The Artist's Pub: Living Out Loud

SkyDiving, Cliff Jumping, Rock Climbing.....What's Next?

The other day as I ran the rocky crags of the cliffs that travel from my house down the shore line of the mighty Pacific, I came to "thee" Cliff...not just any old cliff but...."THEE" Cliff...the one I am itching to leap off from and into the deep blue sea.

On the day of my run, it's a perfect day to take the leap...Bright, Gorgeous...the perfect "Beach" day.  I have been thinkin' about this moment for awhile...Leap Day.  That morning as I took off for my run I wondered secretly to myself..."Will this be the day, will I jump today?"

A mile into my run I hit the spot...it's "thee" Cliff...I paused to take in a few daring souls who make the plung....(so far I've only seen men and boys make the leap)...I considered the dare myself and scrambled down the rocky crag, cross country style, to the cliff's edge and peered over.  I stood there awhile, taking in the beauty of it all and my fear.  I watched as an enormous Jelly Fish floated by....I don't think I've ever seen one that big...I scrambled back up the cliff and continued on my run, again wondering...will today be the day?

Another three quarters of a mile into my run I decide to go back to my cliff, "thee" cliff.  This cliff is a perfect arc over a channel of sea water...it's the perfect spot.  Once there I again manuved my way down to it's edge...I watch a guy execute the most beautiful swan dive off the cliff...Wows and aaahhhs escape my lips.  I am hunger for it....for the leap.

I wanted to jump but I was scared...I tell myself.."Okay, if I can find one person to jump with me, I'll do it"...what the hell was I thinking...no sooner had I thought it then the handsome swan diver appears...approaching me he asks, "Are you gonna jump?"  The intensity in his eyes and the sly grin on his beautiful face told me, he's the one...he is my jumping partner...I reply, "If you jump with me?"   His grin slides into a broad smile and he says, "Sure!"  I add, while slipping off my running shoes..."We have to hold hands cuz I'm scared"...still smiling he took my hand and said, "No problem"...and walked me to the edge.  Once at the edge we both peer over, then look at each with smiles of anticipation.  He explains to me how to jump safely...I don't know how high it is and I don't want to know...(turns out it's about 20 feet...yikes!)

I say, "on three?"  He nodds...softly...slowly we count...one....two.......three!  WooooISH!  The sensation is EXHILIRATING...it's just like the intial leap from the plane when skydiving!  ....I'm in Heaven.........SploooooSH....  My body is plunged deep into the cool salty water of the Pacific....

I swim to the top with a smile on my face that I can feel, ear to ear.....I am in Love, I am Free, I am Living my Life with the Joy of Living and Gratitude EVERY step of the way....

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." Kahil Gibran 

Blessings & Joy ALWAYS!

Alexia

It's 5:00 am....

At 5:58 am this morning I sat outside the counseling office of the college I attend, determined to get an appointment with my counselor.  This whole process actually started yesterday afternoon, the first day of class enrollment...what was I thinking, right?  No worries I got my classes...all 15 units worth...but to get in to see a counselor...WOW.

Late yesterday I made a desperate attempt to get in to see the counselor even though the woman at the front desk had told everyone ahead of me that they were not scheduling any more appointments "today" and to come back tomorrow at 7:30 am...this did not detour me...no...not me.  I am a firm believer in..."the worst they can say is...no"...and "nothing ventured, nothing gained."  Cliche I know...but True.

That I went back today speaks to the fact that my attempts yesterday proved to be futile but the office lady an I are now friends.  So minutes before 6:00 am I pulled my car into the "1 hour" parking spot directly in front of the counseling office....luck-al-liy....Yes....Luck-al-liy.  I say that because even though I had resolved...(after yesteday's debacle)... to be at the school no later then 6 in the morning and hopefully the first person in line, I made a fatal error in judgement.  Okay, okay so it wasn't actually fatal...yes I agree that was a little dramatic....but....I knew, I mean I KNEW I needed to be in bed at a relatively reasonable time to have any hope at ALL, of getting up at 5:00 am in order to get to the school no later then 6:00 am...let me just note here that I am normally an early riser except under extenuating circumstances, like staying up after 10:00pm...

Any-waaays...I made the error of staying up to watch....yes you guessed it..."The Bachelorette".... Now in my defense I must say I never...okay next to never...watch reality shows...(I use the word "reality" loosely)...in truth I find them obnoxious and feel I have funner and more creative ways to spend my time...now don't get mad...I have many friends who are obsessed with "reality t.v." the way I am obsessed with reallllly good chocolate...and these friends are all too Happy to "catch me up" as it were...but now I'm getting way off topic.

So we stayed up to watch, "The Bachelorette."  Figuring I was still good "time-wise" I decided I would just go to bed immediately after the show...(by the way, I'm really glad Shaun is gone)....the only problem was I forgot I still needed to take a shower, which is never  a quick thing for me.  My intensions to take a "quick shower" are sincere enough but are soon deverted by my ADD.  A "quick shower" quickly turns to leg shaving, facial scrub and....oh what the hell...a sugar body scrub.  Feeling fabulouso and ready to slip between my overly excessive thread count burgandy sheets...I feel a sigh of exasperation escape my lips as I note the time...11:53 pm...I'm screwed...I muster my resolve to get up at 5:00 am, slide between the sheets and snuggle in...murmuring to myself..."I can do this."

At 5:00 am this morning the alarm blares...I really need to do something about that, if only I could wake up to one of those pleasent sounding chimming ones...anywho, I spring from my bed and walk across the room to were the alarm sits...(the snooze button is far to convient and must be placed out of reach)...after switching the alarm to "off" I make my way to the bathroom...I stand there in dark while the 6 year old in me whines...."I'mmmmmm tiiiired"....as my parternal side kicks in with..."Well....I guess you shouldn't have stayed up so late...."  Where upon my 6 year old self turns and promptly hops back into bed...that lasted all of four minutes as the adult in me did a little self talking...okay that and the promise of a treat from Starbucks.

So there I sat impressively....yes...impressively...outside the counseling office, the first one there at 5:58 am with my Starbucks soy hazelnut latte and maple scone waiting for the doors to open.

"The path that separates you from the garden of your desire, my friend, is nowhere but in yourself.  It is as close and as far as you can be from yourself."  Faouzi Skali

Me and My Adventure Hat

Wow...it's been almost two years since I've touched this blog....and just where have I been you ask?  Well Adventuring of course!

First I had to unload some serious luggage...that's code for I filed for a divorce...and at my Awesome attorney's advice to lay low...I ignored my blog and nixed my facebook....and disappeared until the smoke settled.  Okay so the smoke settled awhile ago...but I've been on an adventure!

The title of my post is from a country song, "Me and My Adventure Hat" that we heard played at a small venue that was AMAZING!  I LOVE this song and immediately "bonded" with it since he was singing about my life and all...okay it was his life but it sounded more then vaguely familiar and seemed to be applicable to my life.

The mystery of my adventure hat's disappearance and re-emergence is directly related to the rubble of my former marriage...once I found it...(my adventure hat)...admist the rubble of the marriage, I promptly placed it firmly on my head and filled for divorce...

.....and you know what happened?  Adventures!  They popped up EVERYWHERE!

It was about this time that I developed an addiction to skydiving....obviously due to an adventure...

Yes, yes I know...some of you are sounding off shouts of WooooooooWhoooo! and others are scratching their heads saying..."What on earth would make you jump out of a perfectly good plane? Really...What?"  Well....I'll tell you...it was my adventure hat....okay that and a reallllllly hot guy...and off we went.  Yes it was that simple....I was more afraid in the plane then out...lol

My first jump, we sailed off into the wild blue yonder and as we did I saw a pod of Whales...(okay I'm not sure if whales actually swim in pods but there were ALOT of them)...anywho...it took my mind off the plane and onto the awesomeness of all that IS.

Which brings me to my move....(no that is all I'm going to say about the jumping for now...I'll blog more about skydiving later).

I moved...where to you ask?  As close to ocean as I could get....at the end of my block is the ocean...literally.  A scurry down the cliffs puts me on a cove with a private beach...okay, the beach isn't actually private...but it feels private because you have to discover it...and not as many people have as you might think...mostly it's just some of the locals.

Oh yes....and remember my dream of going back to college...wellll...I went back and am LOVING every minute of it....(mostly because I finally decided what I want to be when I grow up...annnd...I have love that supports my dreams....)

I think it's important to DREAM BIG...whatever that means to you...I mean it not like I'm going to college to be a brain surgeon...though that IS somebody's Big Dream...Dreaming Big for me is pursuing all that I truly love and am inspired by...that and never settling in life.  Okay...ummm that last statement comes with warning....Never settling in life is NOT the same thing as one who is never EVER satisfied or unable to enjoy life...okay that's not the warning...the warning is this...not settling WILL lead you onto many.....and I do mean Many...Adventures....

These Adventures will challenge you physically for one....and spiritually for another...(as in developing your truth and an endlessly evolving sense of yourself...it's exhilarating!)  If this is you, then by all means...dig out your Adventure Hat!

All Adventures Welcomed Here!

Love, Peace, Blessings & Joy,

Alexia

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!...plus...New Year's Resolutions & Such.....

 

Dec. 31st, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It has been an exciting and eventful Year and Holiday Season...What FUN!  I had to stop in before my New Year's festivities got under way...to say....

I wish All of my readers a Very Happy & Exciting NEW YEAR!!!!  (Yes...I discovered the font "color" button)...lol...it's been there the whole time...Amazingly enough..

I don't do New Year's "Resolutions"...okay...that's not exactly true...I do the same one every year...and every year I bring my focus....hmmmm....I don't know how to explain it...but I bring my focus tighter...or deeper...into my resolve.

For example...if your Resolution is to develope or deepen your spiritual life...this is your year to quest for spiritual things and enlightenment...then next year you might make your resolution one where you resolve to seek deeper spiritual wisdom...or base it on things you learned during your quest to deepen your spiritual life.

Whatever your resolve...I pray that Excellence and Goodness will impact your life and those around you....for your....and the world's....Greater Good.

With Great Love and ABUNDANT Blessings and JOY, Alexia xoxoxo

The Story of Santa Claus...Sinterklaas...Kris Kringle...Ahhh...Father Christmas!

Download 09 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)

Dec. 20th, 2010

Ahhhh.....

The Story of Santa....Keep reading it's going to get goood....

(the work of Thomas Nast circa 1880s)

The picture above of Santa Claus...a.k.a.....Father Christmas, was created by artist Thomas Nast.  Nast, along with the help of a friend, contributed knowingly...OR...unknowingly to the establishment of the Santa Claus we know and love today... jolly ol' Saint Nick...

Santa Claus...a man of mystery...

Who is this Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, Pere Noel, Babbo Natale, Father Christmas....even China calls his name....Dun Che Lao Ren (loosely traslated...Old Man Christmas)...yep...

Does he live in the North or the South Pole?  I'm going with the North...

Is it 8 and sometimes 9 reindeer?  I suppose it depends on the weather conditions but since the weather is never exactly the same in any two places I'm gonna have to go with the magic number of..... 9.

Is he or is he not married?  I don't know?  Let's call him and ask him....

How many elves does he have working for him exactly and are they nicer then Gnomes?  Are Gnomes nice?  Hey...does anyone know if Gnomes are actually nice or not?  How about elves are they nice?  What dooooo we reeeally know about elves?  or Gnomes for that matter?  I know they're cute!

