A GENTLE REMINDER, DEAR READERS!

Greetings!

Just a quick reminder to all who volunteered to send the "HOME" ATC; 2 words: "Time's a-wastin'!"

I would like to have the ATCs in my hand by July 31st, so for those of you who might be procrastinators, there you have it...a deadline. Now all you have to do is wait until July 29 or 30 (in true procrastinator fashion) to get the thing in the mail. :-o

Meanwhile, here are the details once again...remember I'll send a little RAK to each person who contributes! The day I receive your ATC, the RAK will go out in the mail!

Here's a bit of the original post:

THE NOTION OF "HOME"

Greetings, dear reader!

If you are reading this, (and you know who you are!) I would like to ask a favor of you...read on!


So here's the favor: Would YOU, gentle reader, do me the honor of creating for me an Artist Trading Card with the theme "home"? I'm asking for just one 2.5 x 3.5 little piece of art...that captures your heart for "home." I will include it in my art journal and display it here on my blog and on my Facebook page. AND I will send each person who contributes a little RAK as a thank you!

So in summary, here are the details:

1. Mail to me a single 2.5 x 3.5 ATC.
2. The theme is "HOME"
3. Due by the end of July
4. RAK will be sent your way!

Thank you all SO MUCH! I await with bated breath!

More soon!



XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

HI HONEY, I'M HOOOOOOME...

Greetings, dear reader!

Hubby Dear, Webster and I are back from our camping jaunt, and I decided to share with you a few random things:

First, what's with this heat?



It's killing me, I tell you! We took Webbie to the groomer and got him a buzz cut, hoping he'll manage the heat. (A photo of our "bald" little dog when my camera batteries are revived)

In other news:

I was looking at my craft studio, overrun with all things shiny and creative, and it occurred to me: I AM A MAGPIE. I collect and bring home anything that catches my eye...shiny, colorful, useful or not, these glorious "treasures" find their way to my tiny home. "What (you ask) are these treasures you speak of?"

1. Cupcakes. Faux Cupcakes. Cupcake Candles. Cupcake Photo holders. Cupcake Placemats. Cupcake Pedestals.

2. Writing Implements. Pens. Pencils. Inks. Nibs. Charcoal. Markers. All useful...all used. At some point.

3. Journals. (In my defense I had every intention of filling each one...as it is, there are probably an average of 5 entries per journal). Handmade. Home made. Extravagant. Cheap. Gifts. Salvage rescues. Lined. Unlined. Blank.

4. Ribbon and Sewing Notions. (HERE is where I can recognize my "illness" for what it is...I cannot really sew a stitch...and yet...) I recently purchased two shoeboxes FULL of vintage ribbon. For TWO DOLLARS! (tell me YOU could have passed up such a bargain?!?) Most all of my notions are separated by color...which makes them much easier to utilize...however, again, storage is becoming an issue. (HOORAY FOR HUBBY WHO HAS COME TO MY RESCUE WITH ADDITIONAL STORAGE! Certainly he knows not what he has done!)

And then, dear reader...I run across the ultimate piece of Magpie Majesty...from the fine procurers of all things FAB (Anthropologie) I give you...

THE MAGPIE CHANDELIER



You simply MUST go to Anthropologie and check out the details of this monument to the art of recycling. AND for a mere $4800 you too could own a little piece of South African history. I don't balk too much at the price tag for several reasons a) it's art b) the South African artists who create it are paid a fair wage for doing so...and c) have you LOOKED at the detail? It's AWESOME!

Anyway, I will be back tomorrow with more news and pictures of our recent camping trip!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY...AND...

I LOVES ME SOME SASSAFRAS!

Greetings, dear reader!

Just a quickie post today...I don't know how many of you have the benefit of having nearby dollar stores in your area (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Deals ,etc) but living in economically depressed southern Illinois has it's (few) advantages...we GOTS US SOME DOLLAR STORES!

Anyway, you can find jar candles in wonderfully yummy scents...a dollar each or two for a dollar. I love these little Mason jars, and love to use them after the candle is gone for storing my supplies. Like many of you, I am a very visual soul...meaning, if I don't see it, I don't use it. So glass jars are the perfect remedy...

Anyway, I just added some circles of sassafras paper on top, hand dyed ribbon and voila! Adorable instant storage that is both visually appealing AND visually available! WOOT! What's not to love?

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

AN EXAMPLE OF "HOME"...

