{ My MiNuTia }

Favorites of late

Summer is nicer to my toes and feets because of this.  Seriously. Smells great, too. It's like a little bit of heaven.

 Who doesn't love with Mrs. Meyers any and everything? It's lemony fresh smell. So glad it's at my local Super Target now, too. The hand lotion sits next the kitchen sink.

Now this ....well...it's my secret. I've used b CONFIDENT hairspray for years. The Pink one. The blue can is too heavy for my taste. The pink one though...it's "just right". Great for blondes because it's so light. You can apply it lightly, wait a bit, then add more. Add it in layers like that. Their packaging is inspirational and their website is, too.

 This Kabuki Make up Brush. It's adorable and it's kischy....lof it. 

Their Pink Leopard Bronzer is really great, too. All of their bronzers are, but Pink Leopard is for us fair skinned girls.

Speaking of changing colors this time of year...I pick up a box of of Tan Towels whenever I go to my hair salon. They work really great....not orange at ALL. Once in a while I smell that "smell" you get from self tanners, but very minimal and doesn't last long. For best results (for me anyway): put on normal lotion then wait a few minutes and use the towellettes (fair skin) afterwards. This means so lines or streaking.

 

Mr. McFreckleson

But we just call him Freckles, for short. Meet the newest member of the McFam.

He is a Robo Hamster. So tiny. Oh my goodness. He's just a fluffball, 2 1/2 inches long? Something like that. No tail...whew.

Maybe we will get a full body photo so you can see how tiny he really is. He's a cutie...as far as hamsters go!

Busy hands

The Party of Five Collage at The Art Mill was sooo nice on Saturday. 

  

Minds were focused and hands were busy...

 Everyone was all shy but wanted a group canvas shot.

Then the smiles came out and we got this:

Omaha girls are so creative and so sweet! It was a fabulous workshop! Thanks to all those girls who joined me. You guys were so great!!

One thing that hit me when I was editing these photos was how great the light was in The Art Mill Studio. So much natural light! I wonder if that was planned when she sought out her studio location? I hope to teach another workshop there again. Their July calendar up, and I see a couple of classes I'd love to take. Definitely going to work one or two in my schedule.

The rest of my weekend was all about A Journal of Interest E-Zine prep. I mentioned somewhere that this E-Zine was going to be "amped up" and that involves lots of effort of course. I welcome the challenge!

Here's a peek at the journal (first project) for this E-Zine. Hello color! One of my favorites types of journals to make. The rest of the projects will be focusing on actual pages.

The big launch for this journal E-Zine is today!

A New E-Zine!

Time to energize those upcoming dog days of Summer and it's time for a fresh new E-Zine!

So let's say you made a journal (or bought one you love) and you are yearning to fill it with beautiful art inspired pages. But you hesitate. You are afraid or nervous...and to be honest, you don't know what to do next.

Or maybe you've created art journals in the past and just haven't "wowed" yourself with your pages. Instead of making interesting pages in that journal, you just let it sit on the shelf. Sigh. If this is you, then I encourage you to subscribe to The Journal of Interest E-Zine.

The best part is, this E-Zine is amped up and ready to rock! This E-Zine (or E-Course) is loaded with creative journaling techniques, step by step how to's, printables to add to your art journal, and more. We'll share pages with each other (if you want to that is), create a journal,  and fill it with meaningful pages. We will focus on techniques you can use again and again in your treasured journals. Don't forget the giveaways and favorite shopping hot spots!

If you liked The Write Place, Write Time E-Zine, this would be a similar version, but will feature new techniques!! Can you tell I'm excited? It's been over two months since I've offered a new -Zine and I am focused and soooo ready...

The fun begins Monday, June 29! Get more details and subscribe: here!

love old stuff

Just a reminder that I'll be teaching a mixed media collage: Party of 5, this weekend at The Art Mill. This Saturday, June, 27, from 10-12:30.

You can get the workshop details on The Art Mill's website: here. I'm gathering supplies for Saturday. I've been loading up on some vintage treasures...from far far away for this workshop. I can't wait!  