How old IS Santa and does he have any children...BESIDES the children of the world...(wise guy)...

When does he have to start up...never mind cuz you know what...I bet it never ends... ooooh... wouldn't that be wonderful to do nothing but create ALL DAY....and night if you like...creating whatever you like?  All the Artsy people say..."OH Yeahhhhh"...

Is his (Santa's) village really that cute...that beautiful?  Okay, fine...it was a dumb question...Of course it is...we all know it.  I guess this makes it a rhetorical question so never mind...

But...can we go visit it?  Say....certain people of a certain age who know how to keep a secret... Yes, this is when we all jump up and down with our hands in the air shouting..."ME ME ME!"

These are questions to ponder while you look at the many faces of Santa Claus...Enjoy!

 
(designed by Moi... www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com)

 
Santa Claus in his Blue Suite...hmmmm

 
The Christmas Dance for St. Nick... 

 
 
Cutie Pa-tutie....

 
We Wish You a Merry Christmas...We Wish You a Merry Christmas...We Wish YOU a MERRY CHRISTMAAAAS!....and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and To All a Good Night!

Blessings & Joy!  xoxo Alexia

 

The List...Yes....The Bucket List.....

12/18/10

Okay so I've always had little lists...on going little lists....they are in every possible place imaginable.

I never started off to be a list person...and I don't consider myself to be one now, (at least not before today)...the lists just evolve quite by accident...

It all starts when I need to remember to do something or be somewhere...yes......I am aware that, that is what datebooks and wall calendars are for, I actually have several...however, my "Real" datebooks/calendars usually consists of scraps of paper I find close at hand and jot things down on, it could be a napkin, back of a receipt, I've even been know to scribble a thing or two inside a gum wrapper....appointments, spontaneous brainstorms, lunch or dinner dates, girls nite out events, me time.....you get the idea....then I promptly stuff them....you guessed it....inside my datebook...yep.

These scraps evolve into lists soley because I am attempting to keep all my appointments, thoughts and ideas in one place...ergo...the lists....lists at the bottom of my purse, lists taped to the bookcase or computer, lists on the sunvisor of my car and so on....eventually finding their way to any number of my datebooks...sometimes I tape them to my wall calendar instead.

But there is one list I am considering making on purpose...one you are never to young or to old to make...AND....it can be infinitely looooooong...or short...whatever you Wish!

It's call the "Bucket List".....you know....a list of all things you'd like to do before you kick the bucket....

My life has blessed me with many wonderful opportunities and experiences...but I think it would be fun to actually have a list on purpose, full of FUN things ONLY to do....Mines leaning more toward a scroll, a very, very looooong scroll.

Anyway, I thought I'd share with you a few things I think I'll put on my Bucket List;

1. Take my grandchildren Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center
2. Attend the Rose Parade
3. Fly a Glider
4. Visit the Louvre
5. See a play in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London
6. Rock Climbing Trip (I can't make up my mind where yet...it may be a series of several climbing trips.)
7. Make a gown for Marie Anoinette...(what I would design for her if she were still alive.)
8. See the Harlem Nutcracker...again.
9. Spend a Summer building Houses for Humanity
10. Paint a Mural on one wall of EVERY room in my house

Okay, so these are a few of the things that are officially on my "list"....

What would be on your list?  Pretend there are no limits....what would you do?  It doesn't have to be anything fancy....or....it can...Anything you want....Owning a Christmas Tree Farm...(okay, yes... that's on my list too)...

Dare to Dream....Dream, without limitation....Then Do...Dare to be Fearless, no matter how afraid you are...Live Life Abundantly!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia xoxo

 

 

 

Life....The Journey.....

12/17/10

Okay, so here I am as promised...actually I've been here for a minute...sitting here examining the computer screen...trying to decide where to begin...

I suppose I could begin at the begin....hmmmm...

I think I'll just jump right in...

Beside the usual Holiday Hulabuloo...which I absolutely LOVE by the way...I've been thinking...yes AGAIN...

Actually...it's something I think about alot...always have...The BIG Picture...I don't mean as in, "What do I want to be when I grow up", though it's a thought...I mean deeper life meanings, spiritual Truths...and....Ah No, I don't just get this way around the holidays...I pretty much contemplate this all the time...reading, seeking, listening to various teaching to see what rings true in my heart.

One thing I've learned is...a lot of people want a "fix all now" answer...they don't mind doing the work...usually...but, then they want it all taken care of and not have to deal with it again, ever...whatever "It" is....

Life doesn't really work that way....

I came to the conclusion some time ago of a particular certainty...and that is, that Life is a Journey...I mean, no one person can make another get up and walk a path...but it's a journey none the less...some people spend their whole life waiting for their life, their journey, to start....this is it...so get up and get movin'...

I don't know where...it's not my path...it's your's...I do know one thing though...if you start moving and look for it, not to hard, like don't strain your eyes or anything, otherwise you might miss it...but as you....me...we...embrace the experiences on the journey to finding the path, now that...that's the beginning...the path will just open it's self up...and before you know it...you're on it!

It's such a simple thing...yet the mind strives to make it complex...don't let it...Just take the Trip, so to speak...it doesn't mean a literal trip, (okay, it might for some)...what it does means is...Step out into this Grand Adventure called...Life.

Blessings & Joy....ALWAYS

xoxo Alexia

www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com

www.theartistspub.typepad.com

 

Whoa to the Sad Little Contest.....and the Things I Learned....

Hey Kids!

Longtime no hear from right....I know I missed Ya!  Thank you for all the wonderful emails!

First things first...my sad little contest...Wow! Was that a learning experience....lol...

There was a winner and some confusion courtesy of Moi.  I started getting emails because people were not able to post on my blog...my blog is set so every post must be approved because of the random crazies out there...it happened to a friend of mine but that's a story for another time....anywwwwho, as it turned out there was an actually...problem...with posting on my blog...which I didn't discover until well after the contest...so I got LOTS of emails.

I went with the first email I received as the winner...it was a young lady in Chicago, Ill. and she asked if I had a certain one in pink...I did not...so I made her one.

Then I had to answer all the other emails to say there had been a winner...a couple people, okay 2, didn't believe me...at this point I just wanted to put the contest drama behind me.

...ya win some ....ya lose some...

Soon after I got an email from another blogger who was trying to win but found my contest too late...but she had a 100 questions...this made me pause...and...think....hhhhmmmmmm.  So, since she seemed to be an experienced blogger, I asked her 100 questions.  She was a BIG help...

Apparently she doesn't have a blog "per say", but she likes to look for contests on blogs.  Well, I could not believe my good fortune, what with her being a professional Blog Contest Finder and all...

She was very kind and PATIENT with me....so I made and sent her a Sugar Skull facinator for all her help.

This is what she taught me and I'm calling it...Contest Presentation 101...yep:

1. Inform fellow bloggers PRIOR to actually starting the contest, especially if you are new to blogging (that would be me), about the up and coming contest...
2. Give a starting and ending date of the contest.
3. Give blog updates about the contest.
4. Give additional information, such as..."Contests posts will be reviewed and then posted to blog daily."
5. and last but not least.....Let people know, (via the blog), when the contest has ended, yea.

So, I plan to have another contest at the beginning of February, for Valentine's Day....but I will post again about this after the New Year...The New Year! Can you Believe it?

I'll be posting later tonight, kinda give an update about what's been going on and where in the HECK have I been?

So Stay Tuned!

Blessing, Joy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com

www.theartistspub.typepad.com

Whoa to the Sad Little Contest.....and the Things I Learned....

Hey Kids!

Longtime no hear from right....I know I missed Ya!  Thank you for all the wonderful emails!

First things first...my sad little contest...Wow! Was that a learning experience....lol...

There was a winner and some confusion courtesy of Moi.  I started getting emails because people were not able to post on my blog...my blog is set so every post must be approved because of the random crazies out there...it happened to a friend of mine but that's a story for another time....anywwwwho, as it turned out there was an actually...problem...with posting on my blog...which I didn't discover until well after the contest...so I got LOTS of emails.

I went with the first email I received as the winner...it was a young lady in Chicago, Ill. and she asked if I had a certain one in pink...I did not...so I made her one.

Then I had to answer all the other emails to say there had been a winner...a couple people, okay 2, didn't believe me...at this point I just wanted to put the contest drama behind me.

...ya win some ....ya lose some...

Soon after I got an email from another blogger who was trying to win but found my contest too late...but she had a 100 questions...this made me pause...and...think....hhhhmmmmmm.  So, since she seemed to be an experienced blogger, I asked her 100 questions.  She was a BIG help...

Apparently she doesn't have a blog "per say", but she likes to look for contests on blogs.  Well, I could not believe my good fortune, what with her being a professional Blog Contest Finder and all...

She was very kind and PATIENT with me....so I made and sent her a Sugar Skull facinator for all her help.

This is what she taught me and I'm calling it...Contest Presentation 101...yep:

1. Inform fellow bloggers PRIOR to actually starting the contest, especially if you are new to blogging (that would be me), about the up and coming contest...
2. Give a starting and ending date of the contest.
3. Give blog updates about the contest.
4. Give additional information, such as..."Contests posts will be reviewed and then posted to blog daily."
5. and last but not least.....Let people know, (via the blog), when the contest has ended, yea.

So, I plan to have another contest at the beginning of February, for Valentine's Day....but I will post again about this after the New Year...The New Year! Can you Believe it?

I'll be posting later tonight, kinda give an update about what's been going on and where in the HECK have I been?

So Stay Tuned!

Blessing, Joy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com

www.theartistspub.typepad.com

CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! SUGAR SKULL CONTEST!

Yes! Oh Yes! Contest Time is finally HERE!

Contest:  SUGAR SKULL

        

   Visit my "Etsy" at www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com and tell me how many "Sugar Skulls" hair ornaments/fascinators are posted by posting your answer here on my Blog www.theartistspub.typepad.com .

Be the FIRST to post your answer and WIN a "Sugar Skull" fascinator, $12.00 value, Shipping included! (USA and Canada ONLY).

NOTE: I don't want anyone who lives outside of Canada or the USA to take this personal...I've had trouble in the past with people in other countries receiving items either purchase or even gifts I've sent to my friends...it is VERY costly to ensure receipt, sometimes more then the value of the item sent.  I'm working to find a solution because I don't want to leave anyone out...If you have a solution or ANY suggestions Please, Please, PLEASE contact me either here or on my Etsy...I just hate that anyone be left out...if the fee for SECURE shipping is minimal...i.e. not more then $6...then PLEASE PLAY...

Blessings & JOY!

Review...Retrace...Retry...Reinvent...

October 14, 2010

Day 37

Retracing Your Steps

I know...I know...it's been a minute since I've been on here...Thank You for the Lovely emails by the way!  But, while I was procrastinating and using clean as a guise to do it...guess what?!  I found the beloved "Crafter's Devotional", by Barbara R. Call!  Which I opted to use as yet another tool of procrastination...under the ruse of reading of course AND I even picked up right were I left off...yep.

As it turned out, the topic, "Retracing Your Steps" was Exactly what I needed...it was as if the book were in hiding, just to be unveiled at the exact moment...I love a good game of "Hide -and-Seek" but WOW...I have been looking and looking AND looking for this book.  You know how you repeatedly look for something...like those times you repeatedly open the fridge door 15 times in under 3 minutes...just HOPING that dinner will magically appear on the self and you won't have to lift a finger beyond reheating...yea...it was that kind of looking...except it turned out to be in the area I kept repeatedly looking in...if I were a gnome believer (which I'm not) now would have been the time.

