JuSt DeEz'ArT & LiFe

Naughty or Nice?

2011-12-23T16:20:00.001-05:00

Where do you stand on Santa's list?Find out if you've been naughty or nice this year by going to this site... http://www.claus.com/naughtyornice/nn_hmpg2.php

According to Santa I've been nice....here is my review...

"Still very much on nice list, but must continue good behavior. Should eat more vegetables instead of junk food. Was very polite last Thursday! When doing chores, needs to do them as well as possible. Often exhibits good behavior."

Okey dokey then.....have fun!

OrEo EgGnOg

2011-12-23T14:13:00.001-05:00

1 qt. (4 cups) prepared eggnog

18 OREO Cookies, divided

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

PLACE eggnog and 10 cookies in blender container; cover. Blend until smooth.

POUR into 8 glasses; top evenly with the whipped topping.

SERVE each topped with 1 of the remaining 8 cookies.

Serve this up with some of those holiday cookies and you've got yourself a Christmas day treat!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!

Check out Vocalpoint - Change up that grilled cheese!

2011-10-06T15:11:00.001-05:00

Hi,

I want you to take a look at : Vocalpoint - Change up that grilled cheese!

BeAd SoUp BlOg HoP

2011-09-17T08:51:00.001-05:00

Today's the day to reveal what we with our bead soup. Here was what my partner Terri sent me:

And here is what I came up with...

The stamped clay focal was one that I had made a while ago but the colors matched with the beads perfectly. The circle of pearls and the pearls on the drop are from vintage earrings and a vintage necklace that I salvaged parts from.

I kept the earrings simple but they can go from elegant with a black dress or perfect with a sweater and jeans.

The bracelet worked out great and I plan on making more with the beads I still have left so I can layer them. I love wearing multiple bracelets!

I think the pearls, beads, lace and chain all came together awesome, even my husband loves this piece! It was definitely a challenge for me to design and execute this! Thank you Lori for this challenge and wonderful blog party! I hope to be able to play in the next one! You can visit Lori and all of the other blog party participants by visiting Pretty Things

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BuSy BuSy

2011-09-06T19:52:00.001-05:00

I've been on a roll with making these wire wrapped ringsand here are a few of the earrings that I recently made also.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad BuSy

JoIn Me

2011-09-05T21:38:00.002-05:00

CoLlAgE pAiNtInG

2011-09-04T13:25:00.005-05:00

Here's a 6x6 collage painting that I finally got finished this week. It's feeling really good to get some of these projects finished.

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hAlLoWeEn ArT

2011-09-04T13:08:00.003-05:00

I started making these skeletons in a jar along with something that represents their previous life, I'm calling them "Captured Souls". This one is The Gambler.

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WeIrD wEaThEr AnD sPiDeRs

2011-09-02T08:12:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure that one has anything to do with the other but you never know! The weather over the past few weeks has been crazy! An earthquake (which I totally never felt), a hurricane and an upside down rainbow on a non-rainy day!

Yes, that is an upside down rainbow just above my house yesterday!

We were lucky with the hurricane damage only being minimal. The pine tree blew over in the back yard but it was going to fall some day anyway since, when they planted it, they never removed the root cage so that the tree could actually take root, duh! And two of my tomato plants blew over, no big deal...just hammer the stakes back in!

And here are the two HUGE spiders I found yesterday, the one inside didn't escape my shoe!

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CQ6U8PAGMKR4

WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY

2011-08-31T19:54:00.001-05:00

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ThRiFtY tHuRsDaY

2011-08-25T12:06:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more things I found this past week on the cheap!

All of these vintage wooden blocks were actually hidden in the bottom of a box of other items, including the wooden furniture pictured below, purchased all for $2.00.

These little vintage elves were .25 for all of them!

These vintage Christmas foil flowers and mini glass balls were .25 for the whole bag! They will be perfect for my mini tree this year!

This plastic cupi doll was .50. I think I made out like a bandit on all this!

