Encaustic ATC's of My Classmates

These are some ATC's my classmates made in the encaustic ATC class I took. I love each and every one of them. Each are so diferent. I just want to say thank you to all for letting me include them here on my blog. I so enjoyed meeting and learning with everyone.

I love how old keys are embedded along with safety pins, etc. in the wax. It is so easy to embed metal, butons, etc. I wanted to grab all my found metal and go to town.

I fell in love with the way you could play with the wax. All the colors could swim together then would cool in these beautiful abstract ways.

There is a little of everything here. You can tell how she experimented with all the different techniques we were offered in class.

My Encaustic ATC's

Here are a couple of my encaustic ATC's. So much fun! I made more but the pictures were taken at night in my hotel room and turned out all crummy, a couple I gave away and forgot to take their picture, so these will have to do for today. I am off to see a couple of the boys to deliver winter clothes and enjoy lunch with them. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Journals & a Giveaway

One of the really cool things about Art of the Carolina's is the vendor show. Starting on Friday the vendors open up selling and demonstrating all their beautiful art supplies. Each vendor has "show" specials where products are greatly reduced, usually 50%. They discount all of their products for the show. I come here every year even if I am not taking classes so that I can buy supplies.

The vendors include Golden's, Liquidtex, Ambersand, R&F, Strathmore and on and on, to name a few. This year at the Strathmore booth they had a whole tablefull of journals. Of course I had to check it out. There were small jourals - 3 by 4, medium journals - 5.5 by 8, and large journals - 9 by 12. They had them made out of Bristol , Bristol Vellum, Watercolor paper 90 lb. and 140 lb., and a Mixed media journal that could take just about anything and still have the pages lay flat after drying. I liked the fact that they were spiral bound and would lay flat. It makes working in them so easy. Even better I liked the price! $2.00, $4.00, and $ 7.00 for the really big one. I am in heaven. I oohed and ahhed so that the kind man in the booth gave me a couple extras.

I would love to pass one on to one of you. So leave a comment and Tuesday I will pick a winner for a blank Journal. Please leave me a way to get in touch with you. ALSO, starting January 1st Strathmore is offering FREE online Visual Journal Workshops. You can go to: www.strathmoreartist.com/vjworkshop2011

to learn more and register. Just thought I would throw that out there. It looks like a lot of fun.

Good bye Home....

Last chick's room

Thursday at lunch I said goodbye to the "house." It was devoid of furniture, the floors were vaccumed and washed, the refrigerator clean. It was waiting for it's new family. It was time to move on to new things, but a time to stop and recognize all the fun and laughter that the boys and I shared here. Watching youngest chick grow from a child to a young man. As I left the key on the counter, the house whispered "goodbye."

After I left the house I headed for Raleigh North Carolina. I had treated myself to three days of workshops at Art of the Carolinas. It is put on by Jerry's Artarama. Workshops by various national artists and a great vendor show all at one venue - The Hilton. I figured I would need to pamper myself after the stress of packing, sorting and moving.

Yesterday I got the call that the closing went smoothly, the house was sold, the new owners were thrilled. I went to my second encaustic class with wings on my feet. I will download the photos from class next. I can't wait to share them with you, but first brunch with an old friend.

The Thrifty Door

Thought I would share just the door from a few days ago post for you. You know how I love doors. I have a bunch I have taken in the past month or so and have been putting together. I will be sharing them with you soon.....

Thanksgiving Freebies

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I can hardly believe it. Now that most of the house stuff is finished I am thinking about Thanksgiving. I am planning on spending that time with my family. This year I have so much to be thankful for.

Today I thought I would share some of my Turkey pictures with you. I have always found the turkey so ugly that he is cute. In real life they are very fast. Every time I see them in the wild they are gone before I can even get my camera out. Hope you enjoy these images. I am going to make name tags with them for our Thanksgiving table.

Start the day with...Thriftiness

Last night was the last night in my house. Today the movers are coming to finish packing and whisk away my bed. Yesterday was bittersweet watching the contents of my house slowly being packed and put on a truck. My house will be happier I think. It needs a family to fill it with laughter and memories.

This morning I wanted to share this utility barn with you. I think it is so clever the way they used part of an old metal sign to cover the front and the door. How thrifty is that? True recycling going on here. When I stumbled upon this barn I realized the old cliche of "thinking outside the box" for a solution was alive and well!

An Afternoon Drive...

A country road here in North Carolina. The open road holds so much promise. A surprise around every turn. Today I was able to get out and leave the boxes and packing behind and just enjoy the day. I feel like most of the summer and fall I have missed. The beach is not the best place to enjoy the fall colors, so a little road trip was needed.

I found this tree down a dead end road. I loved the contrast of the gold against the blue sky. It had rained a few minutes before and you can see the clouds moving away as the sun comes out. It was a beautiful fall day.


Hidden up a bank an old Tobacco Barn. These sat on the edge of the fields. Large "sticks" fit into notches along the walls all the way up the barn. The tobacco plants were/are attached to the sticks and set in the notches to dry or cure. This was quite a dirty job. Everyone - children included joined in to get the crop in. I see these barns and they represent so much of the history of North Carolina.