The topic of "Retracing Your Steps" led me on a journey that unveiled answers and creativity that I was in search of...a new and refreshed perspective by way of something old or maybe favored is a better word...yes...Favored...Things I Favor:

My Children (ALL of Them, they know who they are....), Sea Shells, Music, Celebrations, Dance, Theatre, Art, Football, Hockey, Planting, Sewing, BBQs, Swimming, Sitting Quietly, certain Sounds like Waves Crashing or Rain Falling...the list is endless but now I think I might be veering away from the topic at hand...

Here Barbara presents a...well I'm calling it a "Challenge"....to take something we use in our creative endeavors repeatedly, like Monet and his lilly pads, and use it repeatedly on a conscious level...I mean I am obviously conscious when I create...okay sometimes the works come to me in dreams but USUALLY I'm conscious...and there are certain elements I'm drawn to over and over again, which show up repeatedly in my works.

I somehow manage to incorporate certain "things"....into works that have nothing to do with them and it's Beautiful...the challenge is to take something...an idea, element, dream, picture, thought, theme, story etc...you get the idea, that you like to use, (maybe it's something you collect), in your work...vintage lace perhaps, or a certain stamp, religious item or any number of things...it can be more then one but I wouldn't go beyond three...I just used oneand I used it very consciously...

Take your "subject" and use it to create several different pieces of art...if you are a graphic artist this applies to you...there are certain types of characters and or colors etc...that you favor...even a dancer can use this to find different ways of choreographing a particular dance step into several dance styles...art is EVERYWHERE...

Doing this I think will take each one of you, myself included, on a journey of past, present and future, inspiring a NEW level of Creativity...

Review, Retrace, Retry, Reinvent....Let the Creative Journey BEGIN!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

End of Summer Blow Out Party.......!

Sept. 29, 2010

So last weekend we had a Big end of Summer Bash...It was a Hilarious good time...lots fun, lots of friends and family...

I'm so Happy to be back home and to reconnect with many old friends...I finally got on Facebook...yep...don't laugh.....I know me...the one who is most allergic to technology, managed to get it up and ....well up....I've only accepted one friend so far....mostly I'm still trying to figure everything out...

It seems like I'm at 80 - 90% on all my little sites...and everytime I do something my percentage of completion creeps up a little farther and .....like on typepad it says something like you're almost there!

I'm holding out for the confetti and whirly things...in celebration of my success in mastering all this techy stuff...I have friends who help me as I go, when I get desperate and have to ask for help....lol....

So Autumn is on it's way....and I can't WAIT!  I love the Seasons!  One of the most Beautiful places I lived was Minnesota...GORGEOUS Seasons...very chhhhilllly Winters...but it was definitely FUN....

We haven't done this in awhile but it's been a minute since we were all in the same place at the same time for this amount of time....buuuuut....we, as in my family and friends, make Autumn wishes...we write our wish or wishes...(there's no limit)...on a piece of paper, then fold the paper(s) and toss them into the open fire ring and whisper our wish as we toss them...one at a time...taking turns...until there are no more left...

We watch the the fire and smoke carry our wishes to the Heavens...where we know they will be answered...

Of course if you live where it's always warm...this could be tricky...but here...we just need one cold evening...and there will be many...once Fall is officially here...

So one season's end is another's beginning...just like life...and I am Thankful...for Every, New Beginning...

Blessings & Joy, Alexia xoxo

Field Journals, Life Living, Creative Endeavors and Faraway Friends......

Sept.  28th, 2010

Well Hello All!

Yes I finally made it back from what feels like the other side of the world...can you get jet lag without leaving the country?

Where oh, where have I been...?  Getting an education...yes...in Life and Business...and WOW...what lessons I've learned...

There IS enough time in the day....

Most of humanity IS good at Heart....

Opening and running a Business IS perpetual learning on the fly...no matter how much you think you know....

Family IS the most important thing...and time with them IS time well spent...

Sometimes you just HAVE to step away...

Stepping away DOES help to gain a fresh perspective....

Creativity IS a Refuge of Self Expression....

FREEDOM IS Worth Fighting for...personal or otherwise....

This is just a few of the many things I've learned recently...or more accurately...re-learned or maybe just reminded...and I am thankful for every lesson...

I'm  reminded everyday that Life is a Journey...an Adventure...a Learning experience...and a Creative process...all the things I love...

So I've been studying...very closely...and I've been creating...and at times I step away...I've left a whole other life behind me...and step into this one...Free...and...Happy!  My Joy is not for sale....

Some books I recommend are:

The Queen Maker

Eat, Pray, Love

Rumi

Walt Whitman

Alice In Wonderland

All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain

My Music Recommendations:

Tito Fuentes

Celia Cruz

Yellow Brick Road (Elton John album...yes I said album...I'm sure you can find it on CD)

Ry Cooder

Billie Holiday

Aretha Franklin

Jewel (her Christmas CD is Excellent too...)

Erykah Badu

I will be putting Music on my Blog as soon as I figure out how to do that...(for any newcomers, I'm allergic to technology...it's a wrestling match...but eventually I win...)

This is what I've been creating...and somethings I've been "Re-Creating"....givin' it a little face-lift...

 Some Costuming ...for a Dinner Theatre.....

 and...Hostess Costumes for my Etsy... www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com

 You might recognize this image from a previous post...this has been re-worked a little...it looked unfinished to me...so I left it hanging for awhile...until the images to add to it began to materialize...

 This is an up close photograph of the same image..."Hope IS"...Hope for me is not a wish...but a promise...the Promise...IS...what you Hope for...Believe...Believe...Believe...

 The Book (by BOBUNNY) that was inspired by Barbara Call's book, "The Crafter's Devotional...

 ...beginning with these inspiring vintage jewelry pieces....

 ....and some of the elements you'll see in it...from Vintage Laces...to Tim Holtz vintage inspired papers.....

 Day 36 - Crafter's Devotional, by Barbara M. Call "Field Journal"...a 3-Dimensional Journal..."The Story of Travel"....the Journey's begun....

 
and finally...Time with the Family...a portrait of our past..."The Girls"....

Good Night....xoxo

Blessings & Joy...Alexia

My Hiatus and the Lessons I Learned......

Sept. 19th, 2010

Well Hello There!

Where have I been you ask?  On a hiatus of sorts...one of Learning, Creating and Re-evaluating....mmmm...

I took my hiatus from technology...mostly....

What did I learn you ask?  Oh soooo many things...and I'm still learning...but...

The one thing I do want to address is what I learned about my blogging endeavor...here on my blog site....

First of all...I thought that blogging my way through Barbara Call's book would be easy enough to do daily...that proved not to be so...it seemed the more I surrendered myself to my craft, my true talents....the more it opened up to me the less time I had to blog...and I do love blogging...which thoroughly amazes me still, considering my allergy to technology and all...

But my Life...my Life is FULL...Full of Life and Love and Energy, Excitement from the simplest to the most outrageous happenings and Laughter, lots and LOTS of Laughter....Laughing with one another, at ourselves, our mistakes....

I was confused of course at first as to why daily blogging had become so difficult, not for lack of desire mind you...just difficult to accomplish what I had set out to do....No...I never once considered it could of been because of all the irons I already had in the fire, because in my world there is always room for just...one...more

So I considered the characters that I had gleaned the idea from in the first place...yes the movie "Julia Julia", but more specifically, Julia Child's herself and the other Julia who was cooking her recipes....

First of all I noticed that neither of them had any children...let alone children at home, grown children in college and children with children of their own, my grandchildren...my life is FILLED with children...and I could have stopped there and said, "Well, that says it all right there"...and...it would be partly true...but was that the real reason....?  Was it?

So I snooped around just to find out that I was not the only one after all to have been inspired in such a manner...yes I know, I know already...naive..yesssss, I actually thought this was an original idea...OH ALRIGHT you can stop Laughing Now...!  That's it Yuck it Up....

Anywho...as I was saying...I started snooping around and found others, yes there where others, who'd had the same idea....and there....stuff...wasn't turning out all that hot either....either sloppy work or difficulty following through...etc...

Yes and it only took me 30 plus days to discover the problem wasn't because of all the new opportunities opening up to me...it was because the "Julia Julia" concept/syndrome...(that's what I'm calling it)....was inspiring...meant to inspire maybe...but not a flippin' blue print.....I think the woman from Daisy's Cottage was on to something when she emailed me about not pressuring myself...hmmmm....

It worked for her because it was her's...her destiny to do just what she did...nothing more, nothing less...she owned it, very likely in ways, SHE, didn't even know or understand...at the time anyway....

We have to find our own path...and mine is...slow and contemplative...creative and imaginative...I want to spend more time sharing a specific thing...instead of 20 or 30 or 40 things...in a short amount of time...but this is me...

I mean, I type on my blog by candle light because it feels like Christmas that way...this is me...my own way...I like cozy and warm...romantic and soft...silly, giggly Laughter...these are the sounds and feel of my world, my home, my life...and this...this right here...it what I want to share with you...to let you glimpse into my world and me into yours...through the creative, thoughtful and heartfelt process of Creating.....

So no more Mad Cap all Nite blogging sessions...okay, this may actually happen on occasion....but out of choice and for no other reason....Not to mention...it will actually give me a chance to complete the ten thousand projects I started because of this bloomin' book...lol...

So I may be here every night...sometimes...I will visit weekly, bi-weekly even...so grab your favorite mug...and pour yourself some coffee...belly up to the Bar...here at "The Artist's Pub"...read, share, chat, email...look...but most importantly...Enjoy...

Blessings & Joy, Alexia xoxo

Sweet Dreams......

Swap Meet....Your Ephemera or Mine....?

Day 34 & 35

Sept. 13, 2010

Your BFF's Stash

Okay so I'm still a day behind BUT, I'm catchin' up...oh yea...

Today, in Barbara Call's book, The Crafter's Devotional, she talked about raiding your bff's stash for new ideas and inspiration...raiding it with permission or better yet...organization...yea...I'll get to that part later.

For now lets focus on the swap stuff itself...First I must say that this actually happens quite naturally on a regular basis between me, my mom, my daughter-in-law and one of my daughters...although my daughter seems to have the idea of my stuff our stuff...you mommies know what I'm talking about...so it kinda ends up most of the time I swap my stuff with her for my stuff that she's currently using...BUT...she has made me some pretty cool stuff over the years...her and my daughter-in-law....

We trade everything and do even more sharing....it could be anything from an 1 1/2" piece of ribbon in just the right color to an old photograph...or maybe some vintage buttons...

Barbara has a good idea with organizing your swap...that you first go through your "Stuff"  and separate what you are willing to part with and ask your friend or friends to do the same....for hoarders of ephemera...(that would be me)...this is probably a good idea...this way you decide ahead of time and can deal with the detachment issues upfront prior to the swap...so there's no..."Sure help yourself...oh...wait I might need that, ooooh and that...you know what I'll need all that too...but you can have this lovely smashed bottle cap...you're creative, I KNOW you can come up with something just AMAZING..."

Okay I'm not that bad...I'm pretty generous...because you can always and I do mean ALWAYS find....one more pretty thing...so...just let it go...okay...sometimes I can be alittle funny about the paper...the art paper...you know fancy damask papers or paper that feels like velvet...or pretty much ANY of Graphic 45's paper...then I get kinda weird but I'm not the only one....

