EEK Creepy Critters

The creepy critters will be coming out very soon!

New Happy Birthday Card

Here is a new image for a birthday card. My parents have a little Dachshund named Sadie that we keep when they go out of town. I noticed when she walks through the grass you can't see her little legs. She's a sweetie and we enjoy her visits.

paper, acrylic

A-Ha Take On Me

I still think this is one of the best videos ever! I can't imagine how long it must have taken them to do the Rotoscoping (which is that pencil-sketch like animation). Basically, Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which animators trace over live-action film movement, frame by frame. I remember being in Jr. High when this video came out and just loving it. I wasn't crazy about the song or the guys in the band just the video. HA!

Enjoy!!

Total Fact Randomness...With this hit they became the first Norwegian band to have #1 in USA

Bags Bags Bags

I don't know what it is but I just love these bags from Blue Q.They are made with 95% recycled post consumer material and that make me happy.

Package Tote

9.99

 

Airmail Zipper Pouch

5.99

 

My 2 Cents coin purse

3.99

 

Field Study Overnight Bag

17.99

Rachel Awes

Do you ever see something that you just love, love? I did and wanted to share...

this artwork is by Rachel Awes...just great. Check out her blog All I Did Was Listen and her Etsy shop for more great art.

Total Fact Randomness...The name Crayola was coined by Alice Binney, wife of company founder
Edwin, and a former school teacher. She combined the words craie, which
is French for chalk, and ola, for oleaginous, because crayons are made
from petroleum based paraffin.

No Place Like Home

8x10 paper, dye ink, acrylic

Here is a custom piece Ive been working on...this quote still rings true after 70 years!

Total Fact Randomness... The ruby slippers were actually silver in 

the book and there were four witches.

Being Silly and Art

Jodie Gonzales asks the question..."What did you do to feel like a kid today"? Well, I walked around in my husband's shoes. They were clunky and SO big. My nine year old gave me this look like I was an idiot and asked me to take them off. I ignored the rude looks and snickers and did this because it reminded me of when I was a kid walking around in my Dad's shoes. He had these huge work boots and I got great joy out of doing it...go figure.

In other Jen related news, I wanted to share a close up of a new bird

I put it on one of Andrew's wood frames and it turned out lovely. The bird is all paper and the frame is papered then I used acrylics to color the background. I was with Adri Whitney at an antique store and I ran across a very old plant book. It was falling apart so I didn't feel bad buying it to disassemble and use the pages for some of my backgrounds.

Ta-da! Another happy bird sitting on a branch, waiting for a home.

Total Fact Randomness...Pigeons can reach speeds up to 100 mph. (where do they fly 100 mph? I always see them just sitting around).

Artist Dalton Ghetti

Dalton Ghetti

A simple pencil turns into art when Dalton Ghetti gets his hands on it. When I read that he has been carving sculptures into pencil leads without the aid of a magnifying glass, for 25 years..I was surprised. Why? Take a close look at some of his work 

 He has about a dozen works that have been framed and about a dozen more waiting to be mounted for display. After two and a half years he finished pencils each with a letter of the alphabet carved into the lead.

 I was surprised to learn that Mr. Ghetti only does pencil carvings as a hobby. It takes him years to complete his work and that pieces are not for sale. I don't know why he doesn't sell his work but I can image the money people would be willing to spend to have one of his pieces. He has only given them away to friends as gifts (Mr. Ghetti, can we be friends?). His income comes from carpentry but he does sell postcards and posters of his work. Don't ask him to autograph it with a pen, he will only use a pencil!!

Oh, did I mention he only uses a razor blade, sewing needle, or sculpting knife?

If you are interested in getting some of his postcards or posters you can go to
New Britain Museum of American Art here.

Total Fact Randomness...One million pencils are used annually on the
floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Waiting Stinks!

I don't know about you but I think waiting stinks! Have you ever heard someone say, "I love to wait"? I've never been particularly patient in general...which at times has bitten me in the butt. My husband, on the other hand, can say, "I don't want to think about it right now" and it heads into his mental vault. So we tend to balance each other out...thank goodness. I've been going through a lot of challenges that I have no control over in my life right now which has caused a lot of waiting...sigh.

waiting for a friend at the park

waiting on this band to start playing

I was thinking about waiting today when a little dream of mine had to be postponed...yes, waiting again.  I know it's for the best, I know it will be better later, but I can't help but be kinda sad.

How do you handle waiting?

Total Fact Randomness...The average American spends 6 months 

waiting at a red light in their lifetime.