Greetings, dear reader!

Hubby Dear, Webster and I just returned from a weekend of camping. WOWZA! Was it hot?!?! BUT Hubby Dear found a teeny tiny air conditioner that "just happened" to fit in the window of the canned ham...so, we had a "refrigerated canned ham" all weekend! Kept it at a balmy 65 degrees, while heat indexes oustide were in the 100s! WOOHOO!

The below photos were taken last night...the camper is not radioactive, the humidity created such a haze that the photos look as though we were floating in a cloud. The first shot is of the BEAUTIFUL air conditioner. lol



This is the front of the camper, citronella lantern burning on the ground...it's not a "rogue flame" as it appears in the photo!

(And for those of you "die hard" campers who do NOT believe it is REAL camping without a tent and no electricity, I will just say to you, "NA NA NA NA NA!" The tent campers were sweltering, cranky and perpetually looking for shade, while we sat comfortably and cool-y (is that a word?) in the a/c.)

Webster (like US) appreciates the cooler air. The puppy loved his jaunts on the bike trails, but was always happy to come back to the "refrigeration unit" for meals and cool veggin'! Before the weekend was over, the little guy wasn't feeling too well. We don't know if the heat got to him or what it was, but he seems to be better now. We were certainly worried about him, but I began thinking that the heat has the same effect on me...(I will spare you the gorey details...suffice to say, it is an ADVERSE effect...) Anyhoo, we are once again in the cold bliss of our "cave temperature" home, cool as the proverbial cucumber.

Speaking of "home", I'd like to show you the sketch my dear daughter Leah made for my little Home ATC project. She is such a sweetie...



I'm hoping she sends with it the explanation...it's a bit "sappy" and sentimental, but oh so perfect! I'll share it with you when it arrives...

Meanwhile, I was working on more ATCs while away this weekend...I have some vintage Alice in Wonderland images I'm using...I just love them! The floral print design is from the back of a prima transparency package. Really beautiful...certainly you don't THROW THEM AWAY?!?!

Here are a couple of my ATCs for your perusal:




The Mad Hatter is hands down my favorite character in the story...for, some would say, obvious reasons!

More soon!


Peace!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

I WON! I WON! I WON!

Greetings dear reader!

I am writing to you "LIVE" from the "winner's circle" at Creative Breathing! Elizabeth is famous (or should I say, "infamous") for her puzzle giveaways. Well, I am miserably terrible at puzzles...especially things like Rhebus puzzles, (picture puzzles) etc. However, I am PERSISTENT. So I guessed. And guessed. And guessed again. In fact, I guessed so many times I don't know WHAT the right answer was...but I WON! I WON!

Can YOU figure it out? Here's the clue:

PUZZLE: This garland is keeping a secret. What is the secret it is trying to tell you?

HINT: THE ORNAMENTS APPEAR OUT OF ORDER in the instructional post, but are hanging in the correct order below. Why is this?



Isn't it the cutest little thing? AND it's red and aqua! I am beyond thrilled! You really need to go check out Beth's blog posts for this garland...she even included patterns! I personally think they are beyond me, but many of you are not the sad seamstresses I am!

Speaking of sad seamstresses, I have completed my first sewing project...which consisted of several parts:

1. Figure out how to thread the sewing machine.
2. Figure out how the bobbin/tension work on the sewing machine
3. Figure out how you sew AND control the foot pedal at the same time.
4. Read the pre-printed instructions for the pre-printed project.
5. Sew the project.

Okay, bear in mind that in Beginner's Sewing I had to turn in my sewing project 4 times to get a "D". Yes. Sad. But, well...to quote the illustrious Bill Murray, aka BOB, from "What About Bob"(who was deathly afraid of water and then decided, to conquer his fear (so that he could be near the daughter of his beloved psychiatrist) strapped himself to the mast of a sailboat) and cried, "I'm SAILING! I'm SAILING!" The very same words were squealed as I successfully accomplished the above 5 steps, AND created something that actually RESEMBLES the pattern! "I'M SEWING! I'M SEWING!"You may stand and raise a raucous cheer here)



So, without further adieu: (drumroll please...)

(insert Space Odyssey 2001 music here)

BEHOLD, THE APRON!