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WeEkEnD wRaP~uP

2011-08-21T18:26:00.003-05:00

I got to spend Saturday alone so I hit the yard sales and our local library had a junk jewelry sale. I got these AWESOME ceramic handmade beads for $10.00...there must be over 300 beads!

After the sales I went to Michael's and got some clearance wire and leather trims.

So, I spent part of the day today making this bracelet with my new beads, leather and some vintage links from an old choker (don't you just love the acorn design?) and a few more wire wrapped rings.

Oh, and I got these shoes...brand new, never worn for $2.00....score!

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MoTiVaTed To CrEaTe

2011-08-18T15:59:00.004-05:00

After attending the annual Lititz Craft Street Fair last Saturday I have been more motivated than ever to create. I want to be able to set up a booth at this show next year. This fair is huge! They get over 20,000 visitors from all over the east coast. The entire town closes down for this event and there are tents for as far as you can see going in both directions from the town square. The main park in town is also filled to the brim with vendors.

So as a result of being motivated to create...here is a look at what I've made this week.

I made these wrapped wire rings from glass beads and copper wire. I wanted to practice using copper before making the purchase of sterling silver wire. I think the turned out pretty good!

I used vintage parts for this necklace and earring set with silk ribbon and gunmetal chain and closure. I think it's really stunning for a Fall piece. What do you think? I'd love some feed back....

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My SoUp ArRiVeD

2011-08-18T15:38:00.001-05:00

My partner Terri at Blooming Ideas sent my wonderful soup which arrived in today's mail. Here is a peek at what she sent me:

I love the almost garnet look of the beads, one of my favorite Fall colors! Now to "stew" on this and come up with a design will be a challenge!

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BeAd SoUp PaRtNeR

2011-08-18T15:33:00.001-05:00

I'm a first time participant in this bead soup party and my partner is Terri at Blooming Ideas

We were to put together a "soup" of beads and mail them to out partners for them to make something from your "soup". Here is a preview of what I sent to Terri:

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oLd SoNg, DiFfErEnT vErSiOn

2011-08-12T20:13:00.001-05:00

I received this in an email today and thought it was really cute. It's the "senior" version.

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song....
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
(CHORUS)

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WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY

2011-07-27T18:40:00.001-05:00

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HaNdMaDe NeCkLaCe & EaRrInGs

2011-07-19T19:44:00.002-05:00

I put together these earrings and necklace a few weeks ago. For the necklace I used a vintage brooch as the focal and used a crocheted beaded chain woven through a brushed silver chain. Very classy looking don't you think?

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WhErE i CrEaTe....BlOg PaRtY!

2011-07-15T17:38:00.003-05:00

I'm a little late getting these pics up as my husband is leaving on a missions trip to Bolivia tomorrow. So here it is.....my room. It's the smallest room in our house at a whopping 9ft x 9 ft and also serves as our guest room. In order to house the bed I opened the closet and inserted the bed into it and turned it into a nook area for reading or watching tv. The inside of the closet is still to be painted lime green to go with the melon colored walls. I'm still in the process of organizing the room as you can see from my messy desk!

This is my vintage card holding which houses ATC's from various swaps.

These shelves are just above the twin bed on the side wall.

This is the inside of the closet which makes a perfect "hiding place" for mommy according to Maddie!

The back of the door is a shoe holder turned supply holder!

The shelves beside my desk.

A glass case that I scored at a yard sale for $3.00 houses all of my jars.

Scrap booking supplies and paper collection.....

Another yard sale find was this vintage chair...another $3.00 find!

You never really see the top of the desk......*secret revealed*!

A kitchen gadget holder keeps all of my scissors, brushes, pens, pencils, markers, jewelry tools etc....

Spice rack holds beads.

My stuff!

So there you have it....where I create! Be sure to visit My Desert Cottage to visit all of the other bloggers and see where they create!

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Check out Vocalpoint - Daily Tip - Got Net?

2011-07-13T07:28:00.001-05:00

Hi,

I want you to take a look at : Vocalpoint - Daily Tip - Got Net?

