Things I like

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Make Mine Mini Reader Challenge

Yesterday I finished the submission to the Cloth, Paper Scissors reader challenge due Januar 4 and uploaded it today. I have one more project to get done this month, and then it's off to find something else to do! My New Year's resolutions include slowing down a bit. I will really, really try!
For some reason, Blogger has laid her on her side.... even though the original is not like that. Oh, well. I have named her "Delta Dawn" because she reminds me of Delta Dawn, waiting for the fiance who never shows up...

Monday, December 24, 2012

The Sketchbook Project 2013

I have chosen to participate in the Sketchbook Project for 2013, and it's a good thing! It is the last one that will be a traveling exhibit in the manner they have done it. My book is nearly done. It consists of a 34-page journal/sketchbook that is 5x7 in size, and will be a part of a library of thousands of others, available eventually in a permanent library in Brooklyn. I've never even been to Brooklyn! I began the book thinking I would just sketch, zentangle and what-not, but as I have been getting more and more into art journaling, I found the book evolving into a narrative of the year. Of course it contains my portraits of nameless women (and I am trying to learn to draw happier faces) but it also includes my elation at the President's re-election, my sadness at losing my ten-year-old Pomeranian, and includes a tribute to the 20 children in Connecticut. That sketch is also included here. As I end this year (and complete this book) I am consolidating as much of my web activity as I can, and closing the Etsy store. I really want to focus on making art.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Happy Solstice....

Now that we have apparently survived the passage into a new era of some sort, I am making big plans for the coming year. Or perhaps better described as making small plans. I really resolve to try and slow down a bit . The first change is that I will be closing the Etsy store, and de-emphasizing my retailing. I will no doubt keep making stuff, however. I have started a local meet-up group for art journaling, and offer classes for a very small fee including supplies. Journaling, particularly art journaling, is excellent therapy for anyone of any age and I am sold on the activity. The time of the New Year has always been for me a quiet time to reflect, and sometimes to be amazed at the changes in my life during the year just past, and to marvel at the possibilities to come. And at my age, to be ever aware of abilities as well as limitations. I do enjoy sewing from time to time, and am finding pleasure in fiber arts, painting my own fabrics for use in quilting. I have just finished two large quilts but I expect to put more focus on small ones for wall decor, and will share photos from time to time. I have learned a lot from books, such as those by Rebekah Meier, and more on quilt art from Rayna Gillman. Happy 2013, everyone.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

My Little Red House in the Woods series

I find that I love little houses; I get all sorts of little house pictures through a Facebook link, and I have decided it's just okay to paint them. So I am doing lots of them!

Stocking up for Christmas Art Fair

Although I have posted many of my hardware jewelry items at my Etsy Shop (the name of which has now been changed to Friedell Art, just for consistency) I have made many, many more of the gorgeous pendants and am taking them to the Royce City Christmas fair on December 8. I will need a very, very large wheelbarrow! In addition to jewelry, since I'm so ADD-ish, I am taking hand-made watercolor Christmas cards, ATCs, paintings, fabric art, hand-made calendars for 2013 in three sizes, made from paperbags, chipboard and fabric, as well as a few Christmas photo albums in a 4x6 size. I just can't quit making stuff. So, just to keep from going absolutely nuts, I have scheduled my time to try to focus on one type of project at a time for a couple of days each week. Oh, and I also made some charm bracelets with Christmas ornament shapes from Shrinky Dink plastic and alcohol ink. I am thinking of doing a YouTube video about that. I am making my own washi tape and continuing my work on the Sketchbook project, as well as a few swaps, and sewing some fabric pieces (wall hangings) for gifts. It's a busy month for me and some days I just wear myself out completely!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Making jewelry (Who, me?)

Okay, so I got distracted. I definitely didn't get the stuff done that I intended. But I found another rabbit trail to run down and finally got my website changed. I was having major issues with getting Yahoo on the phone, so I just took down the site I was trying to update and built a new one. It's not done, but it's operable. The new rabbit trail I found was making hardware jewelry. Not an original idea, but one I found fascinating. Then yesterday I spent the entire day trying to solder two pieces together. I followed the instructions (all except the one about adequate ventilation. No fans around, no window.) but I couldn't get the solder to melt... except when I finally would get a solder puddle, it was in the wrong place, then no more melting. I'll keep trying. Meanwhile, here's a photo of some of the jewelry I made, and I am thinking about taking it to Canton for the November and December First Mondays. Let me know what you think! I like it and have been wearing a different one every day.
Now, reboot, back to painting fabric.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Beautiful blue skies today...

