My ARTistic Life

Birds and Eggs Freebie and Somerset Studio Inspiration

Happy Wednesday! : )

I recently received the new issue of Somerset Studio and last night I read it cover to cover. I went to bed with my thoughts racing and realized that I just had to share some of the cool things that caught my eye.

And great news! I've got an extra copy for you! You can win this issue by simply posting a comment here on my blog - tell me what your favorite item is in our delightful Birds shopping section. Bruno, who is shown here bowing to Somerset Studio, will pick one lucky winner next Wednesday.

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The Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Somerset Studio was filled with lots of projects, techniques and ideas surrounding birds, eggs and nests. This intriguing article by Cat Kerr was about playing with gauze and incorporating it into your art. I found myself drawn to the egg in the center of this necklace. Could I make something like that with ARTchix supplies?
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You betcha! I grabbed our new Mini Oval Bezels, Mini Oval Acrylic Bubbles and our E is for Egg collage sheet.

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To get the egg the right size of the bezel, I placed the egg image on top of the bezel and then ran my finger around the inside of the bezel. Then I cut it out.

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Next, I added a bit of Crafter's Pick Ultimate Glue, smeared it around with a skewer for somewhat even coverage, and then I added the egg image. You can see that the egg isn't cut out perfectly but once you add the bubble, it doesn't matter. It hides the edges, phew! By the way, I used the same glue to adhere the acrylic bubble.

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Ta da! these cute eggs are ready to add to collages, ATCs, cards or I might even turn them into decorative pushpins. Fun stuff! I might even have to make something Easter-y with them. : )

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More Somerset Studio inspiration...look at this lovely collage on the left by Connie Freedman. Do you see the patch of blue toile fabric in it? I found myself digging through my fabrics to pull out some of my toiles (the green and red ones on the right). I love toile!!! I bet you'll see them popping up in my art soon. : )

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I am absolutely in love with this collage by Tamara Laporte! She explains how she collages her backgrounds...you know I'm going to have to try that! She also teaches online classes...will definitley have to look into that. I believe several of you recommended her online classes...fantastic!

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I simply must give a shout out to Tascha Parkinson! Love this Frida piece that was published in this issue. I have 2 original paintings by Tascha...I love her art and style!

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The gallery of the Jan/Feb 2012 issue was filled with chartreuse colored artwork. So cool! And seeing as the bird and egg theme was predominant throughout, I decided to whip up a digi freebie for you filled with chartreuse birds and eggs. Hope you enjoy!

Get your free, high resolution digital download by simply emailing blogfreebie@artchixstudio.com.

Enjoy! : ) You're welcome to use them in your personal artwork, jewelry, journals, etc. Or hold onto them for a future project. This item is not for resell though.

See you next week with more fun and inspiration! Don't forget to post a comment telling me what your favorite ARTchix bird item is....you might just win a copy of this incredibly inspiring issue of Somerset Studio!

Guess How Many Hearts...

Happy Wednesday!

I've been playing with more backgrounds! Oh so much fun! I made this background with vintage papers, labels, maps and super cool braille paper...all in pretty green, pink, chocolate and cream tones.

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And presto change-o! Thanks to hubby...my background was cut up into these adorable 1" wood hearts. I just love the details on these hearts. The braille paper gives the hearts a neat texture and the pink and green map really has my heart singing!

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Bruno says he likes this one the best. : )

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Great news! You can win this charming vintage French tin filled with my handmade hearts...simply leave a comment and GUESS how many hearts are in this tin. The first person to guess the right number...WINS. I'll give you a hint....the number is between 1 and 60. Good luck! : )

**Well, that was quick! You're all such great guessers! The magic number is 33 and Mary Byberg is the winner of this delightful tin of hearts! : )**

See you next week with a freebie digital download! : )

Hearts Galore & New Digi Freebie: Handmade Backgrounds

Hello dear art friends! Oh, I have some exciting things to share with you this week. : )

Here is a new digi freebie for you! A selection of handmade backgrounds that I made recently.Woohoo!

Get your free, high resolution digital download by simply emailing blogfreebie@artchixstudio.com.