BeAd SwAp

2011-07-08T17:01:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I received my bead swap in the mail from Sandy of Sandy's Coloring Box a beautiful mix of Fall colored beads wrapped in a really pretty piece of fabric! I wanted to sit and create something with these new beads but ended up sorting and organizing my jewelry making supplies. That's okay since there was a lot of organizing to do and I'm still not done but I've made progress. That's a good step for me as of late with all of the pain I've been having. I figured since I can't do much else besides sitting, I may as well be productive in some way while doing it.

I loved the fabric the beads were wrapped in so much that I actually used half of it to make fabric flowers! These were fun to make but next time I'm not using washable fabric glue. It took longer to get the glue off my fingers than it did to make the flowers!

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FrEe SaMpLeS dOn'T sTiNk

2011-06-28T17:29:00.000-05:00

Vocalpoint’s giving away FREE samples of Glad® ForceFlex® OdorShield® with Febreze® Freshness bags. Get yours!
Click the title above!

CvS sAvInGs WeEk Of 6/19

2011-06-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

This weeks trip to CVS included getting a free razor, a free pack of razor blade refills, 3 free deodorants, 1 free Emerald almonds and I was actually PAID .82 to take the 2 tubes of Colgate toothpaste! The toothpaste was retail $3.19 on sale for $2.59. You get $2.00 in Extra-care Bucks with purchase plus I had a $1.00 off manufacturers coupon for each tube. With the purchase of two it resulted in CVS paying me .81.....another score!
If you are lucky enough to have the $1.00 manufacturers coupon for a bag of Hershey's Bliss you will gain $1.00 when buying a bag. They retail at $5.99, you get $5.99 in Extra-care Bucks and using your $1.00 will mean CVS pays you to buy a bag! Unfortunately the store I went to was already sold out!
Here is the breakdown of my trip:

Total retail - $162.11
Tax - $3.19
Minus Extra-care card saving - $63.49
Minus manufacturers coupons - $31.00
Total savings - $94.49
FinL cost to me - $70.70
Plus I received $4.00 Extra-care Bucks and a coupon for 30% off good for 3 days only, up to $99.00

Can you find a reason not to love CVS?

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CvS - mAy'S bIg ScOrE

2011-06-23T13:11:00.002-05:00

This was my haul from CVS in May just before Maddie's graduation from kindergarten. The picture at the top are the items that I paid for at full retail (if you want to look at it that way). The second picture contains the items that I was able to score FREE. Plus I scored $9.00 in CVS Extra Bucks for my next visit. Here is the breakdown of this shopping trip -

Total retail price of all items purchased was $178.92.
Minus $58.00 using my CVS store card.
Minus $21.99 in manufacturers coupons.
Minus $12.00 in CVS Extra Bucks coupons from a previous visit.
Tax came to $3.49.
I paid out a total of $90.42 plus I received $9.00 in Extra Bucks for my next visit.

Total savings this trip - $91.99. I saved more than I actually paid!

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FrEe MuSiC dOwNlOaD - 7 sOnGs

2011-06-23T09:09:00.001-05:00

Score a few free songs for your summer travels! Head on over to the Dave Matthews Band
DMB Caravan website to score your 7 free songs download code. Then follow these easy steps:

Open iTunes on your computer
Click on Store and then Home at the top left
Click on Redeem on the right hand side
Copy and paste the code into the Redeem Code box.
Your songs will start downloading!

Enjoy!

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FrEe SaMpLe OfFeR

2011-06-17T14:40:00.001-05:00

As a member of VocalPoint I'm passing along a free offer to my readers.

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Mott's, Mott's For Tots, Mott's Healthy Harvest, Hand Picked Goodness are trademarks of Mott's LLP. ©2011 Mott's LLP.

