VISUAL JOURNALING

I have decided, since finally having a vacation, to start a visual journal.  Now I have hesitated to do journaling as it is hard for me to put words down on paper- I have always been such a visual person- but recently have seen artists just doing 'artwork.'  I loved this concept!  So I am trying to complete a spread a day in a small moleskin journal and posting most of the results on my Pinterest site (search my name and it should come up.)  The above piece is called, 'Harbinger', as I am thinking about the trees changing already, and sadly, a small elm tree was removed yesterday from our tree lawn by the city due to disease. 

I have a large container of collage scraps and an old dictionary I use for prompts, as well as Koh-I-Noor watercolor pencils and a graphite pencil for entries. Finally, I spray the page with a matte sealer.  I will try to post more frequently!~Lou

Techno Time Challenge

I'm still here, but barely. I had to install 'Chrome' to get my blog (photos would not upload) back up and that was quite a techno challenge.  I mean, I couldn't ask my I.T. son, or my next door 'so busy' son, or my daughter crazy with moving, so of course I took weeks to figure it out myself, and meanwhile wasted lots of valuable art time.

I am still doing some swaps-above are two large vintage tags that will be exchanged.  They feature brass stencils with real tintypes behind the letters, old lace, buttons and sari ribbons. I know I shouldn't use real tintypes, but copies, but I just think it looks so much better with the real thing! I held the stencils on with Washi tape, printed with old script.  I LOVE Washi tape!

I will try to now post more artsy stuff here, family updates now on Facebook and also addicted to Pinterest for resources! ~Lou

Best Bead Surprise!

I received a phone call yesterday from two dear friends from Michigan and we met, along with another local friend, at the wonderful shop, 'Bead Paradise' in Oberlin, OH.  The store was having their annual sale, so that was even better!  The store has great clothes too- I bought a beautiful jacket for 75% off and 4 bone Celtic rune stones for gifts.  The others bought fabulous jewels and findings.  Left to right: Me, Linda K., Beth B. and Sue T. What a fun day!

Altered Soul Bottle-I've Been Altered Too...

I'm in a bottle swap to alter to have to do with gypsies and all things related, and this is the one I made.  The vintage bottle is filled with copies of tiny antique tarot cards, sparkly beads and strips of old text. The cork is wrapped with transparent word text paper tape, bought from, "Small Studios" store- one of my faves (Ginny Carter-Smallberg, the owner, Westlake, Ohio.)  There is also glitter on the outside image, that doesn't really show much in the photo here.

I am hoping this new year is better than last, especially family health issues.  I am trying to develop better 'art' habits with these swaps and sure appreciate my friends who helped me emotionally through the trying times this year. THANK YOU  ~Lou

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays to all.  My dear art friends and just great buddies celebrated with our annual tea yesterday.  A wonderful time was had by all and much food eaten and beautiful gifts exchanged.  I just hope you all have such wonderful friends to share the holidays with, and of course, your families.  I'm in the front, to the right of our hostess, Darlene (her left side). ~Lou

An Elf and Me

A special Elf I found who I love very much!....and her tree hat too, and her boyfriend who is not named Jake and I try not to embarass relatives, but isn't she beautiful and she graduated from GO BUCKS!!!!! (sorry Michigan friends.)

CHRISTMAS IN A TEACUP

I finished my Christmas in a teacup swap (on the right) with a bag of goodies for my swap partner.  The little Charlotte doll has a scrap of paper that says, 'Shine.'  I hope you all shine for Christmas this year!
Now if I could only get myself in gear to shop for Christmas- it's Black Friday and I'm probably the only person out there that has no desire to go shopping.  Would rather eat leftovers and watch football with my cat. I do have some goodies on Ebay though, check my store out, "Simply Antique Country."
~Lou