A Stab at Art!

I have posted these on Facebook and have decided they probably deserve a blog post. I have kept to my two blogs a month pledge. However, two blog posts in a short span of time is not what I was aiming for, really. One of the things that has kept me busy is my attempts at art. Clearly, I am just a beginner. I do like how some of this has turned out and have discovered a few mediums I want to explore more. It's just slow going. The first collage photo shows my photo and my first pencil and pen sketches and a charcoal based on the first pencil sketch.
I then redid the pencil sketch and kept the ink and went on to ink wash, Conte crayon, watercolor, oil pastel, oil pastel with Gamsol and finally a representative abstract using paper and washi tape on an acrylic background. Since I like texture, I'm not sure the last piece is complete. At any rate, I'm pleased with how things have gone. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to complete enough projects to get any good but then that would not be an attitude that fits with my word for the year "Positive". So, just a beginning with hopes for the future evolution and perfection of my work.
Another thing that has kept me busy is the house I bought as a rental. Not that I'm doing anything except make decisions. Decisions can be tiring. It certainly needed a lot of work. I'm glad I got it at a price point that all the work was doable. Wish that had been true for the home I live in. This house is in need of so much too. Although, a lot safer and more livable from the get go. Yes, I'm taking before and after photos of the rental. Have to get over there today to check on the progress. It'll be a few months before I get those pics posted. Remodels take a lot of time. Getting all the folk co-ordinated is a challenge!
Having a lazy morning but must get myself going.

A little P.S. of the hints of spring in our backyard!

A Bit of Humor at CHA

I love the delicate feminine feel of Webster's Pages, even the line I'm featuring in this post. However, do you get the feeling, like I do that maybe the folk at WP were subtly laughing at the "trends" of scrapbook design with trendsetters. Normally, I'd expect an edgy look to something named trendsetters. This line, though, has every kitchy theme you could imagine except for gingham. Then again, maybe  missed that one. On the paper you'll see butterflies, dress forms, birdcages, antique phones (well, "old" phones, things I've used in my lifetime are not quite "antique", no comments here kids, LOL!), word art, cameos, vintage taxis, 50's fashion, and asian influence. They did scatter in some birds.
Yes, pretty much the major trends as one walked the floor at CHA.
So, a better name might have been trend sneeze. Hardly trendsetter. Don't get me wrong. You'll find this line fun and pretty and has colors and patterns that are definitely popular and trendy and you'll love to use these papers and embellishments.
Just don't expect something "trend-SETTING'.

Beaded Clothing, A Trend at Winter CHA

One of the things I noticed at CHA this year was fashion as a prominent theme. While last CHA seemed to feature Home Decor, Winter CHA 2011 featured fashion in so many ways. Lots of garments, dress forms, and decotative pins.

Two items that intrigued me were the Beads in A Bottle from Plaid and the Pearl Pen from Viva Decor.
The bottom 3 photos are of the Viva products and the top photos are from Plaid featuring their designer Patti. (I'll find her card and update this post when I do. Is it just me, or does everyone come home from a trip and feel overwhelmed and scattered?)
Beaded clothing remains a popular trend. Such a fun way to really make your shoes, bags, garments your own with easy to use dimensional elements. The beads work well on scrapbook pages as you can see from the Pearl Pen embellishments on the Tattered Angels mini book in my previous post.

It's February!

Fun at Green Tangerines yesterday! Of course, it took too long; but, everything I do is slow. Isn't this the cutest minibook? Cory from Tattered Angels was there teaching this. Loved all her ideas. Fun making this and she encouraged our own interpretations so everyone's book differed a little. Loved the E line bling from Prima. Best technique I learned was using watercolor pencils then spaying or glamming. Love the results! Glossy accents works well over those pencils, too.
Diamond Dust and Viva Decor Pearl Pens are some products I now love. Cory had some great tips on using glue, too. I looked back over mini albums I'd made in the past and agree that there are real limits to things like foam adhesive. Glue Dots really have superior qualities.
OK, I've a minor fortune tied up in Tattered Angel's products and loved the inspiration today to maybe actually use and experiment with my stash!
I loved CHA and have posted my photos to FB. I need some time to digest the experience but will likely do a post on the trip sometime soon.

Busy

Had a fun weekend at Green Tangerines. Scrap & Spa - the best way to crop. Had a mani/pedi and a massage at Avalon as part of the scheduled activities. Add a nap in my car on Saturday and we are talking about true balance!
Got a few things done. Took lots but did not have an agenda which is the best plan of all.
Familiar faces, new folk, nice relaxed atmosphere. Very nice. I won a prize, too. My prize is a  Teresa Collins mini book kit. Yummy!
Planning a trip to CHA (Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show). Not sure yet how I'll handle all the walking. May need to rent one of those "Hoveround" type chairs while there. That would be interesting, not sure about my driving one of those, LOL!
Taking an art class. That is a challenge. Rendering is part of the course and my least favorite part of art. I'm convinced I'm going to learn a lot. One class should not be too much for me. The walking around campus is my least favorite part of all. Campuses are certainly designed for the young and able.
It's a foggy day today. If it clears I'll take some photos of recent work.

A Return to Esther's Cupcakes located at Fulton and Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA

I sent my son in to purchase an assortment of cupcakes from Esther's Cupcakes the other day.

He chose Creme Brulee, Carmel Macchiato, Tiramisu, Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. I regret that I cannot find the receipt. Likely, Joe kept that and the change. Oh, well.

Joe came out of the store with a cold beverage so it appears these are now available.

I note pluses and minuses from my past review. I hope the cupcakes are cheaper because they are definitely smaller. They clearly are not as attractively decorated. (Check prior post from April 2010.) However, the batter is denser and more cake-like and has a very good flavor. The toppings are flavorful and not unattractive.

However, there is little to distinguish these cupcakes from other good cupcakes. I think a skilled baker could easily achieve an equally good decorated cupcake at home. Some of the cupcakes we tried as you can see in the photos had a cracked surface. My junior high Home Ec text advises that a cracked surface could be caused by any of the following: too much flour, not enough liquid, over mixing the flour in the batter or too hot an oven. Perhaps too much beating as the Tiramisu seemed to have a slightly coarse texture. Seems like a little attention and this could be easily remedied.

Pleasant, flavorful cupcakes that are worth a purchase if reasonably priced. Would I drive across town just to buy these? Probably not.

It's 1-11-11 and the first blog of the year for me!

Yes, starting off with flowers. Amazing to not just have the pretty pink flowers on my window sill but new flowers in the garden. Yes, January's early camellias and snowdrops really make you aware that a New Year has begun.
Last year I selected the word "Courage" as my word for the year. It was tough to keep a brave outlook. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this year's word. It's "Positive". Very hard for me. I'll try.
Those flowers are a very bright spot in my life.
I've got some other accomplishments under my belt, too. I have owned the financial program Quicken for years and have fumbled my way through it as it really had too many capabilities for me. Lets face it, my financial life, like the rest of my life was a disaster! I'm actually learning to use it. It may take forever to sort out my past history but I think I've got it organized enough that going forward I should be able to use it properly. There's a positive.
I'm also just beginning to understand manual settings in photography. I do not know why something like that has been difficult for me but I see possibilities. It would be helpful to be able to wear my camera strap around my neck and use my left arm more and move better but I'm going to explore what I can do. Look for the Positive! Photos are a quick way to art. Oh, I know that photography can be consuming and a job but it can be fun to just take a few good pictures, too.
I will really try to post at least two blog entries a month for 2011. Who knows - sometimes it might be daily. Especially, if I take a lot of good pictures.