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FrUiT rOlLuPs - DoN't BeLiEvE tHe HyPe

2011-06-11T15:25:00.001-05:00

They seem innocent enough, made with real fruit. If you have kids chances are you've bought them or their counterparts, Fruit By The Foot or Fruit Snacks. You think "Hey, they're REAL fruit! Great snack alternative to candy." Well, I'm going to tell you that after yesterday's dental check up with Maddie, that these things are far from good for your children. In fact they are far worse than candy! Yes, they may be made from real fruit but they are very high in corn fructose. What does that mean? When your child eats these, they lay in the teeth longer causing they're precious baby teeth to decay at a faster rate. After discovering that my almost 6 year old needs almost $5000.00 worth of dental work done, these thing will never again be brought into our home.
Our dentist was wonderful in explaining all of these things to us. She gave us as much time as we needed to learn some valuable (but unfortunately a little too late) advise. Below are some of the things that she recommended.

~ Your children can never brush too much. In fact at young ages they should brush after everything they eat.

~ Change their snacking habits NOW. Doing so will last them well into adulthood.

~ Teach them to make healthy snack choices. Let them choose but present them with healthy alternatives.

~ Don't even bring the bad stuff into your home.

~ Be aware of what your children drink also. Soda, Kool-Aid, orange drinks and even some of the box juices are all high in cavity causing sugars.

Finally, she presented us with a list of healthy alternatives for Madison's snack times. I've listed a few for you below.

~ Flavored waters, (children may resist these at first but eventually they will prefer them).

~ Fresh fruits and veggies. Be creative. Strawberries with whipped cream for example. The dentist actually explained that although the whipped cream is sweet, it melts from the mouth quickly and doesn't stay stuck to the teeth for a long period of time.

~ Ice cream, frozen fruit pops, frozen yogurt. These all all good alternative as they too melt quickly and do not stay stuck to the teeth.

~ An occasional Hershey Kiss. She explained the occasional treat of chocolate can't hurt. It too melts and doesn't stay sitting on those precious baby teeth.

So from one mom to all you parents out there, take this advice to heart. You won't want to be in our situation, looking at $5000.00 in dental bills and no insurance to cover any of the costs!

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FoLlOw

2011-06-10T21:08:00.001-05:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A gIfT....fOr Me?

2011-06-09T14:47:00.002-05:00

I heard Buster scratching at the door to be let in (yes, he begs to go out and come in just like a dog). When I went to the door this is what I got...a gift for me!

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ChEcK tHIS oUT

2011-06-09T14:08:00.000-05:00

I thought you might be interested in Vocalpoint.com. I've been a member for a while and really like some of the things they promote. Vocalpoint provides some great benefits and it's all for free! Here are some of the features:

Surprising product information
Great coupons/samples
Cool things to share with friends

Check it out I think you'll like it!

http://www.vocalpoint.com

I wIn AgAiN

2011-06-09T13:35:00.001-05:00

I went out to check the mail the other day and found an unmarked package stuff in our tiny mailbox. Upon opening I found this...

I've only recently started entering the Crafts 'n Things Win It! Contests online, never an a million years thinking I would actually win something. It was such a surprise since they didn't email me or anything, it just came in the mail. This was what I won....

This book has some pretty cool techniques in it that I may try sometime int he future.

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BlOg HoP

2011-04-17T18:59:00.001-05:00

Here is the bracelet that I created for the 1000 bracelets for hope. I was to use blue beads for the project and chose these very chunk blue natural stone beads. They're accented with small brown stone beads and a couple silver accents. They've been strung on stretch cord in order to fit any size arm. This bracelet will be mailed to a family through The Global Genes Project an advocacy group who launched "7000 Bracelets for Hope", a children's rare disease campaign. The bracelets are given to one of 7000 families having children with rare diseases to show them love and support.

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Location:Brookfield Rd,Lititz,United States

Get the family together and get them talking

2011-04-16T09:28:00.001-05:00

I just heard about “Truth Be Told,” a romantic comedy the whole family can enjoy together. Tune in on Saturday, April 16th at 8/7c on FOX for a night of honest to goodness fun. But before you do, check out this site for ways to get your family talking!

