Make Some Noise! GPP Crusade #11

Finally I am getting to Michelle Ward's Crusade 11- Make Some Noise!

Back to School time got me thinking of the old Bare Naked Ladies song "Grade Nine" It makes me LOL. I found this photo montage someone put on You Tube for it.

I love music, but I don't own too many CDs. I prefer to hear a mix of artist and styles. Unfortunately I don't like any local radio stations. I listen to internet radio a lot, mostly retro 80's or alternative. But I can listen to almost anything from classical, punk, ska, alternative, more folksy stuff, classic rock, 50's doowap, old crooners and ballads, and even some showtunes. I could probably think of more if I had time!

Pandora.com is pretty good at picking out music for me and now I'm just tweaking my stations. I just like way too many different types of music. And I have to be in the right mood for each type! I'm really not a difficult person *grins*

If I had to pick my all time favorite band it would be the Police or classic Billy Joel!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm taking the day off to unplug, relax, read my book, play with
the kids, and celebrate my 36th birthday!

:-)

Our Family Grows

I wanted to introduce you to a new member of our family...
"Patch" We adopted this cutie on Monday. Who would give up this little guy?
He is very sweet, affectionate, and playful. Not at all skittish.


The younger of our two dogs is really interested in Patch.
Not aggressive, just curious.

Light bulb shrines deMeng style

Friday I finally took my class at Valley Ridge! I had so much fun, but it was a long day. I had to leave the house by 6am to get to Muscoda by 9am. A bit foggy and dreary, but no problem. Michael deMeng is such a nice and friendly guy and a really good teacher! He explains everything well, answers endless questions, and is actually pretty funny. He shared some of his "secrets", which you have to take his class if you want to know!

I was determined to branch out and make a shrine very unlike my normal artwork. This is my showgirl or "Rockette" I started with a faucet knob that reminded me of a 50's scifi rocket. Made this fiery lady inside....how do ya like the red marabou feather! I was thinking Las Vegas showgirl, then someone else said "like the Rockettes". Duh why didn't I think of that...rocket/ Rockette. Sometimes I can be dense :-D

Close up view----damn reflections!

Critique time!-also see how I added vintage upholstery tacks
around the base (stagelights)

This is one of Michael's he brought as an example. Terrific, but damn
that light reflection!



The drive home was long, but uneventful.

I forgot to take a photo from the studio. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day. But I had a nice sunny drive home. Dinner was a Butter Burger from Culver's, Yummy! The one in Sauk City is the original Culver's, cool. I had to try their sour apple lemon ice. I love sour apple flavor and this was the most sour I ever had! More than Altoids apple sours (or apple gum). It was terrific!

Back to School

I made these two collages yesterday afternoon. I saw the Sun briefly, so I guess it inspired me!

Each collage is 5x7 on 140lb watercolor paper.

I'm backing up for my class tomorrow. I'm so excited! Lucky for us in Wisconsin to have Valley Ridge Art Studio nearby! I just hope no roads are closed due to flooding!
For me, Muscoda is about 2.5 hr drive. Unfortunately, I'm in a one day class only.
I wish I could have taken all 5 days of his classes.
But what a class! Michael deMeng's Light Bulb Shrines.
Back to school for me. Cool huh! I can't wait!

I'm adding a few more charms and another pocket mirror design
on Etsy in the next couple of days.

Have a great weekend!

Grey grey day

I feel wore out, grey days do that to me. We've had rain for 2 days and today is still.....grey. Not seeing the Sun for 3 days is draining. I'm like a sunflower, I need to feel the Sun's warm rays on my petals. Oh well, at least now my grass is no longer dying!

TtV test 6

TtV test 6
Originally uploaded by byxanthe

One of many Through the Viewfinder (TtV) experiments I did today. I have a Kodak Duaflex IV. I'm just winging it really! I love the odd look of these photos. A fewmore are posted on my Flickr site.

Tree Mother

This is the temporary name for this assemblage. Not sure if I like it???
Naming my pieces has always been tough.

A mama bird watching us closely as we peek at her eggs.

This started out as a wire form I found at a flea market in North Carolina.
I built onto the form with copper wire. The bird is a vintage artificial one, the nest is shredded money dipped in wax, and three handformed little eggs.

Somerset Home Volme 2

I'm finally posting about this! I've had scanner problems, so these images aren't the best.

I have always enjoyed sharing ideas with others, I considered becoming a teacher.
Maybe I still will be sometime?????

Hope you enjoy the article and please leave a comment!

Thanx
Xanthe





















Somerset Home Volume 2

GPP Street Team Crusade #10

I made over a dozen pieces of mail art this month...and forgot to scan or photograph any of it! Duh!
One friend who received an envelope of mine post a pic on her flickr Here.

This one I haven't mailed yet. The recipient likes a country style
so here is "Ginger" the chicken.

This just needs to be addressed!

This is the before I folded it.

A large USPS tyvek envelope than I recieved. I cut it down.

Art Journal

I'm still working in my recycled packaging art journal. The front and back cover is a used bubble envelope and the interior pages are various envelopes and paper bags. I sketch in a plain mead sketchbook. It is full of crap actually. I just doodle, sketch, whatever. In this journal, I experiment and make small collages I've turned into soldered charms and pocket mirrors.
So far I'm really enjoying it :-)

So as I'm writing this I am watching TV... I am so horrified about the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. I feel so sorry for everyone involved. I can just hope it looks worse than it really is. Scary!

Etsy shop now open!

I finally have everything up and running on Etsy. I have 6 items listed and will be adding more over the next few days.
Whew! maybe I can stop and rest. Ha!
I have lots of new pieces in the works...more assemblage and jewelry.
later!