There is a certain individual I know who buys 2 papers...the exact same paper...2 of them...one to possibly create with...(emphasis on the word "possibly").... and the other to admire...oh yea...I'm not making this up folks...(okay so I may have done this once or twice or six times myself)...

So...I think swaps are a GREAT idea for whatever your art is at the moment...it could be swapping yarns because one of you uses it to knit and the other uses it to make jewelry or add texture to fabrics...

Whatever you swap...be generous...really think of the person you're swapping with and things they may have admired that you have extras of or are "just over it"...but she or he will LOVE it...

Happy Swapping!

 
  

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

Kindling the Creative Fires....

Day 32 & 33

Sept. 12, 2010

Reread a Childhood Favorite

Okay so I'm playin' alittle catch up here...classes have started and I'm already busy with my assignments...I'm also, currently working on Halloween attire that I'll be posting to my etsy... www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com ....if you want to check it out...they'll be posted at the end of the week.

I think I'm kinda surprised that blogging hasn't become monotonous by now...only because I made the commitment to blog through Barbara R. Call's book...(full title this time folks)...."The Crafter's Devotional 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Unlocking Your Creative Spirit"....but it's been quite the contrary...blogging regularly has been quite therapeutic...I actually look forward to my "blog time"...Although I think I should read ahead in the book occasionally...lol...

So I'm here to talk about Barbara's topic, "Re-reading a Childhood Favorite"...the point of doing this...re-reading...is to promote creativity...to gain inspiration...

(I've found that sometimes...just simply letting go, accomplishes the re-kindling of inspiration and creativity.)

It may be cliche buuuut....."Alice In Wonderland" is definitely my childhood Fav....I also, thoroughly enjoyed the "Paddington the Bear" series...I read every one... I'll tell you now that the next book is one of my daughters favorite books...but the truth be told...it's mine...well those and the "Junie B. Jones" series...I just love that little girl...what a character....but the novel that's "our" favorite is, "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech...I've read and reread this story using every excuse in the book to FIND a reason to read this book to somebody.  (I prefer to read this book "to" someone...no...I don't know why...)

I've also worn out...literally...2 "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak and 1 "Good Night Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown...between myself, my children and my grandchildren...it was bound to happen.

As an adult I'm always on the hunt for something to read...I am currently re-reading "Eat Pray Love" by Elisabeth Gilbert...I read it a few years ago but so much has happened and because my perspective on Life continues to change, evolve, transform....I felt now would be a good time to revisit this book...now believe it or not I'm not a big "book rereader"...no...I'm really not.

Summer's end and Autum's entrance seems like a perfect time to revisit books from the past, whether it's the recent past...last few years...or the "past past"...like your childhood fav...

I think I'll have to reread "Alice In Wonderland" next....with candles aglow, snuggled up on the infamous "Purple Micro-Fiber" couch....a cozy throw in tow....time in Wonderland sounds good.

Tap into Your Endorphins

Another topic that Barbara touched on this weekend was, tapping into ones endorphins...I LOVE endorphins, that's why I eat Chocolate...!  Just kidding...I do love chocolate though...mostly, truffles.

What Ms. Call talks about here is about promoting creativity through releasing stress via a healthy life style, meaning eating well and exercise...this is something close to my heart...I'm all for eating health and as organic as possible, (except for the occasional truffle...okay and sometimes pizza), as well as exercise...I love Yoga and Running...I love to Run.......

Another thing that is extremely important to me is my spiritual life...meditation...is a big part of my spiritual practice...there is a line in the book, Eat Pray Love", where Ms. Gilbert says, "I want worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence"...yes...I just say, "Yes", to that...

I believe it was the Creator's intention that while we are here learning, (and learning should be FUN) we should be ENJOYING this life while chasing Him....and I so Enjoy my Life and I LOVE to chase Him....

So after your nature walk...grab your favorite read...get cozy and comfy...and Enjoy!

Blessings & JOY! Alexia

Re-inventing the Shadow Box....Or...How to Make One...

Day 31

Sept. 10, 2010

Shadow Boxes Laid Flat

This evening I read in Barbara Call's book, "The Crafter's Devotional", about using a shadow box, flat, rather then hanging on the wall...

I thought it was a cute idea for putting candles in, which her example showed tea lights, in the sections...maybe some sea glass in some and shells in the other...

When I think of shadow boxes in this manner, as table decor, I think of using it as a meditative piece.  I like to surround myself with the serene...with the chaos that is often in hot pursuit of it's self, rambling on around us...it's nice to come home to the simplicity and peace a home should bring...I think using a shadow box in this way can add to that comfort.

I also think that this is an excellent house warming gift idea...you can really make this a personal gift by loading the little sections of the box with mementos or their favorite things...like mine would be...yes...sea glass, shells and candles...

Though this is a little off the subject, (I can't help it what with the A.D.D. hangin' around me all the time),...I have to say, I LOVE candles...oh sure I know....some of you are laughing to yourself saying, "Alexia, what DON'T you LOVE..."...not much...I love life and candles...I burn them all the time and have had my favorites that, though half burned, I have hauled 2000 plus miles to my new destination and used it to set up house with, just because if was a favorite....yes I did...

So as the Fall season prepares to settle, I think of candles even more...candles make me think of nights out by the campfire, smores, the fireplace....all the cozy things I love..

.I did make myself a promise not to buy anymore candles until I burned all...well okay, most...of the ones I already have....My current favorite is from "World Market" and I think it's called...Mexican Pumpkin Spice...or something like that...it comes in a glass container and I peeled the sticker part off but I'm pretty sure that's the name...if you want to check it out.

My youngest bought them for me back in May and I've been burning them ever since...mmmmmm.....

So find a box, cut some balsa wood for dividers and fill it with colorful Candy, Sea Shells, River Stones, Beads, whatever you like...and don't forget the candles!  Then sit back, kick up your heels...have a smore and ENJOY!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

 

Tilework.....Sample It!

Day 30

Sept. 9, 2010

Tilework

Okay so I must first say...WOW!  Can you believe it!  I made it to day 30!  Yea! That's what I'm thinkin'...even though it's been a tad over 30 days of blogging...but it's the 30th day in "the book"....Yea!...I'm thinkin' cocktails...a little celebration...! 

Now I just have 335 days to go...which will probably work out to be like 400 and something by the time I get through...what with my A.D.D. and all....that tricky little booger is a distraction...really!

Alrighty...so the topic in Barbara Call's book is "Tilework"...this for me is ephemera...little scraps that I find a use for...something brilliant....like...a "Love" tag or necklace or mini collage or key chain (the key chain is Barbara's idea, she's a smart cookie)...you get the idea...

So this entry in her art journal was about using tile samples but.....when I got to thinking about where she got the samples...I started to think about how much I LOVE hardware stores...yes love them...and I KNOW, that I am not the only female on the planet to ask for things like...power drills, skill saws, soldering guns etc...for Christmas or Birthdays or any other occasion that allows me to acquire power tools....you ladies know who you are...my hard hat is off to you...I LOVE tools...

AND...I love all the niffty gadgets I can play with, (with option to buy), in the hardware stores, Lowe's, Home Depo, ACE, SEARS...you name it....I do have my preferred haunts...but...in general I Love them all....I can't hardly get my hinney in the door before SOMETHING catches my eye and my mind starts creating...

So what I'm suggesting is...take a stroll through your local hardware store and look for new and interesting objects to add to your creative arsenal...draw knobs...washers...springs....tiles...wallpaper...scrolled wood pieces...pottery...river rocks...chain...paint and new techniques...chandelier pieces...electrical wire in various colors...see what you can find, the options are ENDLESS....

Maybe you'll even pick up a few new tools and tricks while you're there, then come back here and share what you've learned, found or created!

Happy Hunting!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

Altered Journals....A Lesson in Journaling

Day 29

Sept. 8th, 2010

House Journals

Well...I have to first tell you that I did notforget you....nor did I fall behind this time...ha...I waited...I wanted the Story of Tom and Ann to stay at the top of my blog for a few days....Being at their Anniversary brought back so many memories, not to mention...how loooong they've been married...and how looong Kat and I have been best friends.

I remember when Kat's dad sang the "Father Daughter" song at her wedding and then he danced with his daughter...and how at the reception, you felt like you had just step into a scene from the "Godfather"....

I remember when Tom and Ann used to get all "gussied up" and go "Karaoke", looooong before it was popular.

I remember when Kat got caught smoking cigarettes by her dad...and our long hot summer days on the beach.

So as a small tribute to this family I love so much....I left them there...at the top of my Blog.....for a few days.

I hope you enjoyed reading about them, as I enjoy having them a part of my Life.

Alright....so back to the book blogging we shall go..."The Crafter's Devotional", by "Barbara Call"....today Barbara talked about alternatives for journaling...that journaling doesn't always have to be in a book...I couldn't agree more....

But...it's more then photo journaling...which I do alot of here...what if you took all that...your photos, buttons, writings, mementos, etc...and journaled on to a jewelry box and told your story there...inside and out...OR...how about onto a house, (it could be a life size house if you like...buuut...I was thinking more of the soft sculptured kind, like in Barbara's book), which is featured in Ms. Call's book.

Created by artisan Terry Garrett, a house journal that must be seen to be believed...ironically it has kinda of a Halloween feel to it.  The house is a soft sculpture, embellished with bits and pieces of Terry's story, with a place to store something inside, (maybe secrets....?).

Barbara points out how the house itself gives you 6 pages to journal on...2 roof, 2 side walls, 1 front, 1 back.  What I really liked was the idea of making life events into various houses, a village so to speak. 

Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about...you know the one....that little village that you try to find every excuse in the world to bring out 10 weeks before necessary (I KNOW I'm not the only one)...and the kids are begging you not to cuz it's not even Halloween yet so you offer to, "let them help you", decorate the village for Halloween...but really it's a Christmas Village...yea...that one...

I like Barbara's idea about that and making each house a mile stone...a birth, ski trip, wedding, anniversary, 1st birthday party....and so on...how cute would that be...I can fit one more village somewhere...maybe over at one of sons houses?....how about that...?

The focus of this day seemed to be what else could you journal and where...one of my daughters once did a journal/collage table, when she was 12 years old...well actually it was a desk...and it was BEAUTIFUL...it was a collage of some of her favorite things...colors, artists, shells, words that a had special meaning for her etc, she painted and even gold leafed parts...just to look at the desk made her feel good...it's what I like to call, "Functional Art".

I think that not only in Art but also in Life...sometimes it's important to color OUTside the lines....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia xoxo

The Story of Tom and Ann....A Romance

Day 27 & 28

Sept. 5, 2010

The True Story of Tom and Ann

Once upon a time there was born a Beautiful Italian Princess. Her name you ask...?  Why, Princess Ann of course.

As Princess Ann grew up, her mother, "The Queen", taught Ann how to serve others....That being in a position of authority did not mean that the people served you...no no no...What it did mean was that one had a responsibility to serve the people.  She taught her daughter that being a "Princess", came with the responsibility and privilege of serving others.

So as Ann grew, she dutifully help her mother, (as good Italian Princesses do), in serve to others.  She help her mother, "The Queen", set up hospitals and attend the wounded...as this was a time of war.  Princess Ann brought food to the widowed and their families, made new blankets and gift baskets for the new babies born in her Kingdom, attending each and every Christening...and she did it...Joyfully!

One day, while Princess Ann was helping her mother, "The Queen"....along came the Great and Beautiful, Warrior Prince of Ireland....Tom, Prince of War.