When I walked out to the studio today I noticed the clear blue skies... and yes, it has been colder. But the north wind must have blown away something because the skies look as clear as West Texas skies. Beautiful. So, armed with that view, I went into the studio and did not come out until 5 p.m. And there's no bathroom in there! But I had a lot to do. I worked on my several websites and Hub Pages and painted some fabric (I only have room to let one piece dry at a time) and photographed tons of things I have been procrastinating about. So, I have new plans for tomorrow: I will actually paint something new. I have several collage pieces in the works, and some pages to prepare for art journals I bind and sell, so my day is lined up for tomorrow. I have to ask for help to get the trash out, and some of the dozen or so boxes I have been saving, just to make more room. And I have a place to clean my stamps now, and finally have all the Etsy inventory photographed to be used there or elsewhere. It was a good day. I hope to have two in a row!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Busy, busy Sunday

I have joined the Sketchbook Challenge, Art Every Day challenge, gotten a couple of modules going on Squidoo, and even signed up for the Sketchbook Project 2013. I truly am feeling optimistic.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

It's Wednesday already!

Yesterday I had a total meltdown! I was working on the family Christmas cards, something I said I'd do, volunteered actually, and worked straight through from 9 a.m. to 4... something I should NOT do. Suddenly the math and the measurements and the stamps and the scissors all jumbled themselves into a heap on the floor. Or so it felt. Boy, I am really grateful for my Pazzles, which today with me in a less harried frame of mind, dutifully cut the mat shapes I need without any argument. My time has been spent sewing art quilts and my paper art projects have been stacking up, so I made a schedule this week. Monday, sew; Tuesday, Christmas cards; Wednesday: (Yaaaay!) Studio time. Time to get back to the encaustics and a couple of acrylic collages I am working on. Some cultures believe we are lucky to be able to grow old. But I find it quite disturbing; I cannot do all the things I want to do in the time I used to be able to do it, and I tend to want to finish one task before beginning another, so I have to schedule accordingly. Otherwise I go nuts with all these things in front of me that I think need doing. But today is Wednesday, glorious Wednesday, and I can play.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tablet covers

I am now felting with gorgeous fibers, and creating covers for tablets as well as other fiber art collage.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Labor Day Weekend is here

After just one week in school, the granddaughters have three days off... and their parents have disappeared into the swamps of Louisiana for a three-day getaway.  So, studio time has to be put on hold a little while yet.  But I can still work on journals.

I just took advantage of a Mixed Media webinar, by the guys at Journal Fodder Junkies, and learned a bunch.  My first art journals are full now, and I am oh, so ready to start new ones with the additional skills I learned from the authors.  The neatest thing (why didn't I think of this?) is to journal with a water-soluble pencil, and then wash a little water over it, to color the page.  Some of the words still show through, then you emphasize one or two of the words with a different colored pen or pencil, embellishing as you wish.  It looks great!  And then transfers on top of that, or stamping.  So journals can therefore be a bit more personal and not so ditto-ish (girly drawing, doodles, one or two words).  I always have had trouble finding just the one or two word headline for a page.  To me, journaling is about writing.  You know, writing words.  This gives the opportunity to do both on the same page the result is both attractive and unique.

I did work on a few paintings last week that have been in the hopper, and have been dying my own fabric pieces for the art quilts.  I guess I still have a lot going on at once.  But I watched yet another tutorial by Daniella Woolf, who does encaustic.

 She seems to have the same ADD issues I have -- wanting to do it ALL RIGHT NOW, so her solution is to give herself assignments, for example for one month she ONLY uses two specific colors in her work.  I can take that and apply it to me, for instance for one week ( a month is too long) I will sew.  Then one week I will paint.  Then one week I will work on albums.  I am going to try this and see if it works for me.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Back to school, and back to the studio for me...

I am planning to continue working on my art quilts, but also have some large collage paintings planned; all that stuff couldn't be brought into the house for the summer, so I will be spending most of my days in the studio starting next Monday.  The only problem is there's no bathroom out there, so that forces me to take breaks, otherwise I probably never would!

Because I am part of a collage group on Yahoo, I have collected some marvelous papers sent from all over the country and, actually some from Australia as well.  I can't wait to put them into paintings combined with my wood ornaments and maybe even some wax.