I thought I would include this shot. The contrast of the green and red was stunning. Hope you enjoyed a taste of the day.

Kanji - Rain

The packers spent all day furiously packing. I spent all day furiously gathering up things to take with me. It was a long and rainy day here. I was glad for night fall. Tonight I thought I should hobble upstairs and go through my computer desk before they pack it all away. At some point I realized "Oh no!" I will not have a scanner for a few months. So, I have been scanning a few things and sending them to my laptop.

On my computer desk were a few of the Kanji books I found at one of the library sales. I found this "rain" and thought it was a great way to end the evening. They are calling for rain again tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it lets up while the movers load. Also, please keep all those poor people in Haiti in your thoughts as they go through the next few days.

It is Voting Day Here in the United States

Hard to believe we are back at the polls telling our representatives what we want to see in the next few years. This is a big election for both parties. I am just proud that I can vote. It wasn't that long ago that our great grandmothers and grandmothers were out picketing and having hunger strikes so that we could have this privilege.

My father is a lawyer and spent part of his career writing laws an amendments. He and my mother instilled a deep appreciation of the law and the right to vote. Not once did I ever learn who either voted for, but we have lively discussions around the kitchen table about the issues and candidates.

I thought today would be fitting to share one of my personal heroes with you. You have probably heard of her, but I thought today of all days would be a good day to share her with you. Her name is Alice Paul. She was born in 1885 to Quaker parents. She grew up on a farm in Paulsdale New Jersey. It was an idyllic life.

The Quakers believe that men and women are equal. They also support both men and women seeking a higher education. Alice Paul was able to attend Swarthmore College where she got a degree. From there she attended the University of Pennsylvania where she received a MA and a PhD. Then it was off to Washington College of Law for a LLB and American University for a LLM doctorate. Whew!


After school she did an internship in England. There she met several suffragettes and learned the art of picketing, fasting, and getting arrested. They believed that the more attention and press they drew the more people would join in with them. Back in the United States she joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association. As they were not able to get the job done she formed the National Women's Party.

They began to picket outside the White House and soon were arrested and sent to jail. There the suffragettes were beaten, force fed when they fasted and generally abused. There have been several movies made about this particular fight. Each worth viewing. Finally released due to public pressure. The idea of women voting became a national topic.

The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was passed in 1920. Shortly after this Alice Paul became the original author of the Equal Rights Amendment. It first went up for vote in 1922. Not till 1972 was it taken seriously and was passed. 38 states had to ratify the amendment for it to pass. Alice Paul passed away in 1977. Seeing her beloved Amendment passed yet not ratified. The Equal Rights Amendment was given an extension till 1982, it has come up before Congress every term. The Equal Rights Amendment has still not been ratified. I personally find this to be shocking!


Alice Paul and the suffragettes left us a legacy of women's rights. They have given us a voice. If you do not vote you are not using your voice. Today and every day I want to hear your voices - voting for the things that make this world a better place for women and the people that mean so much to us. Sing!

Thank you so much Alice Paul and the women who stood beside you for the rights you have given me.

Happy Halloween!

This is one way to travel

Love her pink dress. Ooh so scary!

What a dance partner...

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Hope you have a wonderful day full of tricks and treats! Myself - a few snickers and some of those wonderful popcorn balls I only have this time of year will suit me just fine.

Four Letter Words - Eeek!

A Garden Party

I was enchanted by the yellow and purple color theme in the children's garden. At any moment I was expecting Alice or the Rabbit to come running by. I wanted to sit and read a book all afternoon here.

Along one of the many paths this water feature purred along. It reminded me of a piece of candy.

A garden is not complete without a water feature. This is a water feature. I love the copper dragon. The pond is full of things to delight. The water lilies were in bloom and were stunning. [I will share one of those with you this week.]

Speaking of things in the water. My goodness these had to be seen to be believed. They were huge. Most were over a foot long. All different colors, White, Orange, Scarlett, Scarlett and Black, Yellow, and every conceivable combination. We went to feed them and they gathered like we were handing out gold. My friend told me that many were donated or found refuge here when they out grew the home pond.

The children' s garden is complete with this playhouse. I love the purple pots with the yellow. I am going to try this color combination in my next home. It was so elegant.

I had to include these large mushrooms. Alice where are you?

Friday night my friend Miranda invited me to be her guest at the Fish Fry for the Volunteers at the Arboretum. I was so honored. She is a Master Gardener and volunteers there regularly[among all the other things she does]. During a difficult relationship I had found refuge there several years ago. Boy, had those volunteers been busy reworking the beds, adding hard structures, painting since then. It was beautiful. What a wonderful gift they have given our city.

I hope you will enjoy some of my pictures. The fresh fish dinner was delicious. They had a blue grass band serenade us, the weather was perfect. A wonderful way to honor the volunteers and enjoy the last blooms of fall. Several of my pictures were taken just at that moment when the day becomes night. Enjoy!

On the Homefront - Digital Collage

On the Homefront

Thought I would take a moment and share with all of you what has been going on with me. A small explanation of my lack of presence here on my blog lately. After coming home from the rehabilitation facility for my hip, days and weeks of ongoing physical therapy life began to return to normal... or so I thought.

