There is a Valo/Poe connection which is another reason why I included him in the theater but I'll spare you that story today.  For more views of The Willow Playhouse presents The Raven, see HERE.

 

If you've been following my blog this is old news, but here are the pages I had done for Teesha over a year ago....and a photo of me with Ville when I gave him the puppet.  Now you know who that dude is on stage in the article...and why it was a WINK from my editor and friend.  And because I'm on a music crusade for the GPP Street Team I will share with you a HIM video where Ville is wearing the top hat. 

Also in this issue is an Artist Portfolio on Julie Pearson.  I was honored to be the one to introduce you to her as she is a very dear friend and incredible artist and mentor.  It was difficult to edit myself and not sound like a total fangirl when I wrote the article.  It's only here that I can share with you HOW CRAZY I AM ABOUT THIS WOMAN.  We are working together on a website for her and you will be the first to know when it's ready.  Pick up the issue to see her beautiful work. 

Today, when I should have been packing, I escaped with Susanna to see Becoming Jane.  DIVINE film.  If you're a Jane Austen fan DO NOT MISS IT!   

Raise your hand if you want to see a spin-off that follows the life of Henry Austen.  Susanna and I vote YES.

Using It

Got new stuff recently?  Use it!  I call that "Me First Journaling".   Maybe you acquired a new paper, new trim, new find....use that as an excuse to make a journal page.  After you've used some for yourself you are free to share some, use it on special packages, and maybe even generate some new ideas for it's usefulness before you lose it.  (Come on, you don't buy something and it gets buried before you use it?) 

Cool brown die-cut letter B:  K&Co.  Funky blue velvet trim:  gift from Kristen Robinson last month (when we got to meet for real....no pics, dang!).  Brown and white wrapping paper:  Hallmark.  Lovely feathers:  extra treat that came with a cool piece of jewelry from Karla Nathan as a blog give-away (from her neighbor's pet!)  Curly vellum die-cut:  gift from Tara.  Egg stamps:  HERE 

Bird stencil:  hand cut last week.  Colored staples:  Target.  Feathers:  from our blue non-named parakeet, found at bottom of cage.  We have a yellow non-named parakeet too.  (You can't buy feathers this small, it's a Cheap Trick!)  EDIT:  the feathers were found at the bottom of the cage, not the birds :)

What will you use today?  Heard this in the car this afternoon - reminded me of summers past.  Did you sing to this at the top of your lungs like I did?  Glad you couldn't hear me.  (T'Pau, Heart and Soul, 1987)  (Oh my God, that was 20 years ago!) {EDIT:  Removed video}

team work

We are having a gas over on the Street Team.  So far we have 35 entries for Crusade No. 8:  Cheap Tricks.  You should come see the cleverness and generosity of the players.  The whole point of the team was to build a community of kindred spirits by providing a platform for sharing. 

Here are my favorite inexpensive materials - folders and tags.  Buying them by the case may not seem cheap but it's a small price to pay for such terrific material to work on.  My other cheap tricks are posted on the Street Team blog.  Come over and see.....then tune in later this week to join in the next crusade!

Four....Three....TEN

The Green Pepper Press Street Team Crusade No. 4 has been posted.  Wanna play?  Come over and see what fun we're having with monthly challenges.  Recently a friend visited the site for the first time and remarked that we're having a party over there.  It's been fun!  Winners are drawn from the list of contributors for each crusade.  It's not a competition and anyone can join in. 

Last months winner for Crusade No. 3 is Belinda Schneider.  Congrats Belinda! 

Somerset Studio is TEN years old!  Congratulations to publisher Kellene Giloff, editor Jenny Doh, and the staff at Stampington. 

They have been serving us inspiration with style for a decade.  I thank Somerset Studio for being one of the catalysts in my growth as an artist, and the foundation from which I have met and made many dear friends. 

This is a terrific issue with featured artist Carolyn Quartermaine, author of my all time favorite book "Revealed".  More great stuff from friends Lisa Hoffman, Anne Bagby, and Lynne Perrella.  You'll see me in there too!  It's been a priviledge to be in print over the years with Stampington's magazines and books, but most especially with Somerset. 

Take a bow, you're ten!  Lifting a glass in toast to you.

P.S.  The opera was fantastic!  What a wonderful experience for all of us.  A dreamy way to ring in the New Year!  Happy 2007.

Street Team Crusade No. 3

Join the Crusade.  See Team link on right.  Winner for No. 2, Deborah Everton.  Curious?  Go see. 

Street Team

Calling all Teamers.....Crusade No. 2 has been posted.  Come play!  See link >>>>>>>>>>

Street Team Duty

Doing my duty as a good street teamer I bring you this announcement:

HIM returns to NY @ the Hammerstein Ballroom Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20.  Tickets go on sale Friday, August 4 @ 11 am EST.

The tour is called "No Sleep 'Til Halloween" and will feature HIM, along with Papa Roach, Kill Hannah, and Lost Prophets.  Tickets available through Ticketmaster, details at Livenation.com  (Scoring points for street team activity, now back to the regular program).