Prince Tom was the love child of the War Lord of Poland and the Princess of Ireland...it was deep and passionate Love but....a Forbidden Love none the less.

Anyway, as Princess Ann was helping her mother, "The Queen"....Prince Tom rode up and asked if there was a place near by where he and his men could water their horse and get a meal.  Before Ann could answer, Prince Tom asked, with a twinkle in is his eye, "Would you and your sister care to join us for a bite to eat."  Well, "The Queen" was so flattered, she said "Yes"...but Princess Ann thought him sly....like a fox...oh Very Handsome...but never the less, sly.

"The Queen" invited the men to the castle where she had a fine meal prepared for the hungry Warriors...but...Prince Tom and Princess Ann were absorbed, drawn like magnets and metal....this was Love at first sight.

Over the months Prince Tom courted Princess Ann....Tom escorted Ann to the Royal Balls, together they would picnic on the shore of the sea, they attended Christenings together and Prince Tom took to helping her deliver food to the Widowed and their families...but...duty called...and Prince Tom was off to war.

Prince Tom swore to Ann, (with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes), that he would be back...and she knew he would....

Many months went by and "The Queen" began to worry, because there had been no word from Tom...she worried for her daughter's heartache, she worried for Prince Tom's safety, she worried and worried and worried...but Ann sat cozy by the fire each night writing letters to her Prince, that she knew would soon return...each letter written with great love, was carefully folded and tucked into a beautifully carved mahogany box, created by a local artisan wood carver....

Days passed, one day into the next...her time with Prince Tom beginning to seem like only a Wonderful dream.....and then....word came....they, Prince Tom and his men were approaching the town....

There was a rush of preparation for celebration for their Victory as well as their return....when Prince Tom crossed the bridge that led to the Kingdom of Ann, he went straight to the King and asked for Ann's hand in Marriage.

On a balmy day in August Prince Tom and Princess Ann were married....and they've been together ever since.

This is just the beginning.....

Prince Tom and Princess Ann

 

The Wedding of Prince Tom and Princess Ann

 

Okay, so that's how I remember it anyway....I had the privilege of attending Tom and Ann's 50th Wedding Anniversary...I've known them since I was 5 years old...there daughter and I have been best friends for 30 plus years....They are Royalty to me...

I always felt like I standing next to Sophia Loreen whenever I was around Ann...which was ALOT, while growing up...and handsome, yet mischievous Tom....he cracks me up to this day....the only person I know who can make me blush.

Something else you should know...they both carry in their wallets the picture of them at the beach, shown above and it's the same picture they've had for years and years.....not a pic on a cell or computer screen saver (those fine and all) but a tangible picture...one that can be pulled from the wallet and run a finger over and remember and love...this...a picture in the wallet...cannot be deleted....

Congrats! To Tom and Ann...HIP HIP HOORAY!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH! XOXOXO

Side Note (The topic of the Art book this weekend was using other peoples art...well these photos and the interesting life of the people in them...this art to me...living art....a true life....

I know this family, their ups and downs...their daughter and I had babies together, actually, it was Kat's first little girl that made even want to have a girl, up until then I was perfectly Happy  crankin' out boys, with dreams of my own football team one day...and then...Nina was born, then Becky and well....I needed a GIRL...we've shared alot...they are an extension of my creative life and have definitely influenced it.)
 

Love Ya Kat...xoxo

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

 

Speak it...and it Shall Be So....the Power of Words...

Day 26

Sept. 3rd, 2010

Words and Phrases

Okay so it's another midnight rendezvous....I have a reason...I'm not going to tell it to you....but I do have one....a reason that is...for my late night blogging session......oh fine...it's because I started a "Test" Etsy...and once I get the hang of it I will start my "Other" Etsy...the Artist one...hmmm...and you thought I was just goofin' off all this time...tricked ya!

If you want to see what's happening with my etsy just go to www.resurrectionvintage.etsy.com or click here and check it out...soon I will be adding period pieces, costumes and retro clothes and accessories, all designed and created by Moi...so Stay Tuned!

Now to the book...ahhh..."The Crafter's Devotional" by "Barbara Call"...LOVE this book...

Today she talked about the power of words...she also focused on how certain words show up repeatedly in art work, whether it's an Art Doll or Soul Collage, Altered Book etc...Love, Believe and Dream....are just three of the key yet main words that show up repeatedly in Art pieces...

Barbara focused primarily on the word Dream...which is favorite of mine...there's a surfer's phrase that is used around our home..."Go Big...or Go Home"...it's meaning is don't go half way...if you're going to experience something go All Out...don't short yourself...be BRAVE...(another favorite word of mine)....it's what I told my boys when they were little, when I first took them out to surf...once they had the hang of it...they needed to just go for it....FREEDOM...is another favorite word of mine....to YELL IT is sooooo empowering.....

Barbara's art inspiration, motivation for creation is to....pick a word....and create around it...or create....then....pick a word...or "the word" the piece speaks to you....

And that is REALLY important...what SPEAKS to you....

So go and find your word and bring it to LIFE...CREATE...mmmmm....Create.....create....yes...Create....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

A Visual Biography.......

Sept. 2, 2010

Day 25

Visual Biography

Okay I just have to say this before I start...CAN YOU BELIEVE IT...8:52 p.m. and I'm ready to blog...it's been very few late nites recently and I am SUPER exited about that...cuz I really love my mornings....and my coffee....

Alright then....so the topic in Barbara's book today is "Visual Biography"...LOVE IT....though this may not be unique as a concept, Barbara Call's approach definitely is...  She gives "today", (or whatever day you decided to start), as a jumping off point and suggests that you merely start by making lists...easy enough....lists of important events and milestones, (don't forget the humor), defining moments and experiences in your life, events that have impacted your life and help shape the person you are today.

There's no order, that comes later....you could make one looooong running list...or several lists....or little one liner lists on scraps of colorful paper that you can incorporate into your visual bio...that's my plan.

She says to ask your parents, friends, relatives, siblings and children (if you have them) for their input....I think this is BRILLIANT because it's another perspective on memories you may have forgotten....or just a different perspective in general.

Ms. Call's idea is to base your visual bio on the most important moments in your life...that being, what ones are most important to you....It could be just one major defining moment or 1,000s of moments...(I don't know that I would recommend a thousand...buuuut....if the shoe fits?), ...this is your artistic biography... 

Oh my gosh...you know what...you could do a Visual Autobiography for someone as a gift....be nice....remember if you don't have anything nice to say...seal your lips and go SHOPPIN'...just kiddin' ....but you get the idea....

Anyway, after you have your list(s) and then some....you can arrange them in order however you like...chronological, by event, by person etc....  Barbara suggest that you try to create a piece of work that represents each item on your list....or....just the ones you decide to use...

This is not a do-it-in-a-day type project....you know I beginning to think that maybe these bigger projects should be come blog concepts in themselves, complete with videos....I think I may have to tackle that after I finish this book....or not....I could do it now...maybe...well I'm planning on do it anyhow...sooooo....pull up a seat front and center here at THE ARTISTS PUB....Yeeeehaw!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

Raid Your Sewing Baskets....!

Sept. 1, 2010

Day 24

Raid the Sewing Basket

This is one of my Favorite entries into Barbara Call's book...Since I love to sew and create, this one was PERFECT for me!

I happen to be working on some costumes for a play and while I've been busy sewing on my machine I've taken to working on the "Raid the Sewing Basket" project, experimenting with stitches among other things.

In this project entry Barbara shares the work of artisan Wendy Richardson.  Wendy crafted Beautiful, ATC style art cards, using primarily sewing supplies to embellish her art cards in unique ways.  Some of the items she used were zippers, hook and eye, snaps of various sizes and different color measuring tapes.

These colorful piece are inspiring.....just the colors alone were enough to give me a bounty of ideas and concepts!

I realize that blogging about this book, The Crafter's Devotional, on an almost daily bases makes for tricky projects....but I don't do every one them, though I get many ideas and make rough sketches to refer back to when I'm ready, this book is inspiring and is definitely an exercise creative enhancements.

I feel as though Ms. Call has invited us to peek into her personal creative journal....at least that's how it feels to me....and I'm thankful for the privilege.

I don't know when I'll have this little art piece finished, because as with many of my pieces, it's a work in progress...I'm starting to lean toward a viewing of my works from this book at the end of it....341 days to go!

Blessings & Joy! Alexia

Raid Your Sewing Baskets....!

Sept. 1, 2010

Day 24

Raid the Sewing Basket

This is one of my Favorite entries into Barbara Call's book...Since I love to sew and create, this one was PERFECT for me!

I happen to be working on some costumes for a play and while I've been busy sewing on my machine I've taken to working on the "Raid the Sewing Basket" project, experimenting with stitches among other things.

In this project entry Barbara shares the work of artisan Wendy Richardson.  Wendy crafted Beautiful, ATC style art cards, using primarily sewing supplies to embellish her art cards in unique ways.  Some of the items she used were zippers, hook and eye, snaps of various sizes and different color measuring tapes.

These colorful piece are inspiring.....just the colors alone were enough to give me a bounty of ideas and concepts!

I realize that blogging about this book, The Crafter's Devotional, on an almost daily bases makes for tricky projects....but I don't do every one them, though I get many ideas and make rough sketches to refer back to when I'm ready, this book is inspiring and is definitely an exercise creative enhancements.

I feel as though Ms. Call has invited us to peek into her personal creative journal....at least that's how it feels to me....and I'm thankful for the privilege.

I don't know when I'll have this little art piece finished, because as with many of my pieces, it's a work in progress...I'm starting to lean toward a viewing of my works from this book at the end of it....341 days to go!

Blessings & Joy! Alexia

What Day Is It...?....and Other Quandaries....

Aug. 31st, 2010

Oh good graces....FINALLY Tuesday is here...I open "The" book...you know the one....the one that started my blog craze in the first place...yes...that one...

"The Crafter's Devotional" by Barbara Call...I opened it just moments ago....to the wrong page...I actually already DID Tuesday's....yeah....you know those pics of the altered photos I shared....that was Tuesday's project....mmmhmp....yep....already did it...AND shared it....

I can only guess that by now you have discovered my sometimes ditsy demeanor....it's true....I can pretend no longer that I am not....on occasion....a flake....preferable the effervescent sort...yes it's I....your loyal effervescent flake.

Sooooo....I decided to share some of my favorite photos with you instead...a little photo journaling if you will...sound good...?...Great!  Off we Gooooo!

Las Mujeras...these are the ladies of eternal Fashion!

You may as well know now that Dio de Los Muertos is one of my Favorite holidays...yes...Decorative Sugar Skulls and all....for me it's is a celebration of Life, Life Eternal, and lives well lived of the ones I Love....

(picture courtesy of Pueblito Cuetzalan, San Diego)

Bienvenidos.....

I spy some....Chillies!

Las Floras!..... These are hand made flowers from crepe paper....Beautiful!

Beauty...Truth...Life...

The Shells in my Car.....

Good nite... xoxo

Blessings & Joy, Alexia
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Enlightenment in the World of "Blogdome"...and Other Interesting Facts....

Aug. 30th, 2010

Yea! Only one more day until I'm back in sync with the art book I'm blogging about, "The Crafter's Devotional".

Okay so here I am in the A.M., I know can you believe it...blogging....as I sat at the kitchen table early this morning with freshly brewed coffee in hand, contemplating life and all it's quirks....my mind drifted to my blog...I know, I know, what does "it" have to do with life contemplation....I thought, "What randomness shall I blog about today, since I won't be blogging about the art book?"

