Hello Again!

I decided that I’m enjoying this hot, hazy and humid weather we’ve been having because I can stay indoors in the a/c and not feel guilty!   Since the group I’m with has been working on an Altered Book project, several of our members have been sharing and showing us many of the  techniques used achieve a variety of looks.   I am learning so many new things but what’s really fantastic is it has given me this immense appetite for experimenting.  I also found that I had many of the items needed – I had bought them long ago and stuffed them in drawers, only to forget about them.   It’s been wonderful to be able to pull these items out and use them.  So, the past several weeks have been filled with trying this color and that color, or ink, or spray, and finally trying transfer techniques I’ve wanted to try for years!  I used the packing tape transfer technique on my  Eiffel Tower tag (I’m into tags now) – it is very light but maybe you will be able to see it.

 

The tag is still a work in progress! 

The group I’m with has several swaps this month and we’ve all been busy with that.  One of the swaps was using a template from Stampington.com, Domestic Goddess Apron and to make an apron and decorate it.  I had such fun, I couldn’t decide which one I liked the best, so I made three!   So my partner won’t know which one she’s going to get! 

 

We also have another swap – to make a tag with a theme of “Call to the Sea” – I had a particularly hard time with this – I just couldn’t seem to come up with anything.  Finally, this came to me but I’m not real happy with it.  Would love to hear what you think.

The next couple of tags are ones that just came to me.  I hope you like them.  I’ve enjoyed working with color, or staying within one shade.  As always, I’ve had fun going through my boxes and boxes of embellishments, trying to find the perfect ones for each project.  So while I was searching, I was also organizing and reorganizing. 

The first  “Road to a Friend’s House is never long”, then “Dream and finally, “Far East”.

     

 

I think that’s about it for now.  I have several tags I’ve been playing with the color.  But I still have two items to go for this month’s swaps!  Guess I’d better get busy.  Thanks again for stopping by.  I love to have visitors!

Always,

Kerry

It’s Been a While!

Oh my.  When I logged onto my blog I was shocked to see that it’s been a month since I was last here.   I certainly didn’t mean to be gone so long.   I’ve kept busy in my ARTHaven working on various projects.  A couple of years ago I happened upon a blog of a woman who decorated wooden purses.  She had many, many styles and they were all decorated so brightly and with various themes.  I decided I’d give it a try.  So I researched a couple ways to cover them, using paint, paper or material.  I found some lovely material that would work. 

I then remembered some paper I ordered and never used.  First I had to find where I put it and finally, in a corner there it stood.  The pictures aren’t the best – hard to hold rolled up paper and the camera! 

These are all oriental papers.  I make a copy of the paper and use that, saving the original for other projects.  Paints used can be any type of craft paint.  I did one purse in oriental paper – red, and forgot to take a picture of it.  The next purse, still in progress, is the same type but by changing the paper can change the style of the purse in a flash. 

I also worked on some decoupage, one of my favorite crafts to do.  Sometimes just sitting and cutting out the little flowers can be so relaxing.  This is a chest I’m making, just about finished.  Wouldn’t it make a cute box on top of your dresser to hold your treasures?

Those are just a few things I’ve been working on.  I’m also working on a board book, a book of memories for a very special person in my life. 

And on a very sad note.  July 4, 2010, my beautiful golden retriever, Barnabus, aka Barney, collapsed and died.  The vet said it was a massive cardiac episode.  Barney was only in my life for a short six years – but he made a big impression.  He left a large hole and an empty spot for his companion, our female golden retriever Meggie MaGee. 

We are currently going through the process of adopting a rescue dog through GRREAT – Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training – the local golden rescue in our area.  We’ve been through the interview and home study and are just awaiting our letter of dogs that are available. 

Gosh, now I know why I haven’t updated the blog – I’ve been busy!  I worked on this card, which I thought turned out to be one of my most favorite cards – it is for my mother, who is very ill and is now in hospice.  Dementia has taken over – how I’ve come to hate that word.  She doesn’t remember many people at all and at times doesn’t even remember me. 

That’s it.  I’ve held you captive long enough.  I have more but will make that another entry.  Thank you for stopping by and gazing at the pieces I’ve made.  I’d love to know that you were here. 

Kerry