Enjoy! : ) You're welcome to use them in your personal artwork, jewelry, journals, etc. Or hold onto them for a future project. This item is not for resell though.

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Wanna see how I made one of my backgrounds?

I started by getting all of my supplies ready: acrylic paints in red, pink and orange, paintbrush, water and wood as my canvas.

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I loaded up my paintbrush with red paint and dipped it in water just a bit and started painting...leaving lots of empty areas.

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Next, I painted pink paint on in the same manner.

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Then, orange paint with some more strokes of red and pink wherever I saw fit.

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And now the real fun, splattering on lime green paint with my old toothbrush. Oh, how I Iove doing this!

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When the paint was all dry, I sprayed my background with a non-toxic varnish. And with the magic of my dear hubby and his precision cutting tool....these lovely hearts were born! I can't tell you how over the moon I was when I first laid eyes on these hearts! I just knew that I had to share them with you!

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I started thinking about how to package these lovely hearts. I wanted everyone to know that I handpainted them but I couldn't sign every single one, lol. So, another lightbulb moment! I had my dear hubby make me these adorable, tiny wood tags (my hubby will now make them for you too if you'd like)!

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And voila, beautifully packaged handpainted hearts by me!

Guess what?! I've whipped up a basket full of these little gifts and I'm tucking them into every order that's over $25 right now. So, pop on over to ARTchix and see our inspiring new goodies and our Annual Blowout Sale and stock up! : ) Spend over $100 and get free shipping for this week only.

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Last week, I asked you to leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win this beautiful heart rock. Thank you soooo much for all of your sweet comments and great advice for online classes! I had hoped to reply to each of you individually but time totally got away from me. So please know that I read and was tickled by all of your nice notes, thank you! : )

As you can see, I just had to artfully giftwrap this special heart rock. I found this elegant box that used to hold a deck of cards. I couldn't resist adding one of my handpainted hearts to the front of it. The perfect touch. : )

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I tied it up with waxed linen thread and I felt like it needed something else. So, what do ya know...I had my hubby make me these tiny wood tags that say "treasure." Ahhh, now I'll be able to label special gifts properly. : )

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Oh yeah, you probably want to know who the lucky winner is, don't you?! Tee hee! Bruno picked....#14!! Theresa Grdina! Theresa, please email me with your mailing address.

Stop by next week for another fun, creative giveaway! Warning: it may or may not contain hearts, lol. Subscribe to my blog through FeedBlitz and it'll show up in your email box once a week. Easy peasy! : )

 

My New Years Resolutions + Win a Heart Rock

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! It was nice to spend time with family and friends and dream about the new year. Wishing all of us great things for 2012!

I'm making 3 New Years Resolutions this year. I'm going to share them with you to help keep me on track...

1. Submit! I must submit an article, letter, something/ anything to a magazine, book or online site once a week. I started off with a bang by writing a quick how-to article for Crafts Beautiful UK. I was inspired by a product they featured in their magazine called the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool. It looked so cool that I snapped one up and it is *awesome*! You can punch out images and give them a clear protective bubble all in one punch.

2. Learn! I must take at least one class online and locally. After teaching an altered book class recently, I've rediscovered my love for teaching. And in order to be the best teacher I can be, I want to take more classes. Have you taken a class online that you would recommend?

3. Photo! I must take a photo every day. Even if it's just Bruno lounging around..lol. Practice is the best way for all of us to improve our skills.

Phew, wish me luck! : )

A big Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mom and best friend! Here we are with the beautiful Bahamas waters behind us. My Mom is a real Martha Stewart, she continually amazes me with her talent and creativity. She knits, makes jewelry, cooks, bakes, collages....and she does it all with incredible style. Love you! : )

In honor of my Mom's birthday, I thought I'd host this special giveaway: this beautiful heart-shaped piece of coral that I found on the beach shown in the photo above. Simply post a comment to this post and my kitty Bruno will pick a winner next week.

Sneak Peek!!! Ooooh, look at these fun goodies that will be available for purchase at ARTchix Studio next week! Crowns, wee little birdhouse charms, vintage goodies (including some documents from the late 1800s!) and more!