I aM pArTiCiPaTiNg

2011-04-09T08:17:00.001-05:00

I've been a follower of Lori Anderson's blog Pretty Things for some time. Recently, she posted a call for participants in a worthwhile cause called 7000 bracelets for hope. Each participant will be making a bracelet using the color blue in it. This project will benefit The Global Genes Project an advocacy group who launched "7000 Bracelets for Hope", a children's rare disease campaign. The bracelets are given to one of 7000 families having children with rare diseases to show them love and support. Lori is hosting a blog hop on Saturday, April 16th. To see my entry stop back Saturday April 16th and to follow along on the hop you can visit the participant list HERE

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Location:Brookfield Rd,Lititz,United States

PiNk

2011-04-05T18:11:00.001-05:00

Another vintage button ring in pink with glass beads.

ViNtAgE rOsE bUtToN rInG

2011-04-05T14:11:00.001-05:00

Another ring completed today using vintage buttons and glass beads. I've used a clear stretch cord so they'll fit almost any size finger.

ViNtAgE lAcE bRaCeLeT

2011-04-05T06:28:00.001-05:00

I hand sewed two strips of vintage lace together and added fabric yo-yos with vintage buttons in the center for a delicate cuff bracelet.

ChOkEr

2011-04-05T06:12:00.001-05:00

Crocheted choker made with a ribbon type yarn that I picked up at a thrift store for .50 a skein.

MaKiNg RiNgS n ThInGS

2011-04-05T06:05:00.001-05:00

Here's a ring I made using an unusable vintage button and tiny brass nuts with stretch cord.

GiVeAwAy At TrIaL aNd ErRoR

2011-02-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

OWOH wInNeR!

2011-02-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

And the winner of the 4 x 4 canvas handpainted collage is....

Jill at Untie The Ribbons!!

I will be emailing you shortly!! Congratulations!

AlMoSt CoMpLeTeD

2011-02-11T14:42:00.001-05:00

FiNIsHeD

2011-02-08T19:18:00.001-05:00

NeW pAiNtInG sTaRtEd

2011-02-08T19:16:00.001-05:00

{EcHo} WeEk 27 - BrAnChEs

2011-02-06T17:08:00.004-05:00

IcE sToRm/GrOuNdHoG dAy

2011-02-02T20:07:00.002-05:00

We woke this morning to everything covered in a layer of ice. When it started warming up later in the day the sounds of the ice melting and falling from the trees was oddly loud. Tonight brings high winds and a deep freeze. More snow to arrive Saturday and again Tuesday. I guess I'll have a lot more time to work on my paintings in the days to come. As for the groundhog seeing his shadow ...didn't happen!

PrOgReSs

2011-02-02T19:56:00.002-05:00

My latest painting, an acrylic on a 6 x 6 gallery wrapped canvas, is just about finished.

OWOH 2011 GiVeAwAy

2011-02-01T11:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my blog whether you've been here before or are new. My name is Deana, I'm a SAHM getting through my days with fibromyalgia and newly diagnosed with lupus. To pass my time and get through the pain of my illnesses I do my art, read, cook, crochet and maintain my 3 blogs. You can visit them by clicking on the links on the left hand side. I am please to once again be a part of OWOH hosted by Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian

Simply leave a comment here for a chance to win this 4 x 4 canvas mixed media collage painting. This painting was created by me specifically for this event. Winner will be announced February 17th.

ReDbOx

2011-01-30T13:14:00.003-05:00

SeDuM

2011-01-30T13:03:00.002-05:00

ThAt'S dEeP

2011-01-27T09:51:00.001-05:00

SnOw AnD mOrE sNoW

2011-01-26T22:00:00.003-05:00

Our patio at 9:45pm.

SnOwStOrM

2011-01-26T21:57:00.003-05:00

Jon's still shoveling. 4th time today and it's still coming down heavy at 9:45pm.

SnOw

2011-01-26T21:54:00.002-05:00

Can you guess what this is?

...it's snow on the bristles of a broom...I thought it made an interesting picture!

Rearranged

2011-01-26T10:17:00.002-05:00

Another view

Rearranged

2011-01-26T10:15:00.002-05:00

Rearranged

2011-01-26T10:13:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T09:46:00.001-05:00

formspring.me

2011-01-20T08:57:00.001-05:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/JuStDeEzArT

Um, ExCuSe Me

2011-01-17T14:27:00.001-05:00

I do think you're in my seat!

