mixed media flower on yupo

IMG_2746, a photo by alteredstatesstudio on Flickr.

this is the beginning of some mixed media flowers on yupo paper. this project is a continuation of the wedding....the bride and her mom asked if i would make bridemaid gifts for them. i agreed and asked if they had any ideas of what they wanted, and i got-"whatever you make will be cool!" so, although this is nice to hear.....i wanted a little direction on ideas. i had been inspired by Robin-Marie Smith. i loved her botanical series and wanted to try my own twist on that...so, this is the beginning of the gifts....we will see what direction they take. so far, i have 7 different colors "flowers" as the bases. i used a variety of alcohol inks and my roll of tape to try and keep in a circle and when i was happy with the circle, I let the extra ink run to make the stem. i also used glimmer mist to provide a little more color and some shine.

making stuff....

i have been so inspired with repurposing, that yesterday i worked in my studio almost all day. i loved this vintage pants hangar. i sanded the finish off and then stamped "make" onto it and it can be used to hold art!

this was my second attempt at "making"my keys...i stamped the first one perfectly, but, then managed to break it completely apart trying to bend it....so, this slightly imperfect one will get a chance....love my metal letter stamps! although, clearly i have certainly not mastered them.....

this project was a mix of stuff in my studio space. loved the ceramic flowers that i had picked up at a rummage sale. the book came from a school in the area and nicely provided the extra support needed to hang.

this is the match to go with the the first one above. i used a smaller book cover and a scrap of cover (the red piece) from the first one to make this pair. the word tags are part of another project, but, i couldn't find my clips i was looking for....so, that will have to wait.

this is my attempt at the freezer paper transfer technique that i have read about over at the graphics fairy. after 3 failed attempts, the fourth was the charm....or at least sort of. i was hoping for a darker print, so, i am not sure if it is the fabric i was using or if it was my printer?...i am not sure yet. if i get it figured out i will let you know. the fabric was a vintage pillowcase that was past its' potential for that use....so, it will now be a vintage french scrap!

i had also stashed away this picture frame and it looks awesome with the french fabric scrap above.

cotton flowers

these are the flowers in my front beds. blowing in the breeze this morning.

they reminded my of raw cotton.

i am loving these crazy fluffy little flowers.

spring has arrived

i am finally feeling like spring is here...and here to stay. last year at this time, i think we still had a snow storm or two lurking around.

last night,
hearing the kids playing in the driveway (giggles, balls bouncing, and no glass being broken...we have already had a casualty or two)
feeling the warm concrete on my bare feet (the little grit of the concrete on my winter soft skin)
seeing my tulips finally poking their colorful heads up (mine seem to be a little slower than the rest of the neighborhood)

with spring, hope is eternal; life cycles, and even after a very cold snowy season of life, things manage to patiently wait for the gentle warmth to melt away that cold; giving them a chance to grow,and blossom again.

end of school

tomorrow is the last full day of school- another year done and summer upon us....the kids are busy cleaning desks and locker out- tk brought home like 3 sweatshirts and her winter coat- yes, winter coat.....crazy. i am afraid to see what papers and garbage comes home with our oldest- long, lost assignments that are since made up and a stash of monster cans- nice combo, huh? our youngest....his will probably be the most interesting. he is still young enough that most normal everything should have come home, but, there may be some unexpected items- you know- good stuff you may find on the playground- that sort of stuff.

in the mean time, while the kids are cleaning and totally getting ready to "relax" my flowers are working hard at making the back yard stunnily beautiful. hope you enjoy the pictures of some of my beauties....the peonie smells as good as it looks.