Journaling again would be nice, too.  I haven't done much of that this summer because I have been cutting strips of fabric and sewing them, then cutting them back up again; it's a new strip quilting method I really like.  Last night I spent a lot of time needle-felting fibers into some of the squares, and applying beads here and there.  I much prefer my own hand-painted fabric to commercial fabrics, but that doesn't mean I haven't accumulated yards and yards of the other stuff.

I'll have great pictures to show soon.  I hope.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Got some help today....

Now finally all my UFOs have been photographed... so I can decide which one to work on next!  It was great to get help from my daughter (and her less-cluttered brain) to figure this process out.  So I will post some of these started-but-not-yet-finished art quilts.  Some will be re-cut and sewn to others, but most will have beads and fibers added before they are considered finished and ready for Etsy!

It's a quiet Sunday, and this week I found some fabulous fibers online and can't wait to see all the finished projects I have in my head turned into real pieces of art.  Last night I painted fabric until 2 a.m. with Sharpies and alcohol... amazing what tools I already have for the ideas I am finding in books on altered surfaces.  Matte medium?  Check.  Rubber stamps?  Check.  Rubbing plates?  Check.  Fabrics for transfer and inkjet printing?  Check.  Fabric paints and acrylic mediums?  Check and check.  So... back to work!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

A bit of fabric and beads

I finally got a few scraps of fabric collage done, enough to photograph.  I will share some of it here...  okay, just one.

I am learning to free-stitch with the sewing machine, and I actually wrote those words with the machine itself!  It can be done.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

A Hoarder's Key to Organizing

I really have been working overtime for the past week and a half, trying to clear out surfaces, old drawers I haven't touched in months, boxes I've stored some things in haphazardly, all the "gonna use someday" stuff... and finally I got down to the project I am working on presently, which is gessoing lots of pages for about five art journals that I have going on.

So today, with the last of the detritus, little stuff... I made myself a promise: if I haven't found a place to put it in a journal by the end of the day, OUT IT GOES!  So I will be busy all day, actually creating collage art.

And the funny thing is, that's when my art is at its best.  I am very pleased with what is happening so far with these pages. 

Clutter doesn't help me, mentally (or physically either, as it turns out, as I exacerbated an old herniated disk this week lifting big containers to high shelves) so I know I will have some great art to show off as a result of this resolution!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Just another magic Sunday

Today has started out much better than yesterday.  I was feeling sorry for myself, and "morosing" all over my art journals.  I did get a video made, although it's not the best I've done.  I am sure I will do it over, but it was on my "overdue" list of things to do.

I discovered another mixed media artist this morning, via my email, and I plan to watch his dvd.  His name is Seth Apter, and he "speaks" to me in a way that I can understand, and many of things he does and has said are as though he has been shadowing me.  It's wonderful to find reinforcement and support from others on similar paths.

My test of the Derwent Artbars against Faber-Castell Gel Sticks is what yesterday's video was about.  There are many more things to be done with the Art Bars than what I showed, so my next video will explore more of  the neato things they offer.  But after all, it's watercolor.  Not acrylic, so unless you mix the last layer with a bit of acrylic medium of some sort, it is forever water soluble. ( Not a good idea, if you are getting caught in the rain, for instance.)

These gel sticks are "like buttah" - but as I say in my video, more like Chapstick.  Great for covering large areas in a hurry. My challenge:   I have to learn not to be in a hurry.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Clearing the decks...

I decided this week, during one of my one-on-one therapy sessions (me to myself) that what I really need to do is clear some of the detritus from my life.  Both physically and mentally.  So, I got the dog groomed, vacuumed away all the stuff she has dragged under the bed, and decided at long last to sell some of the equipment I have.  Not that I haven't been using it, it's that I've been scattered. 

Okay, scatter-brained.  So, I feel much better, even having just made that decision.

I've been hand-sewing at night, too.  It's relaxing, calming while I watch political talk shows and the participants tear away at each other.  I've even been watching a bit of CNN.  Believe me, I'd watch something else if  there was anything; last week I actually watched three movies in succession, but I realized I had seen them all before.  I much prefer YouTube, and if there was a way to surf Pinterest while sewing, I'd do that too.

My Etsy shop has been updated with wood charms and cute little buttons that I am making with the laser engraver, and I've organized all my stamps so that I can find the ones I want without stressing myself out!  In other words, I am really, really trying to do just one thing at a time.  It's hard for me.

Friday, June 1, 2012

We Crafters are Funny if not always organized

Today in one of the many Yahoo groups I subscribe to, there was a brilliant post that I certainly could identify with... we crafters are avid shoppers!  So, with her permission, I am including her post  here.  And I couldn't have said it any better.

