I'm Back!!!

You may have wondered what happened to me...or maybe not. Well, I took a little unexpected break from blogging to enjoy the summer. I've spent a lot of the summer up at my cottage in the woods, returning home every few weeks to take care of must-dos, pay bills, water plants, etc. All in all it's been a wonderful and relaxing summer. I've kind of been a free-spirit, which is what inspired me to create the canvas Birds Fly Free which was recently published in Somerset Apprentice Magazine.

This is the first time I've had a piece of my artwork in this particular publication, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when editor Jana Holstein contacted me to ask if she could use it in the magazine.

The photography which accompanies my article really blew me away. It's astounding! It really captures every little detail of the canvas. In fact the entire issue is incredible with articles by Becky Shander, Jeanne Oliver, Kristen Robinson, Donna Downey, Rebekah Meier, and Wendy Brightbill just to name a few.  I am honored to be in the company of such a talented group of artists! 

Instagram Wednesday

The last time I was at Barnes & Noble I ran across this colorful new magazine call Good Ideas. It's a British magazine from the publishers of Good Housekeeping. One of the articles inside was called, "Quick Fixes to Lift Your Mood." Do you ever have one of those days where you just are feeling blue and down in the dumps? I know I do.

Here's what the article suggested for those kind of days:

1. Take a nap

2. Write something - a letter, a journal entry, etc.

3. Look back - on a fond memory, where you have been, etc.

4. Plan your weekend so you have something to look forward to.

5. Do something different and out of the ordinary.

6. Smile :)

7. Go for a walk.

8. Eat something healthy.

9. Be considerate to others.

10. Live for NOW, instead of concentrating on the past and what-ifs.

Instagram Wednesday

I saw this in the May/June issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. 

Doesn't it look like fun? I'd like to give it a try!

Instagram Wednesday

I treated myself to a couple of hours at the book store today. I like to look through the magazines to gather ideas for craft projects, color inspiration, new recipes, shopping, fashion, etc., etc.

Instagram Inspiration

I spent a couple hours at Barnes & Noble pouring over magazines today, in addition to my daily walk at the mall, looking for some inspiration. Those two places never fail to give me an unlimited supply of ideas. Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

1. Blooming Roof - Flea Market Gardens;

2. Fiber Pouches by Sharon Borsavage - Belle Armoire Jewelry;

3. Paint Stir Stick Mobile - Anthropologie;

4. Wheelbarrow Planter - Flea Market Gardens;

5. Rusty Heart - Flea Market Gardens;

6. Navy & Taupe Fashions - Lucky Brand.

Enjoy the weekend!

Happy September!

September (my birthday month) started out in a happy way. I received my comp issue of this year's Holidays & Celebrations from the lovely Jennifer Jackson Taylor over at Stampington Publications. My article, Walk on the Wild Side, is featured on pages 102-104 and I'm over the moon about it! Thanks so much Jennifer.

Surprise Mail!

While I was spending time at the cottage the past couple of weeks, my mail was piling up at the post office here at home. I picked it up yesterday and sorted it into piles all over the living room floor. . . advertisements, letters, bills (yuk!), magazines, etc. And what do I find in the magazine pile? This lovely pastel pink summer issue of Somerset Studio Gallery. The mailing label said it was an "artcomp" issue, which means there is something of mine inside! After flipping through the pages, I found this little Halloween assemblage of mine on page 50! Woo-hoo ~ what a nice surprise!!!

It's always an honor to be featured in Stampington's beautiful magazines along with talented artists like Becky Shander, Karla Nathan, Jeanne Oliver, Ruth Rae, and Linda Harre, whose art is also pictured in this issue.

Comfort Food

I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch today, but she came down with an awful bug. I think it's that same bug that's been going around for months now. When will it end?!

So I decided to go out anyway and treat myself to a bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup, a Harvest Salad and a pretty magazine at Corner Bakery. Yum!

Get well soon, my friend!

Exciting News!

I just wanted to share some exciting news I found out about a couple weeks ago. Two of my spring projects are featured in the 2010 issue of Holidays & Celebrations which is on news stands right now. There's lots of great projects in this issue so be sure to check it out!

Monday, Monday

Wow, I just realized it's been a week since my last post! Where does the time go? I've been busy following along with the gals in Teresa McFayden's Freestyle Embroidery class making this spring sampler and I really, really am enjoying it. Hand stitching is one of the most restful, peaceful, types of crafts to do. You can do it anywhere; take it with you anywhere. So portable and so satisfying. I was re-introduced to it last summer in Charlotte's class at ArtFiberFest where I made this. We had a bit of a distraction in the class (those of you who took that class with me know what I am talking about) but it didn't even matter because we were all so busy concentrating on our hand-stitching.
Have you seen this magazine yet? It is officially due out tomorrow, but copies have been popping up little by little all over the place. Flea Market Style is a collaboration between the amazingly talented Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer (formerly of Junk Market fame). Like me, many of you have been following along with Matthew and Ki during the entire inception of this magazine, which I liken somewhat to waiting for the birth of a new baby. Well let me tell you -you MUST get yourself a copy when you see it, because it is definitely worth the long wait.

