Sunday, November 30, 2008

Four blissfull days

Hello! Hello! Can you see the sun through my hair? All four non-working days were warm, sunny and completely blissful! I had several cooking marathons, lovely talks with my kids, bike ride with my dh, watched movies, played with the dirt in our garden, bought the first outdoor Christmas lights for our house, cuddled with the cat, ate chocolate, napped in the afternoons... Almost forgot - Hana (my teenage daughter) has been trying to make me read "Twilight" for some time. My excuse was the lack of time. Well - I had time and I read the first book, fell in love with the vampire guy (the ultimate bad boy/good girl story) and now can't wait to go and see the movie. One other thing... a piece of my tooth broke and now I have to go to the dentist and that terrifies me (for no reason at all, never had a bad experience, but I'm always afraid beyond normal comprehension). :-(
I can't decide if this girl needs some words or is she saying enough without words...
Thank you for the birthday comments. I wish I could have shared my cupcakes with you because they were more than delicious. Random.org choose the winner of my painting. Kate was the lucky number 6. So, please Kate email me your address so that I can send the painting to you. Thanks for playing!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Special

I made this "Special" ATC card for a very special lady that has been patiently waiting for a package from me for over a year. I am horrible... I really am. No excuse for letting that much time go by. It doesn't show well on the photo, but I thought I might mention it - look at the heart. I used Tim Holtz's new distress stickles. It's glitter, but not a glittery kind of glitter (!?!), more like old German glass kind of thing. I like it a lot.
I had to pack the ATC in something, so I painted a box (as usually inspired by the oh-so-creative Sharon).
The lady in the Post Office loved the box and asked me where did I buy it (!!!!). That was a cool compliment. Here are photos of the other sides. It was so much fun to make. I played with stencils and masks, spray paint, acrylic, glitter, stamps... Very relaxing. I hope she'll like it.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes! If you want to be a part of the giveaway just add a comment to the previous post. I will close commenting on Sunday (11/30) and pick a winner.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Happy Birthday Giveaway!

Happy Birthday to me!!!
I couldn't fit 44 candles on the cupcakes, so 6 will do.
My real life friends are almost at the door, but I wanted to say hi to my online friends too! Thank you for all the sweet comments and support and being here when I need it.
I would like to give away a painting that shows friendship or sisterhood or something like that. If you like it, please leave a comment and I will pick up the winner next Sunday.
- 9"x12" canvas panel -
In case you wonder, these are the best, creamiest, most delicious chocolate mousse uncooked cupcakes. No flower, sugar, eggs, cream.... just the good, healthy stuff. I don't think that anyone would know that they are good for them. Oh, not to mention the little rolled chocolates that go with them. YUM! I wish I could share them with all of you. The recipe for them can be found here (wonderful raw food blog). Try it. You will be surprised...

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I accepted a dare

A couple of weeks ago my dear friend wrote that she picked some wild flowers and that she is sending them to me. Imagine my surprise when I returned from work one day and this greeted me:
Of course I didn't have to look at the address to know that it was Norah's work. I left the box unopened for ages and just looked at it. So many things to see! Notice the shapes and colors and funny eyes and fish and the dreamy creature:
More of it on the back:
And then the side..... she didn't forget that. I really thought that I will forever "always be happy" when I saw it there.
After two hours my daughter insisted that I open the package. So I did. Package after package after package.
I will be selfish and not share all the treasures found in there. But I'll show you the wild flower. It was hidden between the pages of a book.
The book is called "I Dare You!" And that was the theme of the package.
Here is the sweetest painting on one of the front pages. And another wildflower.At the bottom of the box there was this adorable bag:Inside - a surprise! Another "I Dare You" book! One for Sharon and one for me. So that we can play inside the pages and exchange them and play some more until they can't close from all the art inside.
And because she is the wingkeeper, she started 'my' book with a single feather and a poem.
I never collaborated with anyone on anything. And I am beyond scared to play in these books... scared to 'ruin' them, or create something that she won't like (or I won't like). But the gift was so beautiful and the title of the book so perfect and the thought of looking at her art up close just so inviting that I plan to step out of my comfort zone and allow art (good or bad) to just be. I hope we fill the pages of two little books with good energy, thoughts and friendship. Thanks Sharon.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Etsy update

The last time I wrote, I said that I will play with my new Total gym and be in pain tomorrow. I should better think before I write because that's exactly what happened. I hurt my back and am in pain whenever I try to stand up straight or walk. It is actually probably funny to look at me walk... So, I'm trying to rest (the studio will wait for me to clean and organize it). I spent the good part of the day listing some old and some new paintings on etsy. It was empty for a long time and definitely needed my attention. I hope to add more to it in the following week. Now I'll lie down and put a warm pillow on my back... xo

Friday, November 7, 2008

I wish that you are real

Playing with strong colors in my journal.
I went into my room yesterday with the intention to clean it up (because there is no place to step in, not less create). Instead I saw my journal, glanced at the watch and decided that I have 20 minutes to play. So that's what I did. Then I put some more stuff IN the room and closed the door behind. I don't like it that way. I'll have to find a way to put some things away....
But not today. Today I am playing with my new Total Gym. I tried it last night and felt so good after it that I can't wait to work out more and be in pain tomorrow. I'll also visit the lovely Borders bookstore to buy another book for Hana. I'm so happy that she finally found books that she likes and is actually enjoying reading them.
And then there's weekend! Happy days!
I hope you'll have a great weekend.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Hope. Change.

It has been a while since I made little ACEOs (ATCs). I forgot that it takes a lot of time to put all the details on a relatively small piece of paper. On the pinkish card you can see a stitching detail. I planned to do more... but my last needle broke and flew all across the room. I decided that it looks interesting enough so I didn't cover it. I also played with the 'amber colored' raised frame. I'll have to take pictures when I make the next one and show it. I think it frames the card nicely and it's easy to do.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Hold on to your dream

- available on etsy-
"Do I detect a little Suzi here? Is it painted on wood?" - asked Suze while commenting here.

Yes. And yes. Suze was right.
I never painted on untreated wood before. It's a completely different experience than when there is a layer of gesso or primer. I also never used a wood burner. I loved it! The smell is wonderful! In my mind I was in cabin surrounded by snow, while sipping wine in front of a fire place.
The painting looks like an orange blob on the photo, but up close it's different. There are layers upon layers, it's very textured and colorful. I hope some of it shows on the close up photos. I was in heaven pulling out all the supplies, painting and making a huge mess in my studio.
The easel is a gift from my mother. I'm not very comfortable painting on it yet. But I am getting used to it. There is another piece of wood on it right now. I'm off to play...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I dare you

That was the title of Sharon's post. So I tried... and didn't like the result. What happens when you create a page in your journal that you don't like? Either gesso over it and start again. Or decide to live with it and write on the page how you feel about it. That was my choice for this page. You can't even see how ugly it is. Among many poor choices, I used interference green (which is usually subtle and pretty), but here it is simply hideous... I tried to hide it, but it is still peeking through layers. The more I look at the page, the more it makes me smile. Creating is definitely a great stress release... even when the results are far from what we wanted.

Savoring serenity

This is exactly how I'm feeling today.
I woke up before 6 this morning. At first I was disappointed that I didn't sleep longer on a non-work day, but then remembered that I have a room of my own and smiled. I slipped into my cozy robe, went to my studio and started reading a poetry book that I recently bought. These words captured me, so I quickly painted in my journal (yes, I found it.... day after I wrote the post about loosing it. It was exactly where I left it, but someone (dh) put a heavy thing that holds dvd-s on it and hid it...). These are words by Peggy Warren. Try repeating them several times... I think they feel good.