"Morning...

Quiet lurker here....but someone finally asked a question fit for someone who is OCD.  Here is my take on "things I learned"

1 - really,really look up what certain things do...for instance if there is only one technique you wanted to do...skip it..make sure it is a product that you can get the most versatility from. I googled and YouTube products to death before making a purchase. Even ask in groups what their opinion is if you have several options and not sure which one to get..I went through this AFTER buying my 3rd cutter!!!!! Should of asked first time around!

2 - if it's not on sale or clearance..don' t buy it LOL I really try to live by this motto!.. I really wanted a collection of distress inks..so whenever I drove by Michael's I would pop in take out my IPhone and get my coupon. Don't make trips only to save $$$..think of what the gas is costing...so it only takes a moment to pop in if you are driving by. Word of wisdom...walk in..get what you want and leave immediately. ..do not browse!!!! OK, maybe every so often but you are there to save money --NOT binge shopping.. BTW in past 2 months I have acquired about 21 ?? distress inks..it adds up.

3 - stay on top of what you have purchased. When I started I did the notebook thing...few problems on why it didn't work for me. 1- you have to have it with you!!! 2 - as I mentioned I am OCD and when I have to skip a page or something or things are not in alphabetical or numerical order it drives me nuts...OK, everyone stop laughing. I cannot control myself really LOL. I was the type back in the day when you had phone books.. I was forever replacing it since drawing a line through a name drove me nuts. I have an IPhone..which I tell you I cannot live without..I get coupons and plus I found this amazing program...if you can get it on your phone..invest! !! It is called Bento and I absolutely love it cannot live without it.. and very easy learning curve to customize the sucker!!!


I have made an inventory group for every product...basically ...and I customized what I wanted...name. .id #, photo, if it is seasonal etc.. if you want more info just email me and I will gladly take time to explain all of the wonderful benefits. But main reason I love it..I take a photo of each product..so I am in the store and want a new spellbinder (as if that never happens all the time (roflmaooo) well sometimes just not sure which one..open the app and scroll through images to see which one would compliment what I have!! Did I mention I love it! If i am shopping for more ink...scroll through images to see what colors I have! Love it Love it!!! Oh yeah, the notebook thing.. I always seem to decided I wanted more info than I originally planned...you just cannot change it easily.. I can this way though.  I love it!!

Plus, and this is the kicker: I have really really bad luck..and this did happen. Driving down the street - with my HUGE tea container..that the puppy clumsily as he is (but he's really really cute so he's allowed mercy) knocked it over and of course landed exactly on my index cards....imagine ink...paper and tea..not pretty. Oh, I used the index cards that were punched and you put them in their own 3 ring binder for them...with dividers ...this way I could move around and keep things organized and had two sides if I needed...As much as it worked better than the notebook things...it was cumbersome to me even still. But they are small and compact and easily changeable and reorganize.

4 - how I organize things to do... I started a blog for just that.. tutorials and ideas and I had them organized so that I could find things LOL there was none of my work just inspiration only. If you opt to do this..please please ask for permission before posting anyone instructions. .no matter if they are individual or not..it is their work.. making tutorials is a lot of work so please give respect of asking..and once you finish it email to them for final approval. Some might not allow..as those who work for companies as this is how they get paid and are under contract and cannot allow their work shared..they will let you know how you can handle it. Now there is Pinterest and this site was created especially for me and my OCD!! I have a number of folders and each one I first make note on name of site ( I am really big on giving credit!!) then I make a note it there for myself. I love Pinterest. Keep in mind if you haven't used it..it is very easy to go pin crazy...but don't...if you find a technique..google different tutorials and find the one you can follow...pin that one. You can make unlimited categories so kinda think out ahead of time what you want. Some of mine are...stamping. ..dies... card ideas..techniques. ..crafting out of the box for those just really cool ideas but really where do they go?   LOL...I have one for favorite blogs...places to shop..etc... so kinda think about what you want.. I even have one for altering and so many more. I look at it as my own personal online organizer. And it is sooo soo easy to do: one click and you got it.

5 - tools..the big stuff.... This is just one example but think it explains it well.. I love textures and knew that was going to be a big thing for me..so what machine to get. I googled..watched videos and asked in groups, and yes I will even call the manufactures of some products to ask specific questions if I am not 100% certain of...finally decided on a big shot..then I had to be patient for just the right sale. In the meantime I was collecting goodies to use in it (on clearance of course)..then after 4 months? I saw it...I got it 70% off with free shipping!!! Oh, you know I ordered it!!