And yes, Mr. ground hog was correct about the 6 weeks of more winter. And here's the proof - more snow! I was up early and snapped this photo. Everything looked so pretty with a fresh dusting of the white stuff. But regardless of it's lovely look I am still wishing for spring.

Southern Living's New Look

Have you seen the new look of Southern Living Magazine? It's undergone a make-over to a brand new modern design. I've always loved Southern Living for it's delicious recipes. But today there's a lot more to love about the magazine.

Like the new feature, Done In A Day, pictured above. In this fast-paced world we live in these days I am really appreciative of projects that I can complete one day or even a few hours.

There's lots of ideas for Halloween entertaining, like the recipe for these easy Owl-Ween Treats that the kids will love.

And don't forget to check out the decorating section for the details of this gorgeous gothic inspired Atlanta home. To find out more about the fabulous new redesign of Southern Living Magazine from the editors themselves click here.

Art Journaling

Have you seen the new issue of Stampington's Art Journaling?

The premier issue of this publication was a huge, huge hit. I can understand why, because art journaling seems to have really taken off in the art community lately.  So everyone has been anxiously awaiting this next issue. The cover features the artwork of Dina Wakley from Get It Scrapped. I've taken a couple of online journaling classes from Dina - Art Journaling 102 and Masterful Art Journaling. Her classes are great and I especially like the videos she uses to teach her techniques. Below is one of my journal pages from her Art Journaling 102 class, which uses some of the same techniques she used on her cover artwork above.

The arrival of the new issue of Art Journaling really got my journal juices flowing, so I got out the various journals I'm currently working in and played in each of them. I even put together some new journals for a few special projects I am working on!  

Speaking of special projects, with my birthday coming up next week I thought the perfect way to celebrate would be to have a GIVEAWAY!  Stop by back here on Monday for all the details. 

Books & Magazines

Her stores may have closed, but there's still some "Shabby Chic-ness" to look forward to. Rachel Ashwell has been working on a new book that's due out this fall. I can't wait!!!


Speaking of publications, I just picked up the lastest issue of Somerset Life the other day and discovered my Parisian Bon-Bon Dish is shown in the article entitled, Martini Magic on pages 56-57. What a nice surprise! The photo in the magzine is a little out of focus, so I thought I would share some of the details with you here.

The Secret is Out ~ She's Finally Here!

An advanced copy of this lovely publication arrived in my mailbox last week and put a huge smile on my face. This new special edition from Stampington has been in the works for months and features a wonderful collaboration I took part in last summer. That's when Dede Warren put out a call for a Marie Antoinette inspired altered book round-robin to which I enthusiastically responded to along with Maria Rodarte and Barbara Smith. It was such an honor to work with such a talented group of artists to create these treasured works of art. And a GREAT BIG hug of gratitude goes out to Dede for suggesting that we submit our books to Stampington when we were finished.

And our fun little collaboration, along with a second one initiated by Natasha Burns, inspired a brand new special publication by the editors of Somerset studios called Marie. Our first little hint that this dream was actually going to become a reality came back in August when Dede told us to check out this post on Jenny Doh's blog. We couldn't believe our eyes because there, in editor Jennifer Jackson's hands, was Maria's and Barb's altered books in a Call for Art for Marie. It is so thrilling to have your hard work be recognized and published in any of Stampington's gorgeous magazines, but to have an entire feature in a special publication ~ well, words just can't describe our excitement!

All of you (and I know there are many of you from my blog & Flickr hopping) who have been inspired by the decadence, beauty, richness of this exhuberant Queen of France are going to be blown away when you see this magazine filled to the brim with colorful eye candy. And you won't have to wait much longer because it arrives on the newstands April 1st.
And to coincide with the launch of this brand new publication, Maria Rodarte is hosting a Marie Antoinette Collage Swap on her blog. Come join in on the fun - you can get all the details by clicking here.

No Place Like Home

Just a little peek at something I've been working on for LolliShops Romantic Homes ad coming in June. With so many magazines going out of business (ME Home Companion, Country Homes, Cottage Living, Home, etc) it's nice to see one of my favorites is still out there.

A Nice Surprise!

I just found out that my "Believe Angel Star" is featured in the Winter 2009 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery on sale now! Thanks Jenny!

How Cool Is This?

For those who are fans of Stampington Publications, the new issue of Somerset Studio (Nov/Dec) is on the news stands now. As usual it is filled with wonderful artwork and inspiration of the likes of Beth Quinn, Amy Hanna, Misty Mawn, and Tricia Scott and others. A while back I can remember reading an entry on Tricia's blog about finally getting up the nerve to send a box of her artwork into Stampington. That post really resonated with me and was the impetus which gave me the courage to answer a call-for-art and send in a few pieces of my own artwork. And lo and behold much to my delight, I opened the magazine yesterday and found two of my own ornaments featured in this highly regarded publication. (pages 105 & 108) It is truly an honor to have my art alongside the work of so many talented artists in this magazine which I have treasured for so many years.
Many thanks to Jenny Doh, Jennifer Jackson and the others at Somerset Studio magazine for taking the time to consider my humble submissions for publication.