Apron Front
Apron Reverse


Apron Detail

And a couple of peeks from my art journal (me thinks I am on a proverbial "roll" as far as stitching goes!) I bought artist canvas by the yard at JoAnn Fabrics, (waaaaaay cheaper that way). and then cut the pieces to about 8.5 x 11, just to paint, stamp, and embellish. They can be cut to size later.

If you click on the pictures, you can see much more detail. I used Distress Paints for the background, and inks, glimmer sprays, and distress inks for the stamps. I have used rubons, fabric swatches, hand-dyed ribbon, and other embellishments (I'm not NEARLY done with the embellishing!)

More soon!

Peace!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

THE NOTION OF "HOME"

Greetings, dear reader!

If you are reading this, (and you know who you are!) I would like to ask a favor of you...read on!

I was out yesterday walking Webster, and it occured to me how very lucky I am to live in a relatively safe area in a relatively safe town, and how fortunate and blessed I am to have 750 sq feet of dry, comfortable shelter. And then I thought that the idea of "home" evokes such warm and safe feelings for me...So what is it that makes our little house a home and not just "shelter"?

So many things came racing to mind...and then I thought, "I would LOVE to have an art journal full of ATCs with the theme of "home"! I could make them all, but I want to know what friends and family members think when they hear the word, "home."

So here's the favor: Would YOU, gentle reader, do me the honor of creating for me an Artist Trading Card with the theme "home"? I'm asking for just one 2.5 x 3.5 little piece of art...that captures your heart for "home." I will include it in my art journal and display it here on my blog and on my Facebook page. AND I will send each person who contributes a little RAK as a thank you!

Consider it a therapy assignment. Consider it a favor for a friend...consider it a chance to creatively think about the notion of "home" and make it visual. Whichever of these scenarios that motivate or inspire you, please take to heart and begin! (The excuse: "I'm no artist" is not acceptable.)

I'd like all ATCs to me by the end of July. That gives us all time enough to think, process and do! I believe most all of my readers know my snail mail addy, if not, please email me and I'll be glad to send it to you. I am hoping some of my international readers join in the fun! (If postage costs are prohibitive ( from wherever you are), let me know and I will help defray the costs!) SUCH a deal!

So in summary, here are the details:

1. Mail to me a single 2.5 x 3.5 ATC.
2. The theme is "HOME"
3. Due by the end of July
4. RAK will be sent your way!

I will be posting sneak peaks of my art journal in the meantime...thanks in advance!




XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

CRAFTS FROM YESTERYEAR

Greetings, dear readers!

I have been feeling a bit nostalgic lately...missing my mom and dad, my family...my sisters. And so I've been thinking about the crafts we used to do as a group in VBS and Sunday School...simpler things in simpler times. At least, it seems so to me...

Anyway, while I've not undertaken the matchstick cross or the loop-de-loop potholders (yet), I have remembered a little craft that has become once again "all the rage": pom pom creatures.

Yes, it's true, the little yarn fuzzies have found their way into my heart...I wasn't sure I remembered how to make them...the ready-made pom poms just aren't "right" for the kinds of little animals I'm thinking about. So I purchased a tiny blue skein of yarn, and did what I remembered...I wrapped the yarn around two fingers, tied it tightly in the middle, and then began snipping.

I decided I needed to make a little bird who could sit beneath the shade of the mushrooms. I'm not sure why he came out with a beret and paint palette, but I believe he'll act as a "creative muse" while I sit at my craft table...



Exhausted from the photo shoot (I am only showing you two of a dozen or so photos snapped), he decided to sit a bit...



This little bluebird truly makes me happy...who'd have thought that the resurrection of pom pom crafts could be so cute?

Thanks for stopping by! Stop by again when you'll hear Mr. Bluebird say, "I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!"


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

NEW "MUST HAVE" TECHNO GADGET

Greetings, dear readers!

Here is my latest and greatest new techno-gadget purchase:



It's a printer! Isn't it the coolest thing? It prints on 2x3 sticker paper that develops as it prints...no ink cartridge! It connects directly to your cell phone or camera! It has its own lithium battery, and can print up to 15 photos on one wireless charge. The photo paper is inexpensive too...only 4.99 for a 10 pack.

FINALLY a printer I can take with me everywhere!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare

ATC ANCESTOR SWAP

Greetings, dear reader!

I am participating in Red Lead's Antique Ancestor ATC Swap! Here are the ATCs to be traded:




Here is a peek at an art/inspiration journal I've begun:



More soon! Hugs and a kiss!


XOXOXOX



Paula Clare