Then it hit me....and this is where the life contemplation weaves itself in....sneaky I know,right?...I began to think about those of you who are regular readers of this blog and how I actually forgot to blog Sunday, mostly because on Friday I had pre-determined to be a "slacker" until I was caught up with the art book...I didn't actual intend to "slack" but I did....then I thought about disappointing my readers....and I felt bad....THEN I realized how hard it's is to blog everyday and do a good job of it....for me it's about engaging you the reader and taking you, with me on this journey...sharing Beautiful art, stories and such....not just any old thing just so I can fill some "goal"...that's not why I started this blog....and it hit me just how hard it is to honor my commitment and do it well, because as we all know...aside from life's quirks, life also likes to pull tricks....lots and LOTS of Tricks...ha..ha..ha....very funny.

So now I'm really and I mean REALLY relating to the character of Julia in "Julia Julia", not Julia Child's but the other Julia...and her frustration as she moves through the cookbook...and not just any run of the mill cookbook either.

So what did I learn you wonder....well, that I'm going to stay true to my commitment of this blogging expedition in it's original intent....to provide myself with consistent down time to create just for the sake of creating with no real goal in mind...to continue to use Barbara Call's book for inspiration and to blog everyday, (once on weekends), but to not worry when quirks and tricks make there rounds and disrupt things....Truth be told...the quirks and tricks are pretty fun, I love a good adventure....

So if I'm absent....please know that I Love You....even when I take time to dance among the daisies....I'm thinking of you....wishing you here to dance with me too.....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

Eco Friendly Altered Art for the Environmental Conscious....or....Fun With Scraps

Day 23

Aug. 27, 2010

Sand, Scrape, and Mark Your Photos

Okay...so before we begin our Creative yet Eco-Friendly journey into art this evening, I have to ask....has anyone notice how the "DAY" and it's number and the "DATE" and it's number of my posts are suspiciously moving further and further apart?  I'm pretty certain that when I started this blog on "DAY 1" of my Crafter's Devotional post, it was actually the 3rd of August...a 2 day difference....only two...now...suspiciously, yes....suspiciously there is a 4 day gap between those "DAYS"....hmmmm.

Also, (I realize though I've played catch up two other time), that today is Friday and the dayI'm on in Barbara Call's book is "Tuesday"...that's right...."Tuesday"....AND....I posted SO early in the day yesterday about the day before....which by the way I did skip, but you'll have to read yesterday's blog to find out why.....anywho...I posted so early that it feels like I haven't posted in a week....So guess what....I am going to do Tuesdays today....or tonight rather, because I actually did this project....yes, yes I did....then I'm probably going to be a "slacker" and just blog about whatever perks my fancy, until these bloody days catch up with themselves....

Okay...down to the business at hand...eco friendly art!  YEA for Eco-Friendly!

On Day 23 of Barbara Call's book "The Crafter's Devotional" (this is the abbreviated title), she shares some ways to rework some of your photos, even ones that you are considering throwing out.....you know the ones....the ones where you and your significant other try to figure out what the photo is of and which child took it, but then you remember you don't have any children....yeah....those photos.

I did this project....it was really cool and lots of fun....I'm going to show you what I did and explain how I did it...I did one step different then the book because it worked better for me...

Here are my photos..

This was taken while we were on a trip...in all actuality there really wasn't anything wrong with this picture...much....there was a reflection in the glass of I don't know who or what...it was SUPER distracting for me cuz I kept trying to figure out who it was and what they were doing....I don't even know them.....so I scratched them out, in a manner of speaking...

(In the above photo, after I finished etching the words into it, Astronaut, Photographer, Artist, Pilot etc..., I used different color, "Prisma Color" artist markers, to trace back over the words.)

This picture was a bust...it was taken near my house...it's a sunset...but my camera only seem to migrate toward the HUGE glowing red-orange light of the sun as it sank behind the horizon, which ended up looking like a big glowing light lost in space, just out there alone....sooooo...I etched in the waves where they were suppose to be and gave the sun back it's blaze of glory as it set....

(In this photo I borrowed one of my daughters oil pastels and with a Q-tip, rubbed what colors I wanted where in the picture....then I cut only the bottom, choppy like, for the waves.)

Okay...the step I did different...well I actually left it out all together....was to wet the photo in lukewarm water for 60 seconds....I tried it but no matter how many time I did it, for various lengths of time...60 sec....45 sec....30 sec...the picture tore or bunched up in places and I just didn't like how it looked...so I did it dry....I used two tools...one was a pair of embroidery scissors and the other way a large stitchery a.k.a. darning needle.  I used the same two tools on both photos.

Barbara gave all kinds of great tool ideas such as, a book binding awl, fine grit sandpaper, screwdrivers etc...She has had in the book a wonderful picture of a wrought iron door that had been altered by artist, Karen Michel...Oh I wanted this picture because it gave me an idea for my BIG project I'm working on....I just recently found a similar door around where I live so tomorrow I'm going to take a picture of it...I Super excited....

Let me know whatcha think or..... if you have any neat tricks or techniques and would like to share them here, post it in the comments or email me and I'll be happy to post it here for you on my blog...

Thanks for popin' in to The Artist Pub!

Blessings & JOY! Alexia

 

 

When Life Gets HOT....Go for a Swim and Other Lessons

Aug. 26, 2010

 

No....you are correct...I didn't Blog yesterday....I  could tell you it's because it was to bloody HOT, even into the night...to hot to sit at a computer...that's for sure....and this would all be True...BUT....

As I sat on the infamous "Purple Couch" in the late afternoon, contemplating whether or not I could suffer through working on a costume in this heat for a play I'm currently working for, (in real life I'm a Costumer, yes a Costumer by day and Mad Cap Blogger by night...), I decide No...no, no and no...I could not suffer the weight of a Wedding Dress and the hand work it requires, in this Heat....(the Wedding Dress is a costume for the play)....

I eyeball the book I'm currently and obsessively reading right now entitled....All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown....I decide it must be cooler outside, so I gather my book AND the Reading Glasses and walk outside to the pool...ahhhh sweet serenity....dangling my legs over the edge of the pool I plop open my book and begin to read....my youngest girl wanders out, art supplies in tow and quietly take a seat on the brown woven chaise....as I read and my daughter draws out her latest inspiration with her Oil Pastels....out wanders my daughter-in-law..."I'm gonna start the barbecue" she says, "okay, you wanta' eat outside?" I ask...."yeah" she says with a smile..."yeah, we can do that...."

As she comes back with a bag of briquettes...toddling behind is my youngest grandson and his big brother....I put down my book as big brother plunges into the pool and the youngin' pulls off his diaper and wanders over to the pool steps...I move with him and help  him into the pool...a friend and her baby drop by, sitting beside me with her beautiful little girl, she dangles her legs over the edge into the cooool blue water of the pool....my sons wander in with hamburger buns and such for the barbecue...it's a gathering....

I sit back and take it all in....I am so in love with my life, my family...I wonder where exactly is my camera right now....but I can't move...I don't want to miss ONE moment of what is happening around me...the sudden burst of laughter, the giggling, the murmur of conversations....no I don't want to miss it....I am trying to burn these images and sounds into my heart and my mind...it's my attempt to capture these moments permanently....the organic happenings of my family, my daily life....Oh how I cherish them...each and everyone of my children, my friends....

These moments can't repeat themselves...just like the birth of each child is different, so are the moments of our lives....it's important to sit back and take note....everything else can wait....everyone else can wait....sometimes it's just about what is happening right now....some of the quietest moments of our lives are the most impacting, transforming....

So....I can't promise you this won't happen again...a day missed occasionally in my endeavor to blog my way through the Art Book slash Journal....that I'm currently IN LOVE with....but what I'm learning is this is part of that journey....my book blogging journey...the one that started off as an Artistic out let and is becoming an artistic, spiritually grounding journey, instead....

Embrace...Enjoy....Free Yourself...to Live LIFE OUT LOUD!   

Blessings & JOY! Love, Alexia

The Art of Blogging...The Adventure Continues....

Aug. 24, 2010

Okay so this evening I'm not Blogging about the book, Crafter's Devotional....I am Blogging about Blogging...yep...I got an email asking me about my Blogging experience so far....

So I decided to answer that email here...on my blog....I feel like I've learned alot but that doesn't say much as I am...as we all know...of loooow technological wit...

But this is some of what I know and the whole kitten caboodle of what I've learned....nothing......Ha!...just kidding...

I know I get more emails about "Stuff" then I get comments...I don't know if this is normal...I have no idea what "Technorati Tags" are....no matter how many times I try to read about them...I'm never sure what "Key Words" to put in...BUT...I think I've learned less is more....

I know that I REALLY like Blogging and reading Blogs and this SUPER Surprises me as I'm not really a fan of technology except for when I need to look for or research something....then I love it.....

I am apparently unable to meet an "pre-midnight" deadline for blogging...I haven't figured this out yet....

I know that I would like to have absolutely everything done by 9:00a.m....yes everything....Costumes made, laundry done, skip eating altogether (unless I'm hungry), errands ran, my run done...whatever needs to be taken care of....done by 9:00a.m....this includes blogging (we see how that's workin' out so far...lol)...If blogging can help me accomplish this, then I will LOVE technology and I will become a Surgeon of Technology...

I know I have a lot to learn about Blogs and I am enjoying the process even if I don't understand it...I love being able to share an on-line journal....It started off as an "Art Journal" journey, intended to spread inspiration and though this is still VERY True it has become kind of a spiritual journey journal as well as an art journal....

The Art of Creating something is not only inspiring but it's a Spiritual process for me....and sharing that here with each of you brings me Great Joy....

So overall I would have to say that being a blogger has thus far been a learning experience, on many levels....I think it's going well....lol...I've learned alot and still have much to learn....

I appreciate and am grateful for the encouragement I receive from each of you, the readers, as well as my family....

I hope I've answered the question, so stay tuned....I'll save ya a seat here at The Artists Pub....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

The Color of My Miami....

Day 22

Aug. 23, 2010

The Colors of a New Destination

Good Evening All!  Well I guess it's almost morning again...YIKES!  I'm not doin so hot with my goal of Blogging before Midnight...lol...oh Well...Blogging is an excellent "unwinder" for me....

I'm going to responded to a few emails I've received about Photography....no...I have never been to school for photography...unless you count high school and I'm an Abulita(Grandmommie) now...so you do math...BUT...this is what I think...if you understand balance/composition you should have no problem...

So here are my Photography Tips & Tricks...for what they're worth...I don't over think my shots...if something OR someone grabs my eye...I "Line Up" the shot and take it....Oh...and I take the pictures from many angles usually....AND...you really should ask a person if they mind if you take a photo of them...and a book...to start I think you need a good "Basics" book...just one...and use it like it's your Photographer's Bible...

So I hope my amateur wisdom has been helpful...Oh yeah, and one more thing...pick the brain of anyone you know who takes a good photo...I would ask them...."what is your #1 trick for taking a great shot?"  See what works for you...just taking a day to go out and take photographs of where ever your heart leads you is fun and liberating...you'll be surprised by what you can teach yourself....

And...I want to say thank you!  For the encouragement I receive about my Photographs...I really appreciate it...

Okay...so what did Ms. Call talk about today?  I'm SO glad you asked! And I'm excited to share it with you....today's topic is about capturing the colors of a destination...it could be a trip to another country or state...a trip to the park or the beach...but the focus isn't just the place it's the colors...colors that you would put in your journal that invoke memories of that place...the sounds, smells, the way you felt....but expressing it with color....using whatever materials you like...fabrics, fancy paper, labels, stamps, draws, natural elements....mix it up....