PaInTiNg AgAiN

2011-01-16T14:22:00.001-05:00

Starting this new painting on a 6 x 6 gallery wrapped canvas. I first laid down a base coat of brown acrylic then drew the image on lightly in pencil. I then added a coat of crackle paint in Picket Fence White. I will continue with posting the progress as o complete and photograph each step. Follow along! If you're creating something similar leave me a comment with a link to your project, I'd love to check it out!

GiNgErBrEaD mAn

2011-01-16T13:43:00.003-05:00

Madison's gingerbread man that she made in school this week. I absolutely love children's art!

ChRiStMaS aT nAnA's

2011-01-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

CoOkIe TiMe

2011-01-08T12:49:00.000-05:00

Nana has several traditional things that she likes to do with Madison for Christmas every year. One of these traditions that can't be skipped, no matter what, is the making of Christmas Cookies. And of course this is Maddie's all time favorite as she actually is ALLOWED to make a MESS!!

ChRiStMaS wItH SiStErS

2011-01-04T18:49:00.000-05:00

We had Christmas early with Jessica since she was going to be away the weekend of Christmas. The girls had fun playing with Maddie's new toys!!

PaRtIcIpAtInG aGaIn!!

2011-01-04T18:06:00.004-05:00

DeCeMbEr SkIeS

2011-01-04T17:01:00.000-05:00

HpPpY tHaNkSgIvInG

2010-11-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends and family. I am grateful for all of you!

WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY

2010-11-23T21:28:00.001-05:00

HiLaRiOuS!

2010-10-21T16:11:00.000-05:00

Hope this gives you a good laugh today, I know I needed one!!

FaLl Is HeRe

2010-10-16T20:22:00.000-05:00

Even though it was cold out today we still got a chance to get out a little. While visiting my mom in York we all took the golf cart for a spin around the yard. The Fall leaves were beautiful against the blue sky. Brittany, Maddie and Jon stopped to pose for me!

NeW pAiNtEd ChRiStMaS sPoOn

2010-10-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

I finished another hand painted vintage silver tablespoon to be listed for sale this week on Etsy.

NeW wOrKs

2010-10-02T14:32:00.002-05:00

Four more spoons painted by Jessica that we will be listing for sale on Etsy.

And here is a small slate ornament that I painted.

FiNaLlY sHoWiNg - "GoDs AnD mOnStErS"

2010-10-02T13:53:00.001-05:00

This was my piece, I wasn't sure at first about entering it as I thought it wouldn't fit in. I'm now glad that I did as it did fit perfectly with the other works.

This is the first time I've had a piece of my art in a showing in over 10 years. I,m glad that I was able to overcome my apprehensions and entered the show. I really want to get working on more, join more groups and keep moving forward with my art. While at the show I also got to say hello to and meet some more of my friends from Twitter. This was overall a positive experience for me!!

mY DaUgHtEr'S wOrK

2010-09-28T11:34:00.000-05:00

These are all the recent hand painted pieces by my daughter Jessica, these will also be lited this week in my Etsy shop!

PuMpKiN sLaTe

2010-09-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

Here is another slate that I created recently. This along with others will be listed this week for sale in my Etsy shop.

pAiNtEd ViNtAgE sPoOnS

2010-09-25T17:00:00.000-05:00

My daughter Jessica and I have been working on painting items to prepare for the Lititz craft fair next year. Here are two of the vintage silver spoons that I painted this week. I will be listing them for sale on my Etsy shop along with the ones that Jessica also painted. Pics to follow!

{Echo} Week 21 - Portals

2010-09-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

This photo is inside a caboose at the Lititz Springs Park. I thought it was a good portrayal for the theme Portals. I took this photo only using the FX app on my phone.