Before breaking my hip I had put my "too large for me" house on the market. Figuring with the way the real estate market is it would be a while till it sold. After breaking my hip I honestly did not give it too much thought. As the showings mounted up I would just explain that "I broke my hip, I am recovering, excuse the mess." Life went on.

Low and behold I got an offer, a good offer, and the contracts were signed. The biggest catch was you are to be out in less than 30 days, yes that is thirty days. Panic, relief, sadness, and joy hitting all in a matter of seconds. So dear friends I am leaving behind my lovely house and starting a new journey.

This new journey should be quite exciting. However to take the first steps I am packing, sorting, donating, throwing out and generally in "get out of here mode." I have finally made it through the five large boxes of mail from when I broke my hip and will be posting soon about that. You have made me laugh and cry with your generosity.

The next week or so will be busy and pretty sleepless I am sure. I am putting all but a few things in storage. I do not have a new home lined up so will be relying on the generosity of friends and family for a while till I figure out where I will settle. I have my computer, printer, camera, and a few art supplies ready to take with me. Wish me luck....and I will be posting more often, sharing this journey.

Forgotten Beauties - Freebies

Isn't she just lovely? Peeking out behind the corner? I love these actress cards.

She looks so coquettish in her hat and dress. I love the natural look she has. So unforced.

This stunner reminds me of my grandmother. She had the same eyes and hair. She took great pride in the way she looked. Never leaving home without full lipstick and jewelery.

What is the fun in being an actress if you can't dress up a little in a few kooky outfits? Wear something spectacular on your head?

A little french beauty. She looks so young to me.

Thought I would end where I started with Pauline Chase. She was able to portray so many moods.


This week I am back in full force. It has been busy and strange around here - I will leave all of that for another post. Every time I turn on the television there is some cool creepy movie on. I guess being October and all this is the perfect time to show them. I have enjoyed the older scary flicks, the women with there exaggerated makeup and screams.

I thought I would post some of these actress collector cards. The movie studios and the playhouses would pass them out to generate interest. Sort of like baseball cards but for actresses. How cool is that?

Sitting and Thinking....

Today as I sat down to do a little journaling I began to think about how important these little books we carry around with us are. I have several journals. An art journal, an idea journal, a to do journal, a recipe journal, etc... You get the idea. Lately I have been working on a journal with daily thoughts, ideas, recipes, and tips for little things. This journal evolved during my rehab visit and then the first few weeks home. Unable to get to my art supplies upstairs, this journal was more of a glue book.

As I finished it up this morning I thought about what changes this journal and I had seen and would I continue to create like this or go back to my arty, painting style. I decided that there is room in my life for both. Most important is to journal. I thought I would share a page or two from so other peoples journal's with you today. I hope they inspire you to journal.

Emily Bronte - The Night the Storms has Past. Can't you see her sitting at a table writing down her thoughts, fears, an impressions of that night. Just like we sit and write our impressions and thoughts of what is going on with us in our journals. Not so different is it?

This is from what they call the Drake Manuscripts. An explorer's impressions written in his journal of a land and people he could hardly imagine. I love how in one quick journal page he has given us an image that portrays the people, how they live, the flora and fauna, this is a great journal page!

Mark Twain has written this little ditty in his journal for a book he is helping to write. I love Mr Clemen's work. My grandmother would have me read Mark Twain's work to her when she was ironing. Our favorites were The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The White Elephant.

John Ruskin jotted in his journal some detail work for a project he was working on. Does this not sound familiar fellow artists?

Mr. Poe working on his poem/story - Tamerlane. Working through his thoughts, the kinks, to come up with a masterpiece.

Last, but definitely not least Calder's notes on one of his amazing mobile sculptures. I love how he has used crayons to color his notes as the sculpture is also in these colors.

Digital Collage - The Gatherer

the gatherer

Thought we would start out the week with a little digital collage. I am starting to feel the spirit of the season. Hope everyone had a beautiful Fall weekend. [hat by Paper Whimsy]

Several people had asked me about the background of this piece. I painted the background, scanned into my computer, then played with it in Photo Shop adding several other layers till I liked it.

Some Halloween Freebies....

I realized this morning we are already a week into October and I had not shared any Halloween images. My bad. As those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know this is one of my favorite holidays. It is not the idea of witches, but the dressing up and getting candy that I have always loved. The whole concept of dressing up and being someone you are totally not. My boys were so enthusiastic about the costumes and gathering of treats it became very contagious. We went all out decorating the house and throwing parties. Our family has three birthdays all in the week of Halloween. Lots of little ghosties at my house. Here are a few images to get the spirit started. Enjoy!

I love this little girl with the owl on her shoulder doing magic tricks.

What is Halloween without a few witches and a broom or two? I like the white cat instead of a black cat, very different.

The imps and pumpkin's faces really make this. Halloween is a time to be a little mischievous.

Too funny! The cat's collar just cracks me up. I want to know what cat would wear that for more than 2 seconds?

Mr Moon is so beautiful in this card. Hope you enjoy these and can use them in your art work!