6 - Patience...this is HUGE..I mean HUGE...don't impulse buy the latest trends..because a new one will be out soon. I try to wait for clearance..yep even on paper; it has to really really catch my eye for me to buy pads because if you look at pads, there is a lot of "junk" paper which is great for trying things...oh yeah...HUGE hint..save your ugly paper to try things out on..techniques. ..ideas.. whatever. .junk paper is perfect for that!! All the stores put paper on clearance..at about $.10 a sheet or on sale at 6/$1.00 or sometimes 8/$1.00...trust me I have huge over abundance of paper.. I have one holder just for my coordinations that I got a $.10 a sheet... I came home with a lifetime supply..the store was remodeling and needed it gone so I helped!


Where was I?  Patience...just be patient...watch sales...find good places online to buy things _ I have a number of sites that I go to because of monthly sales and coupons..and free shipping. Hey, I am one serious frugal crafter.

7 - DIY...there are a lot of products out there..and believe me I have tons and tons of supplies..but if I can do it myself...sorry but I do..such as flower soft and glimmer..shimmer or whatever you want to call the mists . LOL.These are things I can do myself so I have money to spend elsewhere LOL and I do. Trust me.

Well, sorry this was so long...didn' t intend it to be. But these are a few things I learned or just do. Good luck!!

Jackie (Elfy)

(You can find Elfy's profile on Yahoo.)

Consolidation has its virtues...

I find that I am a very visual creature.  With ADD.  So, if I have two or three blogs and three websites, this is becoming a problem!  So look for me to try to narrow these all down to one or two.  Maybe just one.  So, I have chosen Blogger, since it seems to be the one that Google prefers and keeps sending my videos to. 

I will be developing the Etsy shop (Collage Art Emporium) more this summer, so you can see and order if you want, my hand-made albums.  I am having a wonderful time learning them and incorporating my mixed-media techniques, acrylic painting and sewing all into one project at a time.

Please follow me by email and I promise not to bore you!  It will be much more fun than Twitter.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Gears for Steampunk Art Projects, White Chipboard - $4.99

These cute little gears range from a bit less than 1" in diameter to 2" diameter for the largest. You will receive two of each of the gears shown here (10 total pieces.) Laser-cut American-made chipboard, white on one side, brown on the other. These pieces would look great in collage art, whether a painting or in your journaling. We cut all our own chipboard shapes and you can find more shapes at our webstore, www.collageartemporium.com. I have added bicycles, a lady's shoe, and a lovely silhouette of a mom and baby. I continue to be amazed at my laser engraver and what it can do!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Limited quantity - beginner encaustic sets!

Collage Art Emporium also has just received a limited quantity of beginner encaustic sets which include the iron, which alone normally sells for $39! The complete beginning set with 6 colors, cards including the iron is on sale for $49.99! Limited quantity, so order now!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

4" Wood journal pages - $9.95

Paint it or cover it! Whatever you wish. This journal is made from 1/8" birch, laser-cut with flourishes on the front cover. Includes four pages total, with holes punched out for your ribbons. Ask about our other laser-cut products!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

It's official! Now we have encaustics!



This is a short video by one of our suppliers showing how to use collage with encaustics.  Be sure to visit CollageArtEmporium.com in order to get your products!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Set of Mini Paintings, Acrylic in metal flower frame - $19.99

Here these paintings are shown in a set of four. You can buy all four for 19.99, or purchase as shown individually, at 5.99 each. FREE shipping if you get all four! These are originals, and only one set is available.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Taking a Walk, a tiny acrylic painting in a 2" circle - $5.99

This is an original acrylic painting on a tiny 2" canvas circle, and in a tiny metal frame. It can be used as a magnet for your refrigerator or your office, or hung in a group with some of our other tiny pieces of art.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Is it still January?

I think it’s Friday.

I spent the day cutting tags and shapes for the storefront, Collage Art Emporium, with my handy-dandy laser engraver and some also out here in the studio with the new Silhouette Cameo. It is easier to use for some small jobs, and also handy to whatever else I am doing in the studio. With a website there are always things to do, including researching products, and trying to get the proper pictures uploaded. So now I can use the samples for my own art and I will be posting some of that soon.

It seems I constantly find new things that require an entire other learning curve… and keeping focused is my major resolution for the year! Or maybe it’s time for a nap.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Painting or Pasting? Or both?

At Collage Art Emporium there's a little bit of everything... and I have many tasks and few of them done today!