HaNd PaInTeD hAlLoWeEn rOoF sLaTe

2010-09-15T14:41:00.001-05:00

I've finally finished hand painting this red roof slate. I will be adding it to my Etsy shop and will take orders if anyone would like one like it!

tUeSdAy ThRiFt FiNdS

2010-09-14T20:25:00.002-05:00

I found this hammer and punch for $3.00 total for using in my jewelry making. I wasn't thinking about it at the time but I should have looked for some sort of anvil too. But that gives me a good reason to go back next week!

These two cabinet cards were a steal at $1.00 and the bottles for $2.00 (the vendor had them marked at $5.00) The bottles will make great necklaces with wire wrapped tops!

The crystals are in perfect condition and surprisingly they were clean! This is only a view of a couple of them as I actually got a quart size zip-lock bag for $5.00. I will keep some of these to use in my jewelry or projects but I think I will share and list them on my Etsy shop! Keep an eye out!

I was walking past a table where a guy was digging through a box but I really wasn't paying too much attention to what was he was looking at, so I kept walking. When I heard the clanking of the silverware, it stopped me in my tracks and I went back. It was actually the seller and he was counting them. He had 10 cents each on the box and when he saw me looking at them he said he had just counted way over 100 pieces. He then offered to sell me the whole box of vintage silverware for $5.00. Of course I said "SOLD" immediately! He asked what I had planned to do with them as there weren't too many pieces that matched. I told him I planned on smashing them flat with a hammer. The look on his face was priceless! I told him my plans to paint on them and ended up talking to the guy for about 15 minutes about my art. I am excited to start using these goodies!

{Echo} Week 19 - Blur

2010-08-02T15:30:00.002-05:00

This is my entry for {Echo} Week 19 - Blur

FeAtUrEd ArTiSt On ToTaL aRt SoUl

2010-07-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

doodle.png.png on Aviary.

One of my photography pics is featured this week on the front page at Total Art Soul.

This is an exciting step for me!! My pic is the first pic in the 3rd row.

NeW JeWeLrY DeSiGnS - sNeAk pEeK

2010-07-21T07:53:00.001-05:00

Cleaning out my studio space I discovered that I had these vintage typewriter keys. They them from an old typewriter that was thrown in the trash. I decided to take them and design pieces of jewelry. I took pages from a vintage dictionary and ran them through the paper shredder to make strips. Doing this saved me a lot of cutting and made the exact size and width I was looking for. It also gave the paper strips that ragged edge I was looking for. I am not yet revealing the design until I have a few more made, keep an eye out later this week!!

BuRiEd TrEaSuRe 2010

2010-07-19T22:38:00.000-05:00

Be sure to visit Seth's original post Burried Treasure regarding this Collaborative Project and to visit other blogs involved in the project as well.

Below you will find my Buried Treasure, it is a re-post from 2009 of some ATC's that I had finished. I chose this one for this post as I liked how these had turned out (actually, I had forgotten all about them!) Thanks Seth for this fun project and getting a chance to visit a lot of other blogs that I would not have found otherwise.

Here are the 4 Spring themed ATC's that I made for the Monthly swap at AlteredDesigns Yahoo group.

A dAy In LaNcAsTeR

2010-07-18T22:06:00.000-05:00

Waiting for a balloon. Maddie and her flower balloon. Glass ornaments at one of the cool shops we found. Maddie and Daddy waiting for Mom. Maddie at Building Character. It was a good visit to downtown Lancaster, a city with so many cool hidden places. We definitely need to explore the city again soon!!

PoOl DaYs

2010-07-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

Some pics from the pool so far this summer.

ChIvEs & BuTtTeRfLiEs

2010-07-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

Caught this with my phone camera on my patio.

{Echo} Week 18 - Stripes

2010-07-14T18:53:00.000-05:00

This photo is my entry for {Echo} Week 18 - Stripes. The photo was also taken with my phone using the FX Camera App. You can follow the {Echo} Challenge at Art by Christi and Ilka's Attic or on the FlickR Group

ThE fIvE "f'S"

2010-07-05T15:24:00.001-05:00

Fourth of July, Friends, Fun, Food & Fireworks...the Five "F's". This year we had over a few Twitter friends @mk_girl (Nicole Leer) @leerdustin (Dustin Leer) @ItsEspoYall (Michael Esposito) @ShaunTFrankel (Shaun Frankel) for an evening of fun food and fireworks.

rOsEs

2010-06-24T22:17:00.002-05:00

More pics with my phone camera in regular mode.