I think it would be fun to make ACEs of color that represented places you've visited or lived...it would be like having a "Memory Deck" of your Adventures!  Now that's an idea...Right!  Ohhhh...you could do miniature scrapbooking layouts even....yeah....That could be Fun!....okay...just let me stop there...

Since I have so many projects at hand it's just not possible for me to create everything in this FANTABULOUS Book...Crafter's Devotional by Barbara R. Call....so I use alot of Photography to convey what I'm learning in this amazing book...

So I'm going to share with you the Color of Miami...or...MY-ami...as one of my grandchildren use to call it....actually what he'd say when I asked him where he was living now...he'd say, "Your-ami"....yeah...he thought it was mine....it's kinda true....there's quite abit of family history there about the naming of the place and Barefoot Postmen....but I'll save that for another time....

I LOVE Miami and here are the Pictures to prove it:

My Miami is.....Rich in Art, Culture and Diversity....

My Miami is......full of Life and Color....

My Miami is....Beautiful...!

My Miami is....a Spiritual Awaking....

"

My Miami is....the sounds of "Reggaeton" and "Samba"....!

I hope you've enjoyed my "Altered Art" journey into "My" Miami....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia
 
 
 
 

 

 

Natures Palette.....

Day 20 & 21

Aug. 22, 2010

Sensory Exploration: Vision

Hello!  I hope everyone had a Fabulous weekend!  So here it is, the blog topic for the weekend...sensory exploration of "los ojos", the eyes...what do you see?

This weekend Barbara Call talked about in her book, The Crafter's Devotional, the palette of none other than, Mother Nature herself!  I Love it!

Barbara...who does her research, good job too....shared her findings published by the School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, UK...which states, (in a nutshell), that color isn't inherent to the object...color is a property of the nervous system perceived via light...

Ms. Call goes on to share that we, humans, see in three dimensions...(again this is a nutshell version)...due to the 3 cones or main photoreceptors, we humans have...red, green and blue...However, and this I am EXTREMELY jealous of....Birds can apparently see ultraviolet light, seein' as how they have 4 dimensional color vision....just one more reason for them to strutt their stuff....hump...

So apparently this means that the beautiful and vibrant colors of say....a Peacock...the bird not the person you know who acts like one....the feathers of this bird or any bird are even more colorful, "psychedelic" even according to Barbara, then we perceive them to be....WOW!

So I have some Photographs to share with you...gratis Mother Nature herself.....

 I Love Color....although Rich Browns and Jeweled Purples are my Favorites....

I wonder what these Pussy Willows look like to a Bird....?  What are they seeing that we're not....?

The Perfect Pose....Zebra stripes are like finger prints....no two are the same.....

These Magenta Beauties (oh...don't ask me what they're called because I have no idea...but they're Pretty right...) are everywhere right now....

My youngest son...when he was a little boy...LOVED...yes....LOVED...Flamingos...or..."Camingos" as he always excitedly called them....

Oh yes...it's a Peacock...don't tell me you didn't see that comin'...lol....

I hope you enjoyed our journey...well my version of it anyway....into the "Palette of Nature"....

See Ya Soon!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia
 
 
 
  
 
 

Signs & Symbolism....What do they Mean?

Day 19

Aug. 21st, 2010

Gravestone Symbolism

Okay....so don't freak out...yes...the topic is gravestones...but more about their unique and often beautiful symbols, many of which art featured in art pieces....

Frieda Kahlo know for her graphic and imaginative "Outside" art, frequently used hearts, specifically her own, in her work.  Through the use of her heart in these images she expressed the reality of her suffering...but....artist Steven R. Miller uses Hearts for the same reason, that is one of expression, but it is the expression of Hope and Love...(you can view the work of Steven R. Miller's at.... www.stevenrmiller.com ).

The point is...that one symbol can have many meanings to many people....

In today's reading of the "Crafter's Devotional", Barbara R. Call shares her findings on some gravestone symbols and their meaning.  I was surprised at the beauty of many of them and how frequently some of these images find their way into my own work.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Winged Hour Glass - Time flies, swift passage  -    (for me it brings awareness to my surroundings and to make sure that I'm never going so fast that I miss "It", Life's simple joys, my daughter's infectious laugh, the giggle of my grandbaby, the jaw dropping wisdom of my young grandson...)

Sprouting Tree - Life Everlasting  -   (I Love this one...)

Heart - Love, Love of God  -   (this is Truth....)

Flying Angel - Rebirth  -   (this is something I Whole Heartedly believe in...)

Shell - Life Everlasting, Life's Pilgrimage  -   (Wow...because isn't that what life is about after all...an eternal Pilgrimage...)

Bird in Flight - Flight of the Soul  -   (Now this is not only a beautiful thought but a Beautiful image in the minds eye...My soul always feels as though it's flying anytime I see a bird in flight, but it was always more of a feeling, no words...the interpretation of this symbol, now clearly captured in my minds eye, will greatly impact the flight of my soul...not a mere flight but a soaring on the winds of time.)

Barbara speaks of how some symbols become universal and asks us to consider what images we are drawn to and what they might mean...

Maybe now is a good time to pull out that wordless journal and "Scrap" in some symbols that inspire you and call out your inner "Creative Genius....

Blessings & JOY!  Alexia

Finding Your Artistic Voice.....

Day 17 & 18

Aug. 20, 2010

Steered in the Right Direction

I hope I don't confuse any of you but...I'm combining day 17 & 18 of the Crafter's Devotional....since I spent an extra day on the "Wordless Journal"...

I'm starting with "Steered in the Right Direction", Day 17....

I really enjoyed reading "Day 17", because it's exactly what I was talking about yesterday evening not forcing it...don't get me wrong, I'm all for planning and concepts but I also remain open during these times as well.

I can't tell you how often a piece of art...say, my Folk Art chairs for example, (I have looong referred to this type of art as "Functional Art"), basically revealed their intended design to me...I didn't set out to paint Flowers on these old chairs...I was just going to sand them, paint them a cool color,stain them and seal'm...next thing I knew I was free-handing beautiful flowers on them...

This is the beauty of just going with it...for Barbara Call it happened when she picked out some animals and such that she liked, plus some blue and green art papers, which she had torn...with these, she created a pretty and inspiring collage.  However, she didn't realize until the next day that all the elements had naturally come together, the art papers forming sky, land and water, (it actually looks like a little inlet or gulf), and all the critters landed in their element...birds in the sky, horse and tree on the grassy knoll and the frog in the water.

Barbara hadn't set out with this in mind....she seemed to place each thing where it was most visually appealing to her and .....Waah-La!  I call this "Divine Inspiration"....I agree with Ms. Call, that sometimes we seem to be guided by what is not seen...a knowing of things not know.

Day 18

Finding Her Artistic Voice

Here, Ms. Call shares in brief, one artist's revelatory moment.  The artist's subject of revelation was "Consumerism".

The artist, Corinne D'Onofrio, shares with Ms. Call via her thesis, a portion of her story and her understanding of what art is...at least that's what I got out of it....she states, (regarding her concept of art), "as a powerful tool to reveal one's voice."

YES!  Art gives Voice...music, paintings, collage works, dance and so on...not just a voice for the artist but a voice for the admirer, or collector, as well...it tells the story, creates a mood, invokes memories...it can be an escape, a way to dream...Out Loud....

Art MOVES the body, and stirs the soul of the artist and the admirer...

With my art pieces, I know what I'M saying, but I'm also curious as to what it says to someone else....

There is an Wonderful art collage by Ms. D'Onofrio...before I read her description of her piece and her intention, I looked at it, admired the detail and found my own interpretation...This is what I saw...A Huge and beautiful Victorian style home, Beautiful on the outside but empty on the inside and a tall wrought iron fence, intended to keep truth out and my favorite part...a lone wooden chair on the outside of the fence, set right up to the fence but the chair is facing out, away from the fence...the chair represented to me...Truth and the History of the Family that lives inside....the piece is title "Beyond Consumerism"....

What story or stories do you have to tell....and....how would you tell them?  In a poem, a song, a painting or collage, maybe a dance...say a....Samba, Mambo or Ballet....perhaps some doodles on a page that evolve into works of art....

How will you express yourself today.....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

P.S. (I encourage you to take a look at the works of art here and decide for yourself what the artists were saying....or....what story were they trying to tell....what do YOU see....)

xoxo

Creative Flow Vignettes....

Day 16

Aug. 18th, 2010

Move Things Around

Okay so I'm a day late...but if you read yesterday's Blog, you know why...it was worth every moment....

"Move Things Around" is about exploration and experimentation....at least that's how I'm interpreting it.  Here, in the "Crafter's Devotional", Barbara shares with us some techniques to inspire creativity by mixed-media artist Shirley Ende-Saxe.

Have you ever had that hunger to create, but just can't seem to get going....do you sadly give up after several restless attempts, feeling totally Frustrated....cuz all your trying to do is let out your creative genius to play....but no....it sits in the corner stuffing it's face with "See's" chocolates pretending not to hear your pleading soul....Selfish....right?

Fret no more...there is an answer to the creative famine...

Shirley shares how she sits down with selected images and begins playing with them...moving them around in different groupings...adding or subtracting pieces until the vignette appears...

I have to say that this does it for me...what I should say here though...is....that I do this without expectation...at least not consciously....I mean I'm awake just not...it's in my subconscious I guess....I just don't force it, is what I'm trying to say...

I pick one image....maybe a cherub...it could be a plastic one...a sticker or stickers...an image of one I've cut or more likely torn out of something, somewhere....

I finger through the items on my "Art Table" (that's code for "kitchen table"), I peek in my not clear plastic boxes...it's like opening a present...I find ALL KINDS of things I forgot about...I pull a piece of ribbon just for the color...I pick up a small and large silk flower and start layering...usually I'm trying to figure out the best place to put some glitter...cuz I'm a glitter kinda gal...an old flame of mine, frequently went to his "machismo" (macho) job with various shades of glitter on him...usually pink or gold...

Anywho...I think about what kind of surfaces I have available to put, my prize pieces of the moment, onto...I don't force it....I keep adding pieces and subtracting some...maybe....the color theme reveals it's self to me as does the piece...if there is something I want to use but it just doesn't seem to be happening...I put it aside for future use in a different project...I've had some "Ephemera" (code for "Scraps"), for YEARS...and then one day...VOILA...Masterpiece!

So the key for me in coaxing out my creative genius is to not force it...it's like trying to force a child to take a medicine they don't like...you wind up with a mess...it would do better to administer the one their agreeable to....

I may start out with a cherub and wind up making...oh say....an island themed something....yep...it's an adventure...

For me it's the adventure and experimentation of the creative process...

So grab a few pieces of "Scraps" that speak to you, to your mood, or just look pretty....carry them from room to room...lay them on the kitchen counter as you pour a glass of milk and move them around...then grab a few more "pieces" and take a seat at your "Art Table" and see what happens....

Create....Create....Create....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

For the Art of It.....The Journaling Mind

cont.....

Aug. 17th, 2010

The Way of the Wordless Journal

Now I know today is suppose to be day 16 of my blogging expedition through the "Crafter's Devotional"....buuuut....I was so ....

well....I'll just go ahead and tell it.....This is the story of "Today".....