Lastly, I just wanted to show you this vintage holy water bottle I got recently. I used a 50 mm lens for some reason, and so now the top of the bottle isn't as clear, but I think you can still see it's a crown on the cork.

Here's another look:

Again, blurry crown...but you can read the bottle now. I bought it (on Etsy) thinking it'd be a great addition to my growing collection and I could put single roses or wild flowers in it. But now that I see the silver crown stopper, I love it as is. I should get some holy water to put inside it, huh? Anyway, love unexpected surprises like that, don't you?

Weekend

Hope you had a great weekend! We did!

We picked up our summer camper Friday night. He had the best time, and came home an absolute filth ball everyday.

Oh he looks reasonably clean in that photo, but this photo tells the ugly truth.

Most days the rest of him matched this photo! Blech. I tried washing/bleaching the socks, but ended up throwing them out. Impossible! Let's change the subject quickly now.

Made these yummy brownies. They sounded so good and I had to give them a try. Glad I did.

Thanks Charlotte! I doubled the recipe, too, and it's a good thing. They are almost gone.

Sunday we went to The French Cafe for brunch in the Old Market. So great. The kids were pretty wide eyed when watching the waiters and appreciated the restaurant's ambiance. Of course we all love their pomme frites. This guy had a good day.

Last night we finally watched Gran Torino, good movie. An especially good guy flick. Today, I'm working on the next E-Zine. Details coming later this week!

That Sara

Meet Sara. My new Blythe doll. She came a couple weeks ago and I had to share her here! So delighted with her and all of her oddness and uniqueness.

I suppose she is a continuation of the whole issue I've been having the past few months. Daughters, Mothers, Sisters... and all of the emotional associated with my baby girl heading off to college in a month and a half. Maybe not. Maybe it's just Summer fun!?

My son named her Sara. I was hoping for a more regal or Shakespearean name, but he sorta insisted. Not Sarah, not Sera, not Seara, but Sara. Okay. I love that name!

Dressing her is a complete blast. I have been a bit obsessive in gathering outfits for her. Isn't this dress so great? So Ed Hardy-ish.

 Totally loving that Sara.

Painting Crush

So whenever I find a few moments to myself lately (which isn't much), this is what I've been doing.

In my art saga of painting what comes to mind, it seems like the little girls of last week have grown into women.

The old vanity and velvet chair in the background are a recent treasure I picked up last week at Le Marche. They had a special French Flea Market sale and this was sitting outside, calling my name! I need to do something with it, just not sure what quite yet. Not sure what to do with that purple and can't decide if I like it or not!?

Back to the paintings...yes. They looked right at home on that chair! I am enjoying both of them at the moment, but hope to be adding them to the website soon. Maybe. :)

Farmers Market

Forest colored ivy, cobblestone walkways, brick roads rich in history, and artistic connotations of The Old Market create the perfect stage for just about anything. In this case, it's The Farmer's Market. 

My Sister in Law was in town, so we took her with us! The sidwalks were very crowded. It was College World Series weekend here...that would be why! First stop was veggie central.

The homegrown veggies are looking extra gorgeous and very tempting. I had to laugh to myself while I stood in a huge line for a pound of fresh mixed spring greens from these folks. "I'm standing in line to buy lettuce. Crazy".

See those wild green vines? Garlicscape. You are supposed to eat the bud and a bit of the vine. We weren't that courageous. Sorta creepy looking isn't it. Maybe next time. Has anyone cooked with it before?

Didn't buy onions either, but they looked interesting and plentiful. Next time for sure. We got a bag of tomatoes and some asparagus. Can't wait to try the farmer's recipe for them.

Moving on to flowers on parade.

If you say you don't like peonies, then I don't think we can continue our friendship. Gaaaaaaaaah! Okay one last chance to convince you...how about a face full of peonies?

$12.00 for half a dozen, cut that morning. Are you serious? That was a steal. Whole Foods probably buys them from this guy...seriously.

Blurry...oh well. So colorful against the black backdrop I couldn't resist sharing.

 

A quick pause to admire sweet sunny daisies. So innocent and happy.

We walked past these two Saturday morning landmarks too many times to count. Check out the chair of the guy on the left.

Favorite song they sang "Bobbie McGee".