CoLlAgE pAiNtInG - LiNeAr DuO

2010-06-24T20:43:00.003-05:00

I saw a collage technique in the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine that I just had to try. I took an 8x8 canvas and covered it in gesso in random brush strokes to leave a texture. After that dried I used a clear gel medium to apply a torn strip of decorative paper midway on the canvas. I then took a vintage tissue pattern, crumbled it and applied it to the canvas over the torn paper, again using gel medium. After it dried I repeated this process. I then applied the circles cut from decorative scrapbook papers and covered the entire canvas once again with gel medium. I allowed this to dry overnight.

Next I randomly dry brushed coordinating paints onto the canvas allowing the under layer to show through. I stamped a few colors using shelf liner for texture and dripped paint from a wet brush for the splatters. Then using a thin liner brush I outlined the circles with black paint and painted the stems and leaves. After drying, I used black and white Prisma colored pencils to loosely circle around the flowers. And this is the finished painting. The whole process really didn't take much time at all and I feel confident that I could do quite a few of these in different sizes and colors. I am quite happy with the outcome. Titled - Linear Duo

TeN oN tUeSdAy

2010-06-22T21:26:00.002-05:00

Ten things about this week:

1. I got rid of the junker car for $150.00, it was picked up today by Bob's Big Tow, LOL!

2. Two injections in my back at the rheumatologist, that sucked!

3. Twitter was acting whack, totally annoying!

4. Scored an antique ironing board at a yard sale for $8 - cha-ching!

5. Made an awesome stew in my new crock pot today - YUM!

6. Discovered a new ice cream spot in Lititz - Greco's!

7. Started a new collage painting and will hopefully finish it tomorrow.

8. Actually posted here on the blog, 4 posts in one night to be exact.

9. Getting my hair did for the first time in like forever this Friday!

10. And finally my baby girl will be 5 on Saturday!

How was your week?

{Echo} Week 16 - Meander

2010-06-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

This photo is my entry for {Echo} Week 16 - Meander. The photo was also taken with my phone using the FX Camera App and was unedited other than cropping. You can follow the {Echo} Challenge at Art by Christi and Ilka's Attic or on the FlickR Group

{Echo} Week 15 - Rouge

2010-06-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

This photo is my entry for {Echo} Week 15 - Rouge. The photo was taken with my phone using the FX Camera App. You can follow the {Echo} Challenge at Art by Christi and Ilka's Attic or on the FlickR Group

NaTuRe StUdY

2010-06-22T19:48:00.001-05:00

All of these pictures were taken using my phone camera with the FX Camera App and edited slightly in Picasa. I think for a phone cam they turned out really cool.

SiNgLe BaBy

2010-06-03T07:26:00.002-05:00

After a totally crappy night last night I needed this for a laugh. Enjoy!

PoSt HoLiDaY rEcOvErY GiVeAwAy

2010-06-02T13:34:00.001-05:00

Head over to the blog of artist Marcia Furman's blog brain overflow - here ya go! for an awesome giveaway!!

{echo} Week 14 - Fauna

2010-06-02T08:50:00.002-05:00

{echo} Week 14 - Fauna
Originally uploaded by JuSt DeEzArT

This is my entry for the Flickr Group {echo}. Be sure to visit Art By Chrysti and Illka's Attic for more photo collaborations.

WoRdLeSs WeDnEsDaY - GuMbY'S dEaD?

2010-06-02T07:34:00.002-05:00

HaPpY BiRtHdAy To Me!

2010-06-02T07:10:00.000-05:00

For My Birthday, Maddy and Jon decorated my birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to me. Later they took me supply shopping at AC Moore. We had a nice dinner of bbq'd ribs. It was a wonderful day!