I started off the day with great determination and resolve to accomplish the tasks at hand....first on my list was to find 2....juuust 2 items....that would solve my costuming dilemma...but after an exhausting attempt...(which I solved in the later part of the evening)....I gave up....temporarily anyway....

Frustrated and annoyed....I look at my youngest daughter and say..."we're going to the park".  Of course not just any old park....but my favorite park....complete with Coi ponds, Japanese Tea Gardens, Butterfly Gardens and Museums....aaaahhh....

We learn upon arrival that the Art Museum is "Free" today...Yea!!!

As my daughter and I strolled the halls, alcoves and salon style viewings of the various artists and art styles...we begin a "Mental" journal....yes a mental one...it's possible...

We admired and studied the opaque watercolor paintings by East Indian artist c.e., we "ooooo'd" and "ahhhh'd" our way in and around Greek marble sculptures of the reclining Hercules, Water Jugs and Vases....there was Greek armour worn by a Great Warrior we saw the beauty of Buddha first hand....there was Toulouse, Cassatt, Andy Warhol and Dali...there was Georgia O'keefe and Monet....we were amazed...

We stood side by side, my daughter and I, in silence admiring the works of modern day impressionists....secretly wish that we had this one or that....we were in aw...

We stood before a Marble pictorial and could clearly see each letter the Greek artist had carved, atop the marble masterpiece....we stood there envisioning him at work creating...we were transported....I could see so clearly, as if I were standing behind him...I watched the carving come to life by the relief work of his hand...I could hear the "thwack" sounds of chisel and mallot off in the distance ....

He has no idea, I thought, that we are standing in a museum viewing his work and wondering about him, his family, his life....and what would he see today....what would his art speak to....today...?

On the rare occasion my daughter and I did speak....it was to marvel at the creativity, humor and emotion that was invoked by the pieces we most loved....

We could see the impact Monet and Van gogh had on future artists...We fell in love over and over again with Toulouse ability to capture real life moments and make them Whimsical, (truth be told, life is FULL of Whimsies, it's all in how ya look at it)...and I noticed how often the Masters painted outside the lines....I like that....

We wondered often...at the world they had lived in so different from our own...yet the same.

The ride home was quite...but then my daughter spoke..."I don't know if it's wrong to say this but when I look at some people I'm so Glad my life is in Color"..."that my life is filled with excitement and adventures"....she talked on about how sad it would be to live in the Grey...we talked about how colorful and brilliant our lives become with each passing day....and how it's possible to live outside the Grey...that all it takes is to be True to one's self...to who they really are...to live their passion...whatever that is....both earth and spirit...

I Love my Life....

For your "Mental" Journal experience and viewing pleasure....

Cassatt's "Mother and Child"...what Greater Joy than this...

  Degas...

Degas...one of my Favorites...

 O'keefe....Beautiful....

 Toulouse...another favorite of both my daughter and I....

   Toulouse....

Toulouse...I Love this one...

Paint outside the Lines...

Live Life Abundantly....

If you're going to Laugh then Laugh LOUDLY.......

Live a JOYOUS Life....!

Blessing & JOY Always, Alexia
 
 
  
   
 

 
 

 

 

Creative Journaling....Make It Your Own...

Day 15

Aug. 16th, 2010

Wordless Journals?

Yes....wordless...it's not that words are not in the journal...because for some, words are art...like poets, novelists, english majors and the like....I think of words as Art....and if you are good at visualizing then words can REALLY bring a thought, idea or description to life...even one or two words will do it....

This is my "Hanging" Journal...it has two words...."Hope is....."

What my "Hanging" journal says is ....My Life is Filled, with Promise, Joy and Abundance....

It represents FREEDOM....to me

How did my "Hanging" journal evolve you asked?  Well it all started early in the morning after I had shuffled across the kitchen to get my "Ahbuboo" coffee (see day 2 of my blog) and plopped down across the dinning table in front of my daughter-in-law and saw she was futzing around with stuff....I saw little wooden birds....and I said, "I want to make something with birds?"  She said, "You dooo?"....shaking my head yes, she pushed the birds toward me and I picked one...then while I sat there staring at the bird, she pushed a canvas toward me....NOW we're getting somewhere...then as I contemplated the objects before me, I looked to my right and saw a BAG of RIBBONS...Yea! and from that bag I pulled a miniature string of pearls or puuurls...whatever....and my artistic journey began....That's the story anyway.

So Yes, Ms. Call's topic today was about wordless journals...not that there can't be any "Words" in them...just nothing written by thy own hand...I took that challenge, to express what I'm feeling without writing anything on it....I did use two simple yet powerful...well powerful to me anyway...words....Hope is...I cut them out of a scrapbooking page...and yes I cut them out of just about the middle...the paper I used is by "K & Company", the little wooden bird was one in a collection by "KaiserCraft", I also used a tag from "Graphic 45's" vintage wedding line....I sprayed all the flowers with "Glimmer Mist" and made the leaves myself using the flowers and "Glimmer Mist" AND the little bird has been "worked over" with "Glimmer Mist"...the button is one from my vintage button collections, it's from the late 1960's...the rest of the items I used were found or "Ephemera" pieces.

Barbara Call explains that it's not about the type of journal....it could be an old paperback, a notebook or just some pieces of paper stapled together...in my case it was a canvas...  She encourages us to put in it...(or on it)...ANYTHING we want...a swatch of pretty fabric, buttons, pieces of color paper, old or new photos, ideas, pictures of our art work or the art work of other artists....Whatever we want....

She suggests that we consider the journal as a ".....collection of items, a place to store whatever it is that awakens your creative spirit"... (page 21, Day 15, Crafter's Devotional, Barbara R. Call)  

Whatever.....it is.....that awakens....your creative spirit....

I like the way that sounds....it feels....infinite....mmmmm

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

 

The Magic of Sea Shells....

Days 13 & 14

Aug. 15th, 2010

Ocean Jewels

Hi All!  Yes I'm still here...Thank You for your Beautiful emails!  Just a reminder...In the "Crafter's Devotional", Ms. Call combines Saturdays with Sundays...it's a weekend deal...which I personally LOVE by the way...on the weekends I'm so distracted and sometimes not home soooo.... Thank you! Glad to know you are following my Blogging attempts...

One more thing before I get started....Since we ALL know I'm "allergic" to computers....okay...so I'm allergic to technology as a whole...I wanted to take a minute to thank the one...you know who you are...for emailing and explaining to me how to set my computer so it doesn't update in the middle of stuff....THANK YOU!  That was Super Sweet....And I do believe it worked! Yea!

Okay...so ya wanna talk about Shells...well I just Love them and have collected them from just about everywhere I've lived and vacationed...yep...lots and lots of shells...

I love their variety...like people...it takes all kinds to fill and create beautiful oceans...shells that is....

I love their textures and colors....you can find everything rough and bumpy to silky smooth, bright pinks to deep earth tones like burnt umber and cream...

I love the way sea shells feel in my hand, the energy the shells hold and the memories they invoke...

I love pulling them out and reminiscing when and where and with who I gathered this one or that....

In the book, "Crafter's Devotional", Barbara Call talks about using elements from the ocean in your art work....and not just shells either....star fish, sand dollars, whatever you find....it could be a small piece of drift would or coral, even a stone or sea glass....

Ms. Call shows a shadow box with an ocean theme by artist Jenn Mason....it's soooo pretty!

I really like that Barbara uses outside elements to inspire creativity...I absolutely LOVE the outdoors!

So dig out your treasures from summers past and mix them up with your summer finds from this year and create something FABULOUS!

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

P.S. (this is for those of you who asked...the book's full title is...The Crafter's Devotional, 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Unlocking Your Creative Spirit by Barbara R. Call)

P.S.S. (Her name is Barbara Call...I think I may have called her McCall a few times in previous posts but it's Call not McCall...I don't even know how I came up with McCall...I apologize for any confusion.)

Thank You!

Buttons Galore......

Day 12

Aug. 13th, 2010

Button Work, Part I

Hello and Welcome!

As you well know I am, (so far so good, knock on wood and all that jazz), blogging my way through Barbara McCall's book, "The Crafter's Devotional".

It hasn't even been 2 weeks yet and I've already learned SO much....I've learned new art techniques...my passion for "Folk Art" has been re-awakened....I've been inspired creatively and spiritually...and I've learned alot about myself...some things I'd forgotten about myself and other things I'm learning for the first time....it's been quite an adventure thus far.

So stick around....and lets see where this journey takes us! I'm all about the adventure!

Today Barbara's topic of choice was what else......?  Buttons!  Yea for buttons! 

I have a nice size collection of buttons AND I am in the habit of cutting the buttons off garments I'm discarding....these are garments that are NOT donation worthy....(Barbara also suggests this in her book, cutting off buttons that is...).

So between my button hunts AND the occasional raiding of my Mother's vintage button stash over the years...with her permission and her encouragement....my stash has flourished.

Most of my buttons are vintage, I have buttons from as far back as the 1920's....I have newer buttons but I must confess that the vintage buttons are my favorites.

In her book, Ms. McCall talks about buttons and their versatility....from their basic use as a closure to their variety of uses artistically.  There is a FABULOUS vintage Mermaid collage in her book...it was a collaborative piece created by two artists....Maryjo and Sunny Koch.  The Mermaid's tail appears to be made entirely of sea shell buttons....It's Gorgeous.

If you are an Artist, Crafter or aspiring to be...I suggest investigating Barbara's book...it's Truly inspirational.

Yes, you can email me or post comments here if you like but I am happy to receive your emails...feel free to share your ideas, ask questions or just read and look...

Creativity is Food for the Soul....

Blessings & Joy, Alexia

Hide and Seek....Ephemera?

Day 11

Aug. 12th, 2010

Purse Ephemera

First and foremost, a confession.....I am perpetually confused by this word, "Ephemera"....is it a bug that only lives for one day?....OR....is it short lived popularity of something?....OOOR....is it an ancient form of Greek journal keeping?.....I don't know?....but I apparently use it alot in my art....

Yes I am that lady you see bending over, stooping down in the parking lot to pick up a "pull tab", (raise your hand if you know what one of those are), a squashed bottle cap, a gear looking thing....or perhaps you'll find me in Starbucks with one or more of my daughters, (daughter-in-law included ALWAYS), and find me reaching over to some discarded newspaper next to me....and watch me meticulously tear out some picture from the center of the paper, (I may need that later),.... that would be me....

So if the meaning of Ephemera is "Crap I Found" or "General Junk I Have"....then yes, that is me an "Ephemera Artist"....

In day 11 of Barbara McCall's book "The Crafter's Devotional"...she talks about "Purse Ephemera"....NOW I'm Excited!  Cuz I KNOW I have alot of That....

She asks us to empty our purses and peruse the treasures within....mmmmm

Among my many treasures were:

• an Alice In Wonderland movie ticket....I took that as a sign, what with Graphic 45's Alice In Wonderland paper and all....
• a lovely Shell Pink ribbon AND an Emerald Green strand as well....
• LOTS of pennies....
• 1 piece of SHOCKING Pink gum wrapper paper....which I will be using
• a piece of candy....which I ate...
• 5 colored pens with coordinating ink....YEA!
• Purple Q-tips in a cute little plastic box.....I'll be needing that box later
• some Victoria Secret lip gloss....which I put on
• and another piece of SHOCKING Pink gum wrapper....

So what's in your pockets......?  Let me hear from you and feel free to post and share you treasures Here!

Blessings & Joy,

Alexia