"Be right back hon." You just keep stuffing your face with that pie plate sized apple fritter from the Greek Bakery, while I take a detour at Nouvelle Eve. An Old Market landmark.

Boutiqu-a-licious for the fashion forward. I got a great skirt. It looks a lot like that peonies in your face picture above. So I return to find hubby and my favorite nun in deep thought watching something coming out of a big barrel. Do they look like brother and sister or what?

They are watching this barrel like a hawk...

After a few sips we were all feeling much better. Totally hit the spot. Giddy even! We got a big bottle to take home.

Fresh locally brewed old fashioned rootbeer. What did you think it was?

Every time we leave this part of our little city I kick myself and wonder why I don't come down more often. It's far away from my home turf, and I am not a fan of driving...oh yeah that's why. Luckily hubs get it and takes us down there a lot in the Summer. Thanks bud! Can't wait to go again.

Just Smile.

Silly I know, but it's a great Summer weekend, and silly is good.

Earlier this week, we went to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City for the day. Perfect weather! My daughter and I had our caricatures drawn by one of the Midwest's most talented caricature artists. Well, that's what he said anyway. Who were we to judge? Not sure which was more interesting, looking at Ben's work, peeking into his supply bin, or listening to him.

Being that I'm so drawn to faces in artwork lately, I thought I'd just share this and, maybe make you smile a little!  

The Comforter

Well, I finally finished the painting. I so enjoyed the process, once I found one that worked for me.

Here's another photo. These both have some major mica highlights going on...sorry about that. It's just the reflection!

Maybe a close up is better.

I look forward to painting more this Summer. Started another one, but no pix to share yet.

I also started reading Twilight yesterday. Oh boy. Yes, it was the big book of last year, and no I don't care that I'm probably the last person on the earth to read it. I was worried I wouldn't have a good book to read this Summer! Have had troubles finding one that's "just right" for me. I really don't see myself as a vampire-loving kinda gal, but maybe I was wrong. It's creepy good, isn't it?

And I just wanted to say *thank you* to everyone who's been subscribing to The Write Place, Write Time E-Zine! I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to a sequel, soon. :) 

Painting

It's been a long time since I've rock and rolled. A really long time! I used to paint much more than I do now. So I've been wanting to paint something...and then the subject of what to paint overtakes the thoughts.

These thoughts go on for days, weeks, if I let them. So just do it...pick something and paint it. So I am. This canvas doesn't even look like this anymore, but fun to show the process, right?

My thoughts are full (and I mean full) of images all related to daughters...sisters...moms. It's really sorta funny when I stop and think about it. Daughter leaving for school in a couple of months, sister and mom just here for a visit...see? So when that's what on my mind, that's where the art goes.

100 Aprons

 

100 Aprons is the suggested attire for Bella Market during Silver Bella! The attendees are invited to "dress the part" and wear an apron! Hopefully they will be created and worn by all! Of course it's optional, but knowing this group of very excited Bellas, there will be way more than 100 aprons!

As soon as I'm able, I'll post the fun contests for that evening and details on the Silver Bella Blog: over here.

P.S. For now, pop over to the Silver Bella Blog and check out that list of Vendors coming! Gaaa! 

A class for the locals

Hey, so great news for you locals and those in the Omaha vicinity. I'm going to be teaching a fresh new workshop: Party of 5 Canvas. I'm very excited about this for a couple of reasons! Firstly, the class details and then the venue details...

 

Party of 5 Canvas

If mixed media and exploring new techniques interest you, then I hope you will join me in creating a collaged art canvas together. We will work with a variety of mediums such as patterned papers (new and old), paint, charcoal, mica, glazes, wire and more. We will also explore some of my very favorite collage techniques, color theories and personal symbolism! This canvas features vintage German dolls as the focal point. Bring your own small dimensional items to adhere to your canvas, or purchase dolls from me at class (limit 5 dolls per student). If you would like to purchase dolls in class, please let me know how many you need so I can have them for you. Think 2 dolls for a couple, or 1, 2 or 3 for children, or a doll for each member of your family, etc.

