The Artist's Pub: Living Out Loud

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