 

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

 

Workshop Fee $50.00 includes: 10x20x1 1/4" canvas (other sizes available if you prefer), wire, papers, mica, glaze, paints and use of tools. Feel free to bring any special papers or dimensional embellishments to use on your canvas.

 

Vintage German Dolls: $6.00 each (please preorder when registering)

 

Date of Workshop: Saturday, June 27, 10-12:30

 

Register by calling: The Art Mill at (402) 932-7846

 

Here's a couple more photos:

 

 

 

Students can create any background they want on their large canvas...I used my current favs. Really looking forward to connecting and teaching locally. I haven't done that in a while (except for Silver Bella)!

 

 

Now a bit about the venue. The Art Mill is a fabulous and adorable creative art studio in Omaha. I'm so glad that we have this thriving art niche here. I'm proud to be a little part of the Omaha art community. Which is ever growing, YAY!

 

This studio and boutique offers all sorts of classes like watercolor, painting, drawing, pottery, art therapy...and more. It's new and it's fresh and the Owner, Jane, is a real peach. She is! I'm honored to be asked to teach at The Art Mill. You can get more info on their website: here.

 

If you have questions about my Party of 5 Canvas Workshop, email me! 

 

Run for the Roses

I gotta show off my roses. I know, I know...everyone is showing their flowers on blogs lately. It's that time of the year! So read on. It gets better... 

 Just a little fertilizer and poof...two weeks later it's a pink explosion!

  I only wish you could smell them!

So I cut them and bring them inside. Look what I noticed yesterday.

The petals have fallen around the nuns. I see the obvious...that the roses are fully bloomed and shedding their petals...but I like to think it means more. Much more. What does it mean to you? Symbolism...gotta love it.

Are you in the write place?

Last Summer The Write Place, Write Time E-Zine (electronic magazine) was released right about this time. Hundreds of us focused on our journals and filled them with beautiful pages!

Throughout this past year, I have rec'd. many requests from people who wanted to subscribe to this E-Zine. I also had many inquiries about having a part two in this creative journaling series. I can't wait to begin that! And will soon.

For now, I'm delighted to bring this issue back for those who missed out. You can get the complete details on the website: over here. Just click on "E-Zines" in the top menu bar. 

Here's a peek at some of the pages from this E-Zine:

  If you are looking for fresh and fab ideas for your journal pages, check it out!

The cat in the hat

This hat has been popular around here lately. Maybe you remember a few posts ago I showed some pix of my oldest son wearing it. Well, this guy likes it too. If it takes a prop or two to get that shot you want, then so be it, right? This shot is sooo him.

I've been taking a really great photo class lead by Allison Tyler Jones the past few months. She is really something...which I already knew...Allison is an amazing photographer and has published a couple of great books on the subject. I'm really out of my league in this class, but love the things I've learned. Thank you, Allison.

So in a recent critique, I submitted the above photo in color. She recommended I crop it a tad more on the bottom and then convert it to black and white. See?

 

The black and white has a cool, classic edge that I like. I have b/w actions to convert it somewhere, but did this one myself. Not too bad. Here's another photo from the same shoot I turned in, but not for critiquing...

Being able to grow and learn in your "hobbies" is really important I think. So this class is a big treat for me. Having a blast, as soon as I get past my perfection issues. Which will probably be never...who are we kidding here?

have you seen this?

Well, for me, it's almost Summer. I can almost feel it. Still have a long list of catchin' up to do after that crazy pills week we just had, but I've been scratching things off, little by little. I can't wait to get time to create again. Freedom! It's so close...I can almost touch it.

Looking forward to trying out a couple jewelry ideas in my head. Have you seen my dear friend Amy Hanna's latest book Rejuvenated Jewels? Mama mia! I have a whole collection of her "pieces". I  call them "pieces" because they are much more than just "jewelry" to me. They are artistic statements.

I wish I had Amy right beside me when I attempt some of the ideas, but that's just not possible at the moment. Amy's book is the next best thing. She walks you through step by step, and twist by twist her favorite techniques. I need that.

Plus, the entire book design and photography is insane. A beautiful work of art. I know how hard she worked on his book...a couple years...until the vision she wanted was "perfect". She has 5 star reviews on Amazon! Great job Amy